I just printed out our boarding passes and luggage tags for tomorrow’s trip to Hawaii. It’s primarily a business trip for my wife, with me tagging along as the “Plus One” and a few extra days at a nearby Marriott resort. The anticipation of any trip to Hawaii is like Christmas Eve, regardless of some convention restraints. Last year on this trip, I finalized our flights to Thailand, an adventure that we just completed last month. I’m always the travel agent, or working with one, to assure that everything flows smoothly – without hassles.

I’m disappointed that we’re not flying TSA Pre tomorrow, but we’ve been too lazy to fill out the necessary paperwork, so we remain at the mercy of the airline. At least Alaska upgraded me to Premium Class so we’ll have some leverage to move our seats together. This typically happens when my wife’s company books her flight and I try to match it. We’ll go through the same thing next week on our New York flight. The two or us will be putting in a lot of miles these next few weeks, including those morning jaunts along the beachfront paths and then the crowded streets of Manhattan.

We are back home for a day between trips with plans to go to Game 6 of the Portland Trailblazer’s Playoff series with the Denver Nuggets. However, Damian and company had a brief set-back last night, so the odds of that game happening is in jeopardy. I’ll also be missing the Cubs vs. Mariners series in Seattle tonight and tomorrow because of our Hawaii flight plans. I’m hoping that my sport’s fortunes change on the island, along with the paleness of my skin.

I did find out today that my eyesight is very restricted by the hooding of my eyelids. My field of vision is now down to about a third of what surgery could easily correct. I will consider it once the insurance estimate comes in. I’ve always been a bit squinty, so maybe it’s time for a change? Everyone is glad that I’m not flying the plane tomorrow! Eyes first – ears next in preparation for the expected last twenty years of retirement. The savings accounts are going much faster than anticipated. All things considered, it’s time to celebrate Travel Eve and tomorrow’s arrival in Hawaii. Aloha!