The Differences At Home

I've been at home a lot lately.  And I'm starting to notice the small things that are different at home; most noticeably the refrigerator.  There is more wine than beer.  The fruit bowl is a bit more full.  Sadly, dessert is a staple.  There is a never ending supply of cheese - the stinkier the better.  And thankfully there have been quite a few breakfasts in bed... being at home sure is fun.

I have a New Favorite Airline...

... Horizon Airlines.  They server complimentary beer and wine on every flight.  Isn't that funny, give me $2 worth of alcohol included in my couple hundred dollar ticket and you buy my loyalty.  Are you listening big brand airlines?  There is something to that...

My Brief Love Affair with Seattle

My love affair with Seattle is always short - sweet, but short.

Yesterday I landed in Seattle, it never ceases to be one of the most beautiful flights in America. In fact, every time I land at SeaTac airport I think: "I could live here, let's move." I quickly imagine myself living on the water, walking through the Pike's Place Market and eating fish everyday. I fall in love with all of the images. Then I get off the plane... it is the middle of May and it is pouring down rain and only 55 degrees outside.

Oh Seattle, the dream is fun for about a minute and a half, but I love Spring way too much to be this cold. So sorry, it's not you it's me.

Mulittasking At Its Finest!

These are some of the small things I love about 2010 – the Saints won the Super Bowl, the US almost beat Canada in hockey at the Olympics, and you can get a mani and pedi at the airport on a layover.

Ok, I will admit a mani/pedi is not in the same category as “the aints” becoming “the Saints” but it sure makes me happy.

I’ve been short on time lately and haven’t been able to do my regular maintenance of hands and feet, but the universe helped.  I had a two-hour layover and saw the Xpress Spa in the airport.  It was lovely.  They played zen music, sat me in a massage chair, and gave me a hand massage and foot massage while doing my nails.  WOW! 

I often talk about the tribulations, the stress, the annoyances, and the aggravations of flying; but if you can stop for a little pampering while traveling to work then that, my friends, is the best form of multi-tasking I can think of. 

Lessons of a Taxi Driver

A cabbie and I were stopped at a light and the cab next to us broke down.  My driver asked, if the other man needed help.
The other driver replied, "I don't know what you are going to do."
My cabbie said "any thing I can: give you a jump, bring you fuel, help you push it out of the way - whatever you need."
The other driver said, "okay - I guess."

My cabbie dropped me off and then was going to head back.  He said to me, "what does he mean, what are you going to do. "  My driver added, "He is the leader of the problem.  it is up to him to make a solution."

It struck me how true that statement was.  Until you come with a solution you are just whining.  And it is up to the owner of the problem to at least think of opportunities.   

Just another example of the many things I've learned from cab drivers.

The Top 10 Hotel Questions

1. Why do hotels put the TP in a triangle?

2. Why do cheap hotels offer free WiFi, but expensive ones charge for it?

3. Why are wake-up calls limited to hotels?  Why can't you get a wake-up call in your bedroom?

4. Why is the thermostat never correct - it is freezing, but it says 75 degrees, or it is boiling at 60.

5. How are there commercials that air JUST in hotels.  Meaning, you can be watching CNN news and see commercials just for business travelers in your hotel room - amazing.

6. Why do shower curtains have a clear area 5 1/2 feet up - is it for extra light?  I've never needed that before, so why do I need it now?

7. Why aren't Mobile Star ratings the same in every country?

8. Since when can you just make up your own Mobile Star ranking?  There are only 5 stars!, but in the last few years there have been hotels saying they are 6 star, 7 star and now 10 star hotels.... really?!?

9. Why are there so many options to check-out?  I've checked-out over the phone, on-line, on a television, and by dropping a key in a box.  Yet I never know if it is done until I double check with the front desk.

10.  Why do business hotels not put outlets next to the bed - I mean, WHO in 2010 isn't plugging something in when they sleep?

Talk to me... what questions do you have about hotels?

Living Without Balance

I have a fun boss who wrote a book called Living With No Balance... and Loving It.

The idea is, we have to give up the idea that when I'm at work I don't think about home, and when I'm at home I don't think about work.  After all, full time employees spend 70% of their waking lives at work, so why would you try to make a 50/50 split - you'd fail every time.

I'll admit at first I hated the idea of blending the two.  I was protective of my free time.  Now I've learned to embrace it and living without balance has become my favorite part of my job.

I've allowed myself to enjoy the places I visit for work a bit more.  I've given myself permission to hang out with the people, to see the sights, enjoy the views and soak up some culture.

That is worth a call at night or a conference call on a Saturday every time.  In fact, as I'm writing this, I am at work but sitting on a porch overlooking this beautiful view (seen here) and enjoying the Caribbean... what could be better than that?!?

Lessons of a Taxi Driver

Once I had a taxi driver tell me "you can see how healthy a cities economy is by how busy the taxis are."  He said when people have money they take taxis.  When they don't they walk or take public transportation.

Start looking around your city... is this driver's lesson true for your town?

Bedbugs

When are bed bugs not bad... when they are ladybugs.

I was in a hotel on the 6th floor the other day and shared my room with 3 ladybugs.  (Fortunately I never saw them share my bed).  Every time I saw one I smiled and thought to myself, today will be a good day.

Here is to a little bundle of joy visiting you today.

Puerto Rico Airport = Purgatory

I'm sure that Puerto Rico is lovely.  But the San Juan International airport is one big waiting room of unhappy people... exactly how I imagine Purgatory.

As far as I can tell, everyone there is going somewhere else for vacation and SJU is that stop in between where you are from and where you want to be.

Or you are on your way home and don't want to be, so you are prolonging the inevitable.  Everyone saunters slowly down the terminal with the corners of there mouth turned down in the universal sign for a frown.  All of the walls are painted gray and everything smells of fast food pizza. 

2 hours there feel like an eternity of nothingness... Purgatory much?