From the Road

The morning started early at 4:30 a.m.  Astonished that my luggage had expanded from two carry-ons to a 52 lb. suitcase and two carry-ons, I made my way to the door.  Luggage was loaded, goodbye kisses and hugs made, and off I went. Augusta Regional is a small two gate airport with no 5:00 a.m. coffee bar (BUMMER).  I boarded the plane and took my seat next to the window, hoping for some sleep.  I recently noticed that I can't seem to keep my mouth shut.  No, I don't mean talking, I mean when sleeping.  As I faded in and out of consciousness, I would catch myself with mouth wide open, head back.  The older man next to me must have been mortified (oh well). Our plane arived in Atlanta to an airport that, I am sure, was still sleeping.  After a 10 minute hold on the tar mac and a power failure we were finally set free.  I enetered into concourse D and searched for some kind of coffee or food.  There weren't too many places open.  I finally settled on Starbucks vanilla latt...

We began our final descent into Augusta National airport around 11:45 pm. There was a sharp bank to the left, another to the right, and then a nose dive. An alarm began to ring, "beep, beep, beep". Like something out of the movies that warns of impending doom. I was seated in seat 1A in the front of the plane. The flight attendant was seated in the jumpseat, and tightened his seat belt as he muttered, "uh oh, were coming in too fast". "What? Is that what that alarm is," I asked. "Oh yeah, it happens like every other time we fly in here," he said. The plane continued its rapid descent, whining and screaming like a bad dream. I Could have done without the flight attendants explanation, I thought to myself, as we continued down. Finally, a thud, and a safe landing. I exited the plane in a hurry. I was anxious to get away from the curry smelling passenger next to me, and the fear of the final landing. Sticky Augusta air greeted me as I climbed down ...

Waiting to board my plane in San Antonio, I stumble into the waiting area. Exhausted, and a bit queezy from all of the tex-mex food this week, I pile my bags around me and settle in for the wait. To my dismay I realize that a young businessman has made himself more than comfortable across from me. He's tall with dark hair and chunky gold jewelry that screams for attention. He's reading a book, reclined, feet outstretched and (gasp) ....bare. I cringe, again queezy from tex-mex. Let this be a lesson: 1. I could be your future client/ boss. Eh, hemm dress to impress does not include bare feet. 2. It may make the person setting across from you become inexplicably ill and result in something much more disgusting and smell than your bare zapatos. 3. Men - this is really not a way to impress the ladies. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

There is nothing like a big Texas welcome, and no better way to get it done than through a good ole fashioned Texas Rodeo. Our first night in town took us out to Knibbe Ranch. The ranch is a real working cattle ranch located in the Texas Hill Country and is more than 150 years old. Upon arriving we were greeted by Oreo the ranch long horn, which I took the liberty of riding across the lawn. It was a real experience complete with a 6 foot horn span and a borrowed cowgirl hat (hey I had to look somewhat Texan despite my bright pink shoes). Dinner was fantastic! Good ole BBQ brisket, green beans, and peach cobbler. Once our tummies were over full we rolled ourselves over the hill and into the valley for a real Texas rodeo. Cowboys and cowgirls from Texas and Mexico spent the next two hours showing off their roping and riding. There were several 8 second rides posted by the cowboys and a 14.6 second barrel ride posted by one of the cowgirls. The competition was fierce to the end, and sever...

Download now or watch on posterous IMG_0153.MOV (3913 KB) Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: candace.riddle@gmail.com Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:57:36 To: Mat R Reply-To: candace.riddle@gmail.com Subject: Fw: Bull Ride Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: J Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:06:58 To: candace.riddle@gmail.com Subject: Bull Ride

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

After a hold in Atlanta and some confusion as to whether or not we had all of the luggage on board (praying I still have clean underwear when I get there) we were off. I boarded the plane and took a seat in between two women. One was on her way to San Antonio for a National Workforce Association Conference, the other is headed to my conference. I always have wondered about the people I meet along the way, the business that gets done, and the stories that are told. My better half calls the people you meet "single serving friends", because you usually only know them long enough to share your life's story before going in separate directions. I guess it is kind of like a free single therapy session with a non-credential doctor you've just met. Nonetheless, this flight proved to be no less interesting than all the rest. I began telling each of the women about work and travel, and listened as they told me about theirs. Now, being three women, talk was quickly diverted ...

Off to a rough start. The alarm didn't wake me as scheduled. 6:05 am call from my boss "where are you?"...Me..."Oh crud". Shaking and hazy I call for a taxi. Luckily the 6:10 departure had been delayed. I manage to cram seven days worth of luggage into two carry on bags (like I said before take carry on). 7:00 am - arrive at AirTran airways terminal at Washington Dulles. There is nobody at the podium (I really don't understand this concept). I try the electronic check in, but since I have dinosaur paper tickets, I have no such luck. No bueno. 7:05 am - I grab the nearest representative that I can find from Jet Blue. She is kind and grabs a man from the break room. He trys to tell me that the flight is full. I say "yes I know, but I'm a ticketed passenger". He is accommodating and encourages me to make a run for it (Dulles is huge and at a walking pace takes about an hour to go from main entrance to gate). Over sized bags in tow, flip flops s...

T-3 Hours Till Take Off from IAD (Washington, Dulles) Note to self...waiting until the last minute to pack was not wise.  Tired I pop a tylenol P.M. and hope for 3 hours of good sleep.

Life is an adventure. We are never quite sure where the road will lead. Each time I am on the road I love to watch people. Each one brings a new epiphany. Sometimes the surroundings are beautiful, sometimes not so much, and others are just plain funny. If you would like to follow my travels and the small giggles from the road, stay posted.