Getting a new Airport just doesn't happen all that often, of course it would be strange if it did. So what an event, and I get to experience it just days after it has opened. I am already traveling unexpectedly, now I'm off to the an airport that I've never been to before. Nothing can go wrong here, uh ya right. I do travel often so going through the airport is just something that I do, I don't give it much thought. However on this morning I am actually a little stressed about going to the airport. First things first, how to get there... love the internet (thanks Ann). Cool, getting there should not be bad at all. And it wasn't, I drive right to long term parking. Get my ticket, pull into the lot. Now typically I have a specific area that I drive straight to and park, nope not this time, so the hunt begins. I mean you can't just randomly pick a place to park, this needs to be thought through. Do the buses run in numerical order? So that stop #1 is the first stop, is the last stop (#9 i think) the first stop? Well I'm driving around checking things out and suddenly realize that I just don't care all that much. So I see stop #3, seems safe enough. Park, get my stuff and wait on the bus. Did I mention it is about 3 shades of cold outside, ah good times.
So here comes the bus, step on, drop the bags and take a seat. All is good and then some kind of alarm starts to sound. The bus stops...starts....and....stops. Yep something is wrong with the bus. No problem, this shouldn't be a problem there is a radio, just call the next bus. Oh what's that... the radio doesn't work either....yikes. So the bus driver who has been talking but I'm not paying much attention to, gets up and starts to exit the bus. This is when he mentions that the problem is these are Natural Gas buses, and this one has a leak....uh what? Did he just say our bus has a gas leak as he was exiting the bus. Well he literally waves down the next bus, the driver of the second bus says "hey we were wondering why you weren't moving". uh why just wonder, I might suggest "Hey actually go and check it out next time".
Ok great on a new bus now, yet interestingly enough we are not moving. The other man on the bus with me suggests that we get going. The response he receives is just plain funny. She can't move forward because the first bus we were on is in the way. Now please note that we are in a absolutely huge parking lot that is no where near full. So we ask why can't you go around and use the next row over to go around, the answer... that isn't this buses route. Ah ok, well let's go around, "well this is my first day" the driver says. (Shocking) So with some additional debate we go around and I'm on my way again. The good news is I have arrived early in anticipation of some craziness.
We pull up and wow the new airport looks great, I walk in and yes it really does look great. Of course it is more modern, it is huge and you can see how it can easily handle many more travelers then the old airport. Walk through the new food court area and on to security, it isn't busy and I get through security very quickly. Walking to the gate I discover this is now a big time airport, there are People Movers! The people mover quickly takes me passed both a Shapiro's deli and also a King David's hotdog place, then I arrive at a Starbuck's. Too bad you have to have a boarding pass to get in here. Oh and btw you can once again watch the planes take off like back in the days as a kid, there is an amazing amount of glass to include areas before security.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Saying Goodby and Hello
So Sunday we fly out east for the viewing and the funeral. Everything went pretty well from a traveling perspective, travel will have its own entry. So we get there and head out to the town where the viewing was to be held. We have plenty of time, so hey I know where I am going around here....let's get a bite to eat first. Although we didn't exactly take a direct path to get there we head over to Giovanni's. There is just something about mourning and eating they have always gone hand and hand. After much stalling then we head over to the viewing:
Now it is here that it dawn's on me that this is a crazy tradition really, I mean seriously. It is always done this way, we get together and 'view' the loved-one that we have just lost. Well it is both painful but also I suppose it does put everything in context as well. I suppose I just didn't like to see him like that, it was very difficult to see him in there. Discussing this with friends, the light bulb goes on. He is not there! That is the point here, as the phrase goes 'Absent from the body, present with the Lord'.
Thank you to Randy and family, they were gracious hosts that evening and I'm so grateful.
Tried to get some needed sleep, ya that is just not going to happen yet. So I'm back up early again, get ready, get the fellas and head out. Here we go this is going to be a tough day. Yet it was also an amazing day. Our guesses range between 200 - 300 people are there to say goodbye to our friend (friend, family, father, mentor, leader.... he was obviously these and more to so many people). It really strikes me as amazing to see so many people all gathered for the same reason. At the service his daughter sings and it is absolutely beautiful, the weather is beautiful as we walk along with the procession out to the cemetery. The Scout troop that had been such a large part of his life retires their flag and I believe this was given to his wife. Point being I was not only a mess for the obvious reasons but also due to this amazing demonstration of love and respect.
The day goes by so quickly it really is a blur, after work many of us head out to toast to our friend. Good turn out, good friends.... it was good. Now this group of folks, there is so much to be said about them as well... thanks everyone.
Now it is here that it dawn's on me that this is a crazy tradition really, I mean seriously. It is always done this way, we get together and 'view' the loved-one that we have just lost. Well it is both painful but also I suppose it does put everything in context as well. I suppose I just didn't like to see him like that, it was very difficult to see him in there. Discussing this with friends, the light bulb goes on. He is not there! That is the point here, as the phrase goes 'Absent from the body, present with the Lord'.
Thank you to Randy and family, they were gracious hosts that evening and I'm so grateful.
Tried to get some needed sleep, ya that is just not going to happen yet. So I'm back up early again, get ready, get the fellas and head out. Here we go this is going to be a tough day. Yet it was also an amazing day. Our guesses range between 200 - 300 people are there to say goodbye to our friend (friend, family, father, mentor, leader.... he was obviously these and more to so many people). It really strikes me as amazing to see so many people all gathered for the same reason. At the service his daughter sings and it is absolutely beautiful, the weather is beautiful as we walk along with the procession out to the cemetery. The Scout troop that had been such a large part of his life retires their flag and I believe this was given to his wife. Point being I was not only a mess for the obvious reasons but also due to this amazing demonstration of love and respect.
The day goes by so quickly it really is a blur, after work many of us head out to toast to our friend. Good turn out, good friends.... it was good. Now this group of folks, there is so much to be said about them as well... thanks everyone.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Saturday
Yesterday was easier then the day before, today should be a little better as well.
Last night was a great distraction, Dessert Night at the kid's school. So this is a fund raising event, I never have been a huge fan of such things... however.... Ok yes I did enjoy the evening. Throughout the evening there were various testimonies from teachers, student and parents. Yet they also had a number of students perform; reading stories they had written, play amazing songs on the piano that they themselves had composed.... even someone who played the harp. No not the countrified mouth-harp... a real deal harp. Well anyways it was an impressive evening.
Tomorrow morning, Sunday, I will be flying out to the east coast for the viewing that afternoon and the funeral on Monday. This is just so very strange. I will stay an extra day for meetings and the like, then we are going on vacation. What great timing, vacation right into Thanksgiving. I am hopeful that this break will provide the time to put everything in perspective and that He will layout a clear path.
Last night was a great distraction, Dessert Night at the kid's school. So this is a fund raising event, I never have been a huge fan of such things... however.... Ok yes I did enjoy the evening. Throughout the evening there were various testimonies from teachers, student and parents. Yet they also had a number of students perform; reading stories they had written, play amazing songs on the piano that they themselves had composed.... even someone who played the harp. No not the countrified mouth-harp... a real deal harp. Well anyways it was an impressive evening.
Tomorrow morning, Sunday, I will be flying out to the east coast for the viewing that afternoon and the funeral on Monday. This is just so very strange. I will stay an extra day for meetings and the like, then we are going on vacation. What great timing, vacation right into Thanksgiving. I am hopeful that this break will provide the time to put everything in perspective and that He will layout a clear path.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Loss of a friend
Today I lost a good friend. My friend, Tim Twigg, passed away last night and will be greatly missed. At only 50 years old, he certainly was much too young to move on from this world to eternity. Yet I give thanks for the comfort that only God can provide in the context of forever.
In addition to being my friend I also worked for Tim, he was my boss. Granted, we did not always agree at the office. Through these times however, we always were friends. Often times this was more of mentor/student relationship, and even at times was more of a father/son relationship. As many times you knew that he was looking out for you, had a few words of advice, a wise story to tell or of course... to just plainly let you know that there is a better way.
There was never any doubt that Tim was in fact a good man with a good heart. Not only did he speak loudly at times but also his actions spoke this truth much louder then any of his words.
In the many years that I have known Tim, we have had so many great discussions. I would imagine that we must have discussed just about every topic. I find it hard to believe that we would have ever run out of things to talk about and now I struggle to believe we will not have these talks again.
There is much that I find difficult to understand about this sudden event. I suppose there may indeed be things that I never understand about this tragedy. Nevertheless it is clear that today I lost a good friend.
In addition to being my friend I also worked for Tim, he was my boss. Granted, we did not always agree at the office. Through these times however, we always were friends. Often times this was more of mentor/student relationship, and even at times was more of a father/son relationship. As many times you knew that he was looking out for you, had a few words of advice, a wise story to tell or of course... to just plainly let you know that there is a better way.
There was never any doubt that Tim was in fact a good man with a good heart. Not only did he speak loudly at times but also his actions spoke this truth much louder then any of his words.
In the many years that I have known Tim, we have had so many great discussions. I would imagine that we must have discussed just about every topic. I find it hard to believe that we would have ever run out of things to talk about and now I struggle to believe we will not have these talks again.
There is much that I find difficult to understand about this sudden event. I suppose there may indeed be things that I never understand about this tragedy. Nevertheless it is clear that today I lost a good friend.
Friday, November 7, 2008
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