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March 29, 2013, 9:24 a.m.
3/29/2013
By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com
Last weekend I attended the Short Course Showdown Series race in Fitchburg, Massachusetts hosted by R/C Excitement. Normally when I travel to a race my trusty father, "Homer" (nicknamed this because of his appearance), accompanies me and we load up the truck to roadtrip across the nation to wherever we may be racing. After looking at cost and time on the road to travel from Missouri to Massachusetts in February weather, we decided to take the sensable route and fly.
I am convinced in life that if you allow yourself to worry, complain, and be negative with your thoughts, your words, and your actions you will receive the worst of those worries, complaints, and negative situations in return. On the way to the airport my dad was carrying on worrying about what we might have forgot, how I'm going to get on a plane, where the gate is located, and everything in between. I truly believe in a theory that "positive thinking = positive things", and I tried explaining this to him on the way. He simply did not see the positive side to anything I was saying, and carried on worrying and negative thinking.
Upon arriving at the airport, we headed into security and got ready for our flight. Before even reaching security, Homer was already worrying and complaining about the security procedures. I roll through, get a quick pat down, and am on my way. Hundreds of people walk through, quick scan, and are one their way. My father walks through sounding off multiple alarms, is pulled aside, and THOROUGHLY searched. I'm carrying a bag with a radio, wires, and a charger with no issues passing through. He is carrying a bag with a laptop and a LiPo battery. He is pulled aside for questioning and another search as the LiPo battery appeared as a knife on the x-ray scanner.
We boarded the plane and began our journey. Switching flights in Memphis, I had a slight mishap as an airline worker moved the armrest on the aisle chair exiting the plane. This in turn gave me nothing to grab onto, leading to a face plant out the door. An honest mistake that had me laughing, but had my father stressing and frustrated. A few minutes after picking me up off the ground a Delta Airlines worker comes running over apologizing to me for the mishap, and issuing me $75 worth of airport store vouchers. He turns to my dad holding his bag and simply asks him, "Sir next time can you please check a bag of that size, instead of carrying it on the plane."
After arriving at R/C Excitement we had an awesome weekend of fun and racing, with very little stresses or worry from Homer. As we headed out of town to once again head to the airport, our taxi driver (Scotty Ernst) gets a phone call. The flight we were supposed to take home had broken down, and we would be left stranded somewhere in the United States without a connecting flight until the day after. Immediately I can see the worry and negative thoughts hit Homer harder than bird on a clear glass window. I'm a "wing-it" kind of guy, and I suggest we take the first flight and hope for the best on finding one home. My theory of "everything happens for a reason" was if we were supposed to make it home on time,we would. If not, we wouldn't.
We take the first flight and all I hear is how were going to be "stranded" with no way home all the way there. We arrive, and a very nice gentleman approaches us in the airport and says, "I have been informed of your situation, and we have made room for you on the next flight to get you home. It leaves in 30 minutes." Sure enough we had a flight home! As we boarded the plane I got a comfy seat next to the window, Negative Nancy also got a seat home...his was packed in the middle between two snoring strangers.
As much as I hate to admit it, most often my dad is right about what he says. Only on RARE occasions can I honestly say that he isn't right. This just so happens to be one of those times. I'm convinced of my theory "positive thinking = positive things", and while Homer didn't believe it before the trip...I'm betting he secretly does now.
I love you dad, but go ahead you can admit it...I WAS RIGHT this time.
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