Day two in Las Vegas

Are we having fun yet? Is it day two already? When we woke up and looked out our window, it was a beautiful sight. We could see the mountains so clearly. God sure does good work!

Today was more of the same as yesterday. Saw some cool things at the show. Tomorrow we see and learn about storage solutions (now is when I wished I would have paid closer attention to the “boys” I work with in IT so I was more familiar with what our capabilities are. Wish you were here, guys) for all this HD video stuff we have been looking at.

What seems scary to me, is investing in HD today, when everything we are seeing on the floor is going to 3D. (We saw the absolute coolest, smallest, 3D camera.)You feel like you are between a rock and a hard place. You can’t wait another 3-5 years to make the upgrade to 3D, but you certainly can’t afford it now. And now is the window of opportunity to buy. So, I guess you buy HD, and hope it lasts 10 years, like our current equipment. (I guess when you really think about it, who wants to come to church and see Dave in 3D?)

Tonight, of course, was more picture taking (163 tonight). After walking all day on the convention floor, we walked the whole strip tonight. I am so beat right now, but I burned off that ice cream…wait, we missed getting an ice cream!!! How did that happen? Maybe ice cream tomorrow?

Day one in Las Vegas

Well, actually this starts last night. After we arrived, got to the hotel, found our room (which is I swear, a quarter mile walk from the elevator! I have a picture to prove it), we went out, if only to indulge me. Because as we all know, it was all about my camera shots…and wow was it worth it.

But first, let me talk about the room. For some reason (I think it was because Ed is so honest and good looking) the Castle gave us an upgraded room. All we did was ask for a king bed, and we got a room with a big flat screen TV, a desk, dresser, couch and coffee table, and a very nice bathroom with granite countertop, and good size shower (oh yea, and the king sized bed we asked for). Our view is great too, we can see MGM, and New York New York, a few other hotels, and we can see the mountains. God is sure good!

We spent the whole day at the show today. I got to meet Sparke (yea, great name, uh? It is actually his real last name). He is the manufacturer’s rep that Ed is talking to about some possible new A/V equipment upgrades for VCC. He seemed to know his stuff, and was very helpful and accommodating. Ed was very diligent in laying out a plan for each day we are here and has mapped out every vendor he wants to see, by day, and by morning and afternoon. We met Sparke promptly at 11:00am at the Panasonic booth.

After we got back to the room and unwound, we went out to eat, and yes of course, more pictures. I think we walked half way down the strip and back. I took about 130 pictures! No, I won’t post them all and bore you to total tears (that is even assuming you will look at them at all). Let’s suffice to say, there are a couple of good ones. When I do get those gems, I am so happy.

The one thing about Vegas that just kind of ruins things is these creepy guys who stand on the corners and flip these cards at you (well, you – if you’re a guy, and you know the cards I am talking about). Every corner has about 6 of them. For some reason, they think that if you don’t take one from the first guy, the second guy has a chance, then maybe the third. Where do they get this logic? I have to keep reminding myself that God loves them too.

So the question to ponder now is….what will happen tomorrow? Hopefully I will keep the diligence and let you know. (You know who you are…the one person who reads my blogs. By the way, thank you.)

Flying is still surreal

I am not sure if a non-stop flight to Las Vegas is really the best way to go. (Ok, I know what you are thinking right now, "Is she crazy? Of course it is! Did she lose her mind on the way our there? Will she return to sanity soon? Oh poor Ed!")

Consider, if you will: you could be stuck in a middle seat for 4.5 hours essentially unable to move; compound that with leaving the only book you brought in your luggage that was thrown in the overhead (oh dopey me!); now add to that there is no food offered (that is if you don’t count one gram of peanuts); additionally you seem to be allowed only two ounces of any drink at a time; and don’t forget how comfortable it is trying to sleep in an upright position.

Have you ever just closed your eyes on an airplane and really listened to the environment around you? I think it is a very surreal sound. Everything sounds muffled, but then you hear a word or two. Even as close as the people are behind you I can’t hear their conversations (not saying I really want to). I just find it all a surreal experience.

Having said all that: it is, after all, only a 4.5 hour flight and you are at your destination. Then there is things to consider like: no un-boarding; running to another gate; re-boarding; hoping your luggage either beats you there, or at least catches up with you; and that you all make the same flight; worrying whether your connecting flight is even there! Or worse yet, getting stuck for hours on end in an airport you do not want to be in, again hoping your luggage made the same flight you did.

So the question to ponder is; which option is really better? My jury is still out on that answer, I have another chance to evaluate my quandary next Sunday. I just thank God he saw it fit to have us arrive safely.

Another question….why does Southwest Airlines call their planes “Love Jets”? (Actually, I'm not really sure I want to know the answer to that one!) And what happened to "service"? Oh yea, it's now called "free luggage check in."

It's over...what comes next?

Easter was so awesome at church this weekend. Everyone did such a great job! The tech team was great, Kevin did a fantastic job on lights, Charlie's work with all the vocals was remarkable, the choir was awe-inspiring, the rain sounded so real. Just thinking about how it all went down still sends chills!

And Ed, well, he is still recovering today. He puts in as much time and stress and anyone does. Now it is his time for a well deserved "crash."

I love my church, and couldn't be more proud of the things we do. Sometimes I still can't believe what God has done in me. To say I turned around 180 degrees is an understatement. I can't ever imagine my life without this reason to live and give.

Almost every year when we are all finished, I ask "How can we ever top that?" Somehow we always do! Thank you God soooo much.

If you missed what I am talking about click here to see the Celebration on line. It really doesn't do it justice like being there, but it is the next best thing. (Thanks God also for this technology!)

Oh yea....SOS is next! Yikes!! But not before Las Vegas!!!!!!

Cash for Clunker Appliances

We got in on the Cash for Clunker Appliances program! We just bought a dishwasher (thanks income tax refund) and will get another $100 for doing so. Not a bad gig, right?

I have no idea how old this dishwasher is that was in this house when I bought it 15 years ago, but it is old and loud. Since we are painting our kitchen and putting in a new floor, I was advised that if I was thinking about replacing my dishwasher, now is the time...before the floor goes in. So, ok, twist my arm for a new dishwasher.

Consumer reports says that Kenmore was rated the best for the money, and that's good enough for me. We get it installed the day after we return from Las Vegas. See, I already won!

The program started on Friday, and by Monday all the money was "reserved." I found out that you had to go in and reserve your rebate online before you buy, then you have 72 hours to buy. Who knew? Who came up with that plan?

I was allowed to go on a wait list, and today I got an email saying money was available. I knew all those people wouldn't really buy one. Today there is $113,755.00 available (where did that number come from if the rebates are $100?). Get this, $1,917,650.00 has been used (did someone qualify for a half a rebate?). Go figure!

There is money for refrigerators, washers and water heaters also. Just in case you are in the market for any of those.

Only another woman would understand when I say....Whoo hoo...I am excited about my new dishwasher!!

God has a sense of humor!

After all that blogging (and whining and crying) about the "unbelievable" experience of our Las Vegas flight being actually canceled only three months ago, here we go again. No, not another flight canceled (at least we sure hope not!), but another chance to go to Las Vegas.

Ed needs to go to a National Broadcasters Association (NAB) conference that is held in Las Vegas. If I take some vacation time, and pay my own way, I could go too...ummm....let me think about this...ok, I will do it!

Here is just one example of how much God loves us. He canceled that flight in January, knowing we would be going in April (and geesh, who needs to go to Las Vegas twice in one year?). And he provided free flight and hotel for four nights for Ed. Thereby saving us some money! Isn't he a great God?

I only wish the friends that we were to meet there in January (who made the trip on a different flight) could go again. I will miss them.

Can you believe that we are going to Las Vegas (again)? Now let's all pray that God does not find it funny to have another flight cancellation...or I will surely die! Not really, but I will surely something!!

The question to ponder is...what do you think our odds are of getting there this time?

Goodbye Thunderbird!

It's been nice, but you are not fun to be with anymore. I love your Mozilla counterpart, but you don't seem to work as well. I love your logo, and it compliments your counterpart so well, but it is not enough.

I am tired of your "loading message" message that lasts forever whenever I get an email with images. When I try to close you in order you (in order to restart and get my messages loaded), you tell me you are already running and I have no evidence of that anywhere on my screen. As a result I am forced to restart the whole computer, just to get you back up and running. Also, I get my messages on my phone long before you give them to me.

You and I just not working out together, and since I am in control of what programs I will use, I am afraid you have lost the battle for the last time. We have fought with you several times and I do not see the point in going on with this tumultuous relationship any longer.

The only thing worse than fighting with you is going back to the Microsoft email program, but I must. So it's curtains for you until you can prove yourself worthy once again.

Goodbye Thunderbird, this is the last time (still love your logo).