Snarly McSniffles
I think I’m fighting a cold. I started noticing the symptoms on Saturday afternoon. Nothing serious – just a runny nose and itchy throat. Now it’s Monday and I’m feeling the exact same symptoms – no worse, no less. I’m optimistically thinking that my stellar immune system has been fighting it off and that the minor symptoms are all I’ll be left with. The pessimistic side of me is wondering whether it’s just a slow mover and that it will progressively get worse over the next few weeks.
I’m leaning towards optimism. I tend not to get sick often. In fact, I’ve not had a cold in a few years, nor have I had the flu in nearly a decade.
But as long as I don’t get sick until next Tuesday, I’ll be fine. You see, I’m flying down to Washington, DC this Friday to visit my friend, Chris. I’ve never been there before so I’m looking forward to seeing the sights (and Chris, of course). Of course, I’m absolutely PETRIFIED about flying. This is a relatively new phenomenon for me.
I used to fly all the time in my teens and 20’s. In fact, one of my previous jobs had me flying fairly regularly (mostly to New York City, but also to Texas). And I used to fly on vacation all the time: to Chicago, San Francisco, New Mexico, Florida, Montreal. Most people would assume that 9/11 had something to do with this irrational fear – but alas, no.
It started in 1997. I was flying back from San Francisco with my friend, Carolyn, and the plane would go completely silent. It was eerily unsettling. I’m used to hearing the constant buzz of the engine, or at least the constant flow of air through the vents. But this plane would go absolutely silent as if the system shut down (though the lights remained on). It happened throughout the flight. Nobody batted an eye but me.
As we all know, the best way to address a fear is to tackle it head on. So, unfortunately, by not flying frequently, my fears were able to fester. The last time I flew (September, 1998) I stole some of Matt’s Klonipin to relax me (sshh – dont’ tell). It helped a bit, but not enough. Now I’ve avoided flying for 6 years so the fear has returned in spades. I could always take cold medicine to knock me out (which I may have to do anyway if this cold actually hits), but I’d rather not do that for such a short flight. I don’t want to arrive and be catatonic for 24 hours.
So, fair readers, hit me with some comments to comfort me. Advise me of your relaxation tips. Shower me with statistics. I really need to get over this fear because I have nearly 150,000 frequent flyer miles that I had acccumulated and haven’t used. What a waste.
8 Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Great new picture, Karl–were the “boys” from the Hasty Pudding? A fairly long and very happy association with the Pudding is in my past.
Hey, Will!
Actually, that photo was taken in Provincetown. The cast of “Facts of Life: The Musical” was on the street working the crowds to go to their show (though, their costumes are reminiscent of Hasty Pudding).
Somewhere in my Provincetown 2004 gallery are photos of the entire cast – including Mrs. Garret and Jo (Tootie was roller-skating down Commercial Street at the time).
boston to washington is a very short flight, whats the worst that could happen?
erm, scratch that.
maybe you could bring something to comfort you, like a rosary, or a small plush toy? i know it sounds totally infantile, but if im flying alone, i often think of bringing one of my toys from home.
When I’m flying I totally concentrate on making sure my ears are feeling fine. Like, taking decongestants, putting in the special EarPlanes earplugs, buying and chewing gum, etc. On takeoff, I act like it’s my *job* to be chewing that gum and popping my ears. So I have something to take my mind off everything else, which is a nice side effect (I actually do have a lot of ear problems flying so it’s for an actual reason more than the distraction, but the distraction has helped me a lot woth relaxing).
Chris is right that the flight is short. And it can be really peaceful to sit and think looking out the window above the clouds.
I also try to do something nice and relaxing for myself the morning before flying, and to leave plenty of time for everything so nothing spoils that calm – even airport security lines. Like wake up to a long shower and treat myself to a yummy cafe breakfast and a tea and then mosey on over to the airport with time to spare. It gives the whole day a calm feeling that makes it easier to see the beauty of flying and lose track of the fear.
I flew about 20,000 miles last year. You will be much safer on the plane than you will be in a cab from the airport into DC. If you are flying into National, try to get a window seat on the left – the flights from up north almost always come in from the west over the Potomac and you get an incredible view of the city – the National Cathedral, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Capitol, everything. (If you wind up on the right hand side, you can look down at LBJ Park by the river and see cars circling as men cruise each other by the marina.)
I don’t know if this interests you, but you will in town for Mid Atlantic Leather weekend.
DC is where I lived for 8 years after leaving Boston. Things I would do on a weekend trip, aside from the obvious sightseeing (hey, I’m gonna do them in Feb. when I go back for a visit):
1. Dinner at 15ria (Rhode Island Ave NW between 14th & 15th near Logan Circle)
2. Quick shopping trip to Go Mama Go and Pulp (14th & S NW)
3. Grab a coffee or cocktail and watch the parade of boys on 17th St (if the weather is good)
4. Check out the new Native American museum on the Mall
Sadly you will not be there for a Blowoff weekend (www.blowoff.us) which is absolutely the best time I have every had out a bar – the mood is a bunch of people who gathered in someone’s basement to listen to records, the people are fun and friendly, and the music (courtesty of Bob Mould, of Husker Du and Sugar), and Rich Morel (of Morel) is incredible.
Enjoy DC!
I , too, am a terrible flyer – to the point of having panic attacks on a plane –
one web site that has helped me many times is: fearofflying.com
LOTS of great info – just reading the bulliten boards is helpful- and sign up for the weekly e-mail that discusses the fear and techniques for addressing it 🙂
Ah….nice glass of wine? Or seven?
Thank you for the info. http://www.bignews.com