The other day my wife called me, “Grumpy Pants.” In the Urban Dictionary it’s defined as “one who is always being grumpy & gets upset at everything.” It’s also a children’s book by Claire Messer that contains this overview: Have you ever had a grumpy day and not known why? Penguin is having a grumpy day like that. No matter what he does, he just can’t shake it! Sometimes the only thing left to do is wash the grumpy day away and start over. I figure it’s a step up from my other nickname, “Eeyore,” and definitely better than “Mr. Happy,” what my former boss was known to be called by his wife.

Each and every time I’m getting ready to travel I admittedly have my “Grumpy Pants” on. It’s hard to explain considering the excitement that I’m also feeling. However, until I get settled on the plane or get my road bearings, I’m often in a snit. Getting out of bed, squeezing in a run, dealing with the dogs, and packing my bag are all part of the pre-travel hassles. As a home body, it’s as if I’m fighting to remain in the carefree cocoon of my living room. I always feel like I’m forgetting something and anxious about traffic hold-ups, security hang-ups, and inflexible flight schedules. It seems like if you’re detained  for any reason, the airline is always on time, and if you arrive early, the plane is delayed. It’s a wonder that I even leave the house. 

I have yet to regret a trip somewhere, but it’s always good to get back home and reflect on the adventure. It’s also not as if I wish for the end and always seem to experience some sadness when it’s over. The “Grumpy Pants” come on when there’s stress involved and travel is many times filled with it. Vacation time was always better than working when I’d put on those pants every week day. My wife had hers on as she left for the office this morning. By calling me “Mr. Grumpy Pants,” she gave me a way to “call her out” when she’s not in a great mood either. “Mrs. Grumpy Pants” is now my retaliation. She even smiled when I called her that the other day. Touche. 

Speaking of travel, I consulted the 1000 Places to See Before You Die calendar this morning, as we’re now over half way into the year. Scenes from Ireland; Vietnam; Australia; Tanzania; Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania; Morocco; Switzerland; Oxfordshire, England; Sri Lanka; Singapore; Brazil; Israel; Alberta, Canada; and Norway were all places that I’ve yet to visit. There were also some settings where Mr. Grumpy Pants has been like the Gateway Arch, St. Louis; Sanibel Island, Florida; Rome, Italy; and Paris, France. Sadly, the photo from Paris was of Notre-Dame in celebration of Bastille Day. During the French Revolution it was looted, desanctified, and used as a grain warehouse. I’m glad I got to see it several times before the fire, and it will someday be restored to its former glory. Currently, I’m in a 40 day stretch of no “planes, trains, or rented automobiles.” Mr. Grumpy Pants will stick to his pajamas.