After getting back for a couple days, I headed back out on the road. It is really more of an expression than anything, because I actually know the flight paths better than roads. Within about 48 hours I flew 5,478 miles, through 6 airports and 3 states. Check out this schedule.
My day started with a 5:30 am phone call on Wednesday that my connection to Santa Ana, CA had mechanical problems. I rebooked into Los Angeles. Then, when leaving Eugene, it was fogged in and I almost missed my connection. 24 hours later my flight from Chicago had mechanical problems (again) and I missed my connection from Portland to Eugene. I’ve found luck when traveling runs in streaks, good and bad.
04-27-05
Eugene to San Fransisco- 8:48-10:15 AM (Weather Delay)
San Fransisco to Los Angeles- 11:15-12:48 AM (Mechanical Problems)
Santa Ana to Los Angeles- 8:55-9:27 PM
04-28-05
Los Angeles to Chicago- 11:25-5:16 AM (yes, overnight)
04-29-05
Chicago to Portland- 10:25-12:54 PM (Mechanical Problems)
Portland to Eugene- 1:56-2:34 PM (Missed Flight)
There were several notable events during this trip. First, I flew first class for the first time on my overnight flight. It was quite an experience. Let me point out some key distinctions between first and coach. These perks include 2 chairs per row instead of 3, an adjustable head rest, seats actually recline, they hang up your coat for you, offer you a fruit and cheese plate, free drinks (not just sodas), have two flight attendants for maybe 10 people, and most notably, the level of attractiveness of the flight attendants increases significantly. It’s amazing how small things make a big difference.
When I got to Chicago, I actually stayed and presented at the same hotel as I had been in less than a week ago. For dinner I was treated to a restaurant on the 68th floor overlooking downtown. It was very nice, and quite fancy. You don’t order per item, you order all at once. You know when they don’t list prices, and you automatically select the Appetizer, Salad, Main Course and Desert all at once, that the place is pricy. After dinner we went out for drink on the 98th floor of the John Hancock building. Unfortunately, I’m an idiot, and didn’t bring my camera on this trip figuring I had already been in Chicago earlier in the week.
The third notable event is that Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, has a copy of brass. Crazy! So here is the story. Jack is doing a book signing tour across the country for his recently released book. One of these events was in Southern California where my Grandma lives. She is a huge book collector and is all about book signing events. So she decides that she’s going to get Jack’s book signed, and on the way out grabs a copy of the mag, and heads out. Once she got there and had Jack sign the book, she handed him a copy of the magazine and said that her grandson had started it, and that Jack needed to read it. His wife picked it up and began thumbing through it, and said that it was really good. This undoubtedly proves that my Grandma is officially cooler than yours.
So yeah, Jack Welch has a copy of the magazine. Just goes to show you never know who is going to be reading it. Jack, in the one in a million shot you happen to read this, give me a call.
Bryan
