Good Stuff from Joan Eisenstodt

2:30 a.m. EST and I'm up and getting ready for a 3:45 a.m. p/u to DCA for my flights today, the first of which is at 6 a.m.

It's an international flight; the airline says arrive 2 hours ahead so I do...

...to find the counter not staffed.

We called the airline and they said that the counter opened at 4:45.  I suggested they might change that since a competing airline was already open and checking people in.  We each got an apology and a "well you should have known not to arrive so early" comment!

We are both tired - having traveled already this week (I got home Fri. night from a 2.5 day trip) and could have used even 15 more mins. of sleep. It seemed we both needed to be entertained so we talked about what we do, professionally. 

Not in uniform, I would not have known that the woman with whom I was speaking was a Rear Admiral in the Navy.  Her job is to work in the field helping to find bones of dead US service members from as far back as WWII.  It was fascinating talking with her -- and learning about her work. 

She in turn was interested in what I do -- because she'll retire in a year and wants to do something different.  She was fascinated that her international negotiations skills might come in handy!

And yes, we plan to stay in touch.

Although tired, I am energized from the conversation and glad I got there early.