On the Road
Two conferences in two weeks - one of the reasons why September through November are called the Crazy Time around here. I'm on the laptop I checked out. Allegedly, I'll be getting work done. Also allegedly, there should be no problem connecting to the servers at work. In practice, the instructions for connecting are poorly written and only applicable to a specific version of the MS junkware, not the obsolete version on the laptop.
I'm not checking out a laptop again. I could mess around and try to figure it out, but it isn't worth my time. IT is supposed to maintain these computers and provide support. I should have gone with my instincts and left this thing behind. I almost hope it gets stolen so I don't have to carry it.
One thing I learned, never buy luggage at Target. It is complete and utter crap. This is only the second time I've used this carryon case and it self-destructed. I let myself be talked out of the piece I wanted being told I could find the exact same luggage at Target. It wasn't the exact same, but I gave it a try. It can't survive two light trips, so I'm going to have to find something new. What bothers me isn't the wheel falling off because the plastic couldn't stand the friction (it melted; it only had clothing and the plastic melted from the weight and friction). What bothers me is that when the wheel gave out, it ripped open the back. Not having the money to replace the luggage, I had to beg a large bag from one of the stores and put everything in that.
On to the trip. Despite the luggage failure, it is far more pleasant to travel with people than alone. It's nice to have some to talk with, someone to watch my bags when I go to the bathroom and order food, and share thoughts about flying.
Things fell apart a bit when we were at the baggage claim. One refused to take the bus so we were going to all get a mini-van taxi. Originally, the talk was for a stretch limo, but they would only take four and we were five. Two decided to take the bus so the other two I was with thought to take a limo instead. I didn't want to shell out for the limo, so I decided to go with the bus. As I was going, I saw the first two waiting in line for a limo. They decided to take the limo.
Having had enough of this, I just took the bus. I didn't know why people kept changing their mind. I was grumpy from the flight (I have less and less patience for flying the older I get). I didn't want to spend my time negotiating a means to get to the airport. I just wanted to check in, get some food, and relax.
Not that this is the best hotel for that. It's cheap. Worth the money I'm paying, but cheap. The bed is hard, the furniture is presentable, but old and falling apart. The lighting is insufficient. The bathtub is inviting, but there is no stopper. Not all the towels are the standard white (don't know if that is good or bad). However, the bed does not smell of cat urine and there aren't littler boxes for stink-bombs to wake me up (I'm going to move them to the dining room area when I get home).
What this hotel does have is free wi-fi and a complementary continental breakfast is delivered to the room at the time of my choosing. I get this for $75/night and the others don't at $250/night. They have to pay extra for breakfast and internet access. However, they probably have an alarm clock in their rooms. Not something this hotel furnishes. They said there should be one, so I made then make note that there wasn't one.
My co-workers were talking about how early we'll have to get up tomorrow. I tried to point out that nothing starts until 4:00pm. Oh well. They'll figure it out. Me, I need to figure out what to do tomorrow. I'll make a final attempt to point out that nothing is happening until late afternoon. If they don't listen, I'll just go about doing my own thing.
Right now, I think my "own thing" is going to be to wash off the travel of the day and go to bed. I was going to try to re-hem some trousers, but I'm too tired. I had hoped to find the time to do that with a sewing machine, but things were just too busy before I left.
I'm looking forward to spending time in Montreal and the conference. When it comes to the luggage, I'm not looking forward to stuffing a large shopping back with my stuff. Remember, never ever ever buy luggage at Target. It is crap.
I'm not checking out a laptop again. I could mess around and try to figure it out, but it isn't worth my time. IT is supposed to maintain these computers and provide support. I should have gone with my instincts and left this thing behind. I almost hope it gets stolen so I don't have to carry it.
One thing I learned, never buy luggage at Target. It is complete and utter crap. This is only the second time I've used this carryon case and it self-destructed. I let myself be talked out of the piece I wanted being told I could find the exact same luggage at Target. It wasn't the exact same, but I gave it a try. It can't survive two light trips, so I'm going to have to find something new. What bothers me isn't the wheel falling off because the plastic couldn't stand the friction (it melted; it only had clothing and the plastic melted from the weight and friction). What bothers me is that when the wheel gave out, it ripped open the back. Not having the money to replace the luggage, I had to beg a large bag from one of the stores and put everything in that.
On to the trip. Despite the luggage failure, it is far more pleasant to travel with people than alone. It's nice to have some to talk with, someone to watch my bags when I go to the bathroom and order food, and share thoughts about flying.
Things fell apart a bit when we were at the baggage claim. One refused to take the bus so we were going to all get a mini-van taxi. Originally, the talk was for a stretch limo, but they would only take four and we were five. Two decided to take the bus so the other two I was with thought to take a limo instead. I didn't want to shell out for the limo, so I decided to go with the bus. As I was going, I saw the first two waiting in line for a limo. They decided to take the limo.
Having had enough of this, I just took the bus. I didn't know why people kept changing their mind. I was grumpy from the flight (I have less and less patience for flying the older I get). I didn't want to spend my time negotiating a means to get to the airport. I just wanted to check in, get some food, and relax.
Not that this is the best hotel for that. It's cheap. Worth the money I'm paying, but cheap. The bed is hard, the furniture is presentable, but old and falling apart. The lighting is insufficient. The bathtub is inviting, but there is no stopper. Not all the towels are the standard white (don't know if that is good or bad). However, the bed does not smell of cat urine and there aren't littler boxes for stink-bombs to wake me up (I'm going to move them to the dining room area when I get home).
What this hotel does have is free wi-fi and a complementary continental breakfast is delivered to the room at the time of my choosing. I get this for $75/night and the others don't at $250/night. They have to pay extra for breakfast and internet access. However, they probably have an alarm clock in their rooms. Not something this hotel furnishes. They said there should be one, so I made then make note that there wasn't one.
My co-workers were talking about how early we'll have to get up tomorrow. I tried to point out that nothing starts until 4:00pm. Oh well. They'll figure it out. Me, I need to figure out what to do tomorrow. I'll make a final attempt to point out that nothing is happening until late afternoon. If they don't listen, I'll just go about doing my own thing.
Right now, I think my "own thing" is going to be to wash off the travel of the day and go to bed. I was going to try to re-hem some trousers, but I'm too tired. I had hoped to find the time to do that with a sewing machine, but things were just too busy before I left.
I'm looking forward to spending time in Montreal and the conference. When it comes to the luggage, I'm not looking forward to stuffing a large shopping back with my stuff. Remember, never ever ever buy luggage at Target. It is crap.