Well my heart went boom when she crossed that room …
Posted by Rick - 21/06/02 at 02:06:15 pmI arrived at National Airport a little earlier than I expected, but since I wanted to poke around the shops I wasn’t too concerned. It’s not like I was nervous or anything. Compared to other airports with shopping, that I have seen, National isn’t all that packed with shops. Nothing like Pittsburgh which makes one feel like air travel is an after thought, and commerce being the real reason for one’s attendance. I wandered around, occasionally checking the monitors for any last-minute change in schedules, and even managed to pick up a keychain emblazoned with “I left my heart in Washington, DC.”
After a few laps around the shopping mecca that is National Airport, I decided to grab a beer and a bite. Having noticed that T.G.I. Friday’s had the World Cup on the television, I parked my butt on a bar stool and ordered a very large glass of Guinness. While I waited for my tasty beverage, my eyes wandered to the football match on the screen (a taped replay of the Italy / South Korea match I had watched earlier in the day, only with a much clearer picture), and I barely noticed the barmaid had returned with my humongous Guinness.
After downing the rather large double-pull, I settled my tab and headed for the assigned gate. As I entered the short queue at the security checkpoint, I noticed a sign that indicated that only ticketed passengers were permitted past that point. For a split-second I was concerned, and decided to ask the bored-looking security person if all the passengers arriving at this terminal had to come through this corridor. With a roll of her eyes and a sigh she said “yes.” I thanked her for taking time out of her busy schedule of sitting and walked over to the waiting area to secure a spot at the edge of the rope line. I stood as close as I was permitted, and hoped that I wouldn’t have any problems finding her.
Knowing that the arrival time was fast approaching, but unable to see the gate, I took the sign I had made out of the bag in which I had been concealing it, and held it chest-high. She wasn’t expecting me, so I thought the best way to catch her attention was a sign with her logo and nom de plume (or is that nom de plane?) on it.
Moments later I caught a glimpse of her as she materialised from behind some other taller passengers. She caught my eye almost immediately and smiled a tired grin. Our eyes remained fixed on one another, and I smiled broadly as I flipped the sign over to display the other side. Her brow furrowed a bit as she squinted to read the elaborately decorated poster board. Then her eyes widened noticeably and locked onto mine, but there was still no indication of an answer to the question posed: “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” Her eyes never left mine, and when she got close enough to hear me, I whispered “please?”
She said …
Continue reading ‘Well my heart went boom when she crossed that room …’
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Double skim latte with interest, please …
Posted by Rick - 13/06/02 at 01:06:34 pmAaron recently wrote about a pet peeve of his concerning people who are slow in market express lanes. My initial reaction was that people need to slow down, and not let the little things upset them. For the most part, I still feel that way. I don’t see any reason to get frustrated when people are slower than we would like them to be. Not just in checkout lines, but on the roads as well. If one is really in that much of a hurry perhaps they should look at why this is, rather than blaming others. Did they not leave their homes early enough to be at work on time, and are now pissed at the old lady in front of them—who has the nerve to not run the red light—for making them late? She didn’t make them late. They made themselves late.
If we want to be upset with a group of people for holding up lines at shops it shouldn’t be the people who are being kind and making small talk with the cashier while fumbling for change or their wallets. We should be mad at the lazy—and stupid—bastards who insist on paying for everything with a bloody credit card!
At first I thought this practice was an anomaly. I saw a few people doing it occasionally at area coffee and food shops, but didn’t think much about it. However, lately it seems that every time I am in a line it is being held up by someone paying for their scone and triple Mocha Coconut Frappuccino® (skim, of course) with a credit card. Savvy Starbucks noticed this trend rather early too, as they now offer their own debit card to help “breeze into your local participating Starbucks to pick up your favorite beverage without worrying about cash.”
I realise that there are times when one hasn’t had a chance to get to an ATM. I realise there are times when one has already placed their order only to realise that they have neglected to check their cash situation first. This rant isn’t aimed at such folks. This rant is aimed at the people I see practicing this idiocy daily. The ones who are more-than-likely part of that large group of Americans who pay less than the full balance on their credit cards each month. I’m sorry, but the rewards programs and frequently flyer miles aren’t worth the debt, and certainly not worth inconveniencing others.
See? I didn’t mention my sweetie—or how much I miss her—once in this post. D’oh!
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Football’s whippin’ boy no more …
Posted by Rick - 06/06/02 at 12:06:48 pmConsidering the United States’ embarrassing last place finish in the 1998 World Cup held in France, it is no wonder that so many people were predicting a similar fate this year. After all, the team lost all three of its group games last time around—finishing last of the 32 teams that participated.
Personally I think there are huge differences between the 1998 and the 2002 teams. Starting with the manager. Bruce Arena is an excellent motivator, and a proven winner. Not to take anything away from Steve Sampson. The players are the ones who didn’t come through in France, and there were reports of players arguing with one another. This team works well together, and the veteran players are accepting their roles, letting the younger players get their shot.
However, I don’t really believe all of the negative comments made about the U.S. team have to do with the poor showing in 1998, or a perceived weakness in a sport where the U.S. are ranked 13th—only one lower than England! Instead, I think a good portion of it comes from the satisfaction the rest of the world gets knowing there is something they do better than the Americans. And for the most part, I think it is as justified a reason as any. I can intensely dislike a team in any sport simply because they win too often. Why shouldn’t the rest of the world revel in the United State’s football mediocrity?
Maybe it is because we ain’t mediocre no more, baby! The United States registered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by beating Group D favorite Portugal, 3-2. The victory sets up an exciting match with co-host South Korea on Monday, June 10.
Sure makes me wish I could have gone to Japan with a certain someone. Even if the U.S. games are all in South Korea. 
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