life as a dog…

Obviously, I didn’t get any time to get online.  Non-wireless homes will do that to you.  So here’s a quick rundown of the trip.

Day 1:

Drove to Indianapolis.  About 20 miles from Indy, I was in a snowstorm.  The roads were getting slick.  The tiny ship was tossed…if not for the courage of the…oh wait…I’m getting off track.  Anyway.  It was getting slick, so I started to slow down.  Not a mile later, I was at a standstill watching a med-evac helicopter landing about 1/2 mile in front of me.  Turns out there was a very serious accident.  Three people were killed.

Day 2:

Not too much happening this day – Christmas Eve.  Went with dad to the store to pick up Christmas Day food.  Had Christmas Eve dinner at brother’s house.  Met youngest niece for the first time.

Day 3:

Christmas Day.  We drove down to my sister’s house in Cincinnati.  We had our usual food, caught up with people, and watched the nephews and neice play with their new Wii.

Day 4:

Drove back to DC.  Pretty uneventful drive, though better than the first day – the first day, in addition to the accident, was spent fighting a headwind the entire way – all 500+ miles.

It’s the holiday trip. Here’s the schedule:

• Sunday: Drive to Indianapolis.
• Monday: Christmas Eve at brother’s house.
• Tuesday: Drive to Cincinnati, Christmas at sister’s house, Drive back to Indianapolis.
• Wednesday: Drive back to Virginia.
  

Not a big trip – though the drive will be long (about 9-10 hours, depending on traffic and weather). It’ll be the first time I get to see my newest niece.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to post each day – internet isn’t the easiest thing where I’ll be in Indy.

Week #2 of the trip of the project is partially complete.  California didn’t happen, so it looks like I’ll be heading back in a few weeks (just before the third week commences).

Tomorrow begins Trip # 003.  Non-work related, it’s just driving out to Indianapolis for Christmas.

Overheard at San Luis Obispo airport:

Father:  Do you ever stop talking?
Son:  That’s who I am…I take after you.

Overheard on plane from San Luis Obispo to LAX:

Daughter:  We’re going to go to outer space!
Father:  I don’t think we’re going THAT high.

Never again.

Someone remind me to never schedule a flight around this time.  It’s bad enough that it’s Friday on Christmas weekend.  But to add to that – this week is the last week of finals for a lot of colleges.  Meaning lots of stupid people.  My flight to Dulles is packed…probably overbooked.  At least I’m in an aisle seat.  Too bad upgrades aren’t available, as I’d probably go ahead and use the miles.

Hidden charges.

I hate it when hotels and the like slip in little “hidden” charges.  My room was prepaid.  I didn’t use anything else.  So when I checked out, they said there was $14 in charges.  Huh?  Apparently, there is a $7/night “resort fee.”  Um…for what?  For things like valet service and wireless internet.  The wireless is supposed to be free.  I didn’t use valet.  Charging me for that is bullshit.  I wrote on their copy of the receipt: “Bullshit charges.”  I REALLY hate it when people do that.  Just go ahead and say there’s a charge for wireless service.  Don’t pretend it’s something else.  It reminds me of how some hotels will charge a fee for the in-room safe.  Even if you don’t use it.  Bullshit charges.

Today was a bust, shoot-wise.  I woke up at about 6:00AM.  It was dark still (obviously), but no rain.  By the time the sun came up an hour later, it was raining.  Just a constant drizzle.  Actually, a little bit more than a drizzle, but not a steady rain.  So the shoot was not to be.

I spent the morning watching a little TV and waiting for 10:50AM to roll around – I needed to get a seat assignment for one of my flights tomorrow – the long flight from LAX to Dulles.  That’s done (aisle seat).

After that was done, I decided to see if there was anything to take pictures of and figured I’d start heading toward Hearst Castle…maybe the clouds would break by the time I got there.  Sure enough…by the time I got there, it was clear.  Or at least, it was clear up there – it’s about 40 miles north of San Luis Obispo.  Went ahead and got a ticket for the basic tour.  I think I got some decent pictures – they’ll be coming later.  Afterward, I stopped at a beachside parking area – Elephant Seal Vista.  There were a LOT of them lying about and snorting at all the people.  Got some good pictures there (also coming later).  Drove back down to San Luis Obispo, but not before stopping at Morro Bay.  I was told to check it out.  Pretty cool, actually.  I didn’t get a picture of him, but there was an otter about 50 yards from the jetty I was standing on.

I also had to make the stop at the Madonna Inn.  If you don’t know what that is, google it with “urinal.”  The infamous “waterfall” urinal.  Surprisingly, nobody was around when I stopped by.  As far as the Madonna Inn as a whole…it’s beyond garish.  Kitsch doesn’t even begin to describe it.  Over-the-top doesn’t do it justice.  I have some pictures that I’ll post once I’m home.

So there’s day 4.  Not much of substance happened today.  Tomorrow is travel day.