Transit (1)

5:08 AM - August 19, 2010 - Jacksonville, FL

The check-in process was a bit confusing. The very helpful Continental Airlines Lady saw I was struggling and suggested I try swiping my passport to pull up my reservation. That didn't work, however. I panicked for a moment. "What if my flight isn't today?" "What if my tickets were canceled?" I mean, after the day I had yesterday, I was fully prepared for the possibility that everything would find a way of coming apart at the last minute.

The aforementioned Continental Airlines Lady located my confirmation number and checked me in for my flight. I put my bag on the scale to check it. 60 pounds. She told me to shove some of the stuff in my carry on and save the $25 fee. I did and left to juggle my carry-ons through the security process.

Now, waiting. This is what travel is about. Waiting in this odd limbo between lives. A series of planes, a series of seats near a terminal, a series of wi-fi connections give way to a completely different world. For now, I'm in this in-between place. In one hour's time, I'll be on a flight to Newark, New Jersey.