Whahuhwahuh???

Yes, it's time for another technical terms post from Johanna...

It's time to take a little bit of a break from the travel chronicles...not that this past week was bad...and I might mention a few things about the trip...but there have been a few things happen in the past week that have made me stop and go whahuhwahuh??  But, I, well, huh??? 

This past week, the past was kind of shoved into my face...however, instead of a negative way, which has happened in so many ways the past few months, this was actually a pleasant occurrence.  It took me back to a good memory.  A really good memory, actually.  A guy I knew a million years ago...kinda...sorta...came back into my life.  In a very sideways type of way. 

So...a man.

And it's actually a good story.  Which is rare, in my history.  So let me give you the back story.

A million years ago, before I knew how incredibly horrible one person could be to another, I was young and rather innocent.  And I met a guy one night.  And for a brief moment, there was an attraction...at least on my part.  It stuck with me for years...that feeling.  The look in his eyes.  The feeling it gave me.  And I never really understood why it stuck with me for so long.  I mean, I hadn't seen him for years...and I'm quite sure he didn't feel the same thing...or even really remember me. 

But I think...finally...14 years later...I'm starting to understand.  Finally.

For so long, I thought it was him, specifically, that had given me that feeling.  And I thought it was him that stuck with me.  And I never understood why.  I had seen him a few times after that initial meeting.  But I never really got to know him.  But those memories still stuck with me. 

Until...

I get it. Now.

Innocence. 

It wasn't him, specifically, that stuck with me.  It was the feeling.  I was an innocent kid when that happened.  And it was the first time I had really felt any kind of attraction to a guy before.  That feeling.  I'm sure most everyone else has the same type of story.  But I finally get it.  It was just a good moment in history...a really good moment.

So that's one relief off my brain. 

Ok, so I do get to talk a little bit about the traveling a little bit. 

If you've ever seen license plates from New Mexico, you might notice they actually say "New Mexico USA." 

I now know WHY the USA is tacked on to the end.  Apparently, there are such redneck hick idiots in this country that don't actually recognize the difference between the state of New Mexico, and the Country of Mexico.  Therefore, they add the USA on to the end of the state...just to make sure everyone knows they are part of the US.  Wow.

So there's that.

And the positivity continues to run amuck in my world.  This past week, I had the opportunity to work with two other trainer's.  A rarity in my job. 


The first was a great experience.  It was with a trainer I've worked with more than any other...which isn't saying much.  But nonetheless...he's fantastic.  We went to dinner...and talked about his life and my life...and you know...other non work related stuff.  With, unfortunately, a little work stuff thrown in a little too.  Hey...we WERE there for work. 

The other experience...however...was ok.  Just...ok.  The other trainer was nice.  I give her that.  But I quickly found she's the biggest Negative Nancy I've ever met in my entire life.  Causing me to want to be even more perky and upbeat than ever.  And it's still working out well for me.

On my flight back home last Friday, I stopped at a Rocky Mountain Chocolate store to pick up a few goodies for my caretakers/parents.  And while I was in there, I started a conversation with another woman in the store...lovely woman.  And our conversation actually leaned toward just being nice to people while traveling.  And then...when the young boy finished buying a huge bag of chocolate...he wanted to return some...because he realized he didn't save enough to buy breakfast.  The woman working at the store didn't really understand what he meant.  So the other woman and I explained that they weren't going to let him return any of the chocolates.  So I explained to the woman behind the counter and she gave him $5 for breakfast.  And if she hadn't, I would have.  You gotta take care of these kids. 

I definitely enjoyed my weekend at home...a whopping 45 hours in total.  I'm now in MN, until Tuesday evening, when I fly back to IN, and drive almost to OH, and train there for 2 days, and then Thursday evening I fly to Milwaukee, train there on Friday, and then fly home late, late, late on Friday.  I should get home early on Saturday morning.  Like...1am.  I'm excited.  Except for the fact that it's hell week.  And I'm getting my hell week cold.  Which is not exciting at all. 

So I'm going to bed soon.  Getting as much rest as I possibly can. 

Goodnight for now...

The Travel Chronicles: Minnesooooooooooooota, The First

Sometimes, it's just so damn easy...so easy to just be mad at the world, and take out any and all of your frustrations on the people around you. 

This was me as I arrived at MSP Thursday evening.  I had been awake since 4:45am.  I had done my performing monkey thing for several hours (and day two is always more stressful because people who have no idea how to use computers are trying to learn how to use one...and I'm the one that has to teach them).  Then I got to spend 2+ hours driving back to the airport.  So by the time I got there, I was nearly brain dead.  And I started to worry...because this is only week 2 of 9 of travel insanity. 

So I drop off my rental car, and as usual, the Enterprise guy was a pleasure.  And I head off to find the terminal.  I get on the tram to go to Terminal 1, and when I got off, I thought for sure I was in the wrong place.  So I get back on the tram and head to Terminal 2.  Only to get there and find out I was really in the right place all along.  So I get BACK on the tram to Terminal 1. 

All the time, I'm carrying my 25 pound backpack on my back. 

I have to say, for as lovely as MSP is to layover in, and also, for as lovely an experience it is to fly into (my bag was WAITING FOR ME when I got to baggage claim), it is an absolute nightmare to fly out of.  There are a million people.  And the line for security is ridiculous.  And it's huge. 

So I get in line to get through security, after just being reminded by the lovely woman who took my suitcase that I never spend any time at home this time of year (she WAS trying to be nice).  And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting in line.  And my back hurts because I've already lugged my backpack all over the universe (or so it would seem) and I'm tired, and I'm around a million people.  And I'm still in dress clothes.  So, naturally, I'm a little cranky. 

As I was approaching the check in to get my ID and Boarding Pass cleared, I kept reminding myself that I am supposed to be a nice, pleasant passenger this month.   Over the top nice and pleasant.  And it's hard to do when you're cranky.  But I still tried.  I politely told the TSA agent thank you, and have a nice evening as he handed back my ID and Boarding Pass.  So then I get to wait in line even more before I can get my body searched. 

It's at this point my day starts to turn around, just a little bit.  The TSA agent that was reminding everyone to take things out of their pockets was rather entertaining.  But then, my purse gets pulled to be searched.  And I had to wait, because someone else had to have their bag searched too.  So finally, it's my turn.  And the guy is actually very nice.  He explains that everyone's bag who has something as simple as hand sanitizer (remember, I'm trying to ward off any illnesses this month) has to be searched.  He sounds more annoyed by the situation than I do, so I take a liking to him.  As he handed my purse back to me, I once again say "thank you, have a nice evening!"  And I actually was cheery about it.  Well, the look of utter shock, disbelief, horror...whatever you want to call it was totally worth the effort.  I truly believe that he hadn't experienced anyone being so nice to him while searching a bag in a long time, if ever. 

So then I head off to find my gate.  And food.  Food is a must.  First, I wanted to find my gate, and figured surly, in MSP of all places, there would be decent food along the way.  I just happened to be in the longest terminal imaginable...and the only food options were CIBO Express...which in some cases is great.  But I needed a meal.  Not a snack.  15 minutes later, I finally come to my gate, and it's at the very end...and it's crowded.

But there is a shining star here.

There is a passage to where I knew there was a food court.  So I head that direction.  And it's at this point I did something I never imagined I would ever do in an airport.  I stood on one of the moving walkways and just let it take me.  I never do this.  I'm the person who walks along side the moving walkways, racing the people who are walking on the belt.  And I nearly always beat them.  It's one of my ways I try to keep active in airports.  But I was so exhausted, I just couldn't do it. 

So I find food.  And I sit down.  And realize that I forgot to pick up a napkin.  Thinking that it would be ok to eat my Chinese food, with chopsticks, and no napkins would be ok because I could just wash up afterward was clearly misguided.  But I was kinda stuck, because my behind was not about to move an inch for a little while.  So I start eating, and almost immediately, my hands are a sticky mess.  And I happened to notice that I was sitting between two, also alone, women.  One of whom had already finished eating, but was just relaxing.  And she had unused napkins all over her table.  So I finally get up the nerve ask if I could have one.  And you'll never guess what happened...

She, with the greatest care imaginable, picked up one napkin, and folded it.  Then picked up another napkin, and folded it on top of the other.  Then she politely presented them to me. 

I almost started crying right there.

Maybe it was the fact that I was off my feet, and was no longer starving for food that helped.  But this woman's kind, polite gesture of folding a napkin and giving it to me made my heart swell a couple of times.  She could have just shoved them my way...but she didn't.  And that really got to me.

Once I finally finished eating, and felt strong enough to move again (it was fortunate I ended up having extra time...because I kinda needed it) I decided to stroll through the book shop across from the food court.  Not that I needed a book...but sometimes...I just like to look.  And I struck up a conversation with one of the ladies working there about how many books we have, and what a pain it is to move them.  By the way, if anyone complains about the quantity of books I own, should meet her.  She said she owns over 7000 books.  And she used to live in a 540 square foot apartment.  Yeah...I'm not that bad.

Then it was back over to my gate.  I had a chance to just sit.  And read.  A treat.  And when I came out of the bathroom, as my flight was boarding...I asked a woman standing there was section they were loading.  She wasn't sure.  But we were both in Group 2.  And we ended up chatting about a few random things.  She's a 6th Grade Teacher, meeting her cousins for the weekend. 

And then I get to my seat on the plane, and there is a guy sitting in my seat.  I tell him he's in my seat, and he realizes he's supposed to be across the aisle.  So he moves.  Almost forgets his computer.  I offer to break it for him, as he seemed rather displeased with how well it functioned.  Or maybe it was the fact that he, too, was on a business trip and had to use it.  So then I get to sit down, and meet my seat mate. 

A little old lady. 

I love little old ladies.  This one especially.

She used to be a Preschool teacher...so she and I had a lot to talk about.  I also felt sorry for her.  She was traveling by herself, and MSP had only been her layover airport...and she had been there since 9:30am.  Our flight to STL was at 7:14pm.  And once she found her gate, she didn't leave all day long.  She was afraid she would miss something concerning her flight, and so she just sat there all day long.  I think she really just needed someone to talk to.  And she was a lovely lady.  I enjoyed getting to chat with her. 

But I guess...back to my original statement.  It is so damn easy sometimes to just be mean, and cranky, or to not take the time to smile, or just be nice to the people around us.  It's so easy to be mean, and sometimes, so hard to be nice.  But you never know how your actions are going to affect another person.  It can be as simple as saying a polite thank you, and actually meaning it.  Or a kind gesture to a stranger.  A conversation with the person next to you.  Whatever it might be.  Yes, it's easier to be cranky, and focus on your own world.  But where does that get you? 

I've found over the past couple of weeks that being nice to people isn't always easy.  But for as much good as it does for the people around me, it's done a lot for me too.  This is the time of year that I worry about my own mental state.  And no fooling, it's insane.  But those simple, kind acts.  They're so worth it.  And they make life...better. 

The Travel Chronicles: Oklahoma

I survived Oklahoma...again.  It was only 111 degrees while I was there this time, as opposed to the 125 degrees it was last time I was there.  Nuff' said, right?  Ok, this is me we're talking about...so that's never just enough...

• I have traveled through a lot of teeny, tiny regional airports over the past 4 years, but it's official, Lawton, OK tops the list of teeny, tiny airports.  There are 2 functioning gates at this airport, but only one of them is ever used.  Instead of having a baggage claim belt, they just roll up a door, and throw the suitcases onto a table.  And when I got to the airport a whopping hour before my flight (which was at 6am yesterday) they hadn't even opened security.  In fact, they didn't open security until 20 minutes before the flight took off, so instead of letting people trickle through as they may, there was a massive line, and I ended up waiting in that line longer than I ever have going through any other major airport.  Oh, and security here?  You would have thought we were trying to gain access to Fort Knox.  Ridiculous.  Don't get me wrong, my love is out there for small airports, but holy guacamole! this was a little ridiculous.  
• I have a goal for the end of Arrrrrrrrrrgust.  It's a good goal, a funny goal.  And one that is totally manageable:  To freak out as many TSA agents, get suspicious looks, and searched as many times as possible...all by doing one, crazy thing.  Smiling.  Oh, and being pleasant.  I already know that this is going to be a rough couple of months with the amount of traveling that I'm doing, so I'm going out of my way to be as nice and pleasant as possible to other people, if only to help keep my mind in a happy, positive place.  But it's really funny to see the looks on TSA agents faces when you're actually smiling and being nice to them.  
• The amount of travel I'm doing has increased...which is a good thing because that means I get more money.  And more money is a good thing.  Not that I'm greedy, but a girls gotta make a living.  But in looking at my calendar now, I'll be traveling 9 weeks in a row, and some of those weeks I'm visiting 3 different states.  It's a little crazy.  A little intense.  But I will, fortunately, have a few days off in between.  It's just a little odd to think that I've had the past 5 weeks off, and now I won't get time off again until my birthday.  
• On that note, a thought came to mind on my way back from Oklahoma.  Since my birthday is coming up (not that the big 31 deserves a huge celebration, or that birthday's are a huge deal anymore) I thought it might be nice to treat myself to something I haven't experienced in at least the past 4 years.  A vacation.  I mean, a real vacation.  No family.  No races.  Rest and relaxation.  But there are a few challenges with this too.  Not that I'm going to let those challenges stop me from this...but hear me out. 
• After being on the road by myself for 9 weeks straight, I'm not sure going on vacation by myself is really the best idea.  But the other part of that is then who would I travel with.  Family (no offense) is out of the question.  And most of my friends aren't around here, and even so, I need to see if they would even be able to go.  
• I hate hotels.  Even nice hotels get old.  So the thought now is to either find a nice B&B or a cabin somewhere to rent.  And I'm thinking within driving distance...because I am not so sure I want to fly.  
• Ok, so maybe those really are my only challenges.  Traveling companions and location.  Shouldn't be so tough to overcome...right?  Of course, any suggestions you might have are welcome.
•  It's time to finally talk publicly about a rather odd phenomenon that has been going on the past few months.  I have a collection of dresses in my closet that I always thought were my go to dresses.  They're comfortable enough to wear all day long, and look nice enough for work.  And they're dresses that I've had for a few years, so it's not like I bought a new dress, never wore it before, and had this happen.  In Oklahoma, I got asked for the THIRD TIME!!! if I was pregnant.  I've always kind of shrugged off the question, and obviously said no, but with a smile as to not make the other person feel like a complete idiot for asking such a bizarre, and hurtful question.  And then vent to a couple of my friends.  And I know that since I moved back, I've gained a little weight...but nothing comparable to what I have been in the past.  And I've always been overweight.  And like I said, I have been wearing these dresses for YEARS.  So why, now, all of a sudden, am I getting these questions???  Either way, it is definitely a time to dump some of those old dresses in favor of a little shopping for some new clothes.  But still, it's just a little baffling to me that it keeps happening on a rather regular basis.  
• I've become a little neurotic.  Again.  It's ok though.  It's about hand washing.  About a month before Ironman Arizona last year, I got compulsive about washing my hands really well (even better than normal) as a way to help keep any illnesses at bay.  It seemed to work.  And every year prior, the last week of August, I have gotten what seemed to be the worst cold of my life, that is until the next year when the cold seemed even worse.  I have delivered sessions where I literally had no voice to use.  So another goal for this month is to not let that happen.  So hand washing, hand sanitizer, and I've also started a regimen of Vitamin C and Echinacea.  

Ok, so other than all of this, it was a good trip.  I did a fantastic job.  And no, I'm not just tooting my own horn.  I get evaluated by the people I train, and all of them...ALL OF THEM...gave me nearly perfect scores.  Success!  I also avoided actually buying any ice cream on this trip, which is a huge success...and will hopefully lead me to my other goal, which is not to gain any weight, and leave August, stronger and more flexible than when I came into it.   1 week down, 8 more to go.