1:15 pm, Jan 23, 2025.
The Club Lounge at SJC is mostly empty. I'm trying to find a perfect spot where I can charge my laptop and watch United's UEL game versus Rangers, while having access to another table to keep my food. To my pleasant surprise, my eyes land on one of the many screens and the United game is on! I settle down with a prime view, not having to worry about the logistics of streaming the game now.
I place an order directly via the QR code, waiting for a bowl of thai curry rice, and strawberry shortcake (the only 2 veg items on the menu) to arrive. It's a pleasantly sunny afternoon, making me momentarily forget that I have to go back to a chilly Seattle where it might snow today or tomorrow.
There's still over an hour to go for boarding, the lounge is lightly playing some classic songs from the 90s with a good mix of BSB, Madonna, J-Lo, N-Sync, and United are winning like the United of old. The cumulative effect of this musical nostalgia, mostly-empty lounge, cool breeze blowing at the perfect temperature, United winning, and not having to rush for the flight makes me find myself in a zen that I haven't experienced in several years. I'm grateful for this moment.
