Finagle’s Law (and perpetual excessive luggage)

Hey there Internet! I’m about to leave for the trip and I am very excited. I am already checked in for my flight (thanks, Emirates, that was easy, a full 48 hours before my flight and one of the few things that have gone off without a hitch!) and am pretty much packed, just reordering the last few items in my suitcase. Everything for the adventure is on track and I am pleased that things are at least running smoothly in this area.

But that is all that is going the right way…when it comes to everything else in my life, from work to my personal life, to my health, well Finagle has been in full effect.

Now we have all heard the adage that “everything that can go wrong, will go wrong”, variously attributed as Murphy’s Law or Sod’s Law. Sure, we have all felt like that sometimes. But Finagle’s Law takes it one step further, “everything that can go wrong, will go wrong, and at the worst possible time”. Seriously the past few weeks have felt like every little item, from the smallest to the biggest things have run into problems…

How about almost not getting the blog up and running a week and a half before I leave? (Thanks again, Josh!) Or what about an apparently fraudulent charge on a bank card and having to cancel the card a week before I leave? Luckily that was a false alarm, but that was a really horrid hour of my life when I thought the entire trip could be in jeopardy! Then two days later an online banking product locked me out and I wasted hours trying to fix it when I had way too many other things to do. There was also the router that stopped working completely, and then suddenly worked again when I took it to be fixed… Technology especially, has seemed like it has been out to get me.

Then when it came to work there have been days of power problems. Relax fellow South Africans, it is not Eskom and load shedding, this was just a more localised problem. Still not okay when the only way you can keep the power on is using one plug at a time. It was like gladiatorial games for electrical appliances at work…

Let’s not forget about the damp coming into my flat and an inspection needed just mere days before I leave. Or what about the fibre being trenched to my building and getting a knock on my door 24 hours before I leave, to pull the wires into my flat or lose out altogether? (Okay, this last one is undoubtedly a good thing, but the timing left a lot to be desired!)

Then there is the cold I have been fighting for over a week. Nothing more than a simple little winter head cold, but racing around like a mad woman ahead of a nineteen-hour plane trip…not really very conducive to getting better for the actual journey and experiences in Thailand. I am hoping one last good night’s sleep and some form of rest on the plane itself will sort out the final residual sniffles

And all of this amidst a host of other glitches, minor mishaps and a million small, large and normal situations at work, made for an even busier, more chaotic and frantic lead up to my big adventure. I am tired just thinking about it, let alone typing it. Honestly, I know this sounds cranky and pessimistic, and possibly even ungrateful, but the past few weeks have been exhausting. I think I am more than ready for Thailand’s calm waters, beautiful beaches and smiling people. And hopefully I have more than worn out Finagle’s influence for the entirety of my time away!

My bags are packed, every item I need is ready and all I have to do is wake up early and head off to the airport tomorrow.

I know, I can see it too, I look like I am vastly overpacked. But as someone who operates like a boy scout in my everyday life, I will be prepared for travel! Plus, if you know me at all, this is me packing light. That hand luggage trolley was full for a mere 36-hour business trip a year ago. That green suitcase was packed with clothing for a 5-day, local holiday four years ago. Besides, those suitcases are not chock-a-block with things… all the more room to bring back souvenirs! The red hat is going to have to share its home very soon! Watch this space…