YaYa Princess

I am just back and already it appears obvious that busy season has once again kicked off.  That  makes me a little ornery, so here’s one of my fav songs.  Enjoy :) 

Ray Lamontagne - Trouble lyrics

No Comments | In: Everyday Life | | #

There is another blog post I was working on, but it will have to wait. My title is odd, I know, but it best sums up the key phrase at the moment.  I cannot go into any details for safety and security, but I will say that events that have recently occured remind me that you must always be on your guard.

I travel a great deal, and my parents (especially my mother) have always had me check in w/ them frequently.  Though at times I feel her worries are over the top, there are some things I still do and realize the value in those “safety items”.  In lieu of the events, I’m compelled to create a list of practices to help keep you safe. They may seem dumb, or even over the top.  But I guarantee you that some people would have wished they would have abbided by at least one:

1. Always check in-let someone know where you are (long term and short term) and where you will be going.  At the Jan show I had to walk home alone in Vegas.  Not sure what I’d find I called the lead to tell her, then let her know when I got to the hotel.  As it was, thankfully, everything was fine.  But I wanted someone to know I was walking home and, God forbid, if anything happened I knew they’d have a record of the time at which I had called.
2. Don’t talk to strangers-ok, so that’s not really realistic.  But the point is, sometimes you have to be rude.  I ALWAYS carry a “safety ring” with me.  Since I’m not married or engaged yet, I have a ring I bring w/ me that is basically a fake engagement ring.  It’s a bit on the large side and easily noticable.  If all else fails, I switch my ring from my right to left hand that my Mom gave me.  It’s a good excuse for men who won’t leave you alone.  And sometimes you  just need to be a b*tch.  I also don’t hesistate to let someone know (phone call, text, hotel security if need be) if someone is just being weird.  Nothing necessarily needs to be done, I just want someone to know
3. Travel in packs, and when you can’t see #1.  In college I was so dumb to walk home through campus by myself at 2 or 3AM coming home from friend’s dorms.  When one of my male friends found out he always insisted on walking me back.  1 year later, a dormmate from that same dorm was rapped coming in late one night.  She was trying to get her key in the lock (and was sober) when she was grabbed.  God I was dumb.
4. For God’s sake, don’t wear your badge off property.  Nothing says “hello I’m not from here and probably have money on me” like a conference badge.

Enjoy yourself, just keep your eyes open.  If you feel uncomfortable there’s probably a damn good reason. 

1 Comment | In: Travels | | #

Today is the first day of the conference.  Overall things are going very well, however I had quite the rough start this morning.

As if being up at 5am isn’t bad enough….I was getting ready and walked back into the bathroom barefoot.  Suddenly I had a sharp pain-I had stepped on some broken glass.  I knew right away what it was since this is the 3rd time (yes, third time) this month that I’ve had glass in my foot.  I have no idea why I’m suddenly so attracted to glass, but either way it’s no fun (btw, I’m buying Steve-O a Dora sippy cup).

Immediatly I got the tweasers and tried to get it out.  After 15 mins of digging in my heel I felt like I had it all out, so I stuck some Neo.sporian on it and headed downstairs.  By this point, my foot’s pretty sore after all that.  I went about my business putting signs up.

Now, let me explain that these are not those light, foam-core signs.  These are heavy plastic, about 5lbs a piece.  I don’t really even know what happened-all I know is I was standing mostly on my right foot trying to let my left just be for a while since I had to be on it all day when the sign began to fall.  I couldn’t get out of the way fast enough (I’m sure some of it had to do with the fact that I was a teensey bit sleepy) and it hit my foot.  It hurt, but I’ve done it before and just figured if I could get my breath I’d be ok.  But damn it hurt and I was hunched over.  I looked down and realized I was bleeding.  Apparently, in a very “Allison-esque” move the damn sign had come at me pointed side down on the top bone of my foot and broken skin.  And it hurt like hell.

Suddenly, like the angel Gabrielle I was back in soph gym class and I saw Andi’s face-she was saying something to me…what was it,….what…..walk it off.  Ok, so fair enough I was a little loopy that early, and though it wasn’t quite so dramatic, I did in fact think of us and the words she spoke frequently to me (I’m a bit accident prone shall we say). 

Once I caught my breath, I took one step forward.  And thought I’d throw up.  I can’t believe how damn bad it hurt-seems so stupid but whatever.  All I could think was shit shit shit  Then, I took another step.  It still hurt like hell but I kept stepping….err uhh, hobbling.  Make no mistake, I wasn’t trying to be heroic.  I just didn’t think I could ever live this one down

My retired client who is here keeps telling me to sit down.  I TRIED explaining the walk it off theory but it’s as if no one gets it.  I swear, Andi and I could make a fortune on this theory.  This would also be the same client who thinks I need a tetinis shot, yet one more reason to put on a brave face and not go to the Dr.

It’s several hours later now, and I have a lovely bruise forming and a HUGE lump on my foot.  I’ve tried icing it when I can, but I find the longer I stay off of it the worse it hurts when I do get up so I just try to keep “walking it off”.    I mean, hey, maybe I have to lumber around since I can’t really bend of flex my foot w/o screaming, but I’m able to work, and really that IS the most important thing.  I mean, who needs to have both feet right?  As long as I can continue working these crazy hours for little respect and an even larger workload, I mean THAT is what matters right???

I’m all good, really.  Still, makes a nice dramatic story huh? :)  And tonight I will partake of some more yummy infused vodka!

3 Comments | In: Travels | | #

I must confess, I miss San Diego.  I’m in MN right now, and for whatever reason I keep seeing things about San Diego and southern CA.  And I miss it.  Mostly, I just keep thinking about how fun it was when the boy came out, and how many places I want to visit with him.  I know it was time ot move on, but it’s still this wierd nostalgia.  Not to mention of course that I’m just frusterated right now.  I miss the buy in.  Such as it is.  MN is nice, and the staff and client are great so I can’t complain

No Comments | In: Personal, Travels, Work | | #

I love wi-fi….I’m on my porch right now blogging.  It’s a lovely evening-I got home about 4pm and did a little work while sitting outside

I had our MEM retreat yesterday and today.  I needed it, and it was good.  Mostly I just needed to bond w/ my team members.  I will say it again….I needed it. 

Meanwhile, I just found out that one of my events (the one I am most stressed about already) may, MAY, have 10,000 ppl.  WTF?!?!  Regardless it will be the largest conference I’ve ever planned.  I also found out that I’m 2nd in command for that same show I did last year.  You know, the one in January in Vegas……  I’m actually kind of looking forward to it.  Good thing I never gave back their shirts tee hee.  The boy and I have already begun figuring out Christmas as well as general vacation, mostly b/c while I’m 2nd I will still need to help the lead w/ BEO’s and such.  I want to make sure we know when I’m available and I’m not so she and I can plan accordingly.

In even better news-my parents are taking the family on a cruise to the Western Carribean….WITH significant others!!  As much as I’m excited about an actual honest to God vacation (and one that’s virtually free), I’m even more excited about seeing my family, having the boy meet my older brother and his girlfriend, me getting to know his girlfriend better (I’ve only ever met her once), and general frolicking :)  Plus, my mom has already made it clear that she wants each of us to do our own thing and enjoy eachother, and the only thing she asks is that we have dinner together at night.  How perfect?!  We’ll have plenty to do and won’t want to kill eachother…hopefully :)  It’s also apparently the largest casino on any cruise line so I may have to hog tie the boy….lucky for me I had practice w/ Steve-O the other night hahahahah…oh dear, THAT doesn’t sound good at all :)  heehee.  Anywho, first to a private island in the Bahamas, then Jamacia, then Cozomel, and finally Grand Caymen.  I know, I know, it’s horrible for lil’ old me :)  I’m also super excited about hanging out with the boy at twlight, after a long, fun day and a nice shower, sitting on the top deck on a big deck chair w/ a drink, watching the stars come out and letting the wind blow.  Stars…haven’t seen them in forever.

Otherwise, life is pretty good.  Taking one day at a time.  I have another show that I leave for on Friday, and once that’s done I’ll officially have most of the shows for the year under my belt.  I’m not too nervous about this show, which actually makes me nervous.  Go figure.  I know J will understand (think registration opening J )

I hope you all are well!

1 Comment | In: Everyday Life, Travels | | #