Sunday, June 15, 2008 by Myke.

I finally put the company issued Broadband card tot eh test and man does it kick some booty.  We used it in Enid, OK, Mansfield, TX and in the middle of nothing in Kansas and Colorado.  Every time I used it, it worked great and the speeds were awesome.  I was able to connect to the house, the office and to whatever I wanted basically.  Even when the single strength was at 1 bar it still worked at an amazing speed.  I would even go as far as it being faster than “name removed” cable modem speed.  I was able to upload and download anything I wanted.

I was able to test out the AT&T card as well but it was not even close to the same speeds.  If you want a Broadband card I would highly recommend the Verizon PC Card, well worth it.

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Sunday, June 15, 2008 by Myke.

Sorry for the delay folks but it was that time of year to take off and see the family and make sure everyone is doing well in the South.  We packed up the kids and hit the road for OK then on to TX.  I must say that the scenery in eastern Colorado and through Kansas into Oklahoma is just well, BORING!  I mean put up some billboards to make it fun.  Instead I get to stop at hillbilly country gas stations and see signs for a 50 foot tall prairie dog and a 5-legged steer.  Okay so we did not stop and take any pictures of the crazy zoo but the signs made me worry that tourism in Colorado/Kansas is so bad we stooped to this.

First of all, the kids were great through the whole trip.  We have 5 kids and 2 adults in a Ford Expedition and they were great.  They watched movies while we listened to them.  I had the trusty ‘ol Zune to keep me focused on the road and not on the “Should have won an Oscar” Bring It On!  We made it to OK and some quick family time, then some pizza then off to the hotel for a night of fun in a nice clean hotel pool.  The worst part of this part of the trip was the “blistering winds and scorching des…”, sorry we watched Shrek on the way and I got a bit excited there.  The winds were crazy all the way through Kansas ans into OK.  We saw a family from Utah with their flipped over U-Haul truck and trailer.  I really hope they were okay, it looked pretty bad.

Once we woke up we headed on out of OK and into TX.  The temps were ranging from 90 to 99 the whole day with a nice blanket of humidity.  As we were leaving OK we passed many signs reminding me that “Jesus saves!” and “Jesus is the answer!”.  Thank you bible belt of America for that reminder that he is laughing at me and sending me on short bus to Heck (for my SLC friends I decided not to use the other word).  When we finally arrived at the lush hotel of Casa de Grandpa in Mansfield, TX, we decided it was time to sit and let Daddy relax some.  :-)  Yeah right, it was off to the pool and snacks to make Daddy more tired and fat.

While in TX I was reminded of the fact that the family there is much better off, financially, than I am.  I love everyone of them down there but man, when are they going to did for gas in my backyard?!?  I have to hand it to you Grandpa, you are The Man.  Let me explain to everyone where this comes from.  My Grandfather lives on the Barnet Shale in Mansfield, TX and Chesapeake Gas has paid many folks down there just to drill.  I think that is awesome for everyone down there, especially since I am in the Gas industry.  I mean I even saw the commercial that has Tommy Lee Jones endorsing the drilling down there.  That is awesome!

Well we spent about 4 days with the family in TX and had a wonderful time.  I was able to fix quite a few nagging IT issues for my Grandfather and my uncle Doug’s company so I made my mark in TX.  I figure if I mark my territory in each state I should be able to retire by the ripe old age of 75 or so.

Once we left it was off to home with a stop off in Wichita, KS for a night of sleep.  We arrive in KS and it is hot, muggy and it smelt like a really bad armpit.  You know, the ones on the bums on the 16th Street Mall asking for spare change.  PHEW!  We get checked in, all 5 kids and 2 adults into a single king size bed room.  Then the news starts talking about bad weather and possible tornadoes.  WHAT?!?  Then the sound comes from the alarm on the wall in the room…BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP, attention guests, the national weather service has advised us that a tornado warning has been placed on the county we were in.  Oh for crying out loud, which the 7 year old did since she thought we were all going to die.  Poor girl has been brain washed by her sisters to fear that thought of a tornado.  I love older sisters, especially since I was an only child and have no clue what it means to deal with siblings.  So the alarm goes off another 4 times or 6, I cannot remember now.  But finally all piece and quite until 7AM when the 3 year old demon woke up and pronounced to the world that it was time to wake the dead, that was me and the wife.  We pack up and hit the final 7+ hours on the road and finally make it back home.

Back home is when I realize that my sister-in-law and her husband, who were watching the pets while we were away did nothing but sleep in my bed, eat my food and leave and damn chia pet of hair on my shower wall.  Thanks.  So I decided since the yard was in need, I mowed it even though I was dead tired.  I got to the back yard and decided that the Amazon Forrest could wait a few more days.  In some parts it is like 10+ inches long.  UGH!

Well, work is coming Monday morning and I need to get some sleep.  I am sure that Travis is ready for his trusty fat side kick to come back and relieve him of some duties.

Good night all and sorry for the boring road trip post.

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