Cancun

Got up, had breakfast and headed to the pool!

I wasn’t going to get screwed by the “clouds” today (or the sun setting behind the building)

My brain hurts from the constant currency conversion. Thankfully, I remembered my mini calculator that I used nonstop in China to do the math for me. What’s strange here, is that the conversion fluxuates. The hotel or business dictates the rates.. right now it’s anywhere from 12-14 pesos to 1 US dollar.

Anyway…. The grounds are very nice and there are numerous poolside options.

Currently they are replenishing the beaches along the coast as they had washed away during the hurricanes over the past few years.

It’s an interesting process to watch. It’s something I have seen happen many times over the years along the beaches of Florida.

At lunchtime, I enjoyed an ice cold cerveza! I love the way they serve it to you. Your cone shaped glass, sits inside this vase of ice.

Spent the rest of the afternoon reading and napping poolside… with a few margaritas mixed in here and there.

In the late afternoon I went back up to the room for a siesta.

A late dinner with Steve, Jessica & Scott. The rest of the crew traveled in today, so I had a chance to meet them afterwards.

New Years Eve is one of my least favorite holidays. As far as I am concerned, there was no need to stay up to toast the new year, but I caved to peer pressure and had one final margarita at the bar.

At approximately 12:02am, Jessica (who also had similar feelings about the holiday) and I promptly went to our rooms.

Columbus > Cancun

Took another crazy early flight – but it was only so I could get to Cancun by noon.

Why Cancun? Well because ESPN is doing a test game on January 2nd. There will be a basketball tournament taking place at this arena in December of 2010 – so they are doing a test this year to see what limitations they will face for the tournament.

Will fill ya in on all that later in the week. For now, I am on vacation!!

The Cancun airport was nicer that I expected. It looked pretty new actually.

Due to security and safety concerns, I was not allowed to leave the resort unaccompanied. They didn’t even want me to take a cab from the airport to the resort out of fear I would be kidnapped. But I talked them into letting me take a shuttle service – figuring it would be less likely for me to be abducted since there would be witnesses.

Online, the resort looked nice. However, I still was skeptical.
Upon arrival, I was pleasantly surprised.

The lobby area was all open. Very cool! No walls.

This is looking up into the hut roof

There were issues with my room. As in they didn’t have one for me.

But thankfully, I was able to convince them I was indeed with ESPN and they gave me a room anyway. I knew this was only going to lead with trouble later though – with billing.

The courtyards were beautiful. Very tropical…

My room








I got unpacked and headed down for some lunch and a margarita!


Then planted myself poolside.

I quickly discovered that after 3pm, the sun was blocked by the hotel. It was several stories high and was in the shape of a horseshoe.

Grrr….





So I decided there had to be a place on the front of the resort I could sit.

I inquired at the front desk…. Where I was told the hotel was not blocking the sun, the clouds were. It turned into this entire saga… I walked away. Not worth my energy to explain that the sun moved towards the west in the late afternoon and the pool was on the east side of the hotel.

I explored the grounds for a while and didn’t really find a place to sit. So I went back to my room for a nap.

I woke up around sunset and had a wonderful view from my room.

Later that evening, I met up with Steve, the one person I knew working this event. He had returned from the venue with two other people (Jessica and Scott) from the Charlotte office and I joined the 3 of them for dinner.

Soon after dinner, I went to bed.

Columbus

Lots of prep to do today – I leave tomorrow for a 8 day trip.

Cancun > West Lafayette, IN > Columbus

So… a little complicated since I am dealing with summer and winter climates!

Plus, I have to go get my final Hepatitis A shot. I had gotten the first one prior to China. But never went back for the 2nd one. My doctor wanted me to get the second one before setting out to Mexico.

Ugh! Another needle!

Fort Myers > Columbus

Ugh! Flights at this hour our torture! But I took it so I would be able to work this evening. Plus I was able to sleep, so that always helps.

Detroit vs Columbus – NHL – CBJ Vision

The Jackets won in overtime!

Fort Myers

The weather was again windy. So we decided to go to a movie. We went and saw “Up In The Air” – which was good. My parents understood it, knowing me and my obsession with having “status” with airlines and hotels.

However, I am afraid they now think I pick up strange men for one night stands in Hilton hotels!

After the movie, the weather was still windy – but not a cloud in the sky. So we decided to go ahead and head back out to Sanibel for a couple hours.

Again, very chilly – but time spent on the water is always a good thing!

That evening, I worked on packing. My flight on Monday morning is at 5:50am. Ouch!

Fort Myers

Mom and I did a little shopping this morning. Rather disappointed by the limited selection. In years past we had made out good on Christmas supplies. Not this year.

That afternoon we ventured out on the boat. It was pretty chilly and windy. But it was supposed to be the better of the 2 days I had left.

Even though I never got to take my sweatshirt off – I was on the water.

Fort Myers

Merry Christmas!
This morning we gathered in the living room…. A bitter sweet holiday without Madison. And since Rizon hasn’t been doing well, we were expecting it to be rather depressing.

Madison and Rizon loved Christmas morning! They have always run around like kids, open their presents, pranced around showing them off – and had to be in the middle of it all!

As a huge surprise to us – Rizon remembered that it was Christmas! He was totally into it! Wanted to sit on the couch with me and everything!

He enjoyed just sitting there with his treat in his mouth for all to see

Eventually, he went over on the rug to eat it and get crumbs everywhere.

After we opened gifts, we had our annual brunch. Although this year it was just the three of us. In years past, we had numerous family and friends drop in to celebrate with us.

We relaxed for a few hours and then headed over to Uncle Hugh & Aunt Mary’s – they were having a dinner/open house.

It was quite excited because I was going to meet my newest “cousin”, Harry.

He is awesome!






He was quite proud of one of his many Christmas gifts – his new perch.

Uncle Hugh made this for him. He had spent the past few weeks researching the perch’s sold at the pet stores and made this one in the garage where Harry is not allowed.

I gotta tell ya – that perch was solid! The ones I have bought for Claude & Smokey are first of all, insanely overpriced, not to mention wobbly and poorly constructed. I think H&M Construction has a new business possibility.





Mom, dad and I went home to give Rizon his gifts from cousin Harry.

He quickly wore out from the photo session and excitement.










All in all, it was nice to have Rizon “back” – if only for day.

Fort Myers

Woke up early to continue to work on my shopping.

There may (or may not) of been a huge scene at the Office Max in Bonita Springs. It is quite possible that I will be banned from ever visiting the store again.

Joined mom and dad for breakfast.

Which included a fun-filled saga regarding a new wireless router dad had purchased for the house – shockingly enough – it had been purchased at the aforementioned Office Max.

After breakfast, I continued on with my last minute shopping.

That evening, I went to Christmas Eve Mass with mom and dad.

We then went home to enjoy a dinner of appetizers.

A strange night for us all...  new traditions....
We had previously spent Christmas Eve at grandma's.

Fort Myers

Ran out in the morning for a little more shopping.

Rizon is not doing well. He has been having accidents in the house. Lots of them.
And has been more “out of it” than normal.

Mom called the doctor today to see if she could get an appointment.

I went to work.

Kinda surreal. Here I am working – back at home.

I have done games in Ft Myers before – but it was early in my freelance career – Spring Training.

To make it even more strange, the game was at the high school I was supposed to go to.
Bishop Verot

It is the catholic high school. It was the natural progression from St. Francis – the catholic grade school I attended. I took all the placement tests and had been accepted. Then my parents gave me the option to finally go to public school and I pounced on that opportunity!

Honestly – who knows what I would be doing today if I had gone to BishopVerot? They didn’t have the TV program that Estero had.

And this tournament has been going on for like 20+ years. I remember it from back when I lived here.

So incredibly bizarre to see a TV truck parked outside the high school you visited many times and in the parking lot of the church you attended for many years.

I was working with my friends Todd & Dennis. I was extremely jealous that I had not joined them at the Mucky Duck on Sanibel the night before.

Anyway – the games went on… a disaster in my world. Just not enough time to do a double header. People think HS hoops is easy – but in reality – so much harder to prep for than collegiate hoops!

I got a chance to go into the gym for a minute.
WOW!
This is THE place to be!

Got home late.
Mom wasn't able to get Rizon in for an appointment - But was able to get some doggie Imodium.
And basically was told the end is near.
Rizon is not getting any younger or healthier.
Merry Christmas!

Oklahoma City > Fort Myers

A couple hours of sleep.

Cab at 4:30a.

While waiting outside, I stopped for a moment and realized it was Christmas time!

Slept on my flights.

Of course I was able to wake up as we started the initial decent into RSW. Allowing me time to fully awake and prepare to take in the final approach – my moments of serenity.

As I have mentioned before – the last 12 minutes of the approach into Ft Myers are my favorite. I always get a window seat on the right hand side of the plane. It allows me to see my islands.

And my favorite island – Upper Captiva. It is my own personal Utopia. Some day, I will vacation there again.

There is just something about this view – it’s home.

I enjoy my final moments of peace.. and then the family obligations ensue.



While waiting for my bags – I caught a glimpse of this…

Only in Southwest Florida!









Moments after getting into my rental car… the phone rang. The family gift exchange saga is in full swing! AGH!!!!

Got home and saw mom and Rizon.











This is my first trip home since Madison passed away.

Mom and I headed out to do my Christmas shopping. Nothing better than waiting til the last minute!
We spent the rest of the day shopping.

Then made salads and had dinner with dad.

Around 9pm I drove into Ft Myers – the truck had parked and was doing a partial set. I wanted to get my hard drive copied to the Duet so I could get a jump start on my day tomorrow. It takes about an hour – and that was not an hour I could afford tomorrow.

Got back home around 11:30.

Went to bed soon after. I’ve had about 5 hours of sleep in the past 40 hours.

First time sleeping out in my room without Madison.

Oklahoma City

Sonic All-College Basketball Classic: UTEP vs Oklahoma and La Salle vs Oklahoma State – ESPN2

Double header today at the Ford Center.

Just a really, really long day!

Double headers without a set day are killers!

Got back to the hotel a little after 11:30p. Ugh. My 6am flight is going to hurt!

Columbus > Oklahoma City

Traveled to Oklahoma City this afternoon.

I have so much crap with me!
From here, I go on to Ft. Myers for a game and then stay for Christmas.

Got in late – staying at the Renaissance - where I have spent many nights.

Gee, the room looks the same no matter which floor I get!

Columbus

Delaware State vs Ohio State Men’s CBB - ESPNU

I again got to work with the ‘old gang’ today at Ohio State. It was wonderful!

Worthington

Today is Claude's 4 year adoption anniversary!

Columbus

Phoenix vs Columbus - NHL - Fox Sports Arizona

I worked for Phoenix tonight.  I really enjoyed the crew.

Jackets lost in a shoot out.

Columbus

Presbyterian vs Ohio State Men's CBB - Big Ten Network

The Buckeyes defeated the Blue Hose 78-48

Columbus

Breaking News!

I got my H1N1 shot today!!

Quite exciting since I have been trying for months!

I have never gotten a flu shot in my life.  But this year I got the regular one and the H1N1.
I figure I am due to get the flu considering all the germs I am exposed to in my travels.

I am petrified of needles, so this is a huge step for me.

Columbus

Nashville vs Columbus - CBJ Vision



Predators won 5-3

San Francisco > Columbus

December 13th – 14th
This morning Jeanne and I headed out for a little shopping and site seeing. We stopped for coffee at a cute little French bakery. Oh my – the pastries looked delightful! (and I don’t even like sweets!)

I don’t remember the name of the neighborhood we were in – but there were some quaint shops and I really enjoyed it.













As we drove around, I was again intrigued by the landscape.

Just so different from flat Florida and Ohio.





Since I had arrived, I had yet to see a cable car. Finally, we were behind one!

We ventured over to Treasure Island.

Which is an artificial island in the San Francisco bay created for the 1939-40 World’s Fair. It was intended to then be used as Pan Am airlines hub, however, it was taken over as a naval base.




For the most part it’s just abandoned military buildings. There are some homes – but the island is toxic. So plans to re-develop it into a self sustained city have never happened. (Plutonium, asbestos and radium just to name a few)

Some nice views of the city though!

Next we went back to Filbert Street so I could see it in daylight.

From the bottom looking up                                                       

Houses on Filbert

Look at that angle!

And back to Lombard Street

    

I thought my garage was hard to get into since my drive way is kind of steep.

I would never be able to get in/out of this one – and believe me – this was nothing compared to most!

Almost all of them had an entrance with an extreme slope and at an angle.




We drove around for a while longer and then headed home to meet up with John.
Home Sweet Home

This is their backyard

This is the view from their deck

 

 

That evening, we had a yummy Italian dinner at a little mom & pop place near where they once lived. Very tasty!

Then we headed up to Twin Peaks and the Sutro Tower.





It’s a 977 foot tall tower that transmits all the local tv & radio station’s signals. This was needed prior to cable TV because of all the hills.






We had an excellent view of the city!




Kinda foggy – so the photos didn’t come out too good.





We capped of the evening with some dessert at the Ghirardelli factory. Sinful!

On our drive back home, I got one more shot of the Golden Gate bridge.

Jeanne and I were convinced we saw a fox while driving thru the Presidio one last time – but John claims it was just a really big raccoon.
(ok, he was right)

We hung out back at home for a bit and then I headed to the airport.

By the way – the Delta SkyClub at SFO – what a waste! What good is a club outside of security? Ugh!

But I got my first class upgrade for the ride home – which was HUGE since I was taking a red eye home.

Slept most of the way. Got back to Columbus around 9am.