Paradise Vendors Saves the Day

The day before my birthday was an interesting one. I was anxious to get to New Orleans and slightly afraid that since we were taking the last flight out of DC that I might not make it. So, I decide to try and fly stand by despite numerous calls to the 2nd worst airline, American Airlines, and advice that flights from Dallas to New Orleans were full. I make it to Dallas without too much of a problem except for AA employee, T. Ruffin, nearly making me cry.

I rush to the 2pm flight to New Orleans. No luck. No stand by passengers made it. I have some lunch and notice Xpress Spa and decided to splurge on an hour massage. My masseuse asks what do I do and recommends that I get these more often. I think he may need a massage after giving me one.

Walking to the next gate at 4:50pm. I'm so close...I am waiting in line about to get on the plane and then out of no where a cart full of people are here and bumps some of us off. None of these people are elderly or disabled. How did they get this cart? I'm always sprinting in airports to make my connection and these people arrive in carts?

At 7pm, I realize this is my last chance to make the stand by worthwhile, otherwise I will be on my scheduled flight that leaves at 9:40pm and I will feel stupid. I am number 3 on the list. I think three has to make it. Nope. Three is the FIRST to NOT MAKE THE FLIGHT. Here is where I am a bit upset and I try to go back to the Xpress Spa, but they are closed.

So, I head to the next gate and start to read my book for book club, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, which takes place in New Orleans. I met my hubby an hour later and we (finally!) board the plane for New Orleans. However, the last few pages that I read in my book described the main character, Ignatius, starting a new job selling hot dogs from a cart from a company called Paradise Vendors. This clearly sticks with me because after a nice time in the hotel bar seeing all the great friends who came to New Orleans for my birthday, we decide to take a quick walk around the Quarter and I have to get a hot dog from a hot dog vendor. Fortunately, it was not Ignatius.

After a nice, relaxing hot dog with chili, onions and cheese, I go to bed ready for the big 3-0.