My Outlook on Life 'N Stuff

So, here we are.  Deal or No Deal is on TV.  How many millions have to be up for grabs before someone gets it? Kevin is doing all right.  He doesn't keep his sling on as much as I would like, but he seems to be careful, and he knows his body, so I'm not pushing the point.

I want to revisit something, and you can ignore it if you like.  Just skip the next five paragraphs, and you'll be fine.

I travel quite a bit for work.  I go to cool places like Vegas and Myrtle Beach, and crummy places like Indianapolis (in winter) and Topeka.  It balances out.  When I post an entry about or during a trip, I show things that amuse me.  I show things that make me happy, and things that I wouldn't normally see.  I show things that I *hope* will make you giggle or sigh at me.

That's the goal.  It's all about entertainment value.  Do you read this journal to hear about my delayed flight, or waiting in the cold to catch a bus to my mom's arriving flight, to save dad some drive time (when it's 5 degrees outside?)  Do you want to read about how frustrated she was about the long bus ride to the parking lot?  Do you want to read about how much my kids miss me, and I miss them?

Do you want to read about how my husband wonders what goes on while I'm gone?  About how I forget a razor and cannot shave my legs?  About how the food makes my tummy do evil things, or how the various travel companions drive me up the wall?  How about the fact that the "girl shoes" that I must wear hurt my feet so badly that I could cry by the end of the day.

Even more; how about being "on" all of the time.  It doesn't stop at 5:00.  I have customers to take  to dinner, requiring brushing teeth and refreshing the makeup, so I can get right back to it.  No lying around in sweats.

I have to make sure that everything ships to the next show, and take inventory so that they know what to send later.  I have to make sure that the shipping labels are affixed, and that the carrier knows how many cases they are picking up.  I have to make sure that I can get to the airport in time to catch my flight home, and pray that it's not delayed.  All of this after "tear down" which is taking the booth apart and packing it up.

OK, let's get back to reality.  I am an eternal optimist.  I usually see the "adventure" instead of the "hardships."  I like to find the fun anywhere that I can.  It annoys some folks, but it's how I survive.

Stuck in a hotel?  Take a pic of your room number...IN BRAILLE!  Stuck in an out-of-state airport?  Have a beer and make jokes about CLUELESS customers.  No food available?  Eat some PRINGLES in your room and laugh about your hunger.

Yeah, I'm probably crazy, but I get by just fine this way.  I'm just the "half full" type.  I married a "half empty" guy, and we balance each other quite well.  He keeps my feet on the ground and I keep him from killing someone.

Why did I start this post?  Oh yeah.  I just wanted to clarify a few things.  Travel isn't all glamorous.  Travel isn't all fun-and-games.  Travel isn't all about room-service and free beers.

Travel can be tough.  I miss my kids terribly.  I miss my husband something fierce.  I want my home, my bed, and my pets by my side.  I miss my coffee pot (the 4-cup hotel version is a joke,) and I miss my washing machine (when I mis-judge the pairs of socks needed.)

OK, I'm done.  I love travel, and I dread travel.  The bottom line is this:  Travel is a part of my job.  Why fight it?  I'll keep posting stupid things like braille room numbers and hideous carpet designs in hotel hallways.  I hope you don't mind.  I hope you don't leave because of it.

See ya, Chowder Head!