The Shofner Standard: Pre-Travel Chaos

Since Chelsy and I have been together, we've found out that we are pretty good travelers once we get to where we are going. We are very patient and laid back and normally don't sweat the numerous travel issues that may arise. We know how to get through the airport security line and the airplane aisles quickly (apparently unlike most people). We're good with maps and getting around and overall we get it done with very few complaints from either of us.

Unfortunately, what we've also found out is that we are pretty terrible when it comes to one day before we leave. We usually enter a period of pre-travel chaos involving endless errands, lots of house cleaning, packing way too late, and packing way too much stuff. And to top it all off, we usually both have mental fits thinking that we forgot to pack something, especially if it is a long trip or an important trip.

So that's where we are now, right in the middle of the pre-travel chaos. To deal with the chaos, we try and make to-do lists. I'm pretty sure we have made about 7 to-do lists in the past few days. We'll usually get about 75% done with one list when another list is made and makes us start back at square one. One thing that slows us down is Chelsy likes to put somewhat random tasks on the lists of things to do before we leave. For example, is it really necessary to take all our change in a jar, roll into into coin sleeves, and deposit it into the bank? Apparently so. Is it necessary to call our cable provider to dispute a charge on our bill? I guess it is. Is it required that we clean our house as if the Queen of England will be staying there while we're gone? Obviously. But I digress.

I have my own pre-travel faults as well. I attempt to set artificial deadlines on myself (pack Thursday night as if we're leaving Friday morning even though it's going to be Saturday) but I never pay attention to them and wait till the last minute anyway. To me, going out to eat or watching the last hour of a movie I've already seen 25 times on TBS seems like a better idea than packing or getting ready to leave.

So what do you get when a perfectionist and a procrastinator get married? You get a couple that will probably be up till 3 AM the night before traveling and will probably be late to the airport.

That's life, nobody's perfect.

To end this post on a positive note, here's a picture of a way too stereotypical beer wench from Germany, and then a picture of the same thing made into a Christmas figurine/ornament. Enjoy.