Had an omelette this morning for brekkie that turned out to be a 3 egg monstrosity with, yep, you got it, broken up hash browns on the side. Half the omelette would have been enough, and definitely passed on the cardboard tasting has browns. Tea comes with lemon and honey..... have to ask for milk, then its full fat, 2% FAT or non-fat ma'am?? Gee I think it's gonna be a long 2 weeks.
While I was eating brekkie i was watching the squirrels play in the garden. They are just too cute..... sometimes you see them running across the drive way early in the morning.... never seem to see any squished ones :)
On the way to the office this morning I bought a bottle of water and a bottle of red powerade. I mean I had a long commute so wanted to make sure I didn't get thirsty.
I found an easier commute last night - straight out the hotel back door..... 40metres and into the office.. nice!!! Cut 60 metres off my trip.
Every morning a man dressed in suit and tie stands at the door and opens/ closes the door to everyone entering or exiting the office. Every morning I made a point of talking to him cause OMG.... I couldn't think of a more boring job..... he loved my accent.... and was an Italian American who's Mum came from Boston and Dad from southern Italy..... he had the oiled swept back hair and the really strong accent you hear in the mobster movies.... just like sopranos. He wanted to know if koalas bite, 'cause they are big bears aren't they??'
Anyway back to the powerade.... was going through my notes at my desk, pretty much open plan with only the 'founders' having offices (and very fancy ones too).... I cracked open my powerade and took a big swig of a nice cold drink... OMG...... I almost choked.... what did the yanks do to the red powerade.... it tasted like a cough medicine Mum used to give is when we were kids (elixophlin I think it was called).... filthy disgusting stuff.... I almost blew the stuff across the office.
Well the young things around me almost busted a belt laughing at me. That was the most disgusting thing I had tasted..... nasty nasty nasty. Will never be able to drink red powerade ever again.
Today was a short day in the office with the flight to DALLAS mid afternoon. Pretty impressive day thought. Two of the founders of the company took the time to spend time with me. I have worked in alot of IT organisations and never have the founders of multinational companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars taken time out to spend with a new employee. Both very down to earth guys interested in my plans for the Customer Service business for ReachLocal in Australia... both offered differing sets of advice and were open, interested and passionate in their belief in ReachLocal..... I think for the first time I truly understood that staff at ReachLocal bleed Orange (which is the corporate colour). These guys were pretty incredible and if this company achieves 50% of what these guys are planning I am in a very exciting place.
I got to LAX about 2.30pm and it took about an hour to go through all the security checks.
Geezzzzzzz........ cars were being stopped and search on the way in, the taxis / shuttles were let straight through, but if you were dropping someone off at departures, prepare for your car to be screened.
Into the departures terminal of American Airlines... and this is how the process goes:
- Line up at a web kiosk (like virgin) and check yourself in.
- Record how many bags you are carrying and pay for each bag - that will be $60 please (glad this is being expensed)
- Line up and at the bag drop, answer questions about why you are in US and have the luggage tags put on your bags
- Line up at TSA bag screening point with bags
- Answer questions - are you carrying a fire arm or do you have fire arms in your luggage (umm - gee not that I know of), do you have TSA luggage locks on your bag so we can easily open your bag for searching (No... I guess I will have to wait whilst you decide whether or not to open my bags)
- Watch your luggage get scanned then get the OK to go through the security checkpoint
- Line up in the checkpoint, take of your shoes and all jewellery, have a full body scan, as all your hand luggage is scanned.
- Finally get to the gate to the plane.... in total about an hour! Feeling a little paranoid at this point.
Trace Adkins (country and western singer: http://www.traceadkins.com/wired/) walked right by me and stood waiting at our gate. He was in the first seat on the aisle in the front of the plane as I walked on board... wow! When you think cowboy .. think Trace.... he would be 6'5 and has the broad shoulders and slim waist... big belt buckle and massive stetson and great cowboy boots .... just wee bit of eye candy even if I dont know his music so well.
Uneventful trip to DALLAS, but on one of those really cool jets...(http://www.aa.com/i18n/aboutUs/ourPlanes/boeingMD80.jsp).... only 2 seats on each side of the plane. Was a 3 1/2 hour trip to Dallas, with a +2hrs time difference. Got in about 1015pm, then caught the shuttle and finally got to my room about 1130pm. Bloody exhausted....
By the way crossed over the President George Bush Turnpike :) That made me smile just a little bit.... of course only in Texas.
Roads are wide, building are big and set way back from the road and it's flat flat and flat....
Hi Di
ReplyDeleteCan we talk about me getting a job when you get bacK? !! Sounds like you are havng a great time. One more thing - US customs/airport people have NO sense of humour. No jokes at all!!
Andrew H