Unfortunately, my flight was late.
Fortunately, I still caught my connection to Philadelphia.
Unfortunately, my bag didn't.
Unfortunately, this was discovered at 11:00 p.m., when all stores were closed.
Fortunately, I carry my ear prompter with me, so I could still give presentations the next day.
Unfortunately, the tape with the presentation script was discovered to be corrupted at 8:00 a.m. today.
Unfortunately, the backup tape was in the lost luggage.
Fortunately, I carry an iRiver and a paper script with me, so I could record the script digitally.
Unfortunately, my iRiver doesn't have the proper port to connect with my ear prompter.
Fortunately, I carry earbuds with me, and they do connect to my iRiver and can be tucked behind my hair, so I had could present at 10:15 a.m.
Fortunately, the client was going to Radio Shack this morning and got me a backup tape as well.
Fortunately, I found a quiet place to record the script into my original prompter and earpiece. The iRiver officially became a backup.
Fortunately, I always travel wearing business casual, not jeans. I was wearing respectable khakis and leather shoes, not jeans and sneakers, so I had acceptable attire for the trade show today (until such time as my luggage made its appearance at 5:00 p.m.).
Fortunately, the only thing I was lacking to appear as a professional at 9:00 a.m. today was makeup, which the client generously let me borrow.
Fortunately, the client is a woman.
What, you think it's easy making it look this easy? I can say a few things about this:
- Thank goodness I always carry a printout of the script with me.
- Thank goodness I always carry my prompter with me.
- Thank goodness I usually have my iRiver with me.
- Thank goodness I always travel wearing business casual, not jeans or sweats.
If any one of those four things had not been the case, I would not have been able to present this morning.
Fortunately, they always are. What do you always do so that silly airline delays don't ruin your talk?