Missed connections and layovers

Thank you, gentle readers,
for all the support and encouragements you've given me over the last few months.
They contributed greatly to my mental survival.

Friday

4:30 AM
So I made it to Dorval airport on time.
Cigarettes : 3 (On the way to the airport)

I actually was early enough to have breakfast and read the whole Quebec Bar Journal, which I normally never take the time to read. At the US customs, the guy is as thick as the Websters, but not as brilliant.

- Where ya goin', Maam ?
- Baltimore, sir.
- What for, Maam ?
- Job interview, sir. For an international position.
- You gonna work in the United States, Maam ?
- No sir, it's an international position. Overseas.
- But you'll be working in the US, Maam ?
- No sir, I just told you it was overseas.
- In what country, Maam ?
- I don't know yet, sir, I haven't had my assignment yet.
- So you won't be working in the US, Maam ?

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !

At the Canadian security, I get searched though I haven't beeped. The girl tells me she has to search an additionnal 25% of the travellers. If she doesn't, she gets fired. She mentions she'd rather sell donuts.

Coffee : 2
Bagel & Cream cheese : 1
Security announcements : 6
Annoyed Beaver : 1

6:45 AM
My first flight was to Newark, with a 30 min layover and connection to Baltimore. It was my first flight on the small aircrafts Continental calls airplanes. It was the smallest thing I'd ever been on, with my head litterally resting against the ceiling when standing up and my knees being cranked against the seat in front of me when sitting down. TG for exit rows !
Cigarettes : 0
Coffee : 1
Muffin : 1
Security Briefing : 1
Destroyed knees : 2

8:45 AM
Arrival in Newark, I make my way to my boarding area. All's good, the flight is still announced on the screen. I figure, this is good, I'll be patient and wait for it to be called in. 15 minutes later, wondering why it's so long, I enquire. The flight departed !
Security announcements : 1
Connections missed : 1

I make my way to the customer service desk. I need to take the 1:30PM flight. I meet there a fellow passenger from the Montreal flight. He missed his connection too. We have a cigarette (outside) and a snack (inside).

Call to my interviewer : 2
Cigarettes : 2 (Outside)
Coffee : 1
Muffin : 1
Security announcements : 5
New friends : 1

11:00 AM
My friend takes his flight to NC. I wander around aimlessly.
Cigarettes : 0
Coffee : 0
Muffin : 0
Security announcements : 25 !!!
Bored Beaver : 1

1:20 PM
My flight is finally boarding. I'm almost desperate with boredom and fatigue.
Satisfied Beaver : 1

1:50 PM
The flight is deplaned due to technical difficulties. Me and 2 other passengers (sleep deprived as well) are laughing all along. I think I went close to insane. A girl from Arkansas has a hard time with my Tomato/Pesto/Bocconcini sandwich.

Call to my interviewer : 1
Cigarettes : 0
Juice : 1
Sandwich : 1
Disillioned Beaver : 1
Security announcements : 6

2:45 PM
The flight is boarded. We're still laughing. The flight attendant is laughing too.
Cigarettes : 0
Coffee : 0
Muffin : 0
Security briefing : 1

4:00 PM
I almost forgot my luggage by the carry-on pick-up and got it blown up. Blame it on sleep deprevation. I finally made it to the Wyndham, dropped my luggage and made my way to the office. I'm very nervous.

Cigarettes : 2 *relief*

7:00 PM
The interview went well (I think they pretty much had made up their minds before I even came). I spend the evening with my manager at the Hard Rock Cafe in Baltimore.
Cigarettes : ?
Calls home : 4
Jobs obtained : 1

****************************************************************
 Saturday

I sleep in. I'm dead. I take my flight to Cleveland and my connection to Montreal without too much trouble. Some unauthorized birds visit the boarding area in Cleveland.

I get home to find Dave has planned dinner for us. He even bought Mousseux. We hang out at my friend's place a bit later.

****************************************************************
 Sunday

I start emailing friends and family about the news. We give my in-laws the news.

By the way, here's the news :

I'll be leaving Montreal in 3 weeks, direction Baltimore, where I'll spend 2 weeks for prep and logistics. This leaves me little time to sublease my place, sell my car and move all my belongings to the cottage, but I'll manage. Dave rented today a gorgeous appartment in Little Italy. I managed to annul my lease. Someone is already placing a bid on my car.

The most difficult part will be leaving Dave behind, but we hope that with combined vacations, personnal days, and R&R, we'll be able to see each other 4 times a year. Nevertheless, being away from him will be painful, as this has all happened very fast and is destabilizing him on the eve of the automn classes at university. I must admit I feel kinda guilty.

September 24th, I leave for Guinea Conakry with my assigned Audit team.

November 4th, we'll start the audit in Cameroon.

I'll be home for X-mas and will leave again early january, destination unknown.

I might go to East Timor, Senegal, Zambia or Tanzania. If I'm lucky, I'll be close enough to visit my friends in Africa.

No matter what, the blogging will continue.

ON ON !

The Beaver



My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !