Adventures getting to Cincinnati

[fbhjr]

After much debate last night, I decided not to bring the laptop and only bring the iPad with me on this trip. It makes sense, the only thing the iPad can't do is play WOW, and I really don't have much time for it.
But, I did want a keyboard. I've got the Bluetooth one that I usually use at work, but it is a pain to carry around.
I remembered when I bought my wife's camera a couple of months ago, they had a clamshell case at Best Buy that had a keyboard built in.
So, I drove up there and bought one. (I never should have taken a job 1/2 mile from a Best Buy. But, in fairness, the job was in the other building 5 miles away when I took it.)

So, I got the new case, and a projector.
What?
I've always wanted one. It was on sale. It was even more reduced because the box was open. They said I could still bring it back if I don't like it. And, my bonus should be in my check Friday.
OK, it was greedy of me to buy it. But, I have always wanted one...

Anyhow, my boss moved up the staff meeting so I could still go to it before I went to the airport. That's the downside of my iPad, I now take better notes than anyone in the department.

But, the meeting ended on time and I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare.
Sadly, the parking lots were full.
The only lot with spaces in it was on the far side of the airport. Terminal E when my flight was terminal A.
At least it was very hot and humid for the walk...

The good news was when I got to the security at the terminal, the guard looked at me, opened a new lane and waved me to the front of it.
So I guess looking tired and sweaty from a long walk had an advantage.

The plane was 100% full.
It was about 80F when the 248 passengers walked on. Then, it got hotter and hotter.
I was in a middle seat with two people who are as "robust" as I am. So, we were all pressed against each other while we waited.
About the time the air flight attendants told us it would get cooler when we took off, the kid behind me started kicking my seat. I wanted to turn around and tell him to stop, but I couldn't move.
I pulled out my iPad and watched Star Trek, which got a "hey, that guy gets to watch Star Trek" out of him. He did stop kicking for a while, but started again before we landed.
Also, everyone in my section of the plane had their windows closed.
This was very sad for me as looking out of the windows is my favorite part of flying.
As we landed the woman next to me opened hers, so I got to see some. And, in the middle seat I wouldn't see much anyhow. But, I was still disappointed by it.

I got off of the plane and to the rental car place without problem.
Then, I found the smallest car the rental people had was a Crown Victoria. It's about twice the size of the coupe I normally drive and is like driving Noah's Ark around Ohio.
I asked for a smaller car and they said I could have a minivan, but that was the only thing they had left. Because I'm a "preferred" member, it was all the same price as a small car, but I'd rather have the small car.
(It is strange to me that Phoenix Swords has a preferred account with Avis, but my day job that is vastly bigger with more money does not.)

When I got to the rental car, I couldn't get into it. The person before me had moved the seat up so far, I couldn't squeeze in.
And, I couldn't find the controls to move it. I looked all over the seat, left, right, under, front. I extended the lumbar support about a foot, but couldn't move the seat.
I went back to the desk and asked. They told me to look on the left side. Nothing.
Finally, I found the controls on the door of the car. I think that's a strange place for seat controls, but there they are.

I got to the hotel without problem, then made a run to the local store for all the stuff I can't fly with.

Now, I'm sitting here missing my wife.
Sad, sad, Frank.
But, I get to go home tomorrow and will see her then.
Yay!

Comments

Hope that your meetings go well tomorrow!

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

It is still hot up here, but, the cold front is supposed to move through tonight, so things in MA should be more pleasant, weather-wise, than we you left.

Here's hoping you don't have another twerpy kid behind you for the flight back. I'd have said something to the "adults" in the back row, even if I had to switch on a very "R" rated movie and hold the ipad up high so it could be easily viewed from the row behind me to get their attention...

Re: Hope that your meetings go well tomorrow!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I don't have any R stuff on it.
Dr. Who, Star Trek & Phoenix videos only.
Not even Torchwood...

[morgan-lafaye.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you got there okay. Here's hoping tommorow goes smoothly,meetings flights and all.

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

Yay for getting there. Hope coming home is more comfy.

Funny thing about the other comment about watching something more adult...when I was coming home from TX last year there was a tirpy kid in the middle of me and another person. The Mom was sitting a few rows up and flirting with the men in her row so did not want to move. Both me and teh other woman were bummed as we each wanted to watch The Tudors that they had on streaming video, but wouldn't because of the kid.

and you are really making really really really want an iPad.... If I can take notes with it then it is a business tool =)

[temperlj.livejournal.com]

Glad you'll be home tonight!

[temperlj.livejournal.com]

Hah, I'd have *still* watched the Tudors. I have to tell you some time about my plane flight with two rambunctious children. People thought it was funny at first when I said
"I don't care they aren't MY kids."
LOL

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Sorry. I didn't reply to your post a while ago about using an iPad like a tricorder as I didn't want to taunt you with them. But, it is exactly how I use mine.
My most frequent phrase when using it is "I happen to have a copy of the internet right here."
I take notes with it, edit photos with it, make videos with it. It is, other than the camera, my most used tool.
But, I've got the 3g version, so can connect everywhere. The wifi versions are more limited, but don't have a monthly fee.

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

The 3g is the thing that has me questioning which to get...It's not the extra cost up front for the unit, but I need to look into the cost of the fee. Once I get a job I am looking to be simplier and not have many bills so I don't know how much I want to pay for a fee. My thinking cap is on...

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

Does it come with an app that makes those tricorder-y type sounds from the original series?

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Sadly, no.
The Next Generation Tricorder? Yes. I've got that app.
But, not the original show.
Sorry.

[blue-micha.livejournal.com]

that one is available for android-based systems. :-)

[cissa.livejournal.com]

LOL!