Unlike my wife the school teacher I do not get to have my summers off.  In fact right now I really only get 10 work days of vacation.  Usually most of those days are used to fly to Seattle to see my family.  What I would really like to do is go on a real vacation.  Of course ‘real’ vacations cost a bunch of money so the decision has to be a wise one.  This summer I think the best we are going to get is a 3 day weekend at a bed and breakfast.  However maybe next year we can check out Orlando vacations. I have heard there is a ton of things to do including Disney World. I have never been to Disney World, but have been to Disney Land (CA). I suppose once we make the decision to head to Florida, I’m sure we will have to stay a week to check everything out in that area and just enjoy our time.

Some other places I would like to see (in the US):
Washington DC
New York, NY
North Carolina
Chicago, IL

The drive down here today was pretty uneventful and really it was rather boring.  We stopped along the way as the head coach of the team (I was following them) had a niece playing a college soccer game so we watched the 2nd half about 50 miles from Austin. as

We got here around 5:30pm and did some relaxing.  I checked out the TV, then we were off to get the team registered at the host hotel, came back and grabbed 2 more people and we were off to the Outback for some awesome dinner.  ** Service was HORRIBLE **  (Outback, Round Rock – Be careful.. lol)

Came back and more team members were here and a few of us sat around the pool chatting for a bit and now its about time for bed.

Will update tomorrow after our 2 games..!!

The other day I was talking to my cousin who lives in Vegas (She moved there for a teacher job) and we talked about how fun it would be to fly out there and visit her.  If we are lucky we only get to see each other maybe 1 time per year.  However the drawback is the cost of the flights.  We thought about just staying with her in her apartment but Leslie never really has experienced Vegas like I have.  So if we go I think we will check out the new las vegas hotels.

The last time I was there was years ago, probably at least 8 I would say, except to connect at the airport (where I won $100, lol).  There have been quite a few new hotels that have popped up since then and I would love to go check them out.  And it is such a huge place we better take some walking shoes too.  I think I will start planning a little trip maybe this winter or spring.

Before I get started, I think this is somewhat funny.  I have Google alerts set up for my name [tazdog] so I get this email that has [tazdog] tagged and I was like, weird, I haven’t posted anything.  So that Google alert led me to BioTeck’s site were he tagged me for this Four Things Meme..   SOOO this meme is about four things in various categories that you need to share and then tag a few others…

So here we go:

Four jobs I’ve had

1. IT Systems Administrator
2. Car Wash Attendant
3. Travel Agent
4. IT Desktop Support

Four movies I can watch over and over

1. The Transformers
2. Office Space
3. Breakfast Club
4. Black Hawk Down

Four places I’ve lived

1. Renton, Washington
2. Tacoma, Washington
3. Grand Prairie, Texas
4. Arlington, Texas

Four TV shows I love

1. So you think you can Dance
2. E.R.
3. Crime 360 and the First 48 (I know it probably counts for 2)
4. 24

Four places I’ve vacationed

1. Disneyland – California
2. Hawaii
3. Leavenworth, Washington
4. Oregon

Four of my favorite dishes

1. Steak
2. Pizza (except I can’t eat it anymore)
3. Spaghetti
4. Smoked Brisket (Beef)

Four sites I visit daily

1. Google
2. EntreCard
3. Various Tech Sites
4. Friend’s Blogs and RSS Feeds

Four places I would rather be right now

1. Mexico (on the mission trip with my wife and church)
2. Hawaii
3. New York
4. Sleeping (in my bed)

I’m going to go ahead and tag a few blogger peeps:

1. Everydayrandomness
2. Mysinglemomlife
3. Peak9
4. BrainFoggles
5. Mamaflosatx

Insurance that is.  This week my wife is on a mission trip to Southern Mexico, so of course she is traveling out of the country.  One thing that was good to hear before her trip is that she would be covered.  And what I mean by that is she would have travel health insurance.  That way if there were any issues or problems she would have insurance with a very small deductible (better than my regular insurance) and get the help needed just in case.

For instance they were flying through Mexico City Airport and had a 4 hour layover and our church worship leader (to make a long story short) was getting a drink from a restaurant turned around, passed out and fell on his face.  They had to have medical personal come over and assist.  Good thing, he is OK and moving on with the mission trip.

After this experience (well my wife’s) I would think twice before leaving on any trip with out this insurance.

Well almost..

My wife and about 13 others from our church are leaving tomorrow for a 1 week church planting mission trip to Xalapa. Mexico.  They are going with next worldwide, and last night they had there last minute meeting and prayer time.  Saturday morning they have to be at the airport at 4:30am, yes you read that right, 4:30 in the MORNING.  And guess who gets to take a few of them to the airport, yes me..!!  he he (it doesn’t bother me)

They have a quick flight to Mexico City and then a 4 hour layover..  (that should be fun, not!) and then a quick hop (less than 1 hour) to there destination.  You know what would be awesome for them.  If they had a private jet charter and it took them on a direct non-stop flight.  Yeah that would be really awesome.

Anyways I really hope and pray that the mission trip will be a success and the other church as well as Next Worldwide and our church all come back safe and healthy.

Almost every summer Leslie and I head back up to Seattle (My home town) to visit family and friends. And almost every time we travel, regardless where something within the family happens. So this summer we are starting to make our plans for some traveling.

Now this summer and probably every summer from now on prices will being going up and up and up. So right now the decision is being made based on costs versus happy travel time. Based on the prices creeping upward and family health and emergencies, we might look into travel insurance for our trip this year.

That way if something does happen or something comes up, it’s not a total loss if you know what I mean…