Tighty Whities in Public, Eeewww

By Chris

As expected, it has been an adventure at the Philly airport. The snow has actually slowed down here for quite a while. It doesn't matter though. The damage has been done. All the planes are in all the wrong places and people, bags and attitudes are piling up quickly. It was a very hopeful start. I arrived and was able to get on the "earlier" flight, due to leave at 1:45. By the time I got to the gate, the sign was reading 3:05. They gave us a story about the plane being stuck in Raleigh, away from the gate, but unable to depart. Now, they're saying it will be 3:30. When was my original flight slated to leave, you aske? 3:50. Ha. Word is that our plane is actually in the are now, so I should make it home. That's much more fortunate than others here. The flight board is full of "CANCELLED" indicators. People are scrambling. A good many of them are yelling at the gate agent. I'm pretty sure that has never, ever worked to get a plane uncancelled or stopped a snowstorm. But, it always happens. People can really "act the fool" in airports, I've learned. Sitting still and watching it all unfold can be fairly entertaining. You watch the person show up, learn there is little chance they will get out today, then get angry, resigned, then panicked (the ones who have checked their bags seem to panic most, because there is never a good answer for where their stuff is now that their flight is canceled. There is no getting it back. And, sometimes, somehow, their stuff can actually make it to their destination without them ???? . . . I never check my bag). Many are surprised to learn that all the hotels are booked too (of course they're booked. ALL those people need to stay somewhere). This gets them angrier, until they "just don't care." That explains the people I'm seeing now with their shoes off, lying on the carpet looking a mess. They just don't care anymore. That's fairly common.

But I just saw something that took just-don't-care to a new, sick level. It happened in the men's room. This dude had his bag open and all kinds of toiletries spread about on a counter, in front of a big 'ol mirror. Water was everywhere and his hair was wet and clean. You could smell powder and cologne. It looked like he just shaved too. His shirt was unbuttoned and wide open showing his belly and chest . . . and HE HAD NO PANTS ON! That's right. Just tighty whities. All in full and panoramic mirror view. And he was not hurrying. Sort of like "yeah, I get nearly naked all the time in restrooms to freshen up. What's the problem." He appeared to be a normal enough guy too. He had a nice business outfit out and set to the side. Weird.