The Airport, Andre Agassi, and Me

As I am sitting here in the one of 3 airports I'll be in today, I am watching Andre Agassi struggle in the 3rd set against Benny Becker. The airport carries a different dynamic of people and people watching. I have this accute sense of being watched and yet watching those around me as well. Earlier, a guy of my height and a slimmer build, with a very european looking mustache and a shiny head like my own came and sat in the midst of myself and the other three gents I am traveling with. He was dressed in an Hawiian shirt that was black toned and had yellow and orange flowers on it. He wore a very nice watch that looked sleek silver and gold. His pants were a nice dress pants accompanied by dark shiny black shoes and black socks. No carryon luggage was with him,just a cell phone. He sat down while I was rummaging through my back, I still had my sunglasses on from the last four days of rum city. Coming back from rum city always seems to make going home much brighter than it was before... rum city always has this affect on me. Anyway, he was wearing a slim and expensive looking pair of sunglasses and I kept feeling glancing looks from him. My cell phone rang, it was my babe calling me... I took the call and turned slightly as to not let him see my lips: in case he was a lip reader... you just never know. I spoke on the phone for about 5 minutes and hung up. I turned back square in my seat and he was watching me... so I gave him a smile that acknowledged he had been seen and said I would rather he not look at me. He was stoic in his ability to sit amongst strangers, especially when there were many open seats around us.

"I think he is undercover" I told myself. I asked one of the gents I was with to watch my stuff as I went to find a bottle of water and a magazine.

I returned 5 minutes later and he was still there. No friends, no luggage. Is he looking for casual conversation? ...his phone rang. "Hey Buddy..." he said with a slightly New York or Boston accent. "Hows it going?..." he talked about his flight getting ready to board, maybe he wasn't undercover, maybe he was really just looking for some fellas to shoot the breeze with. He finished his conversation and then went to board his flight, going to Ontario, Canada by the way.

As he got up and walked away,I thought to myself, "I like his wardrobe and his look... I need to note that look as a possible look for myself the next time I travel." Which reminds me that a couple asked me if I was undercover yesterday. Here is a little background to why they asked: When we were going through customs a couple of days ago on our way to Nassau, Bahamas, we encountered a very nice gentleman from New Jersey working the customs desk we were asked to go to. His name was Jerry, and he was a kind gent, about 60-65 probably worked this as a part-time job to accompany his retirement. He answered every question we asked with specific detail and was not at all inpatient with us. I said, "Thank you very much Jerry" and we went on our way to board the boat.

When we arrived back in port, Jerry was there to usher us in the right direction to our luggage. As I passed him, I casually said, "Morning Jerry",as if I have worked with and known him for many years. The couple right next to me turned to me with smiles and said, "You know him that well to say his name like that? Are you undercover?" I smiled, and said "No,...I just remember him for his kindness the other day when we were boarding." "Right...right..." they said with a sarcastic smirk. Oh well,I enjoyed thinking of myself as an uncercover agent.

Agassi has lost the 3rd set...itis not boding well for him at this point. I admire him for his sensetive side and for his competetiveness. Not to mention his tenacity.

Then there is me.

I miss my wife and son so much. We tried to change our tickets to arive home yesterday, but it was going to cost me over $1000 to upgrade everyones tickets. It was the longest night and has been the longest day I can remember having since I was anticipating Santa Clause coming when I was a kid. I have watched maybe an hour of tv in 5 days and I have enjoyed meeting new people and getting to know people.

We went to smoke the Cuban Cigars I had purchased earlier in the day. While smoking our cigars, we met a man from Manhattan, NY. He is a New York City police officer with 14 years on the force and 6 more to go till retirement. His name was Earl and we exchanged conversation with him for about 20 minutes.

I just want to be at home.... Agassi, ust lost the match... Happy Retirement Andre!