Monsters—from the Id!

We’re on the runway, waiting for takeoff. My phone’s in airplane mode while I write this, to post sometime after we land because I’m not paying for Wi-Fi on an airplane.

It’s the first time I’ve been on a plane since 1999. I wouldn’t even be on one now if we weren’t trying to keep the trip as short as possible to get back to the cats, but when you have special-needs kitties, you don’t want to be away too long.

It’s a special occasion for us since we’re going to a wedding that I’m going to officiate. My first time marrying two people, which is one more time than I ever thought I’d do in my life.

But yeah, things are a bit different since the last time I boarded a plane. The whole TSA checkpoint thing, for one, though it didn’t feel that different from the old security checkpoints when I flew semi-regularly back in the 1990s. But I hadn’t been diagnosed with diabetes then, and I wasn’t hauling around an insulin pump and supplies (though because this is a day trip, I didn’t have to bring my CPAP machine, so that’s a plus). And, of course, I didn’t have a cell phone back then, just a book to read.

The biggest change is that it’s my first time on a plane with PJ. I mean, I certainly wasn’t married 26 years ago, and my last plane trip was a business trip, so Michael wasn’t with me. But Michael and I never took a significant trip, while PJ and I have done a little bit of traveling, though by car or train, because I generally wasn’t interested in all the hassle involved in flying with all my medical stuff. But it’s a day trip to Minneapolis from Chicago, and I didn’t feel like making the drive.

And off we go. I’m surprised that I still remember how takeoff feels. PJ’s excited; he loves to fly. Me, I’m still writing this. The flight is supposed to take less than an hour, so it’s a good reintroduction to the experience in case we decide to do something more extended in the future (though we want to take a cross-country train trip, and I’d rather do that than fly again).

If we do, though, I’m flying something roomier than economy.

The flight attendant comes by with the beverage cart. I didn’t even know they did that on such a short flight. I get water. I miss peanuts on flights, but the Biscoffs are a good substitute. The flight attendant slips us each an extra pack. Biscoff lovers have to stick together.

The descent begins. Although my ears adjusted to ascent with no problem, I have to keep popping them as we lose altitude. I’m ready for this ride to be over. Next time I know I’ve got to get on a plane, I’m going on a diet ASAP.

Aaaand… touchdown. I’m tempted to kiss the ground just for the heck of it.