The phone rang last evening about 9pm as we were watching a movie during the final stages of packing in preparation for heading off to Houston. Our flight was canceled.
And so it began. What to do? Bag the trip? But we really wanted to go.
So I called Southwest since the online website was of no help. I heard the recording that there was between a one and one-and-a-half hour wait to speak to a representative. In for a penny, in for a pound I thought as I put the phone on speaker and settled down for the long haul.
Surprisingly, after about 10 minutes I was able to talk to someone who was most helpful in rebooking us. Except that we would have to fly out of Dulles--an hour drive away and a 0725am flight all meaning about a 0415am departure. You do the math. Ugh.
But here I am sitting on my flight to Chicago to connect to a flight for Houston. All by 0800am.
The sun is shining up here at 35000 feet and the ride is smooth. And we are on our way.
Flexibility. The ability to overcome, change plans, and turn lemons into lemonade. That never say die attitude has worked for me a lot. Even when I play racquetball and am losing 14-1 I never quit. I only need one point at a time. Today we only need one flight at a time.
So despite my initial thought of just canceling, we are on our way. Whether all of the crazy connections we try to pull off will work still remains to be seen. But at least we are still in the game and not sulking on the sidelines.
It's 4th down and 99 yards to go for the win with only seconds left on the clock. Put me in coach-we can do it!
See you in Houston for wine this afternoon!
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Snow fizzler and Olympic Hockey
I woke up this morning anticipating the worst weather possible--and at a minimum having to shovel the driveway.
But it seems that Maryland was spared, so far, and places like Upstate NY are going to get hammered as a result.
Frankly--we deserved the break. I think we have enough snow, although much of it is about gone.
On to other stuff though---
Being the huge hockey fan that I am, I just have to make a comment about last nights Canadian blow out of the Russian hockey team. Wow! Did someone forget to tell the Russians what time the game started?
I'm really hoping that the gold medal game is US vs Canada in a rematch! Although the US team did not look all that good against Switzerland, remember that the Swiss team took the Canadians to a shoot out when they played. And the US had to play the Swiss team twice.
But I'm beginning to look ahead a bit I guess. First up for the US team to get to the gold medal round is going to be the Fins who I think were the number three seed entering the tournament after Russia and Canada.
What are we all going to do after the Olympics?
Oh yeah--it's baseball season and the Spring Training games will be getting into full swing. AND there are six more weeks to the regular hockey season followed by three months of playoffs before the Penguins are crowned back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions!
And flowers and blossoms and grass to mow and pools to open. Soon!
But it seems that Maryland was spared, so far, and places like Upstate NY are going to get hammered as a result.
Frankly--we deserved the break. I think we have enough snow, although much of it is about gone.
On to other stuff though---
Being the huge hockey fan that I am, I just have to make a comment about last nights Canadian blow out of the Russian hockey team. Wow! Did someone forget to tell the Russians what time the game started?
I'm really hoping that the gold medal game is US vs Canada in a rematch! Although the US team did not look all that good against Switzerland, remember that the Swiss team took the Canadians to a shoot out when they played. And the US had to play the Swiss team twice.
But I'm beginning to look ahead a bit I guess. First up for the US team to get to the gold medal round is going to be the Fins who I think were the number three seed entering the tournament after Russia and Canada.
What are we all going to do after the Olympics?
Oh yeah--it's baseball season and the Spring Training games will be getting into full swing. AND there are six more weeks to the regular hockey season followed by three months of playoffs before the Penguins are crowned back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions!
And flowers and blossoms and grass to mow and pools to open. Soon!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Snow and Panic
And so the regional panic of the record setting snowfall continues today.
It is expected to snow later this evening and there is panic in the streets as people rush to the stores to obtain supplies in case the storm changes and smashes us with feet instead of inches of snow.
I have to admit--my new cat is safely in the garage isolated form this terrible forecast.
In jeopardy--my weekend trip to warmer climates: Houston for the biggest birthday bash ever thrown in the family!!
Will Southwest cancel my flight on Friday?
Will I get a refund if they do, or just a credit?
Why is this so hard?
And yet the snow (from inches to feet) is still coming and the frustrating thing is that we hope for the best, but must plan for the worst!
My question--will this winter ever end and let us get on with the rest of our lives? I want to go out and dig in my gardens and see the crocus and daffodils get us on the path of springtime.
It is expected to snow later this evening and there is panic in the streets as people rush to the stores to obtain supplies in case the storm changes and smashes us with feet instead of inches of snow.
I have to admit--my new cat is safely in the garage isolated form this terrible forecast.
In jeopardy--my weekend trip to warmer climates: Houston for the biggest birthday bash ever thrown in the family!!
Will Southwest cancel my flight on Friday?
Will I get a refund if they do, or just a credit?
Why is this so hard?
And yet the snow (from inches to feet) is still coming and the frustrating thing is that we hope for the best, but must plan for the worst!
My question--will this winter ever end and let us get on with the rest of our lives? I want to go out and dig in my gardens and see the crocus and daffodils get us on the path of springtime.
Around the Sunday Dinner Table
Of all of the really cool things that we do as a family, one of the coolest is having Sunday dinner together. It seems that we all get together many Sunday's to celebrate family and life.
Last Sunday, we gathered around the dinner table and it was really special because Mom and Dad were there and all of the family was there--all of the sons, and daughters and grandsons (we haven't any grand daughters, yet). It is rare that "everyone" is there and I wondered about how we all happened to be in that place at the same time.
But as I looked around the table and listened to the myriad of conversations, I realized that I was blessed. And that we all were blessed.
Four generations sat around that table--and were together for an all too short afternoon.
Yes--it was loud and sometimes frustrating. But the memory of it is good.
It was truly special.
So was the pasta that Chris made--it was all gone by the end of dinner and we usually have leftovers for lunch!
Last Sunday, we gathered around the dinner table and it was really special because Mom and Dad were there and all of the family was there--all of the sons, and daughters and grandsons (we haven't any grand daughters, yet). It is rare that "everyone" is there and I wondered about how we all happened to be in that place at the same time.
But as I looked around the table and listened to the myriad of conversations, I realized that I was blessed. And that we all were blessed.
Four generations sat around that table--and were together for an all too short afternoon.
Yes--it was loud and sometimes frustrating. But the memory of it is good.
It was truly special.
So was the pasta that Chris made--it was all gone by the end of dinner and we usually have leftovers for lunch!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Azul 17 - Restaurant Review
Saturday night we wanted to go out to dinner to some place different. So we spun up the I-pod application for places to eat and decided on Mexican and then came upon Azul 17. A place in Columbia that we had never heard of, much less visited.
This place is not to be missed. It bills itself as a Mexican cuisine and tequila lounge---and it truly is.
The food was upscale and well prepared. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere was not your classic Mexican taco-bar dive. Azul-17 truly is a nice place to take friends and visitors for a true dining experience. The atmosphere is very professional and elegant and the service was outstanding.
The restaurant is located off Snowden river Parkway in Columbia is a small plaza with somewhat limited parking. But it is well worth the effort to go there.
Before dinner, we had the guacamole made at the table. It was very tasty and spiced exactly the way we desired it to be. For dinner I enjoyed the Carnitas Patria which is listed as consisting of roasted pork sautéed until crispy with a trio of bell peppers & onions served with boniato mash over a black bean chorizo broth. It was fabulous and served in a most attractive manner.
The margarita that Chris has with her dinner was equally fabulous and one of the smoothest margaritas that I have tasted.
RECOMMENDATION: This is a place to experience and enjoy on multiple occasions. I will be going back for more, soon!
This place is not to be missed. It bills itself as a Mexican cuisine and tequila lounge---and it truly is.
The food was upscale and well prepared. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere was not your classic Mexican taco-bar dive. Azul-17 truly is a nice place to take friends and visitors for a true dining experience. The atmosphere is very professional and elegant and the service was outstanding.
The restaurant is located off Snowden river Parkway in Columbia is a small plaza with somewhat limited parking. But it is well worth the effort to go there.
Before dinner, we had the guacamole made at the table. It was very tasty and spiced exactly the way we desired it to be. For dinner I enjoyed the Carnitas Patria which is listed as consisting of roasted pork sautéed until crispy with a trio of bell peppers & onions served with boniato mash over a black bean chorizo broth. It was fabulous and served in a most attractive manner.
The margarita that Chris has with her dinner was equally fabulous and one of the smoothest margaritas that I have tasted.
RECOMMENDATION: This is a place to experience and enjoy on multiple occasions. I will be going back for more, soon!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday Musings - February 22, 2010
1. The snow on the ground remains and it is really keeping us all inside. Look out springtime when the snow begins to melt. How can it still be hanging around?
2. The family wanted a ride in my car today--so we did a lot of riding around. The funniest was when the boys wanted to ride with the top down in the 48 degree weather. We got some pretty funny looks.
3. Makayla loves it when Ben comes over. She sleeps really well after playing hard.
4. Two small boys can really turn a lot of buttons in a car when left unattended.
5. As we sat at the table Sunday, it was really cool that we had four generations in attendance. That does not happen very often. And it was really cool to have everyone around the table.
6. The Olympics are a lot of fun to watch--so many people showcasing their years of dedication and training. And the US team is doing very well, too.
7. Hockey has become such an international sport I don't know whether to root for the U.S. team, the Canadian team, or the Russian team--there are Penguins on all of them! Alright, I'm not going to root for the Russians--no way, no how! And as it turns out--no matter who is on the ice when Team USA is out there--I'm rooting for team USA--U-S-A, U-S-A. BTW, it must have worked because the Team USA upset Team Canada 5-3!
8. The entire region is rejoicing that the expected storm on Monday is going to be rain and not snow! Just say no, to snow!
9. I am still amazed by the thought that in about 60 days or so, I will be opening the pool for the season! Mmmmm--the thought of lounging on a floatie with a beer in my hand just warms me all the way to my toes.
10. BTW--Baseball Spring training is underway. They are not bothered by the snow.
2. The family wanted a ride in my car today--so we did a lot of riding around. The funniest was when the boys wanted to ride with the top down in the 48 degree weather. We got some pretty funny looks.
3. Makayla loves it when Ben comes over. She sleeps really well after playing hard.
4. Two small boys can really turn a lot of buttons in a car when left unattended.
5. As we sat at the table Sunday, it was really cool that we had four generations in attendance. That does not happen very often. And it was really cool to have everyone around the table.
6. The Olympics are a lot of fun to watch--so many people showcasing their years of dedication and training. And the US team is doing very well, too.
7. Hockey has become such an international sport I don't know whether to root for the U.S. team, the Canadian team, or the Russian team--there are Penguins on all of them! Alright, I'm not going to root for the Russians--no way, no how! And as it turns out--no matter who is on the ice when Team USA is out there--I'm rooting for team USA--U-S-A, U-S-A. BTW, it must have worked because the Team USA upset Team Canada 5-3!
8. The entire region is rejoicing that the expected storm on Monday is going to be rain and not snow! Just say no, to snow!
9. I am still amazed by the thought that in about 60 days or so, I will be opening the pool for the season! Mmmmm--the thought of lounging on a floatie with a beer in my hand just warms me all the way to my toes.
10. BTW--Baseball Spring training is underway. They are not bothered by the snow.
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