I knew eventually that the constant teasing about the weather would come back to haunt me. Arizona is in the grips of freeze warnings... (yes, I said freeze warnings). The heat is officially turned on in the apartment and the fireplace is blazing. The temps are dipping into the low 30s for the next few days thanks to the storms coming out of California and a dip in the jetstream. The reason I am bringing this up should be obvious... guess who signed up to work overnight shifts OUTSIDE tonight, tomorrow and Sunday? Low tonight- 31, Friday- 34 and Sunday- 36. Weather payback is a bitch. So, I am digging through my cold weather gear and am ready to suit up for a "long winter's night". But don't be laughing too hard. The days will still be sunny and this weather too shall pass faster than winter back where y'all are... and there will be plenty of time for me to thaw in between shifts. And company #2 is back in full swing starting next Wednesday with three 12 hour shifts (with more to come) at the Convention Center. Wednesday is the Arizona Home and Garden show and then I'm working the (gulp!) Bridal Expo... (gosh, I hope don't catch anything!). Can you imagine what that show is going to be like... (Bridezillas on steroids comes to mind). I will bring plenty of Benadryl and Calamine in case I break out in hives.
So work is back in full gear... (which is good because the camera AND the laptop weren't cheap, but I deserve it). I will be spending New Years Eve in the cold outside of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale... (which is good because my shift runs 8pm to 8am and I won't have to deal with the partygoers on the road). There will be a celebration across the street at Westgate with 11 couples getting married tomorrow night (great to start the New Year--o boy!). And a party so I will probably be busy keeping drunks from eyeballing the Fiesta Bowl Block Party tents and such. Maybe I'll chase a few to keep warm.
The J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets surprised the crap out of me by winning at Pittsburgh (sorry, Bob) and then losing an exciting game (where's the pass rush, Rex?) in Chicago and backing into the playoffs (thanks, Jacksonville). I have no predictions on where they will go from here. I'm just glad that they made the playoffs. Well, I'm off to pack some food and water for tonight and gather up my long johns and boots and hats and gloves... (so glad I didn't get rid of all of it). It'll be a cold night in Glendale...
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The ultimate Fat Finger...
OMG, it's good to be back... What I thought was a "glitch" that caused my computer to not to fire up... (it would power up but not turn on), turned out to be a full blown crash and burn and the purchase of a new laptop. So this is the inaugural blog on my new machine. It couldn't have happened at a worse time. So in the spirit of catching up... (this is becoming my style and standard operating procedure), Merry Christmas everybody!! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday celebrations. Mine was quiet... (thanks to the 2500 mile buffer zone) punctuated with a hike up a mountain with a very good friend... (the weather was beautiful). Besides this new purchase, I also got a new camera (a gift from "Jim" Claus), a Nikon D3000 complete with a telephoto lens (which is completely outside my technical ability) but also has point and shoot capability... (Thank the Lord). So, I will be snapping away like a true shutterbug... (because all my pictures are trapped and lost forever). But no crying over spilt milk (or lost photos), I will just replace them with newer and better pictures. So, because of these purchases, Jim will be working as much as he can... (love the third person).
Speaking of work, I was elbow deep in Iowans the last few days and the Iowa connection that was forged with MY cousins (that's ALL of you, Anna) continues. I worked the Convention Center on Monday night and it was a pep rally for the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes) complete with the band and cheerleaders and President Sally and about 4500 fans to cheer the night before the Hawkeyes battled the Missouri Tigers in the Insight Bowl on Tuesday. Then I worked the game itself on Tuesday night and ran the tunnel and locker room area for which team? Iowa, of course. Met Coach Ferentz and his staff and talked to some of the players and watched a terrific game which Iowa pulled out in the end 27-24 on a game televised on ESPN. Last year I worked the game and was in the tunnel with the Iowa State Cyclones (who won that game). And if you remember (don't worry if you don't) I worked the Phoenix Open and walked with Zach Johnson from Cedar Rapids, Iowa... (are you seeing the pattern?). One more...worked at Kurt Warner's retirement press conference (former supermarket shelf stocker from Iowa).
So, look for more ramblings from the West... I'm back on the air!!!!!!!!
Speaking of work, I was elbow deep in Iowans the last few days and the Iowa connection that was forged with MY cousins (that's ALL of you, Anna) continues. I worked the Convention Center on Monday night and it was a pep rally for the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes) complete with the band and cheerleaders and President Sally and about 4500 fans to cheer the night before the Hawkeyes battled the Missouri Tigers in the Insight Bowl on Tuesday. Then I worked the game itself on Tuesday night and ran the tunnel and locker room area for which team? Iowa, of course. Met Coach Ferentz and his staff and talked to some of the players and watched a terrific game which Iowa pulled out in the end 27-24 on a game televised on ESPN. Last year I worked the game and was in the tunnel with the Iowa State Cyclones (who won that game). And if you remember (don't worry if you don't) I worked the Phoenix Open and walked with Zach Johnson from Cedar Rapids, Iowa... (are you seeing the pattern?). One more...worked at Kurt Warner's retirement press conference (former supermarket shelf stocker from Iowa).
So, look for more ramblings from the West... I'm back on the air!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Things that make me go hmmmm...
Online dating: If someone sends you a message that they want to know more about you and you reply, wouldn't a follow-up message be appropriate to say either thanks for for the info and let's continue or you scare the living crap out of me and don't send anymore? Hmmmm.
If someone puts that they are looking to date and not looking for a relationship, why do they get upset when you tell them that you are seeing other people also? Isn't that what dating means? Hmmmm.
Security guard license renewal: If you have been working as a guard for the two years since you received your first card, why do you need to resubmit fingerprints and attend the 8 hour class again to get a new card? Do you have to retake a drivers test to renew your drivers license? Hmmmm.
Visitors: If people know it's beautiful here all year round and they have an open invitation to come and visit, why do they complain that it's too hot to come visit? It's hot from June into September, and no one has spontaneously combusted or melted from the heat. The rest of year is 70 or 80 during the day and in the 50s at night with little or no rain ever... and we have water and air conditioning and no humidity... and those that have come here are excited to return because it's BEAUTIFUL here all year long. Hmmmm.
Arizona drivers: Why do you remember you are at your exit only from the left lane on the highway as you are passing it and then slow down and cut everyone off trying to get off the highway? They are numbered and they don't change the signs and they have been there since the highway was built. And why is it they they do 75 mph on the exit but barely do the speed limit on the highway? Hmmmm.
Pet friendly apartments: If you wish to be considered pet friendly, why do you charge exorbitant fees to have a 10-15 lb. animal in the apartment? And aren't pit bulls and Rottweilers pets also? Do you think that pet owners are going to let their pets ruin their home? Is a cat going to destroy a living space? Don't you change the carpeting and repaint the apartment after someone moves out? Hmmmm.
These are just some of the things rattling around my brain. It's an example of my "unique perspective" about things. Played golf yesterday and found a new golf home (Longbow). Signed up for their players card giving me 50% off greens fee the entire year for me and anyone I bring there (see visitor section above). The course is beautiful and challenging and 7003 yards from the tips... Working the ASU graduation ceremonies these next three days and then Steve is coming down to Phoenix for the weekend to collect his storage stuff and have it moved to his new place in Colorado. So it's golf on Sunday (36 holes for me ) and Monday with Steve. December 15th and Jim is playing golf in shorts and a golf shirt? Hmmmm.
If someone puts that they are looking to date and not looking for a relationship, why do they get upset when you tell them that you are seeing other people also? Isn't that what dating means? Hmmmm.
Security guard license renewal: If you have been working as a guard for the two years since you received your first card, why do you need to resubmit fingerprints and attend the 8 hour class again to get a new card? Do you have to retake a drivers test to renew your drivers license? Hmmmm.
Visitors: If people know it's beautiful here all year round and they have an open invitation to come and visit, why do they complain that it's too hot to come visit? It's hot from June into September, and no one has spontaneously combusted or melted from the heat. The rest of year is 70 or 80 during the day and in the 50s at night with little or no rain ever... and we have water and air conditioning and no humidity... and those that have come here are excited to return because it's BEAUTIFUL here all year long. Hmmmm.
Arizona drivers: Why do you remember you are at your exit only from the left lane on the highway as you are passing it and then slow down and cut everyone off trying to get off the highway? They are numbered and they don't change the signs and they have been there since the highway was built. And why is it they they do 75 mph on the exit but barely do the speed limit on the highway? Hmmmm.
Pet friendly apartments: If you wish to be considered pet friendly, why do you charge exorbitant fees to have a 10-15 lb. animal in the apartment? And aren't pit bulls and Rottweilers pets also? Do you think that pet owners are going to let their pets ruin their home? Is a cat going to destroy a living space? Don't you change the carpeting and repaint the apartment after someone moves out? Hmmmm.
These are just some of the things rattling around my brain. It's an example of my "unique perspective" about things. Played golf yesterday and found a new golf home (Longbow). Signed up for their players card giving me 50% off greens fee the entire year for me and anyone I bring there (see visitor section above). The course is beautiful and challenging and 7003 yards from the tips... Working the ASU graduation ceremonies these next three days and then Steve is coming down to Phoenix for the weekend to collect his storage stuff and have it moved to his new place in Colorado. So it's golf on Sunday (36 holes for me ) and Monday with Steve. December 15th and Jim is playing golf in shorts and a golf shirt? Hmmmm.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Revelations (not from the Bible)...
Well, it time for an end of the year rant and reflections of the year that was 2010... First, the rant. Here comes the knife in the back from the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets. After dazzling us fans with a 9-2 start, they lay an egg in New England (and get killed) and then lose their 3rd game at home to the Fish and seriously damage any hope of the playoffs (5-1 on the road and 4-3 at home---ridiculous!) Now they have to play Pittsburgh (10-3) and Chicago (9-4) in their buildings before ending the season at home against the Bills. My fearless prediction is an 0-3 finish and no playoff appearance. It is the December swoon that all Jet fans know and hate. The offense is anemic and the defense is dying because they are on the field way too much. I can't believe (who am I kidding? of course I believe it) they are doing this for the umpteenth time (umpteen is a huge amount for those unfamiliar). It used to be that in December when the Jets flopped I would wait for spring training and the M-E-T-S Mets Mets Mets, but they are even worse!!! I like the new GM, not so much the manager (wanted Clint Hurdle) and I agree that they must replenish the farm system and go with youth, but with Philly signing Cliff Lee to go with Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, it really doesn't matter what the Mets do. My fearless prediction is that they finish last this year and several more to come until Beltran, Bay and Santana are done sucking up all the money... (and giving little back). I like Pagan, Davis, Reyes, and Wright. I hate Castillo and Perez (what were they thinking?). I could just chuck the Mets and root for the Diamondbacks, but they are even worse! And the Cardinals (football) are terrible. Woe is me... But it's only sports and I don't bet my teams (good thing) and they don't give a rats behind whether or not I'm their fan, so I guess I can find other things to do than waste my time following them (although you know I still will). :)
The year that was started off a little rocky with my signing up with company #2 and not being able to crack the line-up and get any gigs, but that all changed with the trip to San Diego and ComicCon. I am now a supervisor (same money, more responsibility) and work is plentiful. Company #1 still keeps me busy also and the Phoenix Open is coming at the end of January. I am now confident that I can continue to "live the dream" out here in Arizona for the foreseeable future... I got to visit my "girls" (nieces) in Virginia and my friends (NY) in Aruba, although the rest of the East Coast will have to wait. I am planning to go back but plans are up in the air until winter is over at least (but I'm returning to VA. in Feb for a quick visit in between golf tournaments). 2010 was a good year health-wise except for the scorpion bite and the black widow attacks... (ewww!) No major sickness and an a relatively clean bill of health from Lifeline Screening and the Prostate Mobile (ewww again!). LAFitness has bought out my gym and kept my deal the same... (the gym is farther, but it has a pool, basketball and racquetball courts and many other amenities not in my old gym---all for 10.18 a month). My knees are in ache-mode only (no real pain) thanks to volleyball and a very gradual return to jogging. The golf game is improved (I am now a 4 handicap) and I have begun a more aggressive practice regime to improve it further. My love life is weak but I am dating more frequently... (still nobody special) and I am not stressing over that. I moved mid-year and love the new place. I know some of you were expecting an adoption (cat) but that is being put on permanent hold. After reviewing my "pet friendly" complex's fees for animals I realize that Mrs. Wafflepuss will have to find somewhere else to live... (I'd be pet-friendly too if I was getting that kind of money per animal). But 2011 is around the corner and who knows what's in store. My Christmas decorations are up (yes, I am celebrating this year--probably with a round of golf Christmas morning), my new couch arrived (very comfy) and a new camera is my Christmas present to me this year... (a little fancier with more bells and whistles). Do not fear... this is not the end of blogs for 2010. I shall return shortly with more news from the West... Enjoy the cold!
The year that was started off a little rocky with my signing up with company #2 and not being able to crack the line-up and get any gigs, but that all changed with the trip to San Diego and ComicCon. I am now a supervisor (same money, more responsibility) and work is plentiful. Company #1 still keeps me busy also and the Phoenix Open is coming at the end of January. I am now confident that I can continue to "live the dream" out here in Arizona for the foreseeable future... I got to visit my "girls" (nieces) in Virginia and my friends (NY) in Aruba, although the rest of the East Coast will have to wait. I am planning to go back but plans are up in the air until winter is over at least (but I'm returning to VA. in Feb for a quick visit in between golf tournaments). 2010 was a good year health-wise except for the scorpion bite and the black widow attacks... (ewww!) No major sickness and an a relatively clean bill of health from Lifeline Screening and the Prostate Mobile (ewww again!). LAFitness has bought out my gym and kept my deal the same... (the gym is farther, but it has a pool, basketball and racquetball courts and many other amenities not in my old gym---all for 10.18 a month). My knees are in ache-mode only (no real pain) thanks to volleyball and a very gradual return to jogging. The golf game is improved (I am now a 4 handicap) and I have begun a more aggressive practice regime to improve it further. My love life is weak but I am dating more frequently... (still nobody special) and I am not stressing over that. I moved mid-year and love the new place. I know some of you were expecting an adoption (cat) but that is being put on permanent hold. After reviewing my "pet friendly" complex's fees for animals I realize that Mrs. Wafflepuss will have to find somewhere else to live... (I'd be pet-friendly too if I was getting that kind of money per animal). But 2011 is around the corner and who knows what's in store. My Christmas decorations are up (yes, I am celebrating this year--probably with a round of golf Christmas morning), my new couch arrived (very comfy) and a new camera is my Christmas present to me this year... (a little fancier with more bells and whistles). Do not fear... this is not the end of blogs for 2010. I shall return shortly with more news from the West... Enjoy the cold!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Two in 3 days....
See what happens when I try to write more often? "Fat Finger" returns to spoil the fun... (curse him!). Anyway, I'm back in the same week for the first time in a long time. Monday was a day of running around getting mail, cleaners, food shopping, firewood and various other chores needed when one returns from a vacation in paradise... (I have mentioned that I was relaxing on the beaches of Aruba, haven't I?). Sorry, I digress. Getting back in the swing in of normal life (my normal life, not REAL normal life) was an all day experience, but I was looking forward to watching the Jets-Patriots game on Monday night... To anyone who cares, it seems only the Patriots showed up to play that night. The Jets reminded me of the old electric football game where the players just shook and rotated around in circles and did absolutely nothing... At least I got a good night's sleep because the game was over at halftime. Now comes the time when the Jets either bounce back and prove that they are Super Bowl contenders or revert to the "old" Jets and bumble through the rest of the season crushing their fans hopes... (as they have been doing since 1969). Only time will tell.
I called work to let them know that I have returned and was promptly handed a weekend full of gigs... (I LOVE being this popular). I will be working the "Nutcracker" at Symphony Hall on Saturday and Sunday and a convention of feline fanciers on Friday. Which brings me to my new project. Getting my apartment kitty-proofed so that I can go to the shelter next Monday and bring home my new pet... (a tabby named Tang-she's orange and white and 3 mos. old). Tang will not remain her name but she will name herself in the first few days she is here (No, she will not be named Mrs. Wafflepuss, Vee). Just like Cleopatra (my first cat) was the "queen of D9" (my old apartment number), Tang will rename herself in time. More on the kitty when information becomes available... (and hoping she is still at the shelter when I go there)
This is quite refreshing, blogging on the same day that things are happening . I hope you appreciate the effort as much as I do... and if you don't it's okay... I going to continue this trend for awhile.
I called work to let them know that I have returned and was promptly handed a weekend full of gigs... (I LOVE being this popular). I will be working the "Nutcracker" at Symphony Hall on Saturday and Sunday and a convention of feline fanciers on Friday. Which brings me to my new project. Getting my apartment kitty-proofed so that I can go to the shelter next Monday and bring home my new pet... (a tabby named Tang-she's orange and white and 3 mos. old). Tang will not remain her name but she will name herself in the first few days she is here (No, she will not be named Mrs. Wafflepuss, Vee). Just like Cleopatra (my first cat) was the "queen of D9" (my old apartment number), Tang will rename herself in time. More on the kitty when information becomes available... (and hoping she is still at the shelter when I go there)
This is quite refreshing, blogging on the same day that things are happening . I hope you appreciate the effort as much as I do... and if you don't it's okay... I going to continue this trend for awhile.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
Back by popular demand (at least I hope so), it's my blog! Due to circumstances beyond my control... (working like a slave and then vacationing like a hedonist), I have been very lax in keeping you informed about the goings on of the Arizona Kid (the middle-aged version). But that is going to change starting with this blog... (I know, you've all heard this before but I'm really really going to try). The 21 day marathon of security work (cha-ching!) is a painful and profitable memory replaced by the fabulous (although trying--more to come) vacation on the beaches of Aruba with my bestest friends from the great state of New York. It was such a blast (as it always is) to hang with Toni Ann, Bob, Cathy and Bill in a beautiful, WARM place while the rest of you are insulating and heating up for winter... (Sorry, I just can't resist a dig at my East Coast and Midwest readers). But the trip wasn't as easy this time as in previous years...
The lesson learned last year with the up all night listening to Christmas muzak in JFK airport was forgotten this year when I booked my "midnight plane to Georgia" so that I could be on the beach Saturday afternoon. After working the final ASU football home game and getting home around 6pm, I "depacked" for the third time...(fit everything into a gym bag), lit a fire and waited for a ride from the shuttle to the airport. Everything went smoothly except I couldn't sleep on the plane and we arrived at 5am Saturday morning. After a cruel four and a half hour layover I got on the plane to Aruba and was rewarded with a three seat row to myself... (which I took full advantage of by laying down after the seat belt sign went off). I was awakened by the flight attendant on final approach and watched in horror out the window (it was cloudy!!!) as we landed to gray, dismal clouds but 80 degree temps... So I could've flown on Saturday and arrived late beause there was no sunset to watch... (although I did fire up a Cuban cigar). At baggage claim I discovered that my TSA approved locks were not on my bags (thanks Customs) but everything was intact. As I exited the airport, the line for taxis was enormous...but a guy whistled me from the street asking if I wanted a cab and while being screamed at by the line waiting, I jumped in with my bags (years of New York cabbing experience paid off) and we sped (sort of) into traffic. Just as we pulled away the skies opened up with a downpour drowning the people in line... (karma-never lets you get away).
I arrived at my resort soaked just walking to the door (karma) only to find that my room was not yet ready (karma--it was always ready early every year prior). So I walked to the Dunkin' Donuts across the courtyard in the downpour only to find the coolatta machine broken (karma). My room was ready about 30 minutes later and after purchasing my Cubans I moved in... I removed my camera case and the camera dropped to the floor in pieces (karma). But you know what? I wanted a new camera so it wasn"t a total loss. The rest of the week was filled with rain and clouds on Sunday and Monday and the sun started to come out more often on Tuesday. Laying on the beach does not really call for perfect weather and sleeping and napping is what we did mostly. Wednesday was golf day with monster winds but beautiful sunshine (the golf course and Mother Nature won this year). The rest of the week was filled with beach days, trips into town and fabulous eats...(found some new restaurants to add to the rotation along with some classics). Managed to get a few runs in and walked a couple miles a day on the beach between resorts... All in all it was a great time... (saw more rain this week than I have in the last 6-9 months at home).
I never found a place that sold TSA locks on the island, but I"ll replace them. Nothing was lost on the trip back. After replacing the bad karma (jumping the cab ahead of everyone) with good (giving up my seat on the bus several times) I received and exit aisle seat on the trip to Atlanta...(ah! precious legroom). After catching the free shuttle to the Holiday Inn I was greeted by the fire alarm blaring in the lobby... (someone burned popcorn in microwave and set off the alarm). The bad news (leftover karma) was that my room was on the sixth floor and the elevators were locked down. Up the stairs to sixth floor (access door locked) down to fifth floor and across the entire hotel to the other stairs and up to the sixth then across the entire hotel to my room carrying all luggage (glad I fit everything into a gym bag). The room was very comfortable and I slept like a rock. Riding to the airport in shorts and sandals... (outside temp was in the 30's in Atlanta) with everyone else in winter coats, hats and gloves invited some interesting comments from my fellow airport customers. Especially when I was in the curbside check-in line outside (shorter than the line inside). No frostbite and another aisle to myself in the back of the plane...
Arrived in Phoenix on time and was dropped off at the apartment... Great to be away but also great to be home... Nothing on the plate for work until I call tomorrow. Looking forward to hanging Christmas decorations and putting up the tree (Christmas in the desert--just like the first one, eh?) Much to do this week in the personal arena that I couldn't get to during the workathon... (including shopping for a new camera). I will try and get some Christmas photos of downtown Tempe and the botanical gardens light show posted on Facebook after I secure the new camera... Lots to do and lots to blog about... I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
The lesson learned last year with the up all night listening to Christmas muzak in JFK airport was forgotten this year when I booked my "midnight plane to Georgia" so that I could be on the beach Saturday afternoon. After working the final ASU football home game and getting home around 6pm, I "depacked" for the third time...(fit everything into a gym bag), lit a fire and waited for a ride from the shuttle to the airport. Everything went smoothly except I couldn't sleep on the plane and we arrived at 5am Saturday morning. After a cruel four and a half hour layover I got on the plane to Aruba and was rewarded with a three seat row to myself... (which I took full advantage of by laying down after the seat belt sign went off). I was awakened by the flight attendant on final approach and watched in horror out the window (it was cloudy!!!) as we landed to gray, dismal clouds but 80 degree temps... So I could've flown on Saturday and arrived late beause there was no sunset to watch... (although I did fire up a Cuban cigar). At baggage claim I discovered that my TSA approved locks were not on my bags (thanks Customs) but everything was intact. As I exited the airport, the line for taxis was enormous...but a guy whistled me from the street asking if I wanted a cab and while being screamed at by the line waiting, I jumped in with my bags (years of New York cabbing experience paid off) and we sped (sort of) into traffic. Just as we pulled away the skies opened up with a downpour drowning the people in line... (karma-never lets you get away).
I arrived at my resort soaked just walking to the door (karma) only to find that my room was not yet ready (karma--it was always ready early every year prior). So I walked to the Dunkin' Donuts across the courtyard in the downpour only to find the coolatta machine broken (karma). My room was ready about 30 minutes later and after purchasing my Cubans I moved in... I removed my camera case and the camera dropped to the floor in pieces (karma). But you know what? I wanted a new camera so it wasn"t a total loss. The rest of the week was filled with rain and clouds on Sunday and Monday and the sun started to come out more often on Tuesday. Laying on the beach does not really call for perfect weather and sleeping and napping is what we did mostly. Wednesday was golf day with monster winds but beautiful sunshine (the golf course and Mother Nature won this year). The rest of the week was filled with beach days, trips into town and fabulous eats...(found some new restaurants to add to the rotation along with some classics). Managed to get a few runs in and walked a couple miles a day on the beach between resorts... All in all it was a great time... (saw more rain this week than I have in the last 6-9 months at home).
I never found a place that sold TSA locks on the island, but I"ll replace them. Nothing was lost on the trip back. After replacing the bad karma (jumping the cab ahead of everyone) with good (giving up my seat on the bus several times) I received and exit aisle seat on the trip to Atlanta...(ah! precious legroom). After catching the free shuttle to the Holiday Inn I was greeted by the fire alarm blaring in the lobby... (someone burned popcorn in microwave and set off the alarm). The bad news (leftover karma) was that my room was on the sixth floor and the elevators were locked down. Up the stairs to sixth floor (access door locked) down to fifth floor and across the entire hotel to the other stairs and up to the sixth then across the entire hotel to my room carrying all luggage (glad I fit everything into a gym bag). The room was very comfortable and I slept like a rock. Riding to the airport in shorts and sandals... (outside temp was in the 30's in Atlanta) with everyone else in winter coats, hats and gloves invited some interesting comments from my fellow airport customers. Especially when I was in the curbside check-in line outside (shorter than the line inside). No frostbite and another aisle to myself in the back of the plane...
Arrived in Phoenix on time and was dropped off at the apartment... Great to be away but also great to be home... Nothing on the plate for work until I call tomorrow. Looking forward to hanging Christmas decorations and putting up the tree (Christmas in the desert--just like the first one, eh?) Much to do this week in the personal arena that I couldn't get to during the workathon... (including shopping for a new camera). I will try and get some Christmas photos of downtown Tempe and the botanical gardens light show posted on Facebook after I secure the new camera... Lots to do and lots to blog about... I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
Friday, November 19, 2010
And the beat goes on...and on and on
Like a broken record... the 14 days in a row now go through until I leave for Aruba next Friday. I will be working everyday (although the shifts vary in length) from November 5 through the 26th including the 12 hour day on Thanksgiving (time and a half pay) and the football game on Friday the 26th (the day I leave for Aruba). Not bad for a "part-time" employee in two companies, eh?
Meanwhile, everything else in life (besides sleeping) has been put on hold, but a week on a tropical island should cure all that... Really looking forward to seeing my NY friends down there. All travel plans are set, already have my clothes ready to be packed (not too anxious, am I?) and just waiting to take that "midnight plane to Georgia" (apologies to Gladys Knight). A couple of firsts were accomplished by your intrepid author in between work shifts. My inaugural leap into the world of slow-cooking (crock pot) was a huge success as my beef barley lentil soup came out deliciously...(lot of soup but I froze it). And the first "burn" in the fireplace was a success... (read that as I didn't burn the apartment building down). Gotta love the fireplace... (will have a personal "yule log" going this Christmas in the desert). Note to self--Don't put Christmas tree too close to fireplace.
So the plan is to bring a turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce sandwich for lunch on Thanksgiving Day as I work the auto show at the Convention Center... (if photography is allowed I will try and get some shots for y'all to see on Facebook). The show is taking up the entire bottom floor of the North building and the West building. It is sponsored by Motor Trend Sports and runs the 25th through the 28th, but I will be there Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for move-in and set-up. It is the 2011 Model Auto Show so I'll get a first hand look at all the new cars I won't be buying this year or any year... Don't know how many people will be there on Thanksgiving Day (Turkey, football and car show? Doesn't sound like an American tradition but who knows?).
And now for the bad news... I will not be writing a blog while down in Aruba (not that these blogs are written frequently anyway) but I will continue to try to motivate myself to keeping you updated on the goings on of a 50-something single man lost in the deserts of the Southwest... Gotta run. Work calls. Have a great weekend all...
Meanwhile, everything else in life (besides sleeping) has been put on hold, but a week on a tropical island should cure all that... Really looking forward to seeing my NY friends down there. All travel plans are set, already have my clothes ready to be packed (not too anxious, am I?) and just waiting to take that "midnight plane to Georgia" (apologies to Gladys Knight). A couple of firsts were accomplished by your intrepid author in between work shifts. My inaugural leap into the world of slow-cooking (crock pot) was a huge success as my beef barley lentil soup came out deliciously...(lot of soup but I froze it). And the first "burn" in the fireplace was a success... (read that as I didn't burn the apartment building down). Gotta love the fireplace... (will have a personal "yule log" going this Christmas in the desert). Note to self--Don't put Christmas tree too close to fireplace.
So the plan is to bring a turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce sandwich for lunch on Thanksgiving Day as I work the auto show at the Convention Center... (if photography is allowed I will try and get some shots for y'all to see on Facebook). The show is taking up the entire bottom floor of the North building and the West building. It is sponsored by Motor Trend Sports and runs the 25th through the 28th, but I will be there Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for move-in and set-up. It is the 2011 Model Auto Show so I'll get a first hand look at all the new cars I won't be buying this year or any year... Don't know how many people will be there on Thanksgiving Day (Turkey, football and car show? Doesn't sound like an American tradition but who knows?).
And now for the bad news... I will not be writing a blog while down in Aruba (not that these blogs are written frequently anyway) but I will continue to try to motivate myself to keeping you updated on the goings on of a 50-something single man lost in the deserts of the Southwest... Gotta run. Work calls. Have a great weekend all...
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
And the beat goes on...
Remember when I told you I was about to start a 10 day in a row workathon? Well,that has been stretched to 14 days. My next day completely off is November 18 but the good news is that I won't be pulling any 16-17 hour shifts at the Nascar event this time. The schedule has me working 6am to 2pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (5am) and Sunday with the football game on Saturday. The only problem will be Saturday night because I have to wait until the team leaves and I'm scheduled til 11pm with a 6am call the next morning... oh well. Then I'm back in Convention Center working 50 hours in 4 days... Piece of cake.
Friday night I was at the Orpheum Theater providing security for the Creflo Dollar Ministries... He is an evangelist like the ones you see on television with a very, very enthusiastic crowd... (the place was so packed they put seats on stage for overflow). I must admit that his message was well thought out and hit home quite a few times... (no I did not sign up to be a "partner" or testify in the aisle). But the message was clear and I am going to try to find a service and/or church that I can regularly attend when I not working on Sundays... (which is hard to do lately because Sundays are "security" days). But it's definitely worth a try. I enjoyed the services I attended in Virginia (and no the church didn't fall down).
Saturday and Sunday I was working a convention that brother-in-law Craig would really have enjoyed... it was a Tim the Toolman Taylor convention. DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch and every tooler there is had displays and tools and industrial gadgets galore... A real MAN'S convention. I saw a display for concrete vibrators and I HAD to ask the guys if those were for female weightlifters (heehee). They actually got the joke and then I found out they were from back East... (the people out West sometimes do not understand my "unique perspective"). But some of the tools were quite impressive. On Monday I was a personal escort for Sarah Palin (yes, that Sarah Palin, former Vice Presidential candidate) as she was the keynote speaker for the convention. Her speech began with her knowledge of tools and such in Alaska but then got down to the "victory" of the GOP and how bad Obama and the Dems were ruining the country. She wants a repeal of Obama-care and an end to all his programs. But she was quite interesting and very polite and she thanked me for my "service". I may not agree with some of her views but I admire her work schedule and efforts to repair the party... (even though I hate the party system--the only party should be the best for America party). But enough political talk...
I have to go now... I have a 3:30-10pm schedule today and have to be in Avondale tomorrow at 5:30am. Ciao for now...
Friday night I was at the Orpheum Theater providing security for the Creflo Dollar Ministries... He is an evangelist like the ones you see on television with a very, very enthusiastic crowd... (the place was so packed they put seats on stage for overflow). I must admit that his message was well thought out and hit home quite a few times... (no I did not sign up to be a "partner" or testify in the aisle). But the message was clear and I am going to try to find a service and/or church that I can regularly attend when I not working on Sundays... (which is hard to do lately because Sundays are "security" days). But it's definitely worth a try. I enjoyed the services I attended in Virginia (and no the church didn't fall down).
Saturday and Sunday I was working a convention that brother-in-law Craig would really have enjoyed... it was a Tim the Toolman Taylor convention. DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch and every tooler there is had displays and tools and industrial gadgets galore... A real MAN'S convention. I saw a display for concrete vibrators and I HAD to ask the guys if those were for female weightlifters (heehee). They actually got the joke and then I found out they were from back East... (the people out West sometimes do not understand my "unique perspective"). But some of the tools were quite impressive. On Monday I was a personal escort for Sarah Palin (yes, that Sarah Palin, former Vice Presidential candidate) as she was the keynote speaker for the convention. Her speech began with her knowledge of tools and such in Alaska but then got down to the "victory" of the GOP and how bad Obama and the Dems were ruining the country. She wants a repeal of Obama-care and an end to all his programs. But she was quite interesting and very polite and she thanked me for my "service". I may not agree with some of her views but I admire her work schedule and efforts to repair the party... (even though I hate the party system--the only party should be the best for America party). But enough political talk...
I have to go now... I have a 3:30-10pm schedule today and have to be in Avondale tomorrow at 5:30am. Ciao for now...
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
November... 24 days and counting...
Twenty-four days and counting until I am on the pristine beaches of the beautiful island of Aruba... I have spoken to my timeshare peeps (Bob and Toni Ann) via text message (I am addicted to texting, what can I say) and we will be playing a round of golf while we are down there. I am working Thanksgiving Day at an auto show in Phoenix, followed on Friday by the last ASU football home game (1:30 pm MST) start and a flight out of Phoenix at 11:59pm Friday night to Atlanta and then on to Aruba Saturday afternoon. This weekend while everyone else "falls back" an hour, we here in Arizona just change time zones (from Pacific to Mountain time). So now it will be a two hour difference in time. In the meantime I am gearing up for a 10 day stretch of working every day from Friday the 5 until Sunday the 14th. I begin with company #2 from Friday through Tuesday followed by company#1 from Wednesday through Sunday... (Convention first and then out at Phoenix International for the Nascar race and throw in a football game on Saturday). That should put me in the mood to get away...
Enjoying my "elevated" status as supervisor (more responsibility not money). Sound familiar, Christina? (congratulations on my promotion, lol). But it does get me some prime gigs and some serious hours so strike while the iron is hot because the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a slow season in the security business. But after Christmas it heats up again with the Insight Bowl, Barrett-Jackson car auction, 2 golf tournaments and Country Thunder. Not to worry though my friends...December is the time to work on the golf game because the weather here is superb then (can't seem to leave a weather dig out of these blogs...maybe I'll stop when YOU people start visiting and leave that snow and cold behind for awhile). Speaking of the golf game... I played in the Arizona Trucking Association scramble tournament last Friday with golf buddy Jenny (thanks, Jen) and met a couple from Idaho who were our teammates and our team took FIRST place with an 11 under par 61 on the course the pros play in February... (of course the tees weren't all the way back but a victory is a victory). We scored some beautiful trophies and I won a set of tires for the Jeep for closest to the pin on a par three (sweet, new feet). I wish to give credit to my niece, Veronica, because while in Virginia we went to driving range and while we were hitting balls I found a flaw in my swing and corrected it. That swing correction has me hitting the ball down the middle and attacking pins again... (Thanks Vee).
So today I will see if the swing is a fluke or not... I have a 1:30 tee time at the Raven with two friends. I'll be wearing golf shoes today (not going barefoot like I did in Virginia). Other than work and golf my life is pretty much the same. In my endless search for a "better half" there have been some nibbles but nothing to write home about. Considering that any half would be better than I, you'd think it would be easier to find someone (I know, Loretta, I'm too picky... you know me too well). But I'm not in a hurry. What will be, will be... (out of the blue song reference for the day--not "Musical Tourettes" where you burst into song for no reason). The apartment is finally rounded into the way I want it after many shifts and changes... the fireplace is ready for some cooler nights. It's golf and then volleyball today and tonight and then a rest tomorrow before the the workathon... hope everything is well with y'all. Happy Birthday, Victor...
Enjoying my "elevated" status as supervisor (more responsibility not money). Sound familiar, Christina? (congratulations on my promotion, lol). But it does get me some prime gigs and some serious hours so strike while the iron is hot because the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a slow season in the security business. But after Christmas it heats up again with the Insight Bowl, Barrett-Jackson car auction, 2 golf tournaments and Country Thunder. Not to worry though my friends...December is the time to work on the golf game because the weather here is superb then (can't seem to leave a weather dig out of these blogs...maybe I'll stop when YOU people start visiting and leave that snow and cold behind for awhile). Speaking of the golf game... I played in the Arizona Trucking Association scramble tournament last Friday with golf buddy Jenny (thanks, Jen) and met a couple from Idaho who were our teammates and our team took FIRST place with an 11 under par 61 on the course the pros play in February... (of course the tees weren't all the way back but a victory is a victory). We scored some beautiful trophies and I won a set of tires for the Jeep for closest to the pin on a par three (sweet, new feet). I wish to give credit to my niece, Veronica, because while in Virginia we went to driving range and while we were hitting balls I found a flaw in my swing and corrected it. That swing correction has me hitting the ball down the middle and attacking pins again... (Thanks Vee).
So today I will see if the swing is a fluke or not... I have a 1:30 tee time at the Raven with two friends. I'll be wearing golf shoes today (not going barefoot like I did in Virginia). Other than work and golf my life is pretty much the same. In my endless search for a "better half" there have been some nibbles but nothing to write home about. Considering that any half would be better than I, you'd think it would be easier to find someone (I know, Loretta, I'm too picky... you know me too well). But I'm not in a hurry. What will be, will be... (out of the blue song reference for the day--not "Musical Tourettes" where you burst into song for no reason). The apartment is finally rounded into the way I want it after many shifts and changes... the fireplace is ready for some cooler nights. It's golf and then volleyball today and tonight and then a rest tomorrow before the the workathon... hope everything is well with y'all. Happy Birthday, Victor...
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Keeping on with keeping on...
Before I go any further, let me correct a horrendous oversight on my part... Tuesday was Loretta's birthday and I did not call her or wish her happy birthday and for that I am truly sorry. Even though I was working thirteen and a half hours, there is no excuse for this oversight. I apologize deeply and hope she can forgive me. Happy (very belated) Birthday, Loretta. Luv you, girl...
The gigs keep coming and coming and I keep accepting them... (what the heck... might as well make as much "bank" as I can now while the jobs are there). The week of Nov. 7 to the 14th could be a killer. I am already scheduled for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at company #2 and Wednesday through Sunday is the NASCAR race in Phoenix and throw in an ASU homegame on Saturday and guess whose feet are gonna be sore! (Can you say 100+ hours if the "gods" grant me overtime). At least the weather is cooperating. This is the weather that makes summer in the Valley so worth suffering through... (of course you'd all know this if you came out here to visit!). The days are incredibly sunny and warm and the nights are hoodies and sweatshirt cool... (got to get the fireplace cleaned up and checked out--I'm so psyched!). We enjoyed the fireplace in Virginia and I'm ready for it here in Phoenix... open the windows and light up the logs (I hope I don't burn the place down).
I am suffering with a head cold right now but so far it's manageable. I hate being sick but what are you gonna do? Lots of tea with honey, sleep (which sometimes doesn't come in large bunches) and trying not to run myself ragged (oops, forgot about work). Tonight is a comedy show on the ASU campus and then a golf tournament tomorrow at the Ritz Carlton Hotel near Tucson (the site of the Accenture Match Play Championships). Then it's ASU football on Saturday. I need to catch up on some sleep next week to prepare for the grind after that.
I miss getting up in the morning and walking my nieces to the bus stop... It was definitely one of the major highlights of my trip East. With that in mind I have begun to check my work schedules to see when I will be able to take some time to make more frequent visits back and forth to see them and my other readers and friends. With all the hours I'm putting in and not spending money, I hope to start doing some short (3-4 day) visits with one group of friends at a time. It could be spur of the moment or planned, we'll have to see... but for now I'm planning to lay on the beach at the end of next month and not plan anything except my next meal...
The gigs keep coming and coming and I keep accepting them... (what the heck... might as well make as much "bank" as I can now while the jobs are there). The week of Nov. 7 to the 14th could be a killer. I am already scheduled for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at company #2 and Wednesday through Sunday is the NASCAR race in Phoenix and throw in an ASU homegame on Saturday and guess whose feet are gonna be sore! (Can you say 100+ hours if the "gods" grant me overtime). At least the weather is cooperating. This is the weather that makes summer in the Valley so worth suffering through... (of course you'd all know this if you came out here to visit!). The days are incredibly sunny and warm and the nights are hoodies and sweatshirt cool... (got to get the fireplace cleaned up and checked out--I'm so psyched!). We enjoyed the fireplace in Virginia and I'm ready for it here in Phoenix... open the windows and light up the logs (I hope I don't burn the place down).
I am suffering with a head cold right now but so far it's manageable. I hate being sick but what are you gonna do? Lots of tea with honey, sleep (which sometimes doesn't come in large bunches) and trying not to run myself ragged (oops, forgot about work). Tonight is a comedy show on the ASU campus and then a golf tournament tomorrow at the Ritz Carlton Hotel near Tucson (the site of the Accenture Match Play Championships). Then it's ASU football on Saturday. I need to catch up on some sleep next week to prepare for the grind after that.
I miss getting up in the morning and walking my nieces to the bus stop... It was definitely one of the major highlights of my trip East. With that in mind I have begun to check my work schedules to see when I will be able to take some time to make more frequent visits back and forth to see them and my other readers and friends. With all the hours I'm putting in and not spending money, I hope to start doing some short (3-4 day) visits with one group of friends at a time. It could be spur of the moment or planned, we'll have to see... but for now I'm planning to lay on the beach at the end of next month and not plan anything except my next meal...
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Back in the swing...
Obviously not, as Fat Finger has struck again... (the diabolical fiend!). As I was going to say, I am back in Arizona and picking up where I left off before my trip East... (and what a glorious trip it was). King's Dominion was a roller coaster extravaganza and I got my roller coaster on and on and on... (Natalie had her first ride on a adult coaster and she is hooked). The 305 foot drop on the Intimidator was spectacular and the Dominator was a thrill a minute... (sounds like I'm in a Schwarzenegger film). All I know is--- "I'll be back". Sunday was a get-together with friends of my sister's family who have become very good friends of mine also. We ate and laughed and said goodbye and I even got an invite to return in February for a party... (it's around the Hallmark invented holiday on the 14th). It works out for me because it's after the Waste Management Phoenix Open tournament and the Accenture Tournament at the end of the month... (better find my boots and scarves for that trip).
Up early Monday and last hugs for my girls... (Veronica suggested a webcam so that we can "see" each other more often. She's a smart one...they both are). Then off to the airport with sister (her to Charlotte and me to Phoenix by way of Chicago). We had an interesting conversation about the future and plans and such and she put a pretty interesting idea in my head (there's plenty of room up there) that I am going to investigate further... (sorry, no details or hints---keep your readers in suspense for future installments). Lets just say that it's an interesting idea... (did I mention that it's interesting?). The flights were uneventful and my ride was on time (thanks, Jody) and I got home in time for it to rain a couple days... (it rained here more than my whole visit to Virginia). Go figure. But we probably won't see rain until January now. The good news is that the rain brought the "awesome" season to the Valley... Chilly, crisp nights and sunshiny warm days (mid 80's). I'm going to miss the 100's (but not too much). It's time to get my GOLF back on!!
Work was 2 days this week at a NSBA (National School Board Assoc.) convention... ( 25 hours in two days) and a wedding in Chandler on Friday night. The cool thing is that I saw a lot of stuff that the girls are using in their schools. The really cool thing is that I actually have a traditional weekend (Sat. and Sun.) off. I only work Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday next week also... (now that's what I'm talking about---FORE!!). I also broke out the slow cooker and am attempting some soup and chili recipes... (really need to start eating better. I really enjoy seeing my feet when I look down and it's getting harder). If I don't poison myself I will advance to actual meals. And I have decided, with the help of my nieces and that damn Sara MacLaughlin... (her commercials tear my heart out) to add a member to my Arizona family. A cat (no, I will not name her Mrs. Wafflepuss, Veronica) will be adopted from the shelter after I return from Aruba in December. She will decide her name much like Cleopatra did... (the Queen of D9). Oh yeah, did I mention I'll be on the beach in Aruba after Thanksgiving? I'll be on the beach in Aruba after Thanksgiving... hopefully you guys won't be shoveling snow by then... (hee hee). Very excited to see my NY peeps down there and enjoy some fine Cuban cigars and island cuisine... This year I am going to find us a "local" restaurant to try... (where the natives eat).
Meanwhile, the Yankees were eliminated last night (as a long suffering Met fan I had to mention that). But it just gets a mention... The J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets are off to a great start at 5-1 (and 3-0 in the division). Let's hope this is the year that they don't crush my spirit (AGAIN) like they have numerous times in the past. It's time for the Jets to stand for something other than "J-ust E-nd T-he S-eason". How about the J-ets E-nd T-he S-uffering?? I'm just saying if the blind chicken can find a kernel of corn and the blind squirrel finds an occasional nut, how about one of MY teams making it a banner year? I'm just saying...
Up early Monday and last hugs for my girls... (Veronica suggested a webcam so that we can "see" each other more often. She's a smart one...they both are). Then off to the airport with sister (her to Charlotte and me to Phoenix by way of Chicago). We had an interesting conversation about the future and plans and such and she put a pretty interesting idea in my head (there's plenty of room up there) that I am going to investigate further... (sorry, no details or hints---keep your readers in suspense for future installments). Lets just say that it's an interesting idea... (did I mention that it's interesting?). The flights were uneventful and my ride was on time (thanks, Jody) and I got home in time for it to rain a couple days... (it rained here more than my whole visit to Virginia). Go figure. But we probably won't see rain until January now. The good news is that the rain brought the "awesome" season to the Valley... Chilly, crisp nights and sunshiny warm days (mid 80's). I'm going to miss the 100's (but not too much). It's time to get my GOLF back on!!
Work was 2 days this week at a NSBA (National School Board Assoc.) convention... ( 25 hours in two days) and a wedding in Chandler on Friday night. The cool thing is that I saw a lot of stuff that the girls are using in their schools. The really cool thing is that I actually have a traditional weekend (Sat. and Sun.) off. I only work Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday next week also... (now that's what I'm talking about---FORE!!). I also broke out the slow cooker and am attempting some soup and chili recipes... (really need to start eating better. I really enjoy seeing my feet when I look down and it's getting harder). If I don't poison myself I will advance to actual meals. And I have decided, with the help of my nieces and that damn Sara MacLaughlin... (her commercials tear my heart out) to add a member to my Arizona family. A cat (no, I will not name her Mrs. Wafflepuss, Veronica) will be adopted from the shelter after I return from Aruba in December. She will decide her name much like Cleopatra did... (the Queen of D9). Oh yeah, did I mention I'll be on the beach in Aruba after Thanksgiving? I'll be on the beach in Aruba after Thanksgiving... hopefully you guys won't be shoveling snow by then... (hee hee). Very excited to see my NY peeps down there and enjoy some fine Cuban cigars and island cuisine... This year I am going to find us a "local" restaurant to try... (where the natives eat).
Meanwhile, the Yankees were eliminated last night (as a long suffering Met fan I had to mention that). But it just gets a mention... The J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets are off to a great start at 5-1 (and 3-0 in the division). Let's hope this is the year that they don't crush my spirit (AGAIN) like they have numerous times in the past. It's time for the Jets to stand for something other than "J-ust E-nd T-he S-eason". How about the J-ets E-nd T-he S-uffering?? I'm just saying if the blind chicken can find a kernel of corn and the blind squirrel finds an occasional nut, how about one of MY teams making it a banner year? I'm just saying...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
White House of the Confederacy...
Moday morning came and the girls of the sleepover were filing out and my sister wanted to take me back downtown and visit the White House of the Confederacy (the place where Jefferson Davis lived during the first years of the Civil War). Sheryl always incorporates a "history" visit when I come here and Virginia is chock full of geat things to visit and see. Last time I was here was a visit to Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home). This time we were doing the Civil War. It is right downtown mixed in the buildings of VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) and the Medical center. Three floors of museum are also available with original art, uniforms and information about the War... (including the uniforms showing the kill shot in them and in one case the actual bullet doing the killing!). We then took a guided tour of the White House itself. It was also a school during its time. The tour guide was a descendant of a Civil War veteran and he told us that 60% of the furnishings were the originals to the home...(the furnishings were sold at auction, but they kept meticulous records). The women who were in charge of the restoration combed te records and were able to retrieve the furnishings. The rest of the house was filled with "period pieces" (furniture of that particular time) and the tour was fascinating (at least to this amateur historian). The girls came with us and hopefully they learned something. I bought a book (the need to read) about one of the Confederate Generals in the war (expanding my knowledge of the Southern side of the conflict). It was definetely worth the trip.
Te rest of the week was spent with daily trips back and forth to the bus stop... (love the walk to the bus stop), reading and checking homework with the girls, out to dinner and enjoying Craig's culinary skills, and loving "family" time... Planning on going to lunch with Natalie at her school today and then getting my roller coaster fix at King's Dominion tomorrow... Then it's packing up my suitcases for the trip home on Monday morning... (Sheryl is back on the road Monday also so we save a trip to the airport). I'll try to blog one more time before I leave... Weather here is beautiful, sunny days in the 60's and down into the 40's at night... (glad I packed some sweatshirts and long pants)...
Te rest of the week was spent with daily trips back and forth to the bus stop... (love the walk to the bus stop), reading and checking homework with the girls, out to dinner and enjoying Craig's culinary skills, and loving "family" time... Planning on going to lunch with Natalie at her school today and then getting my roller coaster fix at King's Dominion tomorrow... Then it's packing up my suitcases for the trip home on Monday morning... (Sheryl is back on the road Monday also so we save a trip to the airport). I'll try to blog one more time before I leave... Weather here is beautiful, sunny days in the 60's and down into the 40's at night... (glad I packed some sweatshirts and long pants)...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Greetings from Virginia...
As the title says, greetings from the Commonwealth of Virginia... arrived here on October 6 and have been having a glorious time with my nieces and sister and brother-in-law. Up at 6:30 am (EST) to walk Natalie to her bus by 7...it's at the end of the block, not like when I went to school (6 miles, uphill both ways...). Then back home to walk Veronica to her bus (same route) and then coffee and breakfast with Craig. Sheryl is working from home this week so we are doing some cool things... Veronica turned 11 last week and on Saturday we took a ride downtown and went to the Richmond Folk Festival... it's an outdoor, 3 day, music festival with tents and food booths and great music spread out over the riverside. We heard Irish folk music, Haitian bands, a group of fiddlers (including one 89 year old West Virginian who rocked it out), and saw a demonstration of Brazilian capowera, which is a combination of dance and martial arts... I got exhausted just watching them flip around the stage. Ate some alligator nuggets from the New Orleans food booth, some curry from the Indian (from India) booth, and potato pancakes and applesauce from the German contigent... Spent most of the afternoon there and had a great time... I got to reconnect with my cousin's son Tom who I haven't seen in years... he took the train down to Richmond from DC and went to the festival and spent the night. Had a great time exchanging stories and re-getting to know him... (now I have a new stop on the East Coast swings in the future).
Sunday morning we took Tom back to his train and got ready for Veronica's birthday party... (seven tween girls on a sleepover--no school Monday). They arrived around one in the afternoon and we piled in the cars and went to the pumpkin patch to pick up pumpkins (what else?) to bring back and paint... but the place had a lot more than pumpkins. There was a corn maze (awesome), corn cannons (air cannons shooting corn at targets) a collection of farm animals and a gourd tent, a fun house and of course, the pumpkin patch. Each girl picked a pumpkin and we came back to the house and while they were painting, I installed my ear plugs...(I didn't actually have any, but I could have used them). These girls made enough noise (it sounded like a stadium during a playoff game) but finally settled down around midnight. I got to sleep in Veronica's room and my eyes should return to normal in a few days... (her room is completely pink and the walls burned my retinas). Monday after breakfast, Moms came by and picked up their girls and we headed into Richmond on a "history quest" which I will relate in my next installment... Ciao for now.
Sunday morning we took Tom back to his train and got ready for Veronica's birthday party... (seven tween girls on a sleepover--no school Monday). They arrived around one in the afternoon and we piled in the cars and went to the pumpkin patch to pick up pumpkins (what else?) to bring back and paint... but the place had a lot more than pumpkins. There was a corn maze (awesome), corn cannons (air cannons shooting corn at targets) a collection of farm animals and a gourd tent, a fun house and of course, the pumpkin patch. Each girl picked a pumpkin and we came back to the house and while they were painting, I installed my ear plugs...(I didn't actually have any, but I could have used them). These girls made enough noise (it sounded like a stadium during a playoff game) but finally settled down around midnight. I got to sleep in Veronica's room and my eyes should return to normal in a few days... (her room is completely pink and the walls burned my retinas). Monday after breakfast, Moms came by and picked up their girls and we headed into Richmond on a "history quest" which I will relate in my next installment... Ciao for now.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Wow! a whole day off...
Here it is Monday and I am completely free of work and social commitments... (which is good because I can catch up on laundry and actually pack for my trip to Virginia). The past two weeks have been a great mix of events and tests of endurance... especially the last weekend in September.
I was personally requested to work Howie Mandel's show in Chandler on Friday night... I was in the green room with him before the show, next to the stage during and escorted him to his vehicle afterward... (he introduced himself to me but did not shake hands--germaphobe, but he was funny and cool and very down-to-earth). John Mendoza (comedian) and his tour manager were with him and that was the extent of the "entourage". Sample joke... (It's so hot in Arizona that I saw two trees fighting over a dog). The show was hilarious and it was free (always a bonus) and I got home around 11pm... The next day was football and I got there at 2:30pm for a 7:30 game... (the time is spent collecting your crew and posting guards and preparing for the gate openings). I must remain in the tunnel until the team leaves after the game and with the final score 42-31 the game didn't get over until late and I didn't leave the stadium until after midnight... I fell asleep around 1am and the alarm went off at 4:45am because I was playing in a charity golf tournament in Goodyear, Az. Got finished with golf around 1pm, hightailed it home and caught a nap (about an hour) and then suited up for a concert at the Orpheum theater downtown... (Sharon Jones and the DAP Kings rocked the house!) I was at the stage but the show ran overtime... (we were scheduled til 10:30 but didn't get out until 11:45pm, just in time to start my midnight to 6am shift in the Convention Center). I got back to the office, grabbed my lunch and drinks and then saw that I wasn't scheduled til 6am... (it was actually til 8am). So between Friday night (6 hrs sleep) and Saturday night (3-4 hrs) and Sunday afternoon (1 hr), I was a hurting pup... (5 hr. energy--tastes like crap but worked like a charm). I crawled home after that and hit the sack like a dead man... (woke up around 5:30 that night--Monday I think it was--not knowing where I was or if I was late for work and which company I was late for).
I wasn't late, but I started work at 9:30pm and went til 7am guarding very expensive equipment for Best Buys EHK4convention (EHK4--Early Holiday Kickoff). They were showcasing new games and electronic equipment for this holiday season and the technology was overwhelming and the amount of equipment was huge. Of course I didn't get to see any of it because that went on during the day. That night (Tuesday is a good guess) I was back at the Orpheum for Bryan Adams and his concert... (stage right and the show was great). Finished at around 11pm and went home with no work scheduled with company #2 until I returned from vacation. Then Wednesday morning company #1 called...and called again...and called a third time. I was given a gig on Thursday to patrol number pickup for the Tour de Scottsdale bicycle race... (can't figure how they can ride bicycles with their noses in the air---just kidding). They had local restaurants feature some delicacies and wine and a band... and the gig lasted four hours. Friday I was back at Inspirador in Chandler working a wedding... Paramedics were called when an elderly (older than I) gentleman had some physical issues, but he was fine and the party raged on... Then on Sunday I was back in Scottsdale at the Center for Performing Arts for "Dine Out with the Chefs". 20 local restaurants had their chefs at booths offering tasting menus and cooking demonstrations and wine tasting... (the iced coffee was delicious). So that's it in a nutshell... the busiest man in security is now ready for some r&r in Virginia with sister and her family... not to worry, though. I will be bringing my laptop and will try to keep up with the newsreels...
I was personally requested to work Howie Mandel's show in Chandler on Friday night... I was in the green room with him before the show, next to the stage during and escorted him to his vehicle afterward... (he introduced himself to me but did not shake hands--germaphobe, but he was funny and cool and very down-to-earth). John Mendoza (comedian) and his tour manager were with him and that was the extent of the "entourage". Sample joke... (It's so hot in Arizona that I saw two trees fighting over a dog). The show was hilarious and it was free (always a bonus) and I got home around 11pm... The next day was football and I got there at 2:30pm for a 7:30 game... (the time is spent collecting your crew and posting guards and preparing for the gate openings). I must remain in the tunnel until the team leaves after the game and with the final score 42-31 the game didn't get over until late and I didn't leave the stadium until after midnight... I fell asleep around 1am and the alarm went off at 4:45am because I was playing in a charity golf tournament in Goodyear, Az. Got finished with golf around 1pm, hightailed it home and caught a nap (about an hour) and then suited up for a concert at the Orpheum theater downtown... (Sharon Jones and the DAP Kings rocked the house!) I was at the stage but the show ran overtime... (we were scheduled til 10:30 but didn't get out until 11:45pm, just in time to start my midnight to 6am shift in the Convention Center). I got back to the office, grabbed my lunch and drinks and then saw that I wasn't scheduled til 6am... (it was actually til 8am). So between Friday night (6 hrs sleep) and Saturday night (3-4 hrs) and Sunday afternoon (1 hr), I was a hurting pup... (5 hr. energy--tastes like crap but worked like a charm). I crawled home after that and hit the sack like a dead man... (woke up around 5:30 that night--Monday I think it was--not knowing where I was or if I was late for work and which company I was late for).
I wasn't late, but I started work at 9:30pm and went til 7am guarding very expensive equipment for Best Buys EHK4convention (EHK4--Early Holiday Kickoff). They were showcasing new games and electronic equipment for this holiday season and the technology was overwhelming and the amount of equipment was huge. Of course I didn't get to see any of it because that went on during the day. That night (Tuesday is a good guess) I was back at the Orpheum for Bryan Adams and his concert... (stage right and the show was great). Finished at around 11pm and went home with no work scheduled with company #2 until I returned from vacation. Then Wednesday morning company #1 called...and called again...and called a third time. I was given a gig on Thursday to patrol number pickup for the Tour de Scottsdale bicycle race... (can't figure how they can ride bicycles with their noses in the air---just kidding). They had local restaurants feature some delicacies and wine and a band... and the gig lasted four hours. Friday I was back at Inspirador in Chandler working a wedding... Paramedics were called when an elderly (older than I) gentleman had some physical issues, but he was fine and the party raged on... Then on Sunday I was back in Scottsdale at the Center for Performing Arts for "Dine Out with the Chefs". 20 local restaurants had their chefs at booths offering tasting menus and cooking demonstrations and wine tasting... (the iced coffee was delicious). So that's it in a nutshell... the busiest man in security is now ready for some r&r in Virginia with sister and her family... not to worry, though. I will be bringing my laptop and will try to keep up with the newsreels...
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sorry about this..
As you all know from my blogs... (you ARE reading these, no?) I have been a busy camper in the new "career". Therefore it is with great sadness that I inform you that I have curtailed my vacation visits to the East Coast. I am restricting my visit to my sister and her family in Virginia and will not be able to make it up to New York and New Jersey this time. Travel plans were too consuming and costly and I couldn't arrange my schedule to accommodate everyone. I will send emails to those I can and again I apologize, but I need to take advantage of this influx of activity so that I will be eligible for future large gigs (Barrett-Jackson Auction, Accenture Match Play Tournament, Comic-con, etc.). Also, I am going back to Aruba after Thanksgiving. (I know, poor me) so I needed to trim down the vacation plans... I am going to spend my vacation with my nieces who I miss dearly and help celebrate their birthdays which are both in October. (Love you, Vee and Nat!)
As I become more adept at scheduling my gigs and with the plethora of jobs available right now... (the bottom could drop out at any moment) I will be able to make quick visits back and forth in the future... (and remember folks, the planes fly west also and you are all welcome to visit the desert, especially when the snow comes). Love you all and I'll see you when I can...
As I become more adept at scheduling my gigs and with the plethora of jobs available right now... (the bottom could drop out at any moment) I will be able to make quick visits back and forth in the future... (and remember folks, the planes fly west also and you are all welcome to visit the desert, especially when the snow comes). Love you all and I'll see you when I can...
Catching up on catching up...
The schedule for the busiest man in security continues to be packed with jobs... after the football game on 9/11 (they had some special remembrances at all the football games; brought back some powerful and very sad memories of nine years ago) with company #1, I was back on the job with company#2 on Sunday night and Monday morning, handling the move-out of the Arizona Home and Building Expo. It was like watching a movie where the enemy is coming and everyone is fleeing the other way... two days to set up the event and the exit was almost completed is 4 hours. The following morning was just for the large pieces and pallets of bricks (landscaping companies built patios and other brick work for the show). The hot tubs came out on Monday as well as the 30 foot tall tees and shrubberies from the nursery companies... (and even the trees were loaded in record time!). By the time my shift was over the hall looked barren... I got home from downtown around 11:30am and slept quickly before going back downtown to start an overnight gig at the Hyatt... (I know I'm repeating myself here but bear with me).
I got to the Hyatt around 5:45 and was escorted by security to my post at the main ballroom on the first floor... (I was there to guard the AV equipment being used by the event). I introduced myself to the event managers and Debbie says "I know you". I told her that I get that all the time, I must have a familiar looking face but she insisted and while the clients were still in their meeting we talked. We were both from New Jersey and I went to high school with her cousin Tracy. So she really did "know" me... (can't get away from Jersey no matter how hard I try). The client finally abandoned the room and I had the entire ballroom to myself for 12 hours... Started my new book (John Grisham's An Innocent Man--first non-fiction work by the author--about a murder investigation in Oklahoma. Scary stuff about manipulation and injustice in the investigation). The night was uneventful and quieter than a library and I survived. Home again and back in the sack for a return engagement on Tuesday (yes, it's Tuesday already but I'm working later that night---isn't overnight work great?). Just what I need... something more to confuse my already addled brain. Tuesday night was even quieter and I needed to walk around more to keep awake... (luckily the a/c was set on "stun" and I was shivering at times). Then an angel walked in and asked if I wanted some free coffee...(actually she was Hyatt security--no, I wasn't hallucinating). She watched the room while I made my way down into the employees cafeteria and poured myself a cup of liquid gold (yes, I love my joe). It was mega strong and got me through the rest of the night and several chapters.
A welcome respite on Wednesday and Thursday (although I technically worked 6 hours on Wed.). I did play volleyball with the gang on Wednesday night. Golf on Thursday was a wonderful round and then back at it Friday (6am-5:30pm) on the upper north docks at the Convention Center. On the third floor on the Center, my job was to coordinate traffic flow of 18 wheelers and box trucks going up and down the ramp to the docks... (I nicknamed it the "sun porch" because from sunrise to around 4 pm there is nowhere to hide from the sun except in the building). But I adhered to the rules of security and had plenty of sunblock and a hat. This was the first time I would be able to watch an event unfold from beginning to end because I was working from set-up to move out... (Friday thru Tuesday---all shifts 10 hours or more). The ballroom was empty on Friday and by the time 5:30 came the decorators had the skeletons of the booths and displays up as the forklifts unloaded the tractor trailers from the docks. Pretty amazing to see the entire process unfold while I was escaping the sun and 100+ temps. The view from the sun porch was great... (downtown Phoenix, Chase Field and Camelback Mountain). On Saturday (8am-6pm) and Sunday (7am-6:30pm) I was a roamer/supervisor (checking exhibitor badges and giving breaks to the other guards). Set-up was in full swing and the room was really coming together with carpeting and event booths. In the hallway outside they set up the business center and registration center for the event. It was a flurry of activity and I walked some serious mileage between posts and all around the building.
I was given a special assignment on Saturday... around 11am I received a call from the boss telling me she needed me in the South building for about an hour or so... (The Ultimate Woman's Expo was there and she needed me to escort the keynote speaker to her limo after the speech). The speaker was actress Helen Hunt. I stood stage left during her speech and then escorted her from the hall to her waiting car outside. Then on Sunday, I got another call that the client requested me personally and I would be on Kirstie Alley's protection crew for her talk and photo session with the fans... (that lasted 3 hours and I kept the crowd at bay while people had their photo op with the star). Another escort to the car and I was back to the North building to protect the booths and equipment. Pretty sweet gig if I say so myself... (the client asked if my partner and I would come to San Francisco to do the same detail for the Expo--don't think it will happen but it was nice of them to ask---I would go in a heartbeat).
Wow, I'm into the same week now. Just got bombed with some more gigs for this week and next, including an ASU football game on the 25th... I never thought I would entertain a second "career" but I am having a blast... (beats being the "human cheeto" in a parking lot far away from the action). Oh yeah... the Chandler Center for the Arts called and requested me personally for security at Howie Mandel's show on Friday the 24th... BONUS!
I got to the Hyatt around 5:45 and was escorted by security to my post at the main ballroom on the first floor... (I was there to guard the AV equipment being used by the event). I introduced myself to the event managers and Debbie says "I know you". I told her that I get that all the time, I must have a familiar looking face but she insisted and while the clients were still in their meeting we talked. We were both from New Jersey and I went to high school with her cousin Tracy. So she really did "know" me... (can't get away from Jersey no matter how hard I try). The client finally abandoned the room and I had the entire ballroom to myself for 12 hours... Started my new book (John Grisham's An Innocent Man--first non-fiction work by the author--about a murder investigation in Oklahoma. Scary stuff about manipulation and injustice in the investigation). The night was uneventful and quieter than a library and I survived. Home again and back in the sack for a return engagement on Tuesday (yes, it's Tuesday already but I'm working later that night---isn't overnight work great?). Just what I need... something more to confuse my already addled brain. Tuesday night was even quieter and I needed to walk around more to keep awake... (luckily the a/c was set on "stun" and I was shivering at times). Then an angel walked in and asked if I wanted some free coffee...(actually she was Hyatt security--no, I wasn't hallucinating). She watched the room while I made my way down into the employees cafeteria and poured myself a cup of liquid gold (yes, I love my joe). It was mega strong and got me through the rest of the night and several chapters.
A welcome respite on Wednesday and Thursday (although I technically worked 6 hours on Wed.). I did play volleyball with the gang on Wednesday night. Golf on Thursday was a wonderful round and then back at it Friday (6am-5:30pm) on the upper north docks at the Convention Center. On the third floor on the Center, my job was to coordinate traffic flow of 18 wheelers and box trucks going up and down the ramp to the docks... (I nicknamed it the "sun porch" because from sunrise to around 4 pm there is nowhere to hide from the sun except in the building). But I adhered to the rules of security and had plenty of sunblock and a hat. This was the first time I would be able to watch an event unfold from beginning to end because I was working from set-up to move out... (Friday thru Tuesday---all shifts 10 hours or more). The ballroom was empty on Friday and by the time 5:30 came the decorators had the skeletons of the booths and displays up as the forklifts unloaded the tractor trailers from the docks. Pretty amazing to see the entire process unfold while I was escaping the sun and 100+ temps. The view from the sun porch was great... (downtown Phoenix, Chase Field and Camelback Mountain). On Saturday (8am-6pm) and Sunday (7am-6:30pm) I was a roamer/supervisor (checking exhibitor badges and giving breaks to the other guards). Set-up was in full swing and the room was really coming together with carpeting and event booths. In the hallway outside they set up the business center and registration center for the event. It was a flurry of activity and I walked some serious mileage between posts and all around the building.
I was given a special assignment on Saturday... around 11am I received a call from the boss telling me she needed me in the South building for about an hour or so... (The Ultimate Woman's Expo was there and she needed me to escort the keynote speaker to her limo after the speech). The speaker was actress Helen Hunt. I stood stage left during her speech and then escorted her from the hall to her waiting car outside. Then on Sunday, I got another call that the client requested me personally and I would be on Kirstie Alley's protection crew for her talk and photo session with the fans... (that lasted 3 hours and I kept the crowd at bay while people had their photo op with the star). Another escort to the car and I was back to the North building to protect the booths and equipment. Pretty sweet gig if I say so myself... (the client asked if my partner and I would come to San Francisco to do the same detail for the Expo--don't think it will happen but it was nice of them to ask---I would go in a heartbeat).
Wow, I'm into the same week now. Just got bombed with some more gigs for this week and next, including an ASU football game on the 25th... I never thought I would entertain a second "career" but I am having a blast... (beats being the "human cheeto" in a parking lot far away from the action). Oh yeah... the Chandler Center for the Arts called and requested me personally for security at Howie Mandel's show on Friday the 24th... BONUS!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Holy crap! 2 weeks behind again...
Just when you think I will catch up and be more forthcoming on a regular basis... BAM! I hit a streak of all work and no blog... But have no fear. Even though I am working my feet and legs off (my ass is just along for the ride keeping my upper body from falling off) as Security Man, I am back at the computer and typing away... What a whirlwind of activity it has been... I actually purchased a (gasp!) day planner to keep track of my work gigs... (and to keep me from showing up with the wrong uniform on). Plus it actually helps me keep track of what day it is (harder to do because of the overnight gigs). When I last blogged I was at ASU doing my Mission Impossible gig (and it almost was because there were several times I almost got caught being in the building which is what they wanted me to avoid). If it wasn't for a radio playing and an a very lucky sense of timing I would have gotten busted. But I didn't and it sure added some extra excitement to that gig... Next came the Arizona Home and Building Expo for Company #2. I had only worked inside the Convention Center with the jacket and tie but now I was out "on the dock" assisting with vendors moving in their merchandise to set up the show... (unfortunately, I didn't know it at the time and the "human cheeto" was resurrected). I was outside from noon to five and with no where to hide and the temp hitting 105+, I was baked to a crackly crunch. Luckily, one of the vendors took pity on me and loaned me some sunblock so it wasn't a total sunstroke day (but it was pretty close). There are now two absolute rules for a security guard... the first is always use baby powder in the obvious regions and the second is always prepare for BOTH inside and outside contingencies... (lesson learned). Where else can you get such revealing insights into the world of security for no cost at all? Nowhere I say...
So after being boiled for two days outside on the docks, the boss told me I had a different gig for Friday... it was the first time for the company to work this venue and they thought I would be a good representative (what were they thinking?). It was back in my old "hood" of Chandler. In fact it was right down the street from the place I work the weddings. The Chandler Center for the Arts shares its building with Chandler High School (the kids have music classes there and there are concerts and such). It had just undergone a multimillion dollar renovation and this was the opening night of the "new" venue... Michael Bolton in concert. I arrived at 10am and was charged with keeping the students away from the vehicles there to set up and the buses containing the band and back-up singers. Dressed in white shirt and tie, with ear microphone and sunglasses, many of the students were asking campus security why the "secret service" was at the school... (Is Miley Cyrus coming here?). I told them it was classified and keep moving please. Another girl asked me if it was a prerequisite to be bald for security (it set off the sunglasses better and was pretty effective, she said). All in all it was a pretty amusing time. Then we got set for the concert... I was stationed right next to the stage to keep the fans from climbing up and disrupting the concert. Pretty good seat for someone who didn't buy a ticket and got paid to listen to the concert. In the middle of the show, we invited the fans to come and stand at the stage (prearranged with Michael Bolton's personal security) and everybody behaved. And he did put on a pretty good show....
Saturday was another football game at ASU and the tunnel ran very smooth and my crew did another great job... ASU won the game and is now 2-0 going into their first road game at Wisconsin. Coach Erickson was livid after the game even though they won (too many penalties and mental mistakes) and he let the team have it after the game... (you could hear him out in the hallways). Sunday morning I spent catching up on shopping and mail and laundry before going back to the Convention Center to work the dock again... (this time it was for them tearing down the home and building expo and moving out). I worked from 4pm to 9pm and back again Monday morning from 6am to 10:30am... Then I rushed home and leaped into bed because I had a 12 hour shift starting that night at 6pm... (sleep and work, sleep and work).
More to come, my dears, but I have an early call tomorrow and must get my beauty sleep (God knows I need it). I'll be in touch...
So after being boiled for two days outside on the docks, the boss told me I had a different gig for Friday... it was the first time for the company to work this venue and they thought I would be a good representative (what were they thinking?). It was back in my old "hood" of Chandler. In fact it was right down the street from the place I work the weddings. The Chandler Center for the Arts shares its building with Chandler High School (the kids have music classes there and there are concerts and such). It had just undergone a multimillion dollar renovation and this was the opening night of the "new" venue... Michael Bolton in concert. I arrived at 10am and was charged with keeping the students away from the vehicles there to set up and the buses containing the band and back-up singers. Dressed in white shirt and tie, with ear microphone and sunglasses, many of the students were asking campus security why the "secret service" was at the school... (Is Miley Cyrus coming here?). I told them it was classified and keep moving please. Another girl asked me if it was a prerequisite to be bald for security (it set off the sunglasses better and was pretty effective, she said). All in all it was a pretty amusing time. Then we got set for the concert... I was stationed right next to the stage to keep the fans from climbing up and disrupting the concert. Pretty good seat for someone who didn't buy a ticket and got paid to listen to the concert. In the middle of the show, we invited the fans to come and stand at the stage (prearranged with Michael Bolton's personal security) and everybody behaved. And he did put on a pretty good show....
Saturday was another football game at ASU and the tunnel ran very smooth and my crew did another great job... ASU won the game and is now 2-0 going into their first road game at Wisconsin. Coach Erickson was livid after the game even though they won (too many penalties and mental mistakes) and he let the team have it after the game... (you could hear him out in the hallways). Sunday morning I spent catching up on shopping and mail and laundry before going back to the Convention Center to work the dock again... (this time it was for them tearing down the home and building expo and moving out). I worked from 4pm to 9pm and back again Monday morning from 6am to 10:30am... Then I rushed home and leaped into bed because I had a 12 hour shift starting that night at 6pm... (sleep and work, sleep and work).
More to come, my dears, but I have an early call tomorrow and must get my beauty sleep (God knows I need it). I'll be in touch...
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The hits just keep on coming...
When it rains it pours... (that is an expression you guys who endured Hurricane Earl on the East Coast know only too well). Here it is beautiful sunshine, temps still in the 100s (about a month to go before "awesome" describes the weather here) and security jobs for yours truly are raining down. Today (Saturday) is opening day for college football for Arizona State and I'll be at the stadium working the home locker room area for Company #1... Go Sun Devils!! I was supposed to work another wedding tomorrow, but I was preempted by the head honcho at ASU and I will be doing my Mission Impossible gig tomorrow night over at the college... (should you or any of your IMF forces be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge. Good luck, Mr. Phelps...) This blog will self-destruct in five seconds... (Ha! that will never happen). That gig will go from 10pm to 7am Sunday night into Monday...
In the meantime I was busy hanging out with the Cardinals on Wednesday night and Thursday... they were away in Tennessee and Chicago and had a game scheduled Thursday night against the Redskins in Phoenix... (sorry, Glendale). They stayed at the Marriott in Phoenix on two floors and Company #1 has security there to watch the vehicles in the parking lot and be "hall monitors" on the floors where the players stay... (but you don't get the happening hall monitor sash and you don't check passes). We make sure the players get in their rooms and keep fans off the floors. I worked from 6pm until 11pm on Wednesday night and then returned at 7am the following morning and stayed until they left for the game around 4pm... A couple of the players asked if I was there all night because they were asleep or in their rooms when I left and never saw the overnight guy who relieved me... I was able to catch up on some reading (The Apostle by Brad Thor...good espionage, covert action thriller). The sad part is that some of the players would be cut after this game because the team has to get down to 53 players before the season starts... It was an uneventful two days and after my shift I changed and went to the game... (thanks Jody). She got two tickets from her landlord and dragged me with her... (great seats--lower level 20 yard line). Cards won and now the cuts had to be made... goodbye to the guys on my "floor" (Anthony Becht, Herman Johnson, Tom Pestock et al.) who got cut and congrats to the guys who made it...(especially rookie free agents Max Komar, Max Hall and Stephen Williams). Should I "drop" a few more names for effect like I actually hang out with them? They wouldn't recognize me in a police lineup, but in the purple and khaki they know who I am...
While I was on duty at the Marriott on Thursday, Company #2 called and filled my schedule for next week with a variety of shifts at the Convention Center for the Arizona Home and Building Expo. I'll be working Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday for them and Saturday for Company #1 for another football game... (like I said, when it rains, it pours). So, in between gigs I will continue to work on my plans to come back East... (they are in a constant state of flux at the moment). No details will be shared here, but the itinerary will be shared with those on the "list' for this visit... I can't visit everyone but I will try to visit those peeps who I missed the last time I was there... Looking forward to some leaf peeping and seeing actual trees not on a golf course. Friday night at the wedding we had a near miss and an alcohol casualty... One of the older guests became ill and the paramedics were called (short of breath, sweating, the whole nine yards). I headed off the ambulance and directed it around back so it wouldn't disturb the other guests but it still came in with sirens blaring... (so everyone knew). He was checked out and didn't have to leave and remained at the party. The casualty vomited all over the cocktail bar area and was directed outside and walked (carried) to the hotel across the street where everyone was staying... Other than that, it was a good party and the dj rocked it out...
Ok, gotta go get ready for the game... Happy Labor Day weekend to all you hard working people out there who deserve the long weekend... I will be laboring this weekend and on into the next week. See you later...
In the meantime I was busy hanging out with the Cardinals on Wednesday night and Thursday... they were away in Tennessee and Chicago and had a game scheduled Thursday night against the Redskins in Phoenix... (sorry, Glendale). They stayed at the Marriott in Phoenix on two floors and Company #1 has security there to watch the vehicles in the parking lot and be "hall monitors" on the floors where the players stay... (but you don't get the happening hall monitor sash and you don't check passes). We make sure the players get in their rooms and keep fans off the floors. I worked from 6pm until 11pm on Wednesday night and then returned at 7am the following morning and stayed until they left for the game around 4pm... A couple of the players asked if I was there all night because they were asleep or in their rooms when I left and never saw the overnight guy who relieved me... I was able to catch up on some reading (The Apostle by Brad Thor...good espionage, covert action thriller). The sad part is that some of the players would be cut after this game because the team has to get down to 53 players before the season starts... It was an uneventful two days and after my shift I changed and went to the game... (thanks Jody). She got two tickets from her landlord and dragged me with her... (great seats--lower level 20 yard line). Cards won and now the cuts had to be made... goodbye to the guys on my "floor" (Anthony Becht, Herman Johnson, Tom Pestock et al.) who got cut and congrats to the guys who made it...(especially rookie free agents Max Komar, Max Hall and Stephen Williams). Should I "drop" a few more names for effect like I actually hang out with them? They wouldn't recognize me in a police lineup, but in the purple and khaki they know who I am...
While I was on duty at the Marriott on Thursday, Company #2 called and filled my schedule for next week with a variety of shifts at the Convention Center for the Arizona Home and Building Expo. I'll be working Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday for them and Saturday for Company #1 for another football game... (like I said, when it rains, it pours). So, in between gigs I will continue to work on my plans to come back East... (they are in a constant state of flux at the moment). No details will be shared here, but the itinerary will be shared with those on the "list' for this visit... I can't visit everyone but I will try to visit those peeps who I missed the last time I was there... Looking forward to some leaf peeping and seeing actual trees not on a golf course. Friday night at the wedding we had a near miss and an alcohol casualty... One of the older guests became ill and the paramedics were called (short of breath, sweating, the whole nine yards). I headed off the ambulance and directed it around back so it wouldn't disturb the other guests but it still came in with sirens blaring... (so everyone knew). He was checked out and didn't have to leave and remained at the party. The casualty vomited all over the cocktail bar area and was directed outside and walked (carried) to the hotel across the street where everyone was staying... Other than that, it was a good party and the dj rocked it out...
Ok, gotta go get ready for the game... Happy Labor Day weekend to all you hard working people out there who deserve the long weekend... I will be laboring this weekend and on into the next week. See you later...
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I don't work this much in busy season...
Remember my last blog about the universe being upside down? (you have been reading my blogs haven't you?). Well, we are still in that mode this week... (Holy crap! I'm writing about things in the present tense). All I had going on this week was Saturday's opening day game at ASU... that is until 9am Monday morning. Company #1 called and asked if I would do two weddings over the coming weekend... (Friday night and Sunday night). I'm going to more weddings than Katherine Heigl in "27 dresses" (gratuitous movie reference). At least I don't have to buy those hideous outfits that brides make you wear... ( I know the bride is supposed to be the best looking woman there, but come on with those bridesmaids outfits, what were you thinking? 200+ dollars for a dress no woman in their right mind would ever think of wearing again, not to mention the color). But I digress... (I wonder if going off on a tangent is a job skill... if so, I may be more valuable in the market). So now I am working Friday night, Saturday night (the game starts at 7pm), and Sunday night...
Then this morning they call again... (want me to work at the bar in Tempe on Friday night). Already scheduled...oops, sorry... (I'm not complaining but the two places at once trick is not in my repertoire). Then another scheduler called about 20 minutes later and asked me if I would work for the Cardinals tonight at the Marriott downtown... (6pm til 11pm) and then come back tomorrow for a 7am to 4pm shift also... (air conditioned hotel sitting in the hall making sure no one disturbs the players--my kind of gig). So here is my "I only have to work one day this week" week and it's blown up so that I'm working Wednesday through Sunday now... Don't cry for me, blog readers, for it is nothing that you guys don't do week in and week out. I am not complaining because yesterday I played 36 holes of golf at two beautiful courses and enjoyed it immensely... (total cost $39.00 for both rounds). Didn't play my best golf but I didn't run out of gas as I would have last week... temperature only reached 100 yesterday (bit of a cold snap). And there are a lot of people in my Companies who are not getting work, so again I am not complaining... (another security company has formed and stole a big account from one of my companies and took some employees with them... I think that is why I am getting so many jobs (because I didn't bolt and I am just so damn good... :). Whatever the reason, most of the jobs are at night and that leaves plenty of time to rest and pursue the almighty white ball on some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen... and the greens fees are rolling in at the moment.
Then this morning they call again... (want me to work at the bar in Tempe on Friday night). Already scheduled...oops, sorry... (I'm not complaining but the two places at once trick is not in my repertoire). Then another scheduler called about 20 minutes later and asked me if I would work for the Cardinals tonight at the Marriott downtown... (6pm til 11pm) and then come back tomorrow for a 7am to 4pm shift also... (air conditioned hotel sitting in the hall making sure no one disturbs the players--my kind of gig). So here is my "I only have to work one day this week" week and it's blown up so that I'm working Wednesday through Sunday now... Don't cry for me, blog readers, for it is nothing that you guys don't do week in and week out. I am not complaining because yesterday I played 36 holes of golf at two beautiful courses and enjoyed it immensely... (total cost $39.00 for both rounds). Didn't play my best golf but I didn't run out of gas as I would have last week... temperature only reached 100 yesterday (bit of a cold snap). And there are a lot of people in my Companies who are not getting work, so again I am not complaining... (another security company has formed and stole a big account from one of my companies and took some employees with them... I think that is why I am getting so many jobs (because I didn't bolt and I am just so damn good... :). Whatever the reason, most of the jobs are at night and that leaves plenty of time to rest and pursue the almighty white ball on some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen... and the greens fees are rolling in at the moment.
Monday, August 30, 2010
The universe is upside down... Part 2
Welcome back my friends to the blog that never ends... (just has some serious gaps from time to time)... I no longer pledge to try to keep up because you all know that's not going to happen, but here I am again, so let's get to it...
When we last spoke, I was in the midst of a whirlwind two week "what the heck is going on that I'm working so much" cycle... I spent Sunday having brunch with a friend at a place called "Chompie's" that claimed it was a New York style deli... (I did have a pastrami sandwich here the last time and the bread was the best I've had in a while...nice Jewish rye). Breakfast was good and I spent the rest of the day doing domestic chores and preparing for a busy week... I was called to work at the Cardinals training facility here in Tempe on Monday night from 6pm to 6am watching the parking lot and keeping fans and others away from the players vehicles... (they were away in Tennessee playing a preseason game and wouldn't return until next week). So I packed a large cooler with snacks and liquids and a chair and sat outside in the parking lot. The weather was not cooperating as it was over 100 with lots of humidity and the threat of thunderstorms during the night... I was sweating the entire night as the temperatures barely went under 100 overnight, but activity was minimal and the only excitement was that something bit me behind the knee... (I had long pants on, which felt great in the heat, but that's what the client wants) so I figured it was a mosquito and didn't think about until I woke up Tuesday and my leg was killing me and itching like a bastard... When I inspected further I saw two separate bites and they were not of the mosquito variety. I put some ice on it to reduce the swelling and then got ready for my gig for Company #2 at the Phoenix Convention Center... I was working John McCain's "victory" party (if he won). It was only a 4 hour gig but I had never been at a political event like this and I had voted for Johnny Mac (my nickname for him) earlier in the day. I was in full "Secret Service" look (blazer, tie, and radio with ear plug radio) and walking around looking imposing (or trying to) while the pundits and lackeys and every media outlet in the state munched on hors d'oeurves and drank $8 glasses of wine and $6 bottles of beer... Mr. McCain won in a landslide with almost 60% of the vote (primary win) and didn't show up to speak until almost 9pm, so I got to stay another half hour until the place cleared out...(thanks, Johnny Mac). After he left I poked my head into the room to make sure the general public was gone and watched the media doing live after up-dates and there I was on TV on one of the channels feeds in the background behind the reporter... (I don't watch the news so I couldn't tell you what channel or who the reporter was)... Went home after and re-iced my leg and went to sleep.
Wednesday I was up early and drove downtown to work in Company #2's office doing new employee interviews (congratulations on your promotion)... There were only two scheduled so I did some office stuff (filing and such) for a couple hours and my first interview showed up... it was a guy from Company #1 that used to be my boss on overnights (they eliminated his job) and I was going to interview HIM... (crazy huh?). So we sat outside and talked for awhile and laughed about how things had turned around and I gave him a good recommend. My other interview called to reschedule so I left around 1:30 and went home to prepare for vball... (I also wanted a second opinion on what was growing behind my knee and I figured my friends at vball would know). The consensus was that I was the victim of a scorpion bite(s)... (pause for shudder here, myself included). I don't think it crawled up my leg because I would have felt it...(and would have done the crazy "get it off me" dance that we all have done). I figured it crawled up the outside of my pant leg and attacked me when I sat down...(EWWWWWWW!). Either way the thought still creeps me out...(by the way, at this writing my leg has returned to normal and there are no after effects, thanks for asking)... But the best part was Company #1 called and asked me to return to the scene of the crime on Thursday night (6pm-6am). I agreed and kept clear of all bushes and desert plants and checked my pants every 10-15 minutes for critters... At least it was cooler on Thursday and the 12 hours went by uneventfully. Friday was another overnight gig, but this was in the West Valley over by Phoenix Stadium (home of the Cardinals). It was at Westgate...(an open air restaurant shopping complex surrounding Jobing.com Arena, home of the Coyotes hockey team). The shift was 11pm til 9am and when I arrived there I found out that I would be babysitting the world's largest skateboard... (yes, not a typo). It was a prop promoting the Street League Skateboarding event on Saturday inside the Arena... (check out this website for a picture of this behemoth.... http://worldslargestskateboard.com/?p=320). I just took pictures of people posing by the skateboard and kept them from climbing on it (it weighs 3300 lbs and was on its side--useless piece of trivia for the day). Around 3am no one was left and my partner and I just sat and watched the sun come up around 6am... At 7am my phone rang and scheduling asked me if I wanted to return later that day and work the same gig from 5pm-9am (16 hours!! No freaking way!) I politely declined and drove home and got some much needed sleep.
Spoke to my sister and some friends by phone and made some plans for my visit back East... (yes, I am returning). It will be in October (want to do some leaf peeping and play some fall golf I hope) and I will contact those on the list who I missed on my last visit... So be prepared East Coast...the Arizona Kid will be headed your way in less than 2 months!!
When we last spoke, I was in the midst of a whirlwind two week "what the heck is going on that I'm working so much" cycle... I spent Sunday having brunch with a friend at a place called "Chompie's" that claimed it was a New York style deli... (I did have a pastrami sandwich here the last time and the bread was the best I've had in a while...nice Jewish rye). Breakfast was good and I spent the rest of the day doing domestic chores and preparing for a busy week... I was called to work at the Cardinals training facility here in Tempe on Monday night from 6pm to 6am watching the parking lot and keeping fans and others away from the players vehicles... (they were away in Tennessee playing a preseason game and wouldn't return until next week). So I packed a large cooler with snacks and liquids and a chair and sat outside in the parking lot. The weather was not cooperating as it was over 100 with lots of humidity and the threat of thunderstorms during the night... I was sweating the entire night as the temperatures barely went under 100 overnight, but activity was minimal and the only excitement was that something bit me behind the knee... (I had long pants on, which felt great in the heat, but that's what the client wants) so I figured it was a mosquito and didn't think about until I woke up Tuesday and my leg was killing me and itching like a bastard... When I inspected further I saw two separate bites and they were not of the mosquito variety. I put some ice on it to reduce the swelling and then got ready for my gig for Company #2 at the Phoenix Convention Center... I was working John McCain's "victory" party (if he won). It was only a 4 hour gig but I had never been at a political event like this and I had voted for Johnny Mac (my nickname for him) earlier in the day. I was in full "Secret Service" look (blazer, tie, and radio with ear plug radio) and walking around looking imposing (or trying to) while the pundits and lackeys and every media outlet in the state munched on hors d'oeurves and drank $8 glasses of wine and $6 bottles of beer... Mr. McCain won in a landslide with almost 60% of the vote (primary win) and didn't show up to speak until almost 9pm, so I got to stay another half hour until the place cleared out...(thanks, Johnny Mac). After he left I poked my head into the room to make sure the general public was gone and watched the media doing live after up-dates and there I was on TV on one of the channels feeds in the background behind the reporter... (I don't watch the news so I couldn't tell you what channel or who the reporter was)... Went home after and re-iced my leg and went to sleep.
Wednesday I was up early and drove downtown to work in Company #2's office doing new employee interviews (congratulations on your promotion)... There were only two scheduled so I did some office stuff (filing and such) for a couple hours and my first interview showed up... it was a guy from Company #1 that used to be my boss on overnights (they eliminated his job) and I was going to interview HIM... (crazy huh?). So we sat outside and talked for awhile and laughed about how things had turned around and I gave him a good recommend. My other interview called to reschedule so I left around 1:30 and went home to prepare for vball... (I also wanted a second opinion on what was growing behind my knee and I figured my friends at vball would know). The consensus was that I was the victim of a scorpion bite(s)... (pause for shudder here, myself included). I don't think it crawled up my leg because I would have felt it...(and would have done the crazy "get it off me" dance that we all have done). I figured it crawled up the outside of my pant leg and attacked me when I sat down...(EWWWWWWW!). Either way the thought still creeps me out...(by the way, at this writing my leg has returned to normal and there are no after effects, thanks for asking)... But the best part was Company #1 called and asked me to return to the scene of the crime on Thursday night (6pm-6am). I agreed and kept clear of all bushes and desert plants and checked my pants every 10-15 minutes for critters... At least it was cooler on Thursday and the 12 hours went by uneventfully. Friday was another overnight gig, but this was in the West Valley over by Phoenix Stadium (home of the Cardinals). It was at Westgate...(an open air restaurant shopping complex surrounding Jobing.com Arena, home of the Coyotes hockey team). The shift was 11pm til 9am and when I arrived there I found out that I would be babysitting the world's largest skateboard... (yes, not a typo). It was a prop promoting the Street League Skateboarding event on Saturday inside the Arena... (check out this website for a picture of this behemoth.... http://worldslargestskateboard.com/?p=320). I just took pictures of people posing by the skateboard and kept them from climbing on it (it weighs 3300 lbs and was on its side--useless piece of trivia for the day). Around 3am no one was left and my partner and I just sat and watched the sun come up around 6am... At 7am my phone rang and scheduling asked me if I wanted to return later that day and work the same gig from 5pm-9am (16 hours!! No freaking way!) I politely declined and drove home and got some much needed sleep.
Spoke to my sister and some friends by phone and made some plans for my visit back East... (yes, I am returning). It will be in October (want to do some leaf peeping and play some fall golf I hope) and I will contact those on the list who I missed on my last visit... So be prepared East Coast...the Arizona Kid will be headed your way in less than 2 months!!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The universe is upside down...
The last two weeks has been a roller coaster ride of immense proportions... the universe (please don't panic, it's only my universe) is upside down. As you know from previous blogs, the summer is the slow season for security guards because of the weather mostly and work is usually hard to find. But in the last two weeks, I have worked 10 out of the 14 days! Not to blow my own horn, (although I am very good at that) but I am feeling the love from my two security companies and they are obviously enamored with yours truly because they keep ringing my phone... But it's with mixed feelings about this "love" being showered down because I haven't worked this much in a long time but the gigs were very varied and quite interesting... (of course I will share them with you).
Like I said, the summer is USUALLY slow and nothing starts to happen until football and students return to ASU at the end of August... I got the call from Company #1 to work freshman events at Wells Fargo Arena on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, the 17th and 18th... (I know...it seems I'm always working from behind. Good thing I'm not a reporter, you'd just be finding out there was an oil leak in the Gulf today!). Basically, the week before classes begin, students return and move into dorms and apartments and the college has activities planned to welcome the new students and introduce them to college life... and Tuesday was concert night and Wednesday was speech day. The concert was opened by "Chingy" the rapper, and even though I consider myself a fan of all musical genres, I was quite glad that I was issued a set of earplugs... The fans seemed to like it though... I was posted next to the stage and kept people from getting backstage. the main act was Dierks Bentley, the country star and Arizona native... (and so much more my cup of musical tea). The show rocked, the students cooperated and there were a couple of dancers who should have been on television... Aside from slight hearing loss for awhile, it was a great gig.
The following day was a meet and greet with ASU officials and students, band and cheerleaders... learning the fight song, appealing for students to support the sports teams, introducing students to the main officials, etc. I ran security for the event and was running around posting guards and answering questions (congratulations on your promotion) but it went smoothly and the people at ASU were happy so it al went well...it was over at 5pm and I took off for volleyball and played into the night...Oh, yeah while working the concert one of the bosses came up to me and asked me if I would work a wedding in Chandler on Friday night...the woman who runs the venue was getting herself and requested that I work her wedding... (it wasn't until later that I found out that she didn't remember my name when requesting my services...she asked for the "big, bald, scary guy" that had worked there before). Oh well, I don't care how I get the jobs as long as I get them. That was a 6pm to midnight job that went very smoothly and was followed by a six hour gig on Saturday at ASU to prepare for opening day football on September 4... (I will be supervising the home team tunnel during the games this year---pretty sweet gig). We got finished around 3pm and I came home and changed and went back to Chandler to work a "quinceanera" which is the Mexican equivalent of Sweet Sixteen (except the girl is fifteen years old). There was a large group and we were there to make sure the youngsters didn't partake of ant adult beverages... (back in the day I would have gotten around that, but that's another story for another time) The party went well and I got home around 1 in the morning... While at ASU I got another gig...this was an overnight (12 hours) shift at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe on Monday night. So Sunday was truly a day of rest because then Company #2 and asked me to work Tuesday night and Wednesday of the next week...
Like I said, the summer is USUALLY slow and nothing starts to happen until football and students return to ASU at the end of August... I got the call from Company #1 to work freshman events at Wells Fargo Arena on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, the 17th and 18th... (I know...it seems I'm always working from behind. Good thing I'm not a reporter, you'd just be finding out there was an oil leak in the Gulf today!). Basically, the week before classes begin, students return and move into dorms and apartments and the college has activities planned to welcome the new students and introduce them to college life... and Tuesday was concert night and Wednesday was speech day. The concert was opened by "Chingy" the rapper, and even though I consider myself a fan of all musical genres, I was quite glad that I was issued a set of earplugs... The fans seemed to like it though... I was posted next to the stage and kept people from getting backstage. the main act was Dierks Bentley, the country star and Arizona native... (and so much more my cup of musical tea). The show rocked, the students cooperated and there were a couple of dancers who should have been on television... Aside from slight hearing loss for awhile, it was a great gig.
The following day was a meet and greet with ASU officials and students, band and cheerleaders... learning the fight song, appealing for students to support the sports teams, introducing students to the main officials, etc. I ran security for the event and was running around posting guards and answering questions (congratulations on your promotion) but it went smoothly and the people at ASU were happy so it al went well...it was over at 5pm and I took off for volleyball and played into the night...Oh, yeah while working the concert one of the bosses came up to me and asked me if I would work a wedding in Chandler on Friday night...the woman who runs the venue was getting herself and requested that I work her wedding... (it wasn't until later that I found out that she didn't remember my name when requesting my services...she asked for the "big, bald, scary guy" that had worked there before). Oh well, I don't care how I get the jobs as long as I get them. That was a 6pm to midnight job that went very smoothly and was followed by a six hour gig on Saturday at ASU to prepare for opening day football on September 4... (I will be supervising the home team tunnel during the games this year---pretty sweet gig). We got finished around 3pm and I came home and changed and went back to Chandler to work a "quinceanera" which is the Mexican equivalent of Sweet Sixteen (except the girl is fifteen years old). There was a large group and we were there to make sure the youngsters didn't partake of ant adult beverages... (back in the day I would have gotten around that, but that's another story for another time) The party went well and I got home around 1 in the morning... While at ASU I got another gig...this was an overnight (12 hours) shift at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe on Monday night. So Sunday was truly a day of rest because then Company #2 and asked me to work Tuesday night and Wednesday of the next week...
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Catching up on the news...
Now that I am finally in the same month as my blogs, let's do some more catching up... Congratulations to Cousin Amelia's daughter Allyson and her husband Sam on their wedding on August first... My sincerest and best wishes for their new life together. Couldn't make it to the wedding, but the pictures came out great! (Thanks for access, cousins).
I got a call from both companies this week to work on the same day. Company 1 wanted me to work the restaurant again, but Company 2 called and gave me 40+ hours working overnight shifts in the Convention Center...(inside, air-conditioned, can sit down and read...no brainer, right?). I'll take 40 hours of greens fees any time...because the shifts allowed me to play golf also. So, I played golf the early part of the week...(the game is in hot mode right now, the handicap is dropping and the consistency is better than ever) and reported to work Friday night at 6:30pm. I was supposed to patrol the North building hall where some computers were set up and meeting halls were located...(a convention for soldiers and their families), but there was some confusion (mostly on my part) and the client for another convention scooped me up to work for them... (Gold Canyon is a home business company and they were having their annual convention and awards ceremonies and after party). The convention was about 90 percent women dressed to the nines partying until around 1am. I had my shirt, tie and blazer on...(convention center garb for company 2) and was roaming the convention and after party helping (wink,wink) the ladies whenever I could. Had some interesting conversations to say the least (and offers to supply some private security...you ladies can be as bad as the guys!). the party broke up around midnight and the night supervisor found me and re-deployed me to where I supposed to be...across the ballroom on the other side of the building...oops. No harm though...it was all locked up. So I spent the rest of the night patrolling the floor, making sure doors were locked, no suspicious characters were lurking about and no homeless people were camping around the building outside. And I read my book (Ken Follett's World Without End--a sequel to his Pillars of the Earth). Set in medieval England during the 1300's and historical fiction. Excellent read.
The next night was more of the same. 12 hour shift beginning at 6:30 pm and patrolling the halls. The only problem was that around midnight most of the lights were turned off and a/c was shut down for the night. It got a little warm in the building with the jacket and tie on, but I couldn't take it off because I was surrounded by windows and you never know who would be peeking in (must keep up appearances). At least I wasn't on the second floor. y colleague up there was roasting by the middle of the night (after a day of 100+ temps it only goes down into the 90's overnight). They kicked up the a/c around 5:30am to make it comfortable for the convention which started again at 0700 hours (military time--armed forces and all). Met some really cool Marines and thanked them all for their service. Sunday was a half day for me. 6:30pm til midnight and then another guard took the rest of the shift. Caught up on some sleep...(nights make for wacky sleep habits) because Monday night (I'm pretty sure it was Monday) I was pulling a 6:30pm to 8am shift at a golf convention across the street in the South building. It a gold wholesalers show with apparel and gadgets and clubs and accessories and i was going to keep an eye on it overnight... (how great was that!). The show closed at 7pm and everyone left for the night. We rolled down the freight doors, closed the gates to the parking lot and locked all the doors leading into the hall. I spent the night window shopping and reading because they had nice chairs and tables set up for the show...(my feet and legs were very happy). Then around 6am the event manager came in and I helped check vendor credentials until 8am and then called it a day (night--you know what I mean). Went home and slept until around 6pm, had something to eat, and went right back into the bed. (Tough life, but someone's got to do it).
I know this part is out of chronological order but since I am writing this today (August 18) I must wish Sister Sheryl a very Happy Birthday... my "baby" sister is now an undisclosed amount of years (I'm no dummy--I ain't saying) and I hope she has a great birthday... I am really looking forward to my visit in October... I miss her and especially my nieces, Vee and Nat, very much... but that's a story for a later time when the plans become finalized... Happy Birthday, Sheryl...
I got a call from both companies this week to work on the same day. Company 1 wanted me to work the restaurant again, but Company 2 called and gave me 40+ hours working overnight shifts in the Convention Center...(inside, air-conditioned, can sit down and read...no brainer, right?). I'll take 40 hours of greens fees any time...because the shifts allowed me to play golf also. So, I played golf the early part of the week...(the game is in hot mode right now, the handicap is dropping and the consistency is better than ever) and reported to work Friday night at 6:30pm. I was supposed to patrol the North building hall where some computers were set up and meeting halls were located...(a convention for soldiers and their families), but there was some confusion (mostly on my part) and the client for another convention scooped me up to work for them... (Gold Canyon is a home business company and they were having their annual convention and awards ceremonies and after party). The convention was about 90 percent women dressed to the nines partying until around 1am. I had my shirt, tie and blazer on...(convention center garb for company 2) and was roaming the convention and after party helping (wink,wink) the ladies whenever I could. Had some interesting conversations to say the least (and offers to supply some private security...you ladies can be as bad as the guys!). the party broke up around midnight and the night supervisor found me and re-deployed me to where I supposed to be...across the ballroom on the other side of the building...oops. No harm though...it was all locked up. So I spent the rest of the night patrolling the floor, making sure doors were locked, no suspicious characters were lurking about and no homeless people were camping around the building outside. And I read my book (Ken Follett's World Without End--a sequel to his Pillars of the Earth). Set in medieval England during the 1300's and historical fiction. Excellent read.
The next night was more of the same. 12 hour shift beginning at 6:30 pm and patrolling the halls. The only problem was that around midnight most of the lights were turned off and a/c was shut down for the night. It got a little warm in the building with the jacket and tie on, but I couldn't take it off because I was surrounded by windows and you never know who would be peeking in (must keep up appearances). At least I wasn't on the second floor. y colleague up there was roasting by the middle of the night (after a day of 100+ temps it only goes down into the 90's overnight). They kicked up the a/c around 5:30am to make it comfortable for the convention which started again at 0700 hours (military time--armed forces and all). Met some really cool Marines and thanked them all for their service. Sunday was a half day for me. 6:30pm til midnight and then another guard took the rest of the shift. Caught up on some sleep...(nights make for wacky sleep habits) because Monday night (I'm pretty sure it was Monday) I was pulling a 6:30pm to 8am shift at a golf convention across the street in the South building. It a gold wholesalers show with apparel and gadgets and clubs and accessories and i was going to keep an eye on it overnight... (how great was that!). The show closed at 7pm and everyone left for the night. We rolled down the freight doors, closed the gates to the parking lot and locked all the doors leading into the hall. I spent the night window shopping and reading because they had nice chairs and tables set up for the show...(my feet and legs were very happy). Then around 6am the event manager came in and I helped check vendor credentials until 8am and then called it a day (night--you know what I mean). Went home and slept until around 6pm, had something to eat, and went right back into the bed. (Tough life, but someone's got to do it).
I know this part is out of chronological order but since I am writing this today (August 18) I must wish Sister Sheryl a very Happy Birthday... my "baby" sister is now an undisclosed amount of years (I'm no dummy--I ain't saying) and I hope she has a great birthday... I am really looking forward to my visit in October... I miss her and especially my nieces, Vee and Nat, very much... but that's a story for a later time when the plans become finalized... Happy Birthday, Sheryl...
Monday, August 16, 2010
Work related stuff...
I hope you all enjoyed my last attempt at this... (no, it wasn't planned but it sure was a pain in the ass on this end!). I am determined to keep "Fat Finger" under control so that you don't have to open multiple blogs to get one message. I admit to my ineptitude and vow to be more careful when pressing keys...
When I last left you I had just come back to the sweltering heat of the Valley... (I can take the 100+ temps but when you add the humidity it can get a little dicey). While I was gone, the rubber bladder in the dam at Tempe Town Lake... (man-made lake that borders ASU and that I have kayaked on before) burst and 1 million plus gallons of water was gone in a day. Then, the geniuses decided to release alligators into the lake bed to eat the fish that were now stranded and rotting and creating an oh so delicious aroma... Of course, they "misplaced" one of the gators but recovered it in a day or two. So, now the town must decide how they want to proceed... They have existing contracts with builders to erect lake view condos and apartments and the water conservation people want the lake abandoned because there is no reclamation project associated with the lake... (most of all the rivers and lakes on golf courses are maintained by reclaimed water). Plus the cost is over 80 million dollars for a dam that will last about 60 years... I hope they replace the lake (tentative plans are underway for it to happen by November of this year), because it looks terrible all dried up. Plus it's the site of the Marathon and Triathlon in Phoenix and you can't swim in the dirt... We finally got some rain in the last few weeks also... (massive thunderstorms, great lightning but not a lot of water). I kind of miss the day when it would rain continuously for a whole day but here it would mean chaos with flooding and idiots who don't know how to drive on dry pavement... but I was able to use my windshield wipers for the first time since February... (glad to know they still work).
I got some interesting gigs from the original security company the weekend I was back in town... On Thursday I worked at the Cardinals practice facility here in Tempe because they were leaving to go to Flagstaff for training camp... (I know I'm behind in news, but I'm working as fast as I can). Basically, I keep fans away from the players entering the facility and away from their vehicles while they are in there... I usually get a golf cart to ride in but they were already shipped north so I had to walk. Only 105 degrees so I survived okay... in these cases even scrub trees are your friend. Then on Friday, I worked the door (outside) at Macayo's which is a Mexican bar/restaurant with locations all around Phoenix... (I worked at the one in Tempe near the college). We were checking id's and wristbanding patrons who hung out on the patio to drink and listen to the dj... (they had misters going but it was so humid all they did was soak the patio floor and make it more muggy). We were scheduled to midnight but it got so slow we were released at 9:30... (I assume it will be busier once the students return from summer break).
Then on Saturday I trucked out to the West Valley for a gig at the Desert Sky Mall... it was a blood drive and they had Tito Ortiz (MMA fighter and celebrity spokesperson) as a guest signing autographs and posing for pictures for anyone who donated blood... we were there to keep the looky-loos from invading and keep the crowd off Tito (not that he needed our help-guy is huge). I was standing at the entrance trying to talk people into donating and I guess I got caught up in the moment, because yours truly agreed to donate!! I gave them a Power Red donation...In a traditional blood donation, donors give whole blood, which consists of red cells, plasma and platelets. With the automated process of "power red" donations, donors can give two units of red cells - the component of blood that is in the greatest demand. Donors receive back their own plasma and about a pint of saline, leaving them better hydrated than before the donation. Another benefit to the donor is that a smaller needle is used... (the re-hydration effect was great in the fact that I felt better than when I started the donation and the smaller needle was the bonus). The tech nailed me on the first shot (unlike the lady at my doctor--hence I will not return to him) and the free cookies... (need I say more?).
So it was a busy weekend...nice to have two companies vying for my time (greens fees squared). This blog now takes us up to the end of July and beginning of August... I will try to catch up in the next few days...
When I last left you I had just come back to the sweltering heat of the Valley... (I can take the 100+ temps but when you add the humidity it can get a little dicey). While I was gone, the rubber bladder in the dam at Tempe Town Lake... (man-made lake that borders ASU and that I have kayaked on before) burst and 1 million plus gallons of water was gone in a day. Then, the geniuses decided to release alligators into the lake bed to eat the fish that were now stranded and rotting and creating an oh so delicious aroma... Of course, they "misplaced" one of the gators but recovered it in a day or two. So, now the town must decide how they want to proceed... They have existing contracts with builders to erect lake view condos and apartments and the water conservation people want the lake abandoned because there is no reclamation project associated with the lake... (most of all the rivers and lakes on golf courses are maintained by reclaimed water). Plus the cost is over 80 million dollars for a dam that will last about 60 years... I hope they replace the lake (tentative plans are underway for it to happen by November of this year), because it looks terrible all dried up. Plus it's the site of the Marathon and Triathlon in Phoenix and you can't swim in the dirt... We finally got some rain in the last few weeks also... (massive thunderstorms, great lightning but not a lot of water). I kind of miss the day when it would rain continuously for a whole day but here it would mean chaos with flooding and idiots who don't know how to drive on dry pavement... but I was able to use my windshield wipers for the first time since February... (glad to know they still work).
I got some interesting gigs from the original security company the weekend I was back in town... On Thursday I worked at the Cardinals practice facility here in Tempe because they were leaving to go to Flagstaff for training camp... (I know I'm behind in news, but I'm working as fast as I can). Basically, I keep fans away from the players entering the facility and away from their vehicles while they are in there... I usually get a golf cart to ride in but they were already shipped north so I had to walk. Only 105 degrees so I survived okay... in these cases even scrub trees are your friend. Then on Friday, I worked the door (outside) at Macayo's which is a Mexican bar/restaurant with locations all around Phoenix... (I worked at the one in Tempe near the college). We were checking id's and wristbanding patrons who hung out on the patio to drink and listen to the dj... (they had misters going but it was so humid all they did was soak the patio floor and make it more muggy). We were scheduled to midnight but it got so slow we were released at 9:30... (I assume it will be busier once the students return from summer break).
Then on Saturday I trucked out to the West Valley for a gig at the Desert Sky Mall... it was a blood drive and they had Tito Ortiz (MMA fighter and celebrity spokesperson) as a guest signing autographs and posing for pictures for anyone who donated blood... we were there to keep the looky-loos from invading and keep the crowd off Tito (not that he needed our help-guy is huge). I was standing at the entrance trying to talk people into donating and I guess I got caught up in the moment, because yours truly agreed to donate!! I gave them a Power Red donation...In a traditional blood donation, donors give whole blood, which consists of red cells, plasma and platelets. With the automated process of "power red" donations, donors can give two units of red cells - the component of blood that is in the greatest demand. Donors receive back their own plasma and about a pint of saline, leaving them better hydrated than before the donation. Another benefit to the donor is that a smaller needle is used... (the re-hydration effect was great in the fact that I felt better than when I started the donation and the smaller needle was the bonus). The tech nailed me on the first shot (unlike the lady at my doctor--hence I will not return to him) and the free cookies... (need I say more?).
So it was a busy weekend...nice to have two companies vying for my time (greens fees squared). This blog now takes us up to the end of July and beginning of August... I will try to catch up in the next few days...
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Holy Wrong Keys, Batman!! Will this ever end?! I must kill Fat Finger...
...especially the Predator characters, Iron Man (the guy even looked like Robert Downey) and the characters from the movies (the walking dead girl that touched my neck really creeped me out!). I really appreciated the people at Comic-Con who complimented me and told me how much I able to help them during my tour of duty. All in all it was a "fantastic voyage"... Wow, I finished... take that, Fat Finger! I promise to keep my guard yo for that fiend in my next blog...
...especially the Predator characters, Iron Man (the guy even looked like Robert Downey) and the characters from the movies (the walking dead girl that touched my neck really creeped me out!). I really appreciated the people at Comic-Con who complimented me and told me how much I able to help them during my tour of duty. All in all it was a "fantastic voyage"... Wow, I finished... take that, Fat Finger! I promise to keep my guard yo for that fiend in my next blog...
Comic-Con and beyond...
Oh, my God... Fat Finger is reeking havoc with my attempts to finish this blog!!! The fiend! Will he stop at nothing in his quest to make me look even more foolish and techno-challenged than I am?! I WILL finish this blog and fight the demon that is Fat Finger! Now back to our story...
Comic-Con and beyond...
Don't try to adjust your computers...there is nothing wrong with your equipment. In the spirit of Comic-Con, it is the return of the new superhero---Fat Finger!! Keyboard challenged, he tries to maneuver his way to produce a blog that contains more than a title...TWICE! Mistaking the enter and publish key for the space bar--TWICE! he nevertheless plods on around the keyboard finding new and inventive ways to screw up the blogs and confuse his readers... No one knows his true identity and I'm sure no one cares, but he does his best to entertain... So let's get down to this story and hope that he doesn't swoop in before I'm finished...
I finished working at Comic-Con with a tired voice, exhausted body and aching feet, but I was glad I made the trip. My bosses and everyone involved were impressed with my performance so hopefully that will mean future gigs for our intrepid security guard... I got asked to drive one of the vans so that my boss could handle some business on the ride... dropped him at his home and finished the ride to Phoenix and returned the rental van...(congratulations on your promotion). So I look forward to future gigs...(he told me that if Phoenix is asked to help at the Barrett Jackson auction in Las Vegas that he would like me to attend...bonus!). The ride back was uneventful, except for one of the vans being pulled over by the police...(no it wasn't me, but we did wave when we passed it on the highway). The roughly six hour ride was draining ( I passed the time by watching the temperature gauge rise as we got closer to Phoenix---it started at 72 in Carlsbad and topped off at 108 in downtown Phoenix...welcome home). By the time I returned the rental van and my friend Michele (no, that's the way she spells it, one l) dropped me off at home (thanks, Michele) I was teetering on the edge of consciousness... I grabbed a bottle of water and laid down. It was great to get off my feet and relax... I know I don't work that often... (snicker, snicker) but when I do it's intense... It was going to be nice to lay around a few days and recover...
Some interesting highlights from Comic-Con... Watching the sign at the Motel 6 change daily for room rates... we arrived on Tuesday-59.95 per night, Wednesday-69.95, Thursday-89.95, Friday and Saturday-0.00(I guess the no vacancy sign was out of order. Do hotels even have them anymore? Is there any neon left at all or is all digital display now? I miss the hum of neon signs). Then back to 59.95 on Sunday when everyone left. The costumes were fantastic on some people and tragic on others... bless those fit women in their revealing Wonder Woman, Princess Leia, Poison Ivy, Lara Croft (I could go on for days) outfits walking around and providing a needed distraction from regular crowd control...(the guys were great too, according to my female colleagues dressed as the 300, Iron Man, He Man, etc.)...and bless the fit-challenged women and guys also dressed in costume (if they ever fit at one time, they sure don't now!). I don't know if I'll ever get the image of the guy wearing the Tron outfit with the immense beer gut and tights wedgie out of my head (he was like a car wreck--you couldn't take your eyes away fast enough). The professional actors and models walking around were tremendous especially the
I finished working at Comic-Con with a tired voice, exhausted body and aching feet, but I was glad I made the trip. My bosses and everyone involved were impressed with my performance so hopefully that will mean future gigs for our intrepid security guard... I got asked to drive one of the vans so that my boss could handle some business on the ride... dropped him at his home and finished the ride to Phoenix and returned the rental van...(congratulations on your promotion). So I look forward to future gigs...(he told me that if Phoenix is asked to help at the Barrett Jackson auction in Las Vegas that he would like me to attend...bonus!). The ride back was uneventful, except for one of the vans being pulled over by the police...(no it wasn't me, but we did wave when we passed it on the highway). The roughly six hour ride was draining ( I passed the time by watching the temperature gauge rise as we got closer to Phoenix---it started at 72 in Carlsbad and topped off at 108 in downtown Phoenix...welcome home). By the time I returned the rental van and my friend Michele (no, that's the way she spells it, one l) dropped me off at home (thanks, Michele) I was teetering on the edge of consciousness... I grabbed a bottle of water and laid down. It was great to get off my feet and relax... I know I don't work that often... (snicker, snicker) but when I do it's intense... It was going to be nice to lay around a few days and recover...
Some interesting highlights from Comic-Con... Watching the sign at the Motel 6 change daily for room rates... we arrived on Tuesday-59.95 per night, Wednesday-69.95, Thursday-89.95, Friday and Saturday-0.00(I guess the no vacancy sign was out of order. Do hotels even have them anymore? Is there any neon left at all or is all digital display now? I miss the hum of neon signs). Then back to 59.95 on Sunday when everyone left. The costumes were fantastic on some people and tragic on others... bless those fit women in their revealing Wonder Woman, Princess Leia, Poison Ivy, Lara Croft (I could go on for days) outfits walking around and providing a needed distraction from regular crowd control...(the guys were great too, according to my female colleagues dressed as the 300, Iron Man, He Man, etc.)...and bless the fit-challenged women and guys also dressed in costume (if they ever fit at one time, they sure don't now!). I don't know if I'll ever get the image of the guy wearing the Tron outfit with the immense beer gut and tights wedgie out of my head (he was like a car wreck--you couldn't take your eyes away fast enough). The professional actors and models walking around were tremendous especially the
Monday, August 9, 2010
Welcome to Comic-con!! Part 3
Went out to dinner Friday after two days of bulhorning with Geoff from New Hampshire... (talk about an accent---Pahk the cah near the hahbah...lol). Because of the vocal exercises of the past two days, I just pointed to the menu and grunted my order. Went back to the hotel around 11pm and crashed hard because of a 7:30am call the next morning (nobody said this was going to be easy but what the heck; free hotel, free transport to and from San Diego, free admission inside and I'm getting paid to do this)... After an extra large coffee and a tea with honey for my voice, we piled in the vans and made the trek downtown... got there on time and they gave the bullhorn to someone else (how dare they!) but I was kind of happy because my voice was strained and my noggin was hurting from the sunshine beating down on it. I was rewarded, however with an inside assignment in the main ballroom upstairs... I was supervising 14 people manning the entrance and exit doors to the ballroom where they were having a fanfest event... The casts and writers were appearing from the shows Chuck, Family Guy, Cleveland Show, Vampire Diaries, Futurama, and others to preview the new seasons and answer questions. So after posting my people around the hall, I pretty much mingled backstage with the celebs... (meeting Seth MacFarlane, Seth Green and Patrick Warburton from Family Guy was a blast). It was cool that half of my staff was Marines on loan from Camp Pendleton. They volunteered their time and their units received money as compensation. It was a great honor to be with these brave men and women and I made sure to thank each one of them for their help that day and for their unselfish service for our country... (God bless our servicemen and women). So that was pretty much my job for the day...watching cartoons and show previews, hanging with the casts of the shows and enjoying the cold, dark theater. I told you it was the greatest gig ever... Around 5pm a battalion of jacket and tie Marines came into the ballroom...(after the event a clean-up crew was preparing the ballroom for the "masquerade" party later that night. I deployed the Marines to replace my people and by 5:30 I was done for the day... I signed out and the boss asked me if I wanted to grab a burger with him...
Now I need to preface this part by saying that I haven't eaten a fast food burger (except when Craig came to visit and we went to the Heart Attack Grill) since 1999 when I moved to New York. The boss wanted to go to In N Out Burger and I told him I had never been and he quickly gave me the history of the franchise (all owned by the family that started it---no separate franchises). There is a limited menu (4 kinds of burgers and fries that are made fresh in each location). I ended up getting a double-double with fries and let me tell you, it was love at first bite... I cursed my boss for re-introducing me to fast food, but this was not the usual fast food. I have been able to resist seeking one here (haven't been back although they are all over Phoenix) but I know that won't last...the fries are killer!!
Sunday came and now I was promoted to shuttle driver (congratulations on my promotion). I told everyone we were leaving at 4:45am for a 6am call... after knocking on a few doors and dragging some people out of their racks (we were all pretty exhausted by now, but it was the last day) we stopped for coffee (executive decision---I had the keys) and drove downtown. I dropped the group off and proceeded to the off site parking area... (a hospital parking lot about 4 miles from the convention center). The shuttle van picked me up and brought me back and I went to command to sign in... just as I walked into the room the head guy asked if anyone had worked the bull horn and wanted a volunteer...(talk about timing!!). My hand shot up and he gave me my baby... I reported to my post at 6am and began a day of greeting and directing... was filmed again and then received an invitation to return for next year from the company running the event (whether or not I was with the security co.---they loved the way I handled the bull horn). Finally at around 3pm someone came to relieve me and Phoenix was finished with their service to Comic-Con. We drove back to the hotel and I passed out around 5:30pm and didn't wake up until around 4am... Went for a walk and a coffee and went back to sleep until it was time to leave for Phoenix. I will come back to San Diego now that I know my way around and the fact that it's only 5-6 hours away is great... (after all, it is the home of Torrey Pines Golf Course and isn't that what this is all about?)...
Now I need to preface this part by saying that I haven't eaten a fast food burger (except when Craig came to visit and we went to the Heart Attack Grill) since 1999 when I moved to New York. The boss wanted to go to In N Out Burger and I told him I had never been and he quickly gave me the history of the franchise (all owned by the family that started it---no separate franchises). There is a limited menu (4 kinds of burgers and fries that are made fresh in each location). I ended up getting a double-double with fries and let me tell you, it was love at first bite... I cursed my boss for re-introducing me to fast food, but this was not the usual fast food. I have been able to resist seeking one here (haven't been back although they are all over Phoenix) but I know that won't last...the fries are killer!!
Sunday came and now I was promoted to shuttle driver (congratulations on my promotion). I told everyone we were leaving at 4:45am for a 6am call... after knocking on a few doors and dragging some people out of their racks (we were all pretty exhausted by now, but it was the last day) we stopped for coffee (executive decision---I had the keys) and drove downtown. I dropped the group off and proceeded to the off site parking area... (a hospital parking lot about 4 miles from the convention center). The shuttle van picked me up and brought me back and I went to command to sign in... just as I walked into the room the head guy asked if anyone had worked the bull horn and wanted a volunteer...(talk about timing!!). My hand shot up and he gave me my baby... I reported to my post at 6am and began a day of greeting and directing... was filmed again and then received an invitation to return for next year from the company running the event (whether or not I was with the security co.---they loved the way I handled the bull horn). Finally at around 3pm someone came to relieve me and Phoenix was finished with their service to Comic-Con. We drove back to the hotel and I passed out around 5:30pm and didn't wake up until around 4am... Went for a walk and a coffee and went back to sleep until it was time to leave for Phoenix. I will come back to San Diego now that I know my way around and the fact that it's only 5-6 hours away is great... (after all, it is the home of Torrey Pines Golf Course and isn't that what this is all about?)...
Welcome to Comic-con!! Part 2
Howdy, campers!! Long delay between visits again... been busy as a bee now that the second security company has fell in love with me and thrown hours at me (green's fees, that is). If only I could find a woman who liked me that much... (oh well, lucky in life--unlucky in love... boo hoo, poor me, yadda yadda yadda...) As you can tell I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that life happens and if you can't make things happen, just prepare to meet the challenges the best you can and roll with the punches... In the immortal words of Doris Day "Que Sera, Sera" (how's that for an obscure reference?). But enough waxing philosophic... I need to catch you up on the goings ons out here in the Wild West...
When I last talked to you, I was at Comic-Con in San Diego working the convention... They had people from Fresno, Orange County, L.A. as well as Phoenix brought in to work this event... (this company has locations nationwide). The first day I was supervising the lobby where vendors, exhibitors, professionals and media were registering for the event... As with every first day of any big event, it was organized chaos and was pretty much reduced to crowd control by the time I assumed the post at 2pm... everyone wanted to register and then hang in the lobby to see what they could see...(which was nothing---hello!---starts TOMORROW! Move along). Already the line-up of geeks was spectacular...people dressed as their faves (and let me tell you, there were some obscure characters being portrayed) and parading around posing for photographs... Then there were the "Uber-geeks"...the pasty, I just came out of my Mom's basement for this event, squinting against the sun and realizing too late that the lack of people skills was a problem with a crowd of over 100,000 present... People watching was an incredible perk to this post... (Princess Leia in the slave costume and several Poison Ivys from Batman were among my faves)... Time flew by and before I knew it I was posting overnight people and finally signed out at 12:30am. Forty minute drive later, we were back at the hotel and asleep because we had an 8am call the next (sorry, the same) morning...
I figured that they would keep me in the same position but I was sent to the front lines handling line control for the regular patrons... That was where they handed me a bullhorn!! (they obviously don't know what they are doing, no?) As all of you know, I have fun pretty much every where I am, but this was beyond fun! No instructions just wing it...and wing it I did. I welcomed every wave of customers that swarmed in... (I was positioned where the trolleys and buses from the hotels dropped off and there was a small gap provided by traffic lights and the trains so I got a few minutes between bullhorn blasts. The only problem was that I had no hat and sunblock and all I got pretty singed that day... But the event people and the patrons loved me... every time they sent someone to relieve me they complained and asked for me to return... The local media and some other film crews filmed me all day making my spiel and doing sound bites around "WELCOME TO COMIC-CON!!" (my fifteen minutes of fame lasted two days). Even some of the patrons were taking pictures with me as mementos of their visit... (8 am -3:45pm on Thursday and 8am-4pm on Friday). By the time I was finished my voice was completely shot because then I did crowd control exiting the venue til around 9 pm each day... Needless to say, I didn't have any extra time to scout the area. My total knowledge of San Diego was the front of the convention center...
Next up...the greatest gig ever.
When I last talked to you, I was at Comic-Con in San Diego working the convention... They had people from Fresno, Orange County, L.A. as well as Phoenix brought in to work this event... (this company has locations nationwide). The first day I was supervising the lobby where vendors, exhibitors, professionals and media were registering for the event... As with every first day of any big event, it was organized chaos and was pretty much reduced to crowd control by the time I assumed the post at 2pm... everyone wanted to register and then hang in the lobby to see what they could see...(which was nothing---hello!---starts TOMORROW! Move along). Already the line-up of geeks was spectacular...people dressed as their faves (and let me tell you, there were some obscure characters being portrayed) and parading around posing for photographs... Then there were the "Uber-geeks"...the pasty, I just came out of my Mom's basement for this event, squinting against the sun and realizing too late that the lack of people skills was a problem with a crowd of over 100,000 present... People watching was an incredible perk to this post... (Princess Leia in the slave costume and several Poison Ivys from Batman were among my faves)... Time flew by and before I knew it I was posting overnight people and finally signed out at 12:30am. Forty minute drive later, we were back at the hotel and asleep because we had an 8am call the next (sorry, the same) morning...
I figured that they would keep me in the same position but I was sent to the front lines handling line control for the regular patrons... That was where they handed me a bullhorn!! (they obviously don't know what they are doing, no?) As all of you know, I have fun pretty much every where I am, but this was beyond fun! No instructions just wing it...and wing it I did. I welcomed every wave of customers that swarmed in... (I was positioned where the trolleys and buses from the hotels dropped off and there was a small gap provided by traffic lights and the trains so I got a few minutes between bullhorn blasts. The only problem was that I had no hat and sunblock and all I got pretty singed that day... But the event people and the patrons loved me... every time they sent someone to relieve me they complained and asked for me to return... The local media and some other film crews filmed me all day making my spiel and doing sound bites around "WELCOME TO COMIC-CON!!" (my fifteen minutes of fame lasted two days). Even some of the patrons were taking pictures with me as mementos of their visit... (8 am -3:45pm on Thursday and 8am-4pm on Friday). By the time I was finished my voice was completely shot because then I did crowd control exiting the venue til around 9 pm each day... Needless to say, I didn't have any extra time to scout the area. My total knowledge of San Diego was the front of the convention center...
Next up...the greatest gig ever.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Welcome to Comic-con!! Part 1
If I said once, I said it 10,000 times... I am back from my journey to San Diego and Comic-Con...What is Comic-Con? Originally showcasing comic books, science fiction/fantasy and film/television (as was evident by the three circled figures appearing in Comic-Con's original logo), and related popular arts, the convention has expanded over the years to include a larger range of elements and genres such as anime, manga, animation, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels... (thank you Wikipedia). Set in downtown San Diego at the Convention Center it attracted (like a bug-zapper attracts flies) over 100,000 "visitors" and fans during its five day run. As you all know, I got a call out of the blue from the other security company I have worked for a couple of times (once) asking me if I wanted to make the journey to San Diego and work the convention. Since the summer is slow for security work, I welcomed the chance for a road trip and a chance to escape the heat in the valley for the cool temperatures near the ocean in San Diego.
I arrived at the downtown office around 8 am on Tuesday of last week and was immediately recruited to go to the rental office and drive one of three minivans back to load up the 22 employees that were making the trip. The gig included transportation, hotel stay and a per diem food allowance, plus guaranteed hours every day... (how many hours was up in the air). If I have learned one thing in my "career" as Security Man it's that the only thing that remains the same is that everything changes all the time... We loaded up the vans and the boss asked me if I wanted to go with one of the guys who was driving his own car... (let's see--cram in a minivan with 6 other people or ride in a car as the only passenger? tough one). So we set out and after a couple of pit stops for the obvious reasons we arrived in Carlsbad, California and the Motel 6 that would be our home for the next week... (no, I didn't meet Tom Boudette but he did leave the light on for us). We were all paired up with a roommate and after unpacking we were told by the boss that he was taking us to dinner at a Chinese Buffet... So we piled in the van and headed over to dinner. Carlsbad was about a 35-40 minute drive north of San Diego (depending on traffic). Anything closer was completely sold out for the convention... After dinner, everyone lined up and the boss gave out the schedules for the week... (he told myself and 3 others that we would be supervisors for the event--congratulations of my promotion). For my schedule he said, "you start tomorrow at 2pm." What time is the shift over? "You start tomorrow at 2pm." End of conversation.
I went back to the room and talked with my roommate (a man who rivals and even surpasses my ability to chatter--hard as it is to believe). He even continued to yammer when I put a book in front of my face in an obvious attempt to stem the flood of conversation... (subtle wasn't working). But he was going through some very tough times and obviously needed to unburden some things and I eventually provided a sympathetic ear... (I don't know what it is, but people just seem to want to tell me their life stories and problems... if I wasn't a recovering alcoholic I would have made an excellent bartender... that's not a bad idea!). Then it was off to bed. Up at around 7am, I took a long walk and explored my surroundings... found a 7-11 (coffee is always a necessity on these gigs) some restaurants and a outlet mall within walking distance... then it was back to the hotel and into my working clothes (black pants, shoes and socks and a white t-shirt). They provided the uniform shirt at sign in. The 4 supervisors went in the car and had to be there for a 2pm call...the rest of the crew was scheduled for 4pm.
Another constant in the security biz is that the first day of an event is usually the equivalent of a chicken running around with its head cut off...the work gets done but the directions and re-directions and who's in charge and where do we reports gets a little confusing as everyone gets used to the surroundings... (plus the fact that the company only had about 2 weeks to plan and staff the event... and they did one hell of a job, despite the first day jitters). We were told to meet at the wrong hotel (Hyatt instead of Marriott), the shuttle to the parking lot and back got caught in horrible downtown traffic, we had trouble finding the command center to sign in, but we got there and were ready to start our shift... once they decided where they wanted to use us, that is...
I arrived at the downtown office around 8 am on Tuesday of last week and was immediately recruited to go to the rental office and drive one of three minivans back to load up the 22 employees that were making the trip. The gig included transportation, hotel stay and a per diem food allowance, plus guaranteed hours every day... (how many hours was up in the air). If I have learned one thing in my "career" as Security Man it's that the only thing that remains the same is that everything changes all the time... We loaded up the vans and the boss asked me if I wanted to go with one of the guys who was driving his own car... (let's see--cram in a minivan with 6 other people or ride in a car as the only passenger? tough one). So we set out and after a couple of pit stops for the obvious reasons we arrived in Carlsbad, California and the Motel 6 that would be our home for the next week... (no, I didn't meet Tom Boudette but he did leave the light on for us). We were all paired up with a roommate and after unpacking we were told by the boss that he was taking us to dinner at a Chinese Buffet... So we piled in the van and headed over to dinner. Carlsbad was about a 35-40 minute drive north of San Diego (depending on traffic). Anything closer was completely sold out for the convention... After dinner, everyone lined up and the boss gave out the schedules for the week... (he told myself and 3 others that we would be supervisors for the event--congratulations of my promotion). For my schedule he said, "you start tomorrow at 2pm." What time is the shift over? "You start tomorrow at 2pm." End of conversation.
I went back to the room and talked with my roommate (a man who rivals and even surpasses my ability to chatter--hard as it is to believe). He even continued to yammer when I put a book in front of my face in an obvious attempt to stem the flood of conversation... (subtle wasn't working). But he was going through some very tough times and obviously needed to unburden some things and I eventually provided a sympathetic ear... (I don't know what it is, but people just seem to want to tell me their life stories and problems... if I wasn't a recovering alcoholic I would have made an excellent bartender... that's not a bad idea!). Then it was off to bed. Up at around 7am, I took a long walk and explored my surroundings... found a 7-11 (coffee is always a necessity on these gigs) some restaurants and a outlet mall within walking distance... then it was back to the hotel and into my working clothes (black pants, shoes and socks and a white t-shirt). They provided the uniform shirt at sign in. The 4 supervisors went in the car and had to be there for a 2pm call...the rest of the crew was scheduled for 4pm.
Another constant in the security biz is that the first day of an event is usually the equivalent of a chicken running around with its head cut off...the work gets done but the directions and re-directions and who's in charge and where do we reports gets a little confusing as everyone gets used to the surroundings... (plus the fact that the company only had about 2 weeks to plan and staff the event... and they did one hell of a job, despite the first day jitters). We were told to meet at the wrong hotel (Hyatt instead of Marriott), the shuttle to the parking lot and back got caught in horrible downtown traffic, we had trouble finding the command center to sign in, but we got there and were ready to start our shift... once they decided where they wanted to use us, that is...
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