Stand Back! It is time for a quick vaca (Part 2 of Standby)

So now that the "Standby flights" are done, and I'm back from that quick vacation, I can tell you all how it went...

Mmmm, a bagel from Boise...

My first experience of flying standby was a little nerve wracking, especially when the terminal was as full as the one I was in. Before I went to the airport, I had to pick up my travel buddy, Isaac.  He had no idea we were taking a trip to see his cousins.  When we finally told him, he was kind of in shock, no real reaction.  When we showed him the packed bags in my car, the squealing began.  Needless to say, he was very excited.  So off to the airport, hoping to get on a 5:30 flight to Seattle.

It turned out that another flight had been cancelled due to weather, so they were re-routing people that had connecting flights.  As a "Standby" flyer, all I could do was stand by and wait.  Turns out we didn't make that flight, then panic ensued.  I stood in line for 15 minutes before getting some help.  Turns out they were in the process of boarding another flight that was also going to Seattle, but it was connecting through Lewiston.  She asked me what my "final" destination was...I first thought eternal life with my Father up in Heaven, but then I knew that wasn't so soon, so I said Oakland.  She then told me that if I made this flight (which I did), they could get me on a connector that night to Oakland.  Please keep in mind I'm running on 3 hours of sleep and a 5 hour energy from 8 hours ago.  I just wanted to get to Seattle, go to the hotel, and get at least 6 hours of sleep.  We got on the 6:20 connecting flight and we're off.

Almost there...

After we left Lewiston, I kept thinking about the connecting flight to Oakland, so I asked Isaac what he would rather do.  Of course he wanted to see Nana and Papa as soon as possible, so I knew once we hit the ground in Seattle, it was going to get complicated.  I quickly put together a mental 'to-do' list.

• contact parents and confirm they can pick up from OAKLAND airport at 11:00
• contact AlaskaAir to make sure we could get on the 8:30 flight to Oakland
• contact hotel in Seattle to confirm that reservation can be cancelled
• contact hotel assuming reservation can be cancelled
• contact Becky to cancel reservation since I could not locate number to Expedia
• contact Becky to contact parents to confirm pickup since they did not answer their phone
• try and find some food before getting on the plane (FAILED)

Aside from the food, all the above tasks were completed within 10 minutes...we got on the plane and relaxed a little.  Turned out we could order some food on the plane, once we took off...we landed in Oakland around 10:40, picked up at the terminal by both my parents, and it was time to relax...sort of.

(Public Service Announcement: If you travel with your child, and he has a tendency to kick in his sleep...make sure he sleeps in some other location not occupied by you.)

The next morning we went to "Nana C's" to see my Aunts, my Nana, and Nanu.  The one thing you can always count on when you go to "Nana C's" is being fed.  It's almost like she's not happy till you're eating some of her delicious food.  In this case, she had some in the oven when we got there.  I don't want to offend, so I had to say yes...to my cousins who may be reading this, you know exactly what I mean, but how could you say no?

I found it very entertaining when my aunts said, no thank you, they didn't want any...at least till the plate hit the table, then it was the in home kitchen version of a feeding frenzy once the Għaġin il-Forn hit the table.  It was good to see the family though.


Finally made it to my brother's house and Isaac couldn't of been more excited to see his cousin Addison.  We ended up having lunch at a bakery called Boudin's in a local shopping plaza.  The food was good and the weather was nice so we ate outside, and it was 'LOUD'.  We managed, we always do.  It wasn't till later that day that Isaac's other two cousins, Olivia and Josh finally made it home...they the fun really started.

Since it's late, I'll finish this up in "Standby, Part 3".  Till then... goodnight, and only 8 months and 18 days till the HOBBIT.

-Brian

BUSY, Busy, busy

Life just gets going sometimes, and before you know it, it's passed you by.  Obviously, life hasn't passed me by yet, at least not completely.  I'm amazed it's already the end of April.  Where does the time go???

So your probably asking yourself, what have I been doing?  I've been asking the same question...sadly my answers are very fragmented and may or may not make much sense.  Anyways, in no particular order....

I-HAUL -Why do you need a trailer?  We'll, there are a multitude of good uses for a trailer, especially when you don't own a pickup truck.  As my family only has a small SUV, and a Honda Civic, it really makes some parts of being a home owner difficult.  So we welcome the newest addition to our tool shed.  She's a little 4x8 trailer that needs some TLC.  

Again, why a trailer?  We have a lot of debris that has been accumulating, mostly because it's too big for the trash, and we have no way to get it to the dumps.  We're also camping later this summer, and fitting everything into the Explorer is near impossible.  This way, we have lots of space and will be able to include things like Isaac's bike, or a wagon, our own firewood, and 50 lbs of potatos!

So when I'm done working on her, she will have a nice glossy black frame, bars on each corner, new flooring, new walls, and possibly a removable top for added security.  Not to mention everything will be modular so we can change it up for what's needed.  Now I have a project....don't forget about my hobby.


is still a lot of fun.  Our first show is in two weeks.  I'm really excited, but I'm also a tad nervous...who wouldn't be, right?  I know everything is gonna be fine and once we start playing it's gonna be a ton of fun.  It's my first time out with a live band in this type of venue, but I couldn't ask for a better group of guys to go play with.  Each of them got "mad skills" and the drive behind it to turn out some great music.  Our line up has variety that rivals any radio station out there.  Where else are you going to hear Georgia Straight, Billy Idol, Bryan Adams, The Clash, and other random groups on the same night?  Bring on the Rock!  

Of course being a part of a working band has it's down sides too, you have a tendency to develop what's known as G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)  Hey, I could use some new cymbals...how about that new in-ear monitor system....should I get that new drum set for practice purposes....more cowbell...how about a drum stage, I'm feeling short!  Of course finances prevents any type of serious GAS outbreak, but the 'want' is still there...all in due time.  


Sleep -I need more...what else can I say?

CATS - I admit it, I've never seen the musical Cats, but I am familiar with a few of the tunes.  Sadly, this has nothing to do with Andrew Lloyd Webber.  This past month we had to say goodbye to a member of our family.  Misty was our first baby.  It was a week after Becky and I had been married that she woke up on a Saturday, came into the living room and said, I'm going to get a kitty.  Before I could respond, she had already walked out the door.  Misty was very special.  As a kitten she literally played fetch with her toys, also ready and willing to show affection to those she loved, namely Becky.  She would perch herself on Becky's shoulder and be content.  As Misty grew up, she took her place as the rightful queen of her castle, with only Nali (our Aussie) to pick on.  Misty would sit on the arm of the sofa and wait.  Nali would walk by minding her own business when Misty would reach out and 'POP' Nali on the back of the head.  Apparently she wasn't allowed to walk by without permission.


Over the past few weeks, Misty had stopped eating, all she would do is sleep.  After some medication she perked up for a little while but then soon digressed again.  She was laid to rest a few weeks ago and will soon have a garden erected in her honor.  She was loved, and will be missed greatly.  

Every emptiness needs to be filled, that's what led us to www.simplycats.org.  This is where we met Lily, she has been welcomed into our home and provides us entertainment and companionship as most kittens do.  Still adjusting to our new home, not all of our pets have totally agreed to the new addition.  But they will in time.   

Yes, we have 4 pets.  It seems like a lot, but it's just right.