It’s 9:10 AM on Friday, April 4th. My clothes are packed (and, yes, I took way too many tops! I justified this packing faux pas by rationalizing that I’d need long sleeved tops and lots of layers when we go to Shimla in the Himilayas), my carryon is filled with my “toys” (iPod, laptop, books, Sudoku, crosswords, other puzzles, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic, and my knitting), and I’m sitting here blogging!

 We’ll leave for the airport in 3 hours. From KC we fly to Chicago, change to our international flight, and travel nonstop from Chicago to Delhi. Can we say long, long flight? That’s why I take a plethora of “toys” and, once aboard, I’ll check out the movie schedule to catch up on some “just past prime” shows.

Now, here’s where I need your help: we are flying on American Airlines and have booked Coach seats and then applied mileage points for a possilbe upgrade to Business Class. As of this morning, the “Gods and Goddesses of American” have yet to upgrade our seats. There are 7 Business class seats open and American is hoping to sell them to someone needing a last minute flight to Delhi (or perhaps to someone who craves long haul plane rides???). Should the seats become available, we “might” be awarded an upgrade. I just know that if you all clap your hands and chant aloud, “I believe! I believe!” we will receive the upgrade. This flight is almost 15 hours long so we really need you to clap and chant loud and long (the “Gods and Goddesses of American Airlines” are hearing impaired due to the loud and constant whine of jet engines).

Are you clapping and chanting yet? Do you doubt this will work? Hey, it saved Tinkerbell, didn’t it?