Multi Tasking
Brother Milecrazy left in the early morning hours for his LAX flight back to Vegas. Newself and I rose later and after a good breakfast found out the hotel we snored in is becoming a Radisson in January. (OMNI afterward: the bill listed the hotel with the Radisson name. I may try for some Gold Points.)
The hotel is a nice propoerty and after a few renovations should be nice and ready for we boys to come back.
We walked to the airport and when arriving at the UA counter found a line and NO gate agent to check in. It got past 10 am, 10:05, 10:10 (with the flight leaving at 11am) and no UA people. The line got longer and some got restless.
Then a woman agent who was about 16 and a gray haired came to the area with the line stretching back to L-A. newself said they will probably check everyone in and then go do security.
And that's what happened. The girl asked severals ecurity quesitons and said "are you sure you don't have knifes, scissors, etc." like a school marm.
The cast of flyers including two cute kids running around, several snooty business people and this Amish like dressed family (the father was flying.)
We walked over to the security area with three national guardsmen whose combined ages was probably 55. I got a PEPSi and newself joked I was at the wrong machine.
Then the gate finally open and child agent girl zipped newself straight through but I buzzed becuase of two qquarters in my pocket, my belt and my watch. teh older mustachoed man wanded me and I was thankful I was not asked to get undressed.
We boarded the plane and surprisingly took off on time. THe flight was quick and both newself and I noticed the perfectly clear sky and the planes coming in and taking off, a beautiful scene at LAX.
A Lazy, Hazy Sunday Afternoon
Newself and I headed to teh Hilton LAX. In my last two stays I got a closet even as a gold. Newself and I checked in as double golds and got the towers floor and a very nice big room. It must have been the luck of my beer bud newself!
Newself suggested taking it easy for the afternoon before our dinner with brothers PremEx and Mr. Limo so we headed to his very nice pad. He let me borrow his computer while he went off and grabbed some frequent sleeping points. I started this trip report while enjoying a very cool PEPSI. Nice touch bud! :0
Dinner with Buds
Newself woke from his snooze and after we changed into our best casual duds headed to Mr. Limo's place to up our brother for the dinner. Mr. Limo and his buddy Michael caught up with us on travel and Flyertalk and times and we all lamented the loss of being able to go to the PResident's Club to, as Mr. limo puts it, bending the elbow.
PremEx was goign to hook up with us and gave us a specific place to do it. I remembered where it was and we found out we parked like back in San Francisco. So a lot walk ahead but Mr. Limo, always the optimist, said it will be better after dinner to walk off the feast.
PremEx found us after we called to get a central location and we headed to a wonderful restaurant where the boys toasted my health and miles and friendship for my early birthday.
PremEx and I enjoyed our favorite no calorie lobster bisk and newself and Mr. Limo
salads. then the meat and of course, we all went for beef. I enjoyed Chatteau brionge (SP help please!) A fine wine and great deserts capped off a wonderful meal. Thanks boys for taking time out to dine with me!
It's Not a Small Ride after all
After a very special meal we boys headed to disneyland. Battling the crowds and to get in teh holiday spirit we first did the "Nightmare before christmas" attraction in teh Haunted house. I was not scared, although the boys tried to scare me.
then it was off to "It's a Small World, Holiday Style.' the last time I was on this ride I became ill. I promised not to do that again.
It was all decked out like some people's homes with thousands of lights and colors and holiday displays and cheers. We got on the tram thing and rolled it.
And for the second time on this ride, I had a reaction.
But this time, it was laughter!
I could not stop laughing at all the little dolls singing and teh displays and the song going over and over and over again. They sang nice chirstmas songs (the Jingle cats though could beat them in a contest) and I found the whole experinece totally amusing. PremEx, Mr. Limo and newself stared at me with amusement and puzzlement.
I think my buddies were glad the ride was over, but I had a blast. Did not tempt asking them to go back on it again!
The weather was getting unusually cold for california (although it felt like a heat wave for me) and we all said our so longs and headed back to our homes (for newself and me, the Hilton.)
E Ticket Machine Tilt, take Two.
The wakeup call came too early at the Hilton. I said my so longs to brother newself and thanked him for an awesome weekend and promised to be back.
The bus was waiting, the Line at Terminal one stretched to Seattle and once I reached Terminal 7 I went to the E-Ticket machine and got a message "you need to see agent concerning your upgrade."
The agent happily processed my ticket with the HK 49 as requested and suggested I go to the escalator to security.
Unlike Saturday, the line was short and once I got upstairs found a separate line for 1Ks, PremEx's and first class which was nice. The line moved fast and after checking e-mail at the Internet store (can't remember the name of the place) headed to the plane.
Long Flights are made for Catching Up
I had a very good purser named Antonio who remembered me from two earlier LAX flights and kept the Coca cola flowing through the flight (I couldn't get PEPSI ok?) the breakfast I choose was some wierd eggs florintine. Later for lunch potato soup and salad, which was somewhat edible.
I spent most of the flight catching up on the holiday cards I should ahve written a week ago. Sorry if they are late first. An FA though admired my diligence on getting the cards out on time!
We landed 33 minutes early. It wasn't a dream. So it was off to the AirTrain (which was on time) and headed home to the very anxious for petting "children."
THANKS BROTHERS PREMEX, NEWSELF, MR. LIMO AND MILECRAZY FOR GIVING ME ANOTHER MEMORABLE WEEKEND IN SO CAL! WHEN'S TEH NEXT DO?
MEOWY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!!!
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 12-19-2001).]