"Beam me up Scotty!"

Well, by no small feat of strength, we got ourselves packed and off to Utah to visit Rhett's family. And by we, I do mean me, as the Primary Trip Coordinator of the family. ( The family PTF! I just invented that title just now, I like it!) I will embrace my inner geek and let you know that growing up I faithfully watched Star Trek and later, the even more superior, Star Trek: The next generation. (I realize that fellow trekies may argue that point with me. All i can say is bring it on!) Anyways...One of my favorite parts was the transporter room. With one press of a button they were de-materialized and then re-materialized at the destination of their desire. I always think of Captin Kirk and his posse when I am sorting, doing laundry, shopping for travel odds and ends and packing 6 suitcases. (Although did you ever notice that they never took anything with them really? Not even a change of clothes. They couldn't be sure how long they would be staying. I mean, it was usually an uncharted planet. You don't think you would even need an overnight bag or something? I'm not judging, I'm just saying is all.)
Not only would it be so wonderful that whenever we were going somewhere you just called sweetly to your family, "okay guys, let's get ourselves to the transporter room!", but I kind of feel jipped that the technology does not actually exist. I don't know if you remember like I do, but I grew up with a great many implications that my generation was going to be blessed with superior technology. Flying cars was all but promised to me.
My dad when I was 12 (and i quote): "By the time you get old enough to drive, we'll probably be flying cars by then."
My driver's ed instructor: "So now, in a few more years you are probably not going to need all this information since you'll have cars that fly and such..."
On more than one occassion I was given the distinct impression that we would be so far advanced that by the time I was a young adult I would want for nothing. My house would greet me by name because it would recognize me by my retina scan, I would pay for things with a swipe of my fingerprint, food would cook itself but not before my house would ask me what I wanted it to make. And a transporter room? Standard in every house, no question.
Anyways, I don't usually feel bitter about the giant letdown until it's time to pack to go somwhere. It's possible that more than people gave me an impression of what life would be like in the future, perhaps I get too invested in the shows I watch. I can remember as a kid desperatley trying to fold my arms, close my eyes and nod my head in hopes that my room would suddenly be clean. It seemed worth a try.
In any event, we arrived safe and sound in Utah yesterday (despite the flaws in advanced technology) and are having a really fun time so far and I will keep you updated while we are here.