Flight 003: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

*** Vitamin + Fiber = GROSS   Let me state that I really like Vitamin Water. I know it's a silly product because it's just water with calories that tastes a little fruity, but I like the way it tastes and it somehow makes me feel like I'm being a little bit healthier when I drink it with burritos and fried chicken. However, I couldn't find Vitamin Water at the place where I bought my breakfast sandwich today in Oakland Airport, so I decided to try Vitamin+Fiber water. Its tagline is "Taste the INVISIBLE fiber!" You may think I jest, so here is proof. Sure, I probably should have known better, but I didn't want juice or coffee and it was the only alternative. Anyway, here's the thing - you open it, you put it to your lips, you tilt your head back, you taste some peach flavors, and then suddenly you realize there is crap in your mouth. Little itty bits of crap. When I read INVISIBLE, I somehow translated it to mean "you won't know you're drinking fiber." This is not the case. In case it's not clear, Vitamin+Fiber Water was the Ugly part of my day.

*** My itinerary for today: Burbank (meetings) -> Santa Monica (dinner) -> San Diego (hotel). In the process of driving to each location, I realized that I drove by 4 different airports: BUR, LAX, SNA, SAN. There's something wrong with that although I haven't quite put my finger on what it is yet. But that's the Bad, because SoCal traffic sucks.

*** 2 Good things:
1) I recently signed up for FlyClear and got my card. I flew out of Oakland airport this morning but had been told previously that Oakland wouldn't have a Clear line until April. Therefore I was really disappointed to see that the security line extended out to baggage claim in Terminal 2. But then out of the corner of my eye, I saw a blue cube shining like a beacon: the Clear line is open! I walked to the empty line with my head bent down, gave my fingerprint, and was taken straight to the bins in front of everybody. I know that it sucks for everybody else, but since I have to spend a good part of my life in airports, I'm really happy that I got Clear.
2) I have friends in random places. Travelling lets me see these friends more and mix some pleasure in with business. I got to have dinner with an old friend tonight and it made the whole trip exponentially better.

It's seriously time for bed now. Heading home tomorrow night.