PRESSURE!!

I don't believe that the month of August is over. With the inclusion of this posting, I have only entered 7 post for this month. WOW!! Can we say busy month???

I love the month of August because it's the last month of summer. That means kids go back to school, families stay at home, and the airplanes are not full. It's called the post Labor Day Lull. How I love it! How I look forward to Labor Day Weekend!

Along with flying, I've been preparing for a couple of things that have been going on at work. At the beginning of August, I applied for an entry management position. Today, I just finished the second round of interviews. I tell ya, I'm completely worn out! I mean, I have to maintain high energy, passion, and just be on for an hour. I'm just exhausted. I had to do a presentation and a group interview. Earlier last week, I had a one-on-one interview with HR. I tell ya, it's been a lot of pressure. All the prep time, and all the prep time, and ALL THE PREP TIME!

In addition to the interview, I'll be flying to Hawaii after Labor Day. No it's not a vacation from all the interviews. What this is going to be is a long evaluation flight from SEA to HNL by a government agency. 5 1/2 hours of questions, scenarios, and evaluations. Again, another high pressure situation. The reward at the end is a night in HNL.

I didn't realize what I did to myself. Interviews on top of flight evaluations. AM I CRAZY?? What did I do to myself? I'm so looking forward to my actual vacation at the end of September. I don't have to think about interviews, evaluations, work, or anything. I want to be pampered. I want to be spoiled. I want to RELAX!!

Lucky's Day At The Beach

We are doing everything possible to be good and responsible owners and leaders to Lucky. We want to make sure that Lucky is a healthy and happy dog. I’ve checked out books from the library regarding dog and owner training and we’re learning a lot.

One thing I have learned is to try to stimulate the dog as much as possible. This will promote socialization and continued learning for the dog. If the owner becomes bored, the dog will sense it and become bored as well. So, I’ve been trying to do different things with Lucky to keep him happy, as well as keep me interested. One thing I have done is taking him on different types of walks. We went to Howarth Park the other day and had a great time. There’s an off leash area on the other side of the train tracks, which actually was a beach. Not the sandy beaches I’m use to, but beach just the same. The weather was perfect. There were people and dogs around to help stimulate Lucky. I’m happy to say both dog and owner had a good time.

You have to understand that Lucky is a shy dog. So, people and other dogs startle him easily. I believe there must have been something in his past or how he was treated within his litter for him to behave this way. It will take time, but he’s slowly getting there.

Case in point: We started walking along the edge of the beach. I had him off his leash. There were two yappy dachunds near by and startled poor Lucky. He turned and bolted away from the dogs and me. I had to chase him for about 25 feet in order to retrieve him. I put him back on his leash and we continued to walk down the beach. We were then approached by two big dogs, which were quite friendly. Lucky, again, was nervous, but this time I gave him lots of reassurance and he did fine. We found a private area on the beach and played fetch for a bit. He was having a good time, as if he was in his own backyard. He was lying on the rocky beach with a content look on his face. Afterwards, we headed back to the car. Whenever any strangers passed by, Lucky would cower behind until they passed, and then he’d walk his merry way. The moment we got back home, he beeline towards his couch and remained there for the rest of the day.

It is safe to say that Lucky is at home in his new surroundings. The love seat in the living is his throne with the house being his castle and the backyard his lands. And his personality would change back to the cute dog we know and love. I believe Lucky needs more socialization. I can’t seem to understand why he becomes so anxious, nervous and scared when strangers and dogs come by. There are times I think he’s just a housebound dog, but I would like for him to become more social. I tend to hesitate to take him along with me because of his personality; however, I want to show him off to everyone because he is such a cute dog. I don’t know. I’m hoping after some time, he’ll find the big dog inside him and become more social and confident.

Sunset in Anchorage

Well, I’m coming in on the home stretch of summer flying. It’s the second week of August and I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Summer flying tends to be the craziest, hectic, and maddening of all the flying. Well, there are the holidays, but that’s another post.

I’m up in Alaska today, specifically Anchorage. This is my first layover this summer up here. When they say it’s the land of the midnight sun, they were not kidding, which I believe it makes Alaska so beautiful. It’s not 10pm and it looks like 6pm and the sun just set over the bay about 30 minutes ago. Fabulous! I just love it!

I always get layovers in Alaska during the off peak, which is winter. It tends to get blistering cold, tons of snow, and dark! But in the snow and dark, there is still a wonderful beauty of the country up here.

Anyway, back to Anchorage in the summer. Silly me didn’t bring my camera, so I don’t have any images on this post.

*Make a note to self to start bringing my camera on my trips!

Anyway, I had a chance to visit the Anchorage Saturday Market. It’s located across from the Anchorage Hilton, downtown. It’s a combo farmer’s market and local crafts fair, with tons of local food stands. I literally ate my way through the whole market. That’s one thing I enjoy about these street fairs is the local food that’s there. Funnel cakes, halibut nuggets, elephant ears, and my favorite, reindeer sausage and buffalo bratwurst. You can find it all. It was good mix of locals and tourists enjoying the local wares, and I could not ask for more than perfect weather. It’s great to see everyone in shorts and tees. I’m so use to seeing everyone here bundled in 10 layers of clothing, jackets, and scarves and being knee deep in ice and snow!

More towards the entrance, there was local entertainment consisting of line dancers, a contortionist/magician, and some music acts. What created the “local” atmosphere were the intermittent announcements from the headquarters booth. “Please check your purchases. If you just realized that you don’t have your purchases with you, please see us here” or “Will such-and-such meet your friend at the Native Crafts booth. She has ice cream for you!” It was a stitch.

I know images are much more descriptive than actually words. I will have to bring the camera next time and start taking pictures. It’s been a while since I brought my camera on trips. But since starting this blog, I think images will definitively enhance my posting about layovers and trips.

Well, need to take a power nap. My pick up is at midnight and we’re heading back to SEA tonight. And you all know how I love all-nighters!!

The Fart Patrol

I need to share this funny anecdote that was told to me by a fellow flight attendant on a recent trip. It demonstrates how absolutely crazy and off the wall the traveling public can be. And just when I thought I heard everything!

Cora (not her real name) was working a flight between SEA and MIA (again folks, if you’re not familiar with airport city codes, I have a link on my blog to assist you. My apologies, but I’m just lazy to type out the entire city.) I believe it was an all-nighter flight.

BACKGROUND: If you haven’t flown on an all-nighter, one will generally get an eclectic group of travelers, ranging from the fare conscious traveler, to the student on a budget, to the bizarre. Based on my past experience, crazy, unusual, and funny things usually happen on these flights.

Anyway, a passenger call light went off and Cora answered it not knowing what was coming up. The conversation goes as follows:

Passenger (P): Do you smell that?!?! (Apparently, this passenger was upset)

Cora (C): (Taking a whiff) Smell what?

P: That smell! I believe someone is farting!!

C: Farting?

P: Yes, farting! I believe it’s the man behind us!

C: Are you sure it’s him? It can really be anyone.

P: I’m sure it is! I want you to wake him and tell him to stop!

C: Ma’am, I can’t do that. First of all, we don’t really know if it’s him, and plus he’s sleeping. I don’t want to disturb him. If it really bothers you, I do have some open seats. You’re more than welcome to move. (Using her best customer service skills, and doing everything possible not to bust out laughing!)

P: Well, we shouldn’t have to move! That wasn’t his original seat! He moved there! He should move!

C: Well ma’am, I wish I could help you out. I’m not willing to wake this man because I’m not sure he is the source of the problem. Unless you’re willing to change seats, there isn’t much I can help you with.

P: That’s completely absurd! What is your company’s policy on farting? There has to be some sort of procedures you have to follow, isn’t there?

C: There’s none that I’m aware of, ma’am.

P: I want your name!! I’ll make sure the airline hears about this! I shouldn’t have to endure this for the next 5 hours!

C: I’ll get the address for customer service, and you make sure that you tell the airline in detail the inconvenience you’ve experienced tonight. I will also give you my name and employee number, too.

Well, Cora heads to the galley and shares the story with her fellow flight attendants and also with the pilots. Of course, a good laugh was shared by one and all. One of the pilots commented that he didn’t realize that being that being on “fart patrol” was one of the many duties of a flight attendant. Of course, this was the brunt of everyone’s jokes for the rest of the flight.

Come to think of it, this would have been a great ad for Bean-o!

Our Dog Has A Fetish!!

Can anyone recommend a dog behaviorist? I believe Lucky might need one. Well, not exactly, but we can use one to explain this unusual behavior. Actually, it’s not really unusual. It’s quite cute.

When Becky was visiting us, Lucky would wait outside the bathroom while she would take a shower. If the door weren’t closed properly, Lucky would be able to maneuver his way into the bathroom. Well, one morning I came out of the kitchen and headed towards the bedroom and I discovered Lucky waiting outside the bathroom. To my surprise, I saw Lucky with a pair of Becky’s underwear in his mouth. Yes folks, Lucky was teething Becky’s lacy underwear. It was a sight to see and quite humorous, too. He had the cutest expression on his face as if the underwear was one of his many toys in the house. Of course, we all had a good laugh, snagged the panties away from him, and that was that. We all figured that this was a cute one-time incident.

About a week or so after Becky went home to Indiana, Lucky was adjusting to his new surroundings. Darren woke up at his usually time, shuffled his way to the bathroom to ready himself for work, like he does every weekday morning. I usually follow with my morning search for Lucky to bring him out to the backyard so he can do his business. I came out of the bedroom and to my surprise once again, there was Lucky with Darren’s undies in his mouth with that same expression on his face. However, with this incident, Lucky ran into the office and started to play with the unmentionables like one of his many toys, teething and chewing and a having a time at it. Am I sensing a pattern here?

Well, my feelings were confirmed within the next couple of weeks when I would take my daily morning showers. I’d shower, flip the shower curtain open and find my underwear missing. There was Lucky, again, in the office having a time with my bikini briefs (yes, I wear bikini briefs! So what of it!)

The first time was cute. The second time was cute, too. However, I think this is becoming a habit for him. Are dogs able to have fetishes like humans? Is there something sick and perverse in Lucky’s past that we are unaware of? Does he have a website? I can see it now! Lucky’s picture on a web page with lacy undies gripped to his mouth, with the website called “Lucky’s Luscious Lingerie.” Hey, that wouldn’t be a bad idea. It could probably put Frederick's of Hollywood out of business. He can host parties, start a pyramid scheme…

Sorry. I’m digressing here. Honestly, it’s probably one of those things that dogs do because dogs do. It’s sort of like the slipper or shoe thing. Instead, Lucky just fetches underwear around. It’s his way of identifying with his owners, possibly is showing love and affection. However, if he starts dancing around in them, we would have to seek out a dog behaviorist!

Bloedel Reserve - Bainbridge Island's Piece of Eden

The nice thing about having out of town guests is it makes us explore the city we live in. Being relatively new Seattle-ites (or Everett-ites), we are still getting to know the area.

We’ve always wanted to visit Bainbridge Island, and now we had a reason. Darren’s mom, Becky, the big garden enthusiast she is, wanted to visit the ground of Bloedel Reserve. The reserve is located on the northern end of Bainbridge Island. Words can’t describe the grounds and experience I had. But I will give it a try.

This reserve is the epitome of nature walk. Crushed bark trails maneuvers in and out of the reserve, and in the middle is the Bloedel House, which was simple and elegant.

I enjoyed the Japanese Zen Garden, which was peaceful and simple in design, with a Japanese style guesthouse among the Japanese maples, and Zen rock garden.

The biggest impression that was made upon me was the serenity, which only intensified with the fog and the light rain.

The primary purpose of the Reserve is to provide people with an opportunity to enjoy nature through quiet walks in the gardens and woodlands. (Bloedel Reserve Tourist Information Brochure)

Mission was accomplished. I found a piece of Eden on Bainbridge Island.

All-nighter Funk

Wasted.
Tired.
In a fog.
In a haze.
Wiped out.
Sketchy.
Slug.


Is it night?
Is it morning?
Needing sleep.
Wanting sleep.
Dying for sleep.
Just want my 8.
Will settle for 5.
I'll take anything.

The day says 3pm.
My body says 3am.
Functional but useless.
Present yet absent.

Eyes heavier by the second.
Fading into the white noise.
Ticking clock.
Passing breezes.
Ice cream truck?
Senseless recipes being recited from the tv.
Giada. Paula. Ina. Sandra. Rachel........ Out.