I understand that with all the TSA requirements or there today that actual real silverware is extremely dangerous. But regardless of how good the food might actually be, when you are forced to pay a 50% higher price for a meal them be forced to use plastic knives and forks, it just doesn't taste quite as good.
Good thing it's early...
Just because I'm on the southern edge of what some may consider the Midwest does not mean that winter doesn't rear her ugly head! St Louis is a nightmare today. The problem with winter in central or southern states is that they don't know how to plow, drive, our flat our deal with the snow. Even the airport is shut down!
Hitting the road again....this time in St Louis, to Louisville, then on to Dallas all before heading back to the Midwest. The problem......getting all the display materials and associated work items all packed into boxes, crates, or suitcases to make shipment easier....AND have enough material to actual do my job.
A side note....Delta does NOT charge much more to fly first class on multi stop tickets than coach. If you're brave/dumb enough to travel like I have to, check first class rates!!!!
During this time of year, I'm normally hitting the road pretty hard to meet with our clients and spheres of influence. But this week it is a nice change for me to have so many of our distributors, vendors, and clients travel to Watertown to attend our annual convention. I appreciate all the time and trouble that these people have given to deepening the relationship and goal of mutual success. Thank you!
You would think that after five years of official road warrior status, that I would get used to packing a suitcase and hopping behind the wheel. But yesterday as I was leaving, I found myself packing everything but the kitchen sink, running way behind, and still not remembering everything I needed to bring. The only thing that I can say I have adapted to with work travel is that a 500 mile drive doesn't seem long anymore....
Here is to a productive, profitable, and somewhat enjoyable year on the road to all my fellow road warriors!
So I rolled into my hotel lady night about 1:30am. The doors were locked, and I had to wait about 10 minutes for the front desk clerk to come back to let me in. The parking lot was packed, a sure sign of a sold-out hotel.
Once inside, he promptly informed me that he had no rooms left. I told him that I had a reservation. He told me all confirmed guests had checked in. So...being patient and kind, confirmed I was at the correct hotel and then showed him my confirmation number. He advised I had already checked in. Since I'm standing I'm front of him, and I hadn't remembered to drive the warp-speed work truck, knew he was mistaken. I showed the kind gentleman my confirmation number and he have me a key.
Upon entry into said hotel room, I was convinced that I would be met by an angry husband wondering what I was doing in their room. Turns out, it WAS empty. But the lesson learned here is always have your confirmation number handy.
I use Worldmate, a free app for Android and Apple, that tracks all your travel data, hotels, rental cars, airline tickets, etc on one site. There are a few other good ones out there too, such as TripIt.
But I'll never leave home without my cell phone, and now, my confirmation numbers!
Spending a few days in Texas for work this week and have the pleasure if handing out with my buddy Adam and his family this weekend. It really makes a work trip go by a lot faster when you can kill the down time with good friends and good times.
I learned a few other lessons last night...while at a Counting Crows concert, you cannot reserve a standing only spot. Also...sometimes limos are cheaper than cabs...
Earlier this year I signed up for an audible.com membership as I was tired of heating the same songs on the radio, or Pandora, or wherever. And thought I should geta little more well "read". So far, I love audible.com!
I've listened to over 20 books (at an average of 9 hours per audio book). This is roughly 180 hours of listening while on the road...and was just granted Audible.com Novice status...are you kidding me?!? I feel like I should be audio book champ by now. So I looked up what there Expert status required and its almost a year's worth if time. Now that is some serious road time, our that person doesn't have a life.
In spite of my perceived slight, I'll keep listening. Check it out if you hit the road like me. You'll either get smarter or at least be entertained.
SW Kansas its so flat that I saw an Army helicopter squadron coming from 10 miles away. It felt like I watched them for an hour. Later I drove over an ant hill, I think I squashed the highest point of elevation in Kansas.
It's not a big surprise that last minute flights and travel expenses are expensive and add up fast. I just booked a flight for Monday to Chicago...and after looking all over the Web, found that empty first class seats could be gotten CHEAPER than the economy seats that were left (i.e. exit row and economy plus seats only)
So if you have to travel at the drop of a hat, spend a little time online and shop around.
