I love people.

One of the things I get to do for my job, is an occasional trip to exotic places, like Ware, MA or Conover, NC.  OK, maybe exotic is a stretch, but they are lovely places.  I have warehouses in those towns, so I go there and verify that the material we think is there, is in fact there and in good condition.  I enjoy this part of my job, because it gives me the opportunity to meet the people I deal with everyday via email or phone.  Now, to get to those places, involves flying there and visiting at least two airports.  Those airports are loaded with, lets say interesting, people.  My trip started with an hour and a half delay, due to non-functioning exit lights.  It seems that properly functioning exit lights are required by the FAA on all flights.  I guess I can live with that rule, even though if we crash, there will be plenty of light from the fireball that appeared immediately after we landed/crashed.  The flight was to Charlotte, NC, which for me, made it a direct flight.  For the rest of the plane, Charlotte was merely a connecting airport, and now at least half of the plane was going to miss their connecting flights.  They were not happy.  Me, I was disappointed that I got up at 4am to be at the airport on time, when in reality, I could have been one hour late and still been early.  There wasn't a lot going on in Des Moines, but there was one guy that was puzzling me.  The waiting area I was sitting in for US Air, is right across the hall for the waiting area for Delta.  I saw a guy walk up to the US Air area, stare at the flight board, which clearly stated US Air to Charlotte, NC and the time.  He then proceeded to walk across the aisle to the Delta waiting area, which clearly said New York, NY.  I think you will agree that those do not appear to be even close to the same.  I'll give you that they are both on the east coast, but that's it.  He sat down in the Delta area.  After the announcement was made that our flight was delayed, I saw him walk across the aisle and get in line for our gate attendant.  Oh, he must be on our flight, just waiting in the Delta area.  I've done that when the area for my plane is full, or the case when I was in Minneapolis and there were only 3 seats in my area, which seemed to be poor planning considering we had a whole plane waiting to board.  He stood in the line for about five minutes while the guy in front of him was being repeatedly told by the gate attendant that he had to go down to the main terminal to change his now worthless ticket, since he was going to miss his connection.  The second guy was not hearing it and kept standing there telling the lady that he WASN'T going down to the main terminal and back through security, and she needed to help him.  Well my guy got tired of waiting, so he went back to his seat at Delta.  He sat there for about five minutes, then gathered his things, and walked over to US Air and got in line right outside the boarding door, to board the plane that they weren't boarding yet.  I watched as he stood there, for what reason I don't know, for about 5 minutes, when he either realized they weren't going to board him just because he was in line, or he just got bored.  Now he comes and sits right next to me, where he proceeds to twitch and fidget for another 5 minutes.  He then walks back over to Delta, without his luggage, to talk to the Delta lady.  He then comes back to US Air and gets back in line to talk to the gate lady, who is still arguing with the guy from before.  He waits for awhile, then comes back and collects his luggage and goes back to Delta and sits down again. Now I can't wait to see what is next for Sir Walksalot, but unfortunately, the exit lights are fixed and we are boarding. The flight went well, except for the cramped bathroom which I posted on Facebook. We landed in Charlotte and I had something happen to me that has never happened to me before, and I bet it never happened to you either, or anyone you know. I had checked my bag, so I went to the baggage claim and I waited by the chute. As I waited, I realized something. I was the only person from my flight waiting for a bag. Just me. My bag came out, and only my bag. I thought that maybe the other people just hadn't made it to the claim area yet, but nope, I was the only person on the entire plane that checked a bag for Charlotte. That's a first. On my way to the baggage claim, I watched as person after person, loaded up on one of those moving sidewalks, that wasn't moving. I'm guessing they didn't see that it wasn't moving until they got right up to it and by then, it's too late so you might as well walk on it, but it has groves in it so their suitcases were making all kinds of racket all the way down the terminal. It was lunch time, so we drove the hour to the town we are staying in, and found a place to eat that had TV's so we could watch football. Did I mention it was a Hooters? Perhaps I shouldn't say it, since it isn't a place my wife wants me to visit. I see no reason to outcast the restaurant, just because there are scantly clad women working there. I'm under no illusion that any of these 20 something year old ladies is even slightly interested in a poor, 45 year old, married, father of three. Somehow, I don't feel I fall into their dream dates category. I will say that I think when two guys come in to eat and watch football, that they have no idea what to say to these two guys who aren't hitting on them one bit. Our waitress, who was more than qualified to work at Hooters, kept stopping by to talk to us, but wasn't really saying much, so she just kind of stood there. Perhaps she thought if she stood there, showing her job qualifications, that we would start the hitting on, or perhaps it was just a ploy to increase her tip. Sorry, but I know the game and I'm not playing. I did stuff my face so much that as I type this, nearly 3 hours after lunch, I still feel stuffed. I'm supposed to meet my workmate at 8pm for supper, so maybe a salad is in my future. Funny thing about the east coast, 8pm is a acceptable time for supper. I learned that from my New York travel mates years ago, when we would meet in the lobby to go to supper at 9pm. I think that's bad for you digestion, isn't it?

Let me be clear.

I want to be clear.  My comments about how I'd rather have my kids bring home the award below, than a sports trophy, by no means is a shot at sports trophies or the parents/kids that attempt to earn them. After reading my Facebook posts where I made those statements, I was concerned that my statements my be taken as a shot at trophy winning kids. I meant nothing like that. I myself have been know to put emphasis on winning trophies, as an adult, that I didn't win as a kid. In fact, as a kid, I never even played on a sports team, so my chances of winning any kind of sports award, was zero. However, when I was a kid, not everybody got a trophy, or medal or even a ribbon. With my athletic ability, the chances of me getting anything more than a participation ribbon wasn't very likely. The only ribbon I ever got as a kid was for actually building my pinewood derby car, that advanced to the finals of my heat, only to get its not existent doors blown off by my friend Doug, whose car broke the sound barrier that day. My car finished last, but I will say I was highly handicapped by my stepfather who couldn't help me, because he couldn't work a saw to save his life. As an adult, I began playing volleyball and fell in love with it. OK, to be honest, my first love was the beer we all drank after the games, but eventually, I got to be a decent player. Not good by any means, but passable. I was fortunate to play with very good players, who in turn helped me look less crappy. I was fortunate to be on these teams, that helped me earn my first trophy. Over the years, they helped me acquire several more trophies. Now, here is the pathetic part, I paid for my trophy. Oh I don't mean with my fees to the league, I mean the team I was on won a first place trophy and I was so desperate to have a trophy, that I took the one we won to a trophy making store and had them make me another one, so I could keep it. That was how badly I wanted one, and I got it. So I hope I have cleared that up. I have nothing against trophies and trying to win them, I just feel an award for academics or for volunteer work, is more valuable. Let me explain my view, and you can agree or disagree, and that's cool with me. The odds of a kid going pro in his favorite sport, are extremely low. That doesn't mean that a kid shouldn't continue to strive, or go for their dreams, but you might want to have a plan B, is all I'm saying. Mason, is not an athlete. He has played sports, and due to his asthma and his complete lack of desire to play sports, he hasn't exactly excelled. However, he is smart and has a heart of gold. So when he told me about winning the award, I was extremely proud of him and was glad to see a kid with little to no athletic ability, get recognition for doing something good. To me, an award for your character, is way better than an award for your physical ability. As I say that, I realize that I have never won an award for my character. I guess that shouldn't surprise me, but as I typed it, stung. That might be because there just aren't that many awards for character. Yeah, lets go with that.  That all being said, here is the letter we received from Mason's school.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On behalf of the students and staff at Stilwell, we would like to thank your son for exhibiting the kind of positive behavior that helps to make Stiwell Junior High a great place to be.

Every month students from each team are nominated by staff members to be featured in the Celebrating Stiwell Students program.  Students receive a coupon for a free lunch or a la carte menu item in addition to having their photo and accomplishments posted in the display case at school.

Mason was nominated for this honor because he does an exemplary job of following Stilwell's 3 Cornerstones (do your best, do the right thing, and treat others the way you want to be treated).  He is very polite and respectful to all students and staff, turns in his work on time, tries his hardest at all times and much more.  Mason is a positive role model here at Stilwell.

We are very proud of Mason for receiving this recognition; it is greatly deserved.  We hope the experiences he has at Silwell continue to be positive ones.

Sincerely,

The E Team

Now that is a good letter to get regarding your kid.  I hope to see a bunch more like that.