Archive for 'On a Jet Plane'
Week Three of 52 Stories: Stop the Car!
Posted on 23. Jan, 2009 by Deb.
This is for the 52 Stories group on Flickr where we take one picture a week and write a story. This is mine for Week Three.
It was day five of the longest week I’d experienced in ages. I am an experienced Road Warrior Princess and successfully (and usually happily) had lived out of a suitcase for much of the last two years, so three weeks of doing Public Meetings should be a cinch. I realized, however, that changing hotels each night was not as comforting as traveling in and staying put. We had flown into Midland, Texas and in two days had also driven to Hobbs, Carlsbad and Roswell to conduct three of the meetings. After Roswell, we drove to Santa Fe, where we had a break from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday at 2 PM.
After exploring the Plaza in Santa Fe, I wanted to get some posole for a Christmas gift. (Posole is New Mexico thing…basically hominy that is dried like beans.) My friend, meeting coordinator, and New Mexico Native Karen suggested we go to a regular grocery store. When we pulled into the parking lot there it was.
We had been snapping photos all week, like the presenters talking about Nuclear Reactors, the light posts in downtown Roswell and the beautiful Pecos River, but this was BIG. Not just big. IT was HUGE. And I had to get a photo. It was the Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobile!
“PULL OVER!” I said.
I knew I HAD to get a picture of ME and the HUGE Wiener. It had been a long week. THIS was my reward for being a Road Warrior Princess for having stayed in 4 hotels in as many days (one resembling the Bates Motel!). We got out and made a visit to this 27-Foot Long Piece of Americana. By singing the “I Wish i were an Oscar Meyer” song, I became the proud owner of my very own Oscar Meyer Wiener Whistle. She also took our picture. This is Wayne and I being Hot Dogs.
The HotDogger in Charge told me that she and a partner drove the amazing vehicle for a year, attending events and doing appearances. She loved what she did, met a lot of wonderful folks, and was getting to see the United States! Call me simple, but it seems like it would be a pretty cool job.
Who ever said the life of a Road Warrior Princess wasn’t glamorous?
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And in 1947, The Aliens Landed
Posted on 20. Nov, 2008 by Deb.
The Public Meetings for the project I have been working on for the last six+ months are taking place this week in New Mexico. Tuesday morning as I mentioned was in Carlsbad, NM and on Tuesday night, there was a meeting held in Roswell, NM. We had a couple of hours after we arrived to Roswell to “sight see” so we went to the “International UFO Museum and Research Center.”
I love the downtown street lights. And the museum was very kitchy, but I did enjoy all the old newspaper clippings from the 40′s and 50′s. The Air Force Base in Roswell, NM was home to the “Enola Gay” and other B29′s during the 2nd World War.
We drove to Santa Fe yesterday and tonight we go to Los Alamos for the final New Mexico Public Meeting. I have forgotten how beautiful the desert, plains and mountains are in New Mexico. I’ve also forgotten how very dry it is.
Hope you are well….
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On the Pecos River
Posted on 18. Nov, 2008 by Deb.
I am in Carlsbad, NM and last night I stayed in a motel that I swear to you was a throw-back to the 60′s or 70′s and Family Road Trips. Except, I was alone in the room and without parents or a sibling. And to be honest, it was kind of….scary. Top that off with sketchy cell and no internet from the room…..I felt disconnected from home and friends – and had to call my daughter on a landline. I didn’t know landlines were the norm, ya know? Spoiled, I am, in my always-connected world.
I didn’t exactly sleep well.
Before we retired to the room, we did visit the hotel bar, which was lively and was, in all honesty, the most interesting people watching I had done in a really long long time. It, too, was a throwback to another time and another place. Lots of big hair and young men who thought the world revolved around them.
But. I have to say, that it’s beautiful here. The moon last night was amazing. And the view of the Pecos River from the meeting site is truly…breathtaking, isnt’ it.
How is your day?
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I’m standing here outside your door….
Posted on 03. Nov, 2008 by Deb.
I’m sitting in the Admiral’s Club at DFW airport waiting to board a flight. Sometimes, I get totally into the groove of travel and then, at other times, the groove is harder to find. Today is one of those days where the groove is a tad harder to find – maybe because I’ve been basically home for the last week.
Last night, I had these moments where I was ready to hop on a plane and get away immediately. It’s that flight-or-fight instinct and my instinct, after a long discussion with the oldest kid, was to stop fighting and just walk away for a bit to get my thoughts together. Teenagers are incredibly frustrating and infuriating at times, aren’t they? After a good sleep and some chatting wtih both Melissa and Lee on the issue, I am feeling a bit better on the discussion, but last night, yes - I was ready to go.
I honestly don’t remember being infuriating for my parents when I was a teen. Then again, I wasn’t your average teen. I was just as driven and busy then as I am now. These kids today don’t know how lucky they are (now I’m channeling my grandmother). Seriously. I maintained an A+ average, went to school full time, worked almost full time, participated in Student Counsel, Choir and Theatre. All I ask is that she do her work at school and make good grades.
Tonight is different. I’m ready to go – I miss DC. But I am also tired – and for the first time in ages, I am looking forward to being on a flight so I can take a nap. It’s ok when you nap on planes – napping at home isn’t always acceptable. Then again, the time change could have something to do with the fact that I am thinking about SLEEP when it’s only 6 PM Central (7 PM Eastern) – but since my body tends to stay on Eastern time, to my body, it’s really 8 PM. Right?
I’ve been thinking (again) about that elusive thing called balance.
Work seems to be what takes the bulk of my time – and I”m happy to give everything I have to it. I’m proud of my business and where I am in my career. But then, on afternoons like yesterday, when the kids were busy with their friends, I was home with nothing to do. Well, except write a little, which I did. But it still wasn’t “quality time”. Don’t get my wrong, I’d rather be alone and a little lonely – spending quality time with myself – than I would want to be killing time in a relationship that isn’t right. I think I’m just wishing that those relationships that are good just don’t get enough time spent on them. I honestly don’t know what the answer is for me except to continue on doing things the way I’m doing them. (as I wrote about in the July issue of All Things Girl). Work IS important to me. And most men, while understanding the work part honestly don’t understand the full extent mine is in my life. Working for yourself is incredibly fulfilling, but it also takes that level of committment.
I wonder, to be flat out honest, if I am cut out for a traditional relationship. When it boils down to it, the gypsy-soul side of my personality can make me a difficult partner in a relationship. Unless, that is, you like gypsies.
But I digress.
I’m heading back into DC to use my audit skills as I do a pre-assessment audit. I’m tired now and not quite in the groove, but I know myself well. Once the plane is coming in over DC…and we pass the Washington Monument….and then, as I drive from the airport to the hotel, I pass the Lincoln Memorial all lit up with the moon shining down on Old Abe, I’ll feel at peace and know that I am home. At least for the week….at least, until I get the urge to grab my bags and explore again….
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
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Sunday Morning Quiet
Posted on 22. Sep, 2008 by Deb.
On Sunday, I finally made my way to the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon. I did some writing about the time I spent there, but it’s more personal and not really blog fodder.
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Meet Bill
Posted on 16. Sep, 2008 by Deb.
So, the other night I came in from dinner and stopped to chat briefly with the gal at the hotel desk.
“Are you still here?” she asks
I sigh. “Yes, I am. I ended up staying through the weekend….I am here through the 25th.”
“Ah. Are you lonely? Would you like a fish?”
This is a pet friendly hotel, and when you can’t bring your pet, they will provide a companion goldfish.
So meet Bill – who now lives in my room on my nightstand……
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Songs in My Head
Posted on 04. Jun, 2008 by Deb.
I’m a long-time country fan and the last “album” i purchased was the George Strait “Troubadour“. I typically listen, at least once through, anything I buy – and for some reason, the song going through my head the most Patty Loveless called “House of Cash”. I don’t tend to watch much TV when I’m in my room, but I do play music when I’m getting ready and sometimes at night….it has been the first song I play on itunes all week. I have to, because the song is going through my head anyway, so I play it to pull it out for a bit.
Speaking of Itunes, my itunes went funky on me last night, and all of my audio books disappeared – they are still in the “purchased” listing, but that is all. I have been listening to books at night as I fall asleep. I created a playlist to list them all, but it’s odd, isn’t it, that it did that? Is it an Itunes thing – or a Vista thing?
Work has been very good this week, stressful slightly earlier, but yesterday and today have been fabulous. I love a sense of accomplishment – and really enjoy the ability to make progress. I am still very passionate about the particular contract I am working on – though I am doing some dabbling in other things.
I had a great chat with George Pellecanos last night. He is the “Man of the Month” for the August issue of ATG. He had a nice dry sense of humor and he loves the DC area – so we had some common ground. his new book, The Turnaround, is due out in August. FABULOUS story by the way.
The Pilot Guy is on my brain a bit…or should I say in my heart. I saw him just a couple of weeks ago when we got together to celebrate my birthday. On Saturday, he was driving (moving) and when I asked if he was bored or lonely, he said yes, and then asked me to meet him. I called AA to see what kind of flights there were to the spot he had picked to stop for the night – and while I could get there, getting back to DC would have been a long drawn out affair, so I said I just couldn’t. I had work I needed to do as well before Monday morning. I had a very nakedly honest moment with him when we talked later that night and told him how I was feeling – and where my head was. I am too honest for my own good sometimes. I am actually feeling a little lonely for his company this week – but I am sure I will get over it. I am actually in the mood to visit with his buddy from RIC as well – I am needing the humor – and the ability to be myself – and to be with people outside of work.
C’est La Vie….
the Weather in the DC area is kind of scary. Lots of rains, tornado warnings. I typically sleep with the blinds open, but I am thinking of closing them to shut out the scary thunder and lightening tonight. I know it’s only 9 PM, but I am getting ready to go to bed. In fact, I’ve already taken off my make-up and have my jammies on.
I hope that you are well and have lovely songs in your head and loving thoughts in your heart. Happy Hump Day! Sweet dreams, my friends…..
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the quiet life of a girl
Posted on 29. May, 2008 by Deb.
I haven’t talked much about work or really even personal stuff lately, have i?
Work first. Busy and I love it.
I have made no bones about loving what I do, and I still believe that the sign of being a success in my business is not about the balance in my bank account or the number of clients in my roster – it is about getting up each morning and looking forward to parts of my work….and knowing that I am making things easier for my clients….that is when I know I am a success. Being happy in what I am doing with a zest for work and ending the day with knowing that I am satisfied is huge to me on a personal level.
I am a focused individual and I like to be busy. I have also realized how important professionalism is to me. I have been fortunate to witness incredible professionalism in the face of stress – and I’ve also been unfortunate to be witness to folks behaving in a very unprofessional manner. The former makes me strive to be a better person – and always keep my professionalism about me in every situation. The latter makes me sad – not for myself, but that the person has so little self-respect, that they cannot maintain their professional behavior and become petty.
I’ve also recently witnessed a total breach of trust with a former client and colleague, and that made me a little angry. And, in honestly, disappointment in the parties.
Maybe it’s a little Pollyanna-ish of me, but I believe in my heart that if you treat others the way you want to be treated, that you are all the better for it.
So, that, my friends, are my thoughts on work these days.
Personal is pretty much the same as it has been. We won’t talk about my blood pressure, but we can pretend we did. ‘Nough said about that…..
I saw the Pilot Guy for my birthday when we were able to mesh our schedules to be in the same city at the same time. It was one of those times where we both had to go out of our way to make it happen…but I’m glad we did (and am assuming he was glad, too). We didn’t do anything extra special – just relax time. He had asked me to meet him this week, but there were no direct flights from DC to where he is……and I just couldn’t pull it off. He is in the middle of a move, which puts more miles between us….especially with me on the East Coast most of the time. But such is life.
I am well aware of the realities of that relationship, by the way. The foremost is that he will always be my friend if I allow it. Nothing changes the fact that I love him dearly and am blessed to have him in my life. But I also know that there will come a point when I am wanting something more. Now, however, isn’t that time.
I am in DC through the weekend. I have some work that will need to be done – report, document work, etc. – and to be honest leaving late on Friday and needing to be back on Sunday is a wasted airplane ticket. Besides, I love DC. It still speaks to the very soul of me. So, I will also take advantage of any free time I have….and get into the city to see….things. I need to get my camera out and take some new photos. I may also head to the movies (hello. Sex and the City!) – even if I go by myself. I have friends in DC, but some of them are out of town this weekend. I had no clue how many folks were at BEA, by the way.
So, tell me. How are you?
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Seize The Day!
Posted on 05. May, 2008 by Deb.
Each morning, there is the possibility of you waking with the troubles and grudges of the day before – or the chance to start fresh.
I think I prefer to start fresh – and seize the day with all the wealth of opportunities.
We can learn from Icarus. Don’t be afraid to seize the day and soar….but always keep your head about you…..
(photo from the National Air Force Museum, Dayton, OH)
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Lovely Travel & Satisfying Lusts
Posted on 04. May, 2008 by Deb.
Ahhh….The National Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH.
Satisfying my lust for lovely planes….like Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby….The B17…..
I’ll share more of my photos later this week. For now, it’s brunch with Kiddo…and then finish packing. The car service will pick me up a little before 4 PM today as I head into DC for a couple of weeks. You should see my bags so far (thank Goodness I am Exec. Plat. with AA! Their new policy on bags goes into effect the 12th of May!)
It was nice to be home for a few moments….but I am also looking forward to next week!
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Pure Loveliness
Posted on 05. Apr, 2008 by Deb.
There are moments when life brings about pure clarity….. I really do love this city…
I was brought to myself and reminded that “Passion” is one of my words for 2008 and it had slipped away from me a bit. It’s been a really good trip for me. I just pray I have the strength to follow through with it all…..
Love and blessings…..