Day 83 - I Have Forgotten How to Pack in These Foolish Things

Day 1 of first biz trip of the year. It’s a long-ish story, but today I’m spending the day working at an Airbnb back in my former city, very close to the huge airport, because I have an early flight out tomorrow morning. I’ll be at a trade show for the rest of this week from tomorrow through Friday.

The reason I came back here to [former city] is because there are no direct flights on American Airlines (my chosen airline simply because I have allllll my points on this airline) from my city’s airport AND I wanted to visit my parents yesterday (Sunday). Driving from their place to here is so much easier than going all the way back home. Plus, as a bonus, I got to see Best Bud last night for dinner!

I’m typing this on my iPad because I didn’t want to bring my laptop on this trip. I meant to pack my keyboard as well, but I freaking forgot! This is only the first flub up of many in my packing situation for this trip. So, I’m typing using the keyboard ON the iPad screen, which isn’t terrible, but it’s not a clicky-clacky keyboard, and there are typos galore that I have to watch out for. It’s just not as fast as a real keyboard.

So… I’m not looking forward to this trip. There’s so much going on and I dislike Head Cat more and more every day. And I’m essentially babysitting him and my Asia agent all week.

* It’s now Tuesday. I started this entry yesterday, so it’s really
Day 84 instead of Day 83. I’m on the plane bound for the big Trade Show. I’m going in a little early - the show starts tomorrow, but I want to pick up badges for myself, my agent, and Head Cat. You know he expects to be catered to, so I will serve as his assistant on this trip. Do you know the man has an executive assistant AND a personal assistant, and he still can’t get his shit together. Ha. And I get to play additional assistant this week.

I woke up super early this morning in order to get my giant checked luggage repacked. I swear, I packed like a crazy woman for some reason. It’s like I’ve never traveled before. I have previously packed a carryon bag for two and a half business weeks in Asia, and now I can’t seem to figure out how to pack for a two (okay, three and a half) day trade show!

I knew I wanted to pack a large checked bag for two reasons: (1) because both Head Cat and I will want to pick up samples at the show to send back to our respective locations, and he will want me to carry everything like a bitch, and (2) so I can put Martini’s travel bag on top of the case to roll her around. I know she’s only 8 lbs, but it gets heavy when I put her on my left shoulder to carry her. That’s the side of my carotid injury too, and I have to be careful.

Anyway, I got my large case. So I filled it to the brim with clothes, Martini’s toys and blankies, and other goodies. What I didn’t do correctly was grab my keyboard and the right cords, so now I have to trade off charging my phone and my iPad. Not efficient. And too many clothes! Annoying.

I try to dress in a cool-ish way at trade shows. They are like anything else - if you dress nicely or interestingly, you get treated differently. Sometimes better, sometimes even special treatment. And Head Cat is always into what I’m wearing, so it’s always good to keep him amused. Head Cat has a very eclectic appearance and loooooves to peacock, so it’s fun to see what he’s wearing too.

Ok. We are heading into the descent and getting ready to land. Martini has been an amazing service dog on this flight. What a good girl!

I have so much more to write about work drama. There’s actually SO MUCH! But I want to close this entry for now.

Love and xox,
GS