Yesterday, I swam in waters unfamiliar to this midwestern woman. I flew from Minneapolis to Chicago in the morning, attended a meeting, and then returned to Minneapolis. In some circles, that’s called “flying for business.” In my circles, it’s called “Jolene, don’t you go gettin’ the big head.”
Not much chance of that happening, since I’m still wide-eyed and white-knuckled after navigating the Minneapolis freeway system on my own and riding the light rail train for the first time. None of that would have happened without my big sister accompanying me for a test drive of the route the night before and providing hospitality this week. Since we were raised in the same anti-hoopla circle, she made sure I got where I was going and kept a sharp eye out for any sign of ”gettin’ the big head.”
Good thing she’s around, keeping me from getting too big for my britches, since yesterday’s trip included some hoity-toity traveling companions. To be specific, the Viking Cheerleaders. They’re expensive haircuts, dark tans, French nails, toned bodies and perky attitudes almost rendered the purple proclamation “I’m a Viking Cheerleader” on their tight, skimpy, neon-yellow tee shirts unnecessary. Still, it was good to have the hunch confirmed.
So you know, the cheerleaders traveled in economy seating with the rest of us peons. And they had trouble finding space for their carry on luggage in the overhead bins along with the rest of us peons. In fact, one of them confess this to the stewardess. “We’re going to Iraq to do a USO show for the troops, and the bags have all our costumes and pompoms, in case the rest of our luggage gets lost.”
Well, those words wiped away any smugness I was feeling about not filling the bins with my carry on luggage, beings I was doing a day trip. The rest of the way to Chicago, I tried to reconcile the idea of their skimpy outfits and toned bodies with their destination. I’m thinking they have burkas in their back packs….dark purple emblazoned with the yellow neon proclamation, “I’m a Vikings Cheerleader,” and sporting strategically placed, sparkly pompoms.
Nothing like flying with altruistic Viking Cheerleaders to me keep from getting the big head about my first, and perhaps only, jet setting business trip. same day. Proximity to cheerleaders has always been an effective way to their strengths and my weaknesses.
Some things never change.
