That Annoying Motor Mouth Passenger

During my usual solo travel to Vegas this week, I noticed a preventable motor-mouth encounter.  Here's what happened...

On the flight back home, I spotted my perfect open window seat.  A lonely woman was in the aisle seat and started telling me about her pelvic fracture, that I was not interested in hearing about.  So, she continued to run her mouth.  BUT, I never engaged.  I promptly implemented OPERATION KIKI!  A successful strategy taught to me by my brother.  I promptly took out my earphones, connected it to my iPad and successfully blocked motor mouth from talking to me.  YES!!!

The flight was 100% full, so a woman sat in the middle seat.  The motor mouth passenger talked to and at this woman for the entire 3 hour flight. SHE YACKED AND RAN HER MOTOR-MOUTH NONSTOP FOR 3 FULL HOURS!!!!

With a 3 hour flight, that is an ideal time to get a good nap, rest and plan out a day...quietly.

The middle-seated woman made a mistake. She started chatting with the motor-mouth early in the flight. Subsequently, she rendered herself captive for 3 full hours.

Motor mouth folks are self-centered, intrusive, disrespectful and egocentric.  No conversations took place.  Communication is one-sided.  Motor mouth was in control and met her personal lonely needs.  They are seeking that audience where they can control that releasing therapy to the poor captive.

When we deplaned, the middle passenger complained about the motor mouth.  I asked, "Where were your earphones?"  She said she did not want to offend the motor mouth.  Well, in my opinion, then do not complain.

With travel, either you will be controlled or you will be in control of your travel experience.  Here are my rules for a decent travel experience.
1. Be aware of potential motor-mouth passengers.
2. Always carry your headset.
3. Do not engage in conversation... just be decent, speak, then attach your headset.
4. Then sit back, play your games, listen to music and enjoy your flight.

My Summer of 2016

Summers are special.  I believe that even when working, it is important to view the summer months as time for recreation and fun time! So, as yesterday was the end of  summer, I invite folks to check out my end of summer report.  Its like the school time.... so, what did you do this summer... report.

I enjoyed summer of 2016.  Nothing super fancy; instead, I enjoyed some traveling and time with family and long time friends. Here is a quick list.  For more photos and details, visit my Facebook timeline.

• Great time at a wine pairing event at Whole Foods!

• Birthday celebration in Las Vegas in the grand MGM Grand West Wing.

• 4th of July holiday cookout.

• Attended my Lindblom Technical High School's 45th year reunion.

• Hosted the Williams and Williams pre-wedding dinner

• Attended the South Loop Ale Fest.

• Enjoyed Mrs. Irene Hughes 100th birthday celebration.

• Fun fabulous Las Vegas Getaway at the Cosmopolitan

• Enjoyed the wedding of my brother to Karen Williams

• Had a ball at Demetra's birthday celebration for Chris

• Continued my daily outdoor powerwalks... weather so beautiful enabling me to meet my step goals  practically every day!

• Taught clinical- pretty good group of students for the most part. Glad to be teaching clinicals to help develop RNs of tomorrow.

• Enjoyed watching the fantastic Summer Olympics!

The very sad situation for this summer is that my family physician for over 30 years is ending his family medical practice. He has accepted a major administrative director's position at a HUGE Chicago-based health care system. So, that system is really fortunate to have such a wonderful MD at the helm.  But bad news for us patients. But, that is for a later blog and I am actually so very happy for his continued success!

So, for THIS blog, enjoy just a couple of  my summer of 2016 photos.

Oh yes... So, how was YOUR summer?

My Birthday Celebration - 2016

I had a full and wonderful birthday which started at 4am!  When its going to be a hot June day, there is no sense in waiting for the heat... I like to do things early.

Here's the birthday menu:

• Barbecue Baby Back ribs

• Barbecue chicken

• Grilled hot dogs

• Grilled special combination hamburgers

• Grilled smoked sausages

• Spaghetti

• Potato salad

• Baked beans

• Roasted Brussel sprouts

• Roasted honey carrots

• Assorted beverages and cocktails

• Ferrera Classic Cake

Cooking went on from 4am to 2pm.  I made a quick run to Ferrera's Bakery to pick up my nice Ferrera's Classic Cake.  I did so much walking that I exceeded my step goal without doing a 30 minute powerwalk!

My little gathering included family and friends.  I wish I could take over my adjacent condo apartments... I need a bigger condo... LOL!

I am a selfie person and I enjoy photo-sharing. So, of course I  have a nice Birthday photo album in my Facebook of family, friends, food and fun on a warm lovely June 19th birthday celebration.

I like to thank both of my sis-in-laws for the gifts... they know I love coffee mugs and Korean food... YES!!!

Also... the daily birthday countdown is OVER!!! LOL!!

I am thankful for a wonderful birthday... Thanks be to God!

Las Vegas - Making it Fabulous!

I guess that I am kind of a Las Vegas expert.  So, here is my advice to those who have an interest in traveling to Fabulous Las Vegas.

I believe that folks have to have some winnings coming out from Las Vegas.  Las Vegas has a vested interest in folks winning at the slots.  The pay-outs from slot machines are valuable statistics for the casino, so modest winnings are crucial.  However,  you have to hustle to find those winning slots. You have to move from slot to slot; casino to casino. In April  2016, I average about 5 miles per day in search of those lucky slots. Its a lot of walking and a lot of fun.  If you cannot move around or have problems with mobility, then you have a problem.

My trips to Las Vegas are strategically planned. Here's how I do Fabulous Las Vegas:

Pre-Las Vegas:
1. Early bird your flight for the best seat selection with window seat.

2. Create a written itinerary so I know what I am going to do each day from boarding pass check-in to hotel checkout.  No sense in sitting around thinking what to do.  Plan early.

3. Head out early at wee early pre-dawn hours. Beat traffic and maybe avoid flight delays.

4. It's good to share details of travel on Facebook, but never post travel details.  Just a check-in at airports.  Maybe one check-in at hotel right before checkout.  There are many scheming Facebook lurkers, so be strategic with check-ins.

5. Never use airport people mover!  Get in good workouts and walk the distance.  Plus, I can rest up at the gate and during the flight.

6. Take items to stay occupied for the 3 hour flight.. iPad fully charged and back up portable charger.

7. Take headsets as I will not permit adjacent passenger yak to me from MDW to LAS.

On Arrival:
8. On arrival to McCarran, remember, no people mover!!!  Tram from gate to baggage claim is okay.

9. Stick with my preferred airport shuttle. So far, they have been excellent and I have no complaints with this same shuttle service.

On Arrival to The Strip:
10. Be prepared to pay for the early check-in hotel fee. Don't want to wait until 4pm to get into room.

11. Get a $20 bill and break into singles.  Beverages at slots are free, but servers must be tipped.  That is my strict rule.

12. Have fun fun fun!!!!  Always request early housekeeping as I go to bed early and get up early! Enjoy the full Las Vegas Blvd.  I walk and never use the bus.  No time for that.  Occasionally, I may use the Monorail, but mostly, I walk.

13. Take plenty of photos!  Vegas is fun and photos should be shared.... when you return home!!!!  One or two photos shared the during stay is okay, but be strategic.

14. I concentrate my fun depending on the location... north Strip (Wynn/Palazzo area); mid-Strip (Linx, Paris LV/Bally's) or south Strip- the grand MGM Grand.

15. Get a feel for the Player's card... If you are winning with it, use it.  If you are not winning, do not use it.

16. No buffets!  That's too much food.  I do not negate my walking. I just do the cheap thing, McDonalds, White Castle or some other fast food.  Just one meal per day. Unfortunately, the fast food places are the only places where I can get a decent serving size.  Everywhere else is supersized Las Vegas style.

Leaving Las Vegas:17. Get to the airport early.  I do not believe in the running to catch my flight.

18. Now the photos can be uploaded and shared on Facebook.

19. Now I can chat about the fun.

20. NEVER share photos of slot winnings / jackpots.  That's none of anyone's business.


Finally, I am a solo traveler.  Over the past many many years, if I waited for folks to join me on a trip, I never would have gone to Vegas for the first time.  So now, I am stuck in my way and it is not possible for anyone to join me.  I am  not a tour guide and I am not babysitting adults.  Only my niece can join me.  We have traveled to Vegas twice and she is perfect.  We arrive together and we go our separate ways (This is known as the Figure of Eight).  We will meet up for a nice meal and cocktails.  We both are independent ladies.  She is social and connects well with others... I am the exact opposite.  So, we do good.

My Winter of 2015-2016

I am so happy to be coming out of the Winter of 2015-2016. It was a very mild winter in the Midwest... Thanks be to God.  Chicago missed so many major storm systems.  If I am correct, the Chicago Public Schools never closed due to weather related issues.  Now, that is great!!!

I do not like having to hibernate during winter, so I try and carefully plan out my events to ensure an active fun winter season.  This is what I did this winter...

Travel:
Fun getaway to fabulous Las Vegas when I stayed at the Mirage.  This was right after Christmas. Later in the season, I went back with a stay at Planet Hollywood.

Fine dining:
Many dining out opportunities as I continue updates on nursing/pharmacology: Wildfire, David Burke Steakhouse, MK Restaurant, Flemings Morton's and Ditka's.

Colleagues:
Glad to connect with colleagues at Rosebud, MK and Flemings!  It is always wonderful to connect with former co-workers in relaxed venues. I have a long-time friend who travels to Chicago once a year for an educator's conference.  We now connect at the ChiBar in the Chicago Sheraton.  What a wonderful way to connect with good friends!!!

Work:
Speaking on work, I am approaching the one year anniversary at my workplace where I really enjoy teaching Community Nursing clinicals.  I am part of a wonderful team. I really appreciate the opportunity to interact, influence and develop future registered professional nurses. 

The clinical that I teach is the last faculty-led course for students. Hence, my impact is crucial, I have to make a difference and I therefore take this responsibility / calling very seriously.  My class is an expedited clinical that delivers the required hours.  So, I am extremely busy at the onset and at midterm.  By the short time that I am concluding, I am already preparing for the upcoming session. The good aspect is that my students achieve their required clinical hours before others, so I do get a couple of weeks to exhale between sessions.  I love this schedule.  My 1 year anniversary will be in April.  I continue to enjoy!!! I attended a fun Frozen-themed holiday party at work!  Mainly for families, but I enjoyed anyway.

Family:
I love this stability!  I am with my son every weekend, I see my sister and niece every weekend as well.  I see my brother and nephew in church. Not too many holidays in the winter, but we have a nice Group MMS for texting! I do a whole lot of cooking in the other seasons, so the good thing about the winter, it gives me a change to take a respite from holiday cooking.  I was happy to connect for lunch with one of my first cousin's at Pappadeaux just for chat and catch up.  It is just so important to remain connected to extended family members.

Church:
I am a very busy deacon at my church.  I go as often as I can, but, I manage and operate the full electronic outreach, social media and communications from home... almost 24/7. This is a lot of work as I observe how a little church website has evolved into a huge system over a fast seven (7) year period.  So many wonderful wonderful wonderful events take place and the delivery of the Word is outstanding!!!

Professional:
I completed two major recertifications which takes a lot of work.  It is the culmination of portfolio building over a 5-6 year period of time.  This is known as continuing nursing professional development. I also renewed my nursing licenses.  No more reminders by the State of Illinois, so I had to keep checking everyday for one month.  All is well.  Got to stay current and competent!!

Fitness:
I was rather active at LA Fitness.  But, once the weather got mild, I prefer to do outdoor powerwalks.  I continue to enjoy my VivoFit band. Yes... I upload my goals to Facebook practically everyday.  Important to engage in fitness activities as often as possible. 

Okay... that is it for my Winter 2015-2016 blog.  Today being the last day of winter... glad Spring starts later today!!!  Enjoy the photos!!

Thoughts on the Current Issues with Chipotle

Chipotle is a wonderful and popular Mexican-themed restaurant chain.  The food is fresh, simple, tasty and delicious. The popularity has resulted in a significant increase in the number of franchises. Chipotle simply had to follow sensible business practices and meet the growing demands for good Mexican fast food.

Here are a couple of reasons for Chipotle's popularity:

• Chipotle uses fresh produce, and non-GMO meats.

• Chipotle caters to the younger generation X and millennial generations. Hence, their workers and servers or course reflect their targeted populations.  

I am a Baby Boomer teacher and I know this younger generation... believe me!  These knuckleheads know nothing about common sense and are oblivious to the science of safe food handling!!

Here's are three significant issues...

• #1- McDonald, Wendy's, Burger King, and  fried chicken joints does not encounter food handling problems, because they do not use much fresh produce and they grill or fry out any possible bacteria in their foods!

• #2- Chipotle has to hire intelligent food safety specialists to educate, observe and enforce safe food handling of their precious, customer preferred fresh produce.

• #3- Because of extensively use of fresh produce, Chipotle customers must be educated and empowered to ensure that the young stupid Chipotle workers who handle the food handle food the right way.

I have definite specific quality details to offer.... call me! Let's talk and get Chipotle back on the right, SAFE track!!

Chi-Raq: My Movie Review

Being a Black American, born, raised, educated and living in Chicago, of course I went to the first showing of Chi-Raq today! Chi-Raq was the very first Spike Lee movies that I have ever seen.

Spike Lee has always taken an ethnocentric approach to movie writing. Being a Black American, he writes about his passion and insight into this culture. The Black American culture is very complex, complicated, unique and rather painful.  Chi-Raq is such a movie, but to lessen the painful nature, Spike Lee presented Chicago through a satirical approach. Spike Lee always seems to present an awesome depth of every movie that he has written.  There is nothing shallow about Chi-Raq!

As a director, Spike has created very promising careers for Black actors.  Hence, for Chi-Raq, his actors are high esteemed, A-listers.  Consequently the acting was absolutely excellent.

I highly recommend that adult Black Americans, especially those living in Chicago, go view the movie. It is "R" rated. See the movie first hand, form your own opinion.