Off to the aiport I go!

What a comedy of mishaps this morning. I woke up at a decent hour and was surprisingly packed ahead of time.

But somehow the time slipped away and I was scrambling to get to Alma's, who graciously offered to let me keep my car at her place (so there are no break-ins) and drive me. And she is a saint after doing a 1A shift and then getting up at 7:30 in the morning.

I-30 West was moving pretty well and I needed to stop at the Starbucks on Beltline for drinks I promised Alma and I was jonesing for my green tea latte. (I am probably the only one who goes to Starbucks only for tea -- I know I'm weird!)

Well I get off at Beltline and I know it is south of the freeway so I decided to make a left. I can see it on the corner, get in the left hand lane behind a semi and whoops, can't see the traffic lights.. and the semi is making a WIIIIIDDEEE turn which is even worse, I'm right behind him and come to find out we are both going through the red light and wouldn'tcha know it the other oncoming traffic is actually moving and not stopping for me.

So I get some honks, turn into the service drive AND crap! there is not entrance on to SB. So I'm back on the freeway heading in the wrong direction. As soon as I can exit and by this time my patience with some of the slow-moving traffic is wearing thin...

Ii is deja vu all over again as I get into the Starbucks this time -- which is packed -- so I wait my turn patiently and.... they forget about our drinks. The manager quickly rushes them through and I'm back on the freeway again...

Alma gets me to the airport in plenty of time and I gleefully check in to first class where they wave the fact that my one checked bag is 5 pounds over the 50-pound limit and they don't charge me -- score one for Liz.

Security is a breeze -- although people still don't follow the carry-on rules for liquids -- a ziploc gallon bag is not a quart size bag... sheesh, people! And then I come to realize I have put my underwear on backwards this morning -- good one, Liz! At least I have them on -- and am dressed completely.

The leg from DFW to LAX is pretty uneventful -- I snooze a little, read a couple mags, start to blog... American's domestic first class service is pretty lazy and the flight attendants are looking the other way when coach people use our lavatory.

Come to find out that two other men on the flight are also flying on to Hong Kong and one of the guys has flown out of the LAX international hub many times so he helps us navigate the path. The weather this morning in LA is gorgeous -- sunny and breezy with no humidity that I can tell -- a clear departure from Dallas.

I grab some sushi as the lunch was kind of inadequate in first class and make my way to the security checkpoint where it is complete and crazy chaos!

There is really no rhyme or reason and the TSA agents keep repeating the same mantra about shoes, water, and jackets and taking stuff OUT OF your pockets before you get to the metal detectors. This is all being done in English when clearly most of the people in line are not native English speakers. It is jut a comedy of errors as I watch people be sent back time again through the metal detectors and/or have all their luggage handchecked because they violated one of these rules.

I make it through as one of the least hassled and get a smile from all the screeners and the armed cop -- I found a friendly smile goes a long way as much as I have traveled since 9/11.

Well, my next flight leaves in an hour and I make my way through the hallways -- alllllll the way to the end of the terminal -- over the river, through the woods, around the corner... and wow! there are people everywhere... on floors, creating their own aisles and jeez... it is hot in here. Looks like they are trying to remodel but the A/C is not working and the pitiful fans are not helping either. After hearing boarding will be delayed, I make my way away from the area of the terminal and make a few phone calls and text some people, catching up on some emails.

Chaos ensues as they start to announce boarding and aren't I giddy with happiness at getting to board as biz class. I get my seat, excited to see what Cathay Pacific's biz class looks like -- and there is even a first class -- which is even more elite. Our seats recline to sleeping, the flight attendants have been nothing but helpful and friendly -- even calling me Ms. Wishaw (and pronouncing it right) -- and I am clearly one of the youngest of the 22 of us and one of few females.

I've been given papers, champagne, an amazing fresh smoked salmon appetizer, a great salad and shrimp caviar starter, a wonderful stir-fried ginger seafood main, cheese/fruit course, tiramisu and any kind of wine with each selection. Of course, I can't turn it down but I am drinking lots of water -- and as any one knows who has traveled with me -- I have the bladder the size of a 2-year-old.

The food has made me sleepy. And the personal movie player has been a blessing as I can kind of listen and do other things. Already watched Wild Hogs, now into Zodiac. I've already seen most of the new releases but there are a few I could watch.

Since boarding was delayed by almost an hour, I know we will be getting in late. But my step-gram Karen was also delayed leaving Detroit, some yahoo checked their luggage then didn't board the plane. So they had to go back to the terminal and off load it.