Cat & Mouse

 

As an old professor, I do not relish, nor do I want to be involved in political wrangling that is now affecting me in the current cat and mouse game our politicians are perpetrating.  It is causing me a significant amount of anxiety.  

As I spoke of this past Saturday, I have a research conference I am set to present at where I am scheduled to leave on Friday.  The potential flight cancellations and delays that may arise going to.... but ESPECIALLY returning from this conference have me on edge.  I would love to spend a few days in California, but the undecided potential flight issues have me dreading each and every step of this process.  I am filled with anxiety about not getting back to the U in a timely fashion.  I am worried about the care of my dog if I am delayed.  I am dreading the potential of living in airports for who knows how long.  

The "best" case scenario at the moment for my mental and emotional health would be if the airline I am on would make some sort of damn decisions further out than when you arrive at the damn airport.  If I could find out and demonstrate that one or more of my flights is cancelled, I could then cancel hotel accommodations, and flight options (I think) and potentially present virtually (I think).  In this scenario, I would then not have to be filled with anxiety all this week and through the conference.  And, in this scenario, I would not have to eat the costs of missing days in the hotel, would not have to worry about getting back to the U in a timely fashion, would not have to worry about my dog.  

This political wrangling is far different from a weather related delay.  Weather related issues are "accepted" by my grant and also by my U.  But, political mumbo-jumbo would not be.  I do not want to eat these costs, nor do I want to spend several days roaming around airports only to likely also miss the scheduled times of my talks.

I am frustrated and do not know where to turn at the moment.  

PipeTobacco