I am amazed

It is amazing at the Grainger convention I am out. There are 4500 people (about) including all the vendors, sales rep and customers (which is my category). Tonight's entertainment -- a bus ride to Epcot, and one whole side of Future World was shut down to everyone but us. We had dinner, rides to ourselves, free booze, popcorn, and ice cream and a band. After the real Walt Disney World Guests left, we got the run of the other side of future world with another band. And then at 11:45 pm our very own fireworks show (Illuminations). Rough estimate of cost for the events $1 million dollars, by the time they ran charter buses to and fro Epcot, the food, and everything. It was pretty awesome going on a ride with typically an hour (or more wait) and only waiting for about 20 minutes. We did Soaring, Finding Nemo (no wait) Mission Space (no wait), and Eric did Test Track (short wait), which I opted out of at the last minute. Now it is 1:00 am, and I am too wound up to crawl into bed. Tomorrow we have more seminars, more trade show, and then head back home. So, I guess I better get at least a little shut eye.

Exhausted and Cold

You wonder where I have been? Cold and Exhausted.

Right after the New Year, our family headed to Disney World for some vacation time, and sun and warmth. Well, we went right into record lows for Orlando. Highs of 45 during the day, and lows around 30 at night. Yes we had some clothing, but we were figuring on 60 degree days, and 50 degrees at night (normal January weather). So, I went around with a short sleeved shirt, a long sleeved shirt, a lightweight fleece jacket and a heavier jacket. With 2 hoodies, and a hat I manged to stay reasonable, but not warm. To top it off, the heating unit in our hotel room wasn't working properly, and we didn't get it fixed til the next to last day. Brrrrrr. It was still a fun trip, but the cold really took it out of me.

Then, we get back to NC, and here we are also having record cold days. Lows of about 8 degrees, and highs in the low 30s. But yesterday it was almost 45 in the afternoon, and it felt balmy.

But, here I am back at work, feeling exhausted from the cold, and I didn't get my needed Florida sunshine. But wait, I am going back to Orlando on Sunday for a trade show and it is supposed to be warm and sunny! This is an odd show, Grainger is paying all of our expenses, hotel, plane, food, drink, etc for us to show up to a large trade show about the products that they carry, and go to some of their seminars. No strings attached, except that they hope that we will start buying more from them. I think that there will be about 1000 people in attendance. We even get 4 hours at night at one of the Disney Theme Parks (after hours).

Back to the exhaustion. I haven't been going to my normal exercise club, because I am bored of the one thing that they offer, a circuit. No classes, no cardio equipment and their HVAC system needs to be fixed. Which means if I go, then I have to change clothes in really cold dressing rooms, and the bathroom also is frigid cold. So, my energy level is low and not exercising isn't helping. So, last night I left work early and checked out the new YMCA facility just 4.5 miles from work. For only $12 a month more I get: Classes (Yoga, Zuma, Cycle Spin), Saturday and Sunday Hours, Real Locker Rooms with Showers, and lots of equipment. And, til Jan 31st Sign Up is Free! So, as soon as I get back from Orlando, I am going to sign up and then cancel my other membership.

I took lots of pictures on vacation, but have been too tired to go through. But, I need to do it ASAP, maybe I'll work on some of them on my laptop on the next trip.

Another Trip - Traveling to Chicago

Tomorrow I am off to Chicago on a business trip. I am tired tonight and I always over pack when I am tired. Too tired to decide exactly what I will wear each day, so I bring along options. Usually a bad idea as I end up packing enough to last more than the number of days I am gone. Saturday I will have most of the day to shop or go to museums, or just walk around and enjoy being in a big city. Sunday is meetings all day, then meetings Monday morning and right back to the airport. So, Saturday will be my time - until my first meeting at 3:45. Need to grab my ipod and a book and my phone charger, and then off to bed.

Packing for Trips

I love to travel. I hate to pack. I know have all my toiletries ready to go, so no worries there. Packing for family trips is fine. Figure number of day and pack accordingly. I know whether it is shorts, or jeans, throw in a jacket, and ready to go. But business trips are another story especially when the trip involves a convention.

There are classes (informal), trade show time (business), social hours (business casual), traveling, down time and if we are exhibiting clothes to set up and tear down the show booth. One time I figured I needed 3 changes of clothing to get through just one day. Yes, I know all the tricks. I have black, and dark grey pants, I know to layer, and so forth and so on. But, it is the actual decisions of what I will bring that cause the problem. San Antonio was supposed to be warm, but it was cold, and even 3 layers couldn't seem to warm us up. And, I want to look just right, I am representing my company. So, which of my logo shirts will I bring? And which events will be in clothes without the company logo?

You can tell when I've had trouble with decisions. My suitcase gets heavier. With the new weight rules, that has stopped some of my over packing. So, I pack, and I make a list by day and event as to what I am going to wear. And, I pack the list on top. It does help, but it doesn't alleviate the stress. Need jewelry, need dress up shoes, need my charger and i-pod and lap-top, and like Alex books to read. And, I made it to the library book sale this past weekend, and bought a lot of books for only $1 or $2 each. If they are only fair, I give them to flight attendants when I am done with them. Need my notebook full of reservations, and schedules, and event details.

Yet, somehow I manage to always make the plane on time, pull it together, and look good. And only occasionally have to buy something extra that was forgotten. This weekend I pack for a convention in Orlando. I don't leave until Sept 15th, but I am already trying to figure out my wardrobe. The good news is that I cut back on the number of days I'll be gone, and the number of events I am committed to attending. I know every day this week when I dress for work I'll think, hmmmmm do I need this for the trip? If so, I better not wear it today. So, that is what is top and foremost on my mind this week. As well as getting through 2 weeks worth of work in one week, so I leave my desk looking clean and organized and have assigned jobs to be done to everyone else.

And, lastly, I have to figure out how to order healthier smaller portions in restaurants. I am getting better at it, but it is tough! And, why do the restaurants think healthy has to be bland (but that is probably another post all together). Any on the road eating tips would certainly be appreciated!