Happy Halloween everyone! We sat out with the neighbors tonight and passed out candy. There was signifigantly less kids tonight, over last year. That's too bad. But the kids were cute as ever with very creative costumes. Bethany went to school today dressed as a Scarecrow, she was really very cute! Amber, you would be proud of me! I did a wonderful job with her costume, she got a lot of compliments! I, of course, was my mean, wretched self, enough to frighten anybody :-). How did everyone's Halloween go? Jenn, did you have trick or treaters at your new home?

We locked into our interest rate today on our house! We got a great 6.5%. We are really very excited. This is going to save us some good money down the road. If you haven't checked out our new home website recently, you should. There are some great pix on the progress page and on the timeline page. Hopefully, we will be moving in on November 30. We'll see how that goes. I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! And fortunately, for us Nevada folk, it was a three day weekend. Beth and I spent Friday in Primm at the Las Vegas Fashion Outlet Mall, the best outlet mall in (or near) Vegas. There, you can still find good 'ol outlet deals. For example, Beth and I bought some sailcloth panels at the Pottery Barn outlet for $2.25 to $5.00 a panel. In all, we spent about $30 on what would have otherwise been $270 or so in curtains. We are so excited about that find. We found many other good deals, too. Like bread maker mixes from Williams Sonoma, and great deals at J. Crew and GAP. The next time any of you are in LV, I strongly recommend taking the 30 minute drive from LV to Primm. Also, Buffalo Bills hotel and casino is out there, home to the Desperado rollercoaster. At the time it was built, it was the tallest and fastest rollercoaster. No loops or anything, just plane old speed and lots of drops! What a rush! In all, Primm is a great trip.

I am in Dallas right now. Well, Fort Worst, um, Worth, actually. I flew from San Francisco to Miami today, and then to Dallas. Now, I am here in Ft. Worth and will be here until Tuesday morning, when we fly back to San Francisco. Then, I will be done until November 5. It will be a nice week off. Even though I just had a week off! People ask me why I am a flight attendant...maybe because I work three days and then have a week off. *AND* still get paid full time wages! Sounds criminal, I know. Maybe that adds to the adventure. God knows what I am going to do all day tomorrow though...? I brought with me a book called "Left Behind." I am sure you've heard of it, it is the first book in a series of over ten and still growing. I have had the book for a while, another flight attendant passed it along to me. I have been hearing more and more lately that the book sounds largely like 9.11.2001, and the disasterous results of the terrorist attacks. It is a religious take on things, but I hear it is really very good and just might dive into it. Otherwise, I have Harry Potter numero uno (HP and the Sorcerer's Stone) with me. The movie is coming out November 16 and I want to read the book again before I see the movie, just so I can compare! We'll see how it goes...

I've made a minor update to the website today. Check out the Recipe page to learn how to make P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps (thanks Jenn) and also for some pumpkin carving tips from the FoodNetwork.com. If you miss a recipe, or just want to browse what I've put on before, there is a recipe archive link located on the recipe page. The links page has been updated, too, with new links to Brian and Rene's Wedding Web Page, and an additional link to my 9.11.2001 page.

Ok, so I took Beth to work this morning. All I can say is, "Thank god there's Starbucks!" Sorry Jenn.

I watched Felicity tonight, the first time this season. I am bumbed I missed the first few episodes, but thankfully, Amber got me up to speed before tonight's show began. Thanks Amber! I am anxiously awaiting the start of Alley McBeal, which premiers on Monday night. I love that show, and I just hope I am somewhere I can watch it. Pathetic, isn't it? Also, is anyone getting excited about the Harry Potter movie coming out on November 16? I sure am. If all goes well, I will be there opening night. Late, though, so I can avoid as many kids as possible.

I have to take Beth to work tomorrow since I need the car. I have a doctor's appointment at 1:15 and then from there I am going to meet my friend Janniffer who is in town visiting her parents. We're going to go check out the new house! She hasn't seen it yet and I am excited to show her. I made a yummy stir fry this evening entirely out of leftovers. That was fun and boy was it good! Also, Beth and I roasted pumpkin seeds! A true delight! Roasted pumpkin seeds in October, it's a good thing!

I forgot to mention a very interesting side trip I took while criss crossing the country this past weekend. As you may know, I have been to "Ground Zero" twice. I was in New York again this weekend, and visited it for a third time with some flight attendants who had not yet been. When we arrived, one of the flight attendants with us went up to a cop and showed her American Airlines I.D. and he invited the four of us to an escorted tour. The four of us plus two cops hopped on a six person golf cart and started driving down Broadway. As has often been said, there are no words to describe the devastation we saw. I thought I could see a lot from the perimeter the police had set up, but once inside, you see a whole lot more. Those buildings hide a lot.

I can't imagine the clean up effort underway. They have already gotten to the underground part of the south tower, but the north tower is still standing in it's skeletal state, about seven floors high. There are numerous buildings around the twin towers that are so damaged, they will have to be demolished. Perhaps the most interesting part of the tour was the memorial set-up for family and friends of victims, which can only be reached by escort; it is not open to the general public. There was a big banner on a fence from the American Airlines flight attendants thanking the NYPD and FDNY for their hard work and bravery. Around it were hundreds of flowers, teddy bears and cards. One of the flight attendants with me (JoAnn) was reading a card on top of the pile, and she quickly told me to come read it. I bent over and started reading, "Dear Kevin, we miss you so much. We promise to take care of Beth...." I couldn't believe it. It was probably the single most serreal experience I have ever had. Tears welled up in my eyes, as they did JoAnn's, as she has met Beth before. It was a small glimpse that made me realize how lucky I really am, and how thankful I am for those around me.

We didn't get to stay at the memorial for long, as there family members of the victims getting a tour, too. They wanted to keep us at a distance, so we moved on when they headed back to the memorial. The memorial is set up facing the Hudson River. It is a beautiful place to be able to reflect and grieve for the ones who died.

After crossing the country from coast to coast four times in four days, I'm tired. Very tired. I arrived home in Las Vegas this morning about 9:30, came home and was asleep by 10:30. I woke up about 3:00. Sick, isn't it? And I'm still tired. I am off now until Friday, but I'll probably spend the next three days recouping, just so I can go and do it all over again! Ok, poor me. But, I still have my job and it doesn't look like I'll lost it anytime soon!

Some good-not-so-good news this weekend. The builder of our home called us to schedule our final walk-through and closing date: November 29. The problem is, our contract estimated closing on the 15th. When I inquired about the delay, "There's no delay. We esimtated closing on the 27th, and we came in on the 29th." Oh, but my contract says the 15th. How does that work? So, I am frustrated by this, but still it is nothing like what Jenn went through. Beth and I were hoping to have the Thanksgiving weekend to really tackle the home, set things up and really move in. That's gone! Also, I was going to work my ass off the first part of the month so I could have the last half off to play with the new house. That's gone! Bastards, they take your money and run. As far as I can tell, they (the builder) owe us. People are dropping their new home contracts left and right here because about 15,000 Strip workers were laid off in the past month. But Beth and I are still there, money in hand and ready to close! Ugh! Where's the justice?

Back from Boston and headed to New York, ugh! No rest for the weary. I am in San Jose right now at my favorite little dive hotel called the Granada Inn. If you want to get technical, I am actually in Santa Clara. For those familiar with the area, near the intersection of El Camino Real and San Thomas Expressway. Just a couple of miles from the San Jose airport. When I landed at SFO tonight, I looked in the computer to check a flight back to Las Vegas tonight on United. Upon doing so, I discovered crew scheduling gave me a trip to New York tomorrow. Oh well, I don't make any money while I am on the ground anyway, so I should be happy with the hours.

While on the subject of work, I am SAFE from being furloughed, for now. The company will only need to furlough an additional 401 flight attendants, for a total of 1401. I had 3300 flight attendants below from the beginning of this, so I still have a nice pad below me should another round of furloughs be necessary, although that doesn't seem likely. As a matter of fact, the total number of flight attendants needing to be furloughed has dropped by about 100. Hopefully this will be the end of it all, and we can pick up from here and move forward.

Still on the subject of work, in my previous blog entry I was talking about American changing things, and blaming it on the FAA. Upon notification of the FAA by several flight attendants, including myself, AA has come clean and said although they sought FAA insight, the FAA did not require the change. So, you wonder, what am I so heated about? In San Jose, next to our crew room is a quiet/sleeping room originaly intended for flight attendants with long sit times. As the San Jose airport has grown, so too has the flight attendant corps, bringing more flight attendants, such as me, who commute from other cities. The sleep room became an overnight sleep room as well, which is not uncommon and occurrs at every hub American has. San Jose just wansn't accustomed to it before because it wasn't a hub city. In fact, San Jose now has a larger operation for American than San Francisco. The room has now been closed for overnight sleeping. Management has sighted a concern for safety since the room is located within the confinds of the airport, and is actually closed off from the outside from 11pm to 5am. There is, however, access to the outside in the event of an emergency, so the concern is unfounded. So, instead of taking this into consideration, local AA management in San Jose acted irradically and without regard to the consequences crew members would face. I am still very angrey, although management has been good at responding to my e-mails and concerns. In the end, the room is stilll closed, and now I have involved Flight Service in Dallas at corporate headquarters, the FAA and also San Jose airport officials. The battle has just begun. I am fully aware management is more stubborn than myself, and this is a battle I am not likely to win, but I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Fortuantely, I have a very good relationship with the management involved, and they know me to be intelligent and well informed, so they take me half way seriously. With that said, the frustration remains.

By the way, if anybody is reading this blog, I am none the wiser. Nobody has used my recently installed message board to discuss the daily blog or other interests with me. I am upset and disappointed. Please take a moment to tell me your thoughts. I check the message board daily, only to find nothing has been written. And, while I am on the topic, I will pat myself on the back for updating the blog more often: nearly every day the last week. And for what?

Ok, enough of that. I really am a happy person and not bitter! I am especially happy now that I know my job is secure enough not to have to worry about closing on the house. Closing is still on schedule for November 15, which is getting so close. Bethany and I can't tell you how excited we are. We actually mentioned to oneanother the other day we need to start packing soon. Hate that, but so excited at the same time! I can't wait!

"High ho, high ho, it's off to work I go..." Well, I am headed back into the, ah, er, 'friendly' skies tomorrow with a trip to Boston. I have a great crew which makes all the difference in the world. When you are trapped in a metal tube with the same eleven people for over twelve hours, it helps to like them. Plus, Boston is not a bad place to lay over. I actually like it there, quite a lot. I could live there, I think. Although the "Big Dig" seems to be a bit annoying. The "T" is nice though.

Today was full of nothing more than relaxation. I did, however, send several e-mails to west coast FAA officials about a little lie American management in San Jose is trying to pull over on us. Why the FAA? AA has said they are the ones ordering the change, where as I have knowledge to the contrary. I should really focus my efforts on writing a screenplay for airline personnel, I am telling you, it would make a great sitcom! I have also spent the last few days sending e-mails to members of the House of Representatives Transportation Committee and the Senate Health, Labor and something or other comittee regarding Sen. Kit Bond's (R-MO) "Aviation Employee Fairness Act." The bill forces third party arbitration for merging airlines to settle labor seniority and integration issues. Isn't it funny that Mr. Bond is from Missouri, better yet, St. Louis, and AA bought TWA, based in St. Louis, earlier this year. I have already recieved an e-mail from Hillary Clinton (D-NY, member of the Senate committee) and Harry Reid (D-NV) who is one of my state senators. What a pain in the ass!

Bethany has been working hard tonight on progress reports. They are due tomorrow, and she is not looking forward to some of the phone calls she's sure she'll get next week. Some parents think they have angels, when they really don't. Fortunately, most parents know their child's faults, and even warn Bethany of their little 'quirks' ahead of time. I remember those progress report days, mine were always spotless and full of praise. I lie, too.

We're having a garage sale this weekend, and none to soon! We've been holding on to shit we should have gotten rid of at the first one we had several months ago. I will be getting rid of some clothes I never wear anymore, and some tennis shoes along with other misc. crap. Bethany will be getting rid of the same. Most things go for a quarter or so, never a real money maker, but we're happy to get rid of it. Well, I am informed we need to go get Princess some litter, so, I best end and get a move on. It's late and I have to get up early in the morning.

Another new picture is on our house website. Bethany and I stopped by tonight and found the home has been sheet rocked and the first coat of stucco has been applied. Everyday it is looking more and more like a home - our home! Stop by and check it out by using the link down the left column.

Yea! I don't have to go to work tomorrow! I was granted my one day leave, so that is nice. I'd rather sit here than there. Although I am twiddling my thumbs in either place. I have gotten word from my supervisor today that 1,500 people have put in for those six months leaves so far, and they close on Thursday. I only need a thousand to ensure my job, but I am still not out of the woods. I am just gonna wait until Friday when it is all announced with certainty. I am still very stressed!

I have updated my World Trade Center photo page with more pictures. The page is rather large, and may be slow to load for some of you. I am working on breaking it down into two or more pages. I still hope to add more information, like better maps, to help everyone understand the city. Check it out by clicking on the American Flag link down the left column. Also, American and United Airlines employees, along with the U.S. Military are conducting a cross country flag run from Boston to Los Angeles to complete the flights of American and United that never made it, raise money for various 9.11.2001 charities, and to show support of military troops fighting the 'new war'. Check out their website at www.flagrun.org to make a donation or simply check on the progress. The flag left Boston at noon on October 11 and is expected to arrive on Veteran's Day, November 11 in Los Angeles.

Bethany and I made it home last night, although 50 minutes late. I thought Southwest was always on-time? Or so passengers tell me when we're delayed. For the record, Bethany was an hour late arriving in Reno on Friday. I flew American and was on-time! So there! Perhaps, though, Southwest was trying to make up that hour they took from Beth on Friday by giving it back to her on Sunday? If that's the case, they still owe her ten minutes!

I am off now until Wednesday, so I get to spend the next two days doing laundry and getting ready to leave again. I am on reserve this month, which I hate, because I don't know when I am going, if I am going and where I am going if I am going. Huh? Exactly. Never sounds quite right to me either. Speaking of work, my job is precariously on the line. American has already laid off 1,000 flights attendants who were on probation and had not yet completed six months with the company. The company announced to us last week we still have an overage of 3,306 flight attendants. There are approximately 2,300 flight attendants below me. What does this mean? I'm outtie - maybe. AA has offered 3,306 leaves of six months. Hopefully 3,306 people take them so the company doesn't have to furlough anyone. As long as a little more than a thousand take a leave, I should be ok. Keep your fingers crossed. I should know by weeks end.

Family! Bethany and I arrived in Gardnerville about 11pm on Friday night. Carter and Dale were already here, they drove from Las Vegas and arrived around 4pm. We got up bright and early Saturday morning and headed for Apple Hill! The drive was beautiful! The leaves in Hope Valley are starting to change colors - what a sight! Apple Hill wasn't too crowded, so that helped make for a nice, leisure morning/afternoon. One problem...no, two. When we returned to the car at High Hill Ranch, both tires on the right side of the car were nearly flat. After nursing the car to a gas station, we filled them up and we were on the way. And, neither tire has lost air since. How does that happen? Interesting...

We bought a dozen apple donuts, four apple fritters, two gallons of fresh apple juice, two jars of chunky apple sauce and one big jar of apple butter. Yummy! We've already inhaled the fritters, the donuts, one jug of juice and one jar of apple sauce! Pigs! No, we had a nice little gathering this morning for breakfast at my parent's house, and that is where all the food went.

The wedding last night was beautiful. It was at Wally's Hot Springs in Genoa, NV. The wedding was outside, and the reception was in the lodge. Kanako's dress was beautiful, and so were her bride's maids. The food was delicious: salmon, prime rib and chicken! Plenty of good stuff for everyone! And the Martha Stewart type cake was wonderful! After Kanako and Brad's first dance, Kanako got very sick. The poor thing starting throwing up, and it got so bad the paramedics came to make sure she was alright. She was, but not unshaken. Poor thing! We presume the nerves and stress of it all had everything to do with it. We all had a good time dancing though, although the DJ was a little slow on picking up the pace. We got to say goodbye to Kanako, and she was doing well. She seemed to be in good spirits, and we just hope that she can look back on this and laugh!

This morning before breakfast this morning, Beth, Carter and I went flying with my uncle Danny! It was so much fun. It was my second lesson from Danny. We flew over Lake Tahoe and then south over Hope Valley. It was all so beautiful, and I got to learn a little more about the world of flying. Hopefully I will be able to start my formal flying lessons in January as planned. Well, I need to pack my bags since Dale and Carter are going to take them in the car. They are leaving soon, and Beth and I catch our flight back to LV at 4:30 this afternoon. Although this was a quick trip, it was fun, relaxing and enjoyable!

My parents finally came to Las Vegas! I can't tell you how unbelievable that is! Although they were only here for a day, they were here for my birthday! I was so excited when my mom called and told me they were coming! Bethany and I are headed up to Gardnerville on Friday for Brad and Kanako's wedding. They are gettting married at Wally's Hot Springs near Genoa. So, I get to see my parents again! And, my parents went with me to New York a couple of weeks ago! I can't believe this!

My parents and I had a nice time here in Las Vegas. The absolute highlight of the trip for them and me, was taking them to see my new home! I was so excited to take them out to the model, and also the construction site so my dad could give it his once over. They were both very impressed and very proud. And that, too, makes me proud! I am so excited. The house is still on schedule for a mid-November move-in, hopefully that will hold true!

Beth's parents are driving to Gardnerville this weekend for Brad and Kanako's wedding. The wedding is Saturday evening, so we are going to go to Apple Hill Saturday day. Beth and I have gone on and on telling Dale about Apple Hill in the past, and we are so excited that we are finally going to get to take her there! That will be very exciting! I haven't been in a year or so, either. Although we are only in Gardnerville Saturday and Sunday (we fly in late Friday night), the days are packed. It will be a quick, maybe hectic trip. But nontheless, I am sure we will have a great time!

Sounds like Jenn is making some serious progress on the house -- quickly, too! Although she doens't think so, I can't believe everything that has gotten done, in addition to leading a normal work life. Jenn, cut yourself some slack, I think you are making tremendous progress. Let's face it, how many of us would have had our garage doors fixed so quickly? Most would let it sit at least a month! (My family would, anyway!) Not to mention a completely revamped kitchen including cool cabinet shelf coverings and fancy matching window treatments! Or is that the other way around? And Jenn, I hope you are having fun, although it sounds like you are.

Well, Amber has joined the Web Blog phenomena, and has updated her site with some cool pictures from her trip to Las Vegas at the beginning of September. Amber, great job! I will be checking your blog regularly, as I do Jenn's. And, I know everybody wants me to update mine more often, which I am trying to accomplish. Bare with me, you all know I am on the road more than I am at home. :-)

I know, I haven't written in a while, but that could be due to my working double what I do in a normal month. The month is over, and I am on my last trip for September. I am in New York, in midtown Manhattan. I was here yesterday, too, and my parents came with me on that trip. We had a great time. First time ever for my mom to New York, and my dad was here years ago, before I was born, I think, or not far thereafter if not. After walking around Time's Square, I took my paren'ts for a ride on the famous New York subway to Wall Street. After seeing the NYSE for the first time for all us, my parent's and I headed to Ground Zero...

It was the most surreal and unimaginable site I have ever seen. I just can't put to words my thoughts and feelings as I stood there in the mostly baren streets of lower Manhattan. The buildings all around us were caked in a grey powder, and derelict cars littered the streets, their windows blown out and their shiny paint jobs tarnished with debri. The air smelled of burning metal, and there was ash and dust blowing everywhere. Hardly any noise penetrated the silence caused by disbelief, as other onlookers tried to digest the image that appeared before them. We were about three blocks from ground zero, and there, before us, stood the skeletal remains of one of the World Trade Center towers. Eerily, a sign on the lamp post next to me pointed the way to the WTC. Nearby, a lone tractor was clawing at a pile of cars, fire trucks and ambulences, breaking them into smaller pieces. In Battery Park, less than a quarter mile from the WTC, military forces set up a tent city. There, Hummers, police cars and tents filled the park, and armed men stood guard at the parks perimeter, the Statue of Liberty standing in the background.

My paren'ts and I just couldn't begin to believe, much less comprehend what we were looking at and the events that caused the destruction. Earlier in the day, we visited the Fire Fighter Memorial which had been donated to New York City shortly after the attacks occured. From there, we went by a fire station which lost 15 men at the WTC. It was so sad, just so sad. There are no more words to describe the pain and sorrow I feel for those men, my colleagues and the thousands of people still missing in the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Visiting the site of the disaster made me come to terms with what occured. Television and magazine and newspaper pictures only showed me what looked like the bombed out remains of some buildings in some foreign country far from my own. I could see buildings near the WTC with huge gashes in them, like some giant claw reached out and took a strike at them. I was compelled to take pictures of the destruction I witnessed, to help me remember the loss of life and innocence that occured in less than two hours. And to make sure I keep it real, for me, and to not let my mind brush it off as Hollywood special effects in some action film. The people were real. The buildings were real. The destruction was real.

The crew that I am now with and I plan to visit the site tomorrow, so they too can get a grasp at the destruction that changed our nation in so many ways, so quickly. It is part of the healing process -- making sure we keep it real in our hearts and our minds so we never forget.

When I return home in about a week, I will make every attempt to share my phots with you. I will let you know when they are on-line and available for viewing, so that you, to, can begin to heal.