Ethan’s Journey

 We woke up bright and early to catch our flight to Dallas, then on to Jackson Hole. Our Uber driver was delightfully skilled and speedy weaving in and out of traffic, all while he was jamming to classical music. We all thought that was hysterical. We made it through security. My bag of coffee got tested for explosives. Spoiler alert, it was just coffee. Our flights went well and we’re on time. Flying into Jackson Hole was a bit turbulent as there are peaks and valleys. The difference in temperature had the plane bouncing all over. I like turbulence. It’s like riding a roller coaster. Paul’s sister did NOT appreciate the turbulence and we had a bag ready in case of vomiting. The landing was beautiful and surreal. It looked fake. We waited for our shuttle to get the rental car. It FINALLY came.  When we went to get the car, the sales guy (who was weird) asked if we had reserved a full-size car. I said “yes”. He asked if we wanted to upgrade our choice to a SUV which we would ne...

 Today was horrific. We were excited for our trip when we woke up. Paul was nervous and doesn’t like traveling but Avery and I shared excitement.  Paul finished up packing his things and cleaning up the house before he left for the day at work. Avery went off to work and I started working as well. In the middle of the day, I moved out to the screened in porch and let the dogs out as I finished up a phone interview. I could hear Penny barking her brains out. I started to call for her and was getting to round the corner and heard a terrible noise. A thud. A deep thud. A sickening thud. There was some sort of accident. I started running toward the noise and saw a car pulled off to the side. I saw the body in of a large yellow lab/Pitt dog in the road. Not any of my dogs. A man got out of his car. He was distraught. I immediately ran to the dog. It was apparent that this dog was not going to make it, but he was “still alive” in that he had a heart beat. I quickly told the man it w...

 Embracing my families differences is sometimes hard. I like to have everything planned and packed and know exactly that everything fits.  Paul and Avery have been thinking about packing, but they haven’t completed it, which would stress me out, but they both seem to operate fine like that. They also do this successfully. Avery knows what bags and clothes she is taking, it is just a matter of getting all her things into those bags….so she is in good shape. Paul has enough clothes for the next 3 weeks and asked me tonight what he should bring as far as luggage goes. I gave my two cents and am trying very hard to refrain from being involved in his packing. I don’t want him too dependent on me. What if I die? Then who is he going to rely on? This is really the best thing for him. Tomorrow afternoon is going to be a bit crazy trying to get the house situated for Ethan and the dogs. We had a fireworks display put on by Mother Nature that was amazing. I could hear the plants drinkin...

 Checking into the airport was a nightmare. I arrived about 3 hours early as Denver is a big airport and I heard the lines have been epic. Well I was not prepared. The line at the security check point looked like a weaving endless loop of intestines turning and curving all around. Then, it lined down past several baggage corrals and around the corner.  Around the corner I went to wait in this line than seemed endless. The people around me were talking to the officers there and were told it would be a 3 hour wait to get through security. So many people were getting angry and disgruntled. They must have called in for back up. They also were checking for explosives. That seemed random. I wondered if they had gotten a tip or something. When all hands were on deck, the line started moving. They also had a bomb sniffing dog that we had to walk near in pairs of two. The idiot lady I was paired with got yelled at by security because she wouldn’t let me stand next to her. I was trying ...

 Avery spent the night at The University of Brockport. Yesterday she had a day filled with orientation events and she was able to set up her schedule for the fall. She took 5 college classes in high school and those classes transferred beautifully. It was definitely worth the challenge she took on in high school that she tackled so gracefully. She is so excited she doesn’t have to take an English class. She also was able to elevate to the next calculus class. She has chosen to minor in math based on the discussion with her counselor. She has her goals set and head on straight. I am so proud of her. On my way to the convention center my Uber driver shared with me that he recently got a ticket  when he went to a quinceanera party in Texas. He was going 103 in a 80 because he prostate has an issue. He has to take medication to help what ever issue is going on. The medication makes him have to urinate frequently. He had already gotten a ticket for urinating in public because ...

 I worked at our booth today. My face hurts a little from smiling. I have really developed a little monologue I repeat. I have also come up with a way to scoot around small talk. I have a little side project I am trying to gain some insight. I drive the conversation in that direction on and I am able to get valuable insight on that. Afterward, I retreated back to my room and caught up on some work. I took a walk and picked up my dinner. I got to see some cool things on my walk. I am looking forward to a half day tomorrow. I have scheduled a bunch of phone interviews for tomorrow afternoon. Other than that, life was boring.

 Today I had some interviews prior to reporting to our booth to work. It was a busy day. There was a lot of peopling being done. I feel like I did a good job. After work myself and two other co-workers checked out this restaurant around the corner. I didn’t love it. Everything was over priced and the portions were small.  I ordered chicken and all that was on my plate was chicken. No salad. No side. Not my kind of restaurant. My butt was dragging today so I decided to hunker down, watch TV and go to bed early. I am trying to figure out a way to bring Jiminy to the next conference as the face of our company. I could bring his little camp chair. We will see how that works out. It is worth exploring. Ask, and you have a 50% chance of things coming to fruition.