NP: John Cage, 4'33"

I learned two things about Heathrow Airport today, a day which started about nineteen hours ago just off Trafalgar Square and is finally ending back here in Chicago.

First, when they announce that a gate is closing, that really means you still have about fifteen minutes before they actually close the door on you, and does not mean you need to sprint from duty free all the way across the terminal.

Second, those announcements are run by the BAA, which doesn't really talk to the airlines, so if your flight is delayed -- and you know your flight is delayed because they told you when you checked in -- then your momentary panic and subsequent sprint are even more ill-advised. Because my feet and Achilles tendons and whatever's left of the cartilage in my left knee needed more punishment than they already got over the last ten days.

On the other hand, the last thing I did before leaving the city proper was go to Lee Ho Fook's and have a big dish of beef chow mein. Owooooo...