Having a Bad Altitude About Things

I had to make signs this morning reminding everyone (including myself) to drink plenty of fluids because of the higher elevation in Colorado Springs. 

My chest has felt so tight since about lunch time. Luckily no headaches, but doing one flight of stairs has become tiresome.  

Tonight I am on the bus alone with the West family. I've been put in charge of a special event tomorrow I'm kinda excited about. I'll tell more tomorrow after the event, so for now it's surprise!!  

I had lots of wins today. At least three times maybe four when I was asked about something (ice on buses yet?  Schedules printed?...) that I was already done or was presently working on. 

Overall a pretty good day.  😊

Colorado Springs Into Action

First thing this morning, I went to get a cup of tea.  As I filled it, it emptied just as fast. Catering left broken cups out hit us to use.  Tea spilt all over. It ended up no big deal after I drank my first sip. I poured it out too as it was not *sweet* as the sign said. 

I then found a baby and zombie room. 

But most beautiful of all was the view of the east side of the church. 

The snow capped mountains wee breath taking...as is this altitude.  

"Please remember to stay hydrated. Drink a lot of water. Do not rely solely on your osmosis capabilities."

Albu-quirky New Mehiko

Just another show day, other than only having two rooms for two bands, three artists, a crew and production office.  

We did arrive a little late, which was nice. It made things all run a little tighter and close together. It did equate to less down time, but I'd rather work harder for less hours than work slower and get bored during the day. 

On arriving late: I rode up in the front cab with our driver Jay and Jenn and enjoyed the views of New Mexico. 

Not Juan Son, But Tucson

Thursday. 

Long day. 

Stressful morning. 

It got to the point today that Jenn could even read on my face that I was feeling exhausted by some of our circumstances. I am typically pretty easy going, so when I get to the point of verbally and aggressively asking questions you know I'm frustrated. 

So Jenn pulled us both off site and we made an 'emergency run' to get some special lunch and Starbucks for the crew. It was a much needed break in the middle of the day for both of us.  

And the crew got some special beverages too. 

The view was so beautiful today too!!!

Most of the rest of the day was uneventful.  

I did have one little girl come up to me at the end of the night as Matthew was doing autographs, "Your jacket says Insurgent Film Crew..."

"Yep.  That's my other job. I work in movies."

"Oh my goodness!!!  That's like my favorite movie!!  When I was in a wheelchair, my mom rented that for me a lot!"

Other random conversation today was with me and a couple of band members. One of the guys had mentioned lent and having to give stuff up for lent.  So I jokingly said, "for lent, I'm going to give up sobriety....last year I gave up lent.  The year before, I gave up hope."

Vegas: Continued

Previously on my blog:

Went to Mandalay Bay. 

Saw the Aquarium. 

Looked at plasticized fish. 

Lost $20 at blackjack in New York New York. 

Rode the monorail. 

Insert late lunch here as I monitor the cleaning ladies tidying our bus. 

I was about to get back on the monorail as Jenn texts me. Turns out we were both about to head to the Bellagio.  Instead of getting back on the monorail, I jump in her cab and we ride together. 

At the Bellagio, the lobby is adorned with a piece by famous glass blower, Chihuli. 

Next I seek out the botanical gardens. I'm a little disappointed that the gardens are about the size of my parents back yard in the suburbs. It's not very big at all. Within five minutes I'm done. 

There is quite a bit to see, but just not a lot of square footage. 

I then proceed to walk down and see more of the strip.  I've been here twice before, so I've seen a lot already.  There's not much I still need to see or need to see again. But I still took a couple more pics. 

The Bellagio:

Caesars Palace:

Treasure Island:

The Venetian:

12 and counting...

We have been to 12 states so far up through and including California.  

States we visited or went through this last week:

Oregon

Idaho

Nevada

That brings the total to 15 states now!!!

Vegas. Day 2. Part 1.

Woke up, packed up and put all my stuff back on the bus. 

Ate a little bus-lunch of fig newtons and granola bars then headed out. First stop: the Vegas Monorail.  

$12 for an all day unlimited pass. Kinda spendy, but I needed to go to the south end anyways. A cab is $20 one way. 

Took the monorail as close as I could to Mandalay Bay.  This meant passing by several landmarks including Excalibur

The MGM Grande

New York New York

The Luxor

And a couple others. 

My first destination was the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium. It was a little disappointing, especially after being spoiled by Georgia's Aquarium. 

I still got a couple decent photos. 

I opted to add on a second experience which was the Sea Monsters Exhibit. 

The SME had several sea creatures that had been plasticized just like they do with the Bodies Exhibit. 

Shown above is the dissection of a grouper. 

The insides of a moray eel. 

Inside a large sunfish. 

A left-eyed flounder. Notice that both eyes are on the left side. Hence the name. 

The octopus was really cool too. 

Then I had to head back to the hotel for a bus cleaning.