The Interlude Between Acts

Back home today between business trips. Just got back from a hellish weekend in Anaheim, and will be off tonight for a (hopefully) easy trip to the Atlanta area.

I had to be the software liason for a store installation this weekend. This means I do no dirty work, and just answer questions from the installers while they do their thing. The install started at 10pm and should have been done by 4 am.

It didn't happen that way. The installers were total idiots, didn't know the first thing they were doing, had to consult the step-by-step instructions every step of the way, etc. Then we found out they had skipped a meeting on Saturday where updated instructions were given, so I had to drive at midnight to headquarters for the company to get them. During my drive, these guys had done absolutely nothing. 3 hours behind, I pitched in and did more work than both of them. I hung monitors, ran cable, disconnected old hardware, etc. The installation was only done when I had to leave at 10am to catch my flight home. The store management was furious, but they told me that they knew the reason why (the idiot installers) when I left. The stuff that still wasn't done was mounting hardware, etc., when I had to leave. I had been awake for 26 hours straight and was looking forward to sleeping in first class on the way home.

Delta decided to downsize our aircraft, so when I got to the airport, I got the nasty surprise that my first class upgrade had been downgraded. Despite the best that the gate attendant could do for me (and she really tried), I ended up in coach. I did have an empty seat next to me, though. I wonder if that was her doing? If so, she deserves a medal. I got a few catnaps on the plane, and got home at 12:30am today. Tonight, I rent a car and drive to Atlanta where I get to start work at 7am tomorrow and babysit the store on Thursday, then drive back home.

At least I got to sleep at home and hug my wife. I slept until 10:30 without waking up.

Now for something happy: My Zen arrived! Being anti-Apple, I didn't ever want an iPod. So I ordered a Create Labs Zen M Video (30GB), which is vastly superior to the video iPod and costs less. I put 200 MP3s on it and took up around 1GB. I plan to start downloading torrents of TV shows that I've never seen very soon. This thing will come in handy on these long flights where the only movie is "Big Momma's House 2".

My sweet, darling wife got me the Chicago 30 CD for our anniversary and it was the first thing I ripped to the Zen. Thanks, darling! I love you!