~Seattle~

Oh Seattle! I really wish that I could say I went there for pleasure, but no it was for business. The first day back from my wedding and honeymoon actually- go figure! I went to a leadership conference with KPMG (back before the job change) It was only an overnight stay, so not too bad. We had meetings throughout Monday and after the managers took us out to the ball game. We went to see the Seattle Mariners game. It was fun. We had meetings early the following day, and I had an afternoon flight. I, being the absent minded individual that I am, didn't verify the time of my flight... I texted my husband to check to see when it was. He said it was at 4:30. My meetings ended at about two-thirty or so (pacific time). The KPMG office is only 5 blocks from Pike's place and the Public Market. So I decided that I would walk on over there to sight see, then catch a cab back to the airport in an hour. I got to the pier and only spent about ten minutes there, being the googley-eyed spectator and taking a million pictures. I then got a text message from the husband asking if i was at the airport yet, or through security. I said no, why? I wrote back and said because your flight is at 4:30... MOUNTAIN time!! I looked at my phone and I hadn't realized the hour difference, I was only 45 minutes away from my flight! I then switched into crazy mode, dropped my camera in my purse and started running as fast as my feet (with cowboy boots) could carry me 5 blocks back to the office to get my briefcase, computer, and carryon bag! I wasn't even looking at the street crossing lights- I only glanced for oncoming traffic then ran across all intersections. I got back to the office, sweat running down my face, told the secretary to call me a cab and ran back out the door. The cab seemed to take FOREVER, but finally got to the building and asked, "Where to?" I said, "How fast can you get me to the airport, my flight leaves in 45 minutes!?" He looked at me and all he said was, "I can try." So he drove like a crazy person (in his gutless Prius, of course) and got me to the airport in 25 minutes. Still panicked I ran to the counter to check in. To my dismay they told me that I couldn't because it was within a half hour of take off... I begged! They called the gate agents... who told them that I could chance it, but they wouldn't hold the plane for me. So I ran to the security line-praying it wouldn't be long... LUCKY DAY! There were only three people in front of me... I then had to run (literally sprint) down 2 flights of escalators, jump on a tram, get off and sprint up 2 more flights of escalators and book it to the gate. I literally felt like I was straight from the scenes of Home Alone where there are furiously running through the airport, that was me. The gate agents saw me sprinting from a far, and yelled out at me... Are you Aubrey Bickmore?! I, huffing and puffing, responded yes! They said, you made it. Relieved, I literally got on the plane sat down, they closed the doors, and initiated take off! There I sat, panting, sweating, and shaking all out of my sheer stupidity... How did I do that? How did I not factor in the time zone change? Better yet, how lucky was I that I actually made it? Needless to say, when I got off the plane I called my new husband, to tell him I made it... he only shook his head in amusement when he picked me up. Only me, right? To my dismay my calves were sore for a week straight- I hadn't ran that fast or hard in a really long time!!

My Co-worker (from Boise) and I

My mimimal tour of the pier