And taking names.
I've made many friends since I started my blog. Most are in the US. At least one is on the European mainland, a few are in the UK, and one reader resides in New Zealand.
I'd love to be able to build a private database of who and where you are. I'd like to do some travelling as Meg ~ the way my current job stands, I may not be travelling any more, not even to Tucson. So I plan to propose to my wife that I (Meg) do a little solo holiday next year. And I'd like the opportunity to meet at least a few of my until-then-online-only friends.
So if you'd like to drop me a note at youCanCallMeMeg@gmail.com with your city (or what city you're near, if you're off the beaten path), I can put everything into a file and see how I can best spend my time. If you'd like to include something like "we can meet in drab only" or "I have to be in drab only" or "my job takes me to Anaheim, Azusa, and Cucamonga so maybe we can meet there" feel free.
Again, this is just for me ~ it won't be in the blog, it won't be shared with anyone else, it won't even be printed. I may write to the readers I hope to meet and when my plans are firmed up say who I'll meet. With permission, of course.
Yes, I do know where some of you are already, but it's all scattered throughout my e-mail. This would help me a lot.
And even if it's a long trip, I hope to meet all three of you. :D
Showing posts with label travel planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel planning. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, November 7, 2011
Did I Mention That I Overpacked?
There was no way in the world that I was going to be able to stuff my regular shoes into my bag. I bought a huge duffel bag while in Arizona. It folds pretty flat, and the idea was that I would pack it into my regular luggage when travelling out and put my overflow in the bag when travelling back. I mean, there are two consignment shops right near my office, plus stores like Marshalls. I wonder if they have a different selection than they do in Virginia, but I haven't had a chance to go in yet.
With the skirts I bought, and the panty I mentioned, and the fact that I couldn't pack around the breast form boxes like I did when heading out my bag was completely stuffed. Every little pocket was packed, and I could barely close the zippers on the main compartment. I put a little overflow into my computer bag. I dumped papers I could reprint at my home office, even though I hate wasting paper. I left behind a half-full bottle of Nair, and a can of shaving gel I bought in Sierra Vista.
And I had two choices when I left Tucson: I could pack a lot of stuff into the duffel and probably have to check it, or I could pack a little into it and it'll flop around like a pea in a pillowcase. As flat as I could make it, the duffel wouldn't fit in my suitcase or my computer bag. So I took the other choice: I left it in the hotel room. I hope someone on the staff made good use of it. Maybe my friend A.
With the skirts I bought, and the panty I mentioned, and the fact that I couldn't pack around the breast form boxes like I did when heading out my bag was completely stuffed. Every little pocket was packed, and I could barely close the zippers on the main compartment. I put a little overflow into my computer bag. I dumped papers I could reprint at my home office, even though I hate wasting paper. I left behind a half-full bottle of Nair, and a can of shaving gel I bought in Sierra Vista.
And I had two choices when I left Tucson: I could pack a lot of stuff into the duffel and probably have to check it, or I could pack a little into it and it'll flop around like a pea in a pillowcase. As flat as I could make it, the duffel wouldn't fit in my suitcase or my computer bag. So I took the other choice: I left it in the hotel room. I hope someone on the staff made good use of it. Maybe my friend A.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Shortened Cycle
By now, most of you know I'm detail-oriented (the polite term for 'anal'). Tuesday afternoon, I discovered I will be heading to Dallas next week.
Normally, I spend a lot of time organising flights and hotel and car. I try to get the best prices for everything, and the best schedule for myself. I try to have the client's data and requirements before I leave for the airport. I try to have a step-by-step process for setting up the client.
I also have a detailed packlist, especially when I'm packing for two. I like to go out and look for and perhaps buy a new dress before I travel. I go through everything to ensure I'm not carrying lots of accessories I'm not going to wear. I make sure I have all of the cosmetics and shaving materials and so on.
This trip, I have to compress everything.
I expect to bring Meg, I expect to go out although I have no idea where I'll be going. As of yet, I have no idea where I'll stay (I just found out the client office is in Richardson TX) or what's nearby. And I don't have a lot of time to figure it all out.
At work, I decided to do a dry run of the customer process. This is because I have never done this before. I have a 100 page manual that describes the process. It is sometimes wrong. I have a classroom manual which gives most of the steps. I wrote notes in the borders and can often read my handwriting. Sometimes I can't, and I guess.
I just re-read the next part, and it's kind of over-detailed and geeky and crabby. Feel free to skip to the bold line below.
A process that was supposed to run overnight on Tuesday was not only still running on Wednesday, it decided to fail in a very odd and, if you asked me in advance I would have said 'impossible', way. I had to not use the database I wanted to use and then convince the smaller database (70 million vs 100 million records) to be recognised ~ it wanted to argue. That took hours instead of minutes, and now it is running the overnight process. If it fails, the next smaller database is about 200 records and not a very good test but it will have to do. All of the work I did already is geared towards the first database; it all must be redone.
The basic process takes two days. If all goes well.
I will spend Thursday trying to finish the process on whichever database I use. I will hope I don't rush and miss a step or make a mistake. I will hope it all works when I'm done.
This afternoon, I have a conference call with the customer. I'm going to try to get them to do a couple of steps (like that overnight one) in advance. They told me yesterday what was on their computers right now. It is about as wrong as one can get.
So here's how my week will go:
Wednesday: dry run that didn't go so well.
Thursday: conference call with customer and dry run that hopefully will go better, but it will be a long day.
Friday: work until 4. That's not late, until you consider I get to work around 6. Drive with rush hour traffic to the state TSA conference where I will be judging a competition. It unarguably takes the longest to judge, and as co-ordinator, I will be there well after everyone else leaves. Last year, I finished after midnight and I have to be back there the next morning (with my son) by 8 to do the second part of the judging. I hope to eat somewhere in there.
Saturday: did I mention the TSA event? Because my son is in the competition, we'll stick around until the awards are given out. We'll probably be done by 6.
Sunday: take my son to a field trip (I shan't be staying) at 9am. Pack, get on a plane which I haven't booked yet.
In addition to my regular work week, I have decided to completely clean the computer I'm leaving behind and shift everything to the computer I'm bringing to TX.
Somewhere in there, I have to book that flight, hotel, car.
No time to prep. No pre-shaving or continuing my epilation experiment, no time to get my eyebrows waxed.
I hope I don't forget something vital to Meg's first trip to Dallas. Or to my client.
As I said in the part y'all skipped, it should be a two-day ordeal, but they bought a week of my time. I'm going to try to get a no-penalty ticket so I can change my return if necessary.
If I can finish by Tuesday evening, I'll try to head home Wednesday evening so Meg has some quality time out Wednesday morning. Even if the work drags on for most of the week there is probably nothing I can do after-hours so Meg should have at least one and maybe two nights out.
I'll keep away from McDonalds.
Normally, I spend a lot of time organising flights and hotel and car. I try to get the best prices for everything, and the best schedule for myself. I try to have the client's data and requirements before I leave for the airport. I try to have a step-by-step process for setting up the client.
I also have a detailed packlist, especially when I'm packing for two. I like to go out and look for and perhaps buy a new dress before I travel. I go through everything to ensure I'm not carrying lots of accessories I'm not going to wear. I make sure I have all of the cosmetics and shaving materials and so on.
This trip, I have to compress everything.
I expect to bring Meg, I expect to go out although I have no idea where I'll be going. As of yet, I have no idea where I'll stay (I just found out the client office is in Richardson TX) or what's nearby. And I don't have a lot of time to figure it all out.
At work, I decided to do a dry run of the customer process. This is because I have never done this before. I have a 100 page manual that describes the process. It is sometimes wrong. I have a classroom manual which gives most of the steps. I wrote notes in the borders and can often read my handwriting. Sometimes I can't, and I guess.
I just re-read the next part, and it's kind of over-detailed and geeky and crabby. Feel free to skip to the bold line below.
A process that was supposed to run overnight on Tuesday was not only still running on Wednesday, it decided to fail in a very odd and, if you asked me in advance I would have said 'impossible', way. I had to not use the database I wanted to use and then convince the smaller database (70 million vs 100 million records) to be recognised ~ it wanted to argue. That took hours instead of minutes, and now it is running the overnight process. If it fails, the next smaller database is about 200 records and not a very good test but it will have to do. All of the work I did already is geared towards the first database; it all must be redone.
The basic process takes two days. If all goes well.
I will spend Thursday trying to finish the process on whichever database I use. I will hope I don't rush and miss a step or make a mistake. I will hope it all works when I'm done.
This afternoon, I have a conference call with the customer. I'm going to try to get them to do a couple of steps (like that overnight one) in advance. They told me yesterday what was on their computers right now. It is about as wrong as one can get.
So here's how my week will go:
Wednesday: dry run that didn't go so well.
Thursday: conference call with customer and dry run that hopefully will go better, but it will be a long day.
Friday: work until 4. That's not late, until you consider I get to work around 6. Drive with rush hour traffic to the state TSA conference where I will be judging a competition. It unarguably takes the longest to judge, and as co-ordinator, I will be there well after everyone else leaves. Last year, I finished after midnight and I have to be back there the next morning (with my son) by 8 to do the second part of the judging. I hope to eat somewhere in there.
Saturday: did I mention the TSA event? Because my son is in the competition, we'll stick around until the awards are given out. We'll probably be done by 6.
Sunday: take my son to a field trip (I shan't be staying) at 9am. Pack, get on a plane which I haven't booked yet.
In addition to my regular work week, I have decided to completely clean the computer I'm leaving behind and shift everything to the computer I'm bringing to TX.
Somewhere in there, I have to book that flight, hotel, car.
No time to prep. No pre-shaving or continuing my epilation experiment, no time to get my eyebrows waxed.
I hope I don't forget something vital to Meg's first trip to Dallas. Or to my client.
As I said in the part y'all skipped, it should be a two-day ordeal, but they bought a week of my time. I'm going to try to get a no-penalty ticket so I can change my return if necessary.
If I can finish by Tuesday evening, I'll try to head home Wednesday evening so Meg has some quality time out Wednesday morning. Even if the work drags on for most of the week there is probably nothing I can do after-hours so Meg should have at least one and maybe two nights out.
I'll keep away from McDonalds.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday Morning
My wife wants to go out with the boys for about three hours.
I was wondering when I'd have time to pack ~ This Is It!
I was wondering when I'd have time to pack ~ This Is It!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
New Tactic
Normally, my wife is very subtle. I often get blindsided by seemingly innocuous comments. Not today.
Out of nowhere, she asked if I make reservations under my own name or the company name. I know she was hoping it was the company name, because how would I explain Meg showing up to my company?
We do our own travel arrangements. Game on! She'll try something else though.
Monday forecast:
near 50 at home, some showers and around 55 in Richmond. That's a bit cool for skipping a coat, but I won't be out much ~ just walking to the mall and the hotel desk. And it's cool enough that I can keep the house cool while getting dressed. Getting ready for an outing is, alas, still sweaty work.
Out of nowhere, she asked if I make reservations under my own name or the company name. I know she was hoping it was the company name, because how would I explain Meg showing up to my company?
We do our own travel arrangements. Game on! She'll try something else though.
Monday forecast:
near 50 at home, some showers and around 55 in Richmond. That's a bit cool for skipping a coat, but I won't be out much ~ just walking to the mall and the hotel desk. And it's cool enough that I can keep the house cool while getting dressed. Getting ready for an outing is, alas, still sweaty work.
Friday, February 11, 2011
(S)he Said What?
A commenter called me out yesterday:
All of this planning, worrying about malls, restrooms, shaving, and your wife is recovering from surgery and then she has to take care of herself and the children?
All to wear girl clothes?
Are you serious?
I think you need to establish a better sense of priorities.
Your wife and children should be much more important to you than an opportunity to wear girl clothes.
I mean, REALLY!!!!!
All good points. The main one being ~ I wasn't clear. If my wife's not ready, I'll postpone my work trip (to the dismay of my boss, I know). I'm saving vacation days, making sure I have local things-to-do or at-home things-to-do to keep company customers happy, myself productive, and money flowing in, for both me and the company.
Wednesday required a trip to Johns Hopkins (Baltimore) for a consult. Thursday was an extra-long work day to make up for it. Monday will be a mid-day local consult. Afterwards, I'll make up those hours.
My goal is not to neglect my wife, kids, work, or this little blog.
While my wife is in hospital, or recovering, meals will be prepared, clothes will be laundered, newspapers will be read, kids will get to school and other events.
Life won't stop.
And neither will my hobby.
Please don't believe for a minute that I'll neglect a visit to hospital so I can try on outfits for my trip! But I'll be packing as if the trip will go on, and that means packing everything. I'll be getting ready for the trip, and that means making sure the database is solid, the analysts are satisfied, and any girl prep is done ~ time permitting.
I only mentioned the surgery because it may impact what you all see here, as well as my next scheduled trip out, which is kind of the purpose of this blog.
Someday, maybe I'll be more like Stana, and get up and decide "today's a day out." I suspect most of us are more like me ~ planning and executing a day out like it's a military manoeuvre.
Planning will continue, even if it turns out that the schedule is shot, or nothing happens. Sometimes, planning is all the fun I get. I hope that's not the case this time, as I do every time. And I also hope the predictions on recovery and recovery time are way pessimistic. That goes without saying, she said, after spending 1000 words saying it. :)
I'm not a bad guy, nor that narcissistic. Honest.
(ps ~ I like the way Pat thinks :) I am afraid that me in a nurse's dress will cause my wife to flash back to The Joker in "The Dark Knight")
All of this planning, worrying about malls, restrooms, shaving, and your wife is recovering from surgery and then she has to take care of herself and the children?
All to wear girl clothes?
Are you serious?
I think you need to establish a better sense of priorities.
Your wife and children should be much more important to you than an opportunity to wear girl clothes.
I mean, REALLY!!!!!
All good points. The main one being ~ I wasn't clear. If my wife's not ready, I'll postpone my work trip (to the dismay of my boss, I know). I'm saving vacation days, making sure I have local things-to-do or at-home things-to-do to keep company customers happy, myself productive, and money flowing in, for both me and the company.
Wednesday required a trip to Johns Hopkins (Baltimore) for a consult. Thursday was an extra-long work day to make up for it. Monday will be a mid-day local consult. Afterwards, I'll make up those hours.
My goal is not to neglect my wife, kids, work, or this little blog.
While my wife is in hospital, or recovering, meals will be prepared, clothes will be laundered, newspapers will be read, kids will get to school and other events.
Life won't stop.
And neither will my hobby.
Please don't believe for a minute that I'll neglect a visit to hospital so I can try on outfits for my trip! But I'll be packing as if the trip will go on, and that means packing everything. I'll be getting ready for the trip, and that means making sure the database is solid, the analysts are satisfied, and any girl prep is done ~ time permitting.
I only mentioned the surgery because it may impact what you all see here, as well as my next scheduled trip out, which is kind of the purpose of this blog.
Someday, maybe I'll be more like Stana, and get up and decide "today's a day out." I suspect most of us are more like me ~ planning and executing a day out like it's a military manoeuvre.
Planning will continue, even if it turns out that the schedule is shot, or nothing happens. Sometimes, planning is all the fun I get. I hope that's not the case this time, as I do every time. And I also hope the predictions on recovery and recovery time are way pessimistic. That goes without saying, she said, after spending 1000 words saying it. :)
I'm not a bad guy, nor that narcissistic. Honest.
(ps ~ I like the way Pat thinks :) I am afraid that me in a nurse's dress will cause my wife to flash back to The Joker in "The Dark Knight")
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Richmond Trip: Part II - Glitch?
One possible glitch: my wife is going in for major surgery later this month. My trip is contingent on her recovering enough to take care of herself and the boys. I think all will be well. I also think Richmond will be quickly followed by El Paso, so my hair and eyebrows and neck should still be good to go. :)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Going to Richmond: Part I - Planning
It looks like my next customer trip will be to Maryland for up to three days. Unfortunately, it's about 25 miles away in Maryland which means it's a commute customer. There's a nice bargain mall nearby with Marshall's, Burlington Coat Factory, Payless, and a few specialty clothing shops in it. If I have time, I'll look around.
But next month, I'm scheduled for three days near Richmond. This is about a two-hour drive, so I'll travel down on Monday afternoon and return Friday morning. I will be at my home office Monday morning and possibly Friday afternoon.
This means it will be difficult for me to drive en femme.
But not impossible.
What I need is to schedule it so I can add an hour or two to my trip without being missed. Assuming I can, I have some options:
driving down: if I can do some prep work beforehand (shaving arms and legs for instance), I can change on the way. There is the mall right near my office which has family restrooms, but that might be risky. I can head south and watch for malls. When I pass one, I can scope it out and if it has access I can change there and enjoy the rest of my drive. To do this, I also need to leave early enough that I can shave my face before leaving home and still stay smooth whilst putting on my makeup.
driving back:even if I can't change heading down I'll still scope out malls for a place to change. I can drive partway, change back, and head to the office. This is more certain: I'll be leaving my hotel room dressed so I shouldn't have a problem with early shaving or prep time.
Monday night will be for scoping out the area. If I can't prep before going down, it will also be prep night. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night will be going out time (if it seems reasonably safe to do so). If not, I'll stay in and video chat if anyone cares to. Maybe I'll finally go to dinner dressed!
But sometimes the project is complicated enough that I have to work late, work back in my room, and not have time for anything else. I'm trying to do as much as I can beforehand, and I'll document everything so I can recreate it there, but if the customer has a different vision than I do, there will be rework and my plans may fall through. For this project, I think there's a 20% chance of Too Much Work.
Before I go, I'll definitely schedule some time to get my haircut, and my neck and eyebrows waxed. And I'll have to figure out some time in the house alone so I can pack for Meg. I try to pack underwear, shoes, makeup, jewelry, etc early and outfits last minute so they don't get wrinkled. And I can pack a suitcase just for Meg and not have to worry about lugging it through the airport. I will pack a minimal male shirt/pants/shoes + makeup remover in Meg's bag so if I do get to check in as Meg, I can just carry in her bag and leave my other stuff in the car until later ~ and I have the option to change first if I need to.
I know, I'm still overthinking things. :)
The good part of this trip is it's far enough that I can stay overnight, close enough that I can drive.
Addendum: As Dani pointed out in a comment yesterday, I could probably find a better picture of my new footwear on the Payless site. I did. Here and here.
But next month, I'm scheduled for three days near Richmond. This is about a two-hour drive, so I'll travel down on Monday afternoon and return Friday morning. I will be at my home office Monday morning and possibly Friday afternoon.
This means it will be difficult for me to drive en femme.
But not impossible.
What I need is to schedule it so I can add an hour or two to my trip without being missed. Assuming I can, I have some options:
driving down: if I can do some prep work beforehand (shaving arms and legs for instance), I can change on the way. There is the mall right near my office which has family restrooms, but that might be risky. I can head south and watch for malls. When I pass one, I can scope it out and if it has access I can change there and enjoy the rest of my drive. To do this, I also need to leave early enough that I can shave my face before leaving home and still stay smooth whilst putting on my makeup.
driving back:even if I can't change heading down I'll still scope out malls for a place to change. I can drive partway, change back, and head to the office. This is more certain: I'll be leaving my hotel room dressed so I shouldn't have a problem with early shaving or prep time.
Monday night will be for scoping out the area. If I can't prep before going down, it will also be prep night. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night will be going out time (if it seems reasonably safe to do so). If not, I'll stay in and video chat if anyone cares to. Maybe I'll finally go to dinner dressed!
But sometimes the project is complicated enough that I have to work late, work back in my room, and not have time for anything else. I'm trying to do as much as I can beforehand, and I'll document everything so I can recreate it there, but if the customer has a different vision than I do, there will be rework and my plans may fall through. For this project, I think there's a 20% chance of Too Much Work.
Before I go, I'll definitely schedule some time to get my haircut, and my neck and eyebrows waxed. And I'll have to figure out some time in the house alone so I can pack for Meg. I try to pack underwear, shoes, makeup, jewelry, etc early and outfits last minute so they don't get wrinkled. And I can pack a suitcase just for Meg and not have to worry about lugging it through the airport. I will pack a minimal male shirt/pants/shoes + makeup remover in Meg's bag so if I do get to check in as Meg, I can just carry in her bag and leave my other stuff in the car until later ~ and I have the option to change first if I need to.
I know, I'm still overthinking things. :)
The good part of this trip is it's far enough that I can stay overnight, close enough that I can drive.
Addendum: As Dani pointed out in a comment yesterday, I could probably find a better picture of my new footwear on the Payless site. I did. Here and here.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Launch Delay
I'm trying to figure out exactly how this will play out. I will not be travelling on Sunday as planned. I will be out at a local clothing swap, en femme. I will be trying some outfits and taking some pictures this weekend.
Because I'm supposed to be in the midwest for a full week, and I was diverted for a day, I will not be ready for Sunday travel. My manager decided that I will go out the week of July 12th, since next week is a short week (happy Independence Day!).
I told her that I cannot travel on the 11th, because I have other plans. I don't think I'm out of line to expect her to clear with me whether I'm able to give up my weekend for the company (there is no comp time for travel days [or anything else, as far as I can see]).
I had suggested to my manager's manager that I could work on the other customer Thursday and when I return from my trip, since the other customer will be pretty much gone from Friday until after the 4th. He agreed this was a good idea, but never conveyed it to my manager.
This is turning into a work rant, and I apologise but I won't go back and delete it but I will end it here.
I spoke with the midwest customer and told them that if I come out for four days (travel on Monday July 11) I can continue to work on their project and maybe stretch the requirements a bit and give them some extras. They like this idea.
So it looks like I will be travelling on July 12th, a Monday. I'll continue to post progress, anxiety, and try to stay on-topic until then, in case anyone's still reading.
This will:
* give my fingernails, which keep breaking badly, a chance to recover.
* give Meg a chance to get out once more (maybe twice) this weekend.
* let me do a packing "dry run" and make a final packlist.
* maybe try fake fingernails again. I haven't had much luck before.
* let me find the right lipstick/gloss/liner and eye shadow/liner/mascara. Maybe.
* give me a chance to just get the accessories I need. I carry too much jewelry on trips.
* try on those shoes!
I think Meg is more of an optimist than her male counterpart is.
Meg thinks I can write a post-a-day and not lose everyone. :)
Oh... does anyone know any tg-friendly companies that are hiring?
Because I'm supposed to be in the midwest for a full week, and I was diverted for a day, I will not be ready for Sunday travel. My manager decided that I will go out the week of July 12th, since next week is a short week (happy Independence Day!).
I told her that I cannot travel on the 11th, because I have other plans. I don't think I'm out of line to expect her to clear with me whether I'm able to give up my weekend for the company (there is no comp time for travel days [or anything else, as far as I can see]).
I had suggested to my manager's manager that I could work on the other customer Thursday and when I return from my trip, since the other customer will be pretty much gone from Friday until after the 4th. He agreed this was a good idea, but never conveyed it to my manager.
This is turning into a work rant, and I apologise but I won't go back and delete it but I will end it here.
I spoke with the midwest customer and told them that if I come out for four days (travel on Monday July 11) I can continue to work on their project and maybe stretch the requirements a bit and give them some extras. They like this idea.
So it looks like I will be travelling on July 12th, a Monday. I'll continue to post progress, anxiety, and try to stay on-topic until then, in case anyone's still reading.
This will:
* give my fingernails, which keep breaking badly, a chance to recover.
* give Meg a chance to get out once more (maybe twice) this weekend.
* let me do a packing "dry run" and make a final packlist.
* maybe try fake fingernails again. I haven't had much luck before.
* let me find the right lipstick/gloss/liner and eye shadow/liner/mascara. Maybe.
* give me a chance to just get the accessories I need. I carry too much jewelry on trips.
* try on those shoes!
I think Meg is more of an optimist than her male counterpart is.
Meg thinks I can write a post-a-day and not lose everyone. :)
Oh... does anyone know any tg-friendly companies that are hiring?
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