So, tonight, I am in Lewiston, Idaho - about 3 hours south of last night's dining experience. I asked the clerk at the hotel desk where I could find "a really, really good salad." So she enthusiastically directed me to a locally-owned establishment around the corner. "They have the best salads in town."
Uh huh.
Either I have an extremely high expectation of what constitutes "really good salad" OR this is one very sad little town. I'm willing to bet it's the latter.
At least the ice cream was good.
About a month ago, I had dinner in a highly-recommended restaurant in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I am again visiting this lovely, scenic area, and having greatly enjoyed my dining experience last time, I returned for more.
That was probably a mistake. I ordered the same dish as last time - because it was delicious and because I'm not that adventurous. Anyway, tonight's meal made me wonder what I was thinking the first time. It wasn't inedible, but it really wasn't very good. In fact, it was not at all what I remembered - it just wasn't good.
How disappointing.
You may recall my amusement with personalized license plates. So it is with great humor I share today's installment:
FLMBYNT
On a red '95 Ford Mustang Convertible.
Yup. That about sums it up.
Learn something new everyday. This is a little motto I try to practice, and today was no exception. Although, I should probably alter it a little to fit the situation: DO something new every day.
Today, I flew from Seattle to Boise in a plane with propellers! Propellers, people!
There was barely room in the overhead compartment for my 2-inch-thick laptop bag. And the seats didn't recline. And I could feel the knees of the person behind me in my lower back the entire trip. Crazy.
And unlike other, longer flights on much larger planes, the air hostess gave me the whole can of soda.
This is the good life.
There is a moment, in every relationship, where the other person becomes real to you. Especially with customers.
You get used to them asking questions. You get used to giving them answers. But, there comes a magic moment, when you see them as real people, and they see you. You find out that you have other things in common outside of classrooms and computers.
At about 5:30 tonight, I had that moment with some of my best customers. We became friends. And the laughter continued through dinner - when I finally saw the truth. They have big dreams and big plans. They are passionate, and they need my help to make it all real.
This is when I really love my job.
On September 10, 2001, I had my worst business trip ever. I flew into DC (!) to meet the CEO of a now-defunct internet security start-up, flush with venture capital. The man showed up to the meeting thirty minutes late in a dirty t-shirt (jelly stains and something that looked like it should have been wiped on the grass), ripped shorts, and sandals, and he smelled. It only got worse from there. I was developing the signs of a nasty cold as the meeting wore on - a fever made me shiver, while coughing and sneezing interrupted his shouting.
The meeting went so poorly that I practically ran (swayed was more like it) from the building, with the VP of Marketing nearly in tears as she followed me to the door. Mr. Chief Executive was unpredictable (sometimes nice and sometimes hateful), and the poor lady had been afraid to warn me. Good times.
When I finally made it to the airport for the flight home, the airline upgraded me to first class. For free. I cried right there at the ticket desk. It was this perfect little blessing - God reminding me that he'd take care of me, especially when I'd lost a huge deal and was feeling ill.
Now, nearly five years later, things have gotten much better. I deal with more stable businesses and kinder customers. And today, I got another sweet reminder of God's love for His kids. My hotel upgraded me to a suite. For free. I have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a full kitchen. This place is bigger than our first apartment.
Thank You for small blessings! Now, can we talk about my meetings tomorrow & Wednesday?
The next three weeks are going to be pretty crazy for me. Today, I travel to Seattle, then back over to Boise on Thursday. Up to Coeur d'Alene next Monday, and then out to California the following Thursday. Six days in California, and then back to Boise for customer presentations. All of this before Memorial Day.
So, fair warning - posting may be a little sketchy, but I'll be in hotels with internet access everywhere I go. What would happen without internet? I'd shrivel up, spasm, and pass out. Can you imagine the deprivation? How did we ever survive without it?
The best news of all, however, is that Handsome is joining me in California for a few days, and we're going to hang out with Dad & Sue. YAY!
