To fly or not to fly?
A friend of mine has invited me down to L.A. for a Kings-Avalanche game in a couple months. Now the question is, do I accept and fly down there, or turn the opportunity down and wait for his visit up here for New Years Eve?
When the Tyrannical Scam Administration started confiscating toiletries, I concluded I’d flown my last, except in case of emergency or a rare work-related trip. Boxing myself in with a vow never to fly, ever again seemed unrealistic, but I thought I could stick to avoiding vacation flights. Somehow, my line in the sand was the threat of having my shampoo confiscated by uneducated goons unfit to scoop dog shit off the sidewalk.
And since then, I’ve adhered to it. Even when my grandmother passed away in Southern California, though it cost me two days of vacation, I drove down to my parents’ place and rode with them the rest of the way.
So what now? If I am to be at all honest, I really do want to go. I haven’t seen a hockey game since I left the Bay area, and before that, I watched the Avs bring Stanley home in 2001 in Denver, where, for a time, I had been on the wait list for season tickets. I miss it, and I hate the closest NHL team so much they aren’t ever going to see a dime of my money, for tickets or anything else.
What say you? To fly, or not to fly? Do I stick to principle, or eat my vow and have a good time?
Why not take the train? Less onerous goons and you get to see the scenery, enjoy a nice meal or two and you don’t have to put up with the airport Nazi’s. Sure, it takes a bit more time down and back…so what? Life’s short. Enjoy it.
If I were in this predicament, I’d go. Here’s why: yes, the TSA is about as charming as 60-grain paper on the roll in the bathroom, no quibble there. However, every once in a while there’s no shame in tossing aside principle for the sake of fun–we all do it, some just don’t do it as often as others. And, seeing as you haven’t seen a hockey game in so long, you owe it to yourself to accept. If you do go, will you let us know if your vow tastes at all like crow or chicken?
You could fly but combine it with some rabble-rousing. For example, you could carry your pocket-sized metal bill of rights.
I don’t blame you for your hesitation. I am not looking forward to flying to Ireland in January. Well, I’m looking forward to the trip, but not the airport part of it.
On one hand I would say to not let them keep you from enjoying a hockey game and whatever else. On the other hand, I would say to avoid compliance by acquiescing to the sheepitude of all the searches and stuff of flying. In the end, your submittal to their procedures matters very little to them, so fly and enjoy a visit and a hockey game. It is too bad you won’t get to see a real team. Go Pens!
‘Tis true that the Penguins have very pale skin from dwelling in the basement for so long, but they are finally reemerging as contenders. The excitement from a young, talented, and competitive club in town is palpable.
At least I’m not a big baseball fan or else I’d be in big trouble with the Pirates.
I hope you can make it to the game. It would be a shame to miss it on account of some JBT with metal detecting wands.
I don’t recall where I wrote on this very same subject [I can hear those sighs of relief!]; and you know which side of the issue I eventually chose. But here’s what led me to choose it, and re-evaluate a lot of my pro-freedom activism: the realization that by making such vows, I was stunting my own freedom just as much as the govgoons attempt to.
P.S. I hope Blogger doesn’t eat this comment yet again … I’ve been trying for days to post here. Grrrr ….
Pens and Avs tonight! Can you feel the tension and excitement?