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.

And the adventure begins...

Matt left this morning for Japan. He is leading a meeting all week and then I fly out Friday afternoon to meet him for our week long house hunting and Japan "orientation" trip. If this morning is any indication as to how this move is going to go we are in for big trouble.

Matt's flight was to leave at 12:38 pm. We left the house early so Matt could buy a computer backpack. In Japan he will take the train to work every morning and from what I hear the hills to most of the train stops are huge. So he figured a backpack would be easier to carry than his briefcase. We found a decent one, as well as a new pair of pants. Of course Matt needed to assure himself that there wasn't a better backpack so we had to stop at a few other stores along the way to the airport.

Best Buy didn't open until 11 am and he said we had plenty of time to wait. (The airport is about 10 minutes from Best Buy) Now let me stop here for a moment and explain the difference between Matt and I and air travel. I am the person sitting at the gate at least 2 hours before boarding. Matt is the person everyone hates as they have to hold the plane as he boards breathless from running to make the flight.

Anyways, while we sat in the car for 20 minutes he put everything in the backpack he just bought and put the new pants in his suitcase. Afterwards he and the kids went to wait with the other masses standing outside Best Buy's doors. I sat in the car and cleaned out my purse, looked and saw no keys in the ignition, locked the van door and then went to wait with everyone else. (Do you see where this is heading?)

Of course there wasn't a backpack and while I stood in line to buy a super cool new wireless mouse, Matt went to pull the van around to pick me up. However instead Matt came back inside to get the keys from me –– the keys that I did not have. It was at this point that Matt realized he put the keys in the suitcase in the back of the van. In the back of the van that I had locked.

It was 11:15 am. Matt's flight was to leave in 75 minutes. We called the police and unless the kids were locked on the car they wouldn't do anything. The locksmith could be there in 30 to 45 minutes. We called our neighbor and he was on his way to bring us our spare set. In the meantime Matt ran about 1/4 mile down the street to a Michael's (it was over 90 degrees out) and found an over-the-door hanger to try to jimmy the lock system through the window. (I swear no one carries wire hangers anymore) Just before our neighbor reached us Matt got the lock undone. And we were off, like race car drivers, to get Matt to the airport in time for his flight.

Matt was filthy and sweaty. The kids and I were stressed. And our poor neighbor drove like a bat out of heck for nothing. But Matt made his flight, the kids and I went to lunch to unwind and I made my neighbor and his kids dinner (his wife is in California this weekend) for being such good sports.

I leave in five days. Let's hope my departure is a little bit smoother.