Texas and California

Another month, another trip, this time to Houston, Dallas and LA, all in 4 days. Way too much time was spent on planes and in airports for my tastes.

Monday was a holiday for everyone else, but since we were meeting a long standing customer in Houston that afternoon, it meant a 6AM flight to Toronto for me. Fun stuff. At least I didn't have to take a taxi to the airport this time around. The flight was uneventful, and soon we were on our way through customs in YYZ. No free pass this time around as I was thoroughly searched (all bags, patted down, no rubber gloves thankfully). Still managed to make it to the gate in time, though, which was good. A few hours later (and the entire book I brought to read this trip), we were in Houston. Pick up the rental, and off we go looking for our customer's building. Unfortunately Roger had picked up directions from Yahoo maps, and they sucked. No directions (right, left, north, south), and they actually referenced "un-named street" at one point. Needless to say, we got lost, but still managed to make it on time thanks to some rental car map navigating by yours truly. Never again.

So we talk to the customer for all of 10 minutes, and head off to the hotel. The entire time I'm thinking "I gave up my Monday for this?", but they've been using our product for 7-8 years, so it was good to get in touch and see exactly what they do. Now it's off to the hotel where the show on Tuesday is going to be held. Another navigation nightmare (again, no directions), but this time compounded by the hotel being in the middle of a construction zone. This bodes well for the show...

Tuesday morning it's up bright and early to set up the booth/table, and work the show. Problem is, the construction zone combined with heavy rain made this the worst attended show that I've ever been to. I swear, there were more exhibitors than customers. At the end of the show, we pack up and head out to the airport to catch a flight to Dallas. Problem is, Roger booked the flight into Dallas at Dallas Love airport, and the flight out at Dallas Fort Worth, so we had to change the rental car (among other things). Easier than it sounds, as only Budget would let us rent from one and return to the other on such short notice. We get to Dallas, head off to the hotel (and get lost again, because Roger didn't get the directions to the hotel but to the area code), and get a short nights sleep.

Wednesday morning and it was a quick breakfast and out to attend the Freescale Worldwide FAE Training. Why we showed up so early when we weren't presenting until 11 is beyond me, but then again, I'm just an engineer. Over 100 people are signed up, so I figured we'd get maybe 20 attending (it was optional, and I was hopeful). Apparently I was too hopeful...6 people showed up. Two were very interested and engaging, but still only 6. Finishing up here, we raced off to the airport for our flight to Los Angeles for the Wind River Aerospace and Defense Conference.

Once in LA, it was a quick (and scary as hell) taxi ride to the hotel, where we freshened up and headed downstairs for the parnter meet and greet. Basically an excuse for an open bar, but I was glad for the change. Met a few good people, and then off to bed for the show the next day.

Thursday it was up early again and manning the booth. Which was less exciting than it sounds as there were seminars all the time, and few people on the "show floor" as it were. I did catch a few good seminars by parnters, though, and was impressed by their offerings. Oh, and I got a new laptop bag out of the deal. Not bad at all.

Friday it was another early flight (7am this time) to Chicago, an hour wait, and back to Ottawa. All I can say is that I'm glad to be home.