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Dec. 17th Happy to stay Down on the Ground (for 3 weeks)
TAKEAWAY: This is my official last day of work (should I say, travel?) for 2009, and I get ready for a little Down on the Ground time with the family.
Although I have not yet seen it (it is right up there with my list of movies to see during the holiday break——especially Nine, the musical!), many of my friends write me about the George Clooney hit Up in the Air—the story of a high flyer with all kinds of perks from the airline he favors, and all kind of adventures in the air, at hotels, and as he goes from city to city.
I am curious to see how George does it, and if he can share any tips. In fact, my good friend Ron Reason saw the movie a few days ago and sent me a note that read:“ Well, Mario, I don’t know what the big thing is about the character of George Clooney in Up in the Air, who constantly moves from city to city and whom the airlines adore. This is you, absolutely, and you probably fly more often and longer distances. And, yes, the George character does not have a life outside his first class travel, while you do.“
Indeed, I do, and in the next three weeks I hope to enjoy more of it.
Today I conclude my work travel schedule for 2009, having flown over 1,3 million miles——mostly on Lufthansa, which does treat me well and allows me its HON Circle status and the treatment that comes with it, especially the use of the HON Circle lounges in Frankfurt and Munich which are the closest thing to a 10-star Nirvana, complete with private limo service to and from the planes. The food in the lounge is superior to that you will find in many five-star restaurants, the personal concierge will make sure your every wish is taken care of, and, not too long ago, I had a close connection between flights, so immigration/customs MET me at the plane, took me through and I made my connection. Special? You bet. So, you see, George, such treatment is not reserved just for movie stars.
However, in spite of such enoyable and exclusive tender loving care, which we all appreciate, there is nothing like the comforts of home—-and I am so looking forward to my return to Villa Tortuga (this is what we call my house, as there were many native Florida turtles “living” right behind my house, next to the Hillsborough River in Tampa, Florida). Just the thought of unpacking and putting away the suitcases for three weeks is one of life’s joys; not to mention that I put away my winter gear (welcome to sunny Florida), and can do my daily runs in shorts and a tank top around the golf course in Temple Terrace, or perhaps go and see the sunsets on Belleair Beach, over the Gulf of Mexico, while sipping Veuve Clicquot.
Add to that my kids and 10 grandkids (#11 will make his entrance in 2010) and you get the picture. This weekend it is Disney World with my daughter and her family.
Of course, in today’s work environment work never truly stops. Clients will be at the office until five hours before Christmas, and that means questions, emails and pdfs will keep coming from around the world, but I will check all of this while sitting in my chaise lounge looking at the exotic birds in the backyard, or perhaps keeping eye contact with one of the alligators who sit to take the sun behind the deck of my house.
Time to recharge the batteries, to wrap Christmas presents, and to prepare for 2010.
Stay tuned. I will probably blog less regularly, but we can still have our rendezvous here in the days ahead.
Here is the deck behind Villa Tortuga—the place I call home—an environmentally protected area that is my backyard, complete with exotic birds, many species of turtles, and, yes, alligators that come and sit peacefully by the edge of the HIllsborough River, taking the sun.
TheMarioBlog post #442
Posted by Dr. Mario R. Garcia on December 17, 2009
Comments
A Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year to you and your family!
Posted by Alexandre Giesbrecht on 12/17 at 7:43 AM
Tenga un merecido descanso maestro. Tuve la suerte de conocerlo en el Poynter en el año 2002, con el seminario que usted dirigía. Ese evento cambió mi vida profesional y fue el impulso para desarrollar mis habilidades en el diseño periodístico.
Bendiciones
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Posted by
on 12/17 at 8:24 PM
It’s sound really good that you are going to spend some time with your family and it should be. Its our responsibility. Happy Christmas and enjoy your self.
Posted by underfloor heating on 12/18 at 12:13 AM
You’re really thankful for this post, I’ve been really enjoying reading it. some people dont find time to spend with family.
Posted by document destruction on 12/18 at 1:35 AM
I never ever have enjoyed any of my accomplishments to the extent that I should. I have 3 recent accomplishments (big by my yardstick) and yet happiness eludes me. At best, I find myself at the midlife which divides happiness and sadness. How can I stay happy and learn to enjoy each moment of my life?
myspaceprofile New year
Posted by myspaceprofile Newyear on 12/21 at 4:58 AM
I’m all about getting off road and into the dark timber. Check out the 44 Mag S&W 629, lightweight, constructed with scandium allow, I think you will trade in that 357 before your next trip.
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Posted by markjames on 12/21 at 9:58 PM
The old is gold concept still exist in the market and the classic sets some time cost more then the existing model of the particular company.
Posted by ais blueprint review on 12/30 at 6:30 AM
Lufthansa is my favorite company,especially their service.
Posted by green laser pointer on 01/01 at 2:01 AM
I call home—an environmentally protected area that is my backyard, complete with exotic birds, many species of turtles, and, yes, alligators that come and sit peacefully by the edge of the HIllsborough River, taking the sun.
Posted by Travel Ins on 01/05 at 2:53 AM
I really appreciate for providing such wonderful information. Greatly written indeed. I really enjoyed your article and found it to be very informative, keep up the good work, I’ll be coming back to read more your articles.
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Thanks! for the awareness about the internet scam as it will be benefited in the future securities.
Posted by laser teeth whitening on 01/06 at 6:57 AM
Halfway through this movie I considered it an 8 out of 10 and decently spent money. The second half came as a big surprise. George Clooney let go of all his suave and let his eyes show fear and isolation that real people feel.
There were two things going on in this movie. On one end, we were looking at the people getting fired. On the other end, we were seeing the problems with Ryan’s way of life. The interviews at the end with the people who lost their jobs explaining that it was family and support that brought them through bad times hit a perfect note for bringing both parts of the story together.
Posted by Sheer curtain on 01/07 at 6:34 AM
Thanks for such wonderful information.
Posted by Valentines Day Gift Voucher on 01/07 at 10:44 PM
That the unique thing.
Posted by Surfers paradise on 01/09 at 4:29 AM
I like where you live. Splendid
Posted by Malaysia Insider on 01/09 at 4:46 AM
I’m all about getting off road and into the dark timber.
Posted by Galileo thermometers on 01/12 at 4:20 PM
“Well, Mario, I don’t know what the big thing is about the character of George Clooney in Up in the Air, who constantly moves from city to city and whom the airlines adore. This is you, absolutely, and you probably fly more often and longer distances.“
If you travel more often and further than George Clooney in “Up in the Air” then you are truly a busy man!
Posted by Airport Recruitment on 01/13 at 11:27 AM
nice place! i really liked it.
Posted by Albüm indir on 01/14 at 12:20 PM
The place is really wonderful:)))))))
And to live in, I think, it’s already a piece of guarantee that you’ll be healthy.
With my best regards to You
Posted by Kamyanets on 01/18 at 6:35 AM
Wow. I am really interested in this article. As I said earlier, or implied, I spent a period of the 70s seeking ecstatic experiences in literature, and believe I achieved it a couple dozen times. One of the indicators was uncontrollable weeping, of the pleasurable variety. Now I don’t actually know how unusual this is, maybe many people experience it regularly when they read Nietzsche or Rilke. I am certain that many artists achieve the state, and it is likely just a matter of degree of intensity. I also don’t know how valid it was, whatever that means, or if it was pathological. If pathological that could be interesting in itself, considering the “situational framework” mentioned above.
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Miami is a city that is rife with an abundance of limo services all positioned to work for you. Like most big cities Miami has more than its fair share of limo services; however unlike other big cities Miami is particularly known as a party city so you have the potential to find even more extravagant limousines than you would in other cities.miami limousine
Posted by miami limousine on 01/19 at 5:01 AM
Home is always where our heart is. No matter where we go, home is still what we longed for at the end of the day. And for this holiday season, home is again the first place in our hearts.
Posted by hampers on 01/21 at 11:05 AM
Thanks for this post. it’s really good.
Posted by Canna Baksana on 01/21 at 2:42 PM
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Dr. Mario R. Garcia
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Awesome place where you live. Such green places are good for healh and better for considaration.