It's been a pretty alright few weeks. Been working almost nonstop...but managed to take a few days off and go to South Bend, Indiana to see some Notre Dame friends. Had a blast and a half and got too see some folks I never get to see. Crashed at Fox and Murph's (sounds like a bar...hmmm)...got to spend some quality time with Bauters (we went and got Jimmy John's and a haircut in that order)...got dinner with THE Skipper (so great to see him)!
Flying out there was wild ass. When I woke up that morning, my original plans were to go to Texas that day. However, my place to stay in the DFW area kinda fell through,
and the ND Kids were still wanting me to come out there...so I cut outta work 2 hours early and caught the 1250 flight to SLC...then the 3pm flight to Cincy...then the 945pm flight to South Bend.
When we landed in SBN, it was snowing pretty hardcore and I could feel the plane sliding a little when Chautauqua guys fired the thrust reversers...a little scary.
After the cab ride from hell (think 450 lbs Vietnam Vet driving on snow and ice while smoking a Marlboro Red and telling you about how the Agent Orange caused his diabetes), I got to Fox and Murph's place. We in turn, got ANOTHER cab and went to Corby's Bar.
The cab to Corby's was an old minivan...I was sitting in the back. When we got to the bar, I was disembarking the cab when my foot got caught on the seat belt. Thank the Lord there was a foot of snow on the ground...because I went face first into the ground. It was awesome. Went inside, had some pitchers...annoyed a bunch of people by shelling out almost 20 bucks on the jukebox and playing nothing but Texas/Red Dirt music for a long while.
Here's a shot of me, Fox, and Ray (I think that was his name) right after I ate it getting outta the cab.
Next day, I woke up way late in the day...watched a little Giada de Laurentiis on the Food Network...got showered and went out with Melissa for a while. We got Jimmy John's, I went to the Great Clips next door and got a haircut, and then we ran over to the Notre Dame bookstore to pick up a couple shirts.
From there, we went out to eat with Skip and crew. Skip, Sissney, Chris G., and others were in town for Camp Sweeney recruiting...and Skip was treating everyone to Rocco's pizza and big beers. I think I told way too many Sweeney stories that Skip probably didn't want some folks to hear...but that's what happens when you buy me beer.
Went out that night...racked up a rather heavy duty bar tab...but it was a blast.
Just hung out the next day...wandering in the snow on campus at ND.
Had to be at the airport at 5am to catch a ride home. This time, I was going through Chicago O'hare...to Salt Lake...to home. They must have canceled a flight the night before, because when I had originally checked the flight load, it was wide open. Now, it was oversold. By 4 people. Damn.
No worries. It was United Express operated by Mesa...I can jumpseat in the cockpit on the UAX carriers..even without being in the CASS system. Or, so I thought.
A really nice Air Wisconsin(-in) customer service agent named Deb tried like heck to get my jumpseat stuff to go through and she was having trouble. While she worked on my stuff, since she was the only ticket agent working, I checked all the passengers in on the kiosks and even tagged their bags...it was like old times!
Deb couldn't get my jumpseat authorization to go through, so we just decided to talk to the crew and get it done that way. Well, as it turns out, Mesa Airlines doesn't take other-airline dispatchers in the cockpit. BASTARDS!
So here I was, completely about to freak out not knowing how I was going to get home because everything else was oversold all day. It was Deb to the rescue when she told me 5 people didn't show up, thus leaving one open seat in the cabin...whoo-hoo!
The rest of the trip home was pretty painless...well, except for that turbulence on the way in to St. George. I was asleep with my head against the wall of the plane...and we hit a rough patch. You can only imagine how my head felt.
So, I've been working my tail off since the trip. Put in another 60+ hours this week. I like the overtime. Even after a decent sized contribution to my 401(k) every paycheck, I'm still saving alot of money and trying to get my finances in order. For the first time in my life, I see a light at the end of the financial tunnel and am already starting to make long term plans as far as buying a home and living comfortably.
I think I'm going to Texas this Tuesday night...we shall see. If not, I'll just work my tail off just a little more or go somewhere ridiculous.
After my run to wherever I wind up, I get to come back for jet training. Finally, we're getting trained on the CRJ's! I'm actually kinda excited about that. Now, I'll have alot more options when it comes to overtime and I'll no longer be a "Brasilia Puke" as one of my co-workers calls us.
Alright, time to get showered, get some food in me, and run some errands. Adios!
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Current Music: Angels and Airwaves - The Adventure
