Johnny Carson, Eggs and Dom Deluise

Enjoy...

Timeout from Baku for Another 40-Year Anniversary

Probably not too many Texans were at Woodstock, but there were tons 2 weeks later at the Lewisville Pop Festival…including this Beancounter…not very Hippiesh, but interested in the Counter-Culture and certainly the music just the same. The link to the DMN article chronicles the 40-year remembrance, complete with video.

Before I even went, I encountered a serious decision time concerning my father. As the DMN article says, there was much media hysteria about the Concert and what would be “going down” there. So, unexpectedly, on the Saturday morning I’m getting ready to go to Lewisville (Reference: I’m 22 years old, 2 months out of UT, working at Arco Oil & Gas…guess some things never change – except the age) when my phone rings and it’s my father of all people. He NEVER calls. I guess I had mentioned I was thinking about going to the Lewisville Pop Festival – how innocuous does that sound today? – and he wanted to tell me he had some inside info. He had a friend who was a Texas Highway Patrolman who told him that “there is going to be trouble there.” So, he was “officially” asking me not to go. Gosh…don’t make me defy you Father, dearest. I had some soul-searching to do. In fairness, he really was looking out for my best interest. But, at the time I figure he just doesn’t want to have to deal with bailing me out of jail. Okay, I rationalized I could take care of myself, I would steer clear of any "Hippie/Police clashes" so off to L’ville I went with a couple of my buddies in tow.

And…what a fantastic experience it was! The music was incredible. There were bands that performed that became very big stars and to think we heard them in their infancy.

As stated in the DMN article, Grand Funk Railroad (later truncated the Railroad) led off the Festival around Noon on Saturday and that was just getting it all started. Canned Heat, fresh off of Woodstock and one of my alltime favorites with their very unique sound, as in “Going up the Country,” Johnny Winter, Freddie King, B.B. King (and Lucille of course), Tony Jo White and Sam and Dave.

Then imagine…Led Zepplin, Chicago Transit Authority (later just Chicago), and Santana. So many of these are still alive and kicking…well, at least partially alive and semi-kicking.

So, for all the “scare” about drugs and nudity…we saw no nudity, some pot smoking, but nothing else. Of course, any drugs other than pot were in pill forms – LSD, Mescaline, etc – and so there could have been folks high on that stuff and you wouldn’t observe them actually taking it.

The closing act was the Queen of Rock N’ Roll herself – Janis Joplin. She was supposed to be on at Midnight according to the schedule, but, of course, these things are always pushed back because of all the acts that preceded her. There was a bare stage for the longest time. Finally they make an announcement…she is actually appearing in Concert in New Orleans that night (double-booked as it were) and she was being flown, helicoptered the final stretch, to Lewisville and would be there soon. Sure enough at 2 a.m. she and her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company comes on stage. And, my god, did we get our money’s worth ($7? a little less than 2 hours wages). They sang/played for two hours.

Now days singers may have a separate stool on stage where they have their bottled water. Not the Queen. She had a fifth of her favorite – Southern Comfort. In between songs she’d go and take a big gulp out of the bottle and step up to the microphone and begin wailing the next song. You can only imagine the crowd reaction. It was electric. You can also only imagine what else she’d consumed that night, not to mention the volume of Southern Comfort, beginning the night in New Orleans and flying to Dallas. I saw her a total of 3 times in Concert and she was as consistent as your deadline for your Tax Returns – she was fantastic each time, never mind she was probably drunk as a skunk and high as a kite.

And when it was over, it was over. We go walking out at 4 a.m. There was a dude selling kilo’s of pot for $50. Bear in mind, that an ounce cost $10. A kilo, buying it at an ounce at a time would bring over $300. But…that really wasn’t my game. So we went merrily to my car and drove home to my apartment.

A good time was had by all and somehow I managed to not get caught up in some Hippie Revolution and get my arse thrown in jail.

Be sure and watch Local News tonight at 9

Was downtown today (Sat.) sightseeing and walked by a Govt. Bldg and there was this film crew outside. They stopped me and asked me if I would do an interview on tv about "Parking in the Country You are from" Seems they're doing a story about there being No Parking in front of the Govt bldg but if you pay somebody they will allow you to park there. Did a pretty boring explanation of USA Parking Lots and fees, and explained Valet Parking that you can pay a guy to go park your car. Not sure how my interview couldn't help but end up on the cutting room floor. But, he said it would be on the 9:00 News Tonight. I don't think I have any local Baku TV stations. Stay tuned.

Just Another Day in Baku-adise!

Last week the weather was oh so very nice – highs in the mid-80’s, lows in the low 70’s with a nice gentle breeze blowing in from the sea. But this week? Spectacular, dahling!

Ten degrees lower all the way around. Just as pleasant as it possibly could be. The locals say that this has been an unusually mild August as I think they would expect it to be in the 90’s this time of year, excuse me 34C. We told them thank you very much.

But, enough of my weather babbling. Picture above is the view from my hotel window. As you can see it’s definitely a metropolitan scene – all the highrises are apartment buildings – that’s where everyone in the city lives (1.9 million – not all in those few buildings!) except for those in the slums. And their slums are very wretched. I may have mentioned before, but all generations of families live together. If our family lived here, however, Cindy and I would still be empty nesters. Kristin and Nathan would be living with the Fays in their apartment, as would Lauren and Scott. Any little bambinos may require additional rooms to be added to the apartment house, which they do this. It seems the younger generation would like to change this (imagine that!), but this is story for future day.

One of the guys, Parvin, his family has a villa out in the country and all their family lives out there in the summer. In a couple of weeks when school starts they will be moving back into their apartment house in the city.

One other item that can be noted in the picture above – is how clear the air is. The sky has been bright blue with no evidence of smog. Houston and Dallas should be so fortunate.

There’s always more, but that is all for now.

Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary from Phil and Rob

Not exactly Batman and Robin, but close. Went to nice Chinese Restaurant tonight for Wedding Anniversary. Only problem...it was with two guys. Told them they had to tell me Happy Anniversary.

Who would have thought that 35 short years ago, Cindy in her cute little mini-skirt, me in the orange plaid sportcoat, would now be professing our love for each other over Skype, webcams and e-cards on separate continents. See kids. You cannot begin to fathom (or phantom) what changes you have to look forward to. I mean, if I can do Table look-ups in Excel and then get emails from Amelda on her iphone, while Sue is making fancy Word Documents with colored graphics, one can only dream about what it will be like 35 years from now.

Enjoy the moment. Prepare for the future. And above all else: Get your Horns up.

Sim Cards and License Plates

During the week I decided I needed a local cell phone. Everyone here, just like at home, is constantly on their cells talking or texting. I am more basic. I just need one for security. Want to be able to call someone locally if I need to.

So Vugar and Parvin tell me they will take me to a Sim Card shop after lunch where I can buy an Azerbaijan Sim Card to put into my Blackberry. It’s good they went because these people did not speak English. There were several forms to complete and supervisor approval because I was a foreigner, but got that done and then it came time to select my phone number.

They have a notebook with 8.5 x 11 sheets with phone numbers typed down columns on page after page. AND, they each have different prices! Why? Because the more double-numbers that are in your phone number the “more prestigious” it is. The cheapest number was 8 manats ($10), but the prices ranged up to 2,200 manats! A number like 726-5266 might be 15 manats. A number like 844-5544 could cost 800 or 1,200 like that. The top one I saw at 2,200 was something like 505-0505. I was of course aghast. I said who pays that for a freaking phone number and Vugar and Parvin explained. People think “easy” phone numbers to remember are prestigious. If they see one of those numbers on their Caller ID they think someone important is calling. I was just totally amazed. They said it was basically stupid people that would do that.

Then to top it off the number I got for 8 manats? 626-4144. Seems it’s all negotiable. Vugar and Parvin had talked them into giving me an “easy” number for the bottom price! (They already know I'm old and cheap.) So, now I feel like I really am somebody. Or a Chris-Chris (pardon the Ticket Reference).

Come to find out auto license plates are the same. All Baku license plates start with 10 or 90, unless you want to buy a different number. Certain numbers are reserved for certain high-ranking people. Families often buy a certain number and then everyone in their family will have the same license plate number. Laura's devilish "666" Texas License Plate would be worth a gold mine over here.

But they don’t have Vanity Plates. Just very impressive numbers.

Religion in Baku

Ramadan starts today

Friday Night at sundown is the official beginning. It is a month long, is once a year, and consists of fasting during the day while the sun’s up.

I have two local guys working with me on the audit and so they will be participating. It’s funny to hear them respond to our questions. They get up early in the morning and have a large breakfast. And you can imagine after sunset they have big dinners. I’m sure there are religious rituals they go through, but will have to find that out later.

Of the two guys working with me – Vugar (Voo-gar) and Parvin (like Marvin) – one is less devout than the other. While we were out walking after lunch one day they said that their religion was like all religions…people are more devout than others. Hrmmmp.

There are no prayer horns that go off anywhere other than one area of town where the mosques are. There are not women with burkas walking around – more in Texas than here.

Parvin is the more devout Muslim of the two and each afternoon he pulls his prayer rug out of his bag and goes somewhere to pray for about 20 minutes. Either that or he has a secret smoking habit.

Last night (Thursday) Zaur (Zah-oor) and Vugar took us to a nice Continental Restaurant in the Old Town. This is where Baku began – with large old fort down by the ocean built to protect the original inhabitants. (Like the one in San Juan and for the same reasons.) We climbed 5 flights of stairs to a rooftop restaurant that overlooks Old Town and the ocean. Beautiful sight and as usual, the weather has been very pleasant. 80’s during the days/70’s at night and there’s been nice breezes blowing – just really very comfortable.

AT ANY RATE, (like I worked in our nice dinner while talking about Muslims), about 9:00 there was this loud noise of “wailing” for lack of better word and it was some Muslim prayers, or something, going on. Was unbelievably loud and it echoed throughout the area of town where we were. It was the first time we’d heard anything like that and the funny thing is – it did not phase anyone at the restaurant. Not only did nobody look around (obviously they’re used to it) but it did not affect people with what they were doing. I take it these were “less” devout people – probably the kind that jack up the enrollment at the First Muslim Church of Baku.

Will keep you posted. Off to work…which will be another blow to my work ethic…not used to working all day on Friday. Arrgh.

Crusing towards the end of the week...

But I"m only up to Day two.

I better get those first two days documented, I’ve now been here 4. Can an old man get much slower and more behind?

After 3+ hours sleep, the first morning the 4 Auditors (i.e., Nerds) have breakfast and then take out to BP’s offices where we will be having meetings before traveling to the Job Site. The only instructions I have are that “the BP building is very close – about 100 meters.” Okay, simple. Ask at the hotel which way is the BP building and off we go.

Two office buildings down there is a BP logo among others on the building and so we go in. I ask the Security guy about the person we are to meet. He doesn’t know him. Asked him if he called one of the BP departments if perhaps they could locate them. I finally ask him about the department my guy is in and he said, “oh you’re in wrong place.” (No sh*t Sherlock.) Okay. No problem. He says, “go down to the corner and turn right and it’ll be right there. Great.

Off we go pulling our bags behind us – off in the distance is an intersection with a traffic light – but it’s obviously further than a 100 meters, but we take off again. Next building over has enough security around it that we realize it must be some Government building. The next building is huge – about a half of a block wide – and there is construction with a big fence up around it blocking the walkway. We then start walking single file, with me being the Mother Duck. Finally we get to the corner and I go – sumpin’s up – we’ve gone too far. One of the guys says well maybe we turn right and go to the next corner. I make an executive decision: We are making an about face and going back to the security guard that told us “the next corner.” Guess what he meant? The corner of the building we were in! When we walked out of the door to his building, we went about 10 meters to the corner of the building, turned right and down on the side of his building was a completely separate entrance to the BP Offices where our folks work. Oh brother. Everyone already knows this, but I will never be appearing on the Amazing Race.

I know you haven’t tuned in hear to hear this kind of dribble – you’re much more interested in the culture, the landscape, the food, the drink, the people, etc., etc. but I just feel compelled to explain the strange things that happen in strange lands.

We had a good morning of meetings and then stayed over that afternoon to gather some contracts we needed. BP has a company cafeteria where employees eat free and as it turns out that is a common practice in the Oil Industry here. Good food, with soups, salads, entrees and deserts. Will talk more about the food later.

But, about 2 p.m. I finally hit the wall. Couldn’t wait to get back to the room and jump in that nice comfy bed (with my pillow!) and went to sleep for over 2 hours. I had packed a whole bunch of snacks, crackers, peanut butter, etc. so I had that for dinner and then went to bed around midnight. My schedule was returning to normal.

The breakfast at the hotel is also a buffet and very good. Typical European. Big table full of lunch meats, cheeses, yogurts and breads and fresh tomatoes and peaches. Then you can order eggs, think Omelets. Only problem is that it cost 17 manats which is dollars in the Azeri currency. The current exchange rate is about 1.25, so that’s about $22.

At any rate, we have BP drivers scheduled to pick us up and take us to work each morning and pick us up again in the afternoon. Which is the only way to travel. You could not begin to drive here. It is crazy and volatile. Lines between lanes mean NOTHING. Cars will ride the stripes, and even go on opposite side and if there’s a car co coming they honk and tell the other guy to go around him – on the wrong side of the road. Courtesy is not performed in even 1% of the drivers. It’s all about getting to your spot first. Honking horns and flashing lights are used by all drivers.

There are some very nice cars in this city and the most surprising of all is that there are no wrecked cars. Somehow someway these people know how the system works and they just do it correctly. Parking? Everywhere. They pull on sidewalks – doesn’t matter. Saw one today parked in front of a traffic light between it and a Stop Sign. Nuts.

And pedestrians? Oh my. There’s lots and they step off curbs and cross the street in a blink of an eye. They are fearless. And understand they have NO right-of way, no priority. People crossing 6 lanes of traffic, in and out between cars, good Lord. Sorta resembles the original Frogger Video Game. You expect to see one of them get smashed, but no. Now, the old Auditors, we are very careful. When we’re going somewhere around the Hotel, we always ask – do we have to cross the street?

And now you understand the peril of the Mother Duck and her 3 chicks trying to find the “next corner.”

Still lots of things to tell and will do so later.

It's already Wednesday Night of the First Week...

In Baku, and yet this is my first post. Time has flown since Sunday Night – literally. 16 of the first 19 hours were spent in the air and I have to say…they flew by. (You’re free to bail out now if you want…OH QUIT IT!)

(Caution: This may be very long, and very Seinfeldish in its intricate details about NOTHING. If it drives you to drink that’s fine, but feel free to eject at any point.)

Flights went as scheduled with no glitches. When I landed in London Monday a.m., I’m sure I walked a mile across the terminal to a place where I caught a bus to another terminal and then walked another mile to my gate. But. It was good exercise after sitting for 9.5 hrs on the plane. It wasn’t like DFW where you are walking in basically a straight line between gates. It was lots of turns and electric sidewalks and more turns, etc. But the signage was good…always showing the “Connections” in one direction and the “Baggage Claim” in the other.

When I got to my gate (and the “Traveler’s Lounge") I expected to find my two colleagues from Houston since they were due an hour before me, but they weren’t there. I found a recliner and proceeded to begin resting (one of my favorite things to do since it was now Noon London time and I still hadn’t been to bed Sunday Night).

Lo and behold the guys show up about 30 min. before our flight to Baku. They had decided to go to the Continental Airlines Hotel where they could shower and rest for 2 hrs but then got to talking and missed their exit off the bus, and were headed to Paddington Station in London before they were able to get off and head back to our terminal. You can imagine the glee I had when I showed them the “cabins” available in the Heathrow Traveler’s Lounge where you can shower/shave/etc. Oh well, at least they made it.

The flight to Baku was non-stop and Business Class but not nearly as fancy and leisurely as the American Airlines BC. The rows are just 2x2 as opposed to 3x3, but are still comfortable. TV/Movies are limited. AA has a nice size tv screen on the back of the seat in front of you and it doesn’t move. (Not going to try and explain). And, has nice menu that you can choose Movies, TV, Documentaries, Classic Movies, etc. Going to digress but on the AA trip to London I started watching a Curb your Enthusiasm show and had to take my pillow and hold it over my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. It was hilarious. It was the episode where it was their 10th Wedding Anniversary and the promise that Larry’s wife had made when they were engaged if they were still married at 10 years. Before the trip was over, the guy next to me also watched it – Copy Cat! and I laughed again when I saw the funny parts – couldn’t hear the sound but knew what they were saying.

Anywho, had some pink champagne on the flight to Baku and we landed on time around 10:30 pm Local Time (12:30 pm Dallas time). (Is that a run-on sentence? Me thinks so.)

So the two biggest steps at the Baku Airport would now be – purchase a Work Visa and find our BP Driver once we cleared customs and got our baggage. As it turned out I was supposed to have 2 extra passport photos for my Work Visa – and I had them – only problem was they were on Myerwood Lane because I thought I needed them only for Angola. Oh well.

While standing in a line there’s one of these official looking guys in uniforms and I asked him about my photos – would I be able to get my picture made – he immediately leans over and starts whispering…” Give me a tip and I will get you to the front of the Visa line.” I said that’s okay I’ll have to check that out with my boss. In the meantime my boy that went to the Continental Hotel and almost went to Paddington Station started wringing his hands about me not having my 2 photos. For once, I exhibited patience and remained calm. When I ultimately got to the head of the line I had all my “other” paperwork and passport and told the guy that I didn’t have the photos. He then directed one of his cohorts to take my passport to the backroom and shoot two copies of my passport photo. I asked him if that was it, and he said yes, they just needed two photos and now they had them. How great is it when bureaucracy responds so smoothly!

Now to find the BP Driver. My Continental Hotel/Paddington Station friend says we should go over here and get in the line to get on this BP Bus. I go, “but we have a car ordered for 3 of us only” and he says, “but all these guys were on our plane.” DUH! Doesn’t mean they have the same arrangements as us…so I shepherd (sorry James) them back thru the terminal because my instructions are that we are supposed to look for a guy named Samir who would take care of us. Now, understand all these transportation folks at the airport speak little to no English. Also understand I speak basically East Texan. It’s pretty much a big disconnect. But, I start asking for “Samir.” “Do you know Samir?” “Are you Samir?” Luckily the BP Transportation guy had sent me a document that had photos of each of his people including Samir. Finally one guy went running to bring back someone who said he was Samir and he matched the photo! He then turned us over to one of his drivers and he put us in his big SUV (which is the vehicle of choice over here) and drove us a good 30 minutes into the city of Baku to our hotel. Sorta like Denver. DFW now seems not that far from Dallas Central. The temperature was great – probably in the 70’s with a nice breeze and felt really good. I tried to tip Samir’s driver but he wouldn’t take it. How cool is that? We proceeded to check into the Hyatt Park Hotel which is the nicest hotel. Very modern, big and comfortable. If I gotta be in some room for 3 weeks it might as well be this one. I enjoyed unpacking. Usually when I go just for the week I take one suitcase and live out of it. This time I took two and had them cram-packed with everything imaginable. So I took my time – bear in mind it was after Midnight but was only 2 pm my time – nevermind I missed a night’s sleep – and enjoyed getting ready for the next day. Went to bed at 2 a.m., didn’t go to sleep until around 3 and then got up at 6.

Next story: My first 2 days in Baku.

It's about time I left the states

My first trip is to Baku Azerbaijan. You can google maps, see my really high level map in an earlier blog, or read this for a little background. http://www.answers.com/topic/baku

Today: DFW overnight to London; 3 hr layover and then non-stop to Baku. Flight is 9 1/2 hours to London; 5 1/2 to Baku. Actually arrive at 10:30 pm Monday in Baku - they are 10 hours ahead of us - and will get to the hotel after midnight with morning meetings Tuesday starting with breakfast at 8:00. God only knows what my body clock will be. One good thing - flying Business Class though with the way American Airlines is these days I'll probably have to pay for a drink and a pillow.

Remember the 10 hours if you want to get in touch with me or wonder why you haven't heard from me. When you're going to work I'll be getting off. When you come back from lunch, I"m going to bed. When I get up the next morning, you'll be getting ready for bed. We'll figure something out.

My audit is for 3 weeks and am looking forward to doing something fun and Russian over the weekends - like go look at rugs and probably some mosques.

My return trip is Thursday Sept 3, but have to spend the night in London and catch flight to DFW arriving at 2:30 pm Friday - JUST IN TIME FOR THE BEGINNING OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON. Who would have thought that I will actually be looking forward to seeing an OU game! Rick's been instructed to pour my jello-like body in the back seat of his car and take me to the game Saturday.

Another more eventful thing that's happening today is that Laura Jean has moved to Austin meaning that Cindy along with Kristin and Nathan will be holding down the fort. Everyone should make a point to call Cindy every couple of hours to check on her well being...JUST KIDDING. She's just fine.

After I'm home for Labor Day Weekend and THE BEGINNING OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON I will be home that week and then take Trip #2.

Monday, Sept 14, I have a noon flight from Houston that is 15 hours non-stop to Luanda, Angola. With the 6 hour time difference we arrive there at 9 a.m. Once again I'll have a 3-week job but will not be out/about too much on the weekends, though sounds like a trip to the "beach" is something that might happen. Still a ways off.

I return on Thursday Night October 1 and get to Houston at 8 a.m. on Friday. Just in time for UT OFF-WEEK IN FOOTBALL. Damn. Oh well.

Anywho, that's it. I"ll post things here as I can and hope to hear from all of you. In Baku I'm staying at the nicest hotel - a Hyatt Hotel (The Park)- and will be working downtown so it looks like I"ll be in the middle of a metropolitan scene. Population is over 1.8 million. Sorta like Plano and Collin County.

Adios and Boy Voyage!

Woodstock - 40 Years Ago

I did not have a Violent Decade - but as Baby Boomers we experienced the violence of the 60's and 70's. Nevertheless this is a fairly sweet video on the taking of the picture that is on all our Album Covers. Albums were for records that were played on these "record players" that could play at 3 different speeds...33, 45, 78. Oh forget it.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/89599/nbc-nightly-news-with-brian-williams-woodstock-photographer-i-had-a-very-violent-decade

We really need to post some music on here also so we can hear what was really the best music concert - nevermind the social implications of the event - that surely has ever been. Well, outside of a Willie Nelson Farm-Aid Concert.

I think if you go here you can listen to each song: http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B000002J07/ref=pd_krex_listen_dp_img?ie=UTF8&refTagSuffix=dp_img little 30 second snippets. you may do like I did and just order the "album" (on CD of course) from Amazon.

This makes me really warm and fuzzy

Reading this will get you ready for the season. As someone has told me (inside sources: barber's neighbor's mother's girlfriend) notice how Tebow has not exactly chummed up with Colt and Sam...or the Mannings as far as that goes. He may feel he's just a tad better than everyone else.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview09/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=4391994

Here's looking at Baku, Kid

Actually the map that shows London - Baku and what's in between. Hopefully as close as I ever get to Iran or Iraq.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=route+from+london+to+baku&sll=45.886624,24.949496&sspn=36.747544,57.919922&ie=UTF8&ll=40.245992,24.521484&spn=40.028715,57.919922&z=4

Secretary of State does advance work for me

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090809/pl_nm/us_angola_clinton_6

What an unexpected cool day in sports - 8/9/09

And why isn't everyday is sweeter than sweeter than the day before?

Rangers club Angels 7-0 with 3 hit complete game shutout from peachfuzz Rookie Derek Holland, Tiger comes from 3 shots back with Shot of the Year on 16, complete with triple bogey from Co-Leader Harrington, TO vs. Vince in first freaking football game of year (TO with 2 catches on one possession only vs. 1 TD from VY) and A-Rod with solo shot to give Yanks temporary lead in 7th with Rangers battling Sawx for lead in Wild Card race. Yanks lose lead, but Big Tex gets it right back. You go Ex-Rangers.

Not bad for an August 9 that started the day in Beavers Bend, by gawd, Oklahoma.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Neftali Perez

Saw the Major League debut of this phenom Mon night. K'ed first 4 batters he faced. Pitches ranged 98-101 mph. Egad.

Media reaction has been so wild it's like he's ready for Cooperstown now...after 2 innings. The Tigers have a fireballer that killed the Rangers last year with 100+ heaters. He went on the DL recently with a "sore shoulder." Stuff happens when you throw the ball that hard, though Nolan Ryan may disagree.

Now, if the guy could hit, the Rangers would really have something.

Another reason not to work out

That's what I'm talking about...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090805/ts_nm/us_pennsylvania_shooting_4

Good Dreams Can Be Bad

Had this dream that I was at this big group meeting at BP and I saw Stout and Pam across the room in attendance. I couldn't believe it. So after the meeting I sat down with him and said you are really here! He said he had gotten sick in Australia but was okay now. Really made me feel good.

Then I woke up. And just like when you have a bad dream and are so relieved when you wake up, it was awful when I realized I was waking up from a dream.