This weekend was a study in how not to conduct a trip. I actually missed my flight heading out (stayed too long at work and the traffic was horrid). I had to take a cab, which I hadn’t intended, and still I missed my flight. Cost for the cab? $80.
On the way, it became clear I wasn’t going to make it so I called the airline (Continental) and got re-routed to San Antonio — about an hour’s drive from my destination, instead. That change cost me $50, though I have to say Continental was a pleasure to work with.
The change in destination screwed up my car rental situation. I’d already pre-paid for a great deal on Priceline.com, but there was no changing that rental. Had to start all over with a new rental, which ended up costing me $200, including gas. (Plus I had already paid about $50 for the Priceline.com rental.)
Bottom line: I got there.
Then there was the way back, I showed up a little before 5 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. flight — or so I thought. “We don’t have a 6:30 flight to Newark,” the airline person told me. “You’re on the 5:15.” Aargh. Even after the disastrous flight over, I hadn’t re-checked my flight time for the return trip. Thankfully, that flight was slightly delayed, so not only did I make it, but my luggage made it, too. Truly amazing.
I don’t know if I’m completely jinxed or completely blessed. After all, I was so close to crashing and burning all weekend, and ended up simply being short a couple of hundred bucks. I started with a free frequent flier miles trip, so it still wasn’t so terrible.
In another amazing development, I didn’t really eat over the stress. I managed to deal with it in a rather poised way, to be honest. I did eat and drink a bit excessively over the weekend, but I also went on two walks, one fairly long one around Town Lake in Austin, and another though Pedernales Falls State Park in the middle of nowhere.
Also, while in Austin, I bought a even higher-tech Tanita Body Fat/Body Water Scale than I had before, as a motivational tool. Also got a heart rate monitor book. So far so good with both of them. I set up the scale last night and it reads body fat and body weight at a more granular (I think .2) level than my old scale. Also, it’s a “family” scale so my husband will be able to use it, too.