Connections

I had a quick business trip into Portland, Oregon. Portland is one of those few airports with a sushi restaurant. So, naturally, I stopped by the Rose City Cafe for some sushi before I made my way home. It was one of those strange trips that required a stopover in Los Angeles on the way up and on the way back. It seems a bit odd, since I used to go direct from Orange County or Los Angeles. There is a non-stop from San Diego, but it seemed to cost a bit more to go that route. Airline fares are as strange as they have ever been. I guess we can take some comfort in the fact that some things never change. Later.

Eye Of The Storm

It was a week of thunder and lightning storms throughout the journey into Seattle and Kansas City. I went out to dinner with a few collegaues last evening, and when we left the restaurant, the rain was coming down in sheets. The next morning, there was no trace of the storm. It's amazing to me how fast the storms of the evenings got erased from existence with such great speed. Okay, enough about the weather report. I'm back to my old schedule, and there's no stopping me now. Tomorrow, the world... or at least Portland. Later.

Rings Of Hell Revisited

A historic event has occurred. I decided to end the boycott of Continental Airlines. Given the fact that they were the only carrier that could get me to Harlingen, TX, in less than three segments, I decided that it was also practical. The only problem was the fact that I never actually made it to Harlingen using Continental. You see, I never had an on-time flight on Continental this week, or in the last few years, as I recall. Anyhow, I wound up in McAllen after midnight, without transportation. So, I was forced to rent the last vehicle in McAllen -- a dirty pickup truck. In other circumstances, the sight of me climbing into the cab would have been extremely comical.

So what ended the boycott? Even though this was one of those really bad trips, and they really couldn't do anything to really help me much at all, they were still professional about it. That's all I ask of an airline -- or any other service organization for that matter. No floggings. No cavity searches. No other invasive procedures.

Later.

Partially Frozen Over

I spent some personal time in San Francisco this weekend. I had forgotten that San Francisco is one of those places that you can freeze to death in the middle of the summer. It was personal time, but I never said that it was one of those relaxing trips. I had to do one of those uneasy family reunions. Anyhow, I'll let you read all about it in one of my other blogs.

I flew into San Jose, which was not as easy as it had been, when I flew back and forth in the heyday of Reno Air, before they got bought by American. I actually did fly on an American Eagle commuter back and forth. I even had to connect in Los Angeles, once again. Not too much of an exciting experience to report. This time, it was the purpose of the trip that overshadowed everything else. Again, I'll let you read all about it elsewhere, for those of you who know where to look.

Boycott Continental. Yep, I'm still at it.

Later.

Phoenix Rising Once Again

It's August, and I'm in Phoenix. This really sounds familiar for some reason. If I didn't know any better, I'd think I've flashed back two years into the past, when my friend and former colleague Kathy and I visited Phoenix about four or five times in August. It's hot, sticky, and just as you'd expect a place like Phoenix to be. Hey, at least there's some consistency in my life once again. The craziness has started once again, and I guess that's a normal state of being. The ride into Phoenix tonight was a bit reminiscent of some old wooden roller coasters that I remember from a couple of years back. Anyhow, I'm just here for the evening, and then it's back to the daily grind. Peace out.

Boycott Continental! At least for now.

Later.