Orlando by the Numbers

5,000: miles traveled round-trip
20: approximate miles walked
8: theme parks visited
5: days spent at those parks
4: most parks visited in one day
2: rides the boss fell asleep on
1: exotic animal held (Harry the sloth)
2: days spent on the show floor
9: number of pounds my luggage gained in a week
6: industry parties
200: approximate hands shaken
2: people who will remember my name
3: average alcoholic drinks per day
1: raging hangover - on the four-park day
12: hours spent working my other job
1: library connection made

And a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The opportunity to go behind the scenes at four parks, visit theme parks designed by the guys with and for whom I work, meet all of the bigwigs in the themed entertainment industry, and meet someone who works with the state library system, including Infopeople - the training arm of the California state library - all while getting paid to visit the carnie convention.

Sometimes I wonder why I want to leave the industry. Then I see those four letters after my name.

And I remember.

8 and 13

Today is anniversary #8! And the beginning of our 14th year together. Really, I find it hard to believe that many years have gone by without us noticing. And this past year has been particularly uneven - the highest of highs have been tempered with some really crappy stuff. So I'm bidding an unceremonious F-U to this year of marriage, and holding out high hopes for year nine.

This anniversary also means we have been through both the four-year and seven-year itches. I figure at this point we're just too lazy to look elsewhere. Ah, love.

To celebrate? We're voting!

Also: today I am missing Tim Russert. It's just not election night without him.

Am I Crazy? #957

Today I volunteered to lead a 90-minute Second Life session at the CLA convention.

The day before I go to IAAPA.

In the middle of my next consulting project.

I think I was coerced into the volunteering by my loved one. If I make it to Thanksgiving it'll be a miracle...maybe I should order a catered dinner.

I'm going back to my corner to hyperventilate now.