Sometimes I Just Can't Leave it Alone

We were in Tucson for a wedding this weekend. It was lovely. After a fabulous, sunny weekend, we packed up. We were gifted a bottle of wine so, without thinking, I packed it in my suitcase. As we went through security I didn't even think about it and wondered why they had to check my bag. Now, obviously I wasn't trying to sneak anything as airports do have xray machines. The man opened my bag and asked if I ever fly for travel. I said that I did every now and then. Then he asked if I knew about the liquid regulations. Now, the last time I flew I got my face wash taken away for being too big, so this time I made sure everything was travel size. I said that I did know. He then asked about my big bottle in my bag. It hit me, the wine! I explained that I didn't even think about it and that it was a gift from the wedding. He kind of rolled his eyes at me (not nice, but I let it go) and asked if I wanted to check my bag. Not worth a bottle of wine so I said no.

I went off to the side to gather everything and he turns to a coworker and said, "she thought she could bring a whole bottle of wine on the plane just because it was corked!" Coworker laughed and said sarcastically, "well, that's a new one!"

I turend to Josh and said, "that was so mean!" like I was 12 years old. We got to our gate and it was still bothering me. Those of you who know me well, know that if something doesn't shake off of me, I have to set it straight or be honest about what the problem is. I think I am easy going and let so many things roll off my shoulders. When it doesn't it won't go away until I deal with it. I am not one to fester or hide my feelings. I can't handle keeping it in.

So...you guessed it...I walked back to security. Why did it bother me so much?
1. It was rude.
2. He is a professional dealing with people all day.
3. Maybe letting him know would prevent his remarks in the future.
4. To me, it was unjust, and that doesn't sit well with me.

I saw him and asked him over. Very calmly I looked him in the eyes and said, "Hi. I was standing right there when you made fun of me."
He said, "I'm sorry."
I said (again, very calmly), " As a professional, you should really watch what you say and at least make sure people are out of earshot before you embarrass them. "
He said, "ok. I'm sorry."

Who knows if I walked away and he turned and teased some more? Who knows if I walked away and he was embarrassed for being caught and confronted? Either way it was off of my chest and I could fly in peace.

St Paddy's Through the Years

Yesterday I left campus to the sight of SCU kids playing beer pong painted in green. I returned for Open House a few hours later to the sight of the same kids, still playing beer pong but now they had their shirts on.
Oh...the days. Yes, I am Irish. And even if I wasn't I'd still celebrate. When I was young it was all about making sure I was wearing green so I didn't get pinched. Every year we had corned beef and cabbage and boiled potatoes. YUM!

In college it turned into consuming green beer starting early in the day and eating whatever was open late.

Yesterday I made sure the kids were wearing green and made sure we had all ingredients for homemade shamrock shakes. I didn't make the big meal since time was short due to having to come back and have Open House at my school. Here I was, being a mature adult, while college kids played games and enjoyed libations right across the street. My how times have changed.

Ok...I did end my night at the dive bar by school with fellow staff members. Everyone deserves a cold beer on St. Patrick's Day.