There is a god!

And this is how I know.

Tuesday night it was supposed to start snowing at 6 p.m. At 7 my ride to the airport showed up and there was no sign of snow. "Excellent, my flight will take off on time and I can get some sleep tonight" I thought. I made it to the airport in about 45 minutes. When I got out of the limo, I saw one snowflake. "Good, its not going to be bad and my flight will be able to leave on time" I reassured myself.

I obtained my boarding pass, checked in my bag, made it through security unscathed and walked to my terminal. By the time I reached the gate, there was an inch of snow on the ground but the board still said my flight was "on time".

While waiting to board, I just happened to be sitting next to one of the airline employees as she said "Holy sh**, look at all the F***ing snow". I looked out the window, and sure enough, it looked like a blizzard. It could have just been the wind blowing the snow around, but it was impressive.

I board the plane "on time" and the plane "pushes off". The pilot informs the passengers that we had to wait "a couple of minutes" so that the plane can be de-iced. Not wanting to hit the 14th street bridge, (does Chicago have a 14th street bridge?) I thought "good idea, lets wait to be de-iced."

Three hours later we were in the air. Ever the optimist, I thought "I'll be able to get a couple hours sleep before the meeting in the morning." despite the bumps, the plane made it to its destination as quickly as possible.

I deplaned in Detroit. (Is deplaned really a word?) Walked to the baggage claim and waited, and waited, and waited. After about an hour, a ladies voice came over the loudspeaker stating "All the bags from flight 6952 from Chicago have been brought to the baggage claim. If you have not received your bag, please see an attendant." Or something like this. I cant tell what the end of the announcement was because NO ONE from the plane had received their luggage.

I waited in line to see the baggage claim attendant. When I finally got to talk to her and she said "apparently, they forgot to but the bags on the plane." I then filled out a delayed baggage report, she assured me that I would get the bag "first thing in the morning".

I then went outside to catch the bus to the rental car agency. Since it was now around 3 in the morning, there was 1 car in the lot. When I opened the door I noticed it smelled like someone had hidden a salami and onion sandwich under the seat. I told myself "Just get to the hotel and get an hour or two of sleep."

I forgot to mention that it was snowing in Detroit also. The blowing snow was sticking to all the roadsigns, so I missed the construction sign stating that my exit had a detour. Next thing I know I am taking an hour and 45 minute joy ride.

I finally made it to the hotel to have the desk clerk say "You were so late that we didn't think you were coming. I am sorry but we gave your room away......Let me check and see if there is another available.....Nope that room type is all full." To which I responded "I don't care what type I get, just get me a room at the government rate." I ended up in a smoking room.

I get in the room, lie down and try to go to sleep when the phone rings. "There is someone out front with your bag, and you have to sign for it." I get back out of bed, throw on my pants and my shirt and proceed to the lobby. I sign for my bag, go back to my room and it is now 6 in the morning. Time to get up. I open my bag to get out my toothbrush, deodorant ect and find a note from the TSA.

The note informed me that they had to search my bag and thanked me for my "understanding". I do "understand" why they searched my bag. Contrary to most peoples belief, I am not an idiot. I just cant understand why I no longer have toothpaste or a razor. I am fairly sure I packed them.

I shower, dress and skip the free breakfast to go to the convenience store and buy some toothpaste and a cheap razor. I shave and brush my teeth in the office restroom and make it to work in time for the first meeting of the day.

Trips like this reaffirm my belief in god. There is no way all this crap can happen to someone at one time and still be random chance. I just haven't figured out what I did to piss him/her off!