Relaxed section for discussion and debate that doesn't fit anywhere else. Whether it's advice, how your week is going, a link that's at the back of your mind, or something like that, it can likely go here.
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Alaska's been good to me. We found a really nice place to spread my friend's ashes. It was just off the trail and a very peaceful spot for the four of us to sit for awhile and figure out what we wanted to say and how we wanted to go about the whole thing.
I've been on the road solo since the 16th. Met some really cool people in very brief periods of time. Not sure why I crave these transient experiences so much, but there's something about them that is so good for my soul.
Travel exposes us to other people, places, and ways of being, thus expanding the mind and enlarging the soul.
True that. I'm also trying to learn and grow and realizing that I am very very scared of being authentically me, and interactions with a wide variety of people make it easier to put bits and pieces of myself out there, but they never really quite add up. So it's a bit of a crutch that I'm leaning on. I finally got off the wait list for a therapist, so that will be a thing to bring up for sure!
My children are off to Finland to do the same with our family friend who passed last year. Her wishes for the both of them to take time off and travel (train, bus, ferry) together, they've had an incredible trip so far and we are grateful they've getting this memorable experience with her one last time.
I hope you find peace with your loss.
That's so cool that she could give them those wishes! My friend died suddenly, so he didn't pass any wishes on, but the four of us talked a lot, and we all felt at peace that we were honoring him in the way he would have wanted.
1 year in and this job still seems just as cryptic and difficult. Very little documentation about the systems here and the imposter syndrome is feeling more like a reality than a pathology.
I'm about to look into different work.
Moving has been hard. I own so much shit. I forgot how crafty I used to be, once upon a time, in a bigger house, with a bigger paycheck. I don't really want to throw out any old projects but it's sad how estranged I feel from that version of me.
My family keeps offering to help but so far they've been here two hours out of the two months this has taken. And by "they" I mean one sibling. It's not their fault, and it's more than I expected, but sometimes I wish they helped me as much as I helped them.
Ugh, moving is so hard, no matter what the circumstances. I hope someday soon you're going to be all moved in and have that good night's sleep of starting a new chapter.
Thank you, that's very kind. I'm making progress!
i’m on day three of riding across iowa. it’s so nice to worry only about riding to the next town. i’ve eaten so much pie.
That sounds perfect!
Dropping $1600 on a new compressor so I don't pass out while driving in 100+ degree weather. Fan-fucking-tastic.
OK, I'm back at the airport in Seattle. I should be boarding my flight in like 10min. That'll get me to Denver, then one more flight and I'll be home!
A 3 day trip has turned into 6 days. And that's cost me an additional $1500. I didn't have it as bad as some, who were stuck in airports for days, or stranded abroad, as I at least got out to hotels. But it's still not great. Since Sunday, I had one extra change of clothes in my carry-on (my checked bag made it home before I did). It's Tuesday now.
Even though I ended up buying a ticket on a different airline, I was still constantly checking the website and FlightAware to make sure it wouldn't get cancelled/delayed. After 10hrs, on Sunday, of rolling 30/60min delays on my flight, before they finally cancelled the flight at like 11pm, this feels a little like PTSD. Like I'm anxious to just get on the plane get the hell out of this airport.
Seattle is awesome, but I just wanna go home.
This sounds stressful AF. I haven't been following too closely, but from what I've gathered, airlines aren't really reimbursing hotels and whatnot?
First off...I'm home! I made it! \o/
Anyway, Public Enemy No.1 this weekend has been Delta. I know several other airlines also suffered from Crowdstrike-induced outages, like United, American, Spirit, and Alaskan (along with probably other airlines across the world). But by Monday, everyone but Delta, seemed to have their shit together. Delta and its subsidiary Endeavor Air were leading cancellations and delays around the world and domestically, by far. You can see on this page cancellations and delays for Tuesday and a few days back. It's crazy for Delta. Though I just realized American had high delays still, too.
My understanding is that Delta -- and probably other airlines...except maybe Spirit because, well, it's Spirit -- will reimburse for "reasonable expenses" for hotel, meals, and ground transportation. Which is great. Because I have at least $1000 of all that. Two Uber rides from the airport on Sunday to a hotel and back to the airport on Tuesday was almost $200 total! However, it gets real dicey with booking a ticket on another carrier, like I and many others ended up doing. That was almost $500 since it was last minute. Delta's policy is to not reimburse for that. Though we'll see how they respond. The US DOT has already opened investigations into Delta.
And while the DOT may not be able to legally require to Delta to pay for customers' tickets from other airlines/busses/trains, the DOT can probably exert a lot of pressure to do the right thing. Maybe the fines will be less if Delta does reimburse. And of course, Delta has a lost a lot, lot, lot of goodwill and reputation in this. In the US, Delta is considered the top, most premium airline. I started using them some after the Southwest meltdown in 2022. "Voting with my wallet" and all that. Yet when it comes down to it, in an emergency, they're no better than Southwest it turns out. Shameful.
I was able to get my unused portion of my Delta ticket refunded back to my credit card. But now we'll see with everything else. Wish me luck.
And good luck and safe travels to anyone else who's still trying to get home or wherever. Things with Delta are looking better for Wednesday, so looks like they should be back to regular operations soon.
Thanks for the update! I'm flying Delta home in two days, and from the website you posted, it looks like they have their shit sorted now. I hope you're able to get the compensation you're entitled to receive.
Safe travels!
Still waiting on the reimbursement. It ended up being over $1700. I've been following developments on the Delta subreddit and some people had even higher, eyewatering amounts of expenses, due to traveling with families or being stuck abroad. There was one person who said they were stuck in Scotland and maxed out a credit card for $7500 on last minute airline tickets on another carrier and was of course livid. But a lot of others are reporting being made whole, plus getting compensatory SkyMiles and/or flight credits.
What I would love to come out of this whole thing, now that it's happened twice in 2yrs, is better regulations on the airline industry, particularly with consumer protections. So much of the stress and anxiety was because no one knew if Delta was going to reimburse. Just require it in cases of delays of over 3hrs. If people knew that the airline was going to reimburse ahead of time, they probably wouldn't have spent days in crowded airports, running out of food and diapers for their kids and all that. They can at least be frustrated in basic comfort, with the ability to shower, sleep in a decent bed; a bed, at all! Which helps A LOT. I was a lot more chill about things because I was able to get a hotel. And even if Delta wouldn't pay for it, I could afford it. Not everyone has that privilege.
We'll see.
From a purely historical perspective: weird.
Better than last time I commented on this thread! My gastritis has taken a turn for the better which has had a huge positive effect on my mood. I got some extra hours in work too, after working part time for ages due to being sick. I'm hoping to pick up some private students for online lessons after the summer to earn some more money so I can move out of my house which has been the plan since 2020 but it's been delayed at every turn 😭 2025 is going to be my year... Possibly
it is Monday and I can't get anything done because people won't stop pestering me in Slack. Only 2.5 more hours to go until I am released from my bondage to go forth into the world and unleash... well, not much really. Maybe the week will pick up...
Feeling very alone, lots of sting emotions this week. But I’m slowly turning it around and getting things completed. Rough week, and trying to stay kind to myself. I haven’t gone to the gym or been outside, and eating junk. Hard habits to break when I get into a funk.
I'm right there with you with every word. It's so hard to be kind to myself, lol. I feel for you. I hope the funk you're in passes very soon and you're able return to your healthier habits quickly and without too much trouble. I know how hard it is. Much love to you! 💖
I have had many times when I can relate to all of this.
I hope this comes off as intended - not trying to belittle your experience, hopefully make you chuckle - but have you considered a rap career?
Haven’t gone to the gym or been outside, and eating junk. Hard habits to break when I get into a funk.
Things are...bad. I'm so tired of existing in this broken, useless body & brain 🙃
Never ending everything. Just go go go this week already. It's been a long couple of weeks since last Friday... Always thinking it'll take me "no time at all" to do something, and three days later.. Wtf, why am I still working on the same thing?!
Need more time this week.