October, 1994 (continued): A few days after my nasty brush with Kenny Loggins, I landed in Topeka, Kansas, where I conducted THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MANAGEMENT and AIR PERSONALITY PLUS+ for Harriet Lange and the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.
Harriet and I had a fascinating encounter with the audio-visual company that was supposed to provide the equipment. But it would take too much explaining to tell the story here. (Ask Harriet about it.)
The Kansas seminars were on a Wednesday and Thursday, and on Saturday I would speak in Chicago. Ordinarily, on Friday I would have flown from Topeka to Chicago. This time, however, I flew back home Thursday night and left for Chicago on Friday morning… accompanied by my five-year old son, Matthew. I had promised him I’d try to find a trip to take him on, and this one worked out perfectly.
Wally Gair had engaged me to conduct THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MANAGEMENT for the Illinois Broadcasters Association Convention on Saturday. I’d be speaking for three hours, in the afternoon. My oldest friend, Evan (whom I’ve known since the age of 12) lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Evan and his 14 year-old son, Tyler (whom I still remembered primarily as an 11-month old), drove the three hours to Chicago and took care of Matthew during the seminar. They went to the zoo while I conducted the seminar, and by all accounts none of them missed me.
The convention was held at a fancy golf resort, and the restaurant had a child’s menu…which meant that with every meal, Matthew had french fries. Which meant he was in heaven.
We chased the geese that inhabit the club’s grounds, Matthew hit a golf ball, Matthew played board games with Evan and Tyler (Evan’s family loves board games), we played pinball machines, Matthew and I had a couple of great pillow fights. It was a great weekend.
Thinking that everyone in Chicago spends their time chasing geese, playing golf & pinball, eating french fries and having pillow fights, Matthew summed up the trip by saying, “I LOVE Chicago!”
Next Week: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles learns an expensive lesson in Customer Service.
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Doesn’t sound so much like a “travel woe”, but rather a cherished memory with your son. 🙂