Pity party

I don't think I'll ever become a contestant on a reality TV show. But if I did, I'd want to be on The Amazing Race. And I'd probably get eliminated on the first round.

You see, on Monday I watched this week's episode, which [SPOILER!] featured a team who met their untimely exit through a series of unfortunate events. They were the first team to depart, and immediately headed to the travel agency. They found a fantastic flight and requested tickets. However, the travel agent made a mistake and booked them for the following day. While correcting her error, another team swooped in and took the last seats on that flight. The travel agent found another route involving two plane changes that would get them to their destination in a somewhat timely manner.

But of course, things never turned out as planned on The Amazing Race. This team faced delayed planes due to mechanical difficulties, a missed connection, and even more plane delays. By the time they finally arrived at their destination, all of the other teams had checked in at the pit stop and they were eliminated.

How does this relate to me, you ask? Well, let me tell you a tale of utter sadness and despair.

My little sister is leaving on her mission in a few weeks, and her missionary farewell is this weekend. My sisters and I arranged to fly to California for the weekend after I got off work and started fall break.

Well, last night I tried checking in 24 hours before my flight was set to depart. It didn't let me. So I refreshed the page. Over and over. And then I noticed -- I didn't book my ticket for today -- I booked it for tomorrow!

So maybe I haven't been eliminated from a race around the world to win a million dollars. But you could say that I will most definitely be the last team to arrive. And let's just say that the team on The Amazing Race handled their defeat a lot more gracefully than I did. At least, I assume they didn't weep, wail, and gnash their teeth into their pillows until they fell asleep like I did.

Oh, the woe!

ETA: I should be boarding the plane right about now. In order to cope with the sorrow, I may or may not have purchased three varieties of Stephen's hot chocolate. Emotional drinking problem? Or just an inability to pass up a sale for the most delicious brand of hot chocolate ever? You be the judge.