Monday, December 28, 2009
The preparations for this trip have been ongoing for about a year, ever since the Pickerington High School Central Marching Tigers were selected to participate in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1 in Pasadena, California. I thought it would be a nice vacation for my wife and two small children. The trip however, took a fortunate turn when the football Buckeyes won the Big Ten championship after defeating Iowa in November and qualified to play in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1997. Because of my standing as a member of the Board of Directors of the Varsity “O” Alumni Association, I was able to get tickets to the Rose Bowl for my family.
The day started early, 5 AM to be exact, as our flight was scheduled to depart at 7 AM. Not too bad, except for the fact that I didn’t finally get to bed until after 1 AM. Piddling around packing clothes and watching the movie “Purple Rain” took much longer than I anticipated. My wife didn’t even bother going to bed. Therefore, 5 AM was rough. Surprisingly, my 6 year old daughter, Madison, was up and full of energy. Excitement and adrenaline fueled her for the trip because she went to bed about the same time as I did. Michael dragged himself out of bed, and as usual, took repeated threats of being left behind. Needless to say, by 6 AM we were off. That’s cutting it close, especially given the fact that the security level was raised as a result of the attempted terrorist attack in Detroit a few days prior, but a benefit of living in Gahanna is that the airport is only a few minutes away.
In the airport, we met up with band director Mike Sewell, his family and the early departing PHSC entourage. It was evident from the attire in the check-in lines that the Buckeye Nation was ready to descend on California for the Rose Bowl. Our first connection on our Southwest Air flight was to St. Louis. All was find until we began to land. The change in air pressure wreaked havoc on my son’s ears and he began to panic with tears and snot pouring from his face. Everyone around him tried to give him strategies to relieve the pressure, but once it’s the end of the world for him, it’s the end of the world and nothing can save it. Not soon enough, we landed in the “Lou.”
Our layover was brief and I hit the gift shop for some OJ, trail mix and a USA Today. In the gift shop, I noticed that all of the tourist apparel was either generic St. Louis, the Blues, Cardinals or Mizzou gear. There was no gear for St. Louis University. The only reason I even noticed was that my wife’s college teammate, roommate and BFF is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach for SLU. I sent @shimmy33 a tweet about the lack of SLU gear in the airport. She replied that they must be sold out. She’s a true Billiken.
On the 4-hour flight to Phoenix, our next connection, I was able to get some much-needed sleep. I was partially lifted from my slumber by the pilot’s announcement, “is there a doctor or nurse on board?” Somehow, I was too exhausted to fully awaken, but remember going back into a deep sleep thinking, “that’s odd.” Fortunately, the pregnant passenger, I was told later, was OK. I finally woke with enough time to read several chapters of the book “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell. Very thought provoking concepts about success that is a very easy read and highly recommended.
Yet again, the descending plane ravaged the ears of Michael. Like a coach to his player, I tried to pump him up, “don’t panic, use your strategies, you can do it!” I tried to explain to him the science of what was happening to his ears (don’t ask) and distract him with the view of the passing mountains outside the window. No dice. He blew about a gallon of snot out of his nose and caught it with his hand. Of course, we had no napkin. Thankfully, the attendant handed me several napkins and wet wipes. From the middle seat, I noticed I had a new seatmate that I had to reach across from the one I started the trip with. This gentleman strongly resembled the odd brother-in-law-to-be from the movie “Hangover” and was, I’ll politely say, aromatically challenged. He switched seats during the commotion with the nurse who helped the pregnant passenger. Apparently, I missed all of that.
The attendant also offered a trick to help my son with his ears. She gave Michael two paper cups stuffed with napkins soaked with hot water. Possibly the warm fumes would help his ears? Although I recognize his discomfort, I must say he looked utterly hilarious holding two large cups to his ears while tearing and snotting. I think he knew how ridiculous he looked because he blurted a laugh through his tears.
From Phoenix to Orange County, we decided to switch seats and have Michael sit with Valarie and Maddy. Wouldn’t you know it; he slept the entire way, including the descent and landing. Valarie said all he needed was his momma’s touch. Whatever. At least I could peacefully finish “Outliers.”
As always when flying where I have to make connection changes, I hold my breath when the baggage carrel reveals the luggage. Sometimes the bags make the trip, sometimes they don’t. I could immediately tell we were in California by the Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags that aristocratically filed by. Bags made it! We rented a hybrid Nissan Altima and were on our way to the Newport Beach Marriott. The weather was beautiful, making me wonder why exactly I still lived in blustery Columbus. I had never before driven a hybrid car, which at every stop made me think the car had stalled. Motoring by the rows of waving palm trees, an exotic cream colored Ferrari smoked by me as if I were driving in reverse. Altimas are nice, at least in Ohio, but the Ferrari made me feel like Axel Foley in his Nova puttering down Rodeo Drive in “Beverly Hills Cop.” In between the Garmin voice and my wife trying to give me opposing directions, I had an epiphany. I invented a new word – Valeocentric. The meaning of Valeocentric is “the only correct view is from the perspective of Valarie.” I live in a valeocentric world.
The hotel is beautiful and very resort-like. From our 9th floor balcony, you can see Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean stretching to the horizon. Maddy excitedly announced that we were over a “golf field,” meaning the oceanfront golf course below. Man, I didn’t bring my clubs! After getting settled and realizing we were famished, we ventured out for something to eat. We went to Balboa Island, which was a perfect recommendation from one of the hotel managers, and had pizza and spaghetti on the boardwalk. The highlight was the spectacular sight from the Balboa Pier of the setting sun vanishing behind Catalina Island.
Sunrise in cold gray Ohio – sunset in sunny warm California – not too bad. The day ended with a delicious glass of cabernet, watching Monday Night Football and listening to the kids giggling on the pullout in the other room. Try as I might, I’ll have to catch the result of the game on Sports Center tomorrow. Goodnight.
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