Peters Digest

“I’m busy” is a term my boyfriend has coined for me when I am busy people watching/eavesdropping.  It’s sad that I admit to doing it but you all know you do it too.  It is all to often that we are out to dinner and he is actually talking to me (he isn’t much of a talker) when he notices a glazed-over look on my face…this is when he asks me if I am busy…more often than not, I am VERY busy.

So today, at 6:30 am I am chillin at ORD (Chicago O’Hare airport for those non-airport code knowers) and there are plenty of options for busyness. 

Directly in front of me there are the airline attendants discussing the trials and tribulations that they have with their uniforms.  One complains that their jackets are 100% polyester and don’t breathe and it is much too hot!  The other mentions a lady that used to work for the airline but has since left (she had breast cancer) but she used to wear the all white skirt and double jacket (?) which just looked terrible!  Then we have the lone male in the group which is nice enough to bring the ladies an umbrella for when they have to go outside.

To my left is a junior in college (Grand Valley State) who is on vacation for a while.  She decided to fly out of Chicago because it is “way cheaper” than Lansing.  I am super jealous of her.  She has on the typical college attire for anyone who was forced to wake up before 10am: sweatpants, hoodie, and flip flops.  She is chugging her coffee and had a tasty looking breakfast from McyD’s. 

To my right is a lady who just got a new cell phone.  She is currently testing out all the ringers (HELLO…#1 most annoying thing to do with a cell phone…did I mention it is 6:30am?) but has read through pretty much the whole manual.  Do people really do that?  Apparently.

And those are just the people in my immediate vicinity.  That isn’t to mention the wonderful people watching that is provided by the endless amount of people walking past my gate.  We have the tired souls that have been working for much too long, the busy businessmen, the women who are obviously on their way to some fabulous tropical vacation, the mom’s and dad’s that look like they might hurt themselves, the happy little kids that are so excited they could pee their pants (probably on their way to Grandma’s or Disney World) and I can’t forget the hippy couple that is curled up on the floor (spooning) in the gate across from me.  Oh and there is also the lady sitting to my right reading ever word I write.

I always wonder where all these people are going.  At this time of day it is most likely some business function but you never know.  They could be on their way to a huge job interview, or to go see their brand new family member, or to their first day of boot camp (which could be the case for the girl directly to my left) or to an ailing family member or to Africa for a Safari or… to Nashville to visit as many big box retailers as they can (me).

This is why I think airports are one of the most interesting places on earth.  You never know who you will see or meet or what you might learn about people.  At the end of a trip you end up with an improved view of the world.

So if you are ever traveling with me, don’t expect me to pay attention to you…I am probably in some far off world of curiosity.  No worries, I will pay attention to you on the plane, maybe.