SFO ~ Home Away From Home

I'm sitting on the plane flying yet again to SFO (San Francisco International Airport). I am sandwiched between the window and an empty middle seat on the left side of aisle 6. The woman in the aisle seat and I rebelliously plotted to keep our middle seat empty by not removing our belongings from its surface when the flight attendant so announced; our malicious plot was a success.

I rather enjoy working at SFO; the team there is awesome and I like the openness and newness of the international terminal where the majority of my company's stores reside. I also enjoy the added bonus of being a badged airport employee, getting to pass in and out of secure areas at will and receive treatment more befitting humanoids than a herd of cattle.

There is a lovely but terrible store filled with a bounty of chocolates for sale, aptly named "Indulge"; I must try always to avoid its seductive trappings. In terminal 2 there is a Pinkberry frozen yogurt which I visit after lunch on occasion as well as some other delicious fare, from the Cat Cora Iron Chef diner/lounge to the Napa Farms shop (which sells gluten free cupcakes but is always out by the time I arrive!).

36,000 feet and 220 miles to go. Seatbelt signs off. Peanuts and stampede to the air baño. My complementary water-no ice has arrived.

I see nothing but a sea of clouds outside my window. I used to imagine as a kid that the top of the clouds was like the surface of the ocean, and all that dwelt underneath was an ocean of sorts. I suppose this was a precursor to the now overused Inception jokes, for within my imaginary ocean lay the true ocean.

I like to stay on the Burlingame side of the airport when visiting. In between the Vagabond Inn and Bay Landing Hotel are situated some good eats at El Torito Grill and The Elephant Bar; Benihana is a short walk away. There is also an amazing view of the bay and SFO landing strip as well as a lovely walking path and bridge perfect for photos at sunset and an evening stroll.

This is by far my favourite airport to work at for obvious reasons! Most airports are in boring, industrial areas and the hotels leave you a choice of terrible takeout or fast food with a view of refinery plants, cemeteries or other unattractive scenery.

In a little bit we'll be landing, I'll trek through terminal 1 to the furthest remote reaches of the baggage claim, retrieve my bag, gobble some food and head to work. They don't know I'm on my way, which is always fun... Like a surprise party every visit! ;o)

Seatbelt sign back on and initial descent begun. Engine noise changes and nose points downward. Drink you drinks and throw out your trash; turn off and stow all portable electronic devices.

This has been a brief insight into my business travel adventures; I hope it has brightened your dy. ;o) until later...!

12:00am - Time to Learn!

What better thing could there be to do on a Friday evening at 12:00am than to write a blog post? (Okay, so technically it is 12:00am Saturday morning...)

I have been thinking a bit lately and coming to the realization that I miss school. Primarily I miss learning, but school provides a nice, structured way to engage in learning. Without really having the immediate ability to attend classes, this leaves me with the option of reading. 

Never my favorite pastime, reading provides an economical and practical way to obtain knowledge. There is a plethora of ways to read these days, from eReaders to iPads to laptops to the more old-fashioned books, newspapers and magazines. I can't really argue that I don't have time to read, it's more a matter of being willing. But perhaps my thirst for intellectual growth will at last trump my distaste of sitting placidly on a couch with my stoic gaze moored upon thoughts and ideas carefully (and sometimes not-so-carefully) inked on a page.

Where to start? There is a vast array of topics to learn about, from biology, nutrition and the human body to politics, finances and tax laws. One could dig indefinitely into the of ideologies of the -ologies, becoming so erudite that only the finest intellectual mind could wholly decipher one's utterances; one could perhaps instead choose to gather knowledge of fads and trends like Easter eggs to collect for their colorful basket of pop-culture. 

Pop-culture is not my thing; I have no desire to become loftier than all with whom I desire to communicate. But it would be good stewardship on my part to use the intellect God has blessed me with (no doubt for His good purposes). To not move forward is to go backwards, or at very best become stagnant and irrelevant, right? We must be faithful with the little things, with ALL things He has given us. Surely He has given us no gift or ability for naught.

So, here's to reading and learning...!