Credit Card mess

The Visa credit card I use for business travel was caught up in some merchant data theft. So I was issued a replacement card that had to be activated immediately. That was last weekend.

On my way to the airport last Friday I noticed that credit card was missing from my wallet. I got the receipt from the last place I used it, a restaurant, and called the number. No answer. I thought may be they are only open for dinner.

I tried them again when I got back to Minneapolis. Still no answer. I looked up their number on the internet. It was slightly different than the one one on the receipt. Called the new number and still no answer. That left me no alternative but to cancel the card.

A new card won't arrive until sometime this week...while I'm out of town.

Today I tried using my Actors Federal Credit Union Visa and it was denied. I called the number on the back of the card. After holding for nearly 15 minutes I find out that this card was also part of the same merchant theft and has been blocked. I had received a replacement card over the weekend but since I only had a couple of days and thought it was my usual annual replacement card, I didn't have it authorized.

Lesson learned. Activate credit card as soon as open letter.

Here we go again...

Dallas, TX. Monday through Thursday (at least that's what I've booked).

Looks like the weather will be a bit cooler than it has been. High 60's/low 70's instead of 80's. Hmmm...Twin Cities expecting snow storm tonight and tomorrow...I'm thinking 60 degrees is better.

Nissan Rogue

A smaller cousin to the Nissan Morano that I had a few weeks ago. At least I think it was smaller. They look an awful lot a like from the outside.

I'm getting to like these Nissan models. The Rogue is another all-wheel-drive cross over vehicle. The pickup from both a stand still and at highway speed is fantastic.

The Rogue has vents that rotate and flap making them infinitely adjustable...a great feature. I mentioned the really good windshield spray and wipers on the Chrysler Sebring. To contrast the Rogue squirts out two little streams of washer that hardly cover anything.

Took a while to find the gas gauge. It is a digital image in the center of the console. The other gauges are easy to read. The radio could use speed-sensitive volume adjustment. The wind noise is very noticeable.

I would recommend the Nissan Rogue for its power and roominess. Gas mileage does not appear to be so great though.

Make sure you're sitting down

I made it home yesterday. And here is the exciting part...the flight left ON TIME! AND...get this...we arrived 15 minutes EARLY! AND....we pulled right up to a gate with NO WAITING!

It almost makes me think I should stay through Friday every week. But it is just too long to be away from home.

Another day in Texas

A rare 5-day stay in Dallas this week. I miss my Frankie and Uno so much. I head home today on 2:30pm flight. I'm really hoping that this flight will be on time since it is earlier than my usual 7:20pm-never-has-been-on-time-flight.

I'm the only one on the team that is traveling. Everyone else is local. One good thing about that is no one stays much past 5:30pm so you better believe I'm not going to either. One bad thing is that everyone else goes home to family for dinner and I'm generally stuck eating alone. Since I'm leaving work earlier, I'm being more adventurous in finding places to eat.

One other good thing is that I've been working out consistently in the mornings and evenings.

Went to a different sushi restaurant yesterday. It is in near my hotel and also near this market/bakery/grocery store place I've found for really good take out. The sushi restaurant is Sappporo Sushi. It was very good.

Passed this beautiful wisteria in full bloom. The colors are a bit washed out in this picture. I don't have my photo software on my work laptop.

My Dallas Family

John Arnone is in Dallas working at SMU and the Under Main Theatre. He was so kind and generous to invite me over to his mother's house for dinner with his sister, Carolyn, and friends Pat and Judy.

To the left are Laura, John's mom, Pat, Carloyn, Judy and John in Laura's front yard with the azaleas in full bloom.

I had a wonderful time. It was great to have an evening in a real home with real friends and real heart-felt warmth. Beats a dinner alone in the hotel or a restaurant...actually it doesn't even compare.

My thanks and love and gratitude to the Arnones and Kellys.

Memories...light the corner of mind

Walking through the warehouse here at client site and see someone has a box set by one of the workstations. The box has "DO NOT REMOVE" carefully written on it.

I am reminded of Lisa Andersen and her "this is a great box" at the Guthrie. I don't remember if she had received something in the box or just found the box. But whenever she looked at it, she would say, "This is a great box."

As I remember the I and the rest of the stage managers gave her a time about her affection for that box. But all I have to do is see a box someone has set aside and I'm reminded of Lisa and her box and I smile...even sometimes chuckle out loud.

Ahh, memories.