Sweet Home Alabama

Long time no post.

This past week was spent working in the great state of Alabama. My travels took me between Montgomery and Birmingham. Would you believe that via Delta Airlines everything was on time? Absolutely amazing! I did get to experience a hotel in decline in Montgomery however. The Country Inn and Suites off of I-85 at exit 6. Save your money on that one and find a different spot.

More later.

John

New York, NY to Spartanburg, S.C. - Tale of two cultures

Well, this wraps up another week of fun filled travel and exploration (or at least it is winding down as I sit here in the Greenville-Spartanburg airport). This week was definitely the tale of two cultures, one fast paced and impersonal vs. slower pace and relationship oriented.

The first part of my week was spent on Long Island. Actually, I was in a very beautiful place on Long Island called Port Jefferson. This little port city is located a good way's "out in the country" on Long Island. Absolutely a beautiful place. The leaves were still on the trees and at full tilt, the weather was unseasonably warm, and the view of the harbor from my hotel was breathtaking. The only issue was I had to go through LaGuardia to get there! What an experience. In asking for directions I was given "can't get lost" instructions that were spoken at a pace faster than even my wife would be able to decipher. I certainly proved that guy wrong about his directions....I got lost and ended up in some residential area (where there were a lot of guys in matching jackets - very fashionable...). After correcting my course and backtracking to the airport I started over. Luckily on the second pass I found the expressway and headed out on the island.

The return trip. Boy, was I dreading this one! It's not all that bad driving in heavy traffic as long as you know where you are going. Well, I'm in New York Traffic at 4:00 pm without a clue where I am headed. What a combination! Somehow, whenever I am in this situation a Garbage Truck always seem to find its way in front of me on the highway. Now all I can see is spoiled fruit and meat wrappers landing on my hood. Forget about seeing the road signs! As you can guess, I got off the Long Island Expressway at the wrong place. It didn't take me but about 2 miles to figure this out and get turned around. Getting back on the L.I.E. and coming over a rise in the road - up ahead is the city outlined in gray - and right after that is a glorious sign that says "Laguardia, this way!" I'm saved!!!! 4 hours early, I arrive at LaGuardia and am happy about it.

One person....actually spoke and carried on a conversation while at LaGuardia. Come to find out he was from Charleston, S.C.. Strange but true....

From NY I headed to Spartanburg. Upon arrival a convertible awaited. The night was only about 65 degree's, but with the heater on full bore I motored down the interstate in the middle of the night with the top down and radio blaring! Yippeee! People in the airport smiled and spoke. Some even carried on conversations. Different world I guess.

I am now stuck in Atlanta. Flight is delayed so I am enjoying the Delta lounge and their hospitality. It somehow seems like a big tease when you are on your way home, so close, and now you have to hurry up and wait. At least I have this blog to keep me company.

One high point of this weeks trip. I had time to go and see a movie. What a movie it was. The title is "Facing the Giants." It was done by a church in Albany, Georgia on a shoestring budget. While the acting leaves a bit to be desired, if you have ever experienced God working in your life, this movie will pump you up like never before. If you are one who has never really had this experience, perhaps this movie is a good place to start.

Well, until next time...this is John signing out. Time for another cold drink as I await the cattle call.

To fly or to drive - the newest dilemma.

Thursday and Friday of last week had a trip to Orlando on the calendar. The question was, do I fly from Washington, D.C. to Orlando or just come home (JAX) on Wednesday and drive on Thursday. Let's see, no ticket lines, no security lines, no out of touch people arguing with TSA that they should be allowed to carry their industrial size bottle of conditioner on board the plane, and no peanuts! The peanuts would be okay, but I decided to skip the rest and drive. One might say that I flew AVIS this time.

A very pleasant 3 hour drive through the country. During this drive I really saw the two very distinct populations in Florida - The "haves" and the "have nots." Florida seems to be an interesting mix of people who were born there and have family history such that they are going to be just fine. Then there are the many transplants who came here to stay warm in the sun and "make it big." Some made it big and unfortunately many did not. These are the ones that I see hanging outside the bars, convenience stores, and bail bond institutions at night. Every big city has them, Florida just seems to have cornered the market. Then there are the transplants who live to golf. You know some of them I'm certain. As I went through The Villages, it was obvious this was where 3/4 of the northeast has gone to live out their golden years on the golf course. Very very nice place. Just too crowded for me.

Then it was back to Southeast Georgia for the weekend. Not spoiled yet, but quickly being invaded by people like myself. Those of us looking for a country setting, not too far from a metropolitan area, where we can at least pretend that we live in the sticks. Well, many of my sticks have been pulp wooded off in the last couple of weeks. The area in which I live seems to have been discovered by someone with a serious hatred of 50 year old pine forests. No need to worry anymore as it's gone! Logged out. With my luck they will put up some condo's a Seven-Eleven, and a bail bonds parlor!

Kudos for USAir (and good friends).

If you travel, I know you are looking in wonderment at the title to this post and asking if I have lost my mind. Well, I will get to that in a minute.

When you are traveling for work visiting clients around the country, probably one of the things you experience more than not is dinner by yourself. This generally means the lousiest seat in the house and secondary service. The hostess always says "Just one?" and I always want to reply to her...no 4 actually, the other three are just my invisible friends! Well, on this recent trip to our nations capital I had an exception to the "Just one?" game. A client, who has become a friend, and I went to a really neat place to eat called "The Lodge" in Rockville, MD. It is a lodge that has been relocated from Vermont. Pretty neat place and a great meal. Come to find out it was close to Jim's birthday. We talked business and celebrated. What a nice change of pace.

Now, back to USAir. These people can normally screw up pouring you a glass of Coke, let alone getting you to your destination on time. They have merged with America Worst(west) to become a very large budget carrier. In their case, one normally gets what you pay for. Perhaps they need to purchase Comair....Wouldn't that just make for one happy family! Anyhow, I experienced a direct flight from JAX to Washington National (Reagan) and then a return. I have to give them credit. Both flights were on time (yes, I know it's hard to believe) and my luggage arrived at both ends of the trip along with me (yes, I know that's hard to believe too). One must give credit where credit is due. Next week it's back to Comair, AARGGHH.

Dinner in D.C. with a talking moose

If it's Tuesday it must be Washington, D.C.. Another week another trip or two. My hats off to US Air. I boarded the direct flight in Jacksonville and I and my luggage both arrived at Washington National at the same time. USAir 1 Comair 0.

Last night I went in search of a Staples. Directions were obtained at the hotel and off I went. After some minor searching I thought I would call the store, let them know my location and get directions. The person that answered had an accent, but I couldn't identify what it was. She couldn't help me so she put me on hold while she spoke with her manager. When she came back on the line she told me that no-one knew how to get me from where I was to their store, sorry. Solution - I went to Office Depot.

What about the talking moose? After the Office Depot experience I went in search of supper. Right around the corner in Rockville was a Bugaboo Steakhouse. It was worth a try, so I went in. Real interesting atmosphere with lots of animals mounted on the walls. Little did I know that some of these were animated animals. Yes, the moose came to life and talked about the steak house. There was a bison that came to life as well as a fish and a raccoon. Hey, when you are eating by yourself, you need all the entertainment you can get! I would recommend this place, especially if you have children.

Tomorrow evening it's back home! Then turn around and head out again on Thursday.

Let's talk about Comair

Good morning. Well, I spent last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday traveling from Jacksonville, Fl to Portland, ME and back. The only problem with that is I was scheduled to be home Friday night. Hmmmm.... May I share with you my well thought out plan to foil the luggage system as well?

I scheduled a trip from JAX to PWM that went through (key word here is "through") New York LaGuardia. The Comair flight landed in LaGuardia and I was the only passenger staying on the flight going on to Maine. This was a good plan because there was no way they could mess up my luggage, or could they? While the baggage handlers were busy unloading "ALL" the bags, I was helping the flight attendant clean the aircraft. I should have been watching the bags come off and jumped up and down and screamed when they unloaded mine. Upon arriving in Portland at 5:00 p.m. and heading directly to the baggage claim I was to find no bag! It had been taken off and sent to Raleigh, N.C.???? Have no fear, it was scheduled to arrive in Portland at 11 p.m. that evening. Ah, the best laid plans! One interesting note about the baggage person in Portland, ME. When I arrived back at the airport around 10:45 p.m. to "meet" my baggage, I inquired at the baggage office to make certain the flight and bag would be arriving. As luck would have it, I was speaking to a Somali immigrant who had a very difficult time with English. With that in mind, I just gave up and sat and waited. Lucky for me, my bag arrived with the late night flight. After getting my bag I needed to check back in with the bag agent and let them know to stop searching for the bag (they had issued a bag claim # earlier in the day). I want you to know that a miracle...Yes a MIRACLE had taken place between 10:45 p.m. when I made the initial inquiry and 11:15 p.m. when I turned in the claim number. The Somali was now speaking perfect English with very little accent. I know, pretty remarkable but true!

Well, my fun was far from over. On the return trip (Friday evening) weather made everything into LaGuardia late as well as going out of LaGuardia either late or cancelled. Somehow I ended up in Atlanta spending the night.

On a more positive note, I did meet some very nice people during this trip. One gentleman from Jacksonville was experiencing the same situation I was. We both had to joke about it (either that or cry!). Staples - I used them again for copies while in Maine and what a great job! They did all I asked while they sent me to dinner. Perhaps there is hope!

Guess what? This morning I'm back at the airport and trying again. Hoping for better luck this time!

Here we go again

It has been a while, but here we go again! Travel starts up this week. Things at home in an uproar so this should be a fun time over the next 3 weeks. Maine is the first stop on this whirlwind tour which will also take me to Washington, D.C., Orlando, FL, Spartanburg, S.C., and New York, NY. I am certain more fun than one person can stand. This would certainly be a lot more fun if the family could come along too. I'm sure most road warriors experience similar feelings.
We recently had a huge contract get signed at work. As luck would have it, two out of three of our implementation people are rookies. That leaves a lot of responsibility on the shoulder of one. Well, one of the rookies has resigned and gone back to work whence he came. They must have made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Some day we will learn how to play in the big leagues.
New TV show - Anyone watched the new show Heroes? What a great show, but we are certainly paying for the first "commercial free" episode! Last nights episode was actually about 40 minutes of show and 20 minutes of commercials. Hope that doesn't run off the viewers. Guess I need a TIVO!
The Detroit Tigers - Any baseball fans? Whether you are a tiger fan or not you have got to love it! They knocked out the Yankee's and the A's never showed up. I predict a Tigers Mets series. Tigers coming out on top!