Thanksgiving Week Ahead

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The pictures are from the Carrier event we went to in San Francisco last Tuesday. It was held at the Hotel Vitale on Mission Street, which is about a block from the hotel that we stay at when we go every Summer. The picture of the Bay Bridge is the same view that we had during our last stay. This hotel is closer to the Ferry Building, which is the clock tower in the background. The event was held on a terrace on the 5th floor and it was incredible. First of all, the weather was about 65 degrees and, as the temperature dropped, the portable heaters kicked in and kept the venue warm. The bottom picture is of our group and the San Francisco office. Harvey is in the center of the picture in the tie. The tall guy next to him is Rich, who is number two in the company in production. You can also see Pete next to me in his arm sling. The funny thing is that the guy on the left in the third picture down is in a full cast. He is the husband of one of the VPs for our carrier and he had a table saw accident where a piece of wood flew off and hit him in the left hand and broke three bones. He has pins in his hand and a cast over all of that. He and Pete were thick as thieves at the event. Partly because they are both hunters and fishermen I guess, but also fellow accident victims.

 

Speaking of Pete, he left for his family vacation to Cabo San Lucas on Thursday. He set up a trip with his extended family and ten of them were flying together to Cabo from Sacramento. He and Vicki went to check in for their flights the day before and found out that Alaska had changed their first flight from Sac to Los Angeles from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM and it didn't leave them enough time to change planes for Cabo out of Los Angeles. International rules require you to arrive at least 105 minutes before your flight. The change had them arrive 90 minutes before. He was furious, but had bought his tickets through Expedia and was frustrated trying to work with the two companies. Alaska told them that they could fly in on the 4PM flight and they would put them up in the hotel in Los Angeles overnight. He couldn't get everyone on his list to agree, so ended up booking a limo bus from Sac to San Francisco Thursday morning and catching a direct flight from there. It cost him $500 and they still have the return to worry about. Ouch. Hopefully, they are having a good time. Vicki posted some pictures of their year old granddaughter relaxing on the beach today.

 

We will be in Nuevo Vallarta in two weeks. Dad and Shirley arrive a day after us on the Sunday and will be there for two weeks. We talked to the boys and to Jennifer and McKenny about either planning to turn their cell phones off while we are there or getting a Mexico plan. I actually like not having the phone on. I can keep up with e-mail and anything else I need on the computer, but don't need a phone. McKenny said he has international calling, but I told him to check in with his carrier as that only applies to calls from the United States.

 

McKenny, by the way, is back in Las Vegas and will be home until we get back from Mexico. He may spend a week in Colorado when they get back, but hen will be in Vegas through the end of the year. I guess Diane and her husband will be in Vegas on Tuesday and they will stay two days before all driving to Southern California on Thursday. They are renting a big SUV. Sam will go along and they will enjoy Thanksgiving together. Diane will fly back from Los Angeles and Jennifer and McKenny will drive back to Vegas.

 

 I think we will plan to celebrate Samantha's birthday in Mexico. Probably on the Friday before we leave. We won't be able to see her on her birthday, but will all be together, so it makes sense. It should be fun.

 

I will have the usual skeleton crew at work this week, but even Connie, who is working with me on Wendy's book while she is on maternity leave will be off this week. It has been busy for me and about to get busier. It is good for me to get my hand back in the mix on underwriting. A lot has changed since I handled a territory myself. The numbers look good this month and we hope to at least beat our numbers from last year.

 

Harvey was in the office on Thursday and interviewed two candidates for an open position. It turns out that one of the ladies that I really liked is the sister of Dana, who used to work for me and left with Anthony five years ago. She mentioned it to Harvey, but not to me and that was enough to spoil her for me. We ended up hiring a young man who works for one of our agents now. He will start the Monday after Thanksgiving.

 

Darla was away all weekend at an event in Auburn, the Mandarin Festival. She has a great weekend with over $2k in sales. I played golf in our final event on Saturday. I was 2 points behind for the Player of the Year, so played in the second group. I had a pedestrian round of golf and shot 42+44=86. I will finish third in the POY, but a good showing this year. I was also tied for net in the year long Eclectic competition with a 48. I didn't pick up any strokes, but my index is up to a 15, so now have a net 47. The final is based on our December 15th GHIN handicap, so we will see where I end up.

 

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving, even those of you up in Canada that refuse to follow the proper Thanksgiving where there is NFL football on television. We will host this year and Becky and Dan will be in town as well. I will again assume my position in front of the keyboard next Sunday for my last blog entry before the trip to Mexico. Be well. Ciao.