Back in Texas

I’ve been in the City of Bartlesville, OK for the week, but I am back now. I had to attend a training session there on TotalFlow. TotalFlow is a remote measurement and automation system made by the fine folks of ABB. They have a huge location in Bartlesville, OK. So I went there for the training.

I had a 2 hour lay over in Dallas, which was supposed to be an hour. So that kind of upset me. Then, upon getting the rental car and driving to Bartlesville to the La Quinta hotel, I experience something weird.

I pull up to the hotel, which boasts a huge sign reading “Bartlesville’s newest and best hotel”. My first thought was “sweet”. Then I made an observation of the parking lot. I noticed not a single vehicle. I also observe that there are no lights on. It is approximately 9:30 PM by the time I get there, so it is dark, and I expected to see a few lights.

As I pull up under the arrival area, I notice the two glass doors are propped open. I see a single candle burning at the reception desk. I thought to myself, “Self, this is odd”. I told my wife I had arrived and I would call her back after I found out what was going on and when I got a room.

I entered the hotel, and found no one at the reception desk. I shouted a friendly “Hello?”, and no one answered. I noticed it was very dark, and hot. I decided I would look around for someone. I walked into what seemed to be a waiting area or foyer to find a circle of candles burning on a small table. Again, I thought to myself “Self, this is odd”. I shouted another friendly, yet deeper, more manly “Hello!?” No answer.

Standing there observing the area, I could only think that I might have just walked into some freak crime scene. So, I made one more look around the room and made my way out, while trying to notice anything else out of the ordinary. Ordinary, I’m in Oklahoma for God’s sake….what is normal here. LOL

I get back to the car, call up the wife to find she has even tried to call the hotel. Though this would have been while I was in the hotel, I heard no phone ring. She told me no one answered. I old her what I had observed. We both agreed that it was “weird”.

Tired and hungry, I decided I had better get something to eat and find another hotel for the night. Class starts at 8AM, and I did not want to be late.

Finding a Chinese Buffet, one of my favorite dining facilities, I went in got a styrofoam full of food to go and did my best to communicate wit the guy about where another hotel might be. He pointed me to the south and said La Quinta. I told him no, and tried to explain to him they are not “open”. He said to me, “then you drive this way – you find another – I sure”. LOL OK, thanks.

I found a Hampton Inn. Got a room, smoking, which I thought I could deal with for the night. Wow, it stunk. After being in it for a while, the noticeable smell went away.

The next day at the ABB complex, I learned that several of us had experienced the same “odd” thing at the La Quinta. Everyone had found other hotels for the week. I also learned that La Quinta had a transformer blow at approximately 7PM that evening. Sucks for them I guess.

The school was great. Learned plenty, and met some really nice people. I was highly impressed with ABB’s way of doing things, and the over all atmosphere there. The people were extremely laid back while at work. We covered the setup, calibration, programming, and maintenance of the TotalFlow units. Using the newest software they had. Which I learned was way ahead of where we are at Salt Creek. LOL

The facility is all housed in one huge building. Everyone from the top dogs, to packing and shipping is there. We got an official tour of the place on the final day. Very impressive on the way the manage quality control. Wish every company took that much pride in what they build, or do.

While there, I enjoyed a great iChat via video with my wife and son every evening. It was nice to see and talk to them instead of the old chat or holding the phone to your ear. Kade, is a little confused by the iChat though. Now when I call Jace on her cell, he tries to look at the phone to see me.

I could not wait to get back home though. It was nice to see Jace and Kade waiting for me at the big Lubbock International when I arrived. They were both glad to see me, as was I to see them.

So, yes, it is no secret that I don’t care for Oklahoma, and I did not hold back the little jokes while there. We were taken out to eat at a steak house for lunch the last day. Ms. Jeanie, and ABB employee whom I corresponded with via email to setup the attendance of the class, went with us.

Ms. Jeanie is a quick one, been there, done that, kind of lady. She popped off something to the fact that “crap rolls down hill”….meaning toward Texas. I told her that is why we had God put the Red River there….to catch it all and wash it over toward Arkansas. LOL Then I preceded to tell her, while we were looking at a map, of how it looks to me like Texas is holding Oklahoma up, heck for that matter supporting most of the US. I missed my chance to tell her Texas has not fell off into the gulf because Oklahoma “sucks”. LOL Wished I had though. We were getting some good laughs out of it all.

The fellas from Nigeria, and Wyoming were really getting a kick at how quick we were to respond ot one another. LOL It was a good time.

We also made observations of the people in the class. We had the guy from Wyoming, who had a really odd accent, and was super nice. The two from Nigeria, who for some odd reason sounded as if they were from England instead. Why is that usually the case? – We had two from Mississippi, and were Exxon hands, typical. I know a few Exxon hands, and it was par for the course on the profile.

One of the Exxon hands was in his mid 50’s, and the other around his mid 20’s. They both had the typical Exxon attitude. Whine, piss, and moan about everything. It was funny to observe that. Anyone who knows and Exxon hand, retired Exxon hand, or ex-Exxon hand – knows what I am talking about. Just a funny observation made.

We had a girl from East Texas there. Her accent could not hide where she was from. Come to find out she was from around Mount Enterprise currently, but grew up in the Henderson area. Small world. We both decided I had probable arrested someone she knew. LOL

Then there was the older fella who sat beside me from around Amarillo. He did not like computers, so I did most of his work on the computer for him while he observed.

We all shared stories of the job, and of our families, which were helpful and funny. So it made for a decent week.

I am now certified on the TotalFlow, and it is all because of the great instructors at ABB. Steve and Colby. I look forward to training with them again – even if I have to go back to Oklahoma.