11/10-11/12 The Limeys Invade Virginia; Well, Maybe It Was More Of A Recon Mission

[rer1972]

Part 1 Pre-Trip 11-10-06
Original plan was to meet up at Va-bear's (friendly bear who likes to do ) home on 11/11 Saturday night . That plan was scratched for meeting up at a hotel, having a nice dinner, and maybe drinks instead. No problem our motto was "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

!!", or was is it pass the Kahlua?
Soon though the troops started to fall. What started out as a full on assault on the hearts and minds of the citizens of Richmond, Virginia had turned into a small force of LGMHPC Commandos including:

crossfamily - Teresa

Kaw1218 - Kelly (our super secret commando; we didn't even know she was going)

Katlas&kids - Kathy

rer1972 - Ronnie (me)

Va-bear - Virginia (they named the whole state after her you know)

The following installments will give you the heroics, pitfalls, and laundry endured by those brave souls.

Next: Part 2 Battle of the Standby Flyers

-Current Installments-
Part 1 Pre Trip Report pg 1 post 1
Part 2 Battle of the Standby Flyers pg 1 post 2
Part 3 Wave Bye to the Pretty Plane or From Russia with Boots pg 1 post 8
Part 4 I Got the $10.00 Richmond Tour for 20 Cents!!! pg 2 post 17
Part 5 Face to Face on a Laptop pg 2 post 22
Part 6 Um, Is She Driving With Her Feet?? pg 3 post 37
Part 7 Spiders, Crab Claws, and Frisbees Yum!!!
Part 8 Last Night In Richmond
Part 9-1 pg 7 post 92 Huh, there’s a Haunted Mansion in Richmond Too
Part 9-2 pg 7 post 94 I don’t care if you’re Owen Wilson’s long lost twin I need to get on that plane!!!!

 

[rer1972]

I am up at 4:00 AM this morning!!! Holy #@&% that’s too early!! I remember I’m going to visit some Disers (Secret Limey Disers at that) so that gets me out of bed. I’m out of the house and headed to the airport at 4:30 AM . The flight I am trying to catch leaves at 5:45 so I have plenty of time for breakfast at the airport before the flight.
Check-in and security both go very smoothly. Now it’s time for BATTLE OF THE STANDBY’S.

Side: Now I need to give a bit of back ground, and I’m gonna steal DISUNC’s sidenote format

(it just works so well). I have to explain in advance that I will be flying standby this whole trip. My cousin works for a certain airline and I am on his list of people who can fly for free (or relatively for free). Now flying standby definitely takes some patience and prayers (used lots of both for this trip), but it’s worth it most of the time.

The Battle of the Standby’s rankings are affected by how long the employee has been with the airline. I’m ranked about 3rd out of 6 on this flight. Not too bad. I’m even chatting with another girl

(kinda cute) who is on standby for the first time; kind of telling her how it works and what her chances are of getting on the flight (pretty good I thought). I talked to my cousin last night and he said there were about 5 or more open seats (very good chances). So, I’m sitting next to the ramp agent’s counter and overhear her say, “what do you mean you have 15 people that need to get on this flight? ). Uh, oh there go those great chances. Well, there weren’t 15 extra passengers there were about 8 of them. Okay, I can go out on the next flight. The ramp agent says that one is full too. I ask about the next two and she says they are close to full. Great, I may be here a while.

It’s now 12:00 and I’m waiting for the 3rd flight out. There are 2 other standby’s waiting and I don’t care how cute that girl I was talking to before is; I am getting on that plane first. I’m also hoping the other guy will get stuck in the bathroom

when they start calling out names? Suddenly I hear them call out my name. The ramp agent hands me the boarding pass and says to hurry it’s the last seat. I resist the urge to point at the other standby’s and yell, “That’s right losers!!!!

I’m going and your not!!!”. Finally, I’m on my way to Houston. Yup, I gotta do this all over again in Houston!

Next: Part 3 Wave Bye to the Pretty Plane or From Russia with Boots

 

[heaven2dc]

Oh my - I can tell this one is going to be a doosie!!

Can't wait to hear how your second lag of your trip went and if you made it to good ol' Virginia (live in Fredericksburg, just north of Richmond so Welcome to Virginia!!)

 

[crossfamily]

Awsome so far R-E-R I will wait to comment till you are all done at least I will try!!!!! Take my word for it its gonna be a great one peeps!!!

and I have the official card to prove it too....

 

[uhtimex]

Finally, I’m on my way to Houston. Yup, I gotta do this all over again in Houston!

Next: Part 3 Wave Bye to the Pretty Plane or From Russia with Boots

I wish would have know you were coming to Houston I might have been able to stop by Hobby and say hi

Anywho thanks for representing all the males in the SGC

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Great start so far! Hey they probably would've let you on the plane faster if you would've worn some pants!

Sorry I missed the fun. Next time PEEPs, next time!

 

[rer1972]

heaven2dc - I really enjoyed Richmond. Even got to see some sights other that the Targets, Walmarts, and Old Navy's.
crossfamily - I am expecting to get your versions of events on here. So, whenever you want to just throw in the comments. Not that anyone has to tell you to throw in a comment.
uhtimex - Gotta Represent!!!! My buds and I go to Houston every so often, so next time we go I'm letting you know for sure.
stinkerbelle's mom - That's why we need you around you think of all the important things. Like pants!!! Next time for sure!!!

 

[rer1972]

So, we’re starting our descent into Houston (George Bush Intercontinental), and I notice that it’s about 1:05. Hmmm, I better check that connecting flight in case I gotta run to the gate. 1:20!!!!! I check my watch again 1:10 . We’re not even close enough for the landing gear to go down yet! Come on Capt’n get on it.

Side: By the way throwing yourself forward in your seat does not make the plane go any faster. You just get funny stares ; at least now the guy next to me wants to get off the plane pretty quick too.

We finally touch down at 1:19. It wasn’t 1:20 because the big hand was just ahead of the 12 . Great, I guess I’ll have to find another flight (patience; serenity now!, serenity now!!

). As we are taxing in I see another plane pass by going towards the runway and I swear I could see everyone waving to me , or was it the Loser sign

. I arrive to the gate and disembark (I like that word it sounds like it should be the name of a country between Denmark and Germany). Anyhoo, I check the next flight to Richmond, VA and it’s not going out till 6:45. No problem I can go grab some lunch

and do some people watching over in terminal D & E.

Side: If you are ever in Houston Intercontinental for a long layover I highly recommend terminal E. Nice architecture and a larger variety of shops and eateries.

After a quick sandwich and a drink I headed on back to the Continental Express terminal (B). I had been chatting on aim with Katlas&Kids while waiting for my flight this morning, but unfortunately IAH doesn’t have free internet service so communication was limited while I was there. I then get a call on my cell phone from Katlas&kids; my cell was losing its charge after the morning chats with family and the phone died. So I sit down next to a plug in the wall and charge up the phone. This was the point where I so wished I had a camera phone

, because right across from me in a chair was Borat. You know the guy with the new movie out. If it wasn’t him it sure looked like him. White dress shoes, black curly hair, mustache, running suit and all. Maybe I should have asked for an autograph. So, I call the fellow limey Katlas&kids back. I chat for a bit telling her about Borat when some lady walks by wearing what had to be her witch costume from Halloween. Man do I love to people watch!!! It’s getting close to boarding time so I say bye to Katlas&kids, pack up my stuff, and head to my gate.

I had already done my pre-board headcount (my guesstimate of passengers) and it looked like it was under 50 (an ERJ can take 50); so far so good. I got my name called before they even started boarding so there was a really good chance I was getting on. I like to wait by the ramp agent’s counter as they take tickets just so I know how things are going . Well, the very first guy doesn’t have his ticket! Um, okay . He says he was in the last airport and the gate next to his was coming to Houston too but leaving earlier. So, he asked if he could get on that flight and they let him on. The ramp agent keeps repeating that she can't find him on any flights coming in or on this flight. At this point there is a line behind him, and everyone is getting antsy . Then the guy says, “Well, I guess I just teleported in to Houston then didn’t I”. Maybe he can leave the same way you came in buddy (I know everyone around him was thinking it- we all gave each other that look like I know exactly what you're thinking ). Finally, they just let him on (that better not be my seat buddy!).

I do finally get on, and as I get to the aircraft’s door I see the stewardess. Man was she hot!!! Blond, short skirt and those pointy boots

. She says, “Velcom abooord”, and I gurgled back a “Hello” . From her accent she must have been from Eastern Europe(maybe Disembark?), and I started imagining her doing that Russian (I don’t know if it’s Russian??) dance where they squat down, cross their arms, and kick up their boots all the way down the aisle. I must have been staring because when the daydream finished she was looking at me saying

“SIR, YU NEEEED TU PUT THAT BEG AWEY!!!” “Okay, I just need to put my phone in the bag”, is what I was going to say but I only got to Okay, I just need… She just kept repeating

“SIR, YU NEEEED TU PUT YOUR BEG AWEY!!!” Gotcha comrade! So, I stuffed my bag into the overhead compartment and sat down.
I was really starting to feel the effects of getting up at 4 now so I just hoped that nobody would bother me as I drifted off to frozen Siberia to watch Nadia (or whateva her name was) kick up her heels .

Next: I Got the $10.00 Richmond Tour for 20 Cents!!!

 

[TOT_Princess_412]

Yay RER....this is great. I can't wait for more.

 

[TOT_Princess_412]

NSALZ WROTE........TOT just came and got me and said..."you have to come read RER's trip report"......Lovin' it so far.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

WOW, that was a great installment! at Disembark! Glad Katlas was able to keep you so much company! Can't wait for more.....

 

[Va-bear]

Ok; cant make any corrections yet - since its installment 3 on the VA-meet and you're not in VA yet!! But, grrreat job so far. (though, I could have done without the visual imagery of the stewardess doing the kicky dance down the isle. )

keep up the good work!!

 

[Princess89]

Ok; cant make any corrections yet - since its installment 3 on the VA-meet and you're not in VA yet!! But, grrreat job so far. (though, I could have done without the visual imagery of the stewardess doing the kicky dance down the isle. )

keep up the good work!!

I'll second that one. Nice TR so far!

 

[crossfamily]

You're just jealous you didn't get to see va at the mall like i did I have to download the rest of the pics i took... Great deals missed at old navy they even had pants on sale..............................

 

[Va-bear]

You're just jealous you didn't get to see va at the mall like i did I have to download the rest of the pics i took... Great deals missed at old navy they even had pants on sale..............................

Teresa you brought tears to my eyes (laughing!)

 

[DISUNC]

 

[rer1972]

After catching a few a winks I checked my watch (and moved it up one hour); it was just after 9:30 PM so I had about another hour to go. I got a beverage served by Misha (see Va-bear didn’t mention how hot she was ), and settled back to read

Continental: The inflight magazine for Continental Airlines.

Side: I know people may not think much of the airlines’ magazines, but I think they are pretty good. There was even a joke on some show about a character that subscribes to an airline magazine from his home. There’s some good info in there.

So, I read through most of it. I really enjoyed the cover story “Fresh Powder” by Mitch Kaplan. Yes, I still have the magazine. You’re supposed to take them aren’t you? That’s what complementary means. Well, after reading about all the skiing spots I want to go skiing so badly. Of course I’ve never skied in my life, but I'm going do it now. How hard can it be to learn ? The Captain notifies us that we are now descending into the Richmond area, and it should be another 15-20 minutes. Great, I’m almost there !!!

Side: I just got over being sick, and apparently all this taking off and landing is starting to affect my left ear because it’s really starting to hurt from the change in air pressure. When we do land I notice that my left ear is kind of plugged up, and I can’t hear too well out of it. So, for any of you Dissers who may have been talking to me and you thought I wasn’t paying attention. Nope, I just couldn’t hear you. Next time I’ll take a pen and pad of paper so you guys can write down what you are telling me. On the other hand I may not want to know what you are telling me .

The aircraft lands and reaches the gate, I tell Katya to have a good night , and head for baggage claim and the rental car. It’s now 10:30 PM.

Side: I have to say that the airport in Richmond is very nice, still under construction, but very nice .

So, I get down to the baggage conveyer and wait. Now I have to use the restroom, but I can’t find a working restroom on the baggage claim floor (I looked everywhere even the construction areas). Okay, I’ll come back for the bag. So, I go back upstairs, find the restroom, use it, hurry back down to baggage claim, tell the baggage guys I don’t need help for the second time, and wait. Hmmmm, the bags are still not coming out yet so I didn’t miss much. After a few more minutes the conveyer starts, I find my bag, and head out the doors. Okay so where is this shuttle to the rental car ? All I see is parking garage shuttles. I head back in and find the Dollar Rental counter. I guess there are no shuttles to the rental cars, because the rental cars are right next to the airport

. The Dollar guy was really nice. He gave me directions to the Hotel, and he upgraded me for free from a Dodge Neon to a Chrysler 300. I walk out to the rental car garage; find the car, and check my map. I also get a call from Katlas&kids and get directions from her and Va-bear.

I pull out of the garage and head into town . Now, I heard “take 64 to 95 South, and then take 195 to Powhite Parkway South, get off on 60/Midlothian Turnpike”. I’m also told that I am going to need change for a toll. Somehow that part really stuck in my head, and I got some change out and put it in the ashtray just in case. I was driving along and Katlas&kids calls again and asks if I’m doing okay. Suuuuure, I got it down pat. I’m on 64 going West, and I just need to find 95 to 195. She tells me to call if I need help, and that she and Kaw1218, and Va-bear are at a McDonalds waiting for me. Okay, now I’m wondering what I’m getting myself into . Should I stop and pick up some pepper spray? Who the heck sells pepper spray at 11:00 PM in Richmond ??? I tell myself I should be fine, but any weird moves on their part and I’m outta there

. Well, as fast as I can haul my butt outta there.

I guess thinking about all this kind of distracted me a bit, and next thing I know I’m on 95 South and see "Toll Ahead Exit Here". Oh, that must be my exit. I exit and come to the toll booth. It says 20 Cents. Wow, that’s pretty cheap . So I throw two dimes into the basket and head off. Now, I drive a little ways and realize that this isn’t Powhatever Parkway

. So, I’m driving around, and around, and around. Hey, that looks like the state capital!! No time for pictures right now. I see a sign that says 161 this direction, and look it up on the map. Okay, that runs into Midlothian Turnpike I’ll go that way. After sightseeing a bit more (No! I Do Not Want To Buy A Watch!) I finally reach the street I'm looking for and drive towards the Hotel. It’s now 11:30 PM

I drive on for another 30-45 minutes when I finally reach the hotel, and pull in. I walk in and notice there seems to be a dance club just off the lobby; it’s called Razzles, and the joint is jumping . I go up to the counter and tell the guy I have a reservation for tonight and would like to check in. He seems reeeeally happy to see me, and looks up my reservation. I now notice there is a guy standing next to me

. He says, “How you do'in”. I can tell Mr. NY has been in Razzles and has had a few

. I tell him I’m not doing too badly. He then starts to tell me his story of how he already lost two keys, he hates to have to pay for the lost keys, and the reason he lost the keys was because the old guy at the counter got him “All Jumpy ” about the key to the safe in his room. No, he didn’t lose the key to the safe he was just “All Jumpy ” about losing it because the old guy told him it would cost a bunch just to replace it. Alright then (why do I attract these people ). So, Virginia’s original settler gives me my keys and gives me the spiel on not losing the key to the safe in the room. Not wanting to lose anything I just figured I wouldn’t use the safe at all. I didn’t want to get “All Jumpy ” either. So, I drag all my stuff to the elevator and head to my room.

Next: Part 5 Face to Face on a Laptop

 

[mom2jcc]

SAHM addicted to the disboards during kids' naptime subscribing here!!!!!!!

 

[rer1972]

TOT_Princess_412 Thanks TOT hope I can remember everything. I did forget to mention the guy that left his bag near the gate we were leaving from in Houston, and went to the restroom. The ramp agent started asking who's bag it was. I was already getting visions of everyone being evactuated from the terminals and standing out in the parking lot. The guy got back just in time and they tell him to please not do that. He said "Sorry", and walked off.

TOT_Princess_412 for Nasal Thanks I feel the lov'in.

stinkerbelle's mom Thanks Ms. President. It means a lot coming from you.

Va-bear I don't know I kinda liked that dance.

Princess89 There just is no pleazin some folks.

crossfamily I'm sure it woulda been fun to shop with you ladies, but I had to see the sites and get rained on. Ducks love rain ya know. Not so interested in pants though.

DISUNC Thanks DISUNC.

 

[bigsis1970]

OH My sounds like an awesome TR so far! Can't wait to read more... Michelle