The Trek from the West is Complete!

Ok, so I know I haven't posted in a long long long time, and for anyone who finds my blog worth reading, I apologize. I can't even remember the last time I posted. Before Christmas I think. Yup. It was that long ago. Wow I stink. I'll hide behind the excuse that I've been way way too busy these past several weeks to even think about spending a few spare moments posting.

So, Christmas was good. It didn't really feel like Christmas with the change in traditions and all, but that's ok. Marvin had his first experience with the Keiffer Christmas, and I'm surprised that he came out alive. He did miss the White Elephant gift exchange/wrapping paper wars, so maybe that was a good thing.

New Years was...not so good. We went to Marvin's parents' and cooked them dinner. That was a pretty good time and I found a recipe that might be a keeper. Afterwards though, we went to a party that pretty much sucked. I didn't know the guy who was hosting very well, and for the few times that we've hung out, he's either made me cry, or I've had to walk away in anger. So that wasn't too great of a start. Then, all the people I knew there were deeply involved in a game of Presidents and Assholes when I got there (for those of you who don't know, it's a drinking game). That was kind of disappointing, because I didn't really want to drink a whole lot. So, it was a lot of drunk people and a sober Sarah and Marvin. Oh! and Becky Kuehl. That was good to see Becky again. I hadn't seen her since she left for Germany in August. For those of you who don't know, Becky was my old roommate at Gustavus. I really missed her when she was in Germany and it was good to catch up. So, Marvin and I were pretty much ready to go by the time 1:00 rolled around.

New Year's Day was pretty good though. Of course Marvin and I spent most of the day running around trying to get ready for the trip to Colorado. At night, though we braved the ice storm to drive to the Cities for the Timberwolves game. We met Marvin's sister for dinner at Famous Daves (MMMM!!!) and then worked our way to the T-wolves game. Unfortunately they lost, but at half time we worked our way from the nose-bleed section to about 15 rows off the floor. That was really neat. I think I did well in buying those tickets for Marvin's Christmas present.

THEN, began the trip to Colorado. The drive was pretty uneventful, which is a good thing for a drive of that length. We left Marvin's parents at about 2 PM on Sunday and drove until roughly 10:30 (mom, I know Liz told you that we stopped in Dunnell on Sunday...that was a miscommunication...we stopped in North Platte, Nebraska). Luckily we missed having to drive through Nebraska in the daylight. Ugh. We left North Platte at about 11 AM the next morning, and with the help of the change to Mountain Time, we got to Colorado Springs around 2PM that afternoon. The rest of the trip consisted mainly of finding good food to eat, finding a place to stay, moving Marvin into his dorm room, and coming to terms with the fact that I actually did have to leave him there at the end of it all.

Then comes my ultra fun airport experience. So, my flight was due to leave Denver at 7:50 AM on Wednesday (yesterday). We drove to Denver the night before to the hotel I had booked for the night. Much to my (ahem) delight, at about 10 PM, we discovered that the hotel allowed pets. A couple doors down from our room, someone had two really REALLY annoying yippy dogs that would NOT shut up all night. I think they stopped sometime later in the night only to start up again at 5 AM. So that stunk. Marvin drove me to the airport around 6, and I got my boarding pass. We stopped to grab some breakfast, which later turned out to be a bad idea. Finally we decided that we should probably say good bye so I would have 45 minutes to go through security before I boarded. Saying goodbye stunk. After having seen Marvin almost everyday for almost two years, knowing that I won't see him again until the middle of March kinda sucks. BUT it could be worse. Anyways, I digress.

I got into the security line and waited and waited and waited...until I was at the front, where they informed me that I had been selected for Super Special Double Secret Probation Security Screening (anyone know what movie I just referenced?? movie trivia time!! Let me know!) So, I got into that line. And waited..and waited...and waited...and realized that I had 15 minutes before my flight left. In a panic, I begged the guys in front of me to let me go ahead of them. They were nice enough to let me so that was good. But by the time it FINALLY got to be my turn, I had only 5 minutes to go through security and dash to my flight. I was almost in tears, and the security lady noticed and was very very sweet about rushing me through the security process to make my flight.

So I ran.....50 meters to the shuttle to my terminal and waited...and waited...and waited....until I got to terminal C. My terminal!!! The running began again as I dashed towards my gate, which was thankfully the first gate at the terminal. The guy at the desk saw me run up and magically knew my name. "Sarah Louise Clarke??" "Yes YES! That's me! Did the flight leave??" So, he proceeds to pick up the RED PHONE (I don't know, was he going to call Commisioner Gordon??) mumbles into it for a while, hangs up and walks down that portable hallway thing to the plane. Of course that gave me all the hope I needed. I was convinced that I could still get on. He comes back, and completely bursts my bubble. "I'm sorry, they've already closed the door and can't open it again. You need to call Sun Country and rebook your flight. Here's a toll free number, use any of the pay phones." I almost burst out bawling right there.

I made my way to a pay phone and called Sun Country and waited on hold...and waited and waited. Finally I got someone to pick up and tell me that the next flight I could get on was on Friday and I was only on stand-by on that flight. Oh no!! What was I going to do?? Marvin had left the airport already. I was starting to get images in my head of having to live in the airport for the next two days. I wanted to call someone, but the only pay phones around only took calling cards, and I really REALLY didn't want to collect call anyone. Finally I found a calling card machine, but it only took cash, which I didn't have. So, I found the only ATM at the terminal, but it was broken!!! I heard my name being paged over the intercom, and found out that Marvin wanted me to call him. How the hell was I supposed to do that?!?!?! Finally in desparation, I turned my stupid broken cell phone on in the vague hopes that it would work and I would get some sort of signal in the airport. Miracle of miracles!!! It worked and I got a full signal!! Not even roaming!! So, I finally got to make the calls I needed to and got the whole mess straightened out. I got on a Northwest flight a couple hours later, and ended up home, mercifully safe and sound.

So, thats my frustrating stressful airport experience. Blah. Today's Marvin's first day of work. I hope things go well for him. It will be exciting to see how it all goes. Now, I have a ton of things I have to do today. Hopefully I'll be better about posting more regularily.

I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok.