NOT North Carolina: By The Numbers

Number of hours we waited at the airport for a flight: 18
Number of flights that were delayed: 3
Number of very ugly break-ups witnessed: 1
Number of delayed flights that were eventually cancelled: 3
Number of people that were escorted from the airport by police for objecting to cancellation / delay: 4
Number of flights we actually got on: 0 (We even tried to re-route ourselves to another destination)
Number of days we would have to wait to actually get on a flight: 3
Number of people we witnessed having emotional breakdowns: 6
Number of fistfights witnessed: 2 (although, ,honestly, 1 was just a slap)
Number of Aleve caplets I offered to fellow passengers: 8
Number of hours we were asked to wait for luggage retrieval: 1
Number of hours before the airline finally admitted to me that they had lost my luggage: 2

Trust me when I say this: You have NOT lived until you spend 18 hours in an airport with a 4 year old autistic child who is texture sensitive and intolerant of strangers. Everytime we would make a move to leave the airline would announce that the flight had been delayed by 1 hour, then another hour, then eventually cancelled, but the next flight is only 2 hours away, blah, blah, blah, we-want-to-keep-you-here-in-the-ninth-circle-of-hell-cakes. We stuck it out until 8 pm when the airline announced that as soon as they found a crew and a plane we would leave (the plane was supposed to leave at 7 pm). As soon as they announced that I was overcome by a sudden urge to stab someone in the eye which only increased after we had to wait an additional 2 hours to be told that our luggage had been lost (1 large suitcase with nothing but baby gifts for my brother's baby, 1 small bag for me & Mr. Little Man's things and Mr. Little Man's car seat). Not to worry the Thomas the Tank Engine carry on is safe, as it remained with us throughout our ordeal.

Also, apparently, the airline never was able to find a crew or a plane.....that flight was cancelled at midnight.

What I am reading: The airline's website about liability for lost luggage.
What I am listening to: Tegan and Sara - Walking with a Ghost

My Battle Rages On

Let me start this post by thanking all of the people who emailed me to give me advice on how to deal with my dramatically graying hair. The most popular suggestions I received were:

1. Henna - Unfortunately, henna will not give me the amount of coverage I need. I know this because I tried.
2. Semi-Permanent Color - Unfortunately, semi permanent color will not give me the amount of coverage I need. I know this because I tried.
3. Shampoo made for dark hair - this only works if you have a small amount of gray. I have a large amount of gray. I know this does not work because I tried it.

I am not even sure when I fell into the habit of coloring my hair or even why I picked it up in the first place. Maintaining a hair color is alot of maintenance. I am generally low maintenance. As long as I shower, wear deodorant and put leave in conditioner in my hair I consider myself "maintained".

I don't mind the gray hair; what bothers me is the salt and pepper. It doesn't look "right" on me. Actually, it looks like I am just too damn lazy to dye my hair. I can't help but feel like I am fighting a loosing battle. I will eventually go completely gray, so why continue the pointless delay? I like black hair, I like gray hair, I hate the halfway shit.

Before I go any further I should also point out that I saw The Devil Wears Prada the other night and Meryl was working the gray. I am pretty convinced that I could rock the gray as well. (Sidebar: I loved the movie, I loved the clothes. Anne Hathaway's movie boyfriend is an unsupportive ass and her friends overreact about stupid shit).

So, now I am officially done with dying the hair, which is hard because it means that during the interim I will have to deal with the halfway salt and pepper shit. I suppose I could just dye it gray but then I am right back where I do not want to be: in dyed hair hell.

So, bear with me folks, I may look like someone that is too damn lazy to dye their hair for the next year or two. Unless one of you out there can tell me how to naturally speed up the process.

What I am reading: JL and I are still working on our project so I have no free time. Mr. Little Man and I are going to North Carolina next week to enjoy a few days in the mountains and as soon as we return I have to get right back to work. The work is so totally worth it though. Deets to follow. And yes, I know this has nothing to do with what I am or am not reading.
What I am listening to: John Mayer - Why Georgia

Question

OK, so say a male acquaintance (I hesitate to call him a friend because we don't really see each other that often) were to say to you, "Hey, we should go to the gym together to work out" would you:

A. Think that he was asking you on a "not" date
B. Think that he was calling you a fat ass by suggesting a visit to the gym instead of a visit to, lets say, anyplace that isn't a gym
C. Suspect that he may want to ask you out but wants you to loose a few pounds first

I need answers.

What I am reading: 84 daily emails from JL. We're working on a project together and we are FOCUSED.
What I am listening to: Wilco - Hummingbird

I keep trying to tell you people I'm busy

So, JL came to visit and I meant to write a little something to commemorate the occasion, but I've suddenly realized that (HOLY CRAP!) that was almost 2 weeks ago! It is a bit odd when you reunite with someone that you haven't seen since 9th grade. After 16 years the outside package is different, but everything else (the voice, the mannerisms, the laugh) is the same. We talk on the phone everyday, but its still wierd to actually see her.

Either way, you can read all about it on her blog. Plus, you have the added bonus of pictures. Before you ask why I am completely covered up at the beach let me assure you that I have some really large sun spots on my face and arms that are just one short step away from melanoma, hence the hat and long sleeves.

What I am reading: After a rather heated argument with my friend Kat about who would die in the next Harry Potter book I am re-reading them all for clues. I know, I need more of a life that doesn't include emotional investment in fictional characters half my age. Shut up; I'm a geek.
What I am listening to: Ain't No Way - Aretha Franklin. Seriously, ya'll, that is, like, one of the best songs EVER!