A suit. I'm pretty sure of it. The movie says it's Prada, but I'm thinking more like Men's Wearhouse. I've just comeback from Vegas (insert loathing) for the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) I head out for each year. It is a massive undertaking and each year it seems to grow in intensity. And so do the demands that seem to be placed on me and my team to pull it all off flawlessly.
Why do I do it if it is stressful and demanding? Well, probably because I've got issues. BIG ones. But hey, that's ok. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that I love a challenge and find pulling off the impossible somewhat rewarding. Having said that, this year presented some unique challenges both at home and in Vegas. For starters, not being home meant Aprille was on her own for 10 days. Yes, as in 1-0. And yes, she is a small saint.
For starters, after trying to unwind from the long day with a soak in the tub, Aprille went to check on the kids to find them not in their beds. She looked in the guest room. She looked in Kaiya's room. She looked in the front room, the garage, and our bedroom. At this point she is running around screaming their names, but no response. She finally goes back in their room and thinks to check the closet and upon doing so, finds both kids asleep on the floor. What possessed them to BOTH get in the closet, close the door and go to sleep? We may never know, but it was a scary start to the week. Thankfully all were fine, with the exception of Aprille being more than a little rattled.
It didn't help that Koebe got sick a day or two later and threw up all over himself and the entire bed. But somehow that didn't seem to bother him as he got up (after puking) went to the bathroom and proceeded to go back to bed, at which point he told Aprille that he had thrown up. Yes, in that order. Not just a little throw up. We're talking strip-the-bed-take-a-shower-and-spray-the-room kind of vomit job.
So just as Koebe was on the rebound two days later, Aprille was feeding Kaiya when Kalee tells her that she doesn't feel well and before Aprille can get her a bowl, Kalee pukes all over herself and on her shoes. Kids 2, mom 0.
Then, the next day, as the severe cold weather comes in to town, late at night, Aprille remembers I asked her to put the covers on the faucets outside. Not wanting to be alone, she called her mom to "be with her" as she went outside to put the covers on. Just as she opens the back door, a bird flies in the house, Aprille starts screaming and her mom is freaking out because she's on the phone and doesn't know what's going on! Aprille ran out the door and ended up calling our home teachers to come over (this is 10 pm at night, not to mention). So, here she is late at night, bird flying around the house and two teenage boys running around with a sheet trying to catch it/scare it out of the house. Good grief! (They got the bird out, in case you were wondering).
So that was Aprille's week. Not so much fun. Even the week before I left, it was pretty intense, with 16-18 hour days to get ready, so it was like I wasn't here even when I was here. Anyway, I don't know where to begin with my adventures, but needless to say it involved keeping the hotel happy so they wouldn't kick us out because of all our hotel room changes, or our TONS of last minute catering changes/additions, or our crazy requests. You want what when and how? I was in Vegas for 10 days, but I probably left the hotel 3 times and went outside even less. Ever hear of Kopi Luwak? Google it. We had 5 people working on trying to find it. I even called some random high-end concierge service in LA to try and find it. We had people on standby to fly somewhere and get it. Why? Because someone wanted it. I'm not naming names, but they wear a suit.
