Musings on topics of small or large importance. Especially partial to subjects that include baby boomers, public figures, friends, Corporate America, the Denver Broncos, NASCAR, my previous home towns of New York City and Columbia (Maryland), stupidity (mine and others'), diets and health and who knows what else!

Sunday, October 23, 2005

In Praise of Hotel Rooms

Okay, I admit it: I'm a fan of hotels. Preferably Marriotts (all levels), Hiltons (they've gotten a lot better lately, though it aggravates me that they charge for one night when you make the reservation -- that's why I choose Marriotts whenever I can), many of the hotels on the strip of Las Vegas and many of the other hotels I get to stay in for various conferences, seminars and other business-related and personal ventures.

I've slept in beds that were lumpy, sloped (the latest was at a Hilton and the right side was several inches higher than the left side), way too soft and way too short -- just not all at one time, fortunately. The best beds have firm mattresses and fluffy comforters and lots and lots of pillows, some to stack to lean against and some to rest my head on and some to hug when I go to sleep. I try not to think about all of the bodies that have touched the bedspread, comforter or duvet. I try not to think about what body fluids are there. Have you ever seen a hotel housekeeper take a bedspread or comforter away to be laundered or bring a fresh one in? I certainly haven't. Yuk!

I rarely have trouble with uneven or cold water or pressure in showers in hotels. Just lucky, I guess. Usually hair dryers, irons, shampoo, conditioner and lotion are there. TVs in hotel rooms are usually larger than my little 13-incher in my bedroom at home. The towels are usually fluffier than mine at home and sometimes there's even a robe and slippers provided to relax in.

Since I travel a lot, I have my own tricks and preferences. I don't care if I'm near an elevator or ice machine. I care more if I'm close to the elevator but preferably not the first room (for security purposes). I generally don't hear noises -- 12 years of living in New York City cured me of my sensitivity to nearly every noise.

I leave the tv on and the Do Not Disturb sign on when I leave my room at night. I get VERY very very very aggravated when the mini-bar people or the housekeeping people come in when I'm gone and have the sign on. It happened to me this past week in Chicago at the Hotel Allegro and I was livid. The manager, Andrew Wright, was gracious and wanted to make it up to me after the mini-bar person came in anyway and took my Atkins shake that I'd put in the fridge to keep it cold. But I don't think he ever got it that I was upset about the VIOLATION and not about the damned shake. You put the DND sign on and you trust that the hotel staff will honor it. Trust. TRUST!!! Big word. Big concept. I was nervous the entire rest of the time I stayed there because I didn't trust that the staff would stay out when it was on the door.

I actually love the Hotel Allegro. It's downtown and comfortable and has eclectic decor to die for in a hotel, and, best of all, they now have a FREE high-speed wireless Internet connection throughout the hotel. What a luxury to be able to sit on my bed and work with my feet up. And then to carry my connected laptop down a flight of stairs to my meeting room, sit in the back row of our tables and still be connected. That enabled me to work during a couple of the sessions I would otherwise have had to miss.

Why do I love hotels? Well, life is simpler in a hotel than it is at home. It's an unreal world. There are no closets or kitchens or bathrooms or garages that cry out to be cleaned. There are no dishes to do. There is no dusting or vacuuming or scrubbing to be done.

And, I generally get treated like a guest at a hotel. Certainly that is not the case with the airlines, sad to say. But once I get to the hotel, the staff acts like they're there to serve us and like they're glad to see us, which is truly refreshing! I'm usually there for something fun, so I'm in a good mood. I get to see a city other than my own, and I try to always get some kind of a view so I can enjoy the city I'm in.

I collect the Do Not Disturb signs and the keys from the hotels I visit. I've got a good collection of each, some of which are very creative and colorful. Hey, it's better than stealing the towels!

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Enough, Already!

As I write this, it's raining here. I can hear the steady staccato of it outside my window. I can see the puddles it's creating behind my car. The lights flickered earlier but the power stayed on so I could watch game 1 of the World Series (even though the Yankees aren't in it).

My thoughts and sympathy go to the beleaguered residents of Florida who have been boarding up their homes and businesses and leaving town as they seek safe harbor in drier towns. And to the people in Mexico who have been pounded for two straight days by Wilma. And of course to the thousands and thousands of people who were killed or devastated by Katrina. My God!

I was in New Orleans just two weeks before Katrina hit for a business conference. We had a great time -- but it was miserably hot and muggy. I found it nearly unbearable after just an hour walking around the French Quarter, even though I was able to duck into air-conditioned stores for a break every few minutes. How in the world did the people there endure that for days on end??? I truly believe that after just a few hours, I would have cried out, "God, take me now!!!"

I am sooooo glad to see summer end. I hate being hot and feeling clammy (a euphemism for sweaty). I hate feeling the trickle of sweat running down my back, whether I'm in good clothes for work or my ratty t-shirts. I like being cool. I like layers and sweaters and coats.

Meanwhile, the world waits to see what destruction and pain Wilma and her successors will bring. Can we please have some mercy here? Can we please end this storm season? Enough, already!