I wanted to write, I really did…

by Allie P., posted in Life as I know it

I wanted to write. I really did!

But…

I needed to walk the dog. It was a glorious morning and the two of us could use some bonding.

Then the time slipped away and I still needed to work for my day job which meant traveling away from warm sunny temperatures. I wasn’t worried.

I should have time to write while I wait for my flight.

But…

The gate attendants kept making pesky announcements regarding weather delays, which had the worst way of breaking my concentration.

Dinosaur in Chicago airport
It was a really, really, really long layover

The incoming plane is delayed. The incoming plane has been sent back to its original gate. We found a new plane, but we’ll need a new crew. We need to file paperwork. We need to de-ice the plane. They need to clear the runway. We’ll be underway in just a moment…any moment…

That moment became hours as we waited on the runway. Use of electronics during this down time was strictly prohibited.

I still might be able to write while we fly.

But…

My seat mate was one of those people who don’t pick up on social cues. (I seriously need to meet with the various airlines about my “I’m feeling social / Do not disturb” patent pending travel bracelets).

Which actually was much more tolerable than the sound of the jet engine next to my ear, or the smell from the overworked restroom, but still less conducive to writing.

I can always write when I reach my hotel.

But…

After circled our destination five times, the pills I’d taken for the resulting massive headache hadn’t yet worked their magic. Looking at the blank screen was painful.

And I was hungry, tired, and grumpy to boot and knew I had to wake early for a morning appointment. I looked at the bed.

I wanted to curl up under the covers and sleep.

But…

My flight might have been cancelled were it not for the appearance of the new crew. They just happened to be on the flight as passengers but volunteered for an extra night’s work so that the rest of us sorry individuals huddled together might still reach our destination. Or we might not have gotten airborne had it not been for the ground crew working in freezing temperatures and horizontally blowing snow in order to grant us a clear path and ice-less wings. I may not have reached my hotel were it not for traffic control, squeezing us into an unplanned slot, or gotten to my hotel without my shuttle driver braving frozen roads. They did their jobs, because they had to, even though it wasn’t comfortable or convenient.

And I knew the following day would be just as hectic, just as I knew I didn’t start down this writing journey for lack of a hobby.

I ran out of excuses.

I needed to write.

So I did.

55 thoughts on “I wanted to write, I really did…”

    1. It is awful because I always feel I should be able to write there. I have limited internet connectivity and typically no kids, on paper it should be a great spot. In practice? Not so much.

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    1. I always feel good about myself after a day like that when I do write. It is like I faced a dragon. Sure, I may not have actually slain said dragon, and sure, maybe it wasn’t my best work and I am a little singed and exhausted, but at least, the dragon didn’t consume me. Even better, I may have saved some farmer’s livestock in the process.

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  5. …and it made for an entertaining read.

    This is why I’m glad I don’t do much traveling (read: ZERO) for my job. And I’d be first in line for one of those bracelets, by the way. Hope your first million comes in quickly.

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    1. I started saying it as a joke, but as I’ve been forced to travel more and more I am finding there is real market potential.

      I enjoy traveling once I’ve reached my destination, I just detest the transit process.

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  8. Wow. Good for you! You still managed?! Also “I’m feeling social / Do not disturb” patent pending travel bracelets–awesome! And I so know what you mean. Recently someone who flies a lot said that when someone on a flight asks him what he does for a living, he’d like to pull out a Bible with a whole bunch of garish multi-colored highlights, lean in close, and say, “I’m so glad you asked.” Haha! I just might work to shut people up! 🙂

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  9. I love this post. I can so relate. I currently have my noisy five and three-year next to me playing with hot-wheels. They haven’t really caught on to the idea that they don’t *have* to yell when they are excited and having fun. I love that they are having fun with each other, but with the extra noise I find myself reading the same paragraph about ten more times than I would usually need to.

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  10. I rarely speak to anyone on a plane…even myself…to busy praying. Writing while waiting…no chance…head too full of excuses already…for being late…forgetting this, that and the other…guilt for what I may have or be about to do…even if I won’t or haven’t. That’s it…we use up too many words on excuses…distractions…writing about not writing. Right I’d best get back too it…after I’ve had a coffee! Your post…a good read…good writing.

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      2. Good, good, good. Unfortunately I may have brought some cold bugs back with me after so much exposure to recirculated air. On the plus side, my writing tends to takes an interesting turn when I am medicated so I might be able to knock out a chapter or so this afternoon. Whether any part will actually remain in the final draft is not important.

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  13. Interestingly enough, that is often how some of our best work occurs. When I’ve run out of excuses, and finally sit my ancient bones down with purpose, I actually produce something meaningful. They say inspiration is 99% perspiration, or something like that; I guess someone knew what they were talking about. Good post, Allie! 🙂

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  14. Ok a) journey from hell, my commiserations but b) amen sister. There are a million excuses in the book for not writing and that’s fine, if you don’t want to write books!

    Good for you 💖

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  15. Yes. I wrote a post on this theme about excuses vs reasons and, sometimes, it’s just not in the cards. Other times, you can have a helluva day and still get some writing in and it’s glorious. Love it! 💖 Glad you did.

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    1. Thanks! One of the reasons I only post a blog once a week is to give myself a little leeway when life gets in the way. Then again, because I only post once a week, one miss can quickly add up to two or four. But I completely understand what works for me doesn’t work for everyone and no one should feel guilty for doing something differently as long as they are happy with the results.

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  16. Lol! Just WRITE already! 🙂

    In any case the creative things I love to do, I do because I love doing them. So if the conditions are not right I don’t force them. I enjoy the whole process of clearing the decks, feeling in the right head space and having the munchies to the side and maybe a favourite film or music (or silence) in the background. That’s all part of the package and the uncertainty of a crummy delayed flight would not inspire me to write either…or indeed it might! It’s whatever! Just enjoy it.

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    1. 🙂
      If I had been on my own time, I would have taken a walk and cleared my head, but alas the powers that be tend to frown on moving about the cabin when you are stuck on the runway. Thankfully the return flight was much less eventful.

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      2. I like how your mind works!

        I am considering notifying the office that all my future travel should be booked either on a perfectly reasonable private jet or by train.

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  20. This reminds me of an anthology of short stories called Changing Planes. While I have the utmost respect for the people who work in the complex web of systems that are airports, the anthology has a rather comical premise; that airports are in fact such a troubling knot of impeded progress, that the stress causes our minds to travel to other planes of existence.
    What follows is a series of anthropological short stories about worlds that don’t exist, where genetics got out of hand, or where cattle evolved into the dominant species instead of primates, and so on. A very good read, especially if you find yourself frustrated by the difficulties of travel.

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      1. It’s a very interesting series. One thing I like about it is how the stories rarely rely on a typical antagonist. Instead it’s all about different peoples and how they manage their lives and answer the eternal questions. It’s a wonderfully human piece, very relaxing to read.

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