oh wilma
I was in Orlando early this week attending my first conference with the new company. I had a great time meeting my peers, the field support staff, and the higher-ups from the home office. My favorite moment of the conference was when the CEO spoke very frankly about the company's shortcomings (didn't fail to mention any of the ones that I thought of) and what we are doing to catch up to, and hopefully surpass, our main competitor (and my former employer).
It was good to be surrounded by employees committed to the product and the customers. They were also committed to drinking and partying, and that suited me well. The division head led the activities by buying several rounds for everyone and then by spending time hanging out and shooting the shit with the riff. I know I will work my ass off for him this season.
Debated calling my father who lives in Daytona Beach, but finally gave in and made arrangements to meet him for dinner. A simple dinner for two across the street was planned, but then he showed up with his wife, my older brother, and my kid sister (all of nine). TGIF wasn't good enough so we drove 1/2 an hour away to Cheesecake Factory and somewhere along on the way they decided to go to PF Chang's instead. I missed the segue because I was tuning them all out.
My father got his first look at the new tattoo and needless to say, he didn't love it. He's much more mellow than he has been ... ever. Not sure if I like father 2.0 better than father 1.0, but the changes will add a few more years to his heart. He gets a kick out of watching his kids hanging out together (we haven't done so in many years) and we didn't fail him by immediately getting on each others case and knocking each other down (uncomfortable yet so familiar).
My baby sis could use a good ol' fashion ass whippin'. Some of the stuff she was saying and doing would not have been tolerated by father 1.0. The latest wife's (we call her 6) child rearing influence on father 2.0 was very evident. I really don't care how they raise her since I don't have to deal with her very often, but I did pull her aside to explain to her where my boundaries were and how she not to cross them. It takes a village ...
The visit with them was short, yet satisfying and will have to do until I see them again at some point next year.
Since I was down this way, I decided to change my ticket (purchased by the company) and head down to SoBe. The total for changing the return flight from MCO to DCA to MCO to MIA was $458. A ticket from MCO to MIA was just $120. WTF!
Today was sunny and I spent a few hours on the beach running through the new songs on the iPod. Wilma should arrive on Saturday afternoon so I gots to get all my fun in before then. I was invited to a hurricane party but if I'm going down, I don't want to do so with a bunch of nelly queens I have never met. My hotel room faces into a courtyard and should be safe. I learned my lessons well from the previous hurricanes, so tomorrow I will buy a flashlight, bottled water, and some type of ready-to-eat food ... and I have to get some cash from the ATM. What else do I need?
I know way too much about hurricanes as the weathermen here (when not meeting underage boys for rendevous) interrupt every show (even Oprah) to give the latest wind velocity, direction, and level (it seems like it is every 15 minutes - isn't that why we have a Weather Channel?).
TTFN
It was good to be surrounded by employees committed to the product and the customers. They were also committed to drinking and partying, and that suited me well. The division head led the activities by buying several rounds for everyone and then by spending time hanging out and shooting the shit with the riff. I know I will work my ass off for him this season.
Debated calling my father who lives in Daytona Beach, but finally gave in and made arrangements to meet him for dinner. A simple dinner for two across the street was planned, but then he showed up with his wife, my older brother, and my kid sister (all of nine). TGIF wasn't good enough so we drove 1/2 an hour away to Cheesecake Factory and somewhere along on the way they decided to go to PF Chang's instead. I missed the segue because I was tuning them all out.
My father got his first look at the new tattoo and needless to say, he didn't love it. He's much more mellow than he has been ... ever. Not sure if I like father 2.0 better than father 1.0, but the changes will add a few more years to his heart. He gets a kick out of watching his kids hanging out together (we haven't done so in many years) and we didn't fail him by immediately getting on each others case and knocking each other down (uncomfortable yet so familiar).
My baby sis could use a good ol' fashion ass whippin'. Some of the stuff she was saying and doing would not have been tolerated by father 1.0. The latest wife's (we call her 6) child rearing influence on father 2.0 was very evident. I really don't care how they raise her since I don't have to deal with her very often, but I did pull her aside to explain to her where my boundaries were and how she not to cross them. It takes a village ...
The visit with them was short, yet satisfying and will have to do until I see them again at some point next year.
Since I was down this way, I decided to change my ticket (purchased by the company) and head down to SoBe. The total for changing the return flight from MCO to DCA to MCO to MIA was $458. A ticket from MCO to MIA was just $120. WTF!
Today was sunny and I spent a few hours on the beach running through the new songs on the iPod. Wilma should arrive on Saturday afternoon so I gots to get all my fun in before then. I was invited to a hurricane party but if I'm going down, I don't want to do so with a bunch of nelly queens I have never met. My hotel room faces into a courtyard and should be safe. I learned my lessons well from the previous hurricanes, so tomorrow I will buy a flashlight, bottled water, and some type of ready-to-eat food ... and I have to get some cash from the ATM. What else do I need?
I know way too much about hurricanes as the weathermen here (when not meeting underage boys for rendevous) interrupt every show (even Oprah) to give the latest wind velocity, direction, and level (it seems like it is every 15 minutes - isn't that why we have a Weather Channel?).
TTFN
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