The key to success in life is choosing the right line to stand in.
Currently I am at Narita airport. I had to choose which check-in line would be the fastest. My faulty-logic brain chose the shortest one. After 20 minutes of not moving, a woman came back and apologized for the wait. She bent her head toward the woman operating the desk we were waiting for and explained, “she’s a trainee.” No other apology was necessary.
I realized that I always choose the wrong line. When I am faced with a choice of lines, complex algorithms in my brain calculate which line would be best. But I am always wrong. I choose the line with a person who is trying to smuggle a bird cage full of endangered-species birds. Or I choose the one with the person who plans to request the paperwork to apply for diplomatic immunity, after which their qualifications are carefully investigated while I wait behind them in line. Or I choose the person who doesn’t get an ideal seat and won’t leave until are they compensated with a free upgrade (“do you know who I am?!”)
As I wait, I realize I need a new policy. I am refining my mental formulas for line choosing. I have plenty of time to figure it out: what else will I do as I wait in line? A refugee in front of me has asked to wait in line while his extended family is airlifted from his home country in Central America.
I know. Once I got in line at the Walmart's "20 items or less express lane," and realized the person in front thought that a 24-count case of water bottles counts as one item even when you have a case of Gatorade, a 12-pack of Coke and Budweiser, a 3month supply of mini bags of chips, etc. They had 3 carts of such items. Maybe there was only 20 items, but 3 carts? I mean, really.
Posted by: Em | February 23, 2007 at 12:57 PM
How was the flight? I hope it was nice. Anything with just you and your Julie will be wonderful after 13 years from your last couple's vacation. Go B & J!!
Posted by: Em | February 23, 2007 at 12:59 PM