Atlanta…”Don’t Be A Wussy” conference…destination arrived.
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
This is one humongous airport. We’re heading for the ground transportation, given up on walking there after a while, and we catch the interior airport subway to the end of the terminal.
Let me tell you, when those train doors open, it’s like rush hour in a New York subway. I’m traveling with my 74 year old mom and I tell her ‘Better make for that escalator quick, Ma, the train doors are gonna open.”
Whoosh! She barely has time to look towards the train before the hoard descends upon us.
I’m picking up a call from Chris Banks, an Empower Network compatriot who’s looking for a ride to the Omni Hotel. I manage to hook up with Chris outside – never met him and he’s an affable fellow. We hop the unmanned airport tram to Hertz. That was a long ride to Hertz…how big is this place?
I get to talking to the Hertz rental agent, who spent small amount of time in Orville California. The name alone tells you all about the town (Breaking news – They finally built an Applebee’s!). Turns out Chris relocated to Southern California from Orville. Coincidence #1 (using all my restraint not to use the word “coinkydink”. Just kidding. Track me down and shoot me if I ever use that word in my blog. Just kidding about that too.)
Hertz lady checks us in, tells us she’ll upgrade us for free to a Camry (upgrade from what?) because it has the GPS unit already in it. She directs us to the parking garage stall #270; keys will already be in the car (Toto, we’re not in Los Angeles anymore).
Now I’m embarrassed to say I have no sense of direction; even with the GPS I’m confused so thank God for 74 year old Mumsy and Chris in the back seat. I get us to The Omni in one piece. I’m noticing it’s 8:30 p.m. and the streets are empty. Zombie Apocalypse thoughts run through my head. But being a brave Empower Network affiliate, I brush the thought aside. Empower network is the weapon aganst MLM Zombiehood.
Grab some food at the Omni restaurant, yada yada yada. You don’t want to hear about the diet. Had to pass on desert and the humongous bread assortment. Chris’ chicken strip looks like the continent of Africa. Chris’ goal is to safari in Africa. (Send me a postcard Chris. I see enough wild animals on the freeways). Coincidence #2.
Bar lounge is full of people – definitely not your barflies. The’re all Empower Network people, the spear tip of the 1200 throng about to descend on this hotel (throng, not thong – focus please).
Coming back through the lounge and chit chat will a few affiliates. Get the Mumsy back to her room for the night, the trooper that she is. I dilly dally around and head back down to the bar. Entrenched in deep discussion until 1 a.m. with an world traveler Ecuadorian Brit named Rob. (Non of the conversation included booze, “broads”, or beer…or even Empower Network for that matter) The bartender’s mother is moving to Ecuador, and Crystal the bartender will be heading out to stay with her for 6 months. Staying right near Rob’s local. Coincidence #3.
Heading back to my room. Chris is asleep at his Xoom tablet. I try to write my daily blog. It’ll have to wait. I need a bed.
I must be getting old. No offense, Mumsy.