On the way to San Francisco on Friday afternoon, I accidentally left my laptop at the security checkpoint at JFK. They were taking an unusually long time with my carry-ons, and my items didn’t come out of the machine in the same order they went in. (I think the Eileen’s cheesecake I was carrying had something to do with it; the screener, who looked a bit like Eileen herself, was sort of eyeing me with a bemused but knowing look as she ran my bakery box back and forth through the scanner.)
Anyway, as we were all waiting to board the plane, I saw photographer and viral-video star Noah Kalina walk up up to the gate. I was like, “Hey! That’s Noah Kalina! I’m going to tweet that we’re on the same flight and then go introduce myself.” (I’ve been a fan of his work since I started seeing his restaurant interior shots on Eater years ago, and I think he’s commented once or twice on my Flickr photos, and I know a lot of the same people he does, but I’ve never met him.)
I wanted to @message him in the tweet, and since I couldn’t remember if he was @noahkalina or @kalina, I figured I’d consult the web via my laptop instead of trying to blindly guess it on my phone (he’s @noahkalina).
So when I went to pull out my laptop and … “FUCK! I left my machine at security!”
With only minutes to initial boarding, I ran back through the terminal and retrieved the computer. Luckily it was still there and they hadn’t sent it to lost and found or blown it up as a suspicious package. Conveniently—but perhaps not super securely—they didn’t even challenge me to prove the computer was mine. So I guess if you ever want a free laptop, just skulk around the security area and watch for someone to leave a computer. Then just run around a bit, get sweaty and frantic-looking, and then tell them you left your MacBook and can you get it back.
By the time I got back to the gate, Noah had already boarded and was in his seat with earbuds in. I ended up finding him at baggage claim at SFO, introduced myself, and thanked him for saving my stupid ass.
Noah, if you’re reading this, thanks again!
good thing you didn’t whip out an iPhone. you’d still be without your laptop. sorry i missed the Eats crew in SF this weekend. i was sick. you were busy with the show. still, i always get bummed when i hear people passed through town and I didn’t even manage a sighting…
Luckily I don’t have an iPhone. Just my 2006-era Nokia flip phone.
Yeah! Sorry we missed you there, too. Past a certain point, though, we were pretty bogged down with all the bad stuff that went down—as I’m sure you’ve seen on all the blogs.
Next time, hopefully I/we’ll be in town under better circumstances!
of course i am reading this. who doesn’t have a google alert on their name?
and you are welcome!