What is "travel"?

Is it the act of physically transporting yourself to a different location? Technically I guess you could make that argument. Or is it the experiences you have when you go somewhere new? I guess I feel it's the latter. So do I "travel for work"? What does that mean?

On this trip, I kept encountering those little travel inconveniences. So this is mostly a rant. Directed toward nobody in particular.

On the flight out ...
The plane for my connecting flight was three hours late arriving in Denver, due to mechanical issues. Not too bad for me. I was able to spend the time working. And my ride in wasn't too worried about the delay, and we were still going to be able to get into Princeton by about 10 or 10:30. So not too late.

We finally boarded the plane and started taxiing toward the runway, and then inexplicably stopped on the runway. We were probably only stopped for about 15 - 20 minutes when the captain told us we weren't going to be able to get the OK from Philadelphia for at least an hour, so we were going to return to the gate to de-board, "and, uh, maybe you can make other arrangements". Yikes. Not a minute later we were heading down the runway, and the flight attendant was saying that the captain had just been informed that we had the OK to depart. And apparently he wasn't going to waste a moment taking advantage of that window.

Philadelphia was socked in with fog, so when we finally got there they put us in a holding pattern. They did tease us a little ... we started to come in for a landing, and then abruptly pulled up again. When I finally got off the plane and picked up by my co-worker it was 11pm, and we were about an hour's drive from Princeton.

I really couldn't tell you anything about Princeton. And that's what actually bugs me the most! I love traveling. Not the packing to get through security, or physically sitting in an airplane for hours. I enjoy exploring new places, people, food, music, whatever.

We were staying in a hotel near(ish) the office. The hotel and the office were in an area that looks like a suburb, with nothing but office buildings. Nothing at all within walking distance. And for food we were referred to the mall food court, or other chain restaurants outside the mall across the highway from us. So, no exploring in the two days I was there for work. And I'd failed to take the time off to explore on my own. That was my big mistake. I don't get to travel as often as I'd like, and I just shouldn't let these opportunities slip by. Now my (probably mistaken) impression of Princeton is that it's just another suburb. Lots of traffic, office buildings, malls ... nothing unique or interesting or really worth taking the time to see.

The trip back was less eventful. I took the train from Princeton to the Newark airport. The conductors were very helpful, and advised me to get off the train I was on, as it wouldn't actually be stopping at the airport. (oops). But I still managed to make it to the airport with time to spare. Got through security and looked around for food. What a pain. Security in the Newark airport is very near the gates. By the time you've gone through security your food options are pretty limited.

Naturally the Newark to Chicago flight was running late. And I was one of the last groups to board. So by the time I got on the plane there was no more room in the overheads for my carry-on bag. Usually the take your bag below, and hand it back to you as you get off the plane. For some reason they wouldn't do it this time, and the woman at the Newark airport was pretty surly about it. She just kept repeating "not gonna happen". Nice. Thanks. After getting in to Portland, and waiting for every last bag to come around the carousel, I discovered that my luggage hadn't made it on to my plane. Grrrr. Stupid Newark airline employee.

All things considered, the trip wasn't that bad. I did get to meet up with some of my co-workers. Something I don't often get to do. And it was really helpful to get training in person, rather than trying to do the same thing using documentation and telephone calls. And I came back in one piece. Really, if I'd had a chance to do any exploring I would have been pretty happy. And if there hadn't been people relying on me I wouldn't have been so anxious about the delays.

It could have been worse. And none of the inconveniences were really worth getting hung up on. I did, but I shouldn't have. I should consider my experiences to be another reminder that there's no point in getting hung up about things that you have no control over. Just let things follow their course, and don't engage in the drama. And next time ... take another day or two to explore, and make the most of the opportunity!!!

The working part of the working vacation (part 2)

What a blur. I didn't take any pictures, or keep up with the blog ... but here are the highlights:

• Happy hour on Tuesday with Paul, Chris, and Ryan, at Dazzle. Anectdote: Gregg and I came here with the Turin crew one night for Martini-making lessong. Totally cool place.
• Tuesday's happy hour was followed by dinner at Le Central ... which became dinner around the corner at Little India when we realized Le Central was closed for the evening (remodeling or something). It's all good. They were both old favorites.
• Wednesday's drive through the old NW neighborhoods. Not much has changed there. Dinner at Trattoria Stella, which still has the best bread pudding ever!
• Lunches with Deb at Palomino; Susan, Heather, and Delphine at BDs Mongolian Grill; Coffee breaks with Ryan and Paul at Starbucks; Coffee with Marlise at Starbucks; and many other happy moments reconnecting with friends and prior co-workers

Aside from the walk to and from Ryan's (gorgeous and well-located) condo to the office downtown, I didn't get any exercise! Yikes. But it was fantastic being able to see old friends again. I'll have to get out there again for a working holiday ... and maybe before another three years have gone by!

My working vacation - part one

I'm skipping ahead a bit here. I'll circle back a bit later to write about the events between July and now.

I've gotten a lot of "why" questions about this trip. So ... I decided a while back that it was just WAY past time for a visit back to Colorado. I still love the place, and miss all my Colorado friends. Colorado, and Denver, will always have a special place in my heart. But things are as they always are ... not enough vacation time, Gregg can't get away, and too short of money for a full blown vacation.

So I decided to fashion myself a little working holiday.

Here's part one of the working holiday ...

Gregg and I drove up to Portland after I got off work on Wednesday. We went to the IKEA to pick up another light fixture for the bathroom, and a couple more DVD storage boxes. We also picked up some treats ... salty black licorice fish and cloudberry (?) jam and stuff. IKEA rocks! Gregg dropped me off at a budget hotel near the airport and left to get home to Demi.

I woke up at 3:30 am (what on EARTH was I thinking scheduling such an early flight), caught my airport shuttle at 4 am, and made it through security in about 20 minutes ... plenty of time to catch my 5:44 am flight to Denver. Again, what was I thinking. Well, I know I was thinking of a cheap ticket ... but how cheap is it really if I have to stay in a hotel in order to make my flight.

Two valuable travel lessons learned:
Printing out the boarding pass in advance saves a TON of time.
The flight isn't that cheap if there are add-on expenses (like lodging).
Early morning wake-up calls totally suck.

After arriving in Denver I dropped in at the Denver office to store my luggage, and had a chance to say "hi" to a bunch of old friends and coworkers. I can't believe it's been THREE YEARS since I left the Denver office. Time flies!!!

I worked downtown at the Starbucks for the day and took the light rail south to Geanie & Travis's place. Wow! Their new place is walking distance to the light rail station, and the house is huge and gorgeous, the backyard is landscaped with grapes and apparently a plum tree, and aspen, and a fountain, and the deck has a pretty decent view of the Rocky Mountains. It's absolutely gorgeous.

After working from their house (and the nearby Starbucks) on Friday, Geanie & Travis & I met up with Donata, and Chip & Andrea for dinner. Donata's just had another baby ... less than two weeks ago ... and she looks absolutely amazing!!! I also had a chance to get to know Andrea a little bit, and get caught up with Chip. I can't believe I forgot my camera for this get-together! Dang! Well, I'll just try not to let another three years go by ...

On Saturday Geanie and Travis took me (and the dogs) up to Keystone for the day. I really wanted to get up to the mountains, just for a little hike or something. Anything. Of course the elevation completely kicked my @$$! I completely forgot what it feels like to be struggling for oxygen before any of your muscles feel engaged. But it was so beautiful! The Aspen are just beginning to show color. Within a couple of weeks they're going to be in full glory.

In the evening we opened up some wine and took the dogs for a short walk, and Travis made us a great meal. Tons of veggies. Exactly what a traveling girl needs!

After getting back to the city this afternoon, Geanie and I walked to the mall (a.k.a. "Lifestyle Center") ... did a little window shopping, had some noodles, and I got a pedicure! First time ever. What luxury. I mean, my feet were looking a little worked, and I'm wearing sandals all week. So there was (arguably) an actual need. But it was also an absolutely cool experience. They started with a little whirlpool bath for my feet, lotioned the feet, massaged the feet, exfoliated and massaged my feet and calves, moisturized feet and calves, hot wax on the feet (surprisingly not unpleasant). What an experience!

And after coming back to the house I got to see another fall lightening storm. Man, I've really missed those. The lightening in Colorado is so amazing! Unfortunately Geanie was out running at the time, and got poured on. But (once she was safely home) it really capped off a great weekend for me!

This morning I took the train up to Downtown Denver, and checked in to the office. More on the work week later ... in part two.

I failed :(

That's not to say I AM a failure, however ... I didn't pass. A lot of you have been checking in on me, so I thought I'd pass along the news. I'm a little sad. I think I'll have a big, big beer tonight, and consider future exams another night.

From the ActuarialOutpost ... someone else feeling my pain:
As I try yet again to get over yet another disappointment, I try to tell myself things like "At least none of my kids got hit by a car today" or "I wonder if anyone on the JBEA will get hit by a car over the weekend?"

(JBEA is the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries ... the buggers who design the EA exams).

Wait ... stop the train ... let me off!!!

What a weird week it's been.

Gregg and I drove up to Portland Monday night to see Rasputina in concert at the Hawthorne. We've seen Rasputina a few times. Love them. Melora comes across as kind of cranky and eccentric ... much like one of our favorite authors, David Sedaris. Apparently we're a big fan of the cranky eccentrics. Anyway, Rasputina played several of their new tunes. Loved them all. Gregg thought they were selling out a bit ... one of their songs was less discordant, more of a "mainstream pop" sound, than is customary in their music. I still thought they kept close enough to their unique style and sound, and loved it all. And they played several old favorites. The Hawthorne was a bit smaller than we'd expected, and had absolutely no ventilation. A girl could pass out in that much heat and humidity.

We had a nice walk back to our friends' home, which we were house sitting. And the next morning realized we'd lost their house key!!! And I actually mean Gregg lost their house key!!! Freakin' stunning! Gregg is my finder of all things lost ... he doesn't lose things, he finds them.

I had a pretty good couple of days working in Portland. Stopped at Pix Patisserie on my way to the Portland office Wednesday, to pick up some goodies to bring home to Gregg after work. I was introduced to the place once, and have absolutely fallen in love with it! Since I don't have regular access it's going to become an obsession I can't indulge in; I'm going to start having dreams of their desserts. Can't help myself.

I mistakenly thought I'd be able to walk from the Portland office to the train station, to catch my train back home. Started walking, and realized that not only did I not have a clear picture of the distance, I couldn't find a taxi?! I don't know where the downtown Portland hotels are. There are always taxis in front of the hotels, and I figured I'd come across one at some point. No luck. I ended up ducking into a Starbucks along the way and asking for the number for a taxi. Got to the train station in the nick of time! And the train was delayed. Only about 15 minutes, but with the wait for the taxi and the 15 minute delay, I actually could have walked the distance. Ah well.

So then ... this is where the week got even weirder ... I got into the train. Stashed my many bags in and around my seat. Set up my computer, and got some work done. Grabbed a mini bottle of mediocre Chardonnay and some equally mediocre Madelines, and read the Willamette Weekly for the rest of the ride home.

I love taking the train. For $15 one way it's barely more than gas, and less than gas + parking. A lot of people complain about delays, but in my experience I've only once been more than 15 or 20 minutes late. I don't even consider that late for public transportation, and when I take the train I plan for the lateness. In fact, as a rule I never take the train when my arrival is time-sensitive ... when I need to make a travel connection or a close meeting time. The way I see it, if I plan it properly, it's less stressful and much more productive than driving. I gain an hour and a half of usable time since I can actually work, play, or relax on the train.

So after working and relaxing, we approached Albany. I got all of my bags in order, ready to grab the moment the train stopped. Train stopped. I grabbed bags and stood up ... looked to either end of the car to see where the door was going to open (they only open certain doors at the stops). Saw the door open at the far end of one of the attached cars, and immediately headed toward the door. As I approached the door, it started closing!!! I stuck my hand against the door hoping to trigger it open (like an elevator). Doesn't work like that! So I started yelling at the conductor who was on the other side of the door ... and then banging on the window of the door. "Hey ... I'd like to get out here ... hello!" No gold. The only "official" I could get to immediately was the cafeteria woman ... and as I was talking to her the train started to leave the station! I'm sure if I'd been more composed I'd have seen an "emergency stop" button or cord or something. Never actually looked for one. And at this point I was beginning to wrap my head around the fact that I was headed for Eugene, and was going to need to call Gregg to let him know where to pick me up. Somebody more together than me must have noticed my predicament, because the train stopped shortly after leaving the station. The conductor said that he couldn't back up the train (okay, hadn't even considered that he could), so did I want to get out here and walk the track back to the Albany station, or go ahead on to Eugene. I'll walk, thanks!

Wow. What a trip. So I walked the 100 feet or so back to the station parking lot. Weird!!! I think it was a combination of me sitting in the "wrong" car (I wanted to use the tables to set up my laptop), and the fact that the conductor who'd checked my ticket and knew I should be departing in Albany was a new employee in training, and she wasn't the one who opened/closed the door at the station. That's never happened to me before, or to anybody I've spoken with who's traveled by train. Still, next time I'll be a little more proactive about avoiding this sort of FU.

And the kicker ... and what really bugs me still ... is that I forgot those damned desserts under my chair!!! Walking along the railroad tracks carrying all my bags ... actually kind of a laughable, "oh yeah, this is my life!" sort of thing. Losing the desserts ... that's just so typically me, and so entirely disappointing!

Catching up on Philadelphia

So I arrived in Philadelphia at around 6:30 am, found a payphone (boo! not used to using those anymore) and called Debbie. Poor girl. Quite an early wake-up call after a Friday night out with friends. She was a total champ, and showed up in about 20 minutes to pick me up.

We were too early for breakfast anywhere, so we went back to her place, had a little breakfast, took showers, and got ready to go touristing.

There are lot's of MAP murals, as well as many independent (non-MAP) murals. "Theatre of Life" on S BROAD ST & LOMBARD ST was my favorite, hands down, but it's difficult to see how magnificent it really is from the photos. Anyway, after a little touristing for murals we got a little bored with the process, and decided to head on down to Reading Terminal Market. Huge, and very cool. Of course I have a love affair with food, so I thought all the fresh ingredients and homemade Amish goods were really wonderful. Before getting back to the car we'd also managed to walk some of the area near my hotel and have an excellent cup of coffee at nearby La Colombe Torrefaction, and do a little shopping at Anthropologie. Usually way overpriced, but I managed to get a gorgeous skirt on sale for 75% off. Awesome. Anyway, after a couple of errands and a driving tour of more of Philadelphia, we went back to debase place in Germantown for some down time.

Later in the evening we walked down to one of her neighbor's homes for a night in with friends. Since my memory is so completely awful, I'm not even going to attempt to remember everybody's names, but they were all really great. Very interesting, funny, and friendly. I begged off playing games on my own, but since we were odd-numbered anyway Debbie and I paired up as a team in a game of Catch Phrase. Loved it! Want it. Next time we show up at your house we may just be bringing the game with us.

And, after sleeping like a rock for the night, and taking our time getting around in the morning, we decided to hit the mall. And hit it I did. You've never seen me have this much fun shopping. And I spent way too much money. But as Debbie continued to point out, I didn't buy anything that wasn't at a great deal. Everything either on sale or at H&M (my favorite simple t-shirts, and everything always at reasonable prices, but not many of them in the U). Still, you've never seen me with so many shopping bags!

Debbie and I also got together with another friend of her's on Monday night for dinner. I have to say I've never had so much fun with her. Astoria was really a difficult time for both of us, and I think neither of us was on our game back then. These days we're both happier, and it really shows. She looks really great, and it felt like after 8 years apart we were more similar than we'd been after spending 2 years together. I was honestly pretty surprised at how easy and fun it was to be with her. And all of her friends were fantastic too. She's planning on coming back to Oregon for a visit in July, and I'm hoping I'll have a chance to visit with her some more then.

Working with the crew in Philadelphia was great. It's nice to be in the same office with co-workers, even for just a few days. It really is easier to have your co-worker located just over a cubicle wall or behind a door. It's all psychological I think, because it's not that hard to pick up a phone or NetMeeting with that same person to get help or to collaborate. But it's really nice to be able to go out to lunch with them, or take advantage of a free moment just to chat. Does it go without saying that everybody in the office was super friendly and helpful? I love my job.

Well, there were some rough spots in this trip (including an eventful and unpleasant cab ride back to the Philadelphia airport), and I seem to have returned with the flu. I'm feeling a little better tonight, and hopefully will continue to improve, as this is a critical week for work. I don't even remember when I had the flu last, but I've gotta say it's entirely unpleasant. By Friday night I had a fever, and was alternately shivering and sweating, had a horrible headache, and my lungs were completely congested. I guess it should have occurred to me that with all of the traveling I was doing this season, a flu shot might have been a good idea. I've never had one before, but next season I'll have to think about it a little more carefully.

All things considered though, it was a really great trip. I did find my cell phone! Yeah, Gregg knew all along I'd find it in the back of the car. Smarty pants. I'd apparently put it down when I went back to the car to grab my gloves and hat. And it was fantastic hooking up with Debbie again. I had a great time with her. And working in the office with Jon and Dmitri, and chatting with Rob and Ross, was productive and fun. Not sure when I'll have another chance to go back to Philadelphia, but I'd jump at the chance. Even considering all the pitfalls, and the flu, it was a great trip!

On to Philadelphia

Barely a week home from Australia, and I'm on my way to Philadelphia. I've never been, so I'm excited to see a new place, and meet up with an old friend. Debbie and I suffered through our first years of teaching together at Astoria High School. It should be apparent from my current job that I wasn't clearly not cut out for teaching, but Debbie's stuck with it ... modified the career a bit both in geographic location and specialty, but she's still teaching.

So, the trip is off to a pretty horrible start. The flight I'd chosen left PDX at around 10 pm, and arrived in Philadelphia at around 10 am, and ... quite importantly, didn't lay over in Vegas. But, when I went to book it there was a cheaper flight available, cheaper by around $70 ... $70 that I didn't want to pony up. So instead I chose a flight that would be a little more tight to get to, but still possible. I should also mention that I've never driven myself to the airport, and therefore never needed to park in the long-term lot.

Naturally it took longer to get to the airport than I'd anticipated. Because I'd stopped to return a borrowed dvd recorder at Rie & John's place in Portland, I tried to find the parking lot from the directions I'd printed, and got lost. So I ended up coming into the airport from a different direction. The only sign I saw for the long term parking pointed in a direction that didn't take me anywhere. Eventually I found the budget parking ... and happily the shuttle bus came immediately! ... but I was still in a huge rush. No line at security, so I breezed through in minutes. Got to the gate just in time ... and couldn't find my cell phone to turn it off! Yes, I've lost my cell phone.

Just overheard a conversation in this horrible little smoky bar in the Vegas airport ... in which a belligerent American (oh my god, he just said he was from Oregon ... he's really embarrassing) asked a Canadian guy "so what's up with Canadian TV. I mean, Kids In The Hall, Strangers With Candy ... That's not funny!" And I just have to take a moment to strongly disagree. With that, and pretty much everything he said after that.

Anyway, things to learn from this experience:

• Don't cut travel deadlines so close. Leave earlier if necessary, don't plan on running errands when you really don't have the time, if you've never been to the (airport, parking garage, etc.) allow a little extra time.
• Never layover in Las Vegas. Unless you're both a smoker and a gambler.
• To soften a little on the previous statement ... if you're going to be in need of free wireless, and don't mind the smoke, there is a bar in LAS ~ The Budweiser Brew House I think ~ that has free wireless.
• Don't be so cheap. I could have saved myself a lot of grief for about $70.

And now, on to Philadelphia from Las Vegas.

It's not just a job

I really enjoy the random "Ed" moments in life. And that last one was a great way to kick off the week at work. I was worried about Grandma, and excited about the week ahead in Deerfield. A little anxious that I wouldn't recognize co-workers that I'd seen only once a year ago ... but definitely excited.

At the end of the week, I just have to say again how much I love my job, and adore my co-workers. Without going into a blow-by-blow of the week:

• I didn't remember everybody by sight, but it didn't matter. They're all great, and take things like that in stride.
• When I determined that I was going to leave a day early in order to make Bessie's funeral, and consequently miss out on the single planned social event of the week ~~~ which is what we're all there for, a few co-workers formed a little party out the night before. Thanks to Heather, Rob, Mark, Ross, Kathy, ... it was a good night out, and another great chance to form bonds with co-workers I don't often get to see. And that for the most part I haven't worked closely with either.
• And I feel so much gratitude to everybody there ... particularly my bosses Irina and Paul, and co-worker Ron ... for being so kind and understanding. I know it shouldn't be so uncommon, and for some people maybe it isn't, but I don't think I've ever worked in an environment where my co-workers and superiors make such an effort to take notice of the events in my life, good and bad, and respond with kindness, support, encouragement, and all those great things.

I do work for a good company, but it's so much more important that my group within the company is the best group in the world. If I'm exaggerating, it's only by a little.

Ed

Life has been pretty busy, and a little nuts. So basically, nothing new here. But I did have another of those odd little moments during the last week. I'm not a wordsmith, and the correct word isn't "odd", but I'm not sure how to characterize it.

Since we moved back to Corvallis I've seen surprisingly little of some friends, more of others, and since I work from home I almost never see anybody unless I make an effort to do it. Except for Ed. While working toward my degree at OSU Ed was one of three professors that stand out in my mind. I would say that the three of them taught 90% of my courses. That might be an exaggeration, but that's how I remember it. Anyway, all three were great, and all very likeable ... but Ed is the one who keeps popping up around town.

So I was in the Portland airport last weekend on my way to Chicago (Deerfield) for work, and came across Ed waiting for his flight to New York (via Chicago). Turns out he was on my flight. After a moment of conversation I let him get back to his reading and joined my friends. The flight was full, and I figured I wouldn't see much of him on the flight. A conservative assumption really. But it turns out that he had the aisle seat to my window seat. And Ed is an interesting guy. I've met his wife a couple of times, and she seems pretty great too. We're hoping to hear Ed and his Bluegrass band play, soon after we get back from Australia.

Great news!!!

I passed exam EA-2A! No names are published yet, but my candidate number is 10917. I have no idea yet what the percentage of passers was, but it's usually around 25 - 30%.

I still need to pass EA-2B before I'm eligible to be an Enrolled Actuary, but I'll take a sitting off, and sit for it for the first time in May of 2007. That'll give me over a year to study the material, and in particular to become an "expert" in non-discrimination studies, which should give me a great shot at passing that exam on my first sitting.

I might be done with the exams then. Maybe. Or I might feel compelled to continue on with my ASA designation. We'll see. But for now, it's all about celebrating!