Snowing the Cabin...I had to laugh!

First let me say...I am having the BEST overnight here in Redmond, Or.

Why?

Well, even though we got in on the late side (9pm) last night, we still managed to get out for dinner. It was a piece of crap looking hole in the wall Mexican fast food dump, but I gotta tell you...the food was great! I hardly understood what anyone was saying and the menu was a bit confusing, so I just ordered a number #15 and said "NO cheese please!"
It turned out to be a beef burrito (real beef, not ground) a taco, rice and beans. Yummy! Whatever that salsa was they put inside the burrito was awesome!

Next, I got a good night sleep and didn't wake up feeling sick.

I was out ready to run the red lava rock trail that bends along the river canal by 7am. The weather was gorgeous! Not hot at all and the air smelled so fresh.

I decided the trail was not long enough (maybe a mile) so I ran through some houses and around a nearby golf course a couple times. That golf course was beautiful and I thought of Michael. He would really like to play this one.
As I was rounding the 18th hole, 3 cascading arches of water were falling to the ground, giving life to the grass and darkening the crumbling paved cart path. I couldn't wait to run through it and get wet.

I smiled and looked up at the perfect clear blue sky. Man...I love this day!

Back at the hotel, I quickly put on my swim suit and headed to the lower level. I was only there for 15 minutes, but it was long enough to get in a few laps and sit in the hot, hot, VERY hot tub. Ahhhhh!!!!

Next, I showered and met my crew for a free hotel breakfast. Waffles, juice, fruit and coffee. Yum.

I feel rested, energized and happy.

Oh, yeah...yesterday. Let me tell you this story about flight #5738 from San Fran to Redmond.

It happens often in the summer months when we have the air conditioner cranked to full blast, that condensation builds up and drips down through the PSU (passenger service unit). It will cause the air to come out very cold and white. It may occasionally spit tiny little ice cubes at you.

Such was the case yesterday. However, it usually only happens in a few rows...NOT all of them.

We boarded the plane, got everyone seated, I took my PIN (passenger index number) using the PIT (passenger index table) and handed it off to the captain. I grabbed my passenger safety card, pulled out my flight schedule, pressed the P/A button and turned around to start my Pre-Taxi announcement.

That's when I started to realize something was different. By the time I got to "for those of you seated in..." the cabin was in a full on blizzard!

"please review the exit row information on the..."

That's where I lost it. I stopped my annoucement and started laughing. From my perspective, the site was hilarious! Every single row was spitting chunks of ice and misting cold water vapors. The reactions from my passengers was too much! I cracked!

Some seemed frightened by the winter weather while it brought welcome smiles to the faces of my hotter guests.

After a minute I apologized "I'm sorry folks, the air conditioning system is working overtime and this snow in July is too funny!"
I managed to get through the rest of the announcement with only a slight giggle in my voice and the biggest smile spread from ear to ear.

Dang, I love this job!

Para Sailing at Lake Tahoe

Michael and Megan went first. 800 feet up for 10 minutes.






Katie and I went next. I was amazed with how peaceful it was.

















Time for a dunk!



Look! No hands!













Before Para Sailing we had fun going horseback riding. We had purchased the gift certificate a few months ago to help out Alexis. She is doing well, BTW.

Bad Jumpseat Poetry

The other day my plane was sitting on the runway in Salt Lake City. Our flight was early and there wasn't an open gate for us...so we waited. I tried to kill a fly that had been driving everyone crazy for the last hour. I curled up the printout of passenger information in my hand and took my best swing at him. I missed. Then some words came to mind. I got out my pen and wrote them down. Here you go...some bad jumpseat poetry from me to you. :-) Enjoy.

FLY IN THE CABIN

fly in the cabin
buzzing about
shut the main door
and you'll never get out

until you have traveled
over valleys and peaks
miles and miles
home that you seek

find your way back
to the main cabin door
or you'll find yourself flying
in the cabin once more.

I thought it interesting that this fly is flying around in something that is flying much faster than itself. How else could a fly, fly so fast?

The Tech Museum of Innovation

Me and Captain Blanchard rode a segway and tested their jet pack simulator at "The Tech" in San Jose, Ca.

My life in short order form

Where in the world is Kathy?

Here's the short version....

You know I've been busy. You know my life is crazy and messed up. Whose isn't? I'm working on it.

MB has been sober (that I know of) since 4th of July and things have improved. We went horseback riding and para sailing last week at Lake Tahoe...pictures coming soon. MB sent flowers to my hotel room the other day in Spokane. That was nice.

My July has literally flown by. I'm home now for a couple days before I start my last trip this month. 100 hundred + flight hours and almost 400 hours away from base is A LOT! My paychecks have been sweet.

The downside...I miss being at home! I miss running! I miss writing!

The upside...new places, meeting new people, flight benefits and the possibility of taking my family to Hawaii and Portugal next year.

Okay- enough about my job! Dang, you must be sick to death of it by now!

My girls are on the swim team. They are very good too! Megan has been taking 1st and 2nd place in several events. Katie shaved 20 seconds off her personal best time in the 100 meter freestyle. I'm a proud mama. I think my kids rock! They will participate in the championship swim events held next week and lucky me...I get to go! I'll be very tired, but I will be there. I'm also hoping to run a 5 mile event the next day in Sacramento.

Would you like some white wine with your shit?

I've come to learn that a flight can be delayed or cancelled for just about ANYTHING.

I started my day yesterday afternoon in Redmond. The plane we would be taking was ontime. The flight attendant whom I was taking over for, told me that the Lav was not working properly, but was still functional.

It did not take me very long to decide it was NOT anywhere near functional. In fact, it was so gross (not flushing) that I made sure NOBODY used it. However, my captain really had to go. I warned him before taking his seat in the flight deck. BTW- I love sitting in that seat during flight. Very cool.

He came back and confirmed my assessment...gross.

When we got to San Fran, I informed the ground crew and maintinence of the problem. Now, I got to tell you....they don't get paid enough for that job!!! It took 4 people and 30 minutes to find the problem.

White wine.

Someone had shoved one of our small bottles of white wine (unopened) down the crapper. I can't imagine it was a crewmember that did it. All I can fathom is that a passenger must have purchased the wine and flushed it down.

I jokingly told the captain to make an announcement..."Uh, sorry for the delay folks...someone shoved a bottle of wine down the shitter!"

I nearly choked when I heard him over the PA making the announcement! However, his wording was a bit different then mine.

Ah...people. They keep me laughing!

*note- sorry for the swearing, but sometimes you just have to.

PBS

UHHH!!!!

Ron, you know what I'm talkin about!

No, I'm not talking about Public Broadcasting System. In the airline world it means Preferential Bidding System. It's how we bid for our schedule every month.

Up to now I've been doing it wrong. I thought I understood it...but today I realized just HOW limited my knowledge was. I am so thankful for nice co-workers that are willing to train you up on such things.

I just got done sitting down with my first officer and bidding (the correct way) for my August schedule. I told him what my goals are for August he showed me how to make it happen. Now I just have to wait a few more days to see what I actually get. It all goes by seniority if you end up getting what you want. If all goes well, I should not be working more than 80 hours and get up to 15 days off.
I bid for the same trip to Medford every week. I know- it might get boring...after all, I want to see the world! But right now I need to be home more. My family is in an all out revolt with me being gone so much. I need to make this job work with my life if I want to keep it...and I sure WANT to keep it!

I'm not worried though...there will be time for world travel.

So, I'm in Redmond right now. That is in central Oregon. It's very close to Bend and Sisters. I got up this morning and took a nice run along a river and through parts of town. Our shuttle time is 2:15, so I've got some time to take a nap and iron my clothes.
Not to many of the hotels we stay in offer a breakfast, but this one does. Waffles and fruit. Nice. My crew this week seems very nice. I think I'll send a rave to Lee for helping me with PBS. I really do appreciate it.

I feel like a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders. For the first time, I can sleep a little easier knowing next month won't leave me driving home at midnight, exhausted after working 6 flights.

Cool Crew Makes a Difference

Captain Geren

Spokane Falls

Captain Geren, Me & First Officer Dayberry

I thought Spokane was beautiful! I hope to take MB there.

Mt. St. Helens

You can hardly tell from this picture...but the volcano is steaming. We were able to get very close, I didn't modify this picture at all!

Another holiday drama

I'm hoping this doesn't continue. I'm seeing a trend here...crying on holidays.

My 4th of July sucked. It didn't start out that bad...and of course there are people whose day was far worse than mine (I just read about a guy who shot his 4 children and then himself and now the poor mother is devastated). Like I said...FAR worse than mine!

However, let me vent here anyway. Thank You.

I woke up in Phoenix with a bad headache. I slept, took a shower and headed downstairs for a nice free hotel breakfast. Then I came back to my room and fell back asleep. My shuttle ride to the airport wasn't scheduled until 2:30. I was hoping to get out and see some of the town, but at 105 degrees...that wasn't a good idea anyway.

At home Megan and Kate took part in the local morning parade and had fun joining in the 4th of July BBQ afterward while MB choose to drink.
When he called (just as I was walking to the shuttle) I heard it in his voice. I asked him if he had been drinking and he lied. You can imagine the conversation was LESS than pleasant.

Now PLEASE don't get the wrong idea about MB. He is trying very hard, but it is difficult having me gone so much. I understand that. Trust me...it's hard BEING gone so much. Once I figure out all the little details of the bidding system, I won't have to work so much. Until then, I'm screwing up my schedule and getting stuck with WAY to many hours! I should go to Denver for another day of training on that.

So there I was hiding in the restroom stall letting my tears fall down so that nobody could see. Thank God our plane was delayed for 10 minutes. I needed that time to pull it together.

My makeup was smeared...my eyes were stinging...and a fake smile was spread across my face.

"Hello. How are you today? I'm doing great, thank you. Welcome on board. Happy 4th of July."

They knew something wasn't right with me, but I had a job to do...and it was time to do it.

I could see the concern in my crew's eyes. They didn't dare ask me if I was okay for fear that I'd break down and cry. They were smart...I would have. I'm glad they didn't ask.

Now I knew when I started this job that I had the ability to turn someone's day around just by smiling. I never thought they'd have the same effect on me.

I love my passengers.

Without realizing it, they made me feel better. By the end of that flight I was saying good-bye and take care with a sincere heart. I hope the couple sitting in my first row got home to Chicago in time to visit with their daughter and the gentlemen in seat 5c made his connection to Honolulu. It was a full flight and I let the middle eastern couple seated in 7C&D hold onto their special pink carry on bag that they said contained "God" out of respect even though it was breaking a federal law. Really, what do you do? They can't put God in the overhead bin...or under the seat? It wasn't a large bag by any means...why can't they hold it?

Anyway- I called home inbetween flights as much as I could. On the third flight coming into LAX I saw some large fireworks shows going off. It was about 9:00pm. Hmm...they looked so small and far away. I guess I imagined they'd be closer. It just isn't the same without the sound effects...but still pretty.

The last flight into Fresno was easy. Only 21 passengers and no beverage. I was able to finish up my paperwork and even look outside for a while. By this time the big shows were over, but the cities sparkled with a combination of street lights, fast food signs and fireworks that twinkled like a sequin dress on a famous movie star.

I was mezmerized.

Bing Bong. The spell was broken with a high/low chime that clearly meant "5 minutes from landing...get in your seat!"

We landed, I said my final announcement, my passengers deplaned and I finished up my work. After stopping in at the crew lounge to drop off my paperwork, the first officer and I took the long walk out to employee parking. It was after 11pm and I had a long drive ahead of me.

I got home at 3am. I should be sleeping right now...but I can't. I guess 3 hours will have to do.