Travel Appreciation

Billy and I are off on a holiday!  As a result, you'll be seeing some of my favorite previous posts, so if there are dated references or if you recall seeing the posts previously, my apologies in advance.  I'm hoping you'll enjoy them all the same! Ciao

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Two weeks ago I was rushing for my 6:40 A.M. flight. (Can you hear the yawn?)

I was going through the airport security scanner and the TSA agent pulled me aside asking for a female pat down.

"She's got something in her pocket."

That statement got my attention, along with that of those around me. My groggy mind ran through possible occupant of my pocket (keys, eyeliner, an errant Lego, and/or a vast array of other items... none of which could be used to hijack a plane). Ultimately, what the agent discovered was my multivitamin. My first thought was that there's clearly too much iron in that pill. My second response was to wax nostalgic about the days when I enjoyed being on the road more. You see, I travel a good bit for work. Years ago it was one of the favorite things about my job. I loved almost everything about it: getting away, meeting new people, seeing the country, carrying lots of liquids through security-- you name it. Now I have a love/hate thing going on with travel. The TSA experience has something to do with it, but so does my age and the sheer amount of time it takes to go through the process. I realize nobody has fun or looks good going through security.

For people who don't travel much, I realize that may sound as if I am whining. For those who do travel for work, it might sound closer to fatigue. It may be a little bit of both. However, there are days when the hassle doesn't seem so bad. Sometimes I take a moment of clarity to pause. I put down my Blackberry, look out the window, and I soak in the wonder of flying in a huge hunk of metal - through the clouds - with the sunrise off the wing. In those times, I can't help but remember the gift and joy of travel. I saw this video the other day, and it reminded me to put on my big-girl pants and get over the occasional frustration and inconvenience of going places. To suck-it-up when I'm tired. Travel is a gift.

That's what this video says to me. It reminded me that travel is a privilege...especially for those that yearn to do it and can't. I loved it. I hope you love it too!

BRAND NEW VIRAL: vimeo.com/43239312 - The world's Tiniest Police Chase! __________ Google Street View stop motion animation short made as a personal project by director Tom Jenkins. Story: A lonely desk toy longs for escape from the dark confines of the office, so he takes a cross country road trip to the Pacific Coast in the only way he can – using a toy car and Google Maps Street View. Music by the wonderfull Cinematic Orchestra (www.cinematicorchestra.com) and the track is Arrival of the Birds - please buy the fantastic album: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-crimson-wing-mystery-flamingos/id297787201 All screen imagery was animated - there are no screen replacements. Produced, animated, filmed, lit, edited & graded by Sharp and Jenkins http://www.sharpandjenkins.com / https://www.facebook.com/theoryfilms - !NEW MAKING OF PICS ON FB PAGE! / @thetheoryUK / http://twitter.com/#!/thetheoryUK). Shot using Canon 5d MkII, Dragonframe Stop Motion software and customised slider.

Just don't try to smuggle a multivitamin when you go.