I am still on California time

So, it's 3:30 am and I am WIDE awake. I new it would catch up and it has. I tried sleeping - really I did. Even moved Sammi out of my spot in the bed. No dice. Instead of watching tv all night (which honestly I get bored of after an hour or two) I went downstairs at 12:30 am and did expense reports. Of all the things in the world I thought would make me tired, it would be expense reports. But alas, it is not to be. So I figured - hey, I haven't blogged in a while, may as well catch up :) Please excuse if I ramble - it is 3:30am...or 12:30am depending on the time zone - either way it's in the am. On the plus side, I have reached Silver status with US Airways - that helps considerably with checking baggage (no fees for 2 bags) and automatic upgrades if they are available. Plus - they are partnered with several airlines, so the Silver status works on them too (United and Continental plus like 15 other more regional airlines) TRAVEL TIP! if you use one or any of those three - pick the one you use the most and ONLY use that frequent flyer program when booking your tickets - that way your points add up faster. had I known that last year, I'd probably be gold status now. Same sort of thing happens on other airlines (Except Southwest - they don't play with others - Air Tran may be the same way)

So - the past five weeks have been a whirlwind of travel to Redondo Beach California. Could have been much much worse - like Podunk Montana (I just made that up - not that I have anything against Montana, it was the first thing that popped in to my brain). I really enjoyed it - would have been better if the girls coulda been with me, but school got in the way. California is really nice - but I have no idea how anyone affords a house out there. A little shack is $400K - and that is way off the beach (yes I did check - the cheapest "on the beach" house is $5 MILLION)

Funny thing is, we are going on vacation NEXT week - anyone wanna guess where? really? California. Yep the state - not the town in Missouri (unfortunately) This time Kelly is going to be working. Originally we figured I would be scheduled to do something, the kids could hang out at the pool and they could do vacation things at night and weekends. But seeing as I am going to be able to join them, we can do vacation things the whole time. Yay!

Ashley has to go to her mother's in Oregon (Springfield/Eugene area) - so she won't be with us. But in case you are thinking "well there is one less female Eric has to deal with", you would be wrong. Rachel's friend Eliza will be coming along for the ride too. She is a cool cat, so not a problem, plus it gives Rachel someone other than Sammi to pester, so it works out :) I am not a details kind of guy (Kelly can attest to this). so I am still a bit fuzzy on the itinerary. I know we start in San Diego, go to LA, back to San Diego, back to LA (where I fly out of to Colorado) then the girls go back to San Diego and fly home. I am sure Disney is in the mix, as is Hollywood and all that stuff. Pretty sure I will have to go back to work to rest from vacation....

Anyway, after vacation, I go to Colorado for five weeks. A continuation of the gig I was doing in California. In case you are wondering, it is a defense contractor that rhymes with Grorthrop Numman that is virtualizing their datacenters. It should save them millions in operating costs. The high altitude of Lafayette Colorado should help me train for the Triathlon I am doing in August. Provided I get off my arse and actually train :)

I am going to drive from Denver to KC/Lake area for the 4th. So be prepared mom and dad - may have some more company than just me :) Hopefully details will get worked out soon - so you have an idea of what to prepare for.......

I think I am going to work on the basement a bit - no hammering as I don't want to wake anyone up. I do need to run wiring and such.....so I should be fine. I just noticed that the dog keeps looking at my with an inquisitive look on his face as if saying "what the hell are you doing up?" He's funny like that.