A call to boycott United

Lack of home = lack of posting. sorry.

Had the world's worst experience with United Airlines this weekend. We had to buy tickets on priceline for this trip because all the tickets to my mom's house were $500 a piece. Friday morning started out auspiciously enough. We got up before the butt crack of dawn and made our way to Philidelphia airport. There was no traffic on the road and we got there in under 45 minutes. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 6:55. We barely made it because there were at least 200 people in line for check in and three open counters, including self-check in (no kidding). Okay, so I can blame that on heavy Christmas travel traffic.

We had a layover in Chicago (yeah, another reason I'm never flying United or purchasing from Priceline again). We got in around 8:30. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:10, so we checked the departure time and gate and got some breakfast. (Incidentally, it was yummy). When we meandered back to our gate we found our flight had been delayed until 12:49 pm. 'Scuse me? And why? Because they plane they had was having mechanical problems and so they had to find another plane. Things happen. We bought some magazines and settled in with Newsweek and MarioCart.

Delayed: 1:49
Delayed: 2:13
Delayed: 2:30
Delayed: 2:45

Finally, around 2:30, they load us onto the plane, which had to fly, empty, from Dulles. We get settled in only to hear that we're not going anywhere because the sink in the lavatory won't stop running and they have to get a mechanic to drain the water tank. Sigh. Delayed. The water is drained and the pilot comes on the intercom to tell us that the co-pilot has exceeded his allowable hours and we now have to wait for a new co-pilot. We finally leave O'Hare around 3:45. Touchdown in Memphis: 5:30. Total travel time: 13 hours.

But wait ... it gets better! Before we get on our flight home on Monday we check our flights. The first flight was delayed 1 hour, 15 minutes. Layover time: 1 hour ... last flight of the day. So I call the happy people at United. They want us to get on a plane to O'Hare and spend the night there. I ... don't ... think ... so. The earliest they could get us out Tuesday was 2:30. 'Kay.

Tuesday, all seems to be going smoothly. We get to the airport and check in to find that our flight has been delayed until 3:30. Why? Mechanical problems. AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! The flight leaves at 3:45. We run to our connection and the flight boards in less than 5 minutes. Whew. The one thing United did right the whole weekend was get us home on time Tuesday night.

Every one of our delays was the airline's fault, not the weather's. I will not be flying United again.

3 Things

I got these from another blog I was reading. Now it's your turn!

1. Three things you like about yourself:
I'm a very loyal friend. I stay pretty balanced. I remember every day why I love my husband so much.

2. Three things you don't like about yourself:
I let work get to me. Patience is not one of my virtues. I don't always live my faith like I should.

3. Three parts of your heritage:
English, Cherokee Indian, Okie

4. Three of your everyday essentials:
Chapstick, kisses, downtime

5. Three things you are wearing right now:
Sweater, jeans, socks

6. Three things you want in a relationship:
Love, mutual respect, laughter

7. Two truths and a lie:
I wanted to work for the FBI, I make cookie dough and don't make the cookies, I had my toungue pierced.

8. Three things you can't live without:
Husband, faith, family

9. Three places you'd go on vacation:
Hawaii, Egypt, Australia

10. Three things you just can't do:
Wake up on the first alarm, play basketball, sew

11. Three kids names:
Tucker, Emma, McKenna

12. Three things you want to do before you die:
Live in Hawaii, get my scuba certification, have a family

13. Three things you wanted to do for a living:
Veterinarian, FBI agent, Professor

14. Three ways you are stereotypically a boy:
High maintenance women make me tired, I love college football/basketball, my house is cluttered

15. Three ways you are stereotypically a girl:
I love getting pedicures, I get ice cream and french fry cravings, I love my cats

Like watching hair grow

While most of my day was spent getting things accomplished and being productive, I would rather have spent the last two hours getting my toenails pulled out than how I actually spent it. I was supposed to receiving training on Crystal Reports and querying. Instead, I spent two hours watching a man stumble through a query builder that I already knew how to use. I had the conscience to feel guilty, because he was really a very nice man ... like Mr. Rogers on downers. I didn't, however, have enough conscience to sit through any more of the mind-shrinking. Instead, I said "I think I need some time playing with the software. I'll call if I need anything."

Coming Home!

So I got an email from Ryan yesterday. He's (supposed to be) coming home today. It looks like he'll get off the boat this morning!! I'm so ready for him to be home. My week overall was good and busy, so at least I didn't have a lot of time to mope around the house. I had a follow up meeting with some colleagues and got a lot of questions answered, so that was nice.

You may notice the time on this blog. I should be on my way to work right now. And yet you notice I'm not. Why? Well, because nothing is plowed and the main road on my way to work is speed restricted to 35 mph and already peppered with accidents. The snow is supposed to be over by mid-morning, so I figure I'll wait out the worst of it and go in a little late this morning. I usually try to sleep in on mornings like this, but I got up and showered, thinking I would be able to go into work at normal time. So ... I'm awake. It's ok though, I'll get some stuff done around the house.

He's coming home!!!

Stupid boats anyway

Ryan is floating somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean this week. Apparently they needed his expertise with some kind of "safety" testing. Meanwhile, my husband is in the middle of an ocean with no means of communication. While I knew this sucked, I didn't realize how much it sucked until last night. When you have talked to someone every single day for the past 3 or so years, it's very unnerving not to talk to them. It's amazing what a mind can create at 10:47 pm on a school night when you're used to saying "goodnight my love."

Chiminea

So after 2 weeks of going to work with me, we finally got our new Chiminea out of the Pathfinder and put it together. I was a little concerned when I took it out and the instructions said it would take 2-3 hours to assemble. Luckily for me ... my husband's an engineer, so it only took like 4 hours. Kidding, about 30 minutes. We ate s'mores and our butts turned to ice. All in all, a satisfying fire-in-your-backyard kind of moment.

First Christmas lights on our home!

So we got up some Christmas lights today. How do you like our tchotchke Christmas trees? They're no bloated blow up Santas, but hey, we do what we can. Here's my recommendation for anyone considering these "valance" lights. Don't. Just don't. They are a huge pain to unwind, and as you can see, have a mind of their own. We're hoping that with time and gravity they'll hang out and look better. If not, well, Christmas is the season for dumb looking decorations.

Makes our neighborhood seem tame

How would you like to live across from this guy?

http://www.snopes.com/photos/arts/xmaslights.asp

No comment

Seriously, none needed.

Unexplainable phenomenon

Now this is a phenomenon I really don't understand. Is this some strange East Coast "must stand out" ritual or does this happen in other areas of the country as well? Every season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and now Christmas) we've been treated to the bloated faces of our season favorites.

I thought at first it was just one or two families. No, there are a lot of people in our neighborhood who think that blow up lawn art are the raison du jour. Maybe I'm the one who doesn't get it.

Kitten Update

Now that they're older, they aren't nearly so innocent and cute. Elf is a contortionist. He is also well acquainted with Ryan's water bottle. The cat will actually get into the shower with us. I think there is something tragically wrong with him.

Immigration

Ryan and I have gotten hooked on the "Current" television station, broadcasted by google. It shows random documentaries sent in by viewers. It's really an interesting channel. You see everything from a white guy getting a hair cut in a black barber shop to race riots in France.

One of the shorts from tonight was about illegal immigration from the Mexican border. These people are so desparate and are trying to get to the US only to support themselves and their families. While I don't think that people should circumvent the laws and enter the country illegally, I truly don't understand why it's so difficult to get into this country legally. These are people who are willing to do any job, desparately struggling to survive. It makes our everyday struggles seem microscopic in comparison.

Freakishly Warm Day

Today was in the 70s. Are you kidding me? I remember snow on many of my birthdays growing up (which was over 2 weeks ago). I love this! Of course, it needs to get cold in a hurry. We made plans to go skiing over New Year's weekend, but as of right now, the slope isn't open. We're traveling 3 weekends in a row. The 16/17 is Cathy's graduation (happy graduation Cathy!). We're going to my mom's for Christmas and then we're off to the Poconos for 4 days of skiing.

Black Friday

So Ryan and I went shopping on Black Friday this year (apparently, we also lost our mind). Actually, it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. Aside from walking a long way from our parking spot, we only waited in a long line once. The nice part is that we probably got almost half our shopping done in one day.

Sorry not much writing lately. Nothing really interesting has happened lately. We finally got shutters up on the house. I'll post pictures later. Ryan is also framing out the two windows in our office and we're finally painting it. It'll be a lovely blueish grey color.

I think we should have 4 day weekends every week. Work would be much cooler if I only went 3 days a week. Sigh.

Banzai!

My 26th birthday was mostly uneventful ... which I suppose is a good thing. Ryan made it home from his business trip a day early, so was actually home for my birthday (good husband!) We went to Banzai, a Japanese Steakhouse, for dinner. As they usually are, it was a good time. The first time we went there we had a cook who gave out Saki shots if you caught the zucchini in your mouth, said something funny, or generally looked in his direction. His catch phrase? "Waaassaaaabbbiiiii." Our guy on Thursday was fun ... but no Saki shot guy.

It's strange to be 26. Ryan and I decided that you don't hit your late 20s until 28 ... but it's still kind of a surreal age for me. Everyone at work talks about what a baby I am and yet I look at my or Ryan's sister and think how grown up we are. Not old ... just grown up. Our daily dialouge with friends and family is about careers, home projects and children. Autumn is due any day now. She's having a baby. It's strangely comforting knowing that I am able to support myself, own a house, and make adult decisions. I wake up every day next to my husband and thank the Lord for him. Then as I go about my day I realize that I'm married. Someday I'm going to be the parent. I wonder if anyone ever really feels like the grown up. I sure don't.

Tomorrow I leave for another business trip. I'm one of those people. Those traveling people. I watch my frequent flier miles and buy travel pillows. I do almost all of my clothes shopping on business travel (not one of Ryan's favorite activities). I have colleagues. They think I'm a grown up too.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about when I met Ryan, almost 9 years ago. We were 17 and even then we knew we met too soon. Now, 9 years later that 17 year old boy is my husband. I don't know that I pictured our life today when I was 17, but I don't think anything I pictured could have touched the reality of my life today. I think the moral of this story is that 26 is going to be a good year.

Good Night; and Good Luck

Ryan and I just watched “Good Night; and Good Luck”. This black and white film chronicles the end of the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s from the viewpoint of Edward Murrow, a CBS reporter who was publicly critical of McCarthy’s methods. Aside from being well written and beautifully directed, it provoked several thoughts from me.

As trite as this sounds, this movie beautifully illustrated the saying that “Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it.” The historical footage of the McCarthy hearings was frightening and eerily familiar. In an age where our civil rights are being increasingly co-opted for the greater good, I find echoes of McCarthy. While we have not yet reached hearings in which people are convicted of communism (or terrorism) by unproduceable witnesses, we do live in an era where suspected terrorists can be held without trial indefinitely. The search for terrorism has not yet reached the fevered pitch of the red scare, but we need to be careful and protective of our liberties.

Second, “Good Night; and Good Luck” showed the birth of the ratings war that currently rules our television viewing. Murrow’s program was canceled because people would rather be entertained by Ed Sullivan, and without ratings, the show had no sponsors. What struck me about the broadcasts portrayed in the movie was how cerebral they were. I cannot believe an audience today would take the time to comprehend Murrow’s message. I don’t know if people are dumber today or simply lack the willingness, but it is a shame that our news is delivered in 15 second sound bites with words no more than 3 syllables long.

It’s been a long time since I watched a movie that made me think as much as I have tonight. I highly recommend this film for its history and commentary about how precious it is to have the rights afforded us in this country.

Lost, our newest obsession

So we never watched Lost before. After hearing good things about it from his mom, Ryan bought the first season's DVD. It is so good! We watched the entire season in less than two weeks. Of course we were sick, so we spent a lot of time couch-louging over the past few weeks. The show is unlike anything else on television right now. Now of course, we have to wait for the second season to finish up. Hrm.

Feeling Human Again

I'm finally starting to feel human again after a week of nasty infection. Ryan apparently caught what I have. He went to the doctor today and they gave him antibiotics as well. Luckily, it seems as though we caught his a lot earlier than mine, so he won't get as sick.

We had our first Halloween in the house tonight. We had at least 40-50 kids stop by. When did they stop saying "Trick or Treat"? It seemed like everyone just came to the door and took candy. It did seem like the parents made them say thank you though. Our first visitors were Snow White and a Power Ranger. Toooo cute.

Brazil Update - Monday

Brazil --

And now for the update. I will share as much as I can about my trip without getting bogged down in the gory details.

After spending a few days in Tampa, my colleagues and I left for Brazil last Saturday afternoon. After nearly 24 hours in the air or airports we arrived in Porto Allegre. Exhausted and dirty, we showered and cast out for food. Unfortunately, everything is closed in Brazil on Sunday and we couldn't find the mall/restaurant our front desk told us about. After finally finding food, we all passed out pretty early to get ready for our big adventure.

We spent Monday at the corporate office learning from our Brazillian and Chilian counterparts. It felt like I was at the United Nations. We had headsets on and had continous translation from the back of the room. Very cool.

Monday night we went out to a traditional Brazillian barbeque. The waiters bring out huge skewers of meat and slice you pieces until you can't move. Because so few preservatives are used, everything was incredibly salty. I tried my most unusual food of the trip here: chicken heart. Verdict? It won't become a staple of my diet.

Tuesday

On Tuesday we visited our mill south of Porto Allegre. Watched barbed wire and nails being made was very cool. The biggest difference between Brazillian mills and American is that in Brazil the mill is very much the center of life. The mill looks more like a campus than a mill and often includes a social club, a medical center and sports fields. Often, the mill will offer free medical services to the surrounding communities. It's a very different way of life in Brazil. It broke my heart to see families living in one-room shacks with aluminum roofing. It truly is still a developing nation.

Dinner was at a Italian restaurant. In every restaurant we went to, food was served in rounds and dinner always lasted at least 3 hours. First was the bread course, then appetizers, then more appetizers, then the main course, then dessert and finally, cordials and dessert wine. Yeesh. Give me my 45 minute dinner any day.