My magical thinking

My paternal grandfather, rest his soul, was always early for everything. I mean early-early. Like hours early for certain events. Like would start driving his car from Michigan to Florida a day before he and my grandmother were scheduled to leave on their trip so they could get there…earlier, I guess. My dad is like this, although not so extreme, and I used to be early for everything, too.

In fact, 21 years ago Thanksgiving week I was a college freshman sitting in Detroit Metro 2-3 hours before my departure time waiting to fly home for the holiday. I had arrived early at the insistence of my father, who was probably bamboozled into the idea by his father. Wouldn’t you know — my flight was delayed 3 hours more due to bad weather and holiday congestion. That marked the beginning of the end of my earliness. Now I am the person they describe in this article from the WSJ. uh oh…

…”Late people engage in magical thinking,” [Diana DeLonzor] says. “They remember that day 10 years ago when they made it to work in seven minutes flat. That becomes their standard.” That explains one of the most baffling types of late people: Those who are routinely late by a precise amount of time — the punctually late…

Currently I’m punctually late by 3 minutes — 4 or 5 minutes in dire cases — which doesn’t seem that bad. And I’m on time for some appointments and some meetings, including the conference calls I have to run — with the payback that then I sit alone in a conference room waiting for everyone else to arrive. I even make sure I’m at the airport early enough, although it’s never as early as I hope it will be.

But every once in a while my magical thinking works. This morning, for example, I got to work in 35 minutes flat, door to door, just like I used to when I moved here 12 years ago, when there was half the population and number of strip malls. Never mind that half of the region’s workforce took off today, or that all the traffic lights were perfectly timed green. It worked! So, in honor of the holiday, I decided to use my powers for good and grant you some magic, too:

For my family and friends in Michigan

the winter will be snow-free and the Lions will win tomorrow

For my fellow Wolverines

losing to Ohio State (and Appalachian State and…) really wasn’t that big of a deal and will be forgotten by tomorrow — except in Lloyd Carr’s house

For my fellow Pittsburghers

the whole winter will feel like today’s 60 degrees and the Steelers will go to the SuperBowl (can’t you natives think of anything else?!)

For those of you traveling this holiday

you will breeze through all airports, bus stations, train stations and traffic jams, arriving at your destination early

For those of you struggling with your diet

your Aunt Bertha’s pie and Mom’s stuffing will be 100% calorie-free tomorrow

For my friends and family who don’t like turkey or their relatives

tomorrow will fly by at warp speed and you’ll learn to love poultry and hams like your Uncle Lester again

For those of you who may be lonely or going through a tough time

you will read this and other blogs you like and realize you are part of a community that cares (ok, so that’s not magical; it’s true!)

I’ve been blogging for 8 months now and it means the world to me that you’ve stopped by to read and share your comments — thank you. I hope you and your families have a Happy Thanksgiving!

(See, Grandpa – I’m one day early!)

Tags: early, magical thinking, punctually late, thanksgiving

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