After weeks of planning (yet keeping it all a surprise) Karen and I head to the airport. We stop for a quick snack and off we go. Since Karen had no idea what we were doing and is clearly having a hard time relinquishing control I felt I have done a good job surprising her!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We get on the plane and land without any issues! Get picked up by the bestie and head out for our first adventure! Dans super subs in the valley. If you have never been here go\u2026 not only great food, but the owners greet you with a smile and they always remember I\u2019m now from Oregon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Off to the salt room and ice cream. This was as relaxing as it could be. Remember the wifey still no idea what we are doing next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We arrive at the hotel next to the bowl and Karen\u2019s face lights up when she sees the sign for Hollywood Bowl parking. Really, she says, really – no way. I smile give kisses and love that she is happy. Secretly happy that I made it through the secret, hiding of facts, texting people I don\u2019t know and excited that we were going and not being able to share, but I did it and Karen was a good trouper!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We wake up and walked to Hollywood Blvd. to check out the stars and eat. Who knew Karen had never been to see this? Not I!!! We ordered food yet stepped outside to watch the partial eclipse. Funny \u201cbest place\u201d to see it was supposed to be Oregon, yet we had better view as no clouds! Thanks universe!!!! Our server, the hostess and even a nice older tourist walking by wanted to see yet they had no glasses. I shared, they smiled and wowed their way thru it! We ate and continued exploring after handing my glasses off to others who had no idea! It was a great start to a great day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We headed to the pool for a hot soak not only in the water but under the sun\u2019s rays. It felt good to be warm! Good to talk to some new friends and gooder (I know I know) to just be with each other!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was time\u2026. Time to get dressed in our hippy free flowing clothes, time to prepare for being around a lot of people, time to experience a concert of a lifetime!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our seats were the bomb thanks to someone I did not know who just wanted to share the love. I\u2019m glad we are now friends!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We sat, we ate, we met new neighbors we waited with anticipation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then something crazy happened but yet now we see orchestrated by the universe! Karen said she saw Ellen, so we jumped up to go look, just to be disappointed it was not her. We head back to our seats when Karen turned to me and said oh my F***** gd there she is for real! Without hesitation and frankly not knowing what the hell I was doing I walked up to Ellen\u2019s box seats leaned over apologized for interrupting and started talking. I handed her a sticker I made for the Brandi concert, thanked her for empowering me and others to live our lives free of feeling judged! I thanked Portia and pointed Ellen to show her my beautiful wife! This was empowering! It\u2019s a bucket list of mine to meet Ellen and though not sure she would agree I hope one day to do it again when I\u2019m not blabbering because of fear. Ellen smiled exchange words and unknowing allowed me to feel empowered once again! Go Ellen! Your presence is pure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to our seats with my head held high exclaiming I did it! I talked to Ellen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the show started. Brandi, Catherine, Brandi\u2019s wife, Allison Russell, Annie Lennox, and Joni Mitchell! Yup it all really happened! Words for peace and resolutions were spoken, comments reminding us of gay is ok and love is forever was shared and a safe place even for the evening was happening for us all, all 17,000 of us! Back to the people – I love all these people but Joni for me is always the epic clincher! She\u2019s the epitome of standing tall, spreading your message, and working hard as hell to come back from the brink of death. I mean if a soul could smile mine sure was! Karen\u2019s too I\u2019m sure hehe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We walked back to the hotel, talked about what had just happened how we felt, sharing our love for each other, and went off to dream land with a pretty good life moment high from a couple three hours in time where everyone and I mean everyone came together with a common purpose, listened to great music, inspire to be inspired, giggles, tears and empowerment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next morning started out like others\u2026 morning after great night out at the Bowl seeing Brandi, Lennox, and Mitchell. As we headed to the airport, I was so content after a beautiful weekend. But then the shit show started\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We got to the airport around 10:15 and found some decent breakfast. Our plane was to leave at 12:25 arriving around 2:00\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We waited patiently and started to board at 12:00 everything seemed normal!!!! Unfortunately, we were not sitting together and though apprehensive we were ready to go home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We sat on the plane for about an hour with no air conditioning- it was hot. The employees tried opening all doors for \u201cair flow\u201d but that did not work. They handed out water bottles to all (after an endless amount of dings from everyone pushing the service button\u2026 ding, ding, ding)\u2026.yet there was this scared energy coming from even the employees. The \u201cwater lady\u201d missed my neighbors hand it dropped and he was told to be more careful. not an apology, nothing but blame? WHAT!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, during this time the pilot came on telling us that only one A\/C was working, they were trying to get it fixed but we needed more gas in case we had to land anywhere else other than Eugene. He said 1 A\/C was ok (yet we were all already dripping in sweat), they would most likely be flying lower than normal because of these issues, so needed to wait for more gas, but the good news was we will miss the little bit of rain in Oregon\u2026. Wtf!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the announcement came we were cleared for takeoff. All I could think was should we get off, but I assumed they were right (mistake). My neighbor was confronted by the stewards about taking her picture rudely I might add. She said it was illegal yet when asked if he was doing it to complain about this situation, she said oh ok. Oiy!!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When taking off the plane felt like it was pulling a 10,000-pound parachute, one that was trying to stop us not help us. The air still not working, and you could cut the silence with knife, it was crazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not sure if it was 10-15 minutes into the flight, but the plane started turning, the pilot came on and said we were returning to Burbank as the plane was not pressurizing. No shit Sherlock the water bottles – those that you offered to us all were constricting in on themselves!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was frantic not gonna lie. I started crying, looked back at my wife for that beautiful smile of hers and then just sat stoically thinking ok, this is it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We descended faster than I ever remember, landed, and were told to debark. But without any concern, or apology or directions other than, if you choose to get your luggage you have to go back thru security. Ugh<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are told they need repairs. Hang tight and then a text and an email that 3:00 is our new departure time then 5:55.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We waited for hours watching technicians open motor doors, go up and down ramps, in and out of doors, yet nothing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We decided to call customer service around 5:00 ish to find out if another flight was available and we got booked on it for the next morning, most others did not (though found out they ended up on southwest). This flight the original way home was eventually cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What an ordeal, we were told we would be reimbursed $150 for hotel plus expenses. I thought $150 in Burbank to be back by 5:45 am – sure easy peezy. lol. We went across the street got a room and tried reconnecting and grounding. I barked a bit, then apologized and sleep it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I sit here on our new flight a day after originally expecting to be home, I am grateful for being alive, thankful for my wife\u2019s smile that got me through a \u201cscariest moment\u201d and am happy to be going home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, I also cannot help feeling mad that we were treated so abruptly, with little to no disregard to our safety until it was eminent. I am discouraged that after my wife posted this ordeal socially that a few took the time to say how horrible the airlines is rather than keeping their righteous thoughts to themselves and I am worried about the time and effort it\u2019s gonna take to fully get regrounded, and in touch with reality because admittedly my head is not in a good space!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moving forward I\u2019m not sure where I will start. Setting up for air bnbs I had to rearrange, reconnecting with the animals, eating something nutritious or just holding hands with my wife while sitting on a bench looking at the sunset no words but the power of touch and implied, I love yous!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think maybe it\u2019s time to remember that every day is a gift, every minute with loved ones should not be taken for granted and everyone I come in contact with deserves the same respect and happiness I urn for with a smile! I\u2019m gonna work on this and myself hoping that a week, a month or even a year in the future I remember this life provoking moment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A lot happened this weekend, mostly good, some not so much. But I guess what I want to remember is the loved shared, the empowering moments, the smiles exchanged and the motivation to make things work! I love me life, my wife, and those we choose to be around, engage with and learn from and with! I am thankful for it all! From the words of others and myself<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am thankful for my tribe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am thankful for love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am thankful for you and<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am thankful for me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My hope is to inspire, motivate, apologize, and learn from each and every day I have here on this planet in the body and with my hippy soul!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peace and happiness<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Natureheals\u00ae<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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