. . . and people wonder why I'm a control freak
This weekend, I flew from Ontario, California to Phoenix, Arizona to go to the SCA's Estrella War for my SCA son's (dragonfeather ) wedding. I had been apprehensive about the trip from the beginning, but went ahead because it meant so much to him, and it WAS a wonderful wedding.
The trip itself was a disaster.
Thanks to TSA's inspection and some idiots at the Ontario airport putting my bag on the wrong belt, my suitcase carrying my sleeping bag, kilt, shirt, other tunic, toiletries, belt, pouch, coronet, warm fuzzy Russian hat for nighttime, shortsword, dagger, and eating utensils (goblet, placemat, napkin, fork, spoon and knives -- all custom made) got to the site about two hours AFTER the wedding. AND, when I opened my coronet case to show it off, at least, two of the pearls and their settings were broken off! (That, at least, is already at a jeweler who'll fix it and get it back at Caid Crown).
I had to spend two hours after arrival working through the "delayed bag" mess at Phoenix airport. First, dealing with the guy in the baggage area, then waiting a half-hour in line at the "baggage claim" office to get to a poor girl who could only fill out her little onscreen form and not much else. They didn't seem to understand the problem was that I was going to a CAMPING event, and they had the luggage containing my SLEEPING BAG. It wouldn't be in until the first flight from Ontario the next morning.
I kept getting conflicting stories as to WHY it was left in Ontario. TSA blamed US Airways; US Airways blamed TSA. First, it was the inspection that took so long; TSA denied that. The on-duty suprevisor, a very patient man named Rick, actually went and got in touch with the desk staff and baggage supervisor at Ontario. They said a faulty switch on the baggage belt put my bag in the wrong queue. They offered $50 for a new sleeping bag, but didn't seem to know where I could PURCHASE one at that hour. We got out to the War site after 12. Luckily, there was a spare sleeping bag and quilt available, but it was still freakin' cold when I had to go to the bathroom, since my sleeping sweatshirt and pants were in . . . the other bag.
The household I was camping with (Dragonwing, part of Rolling Thunder), couldn't have been nicer or more generous, and very understanding. I'd been told that a flight with the bag would be in Phoenix by 8:30, and to call a particular number by 9 if it hadn't arrived. I called at 9. No news. I called again at 10. I had to spend over an hour on hold with US Airways "Baggage Call Center" in EL SALVADOR, before I got the number of the baggage office at Phoenix Sky Harbor (Sky Cesspool is more like it) Airport -- after waiting over another half-hour with the fellow who was honestly attempting to be helpful there, they'd found my bag, which had actually not been on the earlier flight, but arrived at about 10. This was about 11:00 a.m., and they told me they could get the bag to the Groom's mother's hotel "sometime between 12 and 4." I explained this was not acceptable, and that there was a wedding at 2 that I needed those clothes for. They agreed to try and get things in time, but couldn't guarantee it.
I did a divebomb down merchants' row (thank Gods for the bonus coming Friday) wearing my mundanes Saturday morning, and now have a new small kilt (one without the shoulder plaid), shirt, belt, cloak, gloves, long tunic, aba, (arabic over vest -- covers a multitude of sins), and a couple of skullcaps to protect me balding head. US Airways has agreed to reimburse me for "necessary wedding clothes;" we'll see how much they cover. I got done shopping no more than half-an-hour before the ceremony, changed rapidly and we got started.
The wedding itself was beautiful -- weather in the high 60s, blue sky, white puffy clouds, light breeze. The Groom was wearing a blue/black plaid great kilt. and the bride a beautiful white gown with navy blue sash trailing down the back, and the veil had navy blue ribbon trim, and her wedding tiara had sapphires and diamonds. The Groom's mother and I got a chuckle every time the Rabbi (it was a Jewish/Pagan ceremony) said "Jason, son of Jared". She also had a giggle because "Dad was in a skirt and Mom in pants". The funniest part were the folks who kept saying they could see the family resemblance between Jonathan and I . . . and there is none, because I'm his "SCA" dad, even though his mom says I was more of a father to him than her ex-husband ever was.
The driver bringing the things to the hotel couldn't have been more apologetic -- he apparently got stuck behind some charity bike ride, and was delayed. He got there well after the ceremony.
Then, thanks to traffic around the Arizona Renaissance Festival, we were late getting to the airport and I missed my return flight (I got there in time, but too late to get the baggage on the plane). US Airways put me on the next one, three hours later, and, because the of the bag foul-up coming out, they waived the baggage fee going back. I went to a restaurant in the airport, had a margarita and a hamburger, and tried to relax.
Even at that, the flight I got moved to was even later -- supposed to go out at 5:49, it didn't actually leave till about 6:30, thanks to a plane delay and schedule conflicts in waiting for a pilot, and then waiting again for standby passengers (who I'm sure were appreciative, but the rest of us want the hell out of there, having waited so long already. At least it wasn't raining when I got into Ontario, which was a plus. I came home, unpacked, showered, and crashed.
I was supposed to work this morning, but called in exhausted.
The throat isn't as sore as it was, but it isn't great, either.
I hope my trip to Columbus in three weeks goes better.