TW3

If you don't know what TW3 means, see the end of this post.

I'm sitting in the Reno/Tahoe airport, waiting for the first leg of my trip back home. I'm headed to Denver, where I get a two-hour layover before headed back to O'Hare. Thankfully, I'll be behind security, so anyone whom I might've pissed off in the Denver area over the years will be unable to reach me.

It's been an interesting week. After announcing my revelations Monday, Julie is firmly convinced that I don't have a gambling problem (in fact, when she mentioned it to Jess, I understand Jess nearly fell off her chair laughing...it's comforting to know I can provide such entertainment for my family). Since I've already covered Monday, here's the rest of the week.

Tuesday evening, two days before payday and flat broke (I only worked a half-week the week prior, and that always causes problems), I took the hotel shuttle up to the Vegas Strip and walked around for a few hours. Crowded but not packed, noisy but not terribly so, it was a great evening. 

If you like to people watch (something I've learned to like over the years), Vegas is a great place to go. I saw two shows at the Bellagio's Flowers and Dancing Waters, the Volcano at the Mirage, and the gondolas at the Venetian. Add to that the people selling bottled water and the guys snapping cards with naked women, trying their best to give them to passers-by, it was a wonderful experience I'm glad I took advantage of.

I'd have kicked my butt if I'd missed it.

Wednesday was travel day. Left Vegas early after dropping off the rental car I didn't use (other than to drive to the hotel and back to the airport) for a flight to Reno...by way of Los Angeles. It was an odd feeling, flying into LAX. I've been there so many times, out to visit my family there, but this was the first time I've gone there alone...and after both my aunt and uncle passed away. Made me think of them, and My Kid, and how I hope they're having a good time together in whatever passes for the hereafter.

The layover there wasn't too bad. Spent the last $2 to my name before Thursday's payday to buy a couple granola bars. Figured they were good, solid food that would hold me, and they did a good job of it. Rest of the day would be spent living off the fat I've stored up over the years.

The irony of spending three days in Vegas without any money did not go unnoticed by me.

Left LAX for Reno in a...tiny...jet. I'm a big guy. It's a small plane, so small, my head touched the ceiling in the center of the cabin. Julie was sure the plane was gonna go down...

A very short flight (43 minutes) later, and I'm landing in Reno. It's gorgeous there. I especially love the garage at the rental car location: I spent a good half-hour there waiting for my rental car.

My office provides me with a rental when I'm out of town, and they arranged to have a mid-sized waiting for me...or so would have been the plan had it not been for a big rib cook-off in town and Burning Man nearby. Their supply of cars was, shall we say, limited.

The one guy working at the pickup/dropoff station was swamped, so he called for help. A couple managers came out, and one proceeded to help me, by giving me the first car available: A Chevy Equinox.

I love that car. Never thought I'd be that much in love with an SUV, but it handles great, it's good on gas, and it's a geek's dream. It had so many cool toys...

Better not go any further in this. If on the off chance I can ever afford a new car, I don't want Julie to think it's too geeky.

The trip to the hotel was quick. Reno is very easy to navigate, at least in the Summer. I'll get into that more later.

Wednesday was mostly over when I got there, so I just did what I needed to do for work and proceeded to spend the evening in the room. Being broke didn't help, but I knew Thursday was going to be a different day...and it would be payday.

I finished early on Thursday, and wondered what to do to entertain myself. Talking to the guys at the hotel, they told me that the rib cook-off was the place to be. I was hungry (not having solid food for a day, pretty much) and figured it was fate, shining down on me. I went in search of barbecue, ribs and meat!

Believe me, I found meat.

The rib cook off is held in Victoria Square, right near the Nugget hotel and casino. It's a big street fair, and even though it was in the 90's, it didn't seem that hot. Amazing what a complete lack of humidity can do, and how comfortable 94 degrees can feel.

I walked around, savoring the scents of burning wood, spices and flavorings when I saw my lunch, dinner and midnight snack all rolled up in one: The Porkinator. It was so amazing, I took a picture of the goodness:

Imagine, if you will: Pulled pork, ham, four strips of bacon and pepper jack cheese. It was the best sammich I've found West of the Mississippi, and it was delicious. I sent Julie that picture. She said it was a heart attack waiting to happen.

The rib cook-off is part food festival and part street fair. As hot as it was, it was comfortable to be walking around. I checked out the booths and the vendors but didn't find much worth getting. I did get my love a t-shirt, and found a pin for myself. I've got this thing for pins...

After wandering around there for a bit, I walked back to the car with a full stomach and a need for a little adventure. Took Interstate 80 back toward the hotel, but stayed on the highway. I wanted to see a little of the high desert, the highway, the life up there.

First thing I noticed were the signs, shortly after leaving the city limits, that said "when flashing, put chains on tires". This tells me the must get a lot of snow up there. I made a mental note that, should we decide to return to Reno for a vacation, we must not go in the Winter.

Drove for about an hour before deciding to head back...which took longer than I expected. Heading West back to Reno, I could see smoke in the distance. I knew there was a fire ahead, but what I didn't realize was that it was on the highway!

A semi caught fire. The trailer looks like it separated from the cab, and totaled it. It was bad, but what was worse was watching the fire trucks trying to come up from behind me and unable to get through. I pulled over the best I could, the fire trucks got through, and put out the blaze.

Here's how it looked after the fire was put out:

No one was hurt, thankfully. I made it back to the hotel and called it a night shortly thereafter.

Which leads me to today, and the plane which I'm about to board. Going home, back to my love, for a week and a half...which will be followed by two very, very long weeks away from her, in Phoenix, where I won't be coming home on the weekends...

Oh, and FYI: TW3 stands for "That Was The Week That Was".