M.I.A. (missing in action)...

     That's what I feel like... I've been missing in plain sight (read that: working too much) and the end is not in sight for a least another 10 days.  My fault for being so darn good at my job...(just hurt my arm patting myself on the back).  January and February are usually busy but this year has been insanely busy.   Plus the week long events on top of the everyday stuff just adds up to many hours of work for "Security Man".  Next is a week long jaunt in Tucson, Az. at the Accenture Matchplay Championships.  The good thing is I don't have to commute because the company puts me up in a hotel not too far from the course...(the Ritz Carlton would have been nice, but beggers can't be choosers).  Another good thing is that the shifts are ONLY 12 hours (compared to the 15, 16 and 17 hour days I put in this week at the Convention Center).  And I am near the golf course and outside (a tad chilly in the morning, Arizona wise) so I can work on my tan.  It's not as bad as it sounds, just a lot of hours...if I can survive this run of 15 days in a row I will be stronger in character and endurance and fatter in the wallet (because I have no time to spend the money I'm making).

     When you last heard from me I was walking the golf course with Bubba Watson at the TPC Scottsdale and then right back into it at the convention center.   I managed to get away to Virginia for the weekend following the Phoenix Open to visit my sister and her family and my beautiful nieces.  It was a quick (and way too short) visit, but I got some quality time at the basketball games (both girls are on teams) and the indoor field hockey game (Veronica).  I also got some well needed rest and reconnected with my Virginia friends.  I flew back on Monday and went to dinner with Melissa and gave her the Valentine's gifts...(as you know I am not a big fan of that Hallmark created holiday, but she puts up with me and that alone deserves a gift).  Then I followed jet lag Monday with 17 hour Tuesday...(that included a celebration party for the state of Arizona--happy 100 years as a state).  Wednesday through today I worked a variety of shows (AAA travel show, Infiniti (the car co.) launch conference, Az Sunrays gymnastics tournament and the Sports Inc Convention (sporting goods trade show).  Tonight I must do laundry and pack for Tucson because I leave from work tomorrow afternoon and go there directly to the hotel.  I will be able (I think) to catch up on some sleep this week. 

     Update on the 5 resolutions (see the 12 blogs of Christmas).  They have been on hold during this busy period but I am pleased to announce that the weight I lost before the New Year has found a home elsewhere and has not returned.  28-30 lbs (depending on the day) remains off at this writing and I can't be happier.  The gym resolution and the extension of the family (kitty) are slated to begin in March and I am still a positive and upbeat member of society and filling my good karma bank account with a multitude of good deeds for my fellow humans.  Got to go for now...I need to go and pick up the vans we rented for transporting our guards down to Tucson.  Keep reading.  Great things are coming my way and you'll have the inside scoop on all of it...

The return of the human cheeto...

     Yes, it's the return of the "human cheeto"... due to abundant sunshine and temperatures in the mid 70's during the golf tournament, the human cheeto has resurfaced...(and his surface is sunburned).  Numerous coats of sunblock and chap-stick fought bravely but Mother Nature and the Sun were too much and we got a little overcooked.  It was well worth the tight feeling skin and stinging in the shower to have enjoyed a week like last week.  I can't remember when the weather was so nice... (oh, wait...that was two weeks ago).  Had to throw that in for all you cold winter people out there.  One of my favorite quotes about living in Arizona in the winter is "you don't have to shovel sunshine".  So instead of applying layers of clothing, I apply layers of sunblock and chap-stick.  It really was great to be outside for work.  The best move of the week was when I substituted my golf shoes for my sneakers to walk with the golfers.  They provided better support and traction climbing hills and negotiating the desert along the rope lines.

     Not much rest for your intrepid blogger this week... After a short day off today I am in the office working Tuesday and Wednesday and fly to Virginia to visit my sister and her family until Monday...(Uncle Jimmy's coming, Vee and Nat!).  Quick visit because when I get back it's another golf tournament down in the Tucson area from February 20-26.  I will be staying in a hotel for this one, so the commute is much easier.  I will be running the clubhouse security at the course, making sure the players and VIPs are the only ones getting in.  The Ritz Carlton owns the property and the golf course and it is a spectacular venue...(I was lucky enough to play there with my friend Jenny in a charity tournament in 2010).  There is no on course player security because the venue is less fan accessible.  There are plenty of places to watch the action and a multitude of corporate sky boxes and hospitality tents.  It is unique in the fact that only 64 players participate and it's a head to head match where the soring is hole by hole instead of stroke play.  Each day the field is reduced until only 4 golfers play on Sunday (championship and consolation match).   On Wednesday all 64 players play and the field reduces to 32... on Thursday, it goes to 16...on Friday it goes to 8 and then on Saturday the final 4 are determined for the 18 hole playoffs on Sunday.  The field is bracketed like the NCAA basketball tournament and the golfers are seeded 1 through 64. 

     I may be able to sneak a round of golf in Virginia...(I have a set of clubs there and the weather is chilly and rainless according to weather.com)  Friday, there is a tee time available in the morning after the girls leave for school and I will finish before they get out in the afternoon.  I need to test my golf tip I picked up during the Phoenix Open and see if I can add it to my game.  It will be a welcome respite from the workload I have shouldered so far this year.  I worked 23 of 31 days in January and 5 of 6 so far in February... (not bad for a "part time" employee, eh?).  I will recharge the batteries in Virginia...

What a difference a year makes...

     As the title suggests...(and I hope you read the titles, because a lot of thought goes into them.  OK, not a lot, but some thought nonetheless), what a difference.  Same event, totally different conditions.  Last year, freezing (really freezing, not Arizona freezing) temperatures below 32 degrees heating up to only the mid 40's made conditions unbearable and golf almost impossible.  The Pro-Am tournament was canceled and frost delays caused so many problems that they didn't finish the tournament until Monday.  This year, the low temperatures were in the 40's and we have had sunny skies and 70's most days, although frost delays (about an hour) have disrupted play, but not anything like last year.  I have once again drawn Bubba Watson as my player security assignment and he is playing very well.  In fact, a couple of friends saw me on the highlights of play today as Bubba made his move up the leader board.  By shooting a 67 (-4) he moved into third place and into the final group of the tournament along with the two leaders (-17 and -11 respectively).  So, if you want the chance to see me on television...(and who wouldn't want that?) tune in Sunday afternoon (before the Super Bowl, that is) and watch the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  They have moved the tee times up so that the final round will be over before the Super Bowl starts...

    Maybe this year I will actually see some of the game.  I didn't get to see one down played last year and I will be working tomorrow, but there is a chance I can catch the second half if I don't pass out on the couch... (and all indications are that is exactly what will happen).  I really love working these events but they take a toll on you.  Sleep deprivation is a constant, but walking the course every day and seeing some awesome golf being played is more than enough reason to lose some sleep.  The latest "soup du jour" (thanks, Sheryl) is not too thrilled that I am working so much but I am what I am and this is the life I lead... (love me, love my schedule).  So, whether I see the game or not, I am rooting HARD for the New York Football Giants to hand the HATED New England Patriots another Super Bowl defeat.  Eli and crew must put a hurting on Bellichek and Brady and bring another Championship to New Jersey (that's right! it's the state the Giants play in).  Of course the other tenant in New Jersey is not holding up its end of the bargain, but Let's Go Giants!  And let's go Bubba!  It would be be such a thrill to walk with the winner of the tournament...