Jet Lagged - Stuck on Jet Blue

NYC or BUST!!!

Here we go on my first trip by myself. Am I a big girl now or a big baby? ; )

Ughhh . . . .


So, I get to the Orlando airport at 3:30 for my 5:30 flight and get through check in and security in all of 10 minutes to find that the flight is delayed and will not leave until 6:30. Oh yeah! So, I set myself up in a seat and plug in my computer to the wall. This way, at least I pass the time catching up on email, writing blogs, playing pogo - all the usual things. After about an hour, I check on my flight to see that it is now scheduled to leave at 7:30 - yipee. Waiting around in an airport alone is just so much fun!

Then at about 5:30pm, they announce a gate change; and of course it is not a nearby gate, it is on the other side of the terminal. So I am there all plugged in and online, etc when they make the announcement and all these people get up and they are hauling ass over to the new gate. Um, hello, people??!! The flight is not supposed to be leaving for like 2 hours, why are you running? Great, by the time, I get over to the new gate, I just know I will not have a place to plug in, but I don't want to sit around at the old gate. It would be just my luck that they would then move up the flight and leave without me. So, off I go to the new gate. Made a potty stop and a coffee break along the way. And I get to the gate and, of course, as predicted there are no plugs near any open seats, so I plop myself on the floor next to a plug and power up. After about 45 minutes of sitting on the hard floor, my legs are asleep and I am so over the kid with the whoopie cushion sitting next to me and the family giving a play by play of the luggage being loaded onto the plane (which finally arrived) my low battery warning comes on, so not only am I sitting on the floor for no reason since the plug didn't work, now I have no computer for the rest of the wait or the flight. At least that's not a big deal since Jet Blue has TVs, which can keep me occupied during these boring flights.

So, the flight finally boards around 7:45pm or so. I am in row 21 of 25 and the flight attendant asked me if I could switch seats or else a four year old girl will have to sit by herself. So, I gladly moved to the very back row, which I hate, but I am sure that is not nearly as bad as a four year old having to sit by herself. Who does these seating assignments anyways? Probably the same genius who comes up with how they load the passengers on the planes.

So, there I am in the back of the plane, directly in front of the bathroom. YUM-O (NOT)! And at 8pm they announce that there is another weather delay and they will not be updating the captain again until 8:45 at which time they will inform him whether or not we can even leave then or not. Oh Boy - just what I wanted, 45 minutes more time on the plane in front of the bathroom, which now had a line in front of it and did continuously the entire 45 minutes. Evidently, not a single one of these passengers went to the bathroom in the airport during the 2 hour delay for fear that the plane would suddenly board and leave without them if they dare step into the bathroom to pee. UGHHH!!! Use your brains, people!

The only saving grace is Jet Blue's TVs and a bonus was a cool guy named Lou Lou that I sat next to - he was very friendly and nice to sit next to on a plane.

I finally arrived in NYC a little after midnight. It was a 3 hour weather delay. I stayed at the Hampton Inn near Madison Square Garden and this was an awesome hotel, especially for NYC standards. The room was very spacious with a nice bathroom and a flat screen TV on the wall. I was upset that I was not able to stay at the hotel where the conference was until I found out that those rooms were more money and were so cramped that "you could flush the toilet while lying in the bed", as my friend Joe described it.

I learned so much at the conference, I am really glad I went - it was totally worth every penny. Thanks JOE!! And thanks for dinner in Chinatown - that was cool!

Now I just need time to implement all the stuff I learned and get the website in order before the Halloween rush starts. I am also really glad to be home now and exhausted still.

Is it November yet?

Orlando Birthday Trip

A very cool birthday gift!

Myke's parents got us tickets to see the Blue Man Group show at Universal Orlando as well as one night in the Royal Pacific hotel at Universal. Usually when we go to Orlando, we stay with Jim & Alvi at there house, which I like to do because I love to spend time with them, just hanging out in the living room talking and watching TV. So, we got to do that Friday night, we also go to see Nonie and Papa for dinner - double bonus!

Saturday morning I woke up to my favorite breakfast treat: Alvi's crescent rolls with sausage!! .....mmmmm..... Myke installed some motion sensor lights for them and we were off to see the Blue Men.

We got caught in a giant rain storm [please see: How Bout This Drought We're Having?] on the way to the show, but even a torrential downpour and a soaking wet outfit won't get me down when its Blue Man Group concert day. This show is so awesome! The one at Universal is very similar to the one in Vegas, which I have seen 3 times already and can't get enough. This one is a little more updated and has a few slightly different things from the Vegas show, but is equally entertaining. The "paper" finally comes far too fast for me. If you have not seen them perform, it is an absolute must!! GO, DO IT NOW!!!

So the show is over and we head over to the hotel, which is very nice and the decor is all Asian Polynesian style. Too bad we only have one night there.

Myke's Balloon Beating

Did anyone get a pic of Myke's "balloon beating" at the FCC dinner last night? It was hilarious how most of the kids targeted him and had at it! Who would have ever known how much fun about a dozen old balloons could bring? What a hilarious time. I think the whole appeal of it is Myke's funny faces and noises as the balloons hit. He even got doused with a water balloon once or twice! I wish I had taken a pic, but as usual, I don't. I just got a new phone and upped my plan so that I can email myself unlimited phone pics, so get ready for lots of photos!

We are in Orlando for the weekend visiting with Myke's mom and dad. We also got to see Nonie & Papa for dinner tonight. Tomorrow, we are celebrating our birthdays with our gift from Myke's parents - Blue Man Group Tix and a night at one of the hotels at Universal Studios - how cool is that? Plus, we get extended b-day celebration time!! Always a BONUS! : )

Sunday I am headed to NY for a two day class on SEO. Kind of exciting, kind of odd, kind of scary all at the same time - I don't think I have ever travelled by myself before! Does this mean I'm finally a grown up or a big baby?

The Dramatic Hamster AKA The Dramatic Prairie Dog or Chipmunk?

I guess he is a prairie dog, but he looks like a hamster or a chipmunk or maybe even like an alien creature sometimes. This is so funny, I just had to post. If you love him and want to see more, there are actually remixes of this video. Search for the Kill Bill Remix, 007 Hamster and Dr. Evil too! Search on http://www.YouTube.com/

Sleepless Internet Club

Ok, who wants to join? My buddy Jay and I made up the Sleepless Internet Club last night. SIC for short as well as to represent how sick in the head I am. So, any other inaugural members out there?





Qualifications:

1.You're up too late too often.

2. You're up late on the Internet


Cost to Join. Pick one:

1. 40 Winks

2. A herd of sheep to count

3.Prescription & plentiful supply of at least one of the following:

* Ambien (The good old fashioned Ambien - not the weak CR, which stands for CRAP.)

* Restoril

* Levitra - no wait, wrong drug - oops - LOL - that will most likely keep U up (ummm literaly) ; ) I meant Lunesta.

* Xanax aka "lala land"

Sometimes NONE of the above are working GRRRRR. I just can't sleep tonight. Don't know why - prob cuz I have like a million things to do, none of which actually include bs-ing on my blog. So alas is the perfect subject for starting our SIC little club. Post if you want to join - we can have fun late night events - like pajama driving - ring a bell, Alli?? : )-

Here is a look further into my psychosis: if I start trying to count sheep, this is what I see:

or

So, How 'Bout This Drought We're Having?

This is getting quite ridiculous! It has been raining almost everyday. No - wait let me correct that, raining every day is an under-exaggeration - it is like pouring giant floods of water. I know it may not be raining over Lake Okeechobee, but where is all this rain water going then?

I was trying to take a pic on the way home from work today to show how bad the rain was, but it was raining so hard, you couldn't see a thing. My cell phone pic was just a sheet of white.

Blog Tag, I'm IT!!

Well, I am just getting back on my blog after about 3 weeks of unintentional absence and I see that my friend Tammie has tagged me in a fun game of blog tag. So, sorry I am a little late, but anyone who knows me can expect that I am not on time anyway!

Thanks, Tammie, this is fun!

Ok, here goes:

5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago
Ok, let me think 1997 . . .
1. May 1997: I finally got the courage to break out of an unhappy relationship.
2. July 1997: NCA Convention in Las Vegas - Awesome convention and visited Vegas for the first time!
3. I was a psychology student at Nova Southeastern University.
4. For my psychology internship I chose to become a Guardian Ad Litem - and stayed a volunteer for about 2 years.
5. July or August 1997 - I MET MYKE!!! <3 <3 <3

5 Snacks I Enjoy
1. CHOCOLATE!!
2. Ice Cream
3. Hummus & Crackers
4. Strawberries w/ Splenda
5. Candy

5 Songs I Know All the Lyrics To
1. Just about any song by Prince - does that count for all 5?
2. Rappers Delight
3. I will Survive
4. I'm Home by Shania Twain
5. Love Don't Cost a Thing by J. Lo

5 Things I Would Do If I Were a Millionaire
1. Pay off bills: ours, my dad's & Myke's parents'.
2. Travel - A LOT Specifically Alaska, Colorado Mountains, Yellowstone Park, Japan, China & Austalia.
3. Buy our dream house in Colorado.
4. Send Nonie & Papa on a cruise.
5. Have a maid & a chauffer.

5 Bad Habits
1. Laziness
2. Staying up too late and sleeping late in the mornings. (Check the posting time for this blog for a case in point!)
3. Not exercising enough & eating crap I shouldn't.
4. Being late.
5. Interrupting people while they're talking (especially Myke - sorry, Honey!).

5 Things I Like To Do
1. Play games online & blog.
2. Watch TV & movies.
3. Eat out.
4. Love on my doggies.
5. Go to the Salon and/or Spa.
6. Travel
(Had to add one extra!)

5 Things I Would Never Wear Again
Well, there is a long list of things here; and if it were up to Myke, the list would be even longer : )
But the main things are:
1. A Bikini.
2. Belly shirts.
3. Tight jeans.
4. Tight dresses.
5. And quite a while ago, I officially retired all my Daisy Dukes!

5 Favorite Toys
1. My Computers
2. Our new HD video camera
3. The DVR
4. My Cell Phone
5. I wish I had more toys, but I don't!

Ok, I'm done - that was fun!

Now I tag . . .
1. Sandy
2. Jenn
3. Joanne
4. Joe
5. Myke

Just Because . . . .

This is just so hilarious, I have to share. : )

Sorry I Have Not Updated in A While

Ugghhhh . . . I have been so backlogged with work, etc lately, that I just have not had any time for my little blog here. Well, I have spent some time, I have a bunch of drafts that need editing, so stay tuned for updates on the past month - coming soon! I missed posting here, but will be catching up with you all soon!

Pampered Chef Party Time!

Ok, I finally was able to decide on the time and date!

WHAT: Pampered Chef Party

WHEN: Thursday, August 2, 2007 at 6:30pm

WHERE: Our House

All of my FCC friends are invited to come one over and have some fun! Proceeds from the sales will be going to The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, so if anyone can't make it and would like to get some cool kitchen gadgets, here is the link: www.pamperedchef.biz/linneabart
Please mention Susan G. Komen for the Cure so that your order will go towards the total donation for the charity.

This is my charity of choice in honor of my mom! : ) My mom was named Hilda Maxwell and she fought the good fight, but lost her battle to breast cancer in 1999. Diagnosed in 1995, she was an early pioneer as one of the first patients to undergo stem cell replacement therapy. She was diagnosed late - more than 2 years after her mammograms started showing an abnormality which the doctors and radiologists attributed to "fatty tisue" deposit. So, my point for the story, besdies a tribute to the strongest woman I have ever known, is to let everyone know to beware of any abnormality in your mammograms and don't be afraid to ask for a biopsy!!

Happy Birthday to Mykie!

I LOVE U!