I write this note while in transit from DC to London. Oddly, I was upgraded to business class. It has been over 4 years since I last flew United Airlines and was expecting to be in the last row, near a bathroom, wedged between an obese smacker and several screaming children – luckily for me, this was not the case. As I arrived to my seat (13 F), I confusingly stared at the abundance of space in and around my chair. For the longest time, I was convinced that this was the “standard” international seat. Having purchased the cheapest, lowest-class ticket, I surely expected to be treated as a commoner. Even after receiving a copy of the Journal, and a glass of champagne I mistakenly explained to Julia over the phone how great coach was on an international flight. After hanging up, the old man sitting beside me said, “I think you may be in the wrong seat,” when I quickly and confidently responded, “No, this is me.” He looked at me oddly for a second and said, “Well I’d be happy too if I bought a ticket in coach and sat in business class.” I smiled and felt my cheeks blush before standing to ask the flight attendant if I was in the correct seat. She smiled and informed me that I was, in fact, upgraded. In general, developmental projects and the nonprofit industry are largely modest, spending only on expenses that are needed or even emergent. It is uncommon to fly first class or reap the typical pleasures consulting offers. As I sipped on my second glass of champagne, I wondered… should I be sitting here? Am I in the right frame of mind? Suddenly the attendant took my dinner order - I requested the chicken and spicy scallops with a glass of the cabernet. Anyways, what was I thinking about? Can’t remember, too busy surfing through the long movies list I plan to fall asleep to.
