An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings
Archive for Travel
The Future Of Airline Travel
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Why Am I Here Again?
My drive from Podunk to Nashville was rather uneventful, except the closer I got to my destination, the more nutty the drivers. Excuse me, but if you see a very large truck in front of me, and a very large truck beside me, this means I can’t speed up to let your sorry ass pimped out F-150 get by. No matter how close you get to crawling up my butt, it’s not going to help. SO BACK YOUR ASS OFF! sigh….
I found the motel with no problem at all. This has got to be the biggest Comfort Inn I’ve ever seen. From the exterior, it’s rather nice. Oh, the room is just fine too, a little on the smallish side, but hey, I don’t need a lot of room, do I. It’s not like I’m going to be having a star studded party here, right?
Well, I had no problem until I took a gander at the window, which evidently was the target of a break in it’s history. It’s locked, but warped, with a stick bracing it closed. sigh… As I looked around, I noticed there were no ashtrays. I’m a smoker. I get smoking rooms. When you check in expecting at least one ashtray in your room, and there are none, you tend to immediately call the desk and request ashtrays. I called. The phone rang for a good 20 times. Annoyed, I slam down the phone. I take a deep breath, wait at least 30 seconds, and dial the front desk again.
This time, the nice young man picked up. Very friendly, he informs me that he’ll bring an ashtray up, no more than five minutes. An hour and a half later, I walked down to the desk. Now, I usually don’t let things get to me. I’ll grumble a bit, but rarely am ever rude to people. This was no exception. While I was there, I got some extra coffee. But I’ll be darned if I didn’t forget to ask ‘em why they don’t have Fox News! 
I’d like to say this was the view from my window, but I can’t.
I had to walk out the door, and look left to see anything. The view from my window, other than the walkway, is the freeway. I have earplugs!
One thing that is bothering me. When I got here I checked my email, and found one about the ‘press conference’ tomorrow. This is July. Summer. Mega heatwave. And it’s OUTSIDE! Criminy! Hence, the title. Well, I suppose it shouldn’t be too bad at 10am. Pfft! Yeah……right!
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‘Nuther Road Trip!
Ok, so maybe going to Nashville for the night wouldn’t really be considered a bonafide road trip, but I’ll be on the road, going from point A to point B, so maybe it is. Supposedly, the motel has internet access, so things should be semi normal.
Why is the ol’ broad going to Nashville ya ask? Well, even if ya didn’t, I’ll tell ya. I’ve been invited to a ‘news conference’, so, I’m going. :) Topic? Eminent domain.
So, I’m walking out the door into a pizza oven. Pray I don’t melt! :) Actually, it’s only 96, but “feels like….” a freakin’ pizza oven.
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HOME!!
I have decided I’m not going to walk out the door to go anywhere farther than Wal Mart! Well, at least for a while. 
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My Hiney Is Asleep, But Not Dead
I’m really starting to hate driving. No particular reason, it just seems like it takes longer and longer to get anywhere. Probably just my imagination considering it still only took me less than 7 hours to get from Huntsville, TX to Vicksburg, MS. That hasn’t changed, even with the road work going on outside of Shreveport. Must just be old age.
Driving related question: Remember when the gubmint forced states to lower the speed limit to 55mph with the threat of with holding federal funds? Supposedly, it was to save gas. Well, I’m wondering, with all the folks whining about the price of a gallon of gas these days, how come so many people are speeding? The speed limit is 70mph on the interstate, so what does it gain them? How much more does it cost ‘em if they do 10 miles over the limit for an extended period of time? I mean other than the obvious if the cop gets ya.
I heard today on the radio that some moron on CNBC was whining about Rush’s big “payday” and contract, and said conservatism was dead. Really? Interesting. Cuz ya know, I still feel pretty much alive, and I’m pretty sure there are many others just like me….still kickin’! Since conservatives are still fairly vocal, not only on the radio (does Airhead America still exist?), but on a couple of cable channels, and we are pretty obvious on the internet, I can’t imagine where anyone gets the idea we are dead. I’m not too sure about that speaking from beyond the grave business.
Oh, and I just bought one of these…..
Now, I know I don’t need another t-shirt, but it’s for a great cause, so go here, and either donate a few bucks, or buy a shirt to help out our heroes in Ward 57 at Walter Reed Hospital!!! Better yet…DO BOTH! After you do that, check out the rest of the website, Operation Ward 57.
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On The Road Again
I’m ready to head home! I’m actually MORE than ready. I miss my Mr! I would have been out of here much sooner, but thanks to my sister trying to kill me yesterday, going here, running there, I just haven’t had the energy to get a move on! :? Now, I will sit in my car for about 7 hours, and turn into a vegetable for a bit. Then, perhaps, I’ll mosey on over to the casino and see how much money I can waste. Or, maybe not. I’ll see how it goes when I get there.
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“Connectivity” Issues
I wonder if I am destined to have nothing but problems with computer connections on this trip? Having stayed at this hotel in Huntsville previously, I knew they only had DSL, but no cords in the rooms. You had to ask for one at the desk. Well, even though we have quite a few laying around the house…..somewhere….I failed to bring one with me, so stopped at the store before I checked in. Turns out, they now have WiFi. Well, when it feels like working. I’ve been here for approximately 3 hours, got connected, then POOF! An itty bitty x down there where the two monitors sit. As Jr was fond of saying, “It’s a conpicuousy!”
Well, that’s ok. I got a phone call from a lovely lady who use to go to my church. We had a great chat! So, it’s just as well I had no access.
Hmmm… wonder how long it’s going to last now that I am connected? Wouldn’t you think that a college town like Huntsville, TX would have better internet access? Odd.
I did stop in to take a gander at the new baby before I came here. He’s a cutie. Especially cuz he’s was sleeping. They are ALWAYS cute when they are asleep. Heh.
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Road Trip!
Yes, I’m on the road again. I thought when I got to the motel, I’d boot up the ol’ laptop, make an observation or two, and all would be well. Pfft! Would I be that lucky?
I specifically didn’t accept a free, or discounted room at the casino in Vicksburg because they don’t have internet connection in the rooms. Sorry, I don’t do jammies and bunny slippers in the lobby. Normally, I would have booked a room at the HI but for some reason, they think more highly of those rooms during the summer months. Same room, same place, twice as much! Horn swaggle. Comfort Inn seemed to be pretty booked, so, what do I do? I used some points at Quality Inn.
Now, I’ve never stayed at a Quality. From the outside, it’s quite appealing. The lobby, again, quite appealing. That’s pretty much where the “appealing” ends. Ok, I’ve gotten a tad spoiled. I admit it.
Anyway, I got here around 6:00, and their computer was being rebooted, so I couldn’t check in right away. To give them credit, they have soft serve ice cream in the lobby, so all was not lost. I have a serious weakness for ice cream.
Twenty minutes later, I get my key, and head for my room. Hmmm… Once you leave the lobby, things aren’t so “upscale”. Ok, I can live with this. I open the door to my room. Huge bald spots in the carpet greet me. sigh… Well, the room is at least clean. I call the Mr, let him know I made it in one piece, and proceed to set up the computer. All turned on, click to connect. Nothing. I try again. Again, no connection. I call down to the desk and ask if there is something I need to do different. Nope. Should be regular ol’ WiFi.
Well, after much irritation, I decide the heck with it. I’m going to go lose some of the Mr’s money. As I’m walking out of the door, I ran into the manager and the maintenance guy. I asked if there was a problem with their internet, and we checked my computer. The look of bafflement was amusing. I didn’t think maintenance folks ever got that baffled. He told me he would go check it out, and hopefully, all would be well when I returned.
Lo, and behold! Here I am! $100 poorer, but at least now, I can babble on. I’m thinking I should save some of my babble for the morning, don’t you? 
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Today’s Travel Update
This morning I actually slept later than usual, which means we didn’t have time to do any money shredding at the Gold Strike. Check out time is 11:00 and by the time I got one eye open, it was time to get a move on. The bellman actually called and asked us if we wanted them to bring our car around so it would be available when we checked out. I thought that was fairly nice. Strangely, within less than five minutes, he was at the door with a cart to carry our luggage down. Well, shoot, I hadn’t even gotten the remainder of my female bathroom necessities thrown in the suitcase yet. He politely said he would wait. Interesting.
He was a very polite young man, who evidently, is one HUGE Packer fan. Of course, the conversation focused on football for a few minutes, while we were waiting for the car to come around. Then, me being me, I had to ask about the lack of internet connection in the rooms. It seems, from his understanding, that the ‘powers that be’ think they won’t make as much money from gambling if there is the availability of internet access in the rooms. What planet are these people on? They’d make a whole lot more money from gambling if they’d learn how to regulate that ice box they call a casino! But, he did say he’d pass along the request. I toll him that we’d love to come back and spend a few days with them from time to time, but the temperature and the lack of 21st century technology would probably prevent us from a future visit.
Since it was fairly early and only a 3 hour drive, we decided to head over to Harrah’s. Neither one of us were hungry yet, so we thought we put a few bucks in the shredders for a bit. I put in a $100 and took out $403. Hmmmm…. Time to eat.
I gotta tell ya, it’s not often I’ll go back for seconds on chicken pot pie, but that had to be the best I’ve ever had in my life. My mom did a pretty good home made version, but this put that to shame. Evidently, this lady is fairly well known in the cooking world. I’d never heard of her, but hey, I’m not much into cooking, so it’s no big surprise. Paula Deen? Of course she doesn’t do all the cookin’ herself, but I did hear she has been known to pop in from time to time, and is quite a hoot. I just might have to check out her show….out of curiosity of course.
Instead of jumping in the car to head home, we had to let all those delicious tidbits settle. Back to the money shredders for a little while. I put in another $100, ran that down, put in a second bill and took out $291. Reckon that means I came out ahead $91?
It was definitely time to head home. We get past Olive Branch, and that little PT decided to start doing it’s shake rattle and roll act. Sigh…. For 20 flippin’ miles! We stopped, got out, looked at the tires, thinking maybe there was a bubble or something? Nope, nothing. There’s just so much two non mechanical types can check out on a vehicle, don’cha know. Finally, the earthquake stopped and we made it home, mostly in one piece. When I take it into the dealer…..again….if they tell me there’s nothing wrong with it….again….at least I’ll have a credible witness.
Hmmm….maybe that sweet man will realize I REALLY do need a new truck?
So, all in all, except for the car problems, the being a tad ill the first 24 hours, the lack of internet yesterday, and frigid temperatures, it was a pretty good trip! We’re home, and I’m happy to be here, alive!
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Yesterdays (Tuesday) Shennanigans in Tunica
Well, we checked out this morning, went to reclaim my car from the valet….and the sucker was dead. As a door nail. The hits just keep on coming! 30 minutes later, they had gotten it charged up, and were informed it’s probably my alternator. Yippee! See, told him I needed that cute little truck. Heh. Ok, so we’ll talk to the mechanic neighbor when we get home, and see what’s what.
I took the long way around to the Fitzgerald, cuz the Mr wanted to check it out. Nice enough place, but the pay offs on the slots seriously suck! I mean, I didn’t expect to hit a jackpot or anything, but a bloomin’ cherry would have been nice once in a while. One major plus was the buffet. It wasn’t a real big one like a lot of places have, but it was by far the tastiest, and with a bit more of a variety. Naturally, the deserts were too numerous, and I was already fairly full, so didn’t get to try a little of this, or a little of that. Thank goodness! I’ve got a wide enough load added thanks previous trip to numerous buffets, AND to that drug I’m taking.
So, we finally mosey on over to the next hotel where we have a reservation. Nice check in area, but it’s flippin’ freezing! When it’s 90 degrees outside, ya don’t expect to see frost when you breathe! We get up to the desk and start checking in….”No, we don’t have internet access in the rooms.” WHAT? What kind of second rate joint is this????? “Oh, there’s dial up, but you have to have your own cords.” You mean DSL, don’t you? “No, it’s dial up, AOL.” Holy crap. I’m in hell! Icicles and all!
After simmering in the room (with a lovely view of the parking garage) for a bit, we went back downstairs, just to, y’know, ask someone who appeared to have a clue. Sad to say, no one we spoke to had one. A clue, I mean. “Oh, you just have to plug the phone cord in your computer, it’ll come right up.” Uh….excuse me, but have you ever even OWNED a computer? That’s NOT the way dial up works. “Are you sure you turned it on?” Let’s put it this way, if the man hadn’t been twice my height, and a third my age, he might have learned a new definition of Tasmanian Devil!
One young fella even offered to get me a complimentary bathrobe if I decided I needed to connect in the middle of the night, and had to head down to the café Wi-Fi area. Pfft! Not bloody likely.
Discretion being the better part of valor, the Mr stood by and just smirked from time to time. After we walked away, it was decided I wouldn’t go into catastrophic withdrawals if I went 24 hours without an internet connection. The jury is still out on that one.
With the slot machines calling my name, I decided to let it go. I have to tell you, the Gold Strike is nice, and all that, but someone needs to learn how to regulate the temperature. Seriously, you aren’t suppose to have ‘cicles hanging off your nose while you are shredding your money in those infernal machines. Moving from frigid spot to a not so frigid spot, I plopped in a $20, and took out $168. It was still too cold, so we decided to go back over to the Horseshoe. I stuck in a $100, and took out $228. Cool. Since the Sheraton is the third, and final hotel in this complex thingy, we decided to wander over there for a bit.
On the way out the door, we passed the gift shop, and thought, perhaps, they just might have a jacket or two for sale. Well, they had some sweatshirts, but I have this thing about free advertising (pink, HORSESHOE in gold glittery stuff). And besides, who wants to buy a bloomin’ sweatshirt when it’s 90 degrees outside. (Note to self: Next time, BRING JACKET!)
We did, however, find some really nice shirts for the Mr, at an extremely reasonable price…..with pockets. The Mr has to have pockets!
I also spied a really little suitcase. Like we really need another one? But this would have been great for those little overnight things. However, unless it packs itself, and does the laundry when you get back home, not to mention the dishes, scrubs the floors, and feeds the cats, ain’t NO way I’d ever pay FIVE HUNDRED FLIPPIN’ DOLLARS for an overnight case!
He decided to return to the room with his purchase, and I headed on over to the Sheraton. I sat down at the first machine, which was fairly generous to me yesterday. No such luck today. After $40, I thought it wise to move along. My next foray was a tad more profitable. I stuck in $100 and took out $376. Not too shabby, eh?
I tried a couple of other machines, but they weren’t doing much for me. The Mr was playing video poker, so waiting for him to finish, I thought I’d throw a $20 into a penny machine. What a total rip off those things are! You bet the max (this particular one was .90) and you get .40 back. Or .20. How people can sit there for hours on end playing those is beyond me!
We decided it was time to use the two free buffets coupon, and headed back to the Arctic. After eating too much, as usual, and since it was getting late, we thought it best to throw some money away here and then head up to our room. The first machine was another rip off. Well, ok, they are ALL rip offs, but some, more so than others. Bet 5 credits, get 3 bars, win 3 credits? In this case, it was a quarter machine. Bet the max, a buck twenty five, get a whopping seventy five cents in return for you effort. What kind of crap is that? Well, long story, still long, I broke kind of even for the after dinner session, perhaps $10 or $20 short.
*By George, I do believe the Mr just got propositioned at the ice machine. Heh.
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