The grandkids are at their dad's this weekend and Tawney flew home yesterday. We had a pretty wild week so it's nice to enjoy the quiet for awhile. I need to rest up now because next week we go on vacation.
We're going to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. It'll be nice for Becky because she likes to sit around on the beach with her feet in the ocean and read. My idea of a nice day on the beach is sitting in bar overlooking the ocean and drinking cheap tequila.
We've rented a beach house with Lorie and her sisters. Naw, not just Lorie and her sisters. Lorie and her sisters and their hubbies and and their kids. This will be quite a crew and I'm sure that I'll get my dose of cheap tequila. Becky and I've known Lorie and her family for over 20 years (at least). We've known Lorie since she lied about her age to us while dating Al in Gahanna. Al broke up with her but Becky didn't.
I'm bringing fishing gear to the beach this time. I thought I'd try some surf fishing. I don't drink while I'm fishing. At least not since I had to do surgery on myself to remove a lure from my nose. That was back when I was in the Air Force in California. My cast went a little wild bounced off something and a hook ended up in my nose. There was no way I was sitting in an emergency room with a 2" blue Rapala fishing lure hanging from my nose. I cut off the hook with a pair of wire cutters and pushed the hook the rest of the way through. I don't think I want to go through that again.
I had to get my wedding ring cut off last week. As with the rest of me, my fingers have gotten wider over the years. I hated to have it cut off since I had been wearing it for 26 years. It was getting pretty tight though and my safety department requires me to remove it while on job sites. The groove on my finger must have been an eighth of an inch deep and pasty white. It kinda grossed out the girls at the jewelers. I've been taping over it at work since I couldn't get it off. I'm afraid that not having a wedding ring on will prompt all sorts of unwelcome attention. (Becky doesn't seem to be too alarmed) In a couple of years, after the ghastly white pallor fades and the groove fills in, I'm considering having a ring tattooed on.
Bubby and I spent some time together Friday. We first went to Arizona Mills with Becky. Becky, of course, ditched us and suggested we watch a movie while she shopped. We went to the Imax and watched Dinosaurs Alive. It was pretty good and the 3D was excellent. We kept reaching out like we could touch stuff in front of us. We also picked up some catfish bait at Walmart. I had promised Bubby that we would go fishing and I decided that Friday afternoon was as good a time as any (in the Arizona summer). Bubby had watched a National Geographic special on mega-fishes and big catfishes were included. Now catfishing was a hot topic.
Bubby got bored pretty quickly with sitting and waiting for catfish. His next preference is for mega-bait. He likes big lures so we fixed up what must have been a 4 inch giant crawdad-like soft bait. This monster of a bait probably sent all of the fish into hiding on the other side of the lake. Our lack of luck fishing shouldn't have been a problem but I had neglected Bubby's training in one important area. He doesn't realize that lying about fishing is generally considered acceptable. As I explained the giant fish that narrowly escaped to Becky and Sherry, Bubby just looked kinda puzzled. I asked him to spread his arms out to show how big they were and he would only keep moving them out as he watched me and waited for me to indicate larger and larger. I realize now that as Grandma and Mom brow beat him about the virtues of telling the truth, I should have been explaining the exceptions (size of fish, how does this dress look, buying red sports car for gas mileage, etc, etc...).
I spent Saturday afternoon outside in 100 degree blazing heat repairing the sprinkler system. If I was smarter I would make sure that it worked in the Spring. I wish I was smarter. I also couldn't get the electronic controller to work. I tried reprogramming it and it still wouldn't work. Finally I looked down and saw the power cord was disconnected. The controller was running off of the 9V battery and wouldn't operate the sprinklers without the power cord. I blamed the kids but Becky confessed that she had pulled it loose and forgotten to tell me. Oh well, as I said, I wish I was smarter. I would have checked the cord first.
Adios
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Hot
Summer has arrived. We've had unusually cool whether for May but June is coming back to normal.
We had a birthday party for Chey yesterday. She's become 9 years old. It's hard to imagine that much time flying by. Her best friend Nina came and Tawney was already here from Ohio. Along with her brother and sister we had plenty of kids. As usual, they spent most of the day in the pool.
Around 4 or 5 we started cleaning up. While the adults were cleaning up in the house. Bubby was helping with the patio. I'd earlier complained about some ants swarming around dropped potato chips. A little while later Bubby proudly showed Becky his success in cleaning up the ants and the patio. As with any good Grandma, she didn't have the heart to point out that maybe the garden hose would have worked better to wash down the patio than a case of bottled water.
Bubby and I went to Bass Pro Shops Friday afternoon to use up the last of my birthday gift cards. The trip was a compromise. Bubby actually wanted to go fishing but it was around 110 outside at the time. I had a few items that I wanted to pickup anyway. It's a good thing that it was a few things. Every time I put something in the basket, Bubby put something in the basket. On the way out he he said he wanted clothes. I managed to convince him that a t-shirt with a large bass on it would be sufficient. Grandma assures us that he'll grow into it in 4 or 5 years.
As we drove home, he sorted through the bag and discussed how the loot would be split. I carefully explained that some of the stuff was just for me (for example, some really nasty looking large hooks). He gave me a motherly look and said "We're supposed to share things." I'm resigned now to making a few trips to the emergency room for hook removal. I cringe every time he drags his tackle box out into the living room to show the other kids. I'm gonna be in major trouble. It's just a matter of time.
I thought that the time had arrived Friday. I was finishing up work and had Bubby shred some stuff to keep him busy. Bubby thought it might be fun to yell and act like his hand was caught in the shredder. I began to question my judgment and visualized Becky and Sherry feeding me into the shredder like Steve Buscemi in the movie Fargo.
It's still quiet this morning. Kikki stayed the night and as usual crowded into Grandma and I's bed. The portion of the bed on the right (below) is Grandpa's allotment. The fact that I have so little to hang onto doesn't seem to discourage Kikki from wanting the rest. At one point during the night she was sideways pushing me to the edge. (Also, please note the small sharp elbow.) As you can imagine, my first stop this morning was the hot tub. Next time, I'm sleeping on the couch with the dogs. Which is undoubtedly where Kikki thinks I should be sleeping anyway.
Adios
We had a birthday party for Chey yesterday. She's become 9 years old. It's hard to imagine that much time flying by. Her best friend Nina came and Tawney was already here from Ohio. Along with her brother and sister we had plenty of kids. As usual, they spent most of the day in the pool.
Around 4 or 5 we started cleaning up. While the adults were cleaning up in the house. Bubby was helping with the patio. I'd earlier complained about some ants swarming around dropped potato chips. A little while later Bubby proudly showed Becky his success in cleaning up the ants and the patio. As with any good Grandma, she didn't have the heart to point out that maybe the garden hose would have worked better to wash down the patio than a case of bottled water.
Bubby and I went to Bass Pro Shops Friday afternoon to use up the last of my birthday gift cards. The trip was a compromise. Bubby actually wanted to go fishing but it was around 110 outside at the time. I had a few items that I wanted to pickup anyway. It's a good thing that it was a few things. Every time I put something in the basket, Bubby put something in the basket. On the way out he he said he wanted clothes. I managed to convince him that a t-shirt with a large bass on it would be sufficient. Grandma assures us that he'll grow into it in 4 or 5 years.
As we drove home, he sorted through the bag and discussed how the loot would be split. I carefully explained that some of the stuff was just for me (for example, some really nasty looking large hooks). He gave me a motherly look and said "We're supposed to share things." I'm resigned now to making a few trips to the emergency room for hook removal. I cringe every time he drags his tackle box out into the living room to show the other kids. I'm gonna be in major trouble. It's just a matter of time.
I thought that the time had arrived Friday. I was finishing up work and had Bubby shred some stuff to keep him busy. Bubby thought it might be fun to yell and act like his hand was caught in the shredder. I began to question my judgment and visualized Becky and Sherry feeding me into the shredder like Steve Buscemi in the movie Fargo.
It's still quiet this morning. Kikki stayed the night and as usual crowded into Grandma and I's bed. The portion of the bed on the right (below) is Grandpa's allotment. The fact that I have so little to hang onto doesn't seem to discourage Kikki from wanting the rest. At one point during the night she was sideways pushing me to the edge. (Also, please note the small sharp elbow.) As you can imagine, my first stop this morning was the hot tub. Next time, I'm sleeping on the couch with the dogs. Which is undoubtedly where Kikki thinks I should be sleeping anyway.
Adios
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tufer
I have a two-for-one celebrity status this week. My birthday was Thursday and today is Father's day. I'd better enjoy it while it lasts. In a summer full of vacations, visitors and grandchildren any attention focused on Grandpa shifts very quickly. My father experienced the same condensed celebration. His birthday fell right on top of Father's day.
Dad's best work was as a good example. For one thing, He was calm when facing uncertainty. That's quite a chore since life is crammed full of uncertainty.
We went out for a family dinner at a little nearby Asian restaurant then went home for ice cream and cake. We had a full house with the Rudy's, Nancy, Tawney, Sherry, Chey, Bubby, and Kikki. I got lots of nice gifts from everyone. I won $10 on a lottery ticket from the Rudy's, bought a book on the French and Indian Wars with Mom's Border's gift card and went to Bass Pro Shops yesterday with Nancy's gift card.
The kids gave me cards and a whole bag full of interesting stuff. Sherry gave me a "Complaint Department" sign for the office. Although, if you really consider the situation....Becky and Sherry are the "Complaint Department and I'm more like "Security". Complaints are usually brought to their attention and when things go badly they may call for "Security." Sometimes I'm also used for arbitration. When the complaint department becomes deadlocked they send the complaint on to the "Arbitration" department. ("If Grandpa says its ok then....") The deck is stacked though because I'm expected to side with the "Complaint Department." This often results in returns to the "Complaint Department" and subsequent calls for "Security."
It's time for a shower then I'm off to see what today holds in store.
Adios
Dad's best work was as a good example. For one thing, He was calm when facing uncertainty. That's quite a chore since life is crammed full of uncertainty.
We went out for a family dinner at a little nearby Asian restaurant then went home for ice cream and cake. We had a full house with the Rudy's, Nancy, Tawney, Sherry, Chey, Bubby, and Kikki. I got lots of nice gifts from everyone. I won $10 on a lottery ticket from the Rudy's, bought a book on the French and Indian Wars with Mom's Border's gift card and went to Bass Pro Shops yesterday with Nancy's gift card.
The kids gave me cards and a whole bag full of interesting stuff. Sherry gave me a "Complaint Department" sign for the office. Although, if you really consider the situation....Becky and Sherry are the "Complaint Department and I'm more like "Security". Complaints are usually brought to their attention and when things go badly they may call for "Security." Sometimes I'm also used for arbitration. When the complaint department becomes deadlocked they send the complaint on to the "Arbitration" department. ("If Grandpa says its ok then....") The deck is stacked though because I'm expected to side with the "Complaint Department." This often results in returns to the "Complaint Department" and subsequent calls for "Security."
It's time for a shower then I'm off to see what today holds in store.
Adios
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Mid June
We've got company this week. Nancy and Tawney flew in last Friday from Columbus. As usual we have had the house full of local family and friends that have come to visit with Nancy and Tawney. Crissy and Nicki came over Friday evening and Sunday we had a family day with Gina and Scott. Aubrey and Zack were working and couldn't come over. Gina and Scott are in that typical but still peculiar stage where the kids are working and thinking that they should be independent while still remaining dependant on Mom and Dad.
We took the metro train to the Phoenix Art Museum on Saturday. We parked at the east end of the rail line in Mesa and go off in Tempe for lunch. We ate at Fatburgers on Mill Street. Afterward, we had a Chinese fire drill trying to use the public restrooms. Bubby was desperate to use the toilet but the door was locked. The sign on door said that the key was available at local vendors. Nancy went back for the key. Bubby was hopping up and down by now and holding his crotch. Becky being her typical revolutionary self told him to use the planter next to where they were standing. Bubby nixed this idea because he had to #2. That would have been too much for even Becky. Fatburger's had lost their key so I was ordered to get a key from the Bar next door. I got the key but by then some nutcase had run up to the men's restroom door muttering "I gotta go, I gotta go bad" over and over. Rather than putting Bubby in the men's room with nutcase, I let Bubby into the women's and the nutcase into the men's room.
Bubby likes to take his time when doing the #2 thing. While he was in the women's restroom the other women needed to use the restroom and were getting restless. The nutcase left the men's room and the women went into the men's room. At this point, a normal well adjusted couple walked up and need to use the restroom. Well...."our grandson is in the women's restroom and our niece is in the men's room". Now who looks like the nutcases? We finally got it sorted out and got back on the train for Phoenix.
We decided to get off one stop ahead of the museum and take a look at the Japanese Gardens. The pack was loosing confidence quickly in my directions as we walked by dozens of homeless folks sleeping under shade trees in the park. After walking for a half mile in the summer heat and through the homeless folks we found out that the Japanese Gardens were closed for the summer.
We finally made it to the museum and enjoyed wandering around in the air conditioning. We checked out a nice exhibit of paintings by a New Mexico artist, the museum's permanent western collection and collection of dresses (Bubby and I moved through this one pretty quickly). Bubby's favorite was a pitch black mirrored room with tiny lights hanging in it that made you feel like you were out in space.
That's all for now.
Adios
We took the metro train to the Phoenix Art Museum on Saturday. We parked at the east end of the rail line in Mesa and go off in Tempe for lunch. We ate at Fatburgers on Mill Street. Afterward, we had a Chinese fire drill trying to use the public restrooms. Bubby was desperate to use the toilet but the door was locked. The sign on door said that the key was available at local vendors. Nancy went back for the key. Bubby was hopping up and down by now and holding his crotch. Becky being her typical revolutionary self told him to use the planter next to where they were standing. Bubby nixed this idea because he had to #2. That would have been too much for even Becky. Fatburger's had lost their key so I was ordered to get a key from the Bar next door. I got the key but by then some nutcase had run up to the men's restroom door muttering "I gotta go, I gotta go bad" over and over. Rather than putting Bubby in the men's room with nutcase, I let Bubby into the women's and the nutcase into the men's room.
Bubby likes to take his time when doing the #2 thing. While he was in the women's restroom the other women needed to use the restroom and were getting restless. The nutcase left the men's room and the women went into the men's room. At this point, a normal well adjusted couple walked up and need to use the restroom. Well...."our grandson is in the women's restroom and our niece is in the men's room". Now who looks like the nutcases? We finally got it sorted out and got back on the train for Phoenix.
We decided to get off one stop ahead of the museum and take a look at the Japanese Gardens. The pack was loosing confidence quickly in my directions as we walked by dozens of homeless folks sleeping under shade trees in the park. After walking for a half mile in the summer heat and through the homeless folks we found out that the Japanese Gardens were closed for the summer.
We finally made it to the museum and enjoyed wandering around in the air conditioning. We checked out a nice exhibit of paintings by a New Mexico artist, the museum's permanent western collection and collection of dresses (Bubby and I moved through this one pretty quickly). Bubby's favorite was a pitch black mirrored room with tiny lights hanging in it that made you feel like you were out in space.
That's all for now.
Adios
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Home Sweet Home
We made it back from San Diego on Thursday around 5pm. It's a good thing too. After 3 busy days of vacation and six hours in the van things were starting to unravel. To quote Kikki, "STOP THIS CAR! I WANT OUT!" It's hard to describe how icy our sweet little Kikki can get but if she had the power then everyone else in the van would have been turned into rats and she would have been instantly transported to her Mommy.
Portable dvd players kept Bubby and Chey occupied most of the time. We got a little scared when the dvd's ran out on the way back so we had to make an emergency stop in Yuma to buy more. The new dvd's prompted a heated discussion of which one would be played first. Becky stepped in and settled it pretty quickly. She may have been getting a little scary too. I was just trying to hold on and get back home so I could lock myself in the office.
We originally only planned to take Bubby and Chey but my conscience got to bothering me and I mentioned it to Becky. She misunderstood my tortured conscience for an actual desire to take Kikki with us. Before I could explain that I could live with a tortured conscience, Kikki was already packed and ready to go. (OK, I'll admit it. I'm glad we took her. She's a pain sometimes but she's also fun to have around.)
The weather in San Diego was a lot cooler than Arizona and it was pretty cloudy most of the time. We checked into a Comfort Inn with a "Kid's Suite." This was a great place to stay. The kids had a room with bunk beds separated from ours with French doors. They had their own tv and Becky and I could have a little privacy. The privacy was a bit limited since Kikki insisted on sleeping between Becky and I. It's hard to imagine how a 35 lb little girl can clear two full grown adults out of the middle of a king size bed so she can stretch out across the middle. I think Gandhi has her pegged, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." She's all about "indomitable will."
Sherry gave them each some chore money to spend. Chey bought a nice soft stuffed beluga whale. Bubby bought a snow ball with Shamu inside. Kikki bought a portrait (caricature) of herself. She was being pretty aloof while posing and she'd only flash a smile when asked. The artist must have seen what Gandhi was talking about and he advised her to to use her power for good.
We went to Sea World first. It was busy but not terribly crowded. We went to several of the shows. All of the shows were well done but the seal show was the best. We let the kids sit in the "soak zone" so they could get splashed by the animals. The guy doing the audience warm-up picked Kikki to come up front with him. He tried to get her to let him pick her up to put her in the pool but she'd have none of it. She just quietly but firmly shook her head no. He wisely gave up.
The kids wanted to go on rides. Guess who was picked for the gut wrenching splash rides and who got to take Kikki on the kiddy rides. Yeah, you know how that went. We first went on a simulated helicopter ride over the arctic. At least there wasn't any water involved but the shaking and diving through canyons had me staggering through the exit on rubbery legs. Next we went on "Journey to Atlantis." This one did involve water. It was getting late in the afternoon and chilly so I wasn't looking forward to it. Chey sat by herself in front and Bubby and I sat together behind her. We ordered a picture afterward and Chey could be seen having a great time while Bubby and I were holding on for our lives.
Me
Becky
We went to the zoo on Tuesday. This place was a chore to get around in. It's located in and around a canyon. The animals are located on trails strewn all over the place and the trail signs must have been developed by aliens from some distant planet. We mostly wandered around using a map. Getting around was also complicated by us needing to use a stroller to transport Kikki. It's not so much for her comfort (although that's an important factor for her) but so that we can move at more than a crawl. Kikki walks at slow motion speed while stopping at anything of interest to her (her interests vary widely) and she will absolutely not be hurried. The only way to make any time is to load her into a stroller. This meant that we needed to avoid stairs wherever possible and I got a little extra exercise pushing the little princess up hills.
On Wednesday we moved to a hotel on the beach in LaJolla. The kids got to play in the ocean and I got to sit by the pool with a double Tequila and some ice. We almost experienced the nightware scenario of a rainy day but the sky cleared pretty quickly. The room in this hotel was relatively small with two queen size beds and one tv. It wasn't an ideal place for 2 tired adults to spend the night with 3 tired kids. In the morning, we rousted everyone early, loaded the car and smoked the tires getting to the freeway.
Click here for more pictures
Fortunately, I just have one more vacation to survive this summer and I can relax for another winter.
Adios
Portable dvd players kept Bubby and Chey occupied most of the time. We got a little scared when the dvd's ran out on the way back so we had to make an emergency stop in Yuma to buy more. The new dvd's prompted a heated discussion of which one would be played first. Becky stepped in and settled it pretty quickly. She may have been getting a little scary too. I was just trying to hold on and get back home so I could lock myself in the office.
We originally only planned to take Bubby and Chey but my conscience got to bothering me and I mentioned it to Becky. She misunderstood my tortured conscience for an actual desire to take Kikki with us. Before I could explain that I could live with a tortured conscience, Kikki was already packed and ready to go. (OK, I'll admit it. I'm glad we took her. She's a pain sometimes but she's also fun to have around.)
The weather in San Diego was a lot cooler than Arizona and it was pretty cloudy most of the time. We checked into a Comfort Inn with a "Kid's Suite." This was a great place to stay. The kids had a room with bunk beds separated from ours with French doors. They had their own tv and Becky and I could have a little privacy. The privacy was a bit limited since Kikki insisted on sleeping between Becky and I. It's hard to imagine how a 35 lb little girl can clear two full grown adults out of the middle of a king size bed so she can stretch out across the middle. I think Gandhi has her pegged, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." She's all about "indomitable will."
Sherry gave them each some chore money to spend. Chey bought a nice soft stuffed beluga whale. Bubby bought a snow ball with Shamu inside. Kikki bought a portrait (caricature) of herself. She was being pretty aloof while posing and she'd only flash a smile when asked. The artist must have seen what Gandhi was talking about and he advised her to to use her power for good.
We went to Sea World first. It was busy but not terribly crowded. We went to several of the shows. All of the shows were well done but the seal show was the best. We let the kids sit in the "soak zone" so they could get splashed by the animals. The guy doing the audience warm-up picked Kikki to come up front with him. He tried to get her to let him pick her up to put her in the pool but she'd have none of it. She just quietly but firmly shook her head no. He wisely gave up.
The kids wanted to go on rides. Guess who was picked for the gut wrenching splash rides and who got to take Kikki on the kiddy rides. Yeah, you know how that went. We first went on a simulated helicopter ride over the arctic. At least there wasn't any water involved but the shaking and diving through canyons had me staggering through the exit on rubbery legs. Next we went on "Journey to Atlantis." This one did involve water. It was getting late in the afternoon and chilly so I wasn't looking forward to it. Chey sat by herself in front and Bubby and I sat together behind her. We ordered a picture afterward and Chey could be seen having a great time while Bubby and I were holding on for our lives.
Me
Becky
We went to the zoo on Tuesday. This place was a chore to get around in. It's located in and around a canyon. The animals are located on trails strewn all over the place and the trail signs must have been developed by aliens from some distant planet. We mostly wandered around using a map. Getting around was also complicated by us needing to use a stroller to transport Kikki. It's not so much for her comfort (although that's an important factor for her) but so that we can move at more than a crawl. Kikki walks at slow motion speed while stopping at anything of interest to her (her interests vary widely) and she will absolutely not be hurried. The only way to make any time is to load her into a stroller. This meant that we needed to avoid stairs wherever possible and I got a little extra exercise pushing the little princess up hills.
On Wednesday we moved to a hotel on the beach in LaJolla. The kids got to play in the ocean and I got to sit by the pool with a double Tequila and some ice. We almost experienced the nightware scenario of a rainy day but the sky cleared pretty quickly. The room in this hotel was relatively small with two queen size beds and one tv. It wasn't an ideal place for 2 tired adults to spend the night with 3 tired kids. In the morning, we rousted everyone early, loaded the car and smoked the tires getting to the freeway.
Click here for more pictures
Fortunately, I just have one more vacation to survive this summer and I can relax for another winter.
Adios
Saturday, May 30, 2009
One More Day Till Big Adventure
The trip to San Diego starts tomorrow. Becky and I will finish packing up today and start loading the van. The kids are staying the night so we can get an early start. As usual, Becky has done all of the preparation and I'll just drive where she points me. One of the most important tasks for today is installation of the child pacification system (DVD players) in the van. Without this important component the trip would consist of nearly 8 hours of sibling baiting and resultant ear splitting screaming arguments. The DVD player only works for a limited time but at least Becky has found that it works long enough to get me past the point where I would just turn around and return home.
I've only been home since Thursday. Becky picked me up from the airport Wednesday night. The work in Boise went fine but I've got to simplify my travel. My work has issued new travel guidelines to pacify stockholders and I made a good faith effort to comply. However, the new policy favors the old big carriers at the expense of a certain popular discount carrier. I'll just say it...Southwest Airlines. I need to go back to using them exclusively. They make traveling much simpler and I get very frustrated by complexity.
I had to struggle through a "self-check in" terminal at the other carrier that required me to turn down several "special" offers before getting to a luggage check in screen that didn't work. Of course now the "self check in" collapsed because there was only one person tending 6 of the now humorously referred to "self check in" terminals. This happened at each end of the trip so the attendants explanation of an unusual terminal glitch didn't hold much water.
The worst part is that the discounted price included an unwanted tour of western airports. In order to get to Boise (normally a 3 hour flight with one stop and no plane change) I was flown to Denver and transferred to another airplane that was in the process of getting a brake job while we waited. Returning to Phoenix required a flight to San Francisco in a commuter jet so small that I bumped my head twice trying to get up from my seat. This trip to Boise took around 5 hours and the trip back took about the same.
We almost decided to fly to San Diego for the vacation but the economics didn't work out. The 6 hour drive isn't a great deal longer than a 1 hour flight by the time you arrive early at the airport and pick up a rental car. You're also faced with herding 2 kids with carry-on luggage to the parking lot shuttle bus, through the terminal, onto and off of the plane, to the rental car shuttle bus and through the rental car check in.
So...what the heck. Wish us luck.
Adios
I've only been home since Thursday. Becky picked me up from the airport Wednesday night. The work in Boise went fine but I've got to simplify my travel. My work has issued new travel guidelines to pacify stockholders and I made a good faith effort to comply. However, the new policy favors the old big carriers at the expense of a certain popular discount carrier. I'll just say it...Southwest Airlines. I need to go back to using them exclusively. They make traveling much simpler and I get very frustrated by complexity.
I had to struggle through a "self-check in" terminal at the other carrier that required me to turn down several "special" offers before getting to a luggage check in screen that didn't work. Of course now the "self check in" collapsed because there was only one person tending 6 of the now humorously referred to "self check in" terminals. This happened at each end of the trip so the attendants explanation of an unusual terminal glitch didn't hold much water.
The worst part is that the discounted price included an unwanted tour of western airports. In order to get to Boise (normally a 3 hour flight with one stop and no plane change) I was flown to Denver and transferred to another airplane that was in the process of getting a brake job while we waited. Returning to Phoenix required a flight to San Francisco in a commuter jet so small that I bumped my head twice trying to get up from my seat. This trip to Boise took around 5 hours and the trip back took about the same.
We almost decided to fly to San Diego for the vacation but the economics didn't work out. The 6 hour drive isn't a great deal longer than a 1 hour flight by the time you arrive early at the airport and pick up a rental car. You're also faced with herding 2 kids with carry-on luggage to the parking lot shuttle bus, through the terminal, onto and off of the plane, to the rental car shuttle bus and through the rental car check in.
So...what the heck. Wish us luck.
Adios
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Gone Fishing
Bubby and I went fishing for a few hours up at Red Mountain Park. He's been wanting to go for awhile. Red Mountain Park has a small lake that's stocked periodically by the Fish and Game Department. We didn't catch anything but we had a good time. It was nice to just put some bait (hotdog) on a hook and sit in the shade watching Bubby. Bubby had a more active approach. He selected a plastic crawdad from my tackle box and went about casting for fish. He tried that for a while then had me change it to a plastic worm. His biggest excitement was when he got snagged and assumed that it was a fish. I didn't have the heart to contradict him and went ahead and let him "fight" the monster for awhile before giving up and breaking the line. That fish was pretty big by the time we got home. He'll do fine as a fisherman.
Becky and I went to Tucson to watch a friend graduate from Pima Community College. It was a bittersweet affair. Jose Coronado received one of Josh's kidneys and Becky and Sherry have stayed in touch with him over the years. He's a very nice young man and its good to see him doing well. We sat with his family which was a bit awkward because none of them spoke English. One of Jose's friends translated for us and we got along fine.
I went for a little hike today out near Canyon Lake. I didn't stay out too long because I had started too late in the day and it was pretty hot. I parked along Apache Trail and walked up to an old quarry and along some ridges. It was a pretty day despite the heat. There were lots of boats on the lake and a lot of traffic on A
pache Trail.I'm flying to Boise Idaho again tomorrow. This will hopefully be the last trip. We need to tinker with some relay and control settings. I'll be back Wednesday night. On Sunday, Becky and I are taking Bubby and Chey to San Diego to see Sea World and the Zoo. Ho Boy.
Adios
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
