Stop #15: Oklahoma City, OK
Initially, our whole family was a little bummed about stop #15. The original plan for OKC was to spend an extended weekend with a ton of dearly loved people at our annual family reunion. But, that was cancelled due to COVID. Fortunately, we were able to salvage a little family time with my OKC-dwelling aunt and uncle. So, of all the stops on the Struggle Bus Tour, this was the stop our kids were most looking forward to...because this particular aunt and uncle (and their kids) happen to be some of our favorite people on the planet.
That said, all 10 of us were glad to be in OKC. As we unloaded our bags and walked into our hotel, we became even more glad to be in OKC. Why? We were met with this sign.
This filled my mind as soon as I read the sign.
The situation was instantly better than I could have ever imagined. Scattered throughout the hotel were Irish jig dancers practicing their craft in the various hallways and open spaces of the hotel. Pure entertainment. As the elevator arrived and the doors began to slowly slide open, we were treated to the dance of a kid whose legs were flailing about as if independent from her body. (Pop quiz: What show did I steal that line from? Bonus: What episode?) I think she tapped out 792 steps in the 2.7 seconds it took for the elevator doors to fully open. Amazing. I wish COVID hadn't prevented us from riding the elevator with these dancers. It would've been the most entertaining elevator ride our family had ever taken together. Alas.
After a good night's sleep, we gathered up our things and headed downstairs to jump into our van. We weren't prepared for what awaited us.
Here, a socially-distanced Irish Jigster.
There, a socially-distanced Irish Jigster.
Everywhere, a socially-distanced Irish Jigster.
The hotel was overrun with Jigsters. Even better: now, all the jigsters were all costumed-up, adorned in quite possibly the loudest fashions and hairdos possible. (Full disclosure: I have no idea whether or not "jigster" is a real word.) Careese and I may or may not have snuck our kids in, one-by-one, to watch portions of the competition that was going on in one of the hotel event rooms.
Wait. Is it "snuck?" Or, is it "sneaked?" I never know. Either way, after surreptitiously watching a few fantastic performances, we headed out to breakfast at my aunt an uncle's house. We arrived about half an hour later than planned. The fact that we were only half an hour late on a morning when "Day-long Irish Jig Competition" presented itself as an option is evidence of what truly remarkable people my aunt, uncle, and 3 cousins are and how much we value them.
This seems like a good place to interrupt this post with more Irish dancing. So, here you go.
After a good night's sleep, we gathered up our things and headed downstairs to jump into our van. We weren't prepared for what awaited us.
Here, a socially-distanced Irish Jigster.
There, a socially-distanced Irish Jigster.
Everywhere, a socially-distanced Irish Jigster.
The hotel was overrun with Jigsters. Even better: now, all the jigsters were all costumed-up, adorned in quite possibly the loudest fashions and hairdos possible. (Full disclosure: I have no idea whether or not "jigster" is a real word.) Careese and I may or may not have snuck our kids in, one-by-one, to watch portions of the competition that was going on in one of the hotel event rooms.
Wait. Is it "snuck?" Or, is it "sneaked?" I never know. Either way, after surreptitiously watching a few fantastic performances, we headed out to breakfast at my aunt an uncle's house. We arrived about half an hour later than planned. The fact that we were only half an hour late on a morning when "Day-long Irish Jig Competition" presented itself as an option is evidence of what truly remarkable people my aunt, uncle, and 3 cousins are and how much we value them.
This seems like a good place to interrupt this post with more Irish dancing. So, here you go.
What was I talking about? Oh, right. Oklahoma City.
As always, we had a wonderful time with family in Oklahoma. Our kids would visit OKC every weekend if they could.
As far as promoting my book goes, another lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) van driver or two received a copy of Struggle Bus on their van window. I hope it didn't rain before they grabbed it. A soggy Struggle Bus would be a sad version of Struggle Bus. I had planned to deliver a few copies to a local bookstore, but more important things took up our time. Did I mention that our hotel was hosting an Irish Dancing competition?
Anyhow, on to the next stop: HOME. Amarillo, TX.
As always, we had a wonderful time with family in Oklahoma. Our kids would visit OKC every weekend if they could.
As far as promoting my book goes, another lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) van driver or two received a copy of Struggle Bus on their van window. I hope it didn't rain before they grabbed it. A soggy Struggle Bus would be a sad version of Struggle Bus. I had planned to deliver a few copies to a local bookstore, but more important things took up our time. Did I mention that our hotel was hosting an Irish Dancing competition?
Anyhow, on to the next stop: HOME. Amarillo, TX.
Grab a copy of Struggle Bus
Testimonials
"This is a quick read that you won't regret if you're a parent. Picture a family with 4 kids in diapers and 6 kids in car seats. I laughed out loud when I read "50 percent of the day was spent changing diapers, 50% preparing meals, 50% preparing the unholy mess of carnage that was created at mealtime, 50% bathing children, and the rest of our time searching for missing shoes, coats, toothbrushes, and more. Seriously, though, WHERE DO MY KIDS KEEP PUTTING THEIR SHOES?" Give this a quick read on the beach and you won't regret it!"
— Customer Review
— Customer Review
"What a fun read! Every parent in America will be able to relate to many of the stories contained in these pages--even those with only 2 kiddos. If you are looking for a quick, easy read that is laugh-out-loud funny, this is the book! In a day and age where everything coming at us has a negative spin, this book will leave you with a sense of happiness by the end. Thanks, Josh, for telling your story. Thanks, also, for writing it in my primary language of sarcasm."
— Customer Review
— Customer Review
“I'd heard the story of the Struggle Bus, but only the outside, viral story.
This well-written, quick-reading, approachable, fascinating tale talks about the family dynamics, the funny anecdotes, the life lessons. I'm a bit reminded, perhaps, of the Grateful Dead tour bus history by Wavy Gravy, "Living With The Dead". I think this is going to be a classic of modern folklore and a reminder that the trials, tribulations, and excitement of family, internet celebrity, and living in close quarters are all enduring subjects. I'm going to read this book pretty often; I really enjoyed it.”
— Customer Review
This well-written, quick-reading, approachable, fascinating tale talks about the family dynamics, the funny anecdotes, the life lessons. I'm a bit reminded, perhaps, of the Grateful Dead tour bus history by Wavy Gravy, "Living With The Dead". I think this is going to be a classic of modern folklore and a reminder that the trials, tribulations, and excitement of family, internet celebrity, and living in close quarters are all enduring subjects. I'm going to read this book pretty often; I really enjoyed it.”
— Customer Review
Josh Wood, Author
