Sunny and breezy. So what?

From Naples, FL

The Marriott Residence Inn. Never again. Too much noise, too few amenities, mostly nice but mediocre staff. Not my cup of tea. Although I have made myself “at home”. I rearranged the “living room” furniture to better suit my needs of working inside the vast majority of time on this trip. Two events in the evening (tonite’s doesn’t start til 10pm!) Boy, was that couch heavy! Must have a sleeper in it.

I look around and think how dismal it must be to do “this” the majority of the week? Or maybe not so bad if there’s nothing better at home? I have ‘more than wonderful’ to return to and know I am completely blessed.

The noise part? I have a hard time concentrating with ambient noise although I can take a nap like a champion on a couch when it’s swirling around me (especially if there’s a sports event on tv, I love drifting off to that).

Amenities? I prefer the Marriott Inn and the Marriott Courtyard. Things are all connected. More staff, more professional. Better meets the needs of business travelers. Fewer yelling children, oblivious adults, and no small, yappy dogs. Jesus, the walls are thin. Shut up!!!

Whatever happened to the days when parents cared about their children not impinging on other people’s space?! Especially when in public. When I was a kid If we misbehaved we were in the Mercury so fast sitting by ourselves! Ah, the good ‘ol days. That was when no one got arrested for a quick smack to the butt or well timed stay in the car.

God, I must be getting old. In general, most people annoy me. Not the polite, well mannered folks but the other 98% of society. Do you know to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough? Try it some time. And try teaching your children while you’re at it. Hold the door for the person behind you, help someone carry bags if their arms are full and they’re struggling. Don’t wait until their belongings cascade to the ground. And for Pete’s sake (and everyone else’s), SHOWER! What ever happened to personal hygiene? If you’re going on a plane PLEASE do so in clean clothes, with washed hair and brushed teeth. If you can afford a plane ticket you can certainly afford hot running water, soap and toothpaste.

Cell phones. Do I really have to listen to your private conversation with Aunt Mary about the test results you just got from the doctor? Now, the fun stuff about how crazy drunk you were last night can be entertaining but once I hear about a trail of clothing you’ve gone too far. That, my friend, is none of my business.

And while I’m on the subject of cell phones… how freaking loud does that ringer have to be?!!! Jesus. Please, silence the dang thing quickly when it’s ringing at a thousand decibels! Better yet, put the thing on vibrate when you’re in public. And unless it’s an emergency or God calling, don’t answer it when you’re out to eat with someone. The person you’re dining with should be the center of your attention not a call from your bff with the 411 on the 30%-off shoe sale at the local DSW.

Speaking of electronics… can someone tell me why every hotel isn’t wireless by now? It’s the new millennium people! 80% of Americans have computers in their homes and half have wireless networks. Being tethered to a desk is so 20th century. I like the option to change venues, go outside, sit in the lobby, or just move from the “living room” to the bedroom. Let’s cut the proverbial ethernet cable!

Baggage. Do you not get it by now that you are supposed to put your carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment WHEELS FIRST?! For God’s sake, be considerate! How many times have you heard the attendants tell you “wheels first”, “straight in”. Not sideways, STRAIGHT in!!! Make room for other people’s luggage. Look. Times are tough, there’s a fee to check luggage now so more and more people are traveling with only carry-on bags. More bags, same amount of space. The world doesn’t revolve around your Tumi briefcase or Gucci handbag. Small items UNDER the seat in front of you to make room for their larger breathren pieces in the overhead compartments.

Let’s see, what else? Rental cars. Mostly good. However, I rented a Ford Cobalt (“cheap” was the day’s password) and it doesn’t even have a 12 volt plug in it! How is that even possible? I travel with a GPS because I attend events in places I’ve never been and need to plug it in for it to work (or charge so I can use it in battery mode). Not this time. Ugh. Paper maps. Remember a time when that’s all there was? AAA trip tix. Not even Google maps, just plain ‘ol paper maps. I sucked in geography and map reading when I was a kid. I’m better at it now but still prefer the GPS, which we named Ms. Maple, when we were headed for Mont Tremblant, Canada two summers ago (or was it three?)  We selected the British woman’s voice to provide regal sounding directional advice. When overshooting a requisite turn she even makes the command, “recalculating”, sound better.

Food. I’ve learned to travel with Detour protein bars, fruit, nuts and other snacks (Goldfish mainly). It’s much easier when getting in late to have something available in the room. Besides, I’ve found that eating late is really not good. Not only is there no chance to burn it off, restaurant portions are always too big and I feel an obligation to not waste food. So, I’ve gained 4 pounds of FAT in the last 6 mths that I am TOTALLY unhappy about but not quite driven enough to shed. Why not provide healthier options in reasonable quantities? It’ll cost the same, I’ll sleep better and I’ll fit into my pants more comfortably.

See what I mean? I’m starting to sound like Andy Rooney!

I think it’s nap time. Let me see what college football game is on…

Why, why, why?

I find that I have very little free head space these days. My “best” thinking is done in my car, where it’s quiet (when I want it to be) and there are few interruptions (except for txt msgs and the occasional phone call). It’s difficult to be creative when the space in your head doesn’t exist for free-form thinking. God, I miss that. It may seem like an oxymoron that someone who is considered an extrovert actually gets twitchy without the requisite quiet/down time. There’s a lot to be said for “nap time” in school. If only we had that at work, ahhhh that would be good.

How come some people are so loud–all of the time? Whatever happened to the “quiet voice” that teachers required you to use as a child when you passed through the hallways? Although, laughter never bothers me. Actually, hearing someone else laugh usually makes me laugh– so thank you to the laughers of the world.

The dog is hyper-obsessing about something (real or imagined) that has escaped her capture and has slipped beneath the stove. The cat (who’s 15 and has gone almost completely deaf) is screaming to go outside. More noise. Scratch, scratch, scratch goes the paw. Meeeooooow goes the cat. The only silent being in this house is Buddah (the rescued boy cat). Note to self: give all future pets names that are Zen-like in nature.

Okay, the dogs OCD has just caused me to scream from the office to “stop it!” Like she speaks English?! But she does know the tone of an unhappy mommy. It will deter her for a moment or two and I can assure you she’ll… spoke too late… she’s already pawing at the stove again. Thank God we just her groomed and her nails are short.

It’s funny. I write posts on this blog as though someone else is actually going to read them. Hahaha. No one even knows it exists! Which I guess is a good thing. That way I can say whatever I want and nobody knows, nobody cares. Hmmm. Is that a good thing?

I’m tired a lot these days. I try to not worry that maybe I have cancer again or that the cancer medication that I have to take is ruining my heart. I try to be philosophical and look at the bright side. Sometimes though I just want to say, “What the F#CK?!” Not once but twice?!! Jesus H. Christ. F#ck.

Speaking of inappropriate language I have found myself swearing up a blue streak in the presence of one–me. Holy cow, it is just one foul word after another when I’m frustrated about something. I get so mad I blurt out made up words trying to rapid fire express every swear word in the book. Sometimes I just start hysterically laughing at myself (at least I’m good company even in bad moments) but other times I’m aghast at my inability to manage the frustration and think, “Holy sh!t, I sound like my Dad after his stroke. If I keep this up that’s all I’ll be able to say to if something goes “haywire”

“One day you’re in, the next day you’re out.”

I’ve been interrupted by a talking head. Go back a few paragraphs and read what I wrote about my need for quiet sometimes and how I get twitchy without it? Exactly.