A bit of a story...

Last week I flew to Illinois for a quick trip to meet my new boss and to connect with the team I contract with before the move. The main purpose of the trip was to confirm and work out details that will keep me working part time while I am in Japan. Even though I didn't really have the time to go, it was well worth it.

So my quick trip to Illinois was not without drama. I mean come on. Alexis go somewhere and drama not happen? As much as I anticipate it, I did not think the drama will start right at the beginning of my trip.

My flight left at 6:30 am and connected through Atlanta. As I may have mentioned my laptop had been acting funny a few weeks prior and then stopped. The screen would fade or the computer would just shut off. So I had backed up my system (or so I thought) just in case. So while I saw sitting in Atlanta for a 3 hours layover my computer started flipping in and out of sleep mode. And then suddenly turned off. Then if I got it back on the battery would not charge and then turn off right away.

So there I was. In Atlanta, on my way to a huge meeting and my computer wasn't working. Oh and did I mention, I didn't pull any of the files I was going to need to a flash drive. And I definitely would NOT bring the external hard drive with me.

During this moment in time, my lovely husband called me to inform me that his blood work from a routine physical required by his company prior to our move came back showing that he was one Lonestar Steakhouse visit shy of a heart attack. That is right. My 33 year old husband has extremely high cholesterol. And of course right at that moment in time his chest started hurting. Yep. I was in the Atlanta airport, with a broken laptop, on the way to an important meeting and my husband was clutching his check back in NC. Needless to say I found myself having a beverage with a bite at 9:30am.

So off the plane I stepped and went right to a Best Buy who luckily was back in the Apple computer business. I needed to get a new laptop prior to going to Japan, so I just got it a few months early. Merry freaking Christmas Alexis.

Now let me stop and say that I love getting a new computer. I love running my hands across the keyboard and looking into the shiny screen. I can't wait to see the set up assistant dance across my screen. However this situation denied me any of that joy. Luckily the people I met with at work were understanding and managed to find all but one of the files I needed for the meeting.

But alas! This wasn't the only drama of the trip. Even though I could have carried all my belongings on the plane in a Trader Joes sack (not that I would have done that) I packed one of my super huge new suitcases in anticipation of my hand me downs for Sami from Jamie and of course any shopping goodies I may have found. The suitcase was empty on my way there.

We really didn't have much time to hit the stores, but we managed to find a few good deals and some resale shops. My main goal for myself was to find some "dressier" type shirts and some killer shoes. My flips just won't cut it in Japan. I managed to find 3 pairs, two with ankle breaking heels. Somehow my empty suitcase became packed with clothes, shoes and books that I had lent to Jamie.

We were running late to the airport so I was rushed to check in and make sure my bag made it back to NC. Now let me remind you that at this point I am now carrying my laptop backpack, the box to my new laptop with my old broken down laptop in it and my huge suitcase (I had shoved my purse in the suitcase so I would have one less thing to carry). I rush to check in, throw up my bag and reach for my ID.

Just then the ever so pleasant lady informs me that my bag was 10 pounds overweight and she doubts would make the dimensions limit either. I could either pay $50 or take some stuff out. So I ripped open the suitcase, pull out the purse stick the books Jamie returned inside, switch off my shoes and grab one of the killer ankle heel shoes and stick the suitcase back on the scale. Nope. Still 1 pound and 1 inch over. One. Freaking. Pound. Regardless that the flight was barely 1/2 full, if they make an exception for my 1 pound than they need to make an exception to all the luggage (or so the pleasant check-in lady told me with a smile). I ripped back open the bag, pull out a few more items, stick them in my backpack and cross my fingers. Still half inch over. By this time I am ready to wring the lady's neck with her tape measure. You would think I was begging her to stick exercise equipment on the plane or something. I take the bag, smash it up against the scale and tell her to measure it. Finally it passes.

I run down the airport with no shoes on, carrying the killer ankle heels, backpack on and laptop box in hand. The security guys were laughing so hard at me as I ran up to them. I get through security, just as they were getting ready to board. Needless to say I got one of the non-free plane beverages for my choice.

But hey. On a good note. My laptop was fixable, for only $104, and all my information was intact. Miracles do happen.

Operation Press Conference a Success

And I can breathe again. All of the media relations and press kit and magazine writing over the past 3 months led up to today –– The launch of X's new poultry division. I have been the person in charge of the PR, which all became unveiled to the media at a press luncheon today. And I am very, very very excited to say it went over better than I hoped. The media were very receptive, the clients were extremely happy and the press materials were awesome.

I left the house early yesterday and drove with 3 people from the marketing agency I am working with to Atlanta for the 2008 International Poultry Expo. We helped with a few things for the trade show booth and then headed to our hotel in downtown Atlanta. It was definitely different from the plain old Hampton's I usually stay at when traveling. We then met one of our clients from Pfizer and went to dinner at Trader Vics. If you ever have a chance to eat at a Trader Vics it is a MUST. It has to be one of the best meals I have eaten. They cooked my steak in a big basket! Drinks, an awesome dinner and a nightcap –– I could get used to this treatment.

Today we made our way to the Expo early and while the others set up the room I made my way to "smooze" with the media. Then came the big press conference. The food was perfect, the speakers did awesome (with the outline I provided of course) and we have already gotten interviews completed and more scheduled. We also have several requests for some prewritten articles. So between that and some other PR work it looks like I will be playing with chickens and eggs a bit longer. That's okay. I've missed the ag market.

No sooner did I get in the car to head towards Greensboro, NC for the evening I started to sneeze. And sneeze and sneeze. I went through 2 travel packs of Kleenex in the past 6 hours and now I can't get my nose to stop dripping. So I am at a hotel and sick and on the verge of a migraine. I really shouldn't be surprised. Between getting all the work done for this project, some Cat work, the holidays and my trip to Vegas I have been asking for it.

So tomorrow I should take it easy and just relax until I have to meet Kate and Matty at the airport and then make the 90 minute drive back to Fuquay. Maybe hit the bookstore. Maybe hit a few stores and play with some cameras. Maybe grab some lunch and just veg out. Yeah... wishful thinking. After not checking my email for 36 hours I fired up the computer to find 4 (yes FOUR) projects for Cat (including a conference call for tomorrow morning) and an email asking for a new business proposal for a company in California. **thud** This weekend is booked full with Kate and Matty visiting, Matt leaves Monday for a week and I have those frightening 6 shots. I'm not complaining. Really I am not. I'm just for once, well, tired. Not physically because we all know I don't sleep, but mentally I am just exhausted.

Thanks for all the well wishes for this Atlanta project. I know the big man upstairs was listening.

Georgia On My Mind

Tomorrow I leave for my press conference in Atlanta. Yikes. I will be leaving here around 7:30am and driving to one of the client's offices in Greensboro and then riding with them and all the trade show and press materials to Atlanta. All in all it should be a 6.5 hour drive.

We will be driving back to Greensboro late Wednesday night where I will stay overnight and then drive to the local airport to pick up my good friend Kate and her daughter Matty for a weekend visit.

I am really, really nervous. I am the liaison between the media and the client and need to do whatever possible to get positive coverage on the unveiling of the new division. I will be the person "working the press conference." Over the weekend I had to write up a strategic proposal on what all the press conference will entail and what the main goals of the trip were. They must have liked it because it was forwarded to the VP. I am not used to people looking to me for advice and direction.

After this trip my project with this client comes to an end. If I am lucky there will be more work that develops out of this trip and future projects. But it is hard to say. So I guess it will be back to the "new business drawing board" next week.

I'll be taking my laptop and since I cannot sleep in a hotel (even with a big King bed all to myself) I am sure I will be checking in. Until then, have a great week!