On The Homefront

I've spent the last week off the road, sort of. I had a company meeting in town at one of the local hotels. There was a lot of work that went into that meeting, and it turned out pretty well. I'm glad that it's finally over. Now I can actually get some work done, and plan to get back out into the field where I belong. I've got some interesting adventures coming up. In two weeks, we'll start in Indianapolis for a day, and then pop over to somewhere in West Virginia, and wind up the week in Cleveland. After a quick jaunt home to swap out my laundry, it's off to Boston and Chicago for me. Wow! I'm tired just thinking about it. Oddly enough, I kind of miss the airport. Now that's just sick.

Boycott Continental! When I hold a grudge, I do it right.

Later.

I'll Take Manhattan

No, I'm not in some sort of Valerie Bertenelli television miniseries. I'm actually reporting from Manhattan this time. I'm sort of lacking in my editorial duties, but it's been pretty busy on the homefront. Remember, I created this blog to report all of my strange adventures on the road. When one is home too much, there's really not much to write about from the world of the road warrior. I've been hemorrhaging cash here in the city with all of the taxis and three-hundred-dollar-a-night hotel rooms. I got done early, so I'll be heading back to good old San Diego in the morning. It's been kind of strange during this adventure. I really look out of place in the big city. I haven't been here too often, so whenever I get the chance to walk around, I have to remember not to have that deer-in-the-headlights look, gazing upward to the sea of tall buildings. I mean, really, that's just like painting a target on my back. In any event, sorry for not writing too much lately. I'll have a few more reports from the field soon. After all, once a road warrior, always a road warrior.

Boycott Continental! I didn't forget, you know.

Later.

When Worlds Collide

I've started to finally settle in to my new career and I think I have managed to keep up with some semblance of my personal life. I spent the last couple of weeks in Little Rock, Boston, Orlando, and most recently Sonoma. I've been able to mix some personal travel into my schedule. After my trip to Orlando last week, I took some personal time in Napa Valley to attend my friend Kathy's wedding. Those of you who know me can find pictures on one of my other web sites. Yes, I have more than two. You can read all about my adventures and see all of the pictures at my other site. Anyhow, I seem to have been sliding in my editorial duties for the past couple of weeks. I've had a few distractions in the last couple of weeks, but I'm back, and there's no stopping me now!

Congratulations Kathy and Pat!!!

Boycott Continental! Yes, I'm serious.

Later.

Business As Usual

It's kind of odd what I would consider as normal. In the life of a normal road warrior, I guess we could define normal as delayed flights, screaming kids on planes, and sick people spreading their germs across the country. In fact, all of that happened to me once again in my latest adventure into Little Rock. It all started when a guy sat next to me on the airplane, and started hacking his lungs out. After he put his lungs back in, I got delayed in Dallas, as usual. The delay in Dallas caused the airline to send me on an earlier flight, which caused a chain reaction in lost luggage. Well, it really wasn't lost luggage, but rather, the plane was missing in action for several hours. After a tearful reunion with my luggage several hours later, I retired to my hotel room. Yes, it's business as usual. Everything is really back to normal.

By the way, boycott Continental Airlines! I haven't forgotten, you know.

Later.

There's No Place Like Home

I'm back. Bet you thought I had disappeared from the universe, huh? Anyhow, I just moved my computer to my new home base in San Diego, so I'm starting my posts from here. Just when I started to get used to cube land, I've discovered that it's time for me to get back onto the playing field with a vengeance. Next week, it's onward to Little Rock. In the mean time, I've got to finish my move. All I've got in my house is a bed and computer. Well, I guess those are the essential things of life.

Boycott Continental. No fooling.

Later.

Return To Active Duty

I spent the last couple of days on the road, and it was good. Although I really don't quite know what I'm doing yet, it was a nice feeling to be a moving target once again. Now, I'm not planning on riding out into the day with guns blazing on some wild adventure. After all, I left that world behind a few weeks ago. I was in Palm Springs a couple of days ago. Well, to be more accurate, I was in La Quinta, CA, at a nice resort. I was working a modified trade show assignment for company management. That was a nice change. Then, I traveled onward to Portland for a quick site visit. It was supposed to last two days, but it turned out to last only a couple of hours. So, I caught an early flight back, and drove down to San Diego to check on the new home, and returned to Los Angeles, where I actually do have a bed to sleep in. Yep, it's been a really busy couple of days for me, and I'm feeling uncustomarily tired. I'll be glad when this move is finally over.

Boycott Continental Airlines! I really, really mean it, you know!

Later.

Back In The Saddle Again

I'm back, and there's no stopping me now. I've been learning some new stuff at my new job, and I'm going to be out in the field once again. I'm starting with a quick trip into Portland later next week. Anyhow, I'm going to be flying out of Orange County, since I'm still in the middle of my move. It's weird, but I'm actually looking forward to getting back into the field for a couple of days. The nice part is that, since I have my meetings and office time, I'll not be traveling at an absurd pace again.

I'm hoping to be moved into my new place in San Diego next week some time. Well, at least, I hope to take possession of my new place next week, even though I'll be in Portland. I've got a busy week ahead, just like this one that just ended. I've been in meetings all week, and after that, I've been stuck in traffic for the last few hours. I just got back into Los Angeles after a long journey home. I haven't been this happy in quite a while. I should have done this a long time ago.

Boycott Continental! Really! No joke! I'm serious.

Later.

The Road Home

It's been a great first week at the new job, and I'm adjusting to life on the ground -- temporarily. One of the other people in the office is going to do some field stuff for me, while I do a couple of office projects to get oriented to the company. I'll be back in the saddle again in a couple of weeks, and likely very busy in the field from that point. I'm moving in a couple of weeks, also. The timing coincides perfectly -- I'll get a new home, and that's when I start the endless journey, once again. Until then, I'm doing the prairie dog imitation in cubeland in the office. I got a cool new laptop, and some other neat stuff, so life is good. You know, it's been a week, and I somehow don't seem to miss the cavity searches. Maybe I am normal, after all. Well, that may be taking it a bit too far. Travel safe, everyone, and I'll see you at 39,000 feet really soon.

Boycott Continental. I mean it, you know.

Later.

Suddenly, Eight Years Later. . .

I've been told that I'm still in the "honeymoon" phase of the new job. But, I still think it's true... You really don't realize how bad you've had it, until you decide to leave and get another job. I'm ramping up to get myself more useful in the field for my new job, so I'll be back in the saddle again very soon. Until then, I think I'm going to enjoy being temporarily grounded. It's kind of fun being able to talk to people in the office, and go to various meetings. The novelty will wear off, I'm sure. I've still got to move, because this drive from Los Angeles to San Diego is a bit ridiculous. The traffic in San Diego seems a bit worse than Los Angeles or Atlanta. No kidding.

Boycott Continental. No joke.

Later.

Best Of Both Worlds

I just drove back into the Los Angeles area from my first day of work in San Diego. They were right about one thing -- commuting is not an option. It was a really good first day of work. I'm feeling a bit like a fish out of water, but it's kind of a neat feeling. I've got a new laptop, better benefits, and a lot of new people to meet. Apparently, I got a big build-up a couple of weeks ago, as noted in one of the sales presentations that I read today. I might get to work from home, and just go into the office for meetings and stuff. That's pretty neat. It's really the best of both worlds. I called my new travel desk today, and they seemed like nice people. They even got me a closer hotel for the duration. I'm grounded for a little while, and loving it!

Boycott Continental. I really mean it this time!

Later.

End Of The Line

Well, it's over. My career as a full-time road warrior has come to and end. All that's left is the annoying paperwork that goes along with the job. I just flew on Southwest to get back home from Kansas City. I don't know which is more ironic, Kansas City as the last trip, or the fact that I actually flew on Southwest. My last day is tomorrow, and I have a lot of administrative stuff to take care of, so I'll be out of the office most of the day. After that, I focus on the move for a couple of days, and then it's life in San Diego.

Boycott Continental. I'm not kidding!

Later.

Taxing Moments

I've finished week two of three, and I'm getting ready for my final week. Up to this point, I'm wondering why I've spent so much time on the road. I looked into my travels, and three million frequent flyer miles later, I'm still here. No wonder I'm so tired. I think I've worn out every last tread, and that half-time desk job is starting to sound really, really appealing. This has been my final cross-country trip. Actually, I'm reporting from Florida, which is a nice place to be stuck for the night. I heard from my new employer today, and I'm quite gratified that someone out there needs me. Anyhow, the long road home begins in the morning, and I have some errands to run before I travel out on Saturday morning.

Boycott Continental! I mean it. Really. No kidding.

Later.

Miami Blues

I'm still sick, but Miami is a great place for recuperation. I'm off to Key West tomorrow, and I finish up in South Beach on Thursday. Now, that's the way to go out in style. This is my last cross-country trip for this job. I'm finished after next Friday, but I start the new job the following Monday. I'm going to travel a lot less, so, for all intents and purposes, I'm going into semi-retirement after next Friday. Retirement might not be a bad thing. I'm thinking that I should be home right now, cleaning up, and cleaning out my files. After all, it's been eight years, and the company is not really concerned about me leaving anyway. I really could use some time to do some miscellaneous paperwork, but they're keeping me on the road until I leave, which is also a bit disturbing. At least I'll always have Key West. Boycott Continental! Later.

Home Stretch

I'm trying to get over this cold, but it seems that the cold is winning. I'm off to Florida tomorrow, but Florida will not exactly be catching me at my best. I'm starting the home stretch, in more ways than one. I just returned from a buying trip in San Diego. There are only four houses for sale in the entire area. Isn't that pathetic? Anyhow, I did manage to put a bid in on one of them. Anyhow, it's trip time once again. I've got to get my weary butt back on yet another airplane. I'm glad this is over soon. I'm really starting to get too old for this.

Boycott Continental!

Later.

Malfunction

I caught a bad cold last Saturday, and traveled to Durham on Sunday. Of course, my head pretty much exploded into many little pieces on Sunday night after the flight. It's a good thing I can turn on and off my "game face" because I had to do a presentation and a two-day training session while on various cough and flu medications. I think my "auto-pilot" mode was starting to malfunction. You see, I used to have the ability to just speak on specific topics without having to think about it. This also includes the inevitable question and answer sessions as well. For the last couple of days, my "auto-pilot" started to fail intermittently.

I got to see just about everyone in the office one last time, which is really the most important reason for the trip. Despite the fact that my head felt detatched, I did have a nice dinner with some of my friends from the office. Anyhow, I just got back home from Durham, and my head exploded again from the plane ride. I need to take another pill.

Boycott Continental!

Later.

The Journey's End Begins . . .

Well, I finally put my resignation in today. It's been a great run for the last eight years, but my day is finally over -- at least at my present job. I'm off to start a new adventure in three weeks, and while there will be some travel involved, I'm ending this chapter of my life. Based upon what's been happening at work over the last couple of years, I'm long overdue for my departure. I called many of my colleagues in the field today to inform them personally, and I'm off to Durham on Sunday to tell everyone in the office in person. This is going to be an interesting few weeks ahead.

Boycott Continental!

Later.

Another United Moment

I've spent quite a bit of time on the road lately, and this last trip, once again on United, was a bit disturbing. I had a guy that was taking up one and a half seats, leaving me with only a half a seat on a commuter plane. That was one of the most uncomfortable flights I had in quite a while. Bad enough that the flight wasn't upgradeable because it was on a free ticket, but it was a bit delayed. I started wondering if all of this has been worth doing for the last couple of years, and I think it might be time for me to retire. We'll see what happens during the rest of the week. Boycott Continental! Yes, when I hold a grudge, I do it right! Later.

United We Fall

I was on United and Southwest all week, which forced me to be at the airports a few hours early just to make it in time for my planes. Sometimes that isn't a bad thing, though. I went in to the office to get my computer fixed, and then flew back home after getting yelled at in the office. Some extra time in the airport gives you a chance to think and reflect. I guess it was just fate that delayed me in Chicago once again. I stopped by a snack bar that several of my colleagues gathered in October, 2001, when we were on a four-city tour. I hadn't been back there in the intervening years, since I don't usually fly on United. Even though it was one of those crazy, unorthodox trips with flight delays and excessive searches, I do remember that we still enjoyed each other's company, and we accomplished what was necessary for our journey. Those days are now gone, and even though I'm still delivering the same levels of service to everyone, I know my heart isn't in this any more, and I'm sensing that many spirits have been crushed. I'm putting together some work and other notes for my colleagues just in case I get laid off soon, since that seems to be the way the wind is blowing lately. I may be bitter, but I'm not bitter enough to forget that my friends and colleagues still count on me for many things. I'm not going to let them down either.

You know, the only thing bad about this United experience was the fact that I had excessively long lines in some airports, and I had to arrive way too early in order to make the flight. Not having any kind of status with an airline really stinks. It does make a difference. No kidding. Boycott Continental!

Later.

Boycott Continental Airlines

I just don't believe an airline who cancels confirmed, paid, reservations with seat assignments should stay in business. I recently got bumped to 9th standby on a Continental flight, even though I showed proof that I had a paid ticket (which was thousands of dollars), and had a seat assignment.

Boycott Continental Airlines!

There's more to the story. I changed flights to another nearby city, which cost me a hundred dollars in transportation back to my original airport. However, Continental gave away my seat on that flight too. I had to resort to begging for a seat, and I got a center, even though there were aisles left over. By the time I got on board, I wasn't allowed to move from my center seat.

I'm back, and there's no stopping me now. When I get mad at someone, I do it right, don't I?

Boycott Continental Airlines!

Later.

Moon Over Parma, Yet Again

From what I've heard, Cleveland rocks. One of these days, I'll figure out what the big deal is about this. Yes, I'm back in Cleveland again. I've got to stop coming here in the winter. Anyway, I almost never see anyone I know at the airport, but this time, I unexpectedly met up with one of our VP's from North Carolina, so we rode over to the hotel together in my rental car. It's a good thing she was here, because I would have gotten lost trying to find our new office in Cleveland. I almost never visit our corporate offices these days, so finding them is a challenge. Anyhow, Delta redeemed itself today. I was really late for the flight out of LAX, and, in addition, I had a 20-minute connection in Atlanta. My luggage actually made it with me. Kudos to Delta on this one. I don't know how they were able to pull this one off. By the way, Boycott Continental Airlines. They suck. Yes, my holy war with Continental continues. Later.