I’m sure Osama is quaking in his cave over this inspection.
Greetings from fabulous Orlando! Our first day was rather eventful even if it did get off to a late start (the flight didn’t leave Austin until 1 PM) but it didn’t matter, vacation time is still time away from the grind. This morning it also sank in about how this wedding trip isn’t a true vacation because I have an itinerary to stay on; I’m an usher which makes me a member of the wedding party. Normally when I take a stretch of a time off, say Las Vegas, there’s no schedule, just a short list of things I would like to do and the remaining time is spent lying around unwinding. Fear not, I am going to enjoy this trip, it may not have as much sleep and web entries.
I was nervous before coming out for two reasons though. Firstly, my annual review was moved up to October (this actually applied to everyone at Apple). It has been 15 years after the entire debacle of GDW yet the psychic scars never completely go away, they only fade. Contrary to my worries, I had my last one with Juan (he’s been recently promoted to manager of the managers) and I did well again. It always pays to have an immediate boss who actually knows you and how you operate. I received good marks, strong compliments from customers (I still think the one who said I was knowledgeable about the mail server must have been talking to the other Steve on the team) and a decent pay raise. We celebrated the increase of money at Wings n’ More; we’re also too lazy to cook when we have serious packing to complete. Second source of nervousness? Flying. It didn’t help that the forecast for Orlando over the next several days had thunderstorms. I’m scared enough and the plane bumping around in the clouds, darkness, rain and lightning heightens my anxiety. Taking Southwest as often as possible improves the odds yet my nerves never did do well with statistics in college. There was a silver lining to Flight 2052 which ties Jose’s wedding to mine. The 737 originated from Las Vegas, where we were married four years ago.
The flight ended up being only bumpy in a couple stages. Despite how much my stomach is churning, I always watch the attendants. If they’re moving about, then it isn’t serious. It did take a while to get the rental car since Enterprise isn’t at the airport, you have to take their shuttle. We got a decent car, a Hyundai Sonata; better than the underwhelming Aveo or Alero I’ve had in the past. As for the hotel room (or motel as Somara prefers to call it), let us say I’m glad it was only $78 for the entire five days via our timeshare company. The Metropolitan Resort is being renovated and it’s really equivalent to a Holiday Inn with a Holidome. It’s primary strength is being near Universal which isn’t why we’re here. At least I’m glad it doesn’t smell like piss as most of the Internet reviews Somara read claimed. I think I’m easier to please than my wife on accommodations; the room has a mini-fridge, a microwave, it faces the pool, hot tub and tennis court and it’s near a convenience store for us to get snacks. We did have to get a couple light bulbs replaced, only Hans Moleman would like the weak lighting in here. The free wireless Internet access is only available in the lobby which is better than Las Vegas (a daily trip to the Apple Store in the Fashion Mall).
I received a great surprise while unpacking, the TSA, a division of Fatherland Security, left a note in my suitcase saying they opened it and inspected its contents. Nice. At least I know who would give me the official run around if something were stolen; thankfully nothing this time. I avoid politics on my site as much as possible but this intrusion is bullshit. On top of being practically strip searched to get on the plane and the continued erosion of our civil liberties by this inept, greedy administration, we’re less safe than we were six years ago. Despite the counterargument I had with a friend yesterday, the real and financially sound solution will be a change in US foreign policy and (sadly) profiling passengers as Israel does. This current nonsense never makes me safe, it just irritates because it’s the same logic as those teachers you always hated grade school; they punish everybody when one jackass can’t behave. When the country gets its next punch the nose, we’ll see that all of the so-called precautions proved to be a waste of effort. Especially when private jets flown by the executive caste remain exempt from probing and Mexican semis will get to terrorize the highways via I-35.
Enough editorializing.
Once unpacking was completed, we started enjoying the time off. Finding the free wireless access, using the hot tub (we were too cold for the pool), walking around to see what’s in range without the rental car and eating. We only ate some fast food before leaving Austin so by 7 PM EDT, we were starving. The downside of hunger is the indecision accompanying it. Nothing appealing was in walking distance and I was in the mood for a steak and beer to calm my nerves and irritation from flying. While looking for the Outback I saw on the way in, we stumbled upon a Black Angus. I had only heard of this chain from a Patton Oswalt bit. Good thing he was only kidding, we had a great meal. It had been a while since I had a steak with some “personality” too. Our waitress Kim was an additional bonus. She would fit in waiting tables around Austin with her gregarious nature.
Day two (now) is going to be crazy.
- Post this.
- Get Nelson from the airport without getting lost.
- Tuxedo fitting.
- Get Nelson to the hotel.
- Bachelor party for Jose planned by his brother, who only contacted me last night about it.
I think Hernan has good ideas, a little out of order and maybe a tad excessive for us “old farts” (compared to his age). However, I’ll go along, as long as it doesn’t involve strippers or needing handfuls of fives.
Loose End: I got a Southwest pilot to explain why some of their 737s have those funky fins on the ends of the wings. He said they provide improved lift and fuel efficiency for the newer planes. Pretty cool to see those fins from the cars of the Fifties actually having a practical purpose.