Y7 D340

Happy to be home. Plus I am happy I am not just home for one day. I get to be home for a couple of weeks. Such a nice needed break. I know, I bitch about being home, I bitch about being gone. But it's the time in between that pisses me off. It's one thing to travel and then be home, it's another to be home for 3 days in one month. There's a difference.

I tried to not rush yesterday I really did. I was going to have breakfast and leisurely get to the airport, but that planned failed. My paranoia and stress won out and I left well earlier than I wanted to leave. I left the hotel around 5:15. Sigh. I know. I got to the airport a little before 6, was through security and in the lounge by 6:15. I then sat there until 8:50. Over 2 hours. Stupid of me.

Regardless, I boarded on time and was at PDX around noon. Got on the train, B picked me up at the station, and I was home around 2. It was raining which was a welcome sight after my week in the heat. Unpacked, did some stuff at home, then we went out to the store. She was out of food after a week of me being gone.

Came back, relaxed, and then had Mexican for dinner. We both were exhausted when we got back from dinner. We watched a little TV and we BOTH went to bed around 9:30.

Today is house stuff. I need to get some more groceries and things, laundry, etc. I also have to do expense reports and timesheets this morning. Fun stuff. But I have the next three days all to myself which I am going to enjoy.

We did talk about something yesterday. The whole lack of friends thing is starting to wear on both of us. We need to focus on how to get some friends. It's just such a challenge. We might even go to a Rocky show here to see what kind of people it attracts. I know. But we know that it's more likely to be our kind of people. We shall see.

Y7 D339

It's going home day! But for once I am not rushing and getting to the damn airport six hours early. It will take me about 30 minutes to get there, 10 minutes for gas, 10 minutes to drop off the car. Which means I don't need to leave here until 6. That gives me three hours. More than enough time. Right? I am trying something and it's making me anxious but whatever.

Yesterday was okay. I finished my class with no real issues. I even managed to show them some advanced stuff which they enjoyed a lot. We finished up around 3:30 and I headed back to the hotel. I walked over to the park where I found a new t-shirt since the one I brought I have been wearing for five days straight. I figured it was time to change ya know? Had dinner at Carthay circle, walked around a bit, and came back to the room around 7. Packed everything up, printed out my boarding pass, and watched some TV. Went to bed around 10.

That's about it. Go home today, do timesheet, expense reports, etc. Then I get three full days to myself. Let my voice rest for a few. Some point this week I have to book my London trip. That is definitely happening now. So many miles and hotel points for that. Plus being in a foreign country will be fun as heck.

Okay. Shower and no stress time darnit.

Y7 D338

Had a fun day for the most part yesterday. I was up and out of the hotel way too early but I did it to avoid traffic. I was up at around 2:30 and left at 4:10. I made it to the client site at around 5. 2.5 hours before I needed to be there. I watched like one show but was so sleepy I ended up laying the seat down and taking a 45 minute nap in the parking lot. This location is in a clinic which means it's open to the public and doesn't open its doors until 7:30. But I wasn't the only one in the parking lot at 6am. Nobody looked twice at someone sleeping in their car waiting for the doors to open. I went in around 7:25 with my contact and we set up the room. It's a bit of a bitch room in the basement, but I only have four students which works out even with a messed up room layout. This is a Tableau class which means lots of material to cover and we didn't finish until 4:15. Even then, I didn't get us as far as I would like so today I have to crack down and move us at a quick pace.

Headed out about 4:30 and it took me about 20 minutes to get to the hotel. They didn't have the room I requested and in exchange they moved me to a lower floor but into a suite. The downside is that it has two queen beds. Whatever. I am here for two nights. Changed my clothes and walked over to Bubba Gump's to meet a friend for dinner. Had a really good time catching up with him. He has recently lost a lot of weight and I am proud of him. I have known him for 20+ years and he looks good. It's been a lot of work and its paid off. After dinner we walked over to the park where I did a little shopping. I got a round sign of Oswald for the office, some earrings, and a Stitch hoodie. Walked on back and was in the room around 8.

Ironed, grabbed last night's shows, and went to bed. Today I do part 2 of the class, check in for my flight, and will probably go back to the park for dinner tonight. I may actually go into the park too. We shall see how crowded it is.

B is doing better. She's got her emotions back under check a little but she is still sad at how long I have been gone. We did learn one nice piece of news - it sounds like it is confirmed our downstairs neighbor is leaving us. BOOYAH. Bye bye miss annoying. Of course this means new people to deal with, but hopefully they will be better than her.

One more day to go and I will be home. Let's get through it, shall we?

Y7 D337

I just discovered I didn't give yesterday's post a title. Sorry about that. I know my titles are so informative that you didn't know what was going on. Yeah right.

I am up ridiculously early this morning as I have to drive at least 51 minutes this morning to get to my other client. That's the time without traffic. The later I leave the more that number increases. My plan is to be on the road by 4:30 which should keep traffic to a minimum. I have to get on 4 freeways to get my destination this morning - 134, 2, 5, and 91. Crazy.

Finished my second day of mentoring yesterday with no major issues. We finished up around 4:30 and I headed back to the hotel. I didn't want to leave and decided to have dinner in the hotel last night. That was interesting. Their main restaurant is currently closed for renovations so all they have open is the bar with a few scattered tables. They have a dining area but it's open for breakfast only. I asked the server if there was anything quieter and she got permission to open the breakfast area up just for me. I was able to have a quiet dinner all by myself without the noise of the bar buffoons ruining it.

Went back to my room and watched some TV. Went to bed at 9. Almost time to go home. Just a couple more days. I can do it. I do get a break next week. All of our public classes are canceled due to low attendance. No more one person classes which makes me happy. I am taking Monday completely off and will do doc work the rest of the week. I can handle. Just need to get there. So close.

Y7 D336

If a hotel is going to advertise itself to business travelers, then you'd think they would put some emphasis on having solid wireless. The wireless here is so spotty that I can sit in two places to get a decent connection. If I move a foot over I lose a bar. Ridiculous. I mean seriously, a couple hundred dollars per floor would allow them to put in multiple repeaters and reduce the pain. Base don my experience at Hilton properties, I would never use AT&T for my internet provider. Ever. I just finished last night's downloads from roughly 6pm start time. Ugh.

Spent the day at my client. First order of business was removing the dates we had in June scheduled to August. We pushed this trip out by two months, only makes sense to do the same for that trip. Plus now I don't have to worry about any conflict with B's trip in June. Two solid weeks at home for sure. We spent the day going over a bunch of different topics and finished up around 3:30. It only took 10 minutes to get back to the hotel at that time of day which is also why I wanted out of there before 5. I didn't feel like sitting on the freeway for an hour.

Got back, relaxed for a while, dealt with an issue I had when we were in the Bay Area with B's help. I didn't have my fastrak on me and I had to blow through two toll booths while we were there. I knew they would send letters and I could just tell them my number but she was having a bad day and wanted me to take care of it NOW. Her anxiety was at an all time high yesterday. Me being on the road this long is taking its toll on her. Gee, what a shock. I am ready myself to go home (4 weeks straight is enough thank you) but at least I don't get so anxious about it. Nah, I just get depressed. See? So much better.

Went to Conrad's family diner for dinner and had a Monte Cristo sandwich. It was okay. The place I really wanted to go to is closed on Mondays. I am hoping I am up to going tonight. I didn't feel good last night after eating that food and went to bed at 9 as to not throw up. I'm still not 100% but I did get a good night's sleep for once.

Today is more of the same as yesterday but tonight I go to bed early as tomorrow morning I check out and drive to the other client. That will be more normal training and should be a break from what I have been doing today and yesterday.

Only a few more days and I get to go home. I can make it. Still no update on my London trip which has me worried. I want to book that as soon as possible. I swear, who makes international travel plans three weeks out? Oh wait. Me.

Y7 D335

Happy perfect date. April 25th. Not too hot, not too cold. It's that day. If you don't know what I mean, look it up.

Odd day yesterday. Nothing crazy just a odd day. Another day where I am up too long, in too many places at once, etc. Left for the airport around 4, got my boarding pass, and thanks to tsa pre, got through security in literally one minute. That part was pretty damn cool. Took me longer to walk from the door to the line than it did in line. Had a first class seat and was literally the first to board the plane. That was good because I was worried given the sheer volume of small children on my flight. It was a "Disney" flight since it went right into Anaheim. I was stressing about how long it would take for them to get down the walkway.

Two hours and 15 minutes later I landed and got my car. I managed to get the same car I drive at home which is nice. Everything is familiar and right where it should be. Left the airport and drove to Disneyland. The more I go on weekend days, the more I realize how much I hate people. I couldn't take it. Too many annoying people. Trashy people at that. I managed to get something B wanted and have it shipped and then I pretty much bailed. I left the park around 11:30 after barely two hours. Just I had enough. I am going to try and go back on Wednesday night as there's a couple of things I want and just didn't feel like dealing with the people to get. We will try again later this week.

The hotel was about 35 miles away. Thanks to fucked up LA traffic going to the zoo, it took me 92 minutes to get to the hotel. Fuck that. Every time I come back I realize why I left. I truly dislike it here. The room I selected wasn't ready and they upgraded me to the top floor corner suite. Okay. I am good with this thank you. Unpacked, ironed, and relaxed. I tried to nap but it wasn't coming. I was too stressed from the drive and the morning in the park.

Around 4, B and I worked out her summer trip. She is going to gone for 2 weeks in June. 50,000 miles and $11 later it was all set. She leaves 6/15 and comes home 6/29. In time for my birthday. Nothing against her, but it will be nice to have some time at home alone. It's different than alone on the road. Have my own stuff and be in my own bed kind of thing.

Walked to Damon's Tiki Steakhouse for dinner and had a great elk burger. Dinner was nice. Came back, watched some tv, and went to bed around 10. Now today, I drive to Pasadena, mentor, then come back, and do it all again tomorrow. Here until Wednesday morning, then drive back to Anaheim, check into a different hotel that night, and do two more nights.

In one month I will have stayed at 5 different Hiltons in 5 different locations. Not bad for one month. I may be using the air miles up, but I am racking up the hotel points for sure.

Y7 D334

A little over one month away and we start a new year of writing. Does it serve the same purpose as it did 7 years ago? Maybe. At the very least I will leave behind a chronicle of life at the times. Like the volumes written by our forefathers, someone might be able to decipher life from all this some day.

Errands errands and more errands yesterday. The grocery store. The asian grocery store. The mall. Was a busy day. We did all sorts of stuff. Laundry. Repacking. Flight check-in (got my upgrade thank you very much). Maps.

Had a nice lunch out at a seafood place we like. Came back, B napped. I worked on setting up the new mac.

Watched some tv went to bed around 10. I've had about 4 hours sleep. Whee. Slept well though. Today I fly, go to Disneyland (oh darn), and check in. 4 days in SoCal then home for 3 weeks. Yay. I will be messaging my SoCal friends tonight to see if they want to meet this week.

That's my life. Maybe future historians won't be interested. Oh well.

Y7 D333

Yesterday was one of those days where time just seems to make no sense. What time zone am I in? What day is it? Where the fuck am I?

I left the hotel at 2:30am, got to the airport around 3. Dropped off the car and headed to the terminal. Security in Tulsa doesn't open until 4:10 and I was first in line. There was both a pre line and a regular line. Now, some places don't open the pre-line until after the regular line and I had to debate which to stand in. There was another woman around 3:40 who was trying to make the same decision. I told her, you stand there, I will stand here and whichever opens first we will go together. Deal. At 3:55, a TSA comes out bellowing ALL PRE MOVE TO THAT LINE. Well she held her end of it and let me right in behind her. There was another woman there too and I let her in front of me to be nice. We get to the podium and the TSA agent asks if she is normally pre. She says um yeah? Not this time sister. She mistook the American logo for a pre-check logo. Sent her back to the regular line. Man that sucks. While I feel bad for her, you should ALWAYS double check that shit. Boarded my first flight at 4:30, first class thankfully. It was another small plane and I didn't want more lightning strikes thank you very much.

Got to Dallas at 6 and made my way to the Admiral's Club. I was second on the upgrade list for my next flight. Headed to the gate at 8 and waited. They cleared the one guy ahead of me. Damn. I will say I could tell the difference my status made. There were 12 people on the list and normally I would have been like 8 or 9. Being 2 was a big improvement. Had to sit next to an egg mcmuffin eating fat fuck for four hours, but I got home. Landed around 11 PDT. Only 12 hours after leaving the hotel thereabout. Whee.

Got on the train, and headed home. The whole time I was in the club until I got home, I got stuck on a stupid thread of emails. I fucking hate when that happens. Apparently there are multiple people working on the gig for the folks in UK. But they are doing VERY different things than I am. Since the client sees us all as 'consultants' I am getting included on all these emails. I must have had 20 when I got to PDX. When I finally got home around 1, I sent my boss a message asking if we even had a contract yet. He said, ignore everything. Done and done.

Unpacked, hugged the kitties and the woman. Not in that order. I then ordered the new mac mini for the media server. B needed to go to the mall and I figured we would kill two birds with one stone. Even if I don't have enough time this weekend to fully set it up, at least it's here and ready. I was able to get it because I got $750 as a bonus this quarter. Not my full bonus (82%) but enough it didn't hurt anything. We went to the mall, got what she needed, picked up the mini, and headed home. She wanted Mediterranean for dinner last night and I agreed. I tried to do my timesheet and expense report but unfortunately the project hasn't been entered into the system yet. I had to send an email and I made sure I told them I am home for one day. If it doesn't get done, it's your fault people, not mine.

We watched a little TV, then I collapsed around 9:45. I made it longer than I thought I would to be honest. Now today is laundry, boarding passes, house stuff. So I can leave again in 22 hours. Whee.

Y7 D332

Prince is dead. No. No. No. Celebrity deaths shouldn't hit me as hard as this but this was a man whose music has been part of my life since I was a teenager. I remember when I was younger and I would listen to Prince. All of my 'friends' were into heavy metal. We were the head banging stoners. We didn't listen to 'that' kind of music. But I would steadfastly argue with them and implore them to actually LISTEN to him. Listen to how he played a guitar. He was better and faster and meaner on that guitar than any of the three chord crap we listened to any day. When I got to see him November 10th 1988 it was more than a concert. It was an experience. 2.5 hours of some of the best music I ever heard in my life. A stage show beyond compare. At one point he raised a white baby grand piano up from below and played for what felt like forever. House lights on. Just him, that piano, and everyone silent as we listened to the voice and sounds from a god. That night has stayed with me for 30 years. That man threw away more music than I could ever hope to create in a lifetime. He was always true to himself too. I bought my first pair of suede boots because of him. If Prince can do it, so can I. He did what he wanted. When people turned their backs on him for turning to religion, he didn't care. He kept playing. When WB tried to fuck him over, he didn't care, he kept playing. The world is a sadder fucked up place with him gone. Keep playing always. Be forever Purple my friends.

Back in the boring world, taught my stupid class, finished at 3. Came back to the hotel, listened to Prince while packing, cried, ate dinner, went to sleep at 8pm. Now I go home for a whole day then off to SoCal on Sunday.

What fun.

Y7 D331

We'd all like to think we're special but we're not. I could go into a Fight Club spiral and tell you how we're the all singing all dancing crap of the world, but you get my point. Speaking of FC, I have seen a post going around the last couple of days telling women that if a guy says that's his favorite movie to run. At first I was incensed by that comment but then I thought about it. It's aimed at younger people and yeah, if you're in your 20s and that's your favorite movie, fuck off. If you were born after 1972 you don't understand that movie the same. You have to be Jack to get Jack. You have to know the depression and rage that filled the narrator. You can't just watch it today and think how cool it is. You have to have fucking lived it. Every day of your pathetic wasting away life. You have to know what it means to have no great war. You have to know what it felt like to be in a world of billions of people and not have an instant connection. The isolation. The hate that it brings. You have to know what it's like to sit up at night and think that the best possible thing for the world is if your line dies out because there's no point in having more of you on the planet. You have to be able to reconcile making soap from the fat of the rich. And knowing when to destroy something beautiful. Self destruction is the only path.

Taught my class. New group. Went okay.

Man I am old and decrepit and ready for the Lazarus pit. Resurrect me. Rebirth. New brain please.

Got back to the hotel and ate leftover food. Watched TV. Went to bed.

I am Jack's wasted life.