What a Day

What a fun day we've had today. It started out with a good friend, whom we have not seen since Alan was born, coming by for brunch. We had a big brunch too: pancakes, fresh strawberries, bacon & scrambled eggs. Delicious!

After a nice chat with her, she packed up Peter, her dog and traveling companion, and made the long drive back to Kentucky...welcomed back into her state by a bunch of cheering fans...as Kentucky knocked off North Carolina to take one of the spots in the Final Four. After that...most of the house took a much needed nap. I even got about 10 minutes worth of a nap, which is just enough to feel rested, but not so much to feel groggy. Rebecca and Alan slept about 1.5 hours, while I watched the documentary, The Cove. Pretty interesting, if you've not seen it. Then, we went out to my parents' house to watch the aforementioned game. That was a busy time and I didn't get to see as much of the game as I would like. We hung around the for a bit, ate some homemade cornbread and chili...and then trekked home. Alan was great the whole time, and zonked out when he ate. He could not stand a moment longer of fun.

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Parents That Actually Show It

I love to see parents that love their kids...and actually show it. About halfway up the plane in front of me is a sweet little family of four. One of the little girls, probably about six years of age, got up and started walking to the back of the plane, destined for the bathroom. Well, I watched the parents ahead of me. The mom was turned around, watching her the whole walk. Then, almost as if they were so in sync, the mom sat back normally in her seat as the dad turned around to watch his little girl. He continued this the whole time the little girl was absent. Then, as she approached her seat, her dad's arm stretched put from the opposite side of the aisle, and pulled her into an embrace followed by a smile and a kiss on her head. Made me smile.

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What Rest?

There is just something to be said about getting proper rest. I know, I know...that's pretty much all you hear from your parents growing up, but it's true. The past few nights, I've been up way too late to actually get up and feel rested the next day. Recently, being a new dad has turned me into a much lighter sleeper than I used to be. I like that. I used to be able to sleep through anything. Well, this week...all of that came back. Being deprived of sleep caused me to oversleep one morning and fall asleep on the couch in the room, rather than the bed the next day. This was disappointing mostly, because those beds were fabulous. All of these thoughts are streaming through my head as I sit here, falling asleep sitting up during this plane ride home. What a week...cannot wait to see my people.

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Wicked Spoon Buffet

When I hear the word "buffet," I automatically think of kind of mushy food & a lot of it. That was definitely not the case with the Wicked Spoon Buffet. You wait to be seated, after paying, by a hostess. Just to give you a feel for the size of this place, it can seat over 1,000 people. Once seated, my drink order was taken and I proceeded toward the buffet...or should I say three buffets. The same, stylish design was in the restaurant, as was in the whole hotel. It has a very 50's Modern Chic thing going on. I don't normally like this look, but it is very well done here. Stepping around the buffets...I didn't even see them all at first. I snagged an almond Danish...some bacon...and a smoothie with granola at the bottom of a cup of delicious, plain yogurt...topped with fresh blackberries, blueberries & raspberries. I retreated to my seat. After working on that for a bit, I wanted to explore some more. I found another part of the buffet that was unknown to me before. There was. Whole egg section...where you could have an egg prepared any way you like. I chose the omlette this time...topped with ham and cheddar. Delicious! After polishing that off...as well as my flavorful coffee and orange juice...I called it quits. I might return there again. Let's hope...

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A Whole New World

As I sit here, staring out an airplane window, I am in wonder at seeing a whole new world. I'm not talking about another planet or something outside of our universe...well, not far outside it. I'm talking about clouds. They're everywhere, but most days, we just look at them and don't give them a second glance. We might think..."Why don't you move, I'm trying to catch some rays," or, "Can you please not bring rain today?"

I think clouds have much different things on their mind though. As we skate along at thirty thousand feet, I notice a padded floor of whiteness. It goes for miles...maybe even hundreds of miles. Then, out of nowhere, a white mountain pops up. It reaches far beyond what the eye can see, or maybe the mind perceive. Those clouds probably think things more along the lines of, "This golden orange sunset really makes my day," or, "That blue sky is so good that we ought to part and share it with those far below."

It helps me keep in perspective that I am a very small part of this huge world. Never lose sight of that. *Composed at 30,000ft
*Sent later

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Goings & Comings

This morning started out weird with Rebecca leaving the house when we normally get out of bed. I was still asleep, as I would be taking Alan on my way to work. We end up rushing out the door and get caught in a ton of traffic. There was a wreck within a half mile of my house. I swear, there is a wreck somewhere on my way to work just about every day! I'm nearing a clearing and what do I see? A train. Yep...a train. They actually sent through a train during rush hour in the morning commute. Here's looking at you, Kansas City Southern!

The day was long and hectic for a number of reasons that I wont go into. Then, on the way home...which was later than usual because I got held up at work by the day that would not end...another train! Why me? That's right...Kansas City Southern sent another train through at the afternoon rush hour. I don't know who these people think they are?

At least tomorrow's Friday.

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A Bit Nervous

Next week, I'm going to Las Vegas.
Yeah, I know...you're thinking I mis-titled this post. Well, it is not really a "pleasure" trip. I am going there for work.
There is a marketing and business development conference happening there. I don't know if it is actually a huge deal, or if it is all just hype, because I've never been there. Whatever the reason, it has me a bit nervous.
Some of that could be from the fact that I have not flown anywhere since June of 2007. Many of the flight rules have tightened since then, and I especially don't want to have to go through one of the backscatter scanners that the TSA is using on the general public now.
One other reason is that Las Vegas is a big city and I am definitely not used to that. I live in a rural city that is pretty small, and try not to venture into the big city of Jackson too often, if I can help it. I just hope I can find my way from the airport to the hotel. From there, I will not hardly need to leave, until Saturday when it's over.
Plus, I'm really going to miss this guy...he's just changing so much daily. I will have to get many photos sent to me, as often as possible.
I hope this weekend has a calming effect, rather than the opposite. Time will tell.

When he cries, I break

Recently, Alan has started grasping the concept that we "leave" him at times. About a week ago, it happened...I dropped him off and huge tears began to fall down his little cheeks. I know, this is a natural part of development, but that doesn't make it any easier. He did it again this morning when I took him to the caregiver. I don't like it one bit.

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