Chronicles Of Prague / Part 5

MORNING OF PANEL DISCUSSION

First, let me say, I slept late. After I got back to the hotel the night before, I took the plunge and grabbed a Pepsi(Damn, no Dr. Pepper) from the Mini-Bar( I know, I splurged, but I was in Prague; cut me some slack) and I took two Nyquil PLUS my prescribed cough medicine with the miracle cough suppressant codeine and I slept.

Wednesday morning, I availed myself to the complimentary breakfast buffet and then went to the shops next door to the hotel and bought a pack of cigarettes. The lady at the newsstand helped me with my Czech koruna or crowns currency. I had some coins and was trying to use a larger bill and she needed coins. She was nice and no, she didn't try to overcharge the "redneck" from Alabama.

A light snow was falling outside and I stood outside smoking and watching the morning pedestrian traffic.

I can't recall if I saw any of my fellow Bloggers Five that morning, but it was scheduled that we were having lunch together along with Robin Luymes and Dino Baskovic, the Panel Discussion moderator.

I decided to go take a shower and put on my suit.

Now, I have to tell you, the conference was "business casual"; which meant that a suit wasn't necessary. But, I NEEDED a new suit and this trip was a perfect excuse to go buy a new one. I remember while my wife and I were shopping for it, I kept joking with her that I wanted an "Amway suit"--blue suit, white shirt, red tie; the unofficial, or maybe even official, uniform of the "Amway Motivational Organizations". She, of course, threaten me with bodily harm at the suggestion.

Instead, I bought a dark, chocolate suit(modern cut, for you fashionistas)with a thin almost indistinguishable pin stripe. I wasn't happy with the cuffs. The tailor made them shorter than I was used to. (Something about "that" being the style) I'm used to a cuff that hits you past the wrists near the palm. That's probably very "eighties" of me. Anyway, I looked good. Trust me.


Anyway, I went back downstairs, wearing my new suit and my "David Robinson" name tag and saw the other bloggers talking. Somebody mentioned that "I clean up good". (Told ya that I looked good) I think I confused them when I asked them if they were "talking about Amway in Prague". I mentioned that Prague was the "Porn Capital" Of Europe; did anybody want to discuss that. Nobody seemed to want to change the subject, oh well, I guess I won't give you the actual link to Big Sister Dot Net.

Dino Baskovic and Robin Luymes joined us a bit later. I remember "Bridgett" asking Dino if he was tired or stressed. He seemed a bit harried.

Dino wanted to eat lunch with us and give us a little pre-panel discussion preparation.

Two things stuck out to me on the "prep".

Dino said that the conference attendees "get it" when it comes to the Internet; but the blogging phenomena and how Alticor was embracing it was new to them.

And we were told that the conference attendees REALLY wanted to hear our opinions.

This was not to be a "PR gimmick". Blogging, and what we had to say about it was important to these people.

Oh, and I guess one other thing stuck out. Dino was very worried about us eating lunch on time. The conference sessions had started on schedule for the entire conference; Dino didn't want to break the streak.

Robin Luymes told Dino to relax. Yes, the sessions had been starting on time, so if this one didn't, it'd be okay. Robin said, "We'll tell'em the bloggers had to eat!"

I thought, "Yeah, the bloggers have to eat. 'We be blogging', we be eatin'".

I still ended up leaving half my club sandwich(yeah, I opted for "American cuisine") on my plate.

NEXT UP! THE PANEL DISCUSSION!

"Sunday Thoughts"

"It's like, at the end, there's this surprise quiz: am I proud of me? I gave my life to become the person I am right now! Was it worth what I paid?"

--Richard Bach

Chronicles Of Prague / Part 4

The Bloggers 5

Tuesday afternoon I met ALL of the panelists that would make up the Bloggers 5 as Robin Luymes affectionately has coined us.

I knew that IBOFightback, Tex, myself, and someone named Big Apple would be present. Once in Prague, I learned a fifth blogger had been invited and had not received word of the invitation until late the week before. In fact, she acquired her passport only on the Friday before the conference. Her name was Bridgett and she is a frequent commenter on Inside Quixtar, The Real Quixtar Blog, and other blogs in the Opportunity Zone. All the invitees were Independent Business Owners affiliated with Quixtar or Amway.

We met in the hotel lobby, grabbed a couch, and a couple of chairs and began talking, comparing notes, debating the merits of Quixtar/Amway Tool Systems and getting involved in a few healthy arguments.



Rob Zeiger, Director of Amway Corporate Communications, stopped by our group to say "Hello" and to welcome us to Prague. Rob is responsible for the Alticor Media Blog as well as other corporate blogs. Rob is also the man responsible with inviting these bloggers to Prague.



Once he introduced himself, Bridgett's first words were, WERE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT BLOG ENTRY?! (I forget which one, but it was at Alticor Media Blog)

Rob took the question in stride, and I suggested to him after a few minutes and a barrage of questions, that he should probably "Step Away From The Bloggers!"

But, he was brave and stayed to talk with us for quite some time. We invited him to go to dinner with us but he was to attend another dinner with conference attendees. We had to keep reminding ourselves that there were a hundred or so Amway Corporate Communication staff attending this conference.

We also met Robin Luymes in the lobby, but we were destined to spend the evening with each other. And spend it, we did.

At the suggestion of "Big Apple", we went to a restaurant/pub around the corner from the hotel for dinner and more conversation.

"Big Apple" is a successful IBO with a strong retailing business and had arrived a day early in Prague. He appeared to me to be a seasoned traveler and had checked out the city the day before.

The restaurant, Celnici, was loud, boisterous, and perfectly Czech. I ordered the Goulash, a thick dark stew served with bread. It was delicious--once it was served.

QUICK TRAVEL TIP--Restaurant service may seem slow in the Czech Republic; but it is not meant to be rude. In fact, I learned it is considered highly hospitable. It seems that if don't order an appetizer, and your other table mates do. Then they are served first, and nothing else is brought out until that course is over. Each course is completely finished. No waiter will come after your plate in mid-bite or rush you to finish. It's not TGI Fridays.

Big Apple and IBOfightback ordered wine with dinner. Which brings me to a small rant.

All of the panelists invited were smart, entertaining, and interesting people. But I can't call them by name, except IBOFightback who was outed at another website and his identity revealed.

The reason I can't call them by name, is I was asked as a Blogger, not to report their true identities.

That's the reason their faces have black bars over them. That makes me mad. And they know it. The panelists were invited by Amway and Quixtar because of the authentic, truthful, and personal opinions that they give about Amway and Quixtar on the Internet. Their opinions were respected enough to be invited to speak to the global staff of a multi-billion dollar company. So why not, reveal their identities?

For Bridgett, it was due to professional reasons related to her "day-job". For "Big Apple", it was due to friction with his Line Of Sponsorship. For Tex, it was personal reasons.

Bridgett's "day-job" is highly interesting. Can't tell you about it.

Big Apple's name...can't tell you...But, there's a funny story about it, involving him ordering wine that directly relates to his personality.

Let's say he has a proper name, "Jonathan". We asked him if we could call him "Johnny" or "John". He said anything would be fine. But, at dinner, "Johnny" ordered wine with IBOFightback(David Steadson). After the wine arrived, "John" asked for a carafe, so the wine could breathe. As he related to David Steadson on the properties of the wine; Bridgett and I suddenly realized, he was, no doubt, "Jonathan".

But, all our personalities meshed. We talked, we ate, they ordered dessert, we talked some more. Dinner lasted at least 4 hours. I was tired. It was 12:30 and I was still sick and taking medication for a cough that would not stop.

I bid farewell to my dinner companions and walked back to the hotel. I hear that they stayed much longer after that.

Prague at night is beautiful. I stopped and looked out over the square where the restaurant was located. People walking, Trams passing by, the architecture of the old buildings illuminated by street lights; I knew I was 5000 miles away from Alabama, but I felt comfortable. It was a good first day.

Chronicles of Prague / Part 3

ARRIVING IN PRAGUE

The only countries I have ever had a real interest in traveling to were Australia and Scotland. I supposed that I would enjoy other places but I really never had that passion to see exotic ports of call.

But, I did have two travel fantasies that I wanted to fulfill at some point in my life; and they both came true at the Prague Ruzyne International Airport.


In case you didn't know; Passports, these days, have an electronic strip on the front page and airport personnel can scan them. This bothered me. I went through a lot to get my Passport at the last minute, and by golly, if I was going to be a foreign country, I sure as heck wanted somebody to physically get out their little "country stamper" and stamp my passport page with a country name. This finally happened at the Prague Airport.


My second travel fantasy involved a "driver". Being a performer, comedian, I had always imagined that at some point I would arrive in New York City or Hollywood and a car and a driver would be waiting for me. The driver would be holding a placard with my name, Mr. Dave Robison, on it. I would see the driver, identify myself and he would shake my hand, grab my luggage and whisked to the waiting automobile.

Thanks to some pre-arrangement, I had an English speaking driver that would accept US currency to meet Tex and myself to drive us to our hotel.

Both travel fantasies fulfilled inside of 30 minutes of each other. I could die a happy man. (It's the little things that please me)

A couple of things I did not pre-arrange--

I did not prearrange the snow that began to fall as Tex and I landed.

I did not prearrange having small US dollar bills to pay the driver. All I had was $100 dollar bills. I had spent my small bills on airport concessions. But, I gave Tex my remaining small bills and he made up the difference. (I still owe Tex, $27 dollars)

I did not prearrange taking a Valium before riding in a car driven by a young man named Petre, that thought he may be the Czech Republic's answer to Helio Castroneves.

But, Tex and I got a nice tour of Prague on the way to the hotel and did arrive safely despite Petre's attempts to mate his car's front bumper with several rear bumpers of other Czech drivers. And, I was finally allowed to smoke a cigarette in the car--a much needed cigarette, even though I had been wearing a nicotine patch for my flights.

The hotel, Marriott Prague, was worth the wait. We checked in and Tex went to explore.

I was pleasantly surprised to be handed a note at check-in from IBOFightBack welcoming me to Prague, (He had arrived about an hour earlier) and inviting me for a chance to meet and a drink in the hotel lobby after I had settled in.

I headed to my room to unpack my shirts and suit(Wife's orders) and to take a quick shower.

QUICK TRAVEL TIP: Electricity in the Prague Marriott is controlled by your key card. You have lights as long as your card is in the slot. Remove the card, and you have 20seconds before lights go out. This saves energy and prevents guests from leaving their room lights on when they exit.

I called IBOFightback's room and met him downstairs. We enjoyed some "Amway" conversation; but mainly non-business chat. One thing to note about IBOFightback--He has a "Thick" Australian accent. Don't let him tell ya otherwise. He's under the impression that since he hasn't lived in Australia in several years that it has dissipated. But if he doesn't have a "Aussie" accent then I don't have a "Southern" accent; and Ya'll know that ain't true!

I drank a slightly cool draft Czech beer. A little bitter for my taste, but not bad.
Mainly, IBOFightback filled me in on the roster of panelists showing up for the conference that I had not heard of.

After our conversation, I went upstairs to the meeting hall area and milled around and talked to a few Amway/Quixtar corporate people manning the "Welcome" table outside the conference room. I met a very nice lady, whose name has escaped me who gave me my "needed" name tag and she apologized profusely for adding that damn unnecessary "N" in my last name, but offered to make another name tag before the next day and my panel appearance. I told he not to worry about it; as long as it was correct on my check.

IBOfightback and I had arranged to meet in an hour or so back downstairs with the other bloggers; so I wandered around the hotel exploring and made my way outside on the street in front of the hotel and visited a couple of shops in the area.

It was going to be a long first day in Prague.

Chronicles Of Prague / Part 2

BLOGGER'S NOTE: I was suffering from bronchitis prior to my trip, and upon returning it was worse. That's a blog entry in itself, but I'm feeling somewhat better and will now continue the Prague series.

MEETING TEX

Tuesday Morning I arrived in Amsterdam with a layover that was to last several hours. Amsterdam is a huge airport that seems to be constantly under construction.

QUICK TRAVEL TIP: The descent into Amsterdam is a slow steady descent in stages. (probably due to air traffic) The entire descent takes about 30 minutes and if you suffer from any sinus condition, the wait can be painful and your hearing may become non-existent. Depending on your condition, things will not return to normal for some time after being on the ground.

The airport shopping areas are huge and diverse. Food, Merchandise, and Currency Exchangers are plentiful. In the market for a Cartier watch or diamond ring? Then this is the place to shop while you wait for your connection.

I wasn't interested in shopping, I was excited that I would be meeting frequent blog commenter and fellow panelist, Tex. We would be flying on the same flight from Amsterdam to Prague.

As I wandered around my Gate area, I passed Tex several times. Being at a disadvantage at not knowing what Tex looked like, I still couldn't help noticing this tall--tall guy also walking around. Objectively...he was a young looking, attractive guy with a a carry on bag. Luckily, I have no shame and have my photos plastered all over the Internet and Tex finally recognized me, even after my overnight flight disheveled look.

He caught my eye and asked, "Dave?"

Tex?

We shook hands and exchanged the usual "How was your flight?" pleasantries and began talking like new friends.

Any assumptions that readers of Tex may have of what he might be like in person; let me just put them to rest. HE'S A NICE GUY.

A family man, a guy with a good job, and a man with a life outside of his message about Quixtar and Amway tool systems. Also, he's pretty damn funny with some good stories about his life. The time at the airport passed quickly.

We finally got our boarding call and went through a Passport check and I thought we were boarding the plane. Instead we boarded a bus and began a drive to our airplane. Remember when I told you about the construction at Amsterdam Airport? Well, we got to see it all, as the bus maneuvered through a maze of barricades, netting, and equipment towards the KLM tarmac.

Tex remarked, "Maybe they're just driving us to Prague?"

We disembarked the bus, and headed over to our plane and up the steps. I found my seat and settled in for the hour flight to Prague and a little rest before all the activity of the conference was to begin.

Then I heard Tex's voice a few seats behind me talking to another passenger.

"Would you mind trading seats with my friend up there, so we could sit together?. He has an aisle seat, too."

Then an attractive woman says to me, "Would you like to switch seats?"

Now, I had no problem sitting with Tex; but I had already settled into the cramped seat and I didn't want to cause an inconvenience to the lady and I suppose I hesitated just a tick, before answering. Then I hear Tex(along with everyone around me) say,

"Well, I guess I should have said, MY REAL GOOD friend"

Everyone laughs, and I make a big deal by saying, "Oh wow, if he's gonna say REAL GOOD friend, I guess I should sit with him.

The lady and I make the switch and Tex and I settle in for more pleasant conversation about Quixtar, motivational tools and the upcoming conference.

Needless to say, the trip passed by quickly.

Chronicles Of Prague / Part 1

I didn't take a laptop with me on my recent trip to the Czech Republic and I didn't want to take advantage of anyone there with a laptop as access was expensive. So, I now will recount the trip for you over the next several blog entries.

ON MY WAY

Monday afternoon, My wife took me to Mobile Regional Airport. We arrived about two hours ahead of my departure as was recommended for international flights. Of course, Mobile Airport is a mere hub and while there were many travelers, it probably wasn't necessary to arrive so early.

I checked my luggage and received my boarding passes for all my connecting flights. One problem at "check-in": my Last Name. Alticor had purchased my ticket and had misspelled my name--RobiNson instead of Robison. Not a big deal, except that my Passport would not scan "approval" because of the spelling difference. A quick note written on the Airline computer and my electronic ticket and the problem was solved.

I kissed my wife good bye, grabbed a last cigarette, and headed to Security. I breezed through their check, waited about a half hour and boarded the plane to Memphis. Mobile to Memphis--51 Minutes.

QUICK TRAVEL TIP--Memphis International Airport has designated smoking areas. Smoking is allowed inside Maggie O-Shea's which is located in Terminal B before security and inside the Blue Note Cafe which is located in the A/B passenger connector just beyond the B security checkpoint. Smoking is not allowed on the patio.

I had almost two hours at Memphis before flying through the night to Amsterdam, but by the time I grabbed something to eat and a quick smoke, There was already a line for boarding. The diversity of people leaving Memphis, Tennessee to Amsterdam was interesting; from "rednecks" and good ole boys like myself, to business people and others carrying various forms of international papers and identification.

I was pleasantly surprised to board an Airbus jet owned by Northwest. Airbus parent company, EADS recently won a major military contract to make refueling tankers in Mobile, Alabama. It was going to be cool to ride one of their products.

With comfortable seats, a full in-flight entertainment system including video games, and a roster of about 20 current and classic on-demand videos; we took off into the night. I enjoyed a fairly okay plate of pasta, a showing of "No Country For Old Men"(terrible ending), and some conversation with my seat mate.

I then closed my eyes and settled in as the plane continued on into the night for an additional 5000 ground miles towards Amsterdam.

To Renee

"I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you"

Happy "I LOVE YOU" Anniversary, Renee!

"Sunday Thoughts"

"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you.""

Gospel of Luke 24:30-36 (New International Version)

In The Air With Dave / Off To Prague

Bags are packed, Passport in hand, film in the camera, and butterflies in my stomach.

Today I fly to Prague, Czech Republic.

I'll be gone until Friday, but I'll try to check in here at "On The Road With Dave" and let you know what's going on.

Oh, the butterflies? Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid to fly. I'm afraid of "taking off" and landing. Once, I'm in the air; I'm fine.

Plus, I have a layover in Amsterdam--They tell me Amsterdam has stuff that can take care of anxiety...hmmmmmm.

"Sunday Thoughts"

"May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you."


--Irish Blessing

"Jsem z USA" (I Am From The USA)

Odkud jste?

If you click the link above; you'll hear a very nice lady from the Czech Republic ask you, "Where Are You From?"

On March 18th through March 20th, I look forward to replying, "Jsem z USA" (pronounced poorly by me as something like "Semz USA"--or "I Am From The USA"

Four years ago, I began blogging at "On The Road With Dave" with the hopes of gaining a small readership of people interested in Quixtar, Multi-level Marketing, and my attempts at getting back into comedy.

For about 3 years, my blog content was directed more at my personal life, network marketing, blogs, and at interests that fulfilled my self-described status as a Renaissance man. In the past year, more things comic-related fill my entries.

Consistency in writing has proven to be the biggest benefit of blogging. I think I have grown as a writer on a wide variety of topics. This consistency has been noticed by a wide range of people.

Case in point: On March 17th, I'll be winging my way overseas to appear on a panel of bloggers for Alticor Corporation in Prague, Czech Republic. Their communications and PR staff will be picking my brain and other bloggers for ideas on increasing their "personal" factor on the "Internets" via blogging. (At least, that's my focus)

Alticor tells me, "With your experience and strong opinions about what works and what doesn't in messaging to and with bloggers, the discussion...should be lively and informative."

"Lively" may be an understatement, as I have learned the cast of panelists involved.

Consultant Dino Baskovic will introduce the discussion with short presentation on the topic of blogging. Dino is a consultant for Alticor. His firm, 36Hours is the designer for the Alticor Media Blog.

Dino also teaches at Lawrence Technological University and owns Vincena.

Leading the panel in discussion will be Quixtar's own, Robin Luymes. Robin is Manager for Quixtar Public Relations and author of the Real Quixtar Blog.

Though not directly comedy-related; I'd like to think that my "uniqueness" as a comedian had something to do with my selection by the corporation to appear among the other bloggers.

I'll be appearing with a cast of bloggers known to some "OTRD" readers and their intensity of focus may need a little levity.

First on the list is the author of The Truth About Amway and Quixtar. Known for years, by the pseudonym "Insider" Or "IBOFightBack"

"Insider" was a long-time commenter at Quixtar Blog and Quixtar Blog Forum and at other Amway and Quixtar-related Blogs. Recently he was "outed" by Quixtar-critic, Scott Larsen. "Insider" now confirms his identity as David Steadson. I must say, I'm glad.

Second on the list is known to me only as a Pseudonym, BIG APPLE. BA is a commenter on the Alticor Media Blog. I don't know much about BA, except his comments seem intelligent and helpful. I have no other links for him/her, but hope to have more after the conference.

The third panelist is known by all Quixtar and Amway related bloggers as simply, TEX. Thanks to me, Tex even has his "own" blog, "Tex's Quixtar Blog". Tex is passionate and prolific in the comments section of all the Alticor corporate blogs as well as Quixtar-critic blogs. His position is decidely "pro" for Alticor and passionately negative towards Lines of Sponsorship leaders known as "kingpins"

Finally; little ole "Dave Blogwriter", rounds out the panel. I'll be doing the same thing I've been doing the past 4 years here at "On The Road With Dave--offering my opinion, finding common ground, suggesting solutions, and listening to feedback. I think that's the ultimate importance in blogging.

My goal is to blog from Prague(that rhymes) after the conference. If that's not possible, I'll be taking notes and offering several days of review of the conference after I return home. One interesting thing comes to mind already. After this conference...more identities will be revealed. This has to mean that the panelists see this conference as so important that it negates their desire to remain anonymous. I think that says a lot about their passion.

I'm only fretting over the long plane ride without the comfort of my Marlboros and I'm a little anxious about getting ripped off by currency exchangers and cabbies; but these fears are subsided when I look at my accommodations at the Marriott Prague and the fact that the corporation as already requested my "services rendered" invoice and W-9 so they can send me my check.

And who knows, I may tell a few jokes while I'm there.

"Sunday Thoughts"

"When you think about flying, it's nuts really. Here you are at about 40,000 feet, screaming along at 700 miles an hour and you're sitting there drinking Diet Pepsi and eating peanuts. It just doesn't make any sense."

--David Letterman

Dave Joins Passport

Remember that defunct Multi-Level Marketing company called Passport?

Yeah, I didn't join that.

What I did do is; I joined those people that are able to travel out of the country. I got my own Passport.

It was an ordeal.

I found out about two weeks ago that I would have to travel out of the United States. There were a few problems, though.

The travel plans were within three weeks AND I had no Passport.

Acquiring a Passport normally takes 3-6 weeks provided you have all the paperwork handy. Well, I have moved several times in the past 5 years and I could not find my birth certificate proving I was born the poor son of Sharecropper parents in the state of Mississippi in the good "ole" USA. To get a birth certificate would require about 2 weeks through normal channels. But, I only have two weeks to get my Passport.

So, I have to pay extra to have the birth certificate expedited, so I can then pay extra to get my Passport expedited.

Last Monday, I call in to the "birth certificate folks" and give them a credit card number and I'm told "3-5 days"; which is cutting it close for my Passport--but good luck, karma, and the "will of the gods" has my birth certificate in my hot little hands the next day. (Bureaucrats can work fast, when you are nice to them)

Then the wife and I make a trip over to New Orleans to the District State Department division and hand them all the paperwork and some more extra money. We are told we can have my Passport in about 4 hours.

So, we go eat lunch and walk around the French Quarter. (Not a bad deal when you think about it)

At 4:30, we are headed back to Mobile, Al; and I am "legal" to travel the world.

I'll fill you in on the details of the impending trip later on in the week, but suffice it to say that now "On The Road With Dave" will be on a few international roads very soon.

"Sunday Thoughts"

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money."

--Susan Heller