From the Inside Out

I’m back in Vegas for the XXth time. I’ve traveled here so often that I’ve actually lost count of how many times I’ve been here. Back when I worked in PR, I’d go to Vegas at least 4-5 times a year — always for business, with the exception of one trip with Gary. I guess that’s one of the reasons why traveling to Vegas doesn’t excite me anymore. I mostly associate it with long hours, lots of work, and conferences. I also dread the smokey casinos and hallways. I’m already sneezing like crazy — my allergies can’t handle it.

This time, I’m at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the annual Cisco user conference, Cisco Live. Over 12,000 people are descending upon Vegas to attend the show. It’s my first time to participate in Cisco Live, and I’m managing all of the Collaboration team’s activities while at the show–not a small feat! It’s going to be a busy week, and everything kicks off on Sunday.

I arrived in Vegas around 5:30 today. The flight was mostly uneventful, but I got an upgrade to first class. That always makes the flight more enjoyable. On the way to the hotel, I thought it was odd when my taxi driver began to slow the vehicle on the freeway. He turned off the a/c and the radio while the car continued to decelerate. Uh oh! He wasn’t slowing the car. The engine had died. Great.

He managed to pull the car over before it stopped completely, but we were parked precariously in a double exit lane without the benefit of a full shoulder. As cars were whizzing past us at 70 mph, the driver tried to restart the car, but it was to no avail. He turned everything off and continued his efforts. Meanwhile, I’m thinking there’s no way this car is going to start again. It was completely dead — and cars were still whizzing by, shaking the taxi as they drove past. It was also getting quite hot. Finally, the driver got on the radio trying to reach the shop and dispatch. The car wasn’t responding. It was time to send another car to pick me up — and a tow truck for the taxi.

While we were waiting, he gave it one more try…it cranked this time! It didn’t start. Another try…it cranked again and started to catch…then…nothing. Another try…this time pumping the gas. Another try and another and finally…it started! I can’t believe it came back to life after being so utterly and completely dead, but it did. Whew, what a relief!

We were back on our way while the driver complained about getting stuck with an old, faulty car. I was just happy we were moving again. I think the car was still having some problems, but it got me to the hotel, so I wasn’t going to complain!

After arriving at the hotel, I met up with a few colleagues to get checked in and get briefed on the status of our events, booth, reception, and meeting rooms. We ended the day with a late dinner and a brief walk through the shops.

Tomorrow the real work…ahem…fun…begins.

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View of the Vegas strip from my hotel room

My home for the next 6 days — pretty boring room for Vegas

The bathroom has a little more pizzaz and a TV, but still doesn’t compare to Caesar’s. My last stay there included a full size circular hot tub in the room.

Today marks eleven weeks since my father experienced a stroke. The ensuing days have been arduous, trying, and emotional for everyone involved. Each day seems to bring more questions than answers. Doctors and therapists refrain from offering a prognosis for the future. Because every brain responds differently, they simply don’t know “when” or “if” full recovery will occur. I’ve quickly learned that this is one of the most frustrating aspects to having a family member who has suffered a stroke. It’s a day-by-day battle that can stretch for weeks, months, and even years.

My Dad is still paralyzed on his right side and is unable to communicate anything more than a “yes” or “no.” The good news is that he started an intensive outpatient therapy program on June 4th. We’re hoping to see more progress with this program which is designed specifically for people with neurological injuries. He receives therapy five days a week from 9 am - 3 pm and has weekends off.

We had our first family meeting with the new doctors and therapists today. It was our opportunity to hear their initial assessments and ask questions about the therapy he’s receiving. The meeting consisted of a case manager, two physical therapists, occupational therapist, speech therapist, doctor, and psychotherapist. Each one went down the line and gave their report. I wasn’t surprised by any of the information they shared. Much of it we already knew — after all, we’ve been experiencing this for 11 weeks whereas they are just getting to know my Dad.

I did feel that they had a good grasp of his condition, understood his gaps, and had a plan to work on those areas. Was it the information I wanted? No, I want someone to say that they can heal him, and he’ll be fine in a few months. Of course, that never happens. Not that I expect it, but there’s always a small part of me that secretly hopes to hear it anyway. Only the future will tell the full story. I just have to be patient, allow God do His work, and let the therapists do the jobs they are trained to do.

There are some small improvements, though. I guess you would call them baby steps, but like the quote on my blog says, I’m thankful for the little things because one day I may look back and realize they were the big things. Each baby steps brings him closer to regaining what the stroke took away. And for today, that’s enough.

One of the things I really miss about being a kid is the three-month break I used to get during the Summer. It was one of the hardest things to give up as I moved into adulthood. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could still have Summer breaks?

In the US, teachers enjoy Summer breaks, but few other jobs offer that option. Most workers only get a few precious days of vacation (some as little as two weeks annually). Considering that there are 52 weeks in a calendar year, that’s not much time off to play and enjoy the treasures that life has to offer.

Europeans get mini breaks during the Summer months. If you travel to Europe in August, you will find many businesses are closed, and the locals are off enjoying their six-week vacations. Not that I’m jealous or anything, but I seriously need to move to Italy.

Until that happens or I retire, I’m stuck working through the Summer months, fondly remembering a time when I was young and carefree. A time when I could relax, spend time with my friends, and enjoy the warm, sunny days of Summer. For now, I’ll fantasize about my next big vacation in November and possibly schedule a short, extended weekend trip in July. It can’t compare to a full Summer break or even a six-week retreat from reality, but it’s the closest I can get these days.

Speaking of short trips, what are your favorite vacation spots? Since I can only take a few days off right now, I won’t be traveling to Europe or any far away destinations. I need vacation spots close to Texas — for example, caribbean, Mexico, continental us, Canada, etc. I went to DC last year and NYC the year before, so I’m looking for something else. Any recommendations–if so, comment below.

No, I haven’t been abducted by aliens, locked in jail, or banned from blogging. If you are wondering where I’ve been lately, I’ve been busy working on the Summer drama production at ALC (in addition to being overworked on my day job and helping with my dad).

Johnny Unforgettable premiered this weekend at ALC. It’s a film noir murder mystery set in the 1940s, and it features detective Johnny Howland who is trying to unravel a mystery while dealing with an untimely case of amnesia. It’s an entertaining and family friendly play — and we had great fun performing it.

The audiences were amazing; they made it worth all of the effort. I can’t even begin to tell you how many hours we invest into these productions, but by the end of the show, I’m always happy we did it, even though I feel like I need a vacation.

Here are a few highlights from the show:

Putting the final touches on the set

Sid finds a confused Johnny in the park

Vivian and Laura explain the details of the case…again.

Laura confronts Johnny

Veronica sings at the Skullking Rooster Cafe

Johnny questions Veronica about her husband’s death

Laura and Johnny find themselves in a little bit of trouble

The action begins…

And here’s my favorite detective with his New Jersey waitress