LA and so long to a friend

well, to all 2 of my faithful readers, I'm really sorry that I haven't written anything in almost a month. My excuse is poor to you, as it's been told to me hundreds of times. "I've been busy with work." Honestly, that's only slightly true. I've been tired and I've forgotten about this blog, but every once in awhile, something happens and I have to write about it. So here goes:

My Trip to LA:
Here's the funny part...my boss really thought that we'd make our road trip throughout the whole state. I don't think he's seen the map in awhile. But I'm glad we went to LA. I learned a lot, and even had a few things reinforced. I learned that traffic in LA really truly and honestly does suck. We got stuck in rush hour one night and ended up going 20 miles in 2 hours. So I can tell you that my commute pails in comparison. Also puts gas prices in a whole new perspective.
Speaking of gas prices, if oil has gone down $16 in the last week, how come prices haven't come down all week? But I digress....
Now the trip as far as work goes, it went well. As for humorous, stupid things that happened, they came in droves. Hey, you can laugh at it, too.
Monday night we found an all you can eat sushi place, and my boss got scolded by the waitress. Awesome...and why? Because he didn't eat the rice on some of the sushi, and since we ordered sushi, we had to eat all that we ordered, or we'd be charged for the leftovers. Hysterical.
Also noticed that Target is Huge out there in LA. The place was jam packed on a Monday night! I've never seen that out here in Colorado.
Tuesday night we got to stay in some dirty ass La Quinta. It wasn't necessarily a dirty place, but the clientele was a wee bit shady, to put it lightly. My boss put his luggage up against the door just in case someone tried to break in.
Wednesday morning we were going to try and eat breakfast at the hotel, but it looked like a mob got word of the waffle-maker in the breakfast nook. I also got to see someone snag 5, yes 5 muffins and stuff 4 of them in her purse...classy.
So we went to a coffee shop down the street and ate some ridiculously huge ham and cheese croissant. The thing was like a lead weight in my belly for the rest of the day.
The other thing that happened during this trip was that I noticed there are way too many freaking chain restaurants. We had to go out of our way to even try and find a local chain or even a Mom and Pop store. It was retarded!
Finally on Thursday we found a little Italian joint before our meeting. Not sure if pasta was the best idea before a meeting, carbs make me sleepy! That meeting went well, and then it happened.
Wally World. Remember Vacation with Chevy Chase? The trek to Wally World and it was closed? My boss is a huge Lakers fan (hey, we all have a cross to bear), and we had been searching Lakers gear. I tried my best to oblige him. It was like his Holy Grail. We went all over the freakin' LA area. So we tried to go to the Staples Center. Now, from our meeting to the SC was a decent hour drive, a little traffic. But my boss called the team store to make sure they were open before we left. Whoever answered the phone told him they were open until 6. We got there at 3:30, went thru some contstruction we weren't supposed to go thru (they were breaking down the ESPY's), parked and started walking the 2 blocks to the store/Staples Center. Lo and behold, they were closed for restocking!!!!!!!!! What the hell? Why tell someone you're open until 6 and neglect to mention that you'd be closed for the week?? That is the definition of horrible customer service.
By Friday, we were ready to come home, and just be done with the trip. Four different hotels and beds in four nights is a bit much. Like I stated before, learned a ton, got some things reinforced, overall a good trip.

Godspeed to a friend
In the last few days, I managed to receive an email that a friend of mine from all the way back in high school wasn't doing so hot. That was on Tuesday. By the time I landed on Friday, got home and logged back on to the old computer, she had passed. Cancer took my friend after a 2+ year battle. She was a great girl, a great lady, and I knew she'd make a great wife and cool mom. She was all those things. She leaves behind a husband and a beautiful 4 yr old little girl. At the age of 33. I will remember all the fun we had, the laughs, and her friendship. True friendship is hard to find in this big, big world, but she was one to me. The fact that she is no longer physically around makes me sad, but I know for certain her spirit will live on. I will make sure that if her little girl ever wants to know what her Mom was like, and needs an outside perspective, I'll be more than happy to provide one if I'm asked.
So Wendall K., I know you're in a more peaceful place, I'm glad your family was around you, and I hope you know you're never going to be forgotten. Your spirit will go on. Godspeed.