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Abstract

heast, Juneau Campus.</figcaption></figure>Proof of LifeFlush with personal success, I headed downtown to the State Building. This stop should be easy; all I had to do was prove my existence to the State of Alaska. It wasn’t enough for them that I worked for the state, or that I had a Real Alaskan Identification from the Alaska DMV, or even my State of Alaska employee ID. I needed to show them my birth certificate or my passport.Armed but Not DangerousI was armed to the teeth with Identification. I had my Passport, Birth Certificate, Marine Mariners Credentials, my Real ID, and my State of Alaska Employee Identification. Here, I encountered my first obstacle: parking downtown. It wasn’t fun, but I squeezed the rental SUV into a compact spot on the roof of the parking lot.The Eleventh FloorAfter wandering a cold, dark maze, I found the front door of the State building and prepared to be strip searched. There was nobody downstair with metal detectors or magic wands. I was pleasantly surprised until I entered the elevator, which had nine floors. The place I was looking for was on the eleventh.Using My Super-Secret WeaponWhy did this not surprise me? Maybe things had gone too well this morning, or was this government as usual? I took things in stride and broke out my super-secret weapon. I smiled and explained my dilemma to the first unsuspecting employee I found on the ninth floor.An Ah-Ha MomentAh, I see. They had expanded the building, and the newer section had 11 floors, not nine. I was pointed in the right direction and entered a whole new bank of elevators. I pressed 11, and off I went to be disappointed.<figure id="892b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*5YPW8L201nQStBar2QGAMw.jpeg"><figcaption>Photograph by Author — The Eleventh Floor Let Down</figcaption></figure>Finding the Bright SideLike all good plans, this one was subject to change. The department I needed was closed until January 2nd, 2024. Just my luck, I get to defer my income to next year. I was looking at the bright si

Options

de of not receiving $1,300 for Christmas from the State of Alaska. Think of the tax savings.Just In TimeI returned to the Airport and dropped off the rental car. After I passed through security, I was presented with an opportunity. I noticed a few co-workers in the lounge who were supposed to be on the direct flight home earlier that morning. The early flight home had been delayed due to mechanical issues. They had just finished the repairs.I Was on Cloud NineThe Airline allowed me to switch my flight back to the direct flight. I was happy; I would be home four hours sooner. I boarded the plane shortly thereafter. I sat in the window seat, stretched out, and listened to music while we finished boarding.I Had to SmileWe sat for twenty minutes, and then they re-opened the door to the airplane. Not good. The captain came on the intercom and announced that they had run into more mechanical difficulties. I smiled, ok, back to the other plane.<figure id="345a"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*gTtwtNDot3uZhUJrI72meA.jpeg"><figcaption>Photograph by Author — The Beautiful Window View of Southeast Alaska in December.</figcaption></figure>Another SmileThey deboarded ten passengers and reprocessed us. The computer glitched, and they could not get my ticket to reprint. I just smiled; it was one of those days. They finally emailed my new ticket because they wanted to get me on board; it was time to go.Putting My Secret Weapon to Good UseI was holding up the plane. I started at 5 a.m.; I got home at 5 pm. A forty-five-minute direct flight took me all day. I smiled as I put the key in my door. The ups and downs felt like a Planes, Trains, and Automobile adventure. It makes you appreciate being home even more. I smiled.Tis the SeasonMy super-secret weapon was my smile. It got me through a hard day of travel. While other people got upset, I smiled. Tis the season to be jolly, and I was. I hope everyone has a good Holiday Season, and don’t forget to smile. They are contagious.</article></body>

My Super-Secret Weapon

A Holiday Season Travel Story

Photograph by Author — The Flight Home from Juneau, Alaska.

The Story Begins

I found myself at the airport at five am, on my way home for the holidays. It was a 300-mile flight, which isn’t very far. I live on an island in Southeast Alaska, so the only way to get home was by plane.

The First Detour

I had business to attend to in Juneau after fourteen days at sea. I changed my ticket to a later flight and rented a car. The sun was hours away from gracing Alaska’s presence, so I made my way to a local café.

Finding My Way in the Dark

I was more interested in burning a few hours of darkness than eating breakfast, but after my second cup of coffee, the first glimmer of sunrise lit the parking lot. I ventured off to find the local University. I had a test to take.

Photograph by Author — Donna’s Cafe in Juneau, Alaska

Black Ice

The radio announcer was asking everyone to be extra careful due to black ice. It was slippery and dangerous on the road. I traveled slowly but still arrived an hour before my test time.

Taking the Test

Kindness and a smile helped me find my intended destination on an unfamiliar campus. After a few miscues and Monday morning blues, I found myself sitting in front of a computer screen, taking a test on material I had not seen in a month.

Gratitude Exemplified

I was thankful for my second cup of coffee; I needed to focus. Some of the questions sounded familiar, but they could have gone both ways. I was happy; it was over, and I passed my final exam.

Photograph by Author — University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau Campus.

Proof of Life

Flush with personal success, I headed downtown to the State Building. This stop should be easy; all I had to do was prove my existence to the State of Alaska. It wasn’t enough for them that I worked for the state, or that I had a Real Alaskan Identification from the Alaska DMV, or even my State of Alaska employee ID. I needed to show them my birth certificate or my passport.

Armed but Not Dangerous

I was armed to the teeth with Identification. I had my Passport, Birth Certificate, Marine Mariners Credentials, my Real ID, and my State of Alaska Employee Identification. Here, I encountered my first obstacle: parking downtown. It wasn’t fun, but I squeezed the rental SUV into a compact spot on the roof of the parking lot.

The Eleventh Floor

After wandering a cold, dark maze, I found the front door of the State building and prepared to be strip searched. There was nobody downstair with metal detectors or magic wands. I was pleasantly surprised until I entered the elevator, which had nine floors. The place I was looking for was on the eleventh.

Using My Super-Secret Weapon

Why did this not surprise me? Maybe things had gone too well this morning, or was this government as usual? I took things in stride and broke out my super-secret weapon. I smiled and explained my dilemma to the first unsuspecting employee I found on the ninth floor.

An Ah-Ha Moment

Ah, I see. They had expanded the building, and the newer section had 11 floors, not nine. I was pointed in the right direction and entered a whole new bank of elevators. I pressed 11, and off I went to be disappointed.

Photograph by Author — The Eleventh Floor Let Down

Finding the Bright Side

Like all good plans, this one was subject to change. The department I needed was closed until January 2nd, 2024. Just my luck, I get to defer my income to next year. I was looking at the bright side of not receiving $1,300 for Christmas from the State of Alaska. Think of the tax savings.

Just In Time

I returned to the Airport and dropped off the rental car. After I passed through security, I was presented with an opportunity. I noticed a few co-workers in the lounge who were supposed to be on the direct flight home earlier that morning. The early flight home had been delayed due to mechanical issues. They had just finished the repairs.

I Was on Cloud Nine

The Airline allowed me to switch my flight back to the direct flight. I was happy; I would be home four hours sooner. I boarded the plane shortly thereafter. I sat in the window seat, stretched out, and listened to music while we finished boarding.

I Had to Smile

We sat for twenty minutes, and then they re-opened the door to the airplane. Not good. The captain came on the intercom and announced that they had run into more mechanical difficulties. I smiled, ok, back to the other plane.

Photograph by Author — The Beautiful Window View of Southeast Alaska in December.

Another Smile

They deboarded ten passengers and reprocessed us. The computer glitched, and they could not get my ticket to reprint. I just smiled; it was one of those days. They finally emailed my new ticket because they wanted to get me on board; it was time to go.

Putting My Secret Weapon to Good Use

I was holding up the plane. I started at 5 a.m.; I got home at 5 pm. A forty-five-minute direct flight took me all day. I smiled as I put the key in my door. The ups and downs felt like a Planes, Trains, and Automobile adventure. It makes you appreciate being home even more. I smiled.

Tis the Season

My super-secret weapon was my smile. It got me through a hard day of travel. While other people got upset, I smiled. Tis the season to be jolly, and I was. I hope everyone has a good Holiday Season, and don’t forget to smile. They are contagious.