Santa’s Sleigh Needs a Flight Attendant
Patricia Sund December 06, 2010 | 04:50 PM
Fifty-eight foreign cities, countless airports, what seems like millions of passengers and over twenty-three years later, I’m still dragging my suitcase and my jet-lagged tush on and off of airplanes. I’ve been an International Flight Attendant all this time, yet I’ve never made it to the North Pole. I’ve jumped off of a cliff hang-gliding in Rio de Janeiro, skinny-dipped at midnight on a Barbados beach, smoked a cigar in Havana, took oxygen at one of the highest altitude airports in the world, (La Paz, Bolivia) and I helped deliver a healthy baby boy on a flight from Haiti to Fort Lauderdale. (Google it!)
Flying has given me opportunities others only dream of. One thing I’ve always wanted to do is walk around the world when I saw Michael Palin walk around the South Pole in eight-seconds in his BBC special, “Pole to Pole.”
I’ve also roller skated on the Equator in Ecuador and I’d simply love to bookend that adventure by circumnavigating the top of the globe in just a few seconds as Palin did.
Being a writer and animal blogger has led me to other adventures as well: Working at the Cincinnati Zoo as a Guest Keeper, working as a Guest Staffer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah are just two of the projects I’ve embarked on and blogged about.
My “Animals That Have Pooped on Me” list gets longer every year and currently includes penguins, fruit bats, parrots, an African red river hog and a black indigo snake among other creatures. I was also gassed by a sea lion, slimed by an elephant’s trunk and a vulture regurgitated his meal on me. These “Poop Encounters” occurred during some great adventures and I have more planned as I continue writing and blogging.
But this? Wow. This remarkable trip would not only be blog worthy, this is book worthy. I’m working on a manuscript about my experiences in the world of animals. This Quark Expedition would be a very special chapter and a wonderful addition. I’m sure the photographs would be spectacular and every detail would be blogged.
And just in case I happen to run into Santa, I’m bringing my resume. Why not? Maybe he needs a crew member on his sleigh. After all, reindeer need refreshments too.
138 Comments
Rooting for you and enjoying your blog! Keep up the good work!
ok honey you got the vote
Good luck!
Good luck!!
best of luck
Wishing you the best!
The Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary in Las Vegas, Nevada wishes you the best of luck!
Good Luck!
Good Luck Hope you win Eileen and her flock!!!xoxo
I wish you the best!!
Buffalo Parrot
Go Patricia!!! Sorry to be so late to vote, but voting for Team Grey Parrot!!
You guys are amazing! Thank you Joshua, Paloma, Ricks Pam, Kelly and Jon! Thanks so much for voting! Please pass the word on! You guys Rock!
Hey Patricia!
You are an amazing Bloger and I love your dedication for birds!
Please continue being a great member of www.thebirdsite.com/forum
And I really hope you win this so you can take lots of beautiful bird pictures from the north pole!
Good Luck
Joshua Pellicioti
Good luck!
Good luck. What you are doing is wonderful thing. From Taboo and Pam Tomlinson.
I voted! I hope it helps... will put the word out. Good Luck Patricia.
Good luck Patricia!
Good Luck and Happy Holidays
Thank you all so much! Please help boost the vote by sharing with family and friends. We can do this! Love you and and Happy Holidays!
Patricia,Wishing you much Luck and a Happy New Year!!
A friend of Stanley's is a friend of ours, Good Luck!!! I hope you win!!
Good Luck!!! I hope you win, I wish I could vote more than once :)
Send her to the NP! As long as she's back in time for the Midwest Bird Expo on April 16, 2011!
I say, SEND HER TO THE NORTH POLE! She wants to go, she wants to help save the endangered birds of the world, give her the push she needs! Have fun Patricia, think Patagonia thermal underwear.
Good luck and i wish u all the best
I've been reading your articles for 20 years and never knew you were as cute as your birds. Best wishes and good luck with this.
Thank you all so much for your support. We're still hanging on and doing well. I hope you will share with your friends and encourage them to vote for my entry!
All the Best of Luck Wishes from Luvie!
great i hope you win....walter and the gang
I keep coming up w/ideas for mo' votes. Boyfriend is #264. I just remembered I have another email acct...265!
Patty,
Just for you............I was #262
Hey Patricia! I was up looking at the Lunar Eclipse when your blog email
Hit my Inbox. Good luck!
Oh, by the way! What would the cocktail accompaniment be for eight Reindeer?
Happy, Safe holidays!!
Mari, Annette and Anna, I thank you all so much for your vote! Please keep it going and pass the word about the contest and my entry!
Hoping you can be the winner! Have a safe flight.
I hope that people will realize that what benefits parrots, benefits people, and benfits the poles (both north & south). Patricia writes with true empathy and humor about issues that influence the quality of our lives, with our birds, and our feathered-families in the human community and in the wild.
Good luck to you!
Thanks so much Candy! Please tell your friends about your vote.
Good luck Patricia! :-)
Thanks so much Susie, Ellen and Kimberly! I so appreciate your vote for my entry! Please share if you have a moment.
Good Luck!!
Love your articles, Patricia. Good luck!
You go girl!
Thank you so much Ann! Spread the word!
Good luck!
Thanks Joyce! Wow! Thanks for stopping by and voting!
Good luck Patricia,sounds like your kind of adventure.Don't worry everyone will take good care of Parker & friends while your gone.
patricia...good luck to you!!!! Im pulling for ya!
Michael L
Noah, you are a doll!
Nan! My Manager! You're so supportive! Thanks so much. And thank you so much Carole for your words.
Patricia should be first choice to go to the North Pole. When she does something she puts all that she has into the endeavor. She helped to deliver a baby in the air on a AA flight. She helped to organize donations to the people of Haiti after the huge earthquake.I saw her working very hard at the Cincinnati Zoo, cleaning,feeding and doing what ever needed to be done, doing it all as a volunteer. She worked at an animal rescue reporting all the wonderful things that they do. She also called her bird friends together to try to get toys for a bird rescue that had burned and needed help. She also help to produce a wonderful video about birds, to help raise money for rescue birds. Patricia writes beautifully about all of her experiences in great detail helping us to see everything she is doing through her eyes. The more we see and understand about our world, the more we care about it and what we can do to help. I hope that she gets the opportunity to tell us about the North Pole. Can't wait1
Go Patricia!!!! We need you up there advocating for our feathered friends!
Thanks Nan and Noah! I so appreciate your comments and your vote. Please spread the love!
Patricia is one of my bestest human friends. She shares great recipes that my mom uses to keep me healthy and happy. I think you should let her go to the North Pole and feed the animals cuz she's a cooking wizard!
I can't think of a person who would appreciate an adventure with such enthusiasm and energy! The stories will be priceless. Your sense of humor will make this a great report! Love your writing style!
-Nan
Thanks Steve and Marcia! I so appreciate it. Let's try and help birds.
Here's hopeing for the best. Good luck!
More than a week behind on FB, but I voted!!!! Yea!!! you're the best!!!!
Thanks Michelle! So nice of you to vote! I so appreciate it!
Patricia,
You got my vote! Happy to do it...love your blog.
Thanks so much everyone! Please spread the word and let them know about my "Quark Quest for Birds."
great i hope you get there you,v got my vote
Good Luck!
Good luck, Patricia. I am the big/older/let's try elder sister of a friend of yours, and would gladly vote several times if I could. I am a fan of your writing (and the Christmas nuts), and I know you'd be the greatest North Pole blogger ever. Lorethea
anyone that has parrots and does anything to help Phoenix Landing has my vote. Good Luck Sharon!!!!
Good luck Patricia, I've got my talons crossed for you to win.
Hope that you got lots of warm clothing you will be needing them!
Good luck ya better win!lol
Go Patricia, GREAT!!!!!
Go Patricia!!!
YOU ROCK!
Our vote is for you!
Dress warm! I'm sure you'll get this one. See you at Parrot Festival I hope.
Thanks Laney! Just call me Admiral Byrd!
Would be great to have a *Bird Person* blogging from the North Pole.
Scott! Thanks so much! Any friend of Bart's is a friend of mine!
Go Patricia! (I'm part of Bart's coalition! We're for you!)
Thanks Bart! Pass it on!
Go Miss Patricia! Go!!
Oh Kim, you're so kind. Thanks so much. I'm so happy you like my Column in BIRD TALK.
Pat Sund is so entertaining with her stories, yet being so informative about whatever project she is working on! I love Parker & Pepper. The content shows that she really does take the time to observe and communicate with them! I recommend her highly!
Thanks Joan! Please tell your friends in Indiana!
Good Luck Patricia. If you win maybe you can swing by IND and take me with you.
Yea Patricia! Caymus' mom from the BC leaving you a
Vote!
Thanks so much Mimi! Lucky 166!
Yea. I'm your 166 Vote!! GOOD LUCK!!!!! BRRRRRRRR
I'd like to thank you all for your kindness. This means the world to me. I want to do the right thing with this trip by blogging, writing, promoting, shooting video and making this a wonderful trip for everyone from the comfort of their living room. I'll take the trip. You enjoy the scenery!
Thank you so much Susan! I really appreciate your vote.
You Go!
sgf
Looking forward to reading about this adventure. I know you're up for it. Best of luck to you.
Best Of luck Patricia
Enjoyed reading! and cast my vote! Good luck!
Thanks Gio!
Good luck!
Thanks Kent! See if you can encourage some of your Forum friends to vote for my entry! This is NOT going to be an easy trip and I've gone "soft" living in Florida, but It might help spotlight some great Bird Causes.
Best of luck Patricia! I am rooting for you to win... Yahooo!
Kent
Thanks so much Javier! And be sure to let everyone know about this wonderful competition and Quark!
Hey Girl! Hoping that your POLAR ADVENTURE comes true! GO PATRICIA!!!!
Thank everyone! I so appreciate it. We have a long way to go to get a Bird Person to the Pole. And if I'm going to do my "Pole Dance" we need to get more votes. Please help out by sharing the link with your friends through an email. We're doing great!
Good luck Patricia!
Good luck Patricia!! You are doing great. :o)
If you win (and I hope you do) take LOTS of pictures!!!
It sez I have 5 votes, but won't let me vote more than once...? It's rigged I tell you!
Mary, I couldn't agree more; Patricia is a marvel!!!
Way to go Pat. I know u can do it and i love reading about your adventures. that would definitley make a great book to read!!I love to read Memo to Parker and Pepper.
Thanks Laura. I so appreciate it!
Well written and funny!
Thank you so much Javier. Thanks for voting for me. I really appreciate it!
You go, girl!!!
Thanks so much David!
I think it's one vote per blog, Barbara and I thank you so much!
I have voted for you. Have to read the rules again.. think I have five votes but don't know if they can all be for you?
Good Luck!!!!! Your the best!!!! :-)
Thank you for your vote Martha! Parker and Pepper say "Thank You" as well for following their column. It is after all, about them. And don't they let me know every day!
I just voted. I was recently turned onto Bird Talk via your column "Memo to Parker & Pepper" by my neighbors daughter. The column is a dead on accounting of living and loving with a parrot in your home. I hope you win, I would love to read about it.
Thanks Mary Ann-I so appreciate your vote for my entry. The "Bird World" could use a little time in the limelight! And thank you for following "Parrot Nation" and the articles in "BIRD TALK" Magazine! You rock!
I love reading your articles. So much fun.
Hey Sharon! Hi! I remember you! How are you? Thank you so much for voting! I so appreciate it. If I go, I intend to make another feather scarf, wear it to the pole, and give it to the Phoenix Landing Foundation for an auction item to raise funds for them. Wouldn't that be a neat thing to have? The Scarf that went to the North Pole!
Good Luck Patricia, I hope you win and enjoy your writing so much, met briefly in Williamsburg, Virginia. Can't wait to hear the blogs on this and read your book! Sharon Andresen
Thanks Terry and Lizzie! Heaven knows what's going to poop on me up there!
Hope you have fun freezing!!! You have my vote. Will be watching for that pole dance afterwards LMOL just don't freeze to it!!
You have my vote, Pat! Hope you win; love your blog!
Thanks everyone! And I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up getting pooped on by something!
Best of luck to you, Patricia. Looking good on the numbers! Fellow Floridian, blog reader and of course, parrot person cheering for you.
So let me get this right - you are going to "Pole Dance" with Santa? Given your previous history I'm betting on you getting hit with some reindeer poop!
Thanks so much everyone and let everyone know I'm trying to head off to the North Pole.
Good luck Patricia, look forward to reading all about it.
Best of luck--hope you get to fulfill your quest! It will be great getting to read about (and see) everything that you do.
I can't wait to read about the North Pole as seen through Patricia's eyes. I know it will be insightful and entertaining. I vote for Puffin Poo!
I voted to send you away asap as there is only room enough for one Patricia in these parts er ..umm.. I mean so you can fulfill your dreams.
Pack extra underwear , mitts and go get pooped on by something interesting, my choice is a snow bunting, while polar bear would make better fodder for a writer.
Good Luck!!
I'm just thrilled! If this keeps up, I'll be "Pole Dancing" in no time!
I just love the Parrot Nation blog! Keep up the great work! I hope you win, can't wait to read about this adventure.
Cindy LaChester
Good luck to you. I'm a friend of Pam Quirin :)
One of my favorite writers. Wonder how the North Pole will count as part of te Parrot Blogs??? I can't wait to find out.
I'm another devout reader of Patricia's Parrot Nation
blog. I'm frequently compelled to share it, because it's consistently worth reading: informative, factual, thought-provoking... and always entertaining.
Let's send her to the North Pole because there really is no one else's trip I'd rather read about.
best of luck to our favorite Blogger!
Hugs
The Goon Platoon
Thank you so much, everyone!
I am a devout reader of Patricia's Parrot Nation blog, and she is one of the most entertaining bloggers you could find. She is always doing something worth reading about. Her own, personal style of telling you about it makes you laugh, groan, cry or want to try whatever it is she is doing, yourself. She's careful and complete with information she is trying to impart and is fearless in what she seems willing to try. Let's send her to the North Pole because there is no one whose trip I would rather read about.
This woman (that would be Pat Sund) should have her own Travel or Animal Channel show. Extremely articulate, well written, attractive, friendly and a great sense of humor! Tony Bourdain's got nuthin'on Pat!
I always look forward to reading Patricia's articles. They are very entertaining.