We did a lot of walking today.
Strangely, the convention, the REAL convention doesn't start until tomorrow. Yesterday turned out to be specialized private classes. Today at 5pm was registration and packet pick-up, which we just did.
We've been having a great time though, lounging around, and checking out the casinos. Lots of lights, bells, and whistles. My foot is kinda killing me, but I'm betting it will be better tomorrow with a little less walking, and a little more sitting in class learning a thing or two about photography.
The Trade Show is going to rock.
The MGM Signature Hotel we're staying at is giving us comped tickets to one of several shows. I think we're going to see Cirque Du Soleil's "Ka".
Any of you guy's ever seen it?
KoP
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Trials Of Travel
So. I didn't write yesterday, but I gotta tell ya, the day was a doozy.
We woke up at 5:30am to get ready for our 7:30am flight out of Houston to Vegas.
We were running a little behind, but when I saw the relatively short security line, I knew that we shouldn't have any problem making it to the gate on time.
The night before, I had gone through my laptop/camera bag and cleared out anything that wasn't absolutely necessary to cut down on weight, and remove questionable security items. One time I got stopped at security for having a pair of snips in my bag, a common phoneman tool. I told them to just throw them away, apologized profusely and I was on my way.
Anyway, While clearing my bag, I told Amy to clear her bag.
She rolled her eyes.
Back to the story, we're in the short security line, I'm hobbling through, and when they wave me through the sensor, they pull me over to powder test my hands and walking cast. No big deal, I figured they would make me take it off, but they didn't. That's when I looked up at Amy who was ahead of me. She was looking back at me with fear, no, terror in her eyes. She mouthed the words "Oh my God!"
That's when I saw the security guy that was checking her laptop bag pull out a small black case.
Do you want to know what was in that case?
Last Christmas, my good ol' brother-in-law got gifts for everyone. The gift he got for my son was a pair of Nun-chucks aaaaaaand a Ninja throwing star. A martial arts weapon. An illegal to carry in Texas martial arts weapon!
I watched as Amy was escorted away with several TSA agents.
So, I stand back watching as they question her, they photograph the deadly ninja weapon, and I overhear them say that because it is an illegal weapon, they have to call HPD. I have a seat on the bench next to where they are holding Amy... I can see the that she is trying to remain calm as she explains the situation, how the deadly ninja throwing star weapon of mass destruction was placed in the bag by our son, and she didn't even know it was there. I can see that at any moment, she's going to lose it.
So I sort of step in, and confirm to the agents that I am her husband and that she is telling the truth, then I turn to Amy and begin to comfort her, "Amy I TOLD you to check your stupid bag!! GOD!! What is wrong with you?!? You ALWAYS think that I'm going overboard, and yet here we are!" haha kidding, I didn't do all that until later.
So the cops get there, and they say that they have to call the District Attorney to see where to go from here since it is an illegal Ninja throwing star mystical weapon of mass destruction and psychological warfare.
The female cop is not too nice...
We've now missed our flight.
I am unhappy.
Amy is unhappy.
It's going to be a great trip.
The cop comes back to us and says that the DA doesn't want to press charges, but the TSA will probably be sending us a letter within 30 days that will notify us of a fine. It is important that we respond immediately to this letter.
Fine?
We're being fined??
How much will the fine be?
Well, sir, it can be up to $10,000.
When I regained conciseness, I think I may have cried a little when she finished her statement: ...but you're probably looking at something like $1,000 since this a first time offense.
I held up my useless ticket and said, "You know what? I don't even want to go to Vegas anymore. Take me home."
We didn't go home.
After missing the first "stand-by" flight, we managed to get on the next one. The kind airport employee saw my leg, and beautiful locks of curly red hair and put us at the front of the line. hehe We finally made it to Vegas at around 2pm or so, and we were happy again.
Amy called TSA PR group, and they told her that there MAY be only a nasty letter coming, but no fine. Then again it may be about $250, so, I guess that's not so bad. Maybe I can win that much at the Blackjack table, then, "no blood, no foul".
WE'RE IN VEGAS!!
KoP
We woke up at 5:30am to get ready for our 7:30am flight out of Houston to Vegas.
We were running a little behind, but when I saw the relatively short security line, I knew that we shouldn't have any problem making it to the gate on time.
The night before, I had gone through my laptop/camera bag and cleared out anything that wasn't absolutely necessary to cut down on weight, and remove questionable security items. One time I got stopped at security for having a pair of snips in my bag, a common phoneman tool. I told them to just throw them away, apologized profusely and I was on my way.
Anyway, While clearing my bag, I told Amy to clear her bag.
She rolled her eyes.
Back to the story, we're in the short security line, I'm hobbling through, and when they wave me through the sensor, they pull me over to powder test my hands and walking cast. No big deal, I figured they would make me take it off, but they didn't. That's when I looked up at Amy who was ahead of me. She was looking back at me with fear, no, terror in her eyes. She mouthed the words "Oh my God!"
That's when I saw the security guy that was checking her laptop bag pull out a small black case.
Do you want to know what was in that case?
Last Christmas, my good ol' brother-in-law got gifts for everyone. The gift he got for my son was a pair of Nun-chucks aaaaaaand a Ninja throwing star. A martial arts weapon. An illegal to carry in Texas martial arts weapon!
I watched as Amy was escorted away with several TSA agents.
So, I stand back watching as they question her, they photograph the deadly ninja weapon, and I overhear them say that because it is an illegal weapon, they have to call HPD. I have a seat on the bench next to where they are holding Amy... I can see the that she is trying to remain calm as she explains the situation, how the deadly ninja throwing star weapon of mass destruction was placed in the bag by our son, and she didn't even know it was there. I can see that at any moment, she's going to lose it.
So I sort of step in, and confirm to the agents that I am her husband and that she is telling the truth, then I turn to Amy and begin to comfort her, "Amy I TOLD you to check your stupid bag!! GOD!! What is wrong with you?!? You ALWAYS think that I'm going overboard, and yet here we are!" haha kidding, I didn't do all that until later.
So the cops get there, and they say that they have to call the District Attorney to see where to go from here since it is an illegal Ninja throwing star mystical weapon of mass destruction and psychological warfare.
The female cop is not too nice...
We've now missed our flight.
I am unhappy.
Amy is unhappy.
It's going to be a great trip.
The cop comes back to us and says that the DA doesn't want to press charges, but the TSA will probably be sending us a letter within 30 days that will notify us of a fine. It is important that we respond immediately to this letter.
Fine?
We're being fined??
How much will the fine be?
Well, sir, it can be up to $10,000.
When I regained conciseness, I think I may have cried a little when she finished her statement: ...but you're probably looking at something like $1,000 since this a first time offense.
I held up my useless ticket and said, "You know what? I don't even want to go to Vegas anymore. Take me home."
We didn't go home.
After missing the first "stand-by" flight, we managed to get on the next one. The kind airport employee saw my leg, and beautiful locks of curly red hair and put us at the front of the line. hehe We finally made it to Vegas at around 2pm or so, and we were happy again.
Amy called TSA PR group, and they told her that there MAY be only a nasty letter coming, but no fine. Then again it may be about $250, so, I guess that's not so bad. Maybe I can win that much at the Blackjack table, then, "no blood, no foul".
WE'RE IN VEGAS!!
KoP
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Anniversary!
I just finished playing here at church.
I've been walking around in my "walking cast" all day today. It hurts, tired I guess, but it's all good. I'm ready for Vegas.
I bought a cane at Walgreens, but when I tried it while wearing regular shoes, it didn't seem to help. Slowed me down, in fact.
Imma be rockin' the walking cast. Yeah.
We took Abby to the vet for some shots and a general check up. She did well, but is sore now.
We were in the same room, on the same table where we last saw Allie alive. I couldn't help but think about her. Miss her...
Oh yeah! Today is our 15th wedding anniversary!
Thank you, thank you.
I almost forgot!! I've been aware of it for the past couple of months, but I get right up to the day and almost lose it. Nice.
I am thoroughly in love with this woman.
She amazes me with her resourcefulness, competitiveness, and cutting wit.
There is probably no one else on this planet who will argue with me about who has the lowest cholesterol. Haha
She is kind, and loving, and caring. She takes care of me when I am well and when I am broken down.
I am wildly in love with her...
The Vegas trip is going to be our celebration, so, see you at the party!
KoP
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I've been walking around in my "walking cast" all day today. It hurts, tired I guess, but it's all good. I'm ready for Vegas.
I bought a cane at Walgreens, but when I tried it while wearing regular shoes, it didn't seem to help. Slowed me down, in fact.
Imma be rockin' the walking cast. Yeah.
We took Abby to the vet for some shots and a general check up. She did well, but is sore now.
We were in the same room, on the same table where we last saw Allie alive. I couldn't help but think about her. Miss her...
Oh yeah! Today is our 15th wedding anniversary!
Thank you, thank you.
I almost forgot!! I've been aware of it for the past couple of months, but I get right up to the day and almost lose it. Nice.
I am thoroughly in love with this woman.
She amazes me with her resourcefulness, competitiveness, and cutting wit.
There is probably no one else on this planet who will argue with me about who has the lowest cholesterol. Haha
She is kind, and loving, and caring. She takes care of me when I am well and when I am broken down.
I am wildly in love with her...
The Vegas trip is going to be our celebration, so, see you at the party!
KoP
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Filing
I spent most of today organizing folders and files on my computer and backup drives.
It's amazing how fast this stuff can get away from you. Amy and I REALLY need to develop a better system for archiving photo sessions. I got a lot done, but have a lot left to do. I'm just glad I actually have the time to do it now.
I didn't use my crutches at all today. The pain is manageable. That's a good sign. Just two more days until Vegas!
KoP
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It's amazing how fast this stuff can get away from you. Amy and I REALLY need to develop a better system for archiving photo sessions. I got a lot done, but have a lot left to do. I'm just glad I actually have the time to do it now.
I didn't use my crutches at all today. The pain is manageable. That's a good sign. Just two more days until Vegas!
KoP
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, February 14, 2011
Crutches, And Canes, And Cuddles, Oh My!
At around 6 this morning, I noticed that my ankle had FINALLY stopped hurting. It was nice for about two hours.
That's when Layla decided to go bounding across the bed and landed all of her 70 lbs right on top of my foot.
Yeah, I screamed. Heck of a way to wake up.
So it's hurting again, but at least it's not all red and feverish looking.
I'm hoping it will have mended enough by Thursday for me to use a cane. It will be much easier than wrestling with crutches on the plane, also no wear and tear under my arms.
We're still on for Vegas, but I dunno, it's going to involve a LOT of walking. I wonder if I could rent crutches once I get there? Haha.
Layla is FINALLY starting to accept Abby. I think she was grieving for most of yesterday, despondent, and unengaged.
Later that night, however, she began to give Abby a little attention, and finally squirmed her way into a cuddle when they were both tuckered out on the couch.
Everything is going to be all right.
KoP
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
That's when Layla decided to go bounding across the bed and landed all of her 70 lbs right on top of my foot.
Yeah, I screamed. Heck of a way to wake up.
So it's hurting again, but at least it's not all red and feverish looking.
I'm hoping it will have mended enough by Thursday for me to use a cane. It will be much easier than wrestling with crutches on the plane, also no wear and tear under my arms.
We're still on for Vegas, but I dunno, it's going to involve a LOT of walking. I wonder if I could rent crutches once I get there? Haha.
Layla is FINALLY starting to accept Abby. I think she was grieving for most of yesterday, despondent, and unengaged.
Later that night, however, she began to give Abby a little attention, and finally squirmed her way into a cuddle when they were both tuckered out on the couch.
Everything is going to be all right.
KoP
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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