My trip to Arkansas (or Mecca)...

So, I participated with the security detail for the Board of Director's meeting for WM. My job for most of the week was anti-climatic. The team I helped was the Executive Protection Support Team. Executive Protection handles personal security for Executives and Board Members. The Support team helps them, primarily with drivers. So, their were 6 drivers and 2 command post workers. The command post was set up in the hotel where the Board members stayed and was the base of operations. I was one of the two that manned the command post. Since I was the FNG (military will get this immediately), I was the one watching it over nights. 6pm to 6am. I know, sucks. Although, I had to have been the highest paid night watchman in the entire country that week. Our job was to help coordinate the drivers movements and document them. We were also responsible for manning the IP phone system set up in the hotel for the members. Plus, all the little things that needed to be done. Not too bad if you worked during the days. Absolutely boring if you work at night. And for someone like me who likes to be on the move when I am at work, it was killing me.

On the up side, I did get to meet a lot of people and most of the board members, to include Sam's son and current Chairman. He was exactly as I expected. Not very flashy, very personable and very intelligent. I have worked for the company now for 13 years and this was the first time I have met a member of the "family". It was a great experience for that alone.

I was also able to attend the Shareholder's meeting (more like a concert mixed with the occasional meeting items) on Friday. I was attached to the security detail that escorted the Board Members in and out of the arena. They had great seats (in front of the stage to the right) and I was able to sit behind them during the meeting. Probably the best seat I will ever get at the meeting. Unless, of course, I ever land an executive job...might happen...just saying.

So, in between pesky business stuff...we had several performances. Ben Stiller was the host. He was extremely funny (his first joke was "man, you guys get up early (meeting started at 7am)...Target is still a sleep". That got a great response from the crowd) and I think he was really excited to be there. I don't think he has ever experienced something like that before. In between his on stage parts he would come down to the tunnel right next to where I was sitting. He was taking pictures of Miley's and Smokey's performances. He is also a fairly short dude. I saw Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (for you who don't know they are members of the band called Kiss). Apparently, they are serious share holders. Gene, is NOT a small dude. Actually, he is a VERY tall man. To the performances...First was some Latin singer. She sounded OK, but she was smoking hot. The Latin American Associates really enjoyed her performance, especially the new associates from Chile. Close seats paid off here. Then Kris Allen (American Idol winner) performed. Good, little guy. Then Miley Cyrus performed. Close seats paid off again. She is entirely to hot to be only 16. I actually feel ashamed for even saying that. She was very good, however. Then Michael Jordan made an appearance. And the final act was Smokey Robinson. Not really my thing, but was good. His last song was a duet with Kris Allen. Which is what set up my claim to fame, which is I about "took out" the American Idol winner. Yes, sadly it is true.

My assignment after the meeting was to trail the board members who were being escorted through backstage to a back door that takes them directly to their bus. I was also charged with carrying the Sr Liaison to the Board's (Mike) bag. Big and heavy. I was some distance behind the board members trying to catch up. When out of nowhere one of Smokey Robinson's band members cut across straight in front of me. In my effort to dodge him and step out of his way, my right shoulder and the very heavy bag hits Kris Allen. Now Kris is a little guy. This moved him and I don't mean in an emotional way. The ironic part was Kris immediately apologized to me. Why I have no idea, because it was clearly my fault. I immediately told him "No, no...it was my fault...I apologize." I think he is really a nice guy. We'll see how long that lasts in show business. I kind of wished I had run into Miley. I would have asked for her autograph for Abby.

I can't help but think I have wasted my claim to fame. Oh well....

All in all, it was a good experience. However, I will not be doing it again. It put me way to far behind in my real job and I am way to high of a pay band to be doing that job. The company could have saved money by having a store APA or equivalent do that job. Apparently, my boss agreed because he told me this week not to do that assignment anymore. I was happy because it gave me an "out".

Well, until the next post, which will probably be June 25. That is my official anniversary. I will have been in Texas for a year and will be an Official Texan...Long live the Republic... lol.

That's funny...I don't care who you are.....