Yes, in just about 24 hours a new decade begins. The aughts (is that how you spell it?) are over. The year has been pretty turbulent, and I wish it was ending with more of a concrete future for what's ahead, but what fun would that be? I don't think it was necessarily a bad year, but it was quite the transition.
Things I'm thankful for this year:
-I'm officially out of Champaign and living in Chicago
-I traveled a lot of the country, and know, it's always going to be Sweet Home Chicago
-One full year of no school!
-Lots of really random part-time marketing work that keeps life interesting
-I'm pretty much not allergic to cats anymore
Things I'm glad to leave in 2009:
-Lots of interviewing that led to no where
-Gaining some weight, then dieting and working out a lot to lose it
-A new hotel every week instead of my own bed
-Too many lost weekends due to travel
-Waking up at 6am all the time (see a theme here?)
-Being 23. What a boring age to be.
-Drinking too much in really boring U.S. towns
Goodbye 2009. Hopefully we send you off with a really fun party tomorrow night. Champagne is in the fridge. Bring it on '10.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Things I've Learned from Working in a Mall
I've never worked in retail or in a mall setting before doing these Windows Phones promotions and it's been an interesting experience. I have much more respect for those that work in small stores all day and deal with customers for eight plus hours. I've learned/come to expect some things from malls that would have never crossed my mind before. If you've worked in retail, do these sound familiar?
1. There is a mall sound, a constant buzzing/talking/roar that is always going on.
2. You have no idea what the weather is like outside, or only have a slight idea by what the customers are wearing.
3. You say the same greeting all the time. It's very hard to vary it.
4. Samples are amazing and always available somewhere. Cinnabon, smoothies, ice cream, coffee, sausage, garlic bread, Chinese food, there is always a tray of samples somewhere.
5. I expect a mall discount at the food court. I'm wearing a branded t-shirt, I want my 10% off and will choose food court restaurants based on who gives a better discount.
6. Some customer always want you to explain something or chat about the product while you're closing and trying to leave.
7. The first hour of work is the best because barely anyone is there yet and your fellow employees are all still friendly and not tired.
8. Kids love balloons and lollypops. This isn't solely retail-related, but was reinforced this weekend.
9. You look forward to breaks and what to eat during that break all day.
10. You really wish you had those gel soles for your shoes, but are too lazy to find/buy them for your shift.
11. Not knowing exactly where random stores such as Justice or Build a Bear are will make women shoppers very angry at you.
Don't judge that man trying to straighten your hair at the kiosk. Don't be mean to the woman asking if you'd like to fill out a quick survey. Don't be completely rude to an employee and think you sound cool because of it. Don't tell me you don't need $10,000. Don't let your five year old drink an energy drink. Don't buy your five year old a Smart Phone. Definitely go see the puppies at the puppy store.
1. There is a mall sound, a constant buzzing/talking/roar that is always going on.
2. You have no idea what the weather is like outside, or only have a slight idea by what the customers are wearing.
3. You say the same greeting all the time. It's very hard to vary it.
4. Samples are amazing and always available somewhere. Cinnabon, smoothies, ice cream, coffee, sausage, garlic bread, Chinese food, there is always a tray of samples somewhere.
5. I expect a mall discount at the food court. I'm wearing a branded t-shirt, I want my 10% off and will choose food court restaurants based on who gives a better discount.
6. Some customer always want you to explain something or chat about the product while you're closing and trying to leave.
7. The first hour of work is the best because barely anyone is there yet and your fellow employees are all still friendly and not tired.
8. Kids love balloons and lollypops. This isn't solely retail-related, but was reinforced this weekend.
9. You look forward to breaks and what to eat during that break all day.
10. You really wish you had those gel soles for your shoes, but are too lazy to find/buy them for your shift.
11. Not knowing exactly where random stores such as Justice or Build a Bear are will make women shoppers very angry at you.
Don't judge that man trying to straighten your hair at the kiosk. Don't be mean to the woman asking if you'd like to fill out a quick survey. Don't be completely rude to an employee and think you sound cool because of it. Don't tell me you don't need $10,000. Don't let your five year old drink an energy drink. Don't buy your five year old a Smart Phone. Definitely go see the puppies at the puppy store.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Who needs New Years for Resolutions
I've decided I'm going to get into a regular work-out routine again. I've done this by investigating some gyms in the area (although gym memberships are expensive!) and doing a half hour workout off of a workout video today. I've been doing a free pilates class once a week for the last few weeks, but now that that's over, I need to get into the groove I was in on the road. It was so much easier when a high-tech gym was a floor below me in a hotel or when it was nice out and I didn't mind being outside for a run.
I figure if I start doing this now, at least twice a week, I'll be in a good groove once the New Year starts. Eating better is going to be tough with the holidays still here, but I can start working on that again too.
Do you have any resolutions to be started in the next few weeks?
I figure if I start doing this now, at least twice a week, I'll be in a good groove once the New Year starts. Eating better is going to be tough with the holidays still here, but I can start working on that again too.
Do you have any resolutions to be started in the next few weeks?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Belated Thanksgiving! I hope yours was full of good food, friends, and family. I am thankful I've seen a ton of friends this week. The actual eating two dinners in two hours at two different sides of the family part is not that fun, but the rest of the week has been cool.
I've been a complete blogging slacker, but mostly because nothing is very new and exciting. No huge life changes. No big purchases or trips. But the holidays are here so time to enjoy them.
My five week stint with HTC and AT&T has come to an end, and I'm pretty sick of cell phones. But, since I have no full time work yet, I'm going to do the next stint with Verizon. This one is a lot shorter so hopefully won't be as monotonous.
Working as a full time brand ambassador definitely does have its perks. I haven't woken up at 6am in months, I can take naps, and it's always a nice surprise when I get the mail and there's a check waiting for me. I am sick of the job hunting, but I'm not expecting much until the new year starts. No one out there wants an experienced field marketing specialist?
Off to go be in a taping of a pilates class which will be airing on local television. If you happen to come across it on local Chicago tv, please don't laugh too much.
I've been a complete blogging slacker, but mostly because nothing is very new and exciting. No huge life changes. No big purchases or trips. But the holidays are here so time to enjoy them.
My five week stint with HTC and AT&T has come to an end, and I'm pretty sick of cell phones. But, since I have no full time work yet, I'm going to do the next stint with Verizon. This one is a lot shorter so hopefully won't be as monotonous.
Working as a full time brand ambassador definitely does have its perks. I haven't woken up at 6am in months, I can take naps, and it's always a nice surprise when I get the mail and there's a check waiting for me. I am sick of the job hunting, but I'm not expecting much until the new year starts. No one out there wants an experienced field marketing specialist?
Off to go be in a taping of a pilates class which will be airing on local television. If you happen to come across it on local Chicago tv, please don't laugh too much.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Halloween: Chicago Style
Halloween the past few years for me has been really hit or miss. Last year I was flying back from Florida so had to hurry home and throw together a costume to go to a party where I only knew a handful of undergrads I still knew. The year before that, I worked as a Morganette all night and dealt with extremely drunk students at bars that were way too crowded.
This year I got to escape a college campus and do Halloween the real way. I worked at a mall all day for a promotion, but this mall did trick-or-treating, so I got to actually see little kids all dressed up on Halloween and give them candy. That tradition does still exist! After we ran out of candy after about a half hour it wasn't as fun, but I still saw a lot of adorable kids in adorable costumes. Sidenote, who knew Power Rangers were still so popular?
After work, I went home, got all dressed up (Tinkerbell again, I cheated and recycled a costume, but I had no time to shop), then hit up an apartment party then some bars. It was a really fun night and I still got to spend it with some of my favorite gals, Amy and Mary.
Amy also hosted her annual Pumpkin Party this year, in which we carved pumpkins, drank too much cider with rum, and almost had the cops called on us.
A very successful Halloween season indeed, and it's hard to believe it's November already. The weather is warmer now than it was a month ago, which is just Chicago for you. I'm jobless again in three weeks (well kind of, I probably have another one right after that), but still interviewing for full time gigs, and still keeping my head up. I'm back to working for Uloop a bit which is nice to have as well. I'm excited for the holidays coming up and enjoying those in the city.
This year I got to escape a college campus and do Halloween the real way. I worked at a mall all day for a promotion, but this mall did trick-or-treating, so I got to actually see little kids all dressed up on Halloween and give them candy. That tradition does still exist! After we ran out of candy after about a half hour it wasn't as fun, but I still saw a lot of adorable kids in adorable costumes. Sidenote, who knew Power Rangers were still so popular?
After work, I went home, got all dressed up (Tinkerbell again, I cheated and recycled a costume, but I had no time to shop), then hit up an apartment party then some bars. It was a really fun night and I still got to spend it with some of my favorite gals, Amy and Mary.
Amy also hosted her annual Pumpkin Party this year, in which we carved pumpkins, drank too much cider with rum, and almost had the cops called on us.
A very successful Halloween season indeed, and it's hard to believe it's November already. The weather is warmer now than it was a month ago, which is just Chicago for you. I'm jobless again in three weeks (well kind of, I probably have another one right after that), but still interviewing for full time gigs, and still keeping my head up. I'm back to working for Uloop a bit which is nice to have as well. I'm excited for the holidays coming up and enjoying those in the city.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Looking for work is a full time job
I am juggling a lot right now.
I have a five week job that is over 30 hours a week, I'm picking up some online work starting on Monday, I'm looking for/doing promo jobs to go around the 30 hour a week job, I'm in focus groups for extra cash, I want to get the liquor promos going, Amy and I are working here and there on our own business, and I'm interviewing a lot. Plus, I'm trying to make time to see family, have a social life, go out to new places, and really develop a life in the city. It's a bit exhausting.
Getting back to a full time job I think will be much more relaxing than this, even though the thought of set hours every day all the time is daunting. I really like waking up after 9am and not being so exhausted by 10pm I need to go to bed.
I'm also having debates with myself as to whether I should go for jobs that may be way more fun and match my skill set well and barely pay anything, or settle for a job that may not be that great but has set hours and pays well. Come on ideal job that has an awesome salary, where are you?
I have a five week job that is over 30 hours a week, I'm picking up some online work starting on Monday, I'm looking for/doing promo jobs to go around the 30 hour a week job, I'm in focus groups for extra cash, I want to get the liquor promos going, Amy and I are working here and there on our own business, and I'm interviewing a lot. Plus, I'm trying to make time to see family, have a social life, go out to new places, and really develop a life in the city. It's a bit exhausting.
Getting back to a full time job I think will be much more relaxing than this, even though the thought of set hours every day all the time is daunting. I really like waking up after 9am and not being so exhausted by 10pm I need to go to bed.
I'm also having debates with myself as to whether I should go for jobs that may be way more fun and match my skill set well and barely pay anything, or settle for a job that may not be that great but has set hours and pays well. Come on ideal job that has an awesome salary, where are you?
Monday, October 12, 2009
On the road again
I think what I became to accustomed to on the road was the novelty of the situations you get yourself into, and I shouldn't have taken those for granted.
Here I am, in Minneapolis, at the Embassy Suites near the airport, in a huge room with a living room attached and an Irish roommate I barely know, to start training for a five week job. We got off the plane, took a shuttle over, checked in, was told there was free booze for 20 more minutes, drank 3 drinks with our Chicago group, went to the bar for another, then hung out in a co-workers hotel room to keep drinking a case of beer. These are all people I met for 45 minutes a few days ago, and now I am spending 3 days in Minnesota with them (and working with them the next five weeks). I forgot how strange life on the road can be, and how different it is than normal life. Being back on a plane, then in a hotel, brings back all the on the road memories in full force. I don't miss the not being home, but I do miss the stories I could tell about that one time in, dot dot dot.
People all the time tell me they wish I had my jobs because of how unusual they are. Instead of sleeping in my bed tonight, I'm in a hotel. It's something I've been doing for the past year, but after a few weeks away from it, was beginning to really enjoy being home, and was dreading leaving again. I love the change in scenery, and I really love that it's only for two nights. For two nights I can meet new people, drink at random bars, be a little hungover for training, and enjoy the free trip. The travel part is not my life, and I'm still very glad for that. The novelty is back, at least a little bit. I never want to get to the point again where the novelty of the situation is gone.
I know how lucky I am to have my jobs, with all the craziness that comes with them. I have no set schedule, no guarantee for work, but I have awesome experiences, meet new people, and have fun. I'm back to enjoying my life.
Here I am, in Minneapolis, at the Embassy Suites near the airport, in a huge room with a living room attached and an Irish roommate I barely know, to start training for a five week job. We got off the plane, took a shuttle over, checked in, was told there was free booze for 20 more minutes, drank 3 drinks with our Chicago group, went to the bar for another, then hung out in a co-workers hotel room to keep drinking a case of beer. These are all people I met for 45 minutes a few days ago, and now I am spending 3 days in Minnesota with them (and working with them the next five weeks). I forgot how strange life on the road can be, and how different it is than normal life. Being back on a plane, then in a hotel, brings back all the on the road memories in full force. I don't miss the not being home, but I do miss the stories I could tell about that one time in, dot dot dot.
People all the time tell me they wish I had my jobs because of how unusual they are. Instead of sleeping in my bed tonight, I'm in a hotel. It's something I've been doing for the past year, but after a few weeks away from it, was beginning to really enjoy being home, and was dreading leaving again. I love the change in scenery, and I really love that it's only for two nights. For two nights I can meet new people, drink at random bars, be a little hungover for training, and enjoy the free trip. The travel part is not my life, and I'm still very glad for that. The novelty is back, at least a little bit. I never want to get to the point again where the novelty of the situation is gone.
I know how lucky I am to have my jobs, with all the craziness that comes with them. I have no set schedule, no guarantee for work, but I have awesome experiences, meet new people, and have fun. I'm back to enjoying my life.
Friday, October 9, 2009
In the movies
One of the highlights of the week was being an extra in Little Fockers. I was in the far background of a scene with Ben Stiller and Robert Deniro, and super close to the camera (within a foot) in a scene with Ben Stiller (who was also within a foot of me), so I will definitely be in the scene if they don't cut it. They shot it at the Sheridan red line stop, which is just down the street from us. It was pretty fun!
This week was filled with meetings, interviews, and trainings. It was super busy and will hopefully lead to making money in the near future. I go to training in Minneapolis on Monday for my five week job for AT&T. I met with the people I'll be working with, and they seem pretty cool. I have an interview Monday morning before I fly off for a real marketing job too, so hopefully that'll go well.
I thought a few weeks in I would start to miss being on the road, the structured schedule, and knowing what I was going to be doing every day. That's definitely not the case. I'm loving living in the city more every day and the craziness that comes with it. I get to have so many jobs and opportunities other people don't get to do. That's not to say I won't enjoy having a set schedule again. Keeping track of my schedule has been a little crazy. I'm having a lot of fun though, and I'm excited to see how all these jobs, interviews, etc will turn out.
I'll let you know how Minneapolis is! Flying not driving, woo hoo!
This week was filled with meetings, interviews, and trainings. It was super busy and will hopefully lead to making money in the near future. I go to training in Minneapolis on Monday for my five week job for AT&T. I met with the people I'll be working with, and they seem pretty cool. I have an interview Monday morning before I fly off for a real marketing job too, so hopefully that'll go well.
I thought a few weeks in I would start to miss being on the road, the structured schedule, and knowing what I was going to be doing every day. That's definitely not the case. I'm loving living in the city more every day and the craziness that comes with it. I get to have so many jobs and opportunities other people don't get to do. That's not to say I won't enjoy having a set schedule again. Keeping track of my schedule has been a little crazy. I'm having a lot of fun though, and I'm excited to see how all these jobs, interviews, etc will turn out.
I'll let you know how Minneapolis is! Flying not driving, woo hoo!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Settling in
Even though I've technically been living here since the beginning of July, this week I really made the transition into actually living here. I'm on the el constantly and am comfortable making transfers and knowing where to go. I took the bus for the first time yesterday. I can give directions pretty well. I'm starting to hit the hot spots that people have been telling me about.
As for work, I've been working pretty steadily this week, and when not working, am setting up interviews and meetings in order to make more money. I was offered a job, but it was commission only so I turned it down. I just accepted a month long gig that will be steady money and hopefully be kind of fun. It involves a 3 day training trip in Minneapolis, so back on the road again in a week! At least they are flying me there, so I won't have to do an 8 hour drive.
So I'm back to being a promotional model full time again until something else comes along. It's really nice living in one spot, working in the city, and taking the el back to my own bed. I wish I got to have some of the summer in the city, but there's always next summer.
As for work, I've been working pretty steadily this week, and when not working, am setting up interviews and meetings in order to make more money. I was offered a job, but it was commission only so I turned it down. I just accepted a month long gig that will be steady money and hopefully be kind of fun. It involves a 3 day training trip in Minneapolis, so back on the road again in a week! At least they are flying me there, so I won't have to do an 8 hour drive.
So I'm back to being a promotional model full time again until something else comes along. It's really nice living in one spot, working in the city, and taking the el back to my own bed. I wish I got to have some of the summer in the city, but there's always next summer.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Week One of Unemployment
I have to say the first week of unemployment was pretty awesome. I did get sick and had to visit the doctor, but just a cold, and the upside was I didn't have to force myself to work through a fever and a really sore throat.
This week was full of relaxing, job hunting, sleeping late, doctor's appointment and dentist appointment, and hanging out with friends. By Friday at 5pm, I had some various jobs in the works (nothing full-time career type, but some jobs to hold me over) and today I had a response about an interview that might actually lead somewhere. I feel good about being able to support myself and am enjoying actually living in the city.
On Thursday I got to get paid to watch 10 court cases of the Judge Pirro show, which was really entertaining. Off to the NBC studios in the loop, saw Mike Tyson in the lobby, then some very melodramatic court cases with a snarky judge for a few hours. An interesting way to spend the afternoon.
So far so good. Lots of balls in the air in terms of jobs, but I'm optimistic. Have a good rest of your weekend!
This week was full of relaxing, job hunting, sleeping late, doctor's appointment and dentist appointment, and hanging out with friends. By Friday at 5pm, I had some various jobs in the works (nothing full-time career type, but some jobs to hold me over) and today I had a response about an interview that might actually lead somewhere. I feel good about being able to support myself and am enjoying actually living in the city.
On Thursday I got to get paid to watch 10 court cases of the Judge Pirro show, which was really entertaining. Off to the NBC studios in the loop, saw Mike Tyson in the lobby, then some very melodramatic court cases with a snarky judge for a few hours. An interesting way to spend the afternoon.
So far so good. Lots of balls in the air in terms of jobs, but I'm optimistic. Have a good rest of your weekend!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Streamwood, IL...the final week
Working in Streamwood, IL this week up in the northwest burbs.
Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hoffman Estates. It's really nice, big rooms, very comfy bed, free internet, microfridge, cookies and coffee in the lobby, small hotel bar, nicer business center, pool, hot tub, exercise center, and a nice variety of shampoos and mouthwash. Got to visit with Darwin and Jess since they live just a few minutes away in Palatine.
Tonight is my last night on the road as a Guerrilla Marketing Specialist with Jimmy John's. It's definitely had its ups and downs the past year. Almost exactly a year ago I was getting ready to hit the road and live in Michigan for a month. In some ways I have no idea where the year went. In other ways, I feel like I've missed out on my life. I won't be traveling as much anymore, but when I do, it'll be special again and I'll look forward to it.
So what now? I'm not really sure. I want to do marketing work in Chicago (if you know of any work, let me know!) I'll be doing temporary contract work while I find something more permanent. I'm in a strange place of being a little sad to leave, being thrilled to leave, and being really unsure about the future. I know it's time to move on, but it's still weird that I'm leaving behind the last year of long car drives, flights, hotels, bars in strange towns, sandwiches, Priceline requests, and being at work at 7am. But, time to live in Chicago and enjoy all that there is there. I'm excited to start and see what life is like in the city on the weekdays.
Where in the USA is Kathryn? Chicago. Stay tuned.
Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hoffman Estates. It's really nice, big rooms, very comfy bed, free internet, microfridge, cookies and coffee in the lobby, small hotel bar, nicer business center, pool, hot tub, exercise center, and a nice variety of shampoos and mouthwash. Got to visit with Darwin and Jess since they live just a few minutes away in Palatine.
Tonight is my last night on the road as a Guerrilla Marketing Specialist with Jimmy John's. It's definitely had its ups and downs the past year. Almost exactly a year ago I was getting ready to hit the road and live in Michigan for a month. In some ways I have no idea where the year went. In other ways, I feel like I've missed out on my life. I won't be traveling as much anymore, but when I do, it'll be special again and I'll look forward to it.
So what now? I'm not really sure. I want to do marketing work in Chicago (if you know of any work, let me know!) I'll be doing temporary contract work while I find something more permanent. I'm in a strange place of being a little sad to leave, being thrilled to leave, and being really unsure about the future. I know it's time to move on, but it's still weird that I'm leaving behind the last year of long car drives, flights, hotels, bars in strange towns, sandwiches, Priceline requests, and being at work at 7am. But, time to live in Chicago and enjoy all that there is there. I'm excited to start and see what life is like in the city on the weekdays.
Where in the USA is Kathryn? Chicago. Stay tuned.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Oprah's Season 24 Kickoff Event in Chicago
On Tuesday, Jenna, Mary Z, and I danced to the Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" on Michigan Avenue on Oprah's 24th Season Kickoff Party in Chicago. See the Flash Mob Dance here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T22VEBznFVo
It was awesome that we could be in the front (we're in the bottom righthand corner of the screen in front of the first jumbotron and by green scaffolding), get to perform in this record-breaking event, dance with 20,000 people on Michigan Avenue all together, and get to see an awesome concert. It was a pretty amazing thing to be a part of. Every time I hear this song I want to break into dance now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T22VEBznFVo
It was awesome that we could be in the front (we're in the bottom righthand corner of the screen in front of the first jumbotron and by green scaffolding), get to perform in this record-breaking event, dance with 20,000 people on Michigan Avenue all together, and get to see an awesome concert. It was a pretty amazing thing to be a part of. Every time I hear this song I want to break into dance now!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Macomb, IL
In Macomb, IL this week, the home of Western Illinois University. It's a relatively small campus, and I didn't know anyone who went here or anything about it before coming.
Unfortunately, staying at a Super 8 all week. Now, for a one star hotel, it's not as bad as previous one-star hotel mistakes. There were really no other options, and it was cheap enough where I didn't need Priceline so could change the reservation if there were huge roaches or stained sheets. Other than pretty uncomfortable beds, drab decoration, no extras, and a musty smokey smell in the hallway, it's decent. Micro-fridge, free internet, meager but free breakfast, deadbolt on the door, and it's bug free. Priceline AND my negotiation skills failed this week. A sad week indeed.
Did anyone out there go to Western? Any suggestions of things to do here? So far I was told to go to Forum or The Pace. Other than going running (which is killing my legs and will have to take tomorrow off), activities seem few and far between.
3 more days till vacation! I can't wait for a whole week in Chicago with no traveling, moving, packing, or waking up at 6am!
Unfortunately, staying at a Super 8 all week. Now, for a one star hotel, it's not as bad as previous one-star hotel mistakes. There were really no other options, and it was cheap enough where I didn't need Priceline so could change the reservation if there were huge roaches or stained sheets. Other than pretty uncomfortable beds, drab decoration, no extras, and a musty smokey smell in the hallway, it's decent. Micro-fridge, free internet, meager but free breakfast, deadbolt on the door, and it's bug free. Priceline AND my negotiation skills failed this week. A sad week indeed.
Did anyone out there go to Western? Any suggestions of things to do here? So far I was told to go to Forum or The Pace. Other than going running (which is killing my legs and will have to take tomorrow off), activities seem few and far between.
3 more days till vacation! I can't wait for a whole week in Chicago with no traveling, moving, packing, or waking up at 6am!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Clinton, IL
I think the most ironic part of this week is until Tuesday when we did a quick drive of the area, I had no idea I had worked here before, and done sampling for Red Burrito. Once I saw said Red Burrito/Hardees I realized I had worked a day here a few years back sampling chips and salsa with Amy and did some antique shopping where I bought Jenna a very old camera for her graduation.
Anyway, I'm back again, this time for a week. Second Clinton on the road so far. This one in Illinois, last time in Iowa. The town is small, but has a good variety of things in it for a small town. I love that it has a town square and it's so easy to imagine how it used to look 100 years ago. I'm staying at the Sunset Inn and Suites, which is probably most known for it's fantasy suites. I am staying a normal, king sized, non-smoking room, and it's pretty nice. I wasn't expecting much from a hotel with fantasy suites and physical keys for the doors, but the room and lobby is very clean, comfortable bed, flat screen tv, microwave/fridge, free breakfast and internet, and nice pool/hot tub/sauna. My only negatives are no key cards, but it has a dead bolt so I feel safe enough, and the towels don't smell the freshest. The regular rate is more expensive than I can afford, but they have a cheaper rate if they don't fully clean your room and only change the towels and garbage. I recommend the cheaper way, since the only real difference is making the bed and it saves $15 a night.
I was able to spend two nights in Champaign this week, one overnight in my old townhouse complex I just left and one short night in my old apartment building I lived in for two years. It was very strange being in both places I've left behind with new tenants, old friends, living there. It brought back a lot of memories from Champaign life that I've forgotten a bit now that I'm up in Chicago, but it was a good way to spend some time this week. I think Champaign will always be familiar and a second home to me. Or at least for the next few years. I'm sure once I know no one there anymore Champaign will be that town I lived in a long time ago.
As a sidenote, I hear a lot of people looking to do my job/are interviewing/are on the road read my blog. Leave me a comment and say hi. No offense to Rachael, but the only comments I get are from her, sometimes Mackin or Beth, and various companies who I happen to mention. Another new town in Illinois next week! Let's see how cool Western is...
Anyway, I'm back again, this time for a week. Second Clinton on the road so far. This one in Illinois, last time in Iowa. The town is small, but has a good variety of things in it for a small town. I love that it has a town square and it's so easy to imagine how it used to look 100 years ago. I'm staying at the Sunset Inn and Suites, which is probably most known for it's fantasy suites. I am staying a normal, king sized, non-smoking room, and it's pretty nice. I wasn't expecting much from a hotel with fantasy suites and physical keys for the doors, but the room and lobby is very clean, comfortable bed, flat screen tv, microwave/fridge, free breakfast and internet, and nice pool/hot tub/sauna. My only negatives are no key cards, but it has a dead bolt so I feel safe enough, and the towels don't smell the freshest. The regular rate is more expensive than I can afford, but they have a cheaper rate if they don't fully clean your room and only change the towels and garbage. I recommend the cheaper way, since the only real difference is making the bed and it saves $15 a night.
I was able to spend two nights in Champaign this week, one overnight in my old townhouse complex I just left and one short night in my old apartment building I lived in for two years. It was very strange being in both places I've left behind with new tenants, old friends, living there. It brought back a lot of memories from Champaign life that I've forgotten a bit now that I'm up in Chicago, but it was a good way to spend some time this week. I think Champaign will always be familiar and a second home to me. Or at least for the next few years. I'm sure once I know no one there anymore Champaign will be that town I lived in a long time ago.
As a sidenote, I hear a lot of people looking to do my job/are interviewing/are on the road read my blog. Leave me a comment and say hi. No offense to Rachael, but the only comments I get are from her, sometimes Mackin or Beth, and various companies who I happen to mention. Another new town in Illinois next week! Let's see how cool Western is...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
How do you measure a year?
How do you measure a year? In miles? In hotel rooms? In states or cities visited? In airports? In gas stops? In emails sent? Or blog posts?
One year into my first real job. Officially the 25th marks the date, but I started on a Monday, so close enough. I hope everyone else has enjoyed, or at least appreciated their last year as well.
One year ago, I was finishing up my studying for a sandwich test that would begin my training. The summer ended with classes about to begin on campus, I had a new townhouse, a new roommate, a car that had over 150,000 miles on it, thought a two hour drive was long, had only eaten Jimmy John's three times before, and had no idea about Priceline.
Here I am, one year later with an apartment in Chicago, the same roommate, a new car with 16,000 well earned miles on it, 22 states visited in the past year, and only order a #4, no sprouts, easy mayo, cut in half. I've seen professional sports teams play live that were not Chicago teams, feel fine with a seven hour drive, know the parking situation at Midway like the back of my hand, have a deeply developed love/hate relationship with Priceline, and have more tiny shampoos/conditioners/lotions than I know what to do with. I have plenty of new shotglasses and a pile of keycards in a bowl. Sync, GPS, and Sirius Radio are my new best friends in the car. Tons of blog posts to go back and appreciate. The weekends mean so much more than they used to.
Things that have surprised me over the past year: I'm still not allergic to cats, $65 a night will get you an awesome hotel, and while the scenery may change across the country, the people are pretty much the same. I can walk into any JJ's in the country and jump on the line without any transition at all. If you need something in a strange city, strangers will help you out. Illinois is not so bad. Of all I've seen and done the past year, I'm always glad to come home.
Let's see what happens in year two post-college life.
One year into my first real job. Officially the 25th marks the date, but I started on a Monday, so close enough. I hope everyone else has enjoyed, or at least appreciated their last year as well.
One year ago, I was finishing up my studying for a sandwich test that would begin my training. The summer ended with classes about to begin on campus, I had a new townhouse, a new roommate, a car that had over 150,000 miles on it, thought a two hour drive was long, had only eaten Jimmy John's three times before, and had no idea about Priceline.
Here I am, one year later with an apartment in Chicago, the same roommate, a new car with 16,000 well earned miles on it, 22 states visited in the past year, and only order a #4, no sprouts, easy mayo, cut in half. I've seen professional sports teams play live that were not Chicago teams, feel fine with a seven hour drive, know the parking situation at Midway like the back of my hand, have a deeply developed love/hate relationship with Priceline, and have more tiny shampoos/conditioners/lotions than I know what to do with. I have plenty of new shotglasses and a pile of keycards in a bowl. Sync, GPS, and Sirius Radio are my new best friends in the car. Tons of blog posts to go back and appreciate. The weekends mean so much more than they used to.
Things that have surprised me over the past year: I'm still not allergic to cats, $65 a night will get you an awesome hotel, and while the scenery may change across the country, the people are pretty much the same. I can walk into any JJ's in the country and jump on the line without any transition at all. If you need something in a strange city, strangers will help you out. Illinois is not so bad. Of all I've seen and done the past year, I'm always glad to come home.
Let's see what happens in year two post-college life.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
All week has been a constant state of, "Am I really in South Dakota? Have I really spent a week in North Dakota AND a week in South Dakota?" Yes, I am in South Dakota, Sioux Falls to be exact, the largest city in the state.
When we asked locals what there is to do here, every single one replied "party" or "drink". Most of our after work time has been spent at a bar called Shenanigans in the Empire Mall. We partook in a gallon of beer on Sunday, $2 bottles on Wednesday, and tonight is buy one, get one shots and all you can drink for $9. They also have kareoke. Other than Shenanigan's, we hit up Bracco's which is a more island themed restaurant/bar which had a a nice outside patio.
On Monday night we hit up the Royal River casino on a reservation about 40 minutes away. They only had blackjack and poker as table games, no craps, but $3 minimum was nice. Lost money, as I usually do at casinos, but had fun and played blackjack for awhile.
Staying at the Residence Inn by the Empire Mall, which as all Residence Inn's are, is awesome. Free dinners Tuesday-Thursday nights (beer and wine included), friendly staff, full kitchen with an attached one bedroom, huge comfy bed, free internet, free breakfast, cookies at the front desk, alright exercise room, and business center that wasn't working the first few nights.
Sidenote- why do the business centers/printers at hotels never work? Residence Inn's remain my favorite hotel because they feel the least like a hotel I think. Plus everything is free!
So hello and good bye South Dakota, it's been alright, but not the most exciting state in the world. Does make this 22nd state in the past year! And...4 more days till I've been with JJ's for a year!
When we asked locals what there is to do here, every single one replied "party" or "drink". Most of our after work time has been spent at a bar called Shenanigans in the Empire Mall. We partook in a gallon of beer on Sunday, $2 bottles on Wednesday, and tonight is buy one, get one shots and all you can drink for $9. They also have kareoke. Other than Shenanigan's, we hit up Bracco's which is a more island themed restaurant/bar which had a a nice outside patio.
On Monday night we hit up the Royal River casino on a reservation about 40 minutes away. They only had blackjack and poker as table games, no craps, but $3 minimum was nice. Lost money, as I usually do at casinos, but had fun and played blackjack for awhile.
Staying at the Residence Inn by the Empire Mall, which as all Residence Inn's are, is awesome. Free dinners Tuesday-Thursday nights (beer and wine included), friendly staff, full kitchen with an attached one bedroom, huge comfy bed, free internet, free breakfast, cookies at the front desk, alright exercise room, and business center that wasn't working the first few nights.
Sidenote- why do the business centers/printers at hotels never work? Residence Inn's remain my favorite hotel because they feel the least like a hotel I think. Plus everything is free!
So hello and good bye South Dakota, it's been alright, but not the most exciting state in the world. Does make this 22nd state in the past year! And...4 more days till I've been with JJ's for a year!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
8 Mile...Livonia, MI
Working on 8 Mile in Livonia, Michigan (by Detroit). Have also visited the lovely suburbs of Troy, Royal Oaks, Novi, and soon to be Farmington Hills and Taylor. The whole team is up here, so there's been a lot more going out than normal. We went bowling at Lucky Strike on Monday night and out to the bars in Royal Oaks on Tuesday.
Staying at the Radisson in Livonia. It's pretty nice, very sheek lobby and bar, although the bar has been closed. The business center computer was actually normal speed and the printer worked, free internet (that didn't work for awhile last night, but otherwise fine), fun Sleep Number beds, good workout room, nice pool and hot tub, and right by some stores and restaurants.
If you're around Detroit, come by a JJ's tomorrow for $1 subs!
Staying at the Radisson in Livonia. It's pretty nice, very sheek lobby and bar, although the bar has been closed. The business center computer was actually normal speed and the printer worked, free internet (that didn't work for awhile last night, but otherwise fine), fun Sleep Number beds, good workout room, nice pool and hot tub, and right by some stores and restaurants.
If you're around Detroit, come by a JJ's tomorrow for $1 subs!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Darien, IL/Finland
Worked in Darien, IL this week, a west suburb. I stayed at this hotel before, the Marriott in Burr Ridge, which was very nice. I got to hang in Tinley a bit this week too and even got to spend the night at my own apartment on Thursday. It was awesome to spend the night in my own bed then go to work in the morning. Oh, the little things in life. Although the commute that far was pretty sucky, more in the afternoon than the morning. I also have a new partner, Christian, who wanted to be mentioned in my blog. Hi Christian.
On a none travel-related note (at least not me traveling), my friend Satu from Finland was in town. It was awesome hanging out with her again. It's been about three years since the last time I saw her. We took her out in Wrigleyville and hopefully showed her a good time with the Chicago nightlife. Thanks for visiting Satu!
Seeing Spring Awakening tonight with Jenna and some of her friends. Should be good!
On a none travel-related note (at least not me traveling), my friend Satu from Finland was in town. It was awesome hanging out with her again. It's been about three years since the last time I saw her. We took her out in Wrigleyville and hopefully showed her a good time with the Chicago nightlife. Thanks for visiting Satu!
Seeing Spring Awakening tonight with Jenna and some of her friends. Should be good!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Raleigh, NC
I was stopped today and after speaking, very pointedly told I was not from here. I must be from...Chicago. Which I verified was correct. But do I really have that much of an accent?
Restaurant recommendation: The Pit in Raleigh, NC . Very good barbeque (similar to KC bbq I'd say, although the chefs from the different states would disagree I'm sure), moderately priced, selection of micro-brews, and large portions of food.
Cheap beer recommendation: Old Bar in Raleigh by NC State. You can get a 32 oz logo plastic cup then get dollar refills (or free on certain days I guess).
Crabtree Mall: Very spread out mall with plenty of restaurants to choose from, but not the greatest assortment of stores. At least not for a 23 year old girl looking for cheaper clothes.
Our two week trip in North Carolina is coming to a close. It's been very hot, muggy, and a thunderstorm almost every afternoon. Time for a new round of scheduling next week! A lot of Illinois. Excitement in the next few weeks is South Dakota...it really can't be worse than North Dakota...can it?
Restaurant recommendation: The Pit in Raleigh, NC . Very good barbeque (similar to KC bbq I'd say, although the chefs from the different states would disagree I'm sure), moderately priced, selection of micro-brews, and large portions of food.
Cheap beer recommendation: Old Bar in Raleigh by NC State. You can get a 32 oz logo plastic cup then get dollar refills (or free on certain days I guess).
Crabtree Mall: Very spread out mall with plenty of restaurants to choose from, but not the greatest assortment of stores. At least not for a 23 year old girl looking for cheaper clothes.
Our two week trip in North Carolina is coming to a close. It's been very hot, muggy, and a thunderstorm almost every afternoon. Time for a new round of scheduling next week! A lot of Illinois. Excitement in the next few weeks is South Dakota...it really can't be worse than North Dakota...can it?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wrightsville Beach/ Raleigh, NC
After our hotel problems, the time Wrightsville Beach was a nice change of pace. Weather was hot and sunny, ocean was warm, waves were big, and the beach was huge. I wish I brought a bigger beach towel with, but my $5 one bought from Walmart was sufficient for laying on with a book. Some things to note if you plan on visiting this beach:
-Parking sucks. We looked for parking for at least 45 minutes before giving up and parking far away. When we got back to the car later on, even the far church lot was completely full and people made up spots. Everything on the island is pay-for parking, and by 11:30am, there was no parking to be found anywhere within a mile of the beach. So, either get there early, pay the $20 on some guy's lawn when you see it available, or be ready to walk.
-There are people everywhere! The beach has to be a few miles long, but it was quite crowded. Towels, beach umbrellas, and chairs every few feet.
-There were no showers or bathrooms readily available for the public.
I also made the mistake of buying spray on sunscreen. This was a mistake, because once I applied it everywhere, I layed on my towel and it must have come off in some places. I even put it on twice. The front of me is fine, got just a little color which is tan, not red. But my back and shoulders look diseased. It's super red in big random splotches. Sigh. I'll have the worst tan in the world.
Another fun fact for this weekend, 4 hotels in two days from Friday to Saturday: Wyndham, America's Best Value Inn, Baymont Inn, and Holiday Inn.
The Holiday Inn in Raleigh by the Crabtree Mall is very nice. Big rooms, really comfy bed, a couch, free internet, good fitness center, outdoor pool, saunas, business center, and a restaurant/room service. I haven't gone wrong with a Holiday Inn yet.
-Parking sucks. We looked for parking for at least 45 minutes before giving up and parking far away. When we got back to the car later on, even the far church lot was completely full and people made up spots. Everything on the island is pay-for parking, and by 11:30am, there was no parking to be found anywhere within a mile of the beach. So, either get there early, pay the $20 on some guy's lawn when you see it available, or be ready to walk.
-There are people everywhere! The beach has to be a few miles long, but it was quite crowded. Towels, beach umbrellas, and chairs every few feet.
-There were no showers or bathrooms readily available for the public.
I also made the mistake of buying spray on sunscreen. This was a mistake, because once I applied it everywhere, I layed on my towel and it must have come off in some places. I even put it on twice. The front of me is fine, got just a little color which is tan, not red. But my back and shoulders look diseased. It's super red in big random splotches. Sigh. I'll have the worst tan in the world.
Another fun fact for this weekend, 4 hotels in two days from Friday to Saturday: Wyndham, America's Best Value Inn, Baymont Inn, and Holiday Inn.
The Holiday Inn in Raleigh by the Crabtree Mall is very nice. Big rooms, really comfy bed, a couch, free internet, good fitness center, outdoor pool, saunas, business center, and a restaurant/room service. I haven't gone wrong with a Holiday Inn yet.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Travel woes
Travel is not always easy. Flights are delayed, traffic keeps you on the expressway for hours longer than expected, bad weather pops up, a destination may not be in the GPS, hotels are not in your price range, etc.
I usually rave about how wonderful Priceline is, after trying to book a hotel for a night near the coast for a quick overnight trip to the beach, I had problems. Request after request was being denied. No hotels were in our price range off of a hotels.com, Yahoo travel, or site like Expedia. I tried a bunch. All I wanted was a cheap hotel for one night somewhat near the beach. So, after trying all of my usual methods, I ended up trying a 1 star request on Priceline. Big mistake. We were booked at the America's Best Value Inn in Wilmington, NC. Before going, we looked up reviews, and they were terrible. Reports of rude staff, dirty rooms, bugs, shady characters in the parking lot, and so on. We decided to check it out since with Priceline you can't cancel a reservation and it's almost impossible to get your money back. After tenatively peering inside the rooms, unpleasant smells, dirty/very worn out rooms, dirty beds/sheets/pillows, and the topper of them all, two HUGE dead roaches in the bathroom.
We checked out again very quickly, did another Priceline request, and got a 2 star hotel at a Baymont Inn. While there was a dirty napkin on my bed, several hairs on the sheets that suggested they were not cleaned, and a very bad smell in Luke's room, we had to settle there. It definitely is a step up, but yuck. Come on Priceline/motels! Get with it! Clean rooms should be the bare minimum requirement.
I, of course, called Priceline and told them of this experience, and even though the lady sounded nice and sympathetic, said she would forward on my story and get a resolution to me in 5 business days. Who knows what this resolution may be. Probably not my money back and the image of those massive bugs out of my head like I would prefer. I will keep you updated on my resolution, and thankfully this was only for one night. It just sucks that this is our one day off this weekend and was supposed to be a nice, fun beach trip. Hopefully when we actually go to Wrightsville Beach tomorrow, it will be worth it. I am looking forward to reading in the sand and looking at the ocean.
Working at NC State in Raleigh next week.
I usually rave about how wonderful Priceline is, after trying to book a hotel for a night near the coast for a quick overnight trip to the beach, I had problems. Request after request was being denied. No hotels were in our price range off of a hotels.com, Yahoo travel, or site like Expedia. I tried a bunch. All I wanted was a cheap hotel for one night somewhat near the beach. So, after trying all of my usual methods, I ended up trying a 1 star request on Priceline. Big mistake. We were booked at the America's Best Value Inn in Wilmington, NC. Before going, we looked up reviews, and they were terrible. Reports of rude staff, dirty rooms, bugs, shady characters in the parking lot, and so on. We decided to check it out since with Priceline you can't cancel a reservation and it's almost impossible to get your money back. After tenatively peering inside the rooms, unpleasant smells, dirty/very worn out rooms, dirty beds/sheets/pillows, and the topper of them all, two HUGE dead roaches in the bathroom.
We checked out again very quickly, did another Priceline request, and got a 2 star hotel at a Baymont Inn. While there was a dirty napkin on my bed, several hairs on the sheets that suggested they were not cleaned, and a very bad smell in Luke's room, we had to settle there. It definitely is a step up, but yuck. Come on Priceline/motels! Get with it! Clean rooms should be the bare minimum requirement.
I, of course, called Priceline and told them of this experience, and even though the lady sounded nice and sympathetic, said she would forward on my story and get a resolution to me in 5 business days. Who knows what this resolution may be. Probably not my money back and the image of those massive bugs out of my head like I would prefer. I will keep you updated on my resolution, and thankfully this was only for one night. It just sucks that this is our one day off this weekend and was supposed to be a nice, fun beach trip. Hopefully when we actually go to Wrightsville Beach tomorrow, it will be worth it. I am looking forward to reading in the sand and looking at the ocean.
Working at NC State in Raleigh next week.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Maryland Heights, MO and Durham, NC
Sorry it's been awhile, but nothing exciting has been going on at all. Maryland Heights was alright, saw Harry Potter, but that was about all the excitement for the week. We stayed at a Ramada which was ok, free internet and breakfast, business center with printer that didn't work, decent exercise room. Customer service at the front desk was definitely lacking.
This is the beginning of a two week North Carolina trip in Raleigh/Durham. (Durham first). At a Wyndham, which is very nice. Have to pay for breakfast, but doesn't matter to me since I don't eat breakfast anyway. Comfy bed, restaurant on site, manager reception tomorrow (free stuff?), free internet, flat screen tv, exercise room, pool, business center, and best of all, super close to the store. No big North Carolina plans yet, but the two week trip is young. Hopefully the awful rains we had today will go away and beautiful weather will ensue.
This is the beginning of a two week North Carolina trip in Raleigh/Durham. (Durham first). At a Wyndham, which is very nice. Have to pay for breakfast, but doesn't matter to me since I don't eat breakfast anyway. Comfy bed, restaurant on site, manager reception tomorrow (free stuff?), free internet, flat screen tv, exercise room, pool, business center, and best of all, super close to the store. No big North Carolina plans yet, but the two week trip is young. Hopefully the awful rains we had today will go away and beautiful weather will ensue.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Council Bluffs, Iowa
This week I am working in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is right next to Omaha, Nebraska (Nebraska is a new state for me and we flew into Omaha, so it counts).
We are staying at the Western Inn. Now, I was pretty afraid of the Western Inn before we got here and the first night, but now, I think it's a pretty good find. Priceline sadly failed us this week, so I had to start calling hotels/motels near the store and hope they would give us a good rate. Really, the only reason I was afraid (not really frightened, more apprehensive) was that the motel's full name is the Western Inn Motorlodge which is right next to the expressway and looks a bit shady from the outside. Also, there are no key card swipey locks which is pretty standard in all hotels, but a regular old key, and there is a ladder that is right outside my window (2nd floor). Also there is no chain from the inside. Sooooo...overall anyone can get into my room at anytime with a little prodding. However, I have gotten over these fears and think the rooms are clean, have free internet, free breakfast, free small dinners (hot dogs most days, chicken on Wednesdays), free orange juice or lemonade 24 hours a day, warm cookies at the front desk, a pool, and a book shelf that you can borrow or leave books at for others to read. They gave us a very affordable corporate rate and I've enjoyed it so far. I just keep things in front of the door just in case.
We went to downtown Omaha on Monday night to meet up with Kelsi and Joe M. We ate at the Upstream Brewery which had some good micro-brews and good food. Sitting and eating outside in the Market district I think it was called? was nice. Very cute brick streets, horse-drawn carriage rides, and reminded me a lot of St. Louis.
Council Bluffs has some history from the 1840's Lewis and Clark time which is pretty cool. Several monuments, museums, and old buildings still remain. A lot has to do with this being on the border to the west, and at some point it would be interesting to look up that history. I know there are a lot of railroad history, Wyatt Earp is buried here, this was part of a Mormon train, and Lewis and Clark came by. The store is next to the Kanesville Tabernacle which is the original building from 1847 http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,1809-1-1-1,00.html, and the Squirrel Cage Jail http://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/Jail.htm is the original as well.
Non-historical fun, we went to the Horseshoe Casino tonight. For once, I actually came out even. I would have been ahead $30 after some good roulette playing, but I put my winnings to bet at craps and lost any winnings quickly. If we were better prepared, we would have gone earlier, sat at a slot machine for half an hour, got a free meal, and called it a day.
Back home Friday night!
We are staying at the Western Inn. Now, I was pretty afraid of the Western Inn before we got here and the first night, but now, I think it's a pretty good find. Priceline sadly failed us this week, so I had to start calling hotels/motels near the store and hope they would give us a good rate. Really, the only reason I was afraid (not really frightened, more apprehensive) was that the motel's full name is the Western Inn Motorlodge which is right next to the expressway and looks a bit shady from the outside. Also, there are no key card swipey locks which is pretty standard in all hotels, but a regular old key, and there is a ladder that is right outside my window (2nd floor). Also there is no chain from the inside. Sooooo...overall anyone can get into my room at anytime with a little prodding. However, I have gotten over these fears and think the rooms are clean, have free internet, free breakfast, free small dinners (hot dogs most days, chicken on Wednesdays), free orange juice or lemonade 24 hours a day, warm cookies at the front desk, a pool, and a book shelf that you can borrow or leave books at for others to read. They gave us a very affordable corporate rate and I've enjoyed it so far. I just keep things in front of the door just in case.
We went to downtown Omaha on Monday night to meet up with Kelsi and Joe M. We ate at the Upstream Brewery which had some good micro-brews and good food. Sitting and eating outside in the Market district I think it was called? was nice. Very cute brick streets, horse-drawn carriage rides, and reminded me a lot of St. Louis.
Council Bluffs has some history from the 1840's Lewis and Clark time which is pretty cool. Several monuments, museums, and old buildings still remain. A lot has to do with this being on the border to the west, and at some point it would be interesting to look up that history. I know there are a lot of railroad history, Wyatt Earp is buried here, this was part of a Mormon train, and Lewis and Clark came by. The store is next to the Kanesville Tabernacle which is the original building from 1847 http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,1809-1-1-1,00.html, and the Squirrel Cage Jail http://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/Jail.htm is the original as well.
Non-historical fun, we went to the Horseshoe Casino tonight. For once, I actually came out even. I would have been ahead $30 after some good roulette playing, but I put my winnings to bet at craps and lost any winnings quickly. If we were better prepared, we would have gone earlier, sat at a slot machine for half an hour, got a free meal, and called it a day.
Back home Friday night!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Sweet Home Chicago
This past week and a half has been a blur of leaving sweltering hot Memphis (I did take a quick stop at Graceland to get a shot glass, but the house itself was closed. Seedy part of town, tourists were in full force), packing up life in Champaign, and unpacking life on the north side of Chicago. After five years of living in Champaign, it has come time to move on. I'll miss Champaign for the fun college times, the great friends made there, the job it gave me after college, and the joy of living in the middle of corn fields, but time for bigger and better things. Goodbye Champaign, it's been a blast.
Which leads me to my sweet new apartment in Lakeview! We (Amy and I moved together) are just about fully unpacked, posters hung, and getting used to the new area. We're pretty close to Wrigley Field and the lake which is really awesome. Already hit up Murphy's bar (we found it fitting the first bar we go out to around here was a Murphy's) and Uncle Fatty's which featured live kareoke 80's music night. We'll be doing all the fun 3rd and 4th of July festivities the next two days with a bunch of our friends coming into town, which I am very excited about. Having this week off has been awesome to get used to the new place, and it'll be sad to fly off to Omaha on Sunday and go back to barely being around. Although, I really have nothing to do during the days to occupy my time, so being busy will stop me from eating so much cheese dip and watching Friends :-).
Special thanks to all those who helped us move. You all are wonderful.
Which leads me to my sweet new apartment in Lakeview! We (Amy and I moved together) are just about fully unpacked, posters hung, and getting used to the new area. We're pretty close to Wrigley Field and the lake which is really awesome. Already hit up Murphy's bar (we found it fitting the first bar we go out to around here was a Murphy's) and Uncle Fatty's which featured live kareoke 80's music night. We'll be doing all the fun 3rd and 4th of July festivities the next two days with a bunch of our friends coming into town, which I am very excited about. Having this week off has been awesome to get used to the new place, and it'll be sad to fly off to Omaha on Sunday and go back to barely being around. Although, I really have nothing to do during the days to occupy my time, so being busy will stop me from eating so much cheese dip and watching Friends :-).
Special thanks to all those who helped us move. You all are wonderful.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
500 Miles to Memphis
Since I started school in Champaign, I've been wanting to just keep going to Memphis (the road signs say Champaign 85 miles, Memphis 482 or something like that). Today, I kept going to Memphis. Sure, it's not a spontaneous sort of crazy Memphis trip, it's for work, but here I am. Took about 8 hours from Tinley, four states to drive through, and two food/bathroom stops with a lot of singing to the radio and listening to stand-up.
Best thing I saw along the way was a family (older grandpa type, teenaged boy, man (dad), woman (mom) and another younger son in a very old yellow bug car. Grandpa was down the road a bit waving traffic away from the right lane of the road, the mom was sitting in the passenger seat, all three men were running and pushing the car (once the car was rolling and the sons were in a jog, I saw dad jump in to steer. Unfortunately, I had to keep driving to see if they all got in the car, or what was going to happen to the older man waving traffic away, but I could not help but think of Little Miss Sunshine. I laughed quite a bit and hope they got their car driving with all family members in it shortly after I saw them.
Drove through Arkansas for the first time today, and I think it rivals North Dakota in desolate-ness. There were barely any cars, no exits, no street lights, and very very dark. Thankfully I stopped in southern Illinois for gas and had plenty, because if not, I don't think I would have found any in Arkansas.
Staying at a Fairfield Inn this week, very typical. Free everything, comfortable, not fancy rooms. I think I'm going to go to Graceland since I'm here, but anything else cool to do in Memphis (or at least if not cool, touristy?) Mackin suggested Beale Street for food and music. Any other ideas? It's supposed to be around 100 degrees all week, so we'll see how it goes.
Best thing I saw along the way was a family (older grandpa type, teenaged boy, man (dad), woman (mom) and another younger son in a very old yellow bug car. Grandpa was down the road a bit waving traffic away from the right lane of the road, the mom was sitting in the passenger seat, all three men were running and pushing the car (once the car was rolling and the sons were in a jog, I saw dad jump in to steer. Unfortunately, I had to keep driving to see if they all got in the car, or what was going to happen to the older man waving traffic away, but I could not help but think of Little Miss Sunshine. I laughed quite a bit and hope they got their car driving with all family members in it shortly after I saw them.
Drove through Arkansas for the first time today, and I think it rivals North Dakota in desolate-ness. There were barely any cars, no exits, no street lights, and very very dark. Thankfully I stopped in southern Illinois for gas and had plenty, because if not, I don't think I would have found any in Arkansas.
Staying at a Fairfield Inn this week, very typical. Free everything, comfortable, not fancy rooms. I think I'm going to go to Graceland since I'm here, but anything else cool to do in Memphis (or at least if not cool, touristy?) Mackin suggested Beale Street for food and music. Any other ideas? It's supposed to be around 100 degrees all week, so we'll see how it goes.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
St. Louis, MO
Clang, clang, clang went the bell.
I'm in St. Louis this week, or in Clayton which is pretty close. I accidentally booked the hotel in Clayton when the store is in Creve Coeur, so we're a bit of a commute away from anything.
We're staying at the Sheraton which is very nice, though not a convenient location. Free business center and internet in the lobby, but everything else you have to pay for. The fitness center is very nice and I can watch a tv on my treadmill which is cool. Sidenote: I lost the 10 pounds I set to lose a few months back. Now I just have to be slightly more careful with what I eat and work out every now and again so it doesn't get out of control again. To those who travel, be cautious of eating out all the time, it will catch up to you.
Went to the Landing in downtown St. Louis yesterday to meet up with my dad for dinner. He was in town on business too, which is the second time our paths have crossed on the road. The Landing was a pretty area, looks very historic and cute. We were right by the arch, which I attempted to take a picture of from underneath it, but it just looked dark.
That's about all the fun here. Went through torrential rains driving here, intense muggy heat today and tomorrow (97 degrees tomorrow!), and tornado watches now. Blah.
Other news, definitely moving to Chicago by July 1st! Everything went through and is all official. My kind of town.
I'm in St. Louis this week, or in Clayton which is pretty close. I accidentally booked the hotel in Clayton when the store is in Creve Coeur, so we're a bit of a commute away from anything.
We're staying at the Sheraton which is very nice, though not a convenient location. Free business center and internet in the lobby, but everything else you have to pay for. The fitness center is very nice and I can watch a tv on my treadmill which is cool. Sidenote: I lost the 10 pounds I set to lose a few months back. Now I just have to be slightly more careful with what I eat and work out every now and again so it doesn't get out of control again. To those who travel, be cautious of eating out all the time, it will catch up to you.
Went to the Landing in downtown St. Louis yesterday to meet up with my dad for dinner. He was in town on business too, which is the second time our paths have crossed on the road. The Landing was a pretty area, looks very historic and cute. We were right by the arch, which I attempted to take a picture of from underneath it, but it just looked dark.
That's about all the fun here. Went through torrential rains driving here, intense muggy heat today and tomorrow (97 degrees tomorrow!), and tornado watches now. Blah.
Other news, definitely moving to Chicago by July 1st! Everything went through and is all official. My kind of town.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Appleton, WI
Hello. It's been awhile since I did a real post about a new place. This may become two posts to encompass everything, but here goes.
First of all, I will be moving to Chicago on July 1st. I officially have an apartment in the city with Amy. After five years, goodbye Champaign-Urbana. Also, congrats to Darwin and Jess who bought their first townhouse last night.
So, Appleton, Wisconsin. You haven't heard of it right? It's about a half hour north of Oshkosh and a bit south of Green Bay. We're staying at the Radisson on College Ave. and the best part is we are literally a 20 second walk to the store. I can see the back of the store from my window, go down the elevator, walk 10 feet, go down another elevator, walk 30 feet, and there I am. The other nice thing about the location of the hotel is we are right in the middle of downtown, so there are a ton of restaurants and bars on this street within walking distance. We've already taken a cab twice (it's Wednesday) to different locations, but things are right down the block if we so choose.
Places to note:
10th Frame: $6 all you can bowl plus shoes. This is what we did Monday (plus a bit of happy hour at the hotel then a few pitchers) but it ended in a very fun time. It's quite an old bowling alley with no electronic ball return or screen giving you the score, but clean and not crowded. I did bruise myself running into the ball return, but oh well, I'll live.
Cleo's: A holiday themed bar a block down from the hotel. If you go, order a dirty snowball. Cheap drinks, enjoyable decor, a bartender who's worked there 17+ years, a bouncer who likes to hit on the ladies, and a relaxed atmosphere. I bought a shot glass from here to remember Appleton by.
Skyline Comedy Cafe: Saw a comedy show here tonight, and it was decent. Very cheap to get in (especially with a buy one get one ticket from the website) and a 2 drink minimum with somewhat pricey drinks. An enjoyable night, but the comic was not my favorite.
Victoria's: Awesome Italian food on College Ave that was fairly cheap and everyone got a TON of food. Mine last two meals and I still had enough left for a third. Definitely should have hit that up earlier in the week.
I've enjoyed staying at the Radisson so far. Parking is only a $1 to enter and no fees to stay however long you like, great location, big rooms, sleep number beds which are fun to play with for a bit, room service, free business center with a slow printer, my room has a microfridge, free internet, free bottles of water replaced everyday, shampoo and conditioner replaced everday, and I had a problem with my tv that was fixed by the time I got home after work. Nice work out facility, decent pool, hot tub, and a sauna. There are two bars to enjoy (one has swings and island themed, the other is sports themed but decently priced) and a steak house. Staff is very friendly and always says hello in the hall. Only problems: tv wouldn't stay on a channel (but fixed quickly) and ATM in lobby woudn't work (but many other ATMS nearby).
Appleton, Wisconsin has been enjoyable so far. I've even eaten some cheese curds while here. Staying in a central location next to the store has been a huge advantage. As always, thank you Priceline.
First of all, I will be moving to Chicago on July 1st. I officially have an apartment in the city with Amy. After five years, goodbye Champaign-Urbana. Also, congrats to Darwin and Jess who bought their first townhouse last night.
So, Appleton, Wisconsin. You haven't heard of it right? It's about a half hour north of Oshkosh and a bit south of Green Bay. We're staying at the Radisson on College Ave. and the best part is we are literally a 20 second walk to the store. I can see the back of the store from my window, go down the elevator, walk 10 feet, go down another elevator, walk 30 feet, and there I am. The other nice thing about the location of the hotel is we are right in the middle of downtown, so there are a ton of restaurants and bars on this street within walking distance. We've already taken a cab twice (it's Wednesday) to different locations, but things are right down the block if we so choose.
Places to note:
10th Frame: $6 all you can bowl plus shoes. This is what we did Monday (plus a bit of happy hour at the hotel then a few pitchers) but it ended in a very fun time. It's quite an old bowling alley with no electronic ball return or screen giving you the score, but clean and not crowded. I did bruise myself running into the ball return, but oh well, I'll live.
Cleo's: A holiday themed bar a block down from the hotel. If you go, order a dirty snowball. Cheap drinks, enjoyable decor, a bartender who's worked there 17+ years, a bouncer who likes to hit on the ladies, and a relaxed atmosphere. I bought a shot glass from here to remember Appleton by.
Skyline Comedy Cafe: Saw a comedy show here tonight, and it was decent. Very cheap to get in (especially with a buy one get one ticket from the website) and a 2 drink minimum with somewhat pricey drinks. An enjoyable night, but the comic was not my favorite.
Victoria's: Awesome Italian food on College Ave that was fairly cheap and everyone got a TON of food. Mine last two meals and I still had enough left for a third. Definitely should have hit that up earlier in the week.
I've enjoyed staying at the Radisson so far. Parking is only a $1 to enter and no fees to stay however long you like, great location, big rooms, sleep number beds which are fun to play with for a bit, room service, free business center with a slow printer, my room has a microfridge, free internet, free bottles of water replaced everyday, shampoo and conditioner replaced everday, and I had a problem with my tv that was fixed by the time I got home after work. Nice work out facility, decent pool, hot tub, and a sauna. There are two bars to enjoy (one has swings and island themed, the other is sports themed but decently priced) and a steak house. Staff is very friendly and always says hello in the hall. Only problems: tv wouldn't stay on a channel (but fixed quickly) and ATM in lobby woudn't work (but many other ATMS nearby).
Appleton, Wisconsin has been enjoyable so far. I've even eaten some cheese curds while here. Staying in a central location next to the store has been a huge advantage. As always, thank you Priceline.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Crestwood, IL
Staying home in Tinley. Working 20 minutes away in Crestwood...
And that's about it.
Saw UP on Tuesday, and it was very cute. I would recommend it.
Hung out with Shaina tonight at Rock Bottom and it was very nice to hang out with a high school friend.
If you go to Nicky's in Crestwood, don't get the gyro platter...it's huge. Really all of their food is huge. It's very tasty and pretty cheap though. Then of course there's Portillo's...always awesome.
New schedule coming up after Appleton, Wisconsin next week. Two new more work states: Tennessee and North Carolina. Very glad it's summer time and the days of hoodies are numbered. I feel as soon as I'm out of Chicago (I've been wearing a hoodie all week, sigh) it will officially be summer.
And that's about it.
Saw UP on Tuesday, and it was very cute. I would recommend it.
Hung out with Shaina tonight at Rock Bottom and it was very nice to hang out with a high school friend.
If you go to Nicky's in Crestwood, don't get the gyro platter...it's huge. Really all of their food is huge. It's very tasty and pretty cheap though. Then of course there's Portillo's...always awesome.
New schedule coming up after Appleton, Wisconsin next week. Two new more work states: Tennessee and North Carolina. Very glad it's summer time and the days of hoodies are numbered. I feel as soon as I'm out of Chicago (I've been wearing a hoodie all week, sigh) it will officially be summer.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Evanston, IL
Happy (belated) Memorial Day!
I'm up in north Chicago in Evanston (staying at the Holiday Inn in Skokie). As with most of the suburbs, nothing really exciting to talk about. The Holiday Inn is a pretty typical Holiday Inn, very deserving of their 2.5 stars...this one is designed more for huge conferences and parties so is a bit fake-fancier (by this I mean fake chandeliers and very large open spaces designed for tables that are not there). Decently priced room service, pool, hot tub, pretty comfy beds, fridge/microwave, fully re-stocked shampoo/lotion everyday, free internet.
When Facebook decides to work again, I will share a very interesting bathroom photo...check out my mobile photos on FB if you just can't wait. It was taken at Bat 17... a very delicious restaurant with huge portions (and a funky bathroom) in downtown Evanston.
In the suburbs again next week!
I'm up in north Chicago in Evanston (staying at the Holiday Inn in Skokie). As with most of the suburbs, nothing really exciting to talk about. The Holiday Inn is a pretty typical Holiday Inn, very deserving of their 2.5 stars...this one is designed more for huge conferences and parties so is a bit fake-fancier (by this I mean fake chandeliers and very large open spaces designed for tables that are not there). Decently priced room service, pool, hot tub, pretty comfy beds, fridge/microwave, fully re-stocked shampoo/lotion everyday, free internet.
When Facebook decides to work again, I will share a very interesting bathroom photo...check out my mobile photos on FB if you just can't wait. It was taken at Bat 17... a very delicious restaurant with huge portions (and a funky bathroom) in downtown Evanston.
In the suburbs again next week!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
St. Paul/Minneapolis Photos
Here's a few photos from the last week. From top to bottom: St. Paul capitol building, St. Paul cathedral, fake Liberty Bell, view from my window, Metrodome.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
West St. Paul, MN
Moved hotels and are now staying at the Best Western Kelly Inn in downtown St. Paul. It hasn't started out too well. The walls are pretty useless, I can hear conversations, tv, music, arguments, etc next door like they are next to me. I'm hoping this quiets down soon, or I'll have to start being not nice. If they keep me from sleeping, I'm really not going to be nice at all. Problem 2 was it took room service 4 times to get my bill/food correct. 4 times! No exaggeration there. Plus they added on an 18% gratuity so I couldn't even change the tip based on the service. Now, the poor guy said he was really new to serving, but really, check the receipt against the food on the plate. Oh, and there was no shampoo or conditioner in the bathroom! None at all! So I'm hoping the front desk has some, because the stuff I took from last week isn't very good and I really don't want to buy any. So, not too happy with the hotel thus far. Bed is big and comfy, nice view of the capitol building from my room, free internet, pool and hot tub, and a small exercise room.
Sidenote: If you are in Minneapolis, go to Longfellow Grill. We ate there a couple of times and it was delicious every time. Everything is homemade and they have tasty healthy options as well.
Sidenote: If you are in Minneapolis, go to Longfellow Grill. We ate there a couple of times and it was delicious every time. Everything is homemade and they have tasty healthy options as well.
Friday, May 15, 2009
St. Paul, MN...part 2
2 things off my list complete.
Went to the Twins game on Tuesday and had a lot of fun. Our seats were great and being in a dome eliminates any weather problems. The people around me gave me a hard time for being from Chicago, but I could cheer on former White Sox players Joe Crede and Magglio, so it was all good. I also got myself a free Twins hat.
Watched the finale of LOST. Very dramatic. Should be a good last season.
The Holiday Inn Metrodome is nice. About a 10 minute walk to the Metrodome and very close to the University of Minnesota campus. Rooms are decent size, comfy beds, free internet, reasonably priced room service, decent fitness room, nice pool and hot tub (up on the 14th floor with a view of the city). Only inconveniences are parking in the garage next door that you have to pay for and no hair conditioner.
Staying in downtown St. Paul next week for our new adventures in West St. Paul. More updates soon!
Went to the Twins game on Tuesday and had a lot of fun. Our seats were great and being in a dome eliminates any weather problems. The people around me gave me a hard time for being from Chicago, but I could cheer on former White Sox players Joe Crede and Magglio, so it was all good. I also got myself a free Twins hat.
Watched the finale of LOST. Very dramatic. Should be a good last season.
The Holiday Inn Metrodome is nice. About a 10 minute walk to the Metrodome and very close to the University of Minnesota campus. Rooms are decent size, comfy beds, free internet, reasonably priced room service, decent fitness room, nice pool and hot tub (up on the 14th floor with a view of the city). Only inconveniences are parking in the garage next door that you have to pay for and no hair conditioner.
Staying in downtown St. Paul next week for our new adventures in West St. Paul. More updates soon!
Monday, May 11, 2009
St. Paul, MN
Here starts a two week trip in Minnesota. It wasn't a bad drive up, had some nice scenery and nice weather.
Things I want to do in the next 10 days:
Go to a Twins game at the Metrodome. (We're doing this tomorrow. I'm excited for this 1. because the Metrodome is within walking distance of the hotel and we won't have to drive 2. It's dollar hot dog day tomorrow 3. We got tickets that sell for $40 for $25. The players will actually be life sized. We have good seats, right off the third base line, 11th row. Thank you Craigslist! 4. It's in a dome! I've never seen a baseball game in a dome. It doesn't matter how cold/rainy it is...cough...cough...Kansas City...we are enclosed in a cozy dome.
Go to the Mall of America. Well, why not? I've never been there and it's something to do. Biggest mall in America. Maybe I'll even take a roller coaster ride if I'm feeling crazy, but probably I'll just buy a shirt or two.
Acme Comedy Co. After thoroughly enjoying the comedy club in KC, this one is supposed to be the third best in the country. The comedians playing this week and next both seem pretty funny, and it's pretty affordable.
http://www.acmecomedycompany.com/acme/shows.php
Watch the LOST finale. No one tells me what happens if I don't get to see it on Wednesday night. I don't care how dorky this one makes me sound.
Those are my hopes for the next ten days. Anything else will be bonus. Any other suggestions? I'd see a musical, but I keep lapping the same musicals I've already seen in other cities. Myself and Broadway musicals are touring the country together. For example, this week, Phantom of the Opera is playing in Minneapolis, which I already saw in Des Moines. Last week, RENT was playing in Dallas, which I already saw in Chicago.
Today makes 15 states for work since August, and 18 states/provinces overall since August.
We're staying at the Holiday Inn Metrodome this week, and I'll review it in a few days once I get a better feel for the place.
Things I want to do in the next 10 days:
Go to a Twins game at the Metrodome. (We're doing this tomorrow. I'm excited for this 1. because the Metrodome is within walking distance of the hotel and we won't have to drive 2. It's dollar hot dog day tomorrow 3. We got tickets that sell for $40 for $25. The players will actually be life sized. We have good seats, right off the third base line, 11th row. Thank you Craigslist! 4. It's in a dome! I've never seen a baseball game in a dome. It doesn't matter how cold/rainy it is...cough...cough...Kansas City...we are enclosed in a cozy dome.
Go to the Mall of America. Well, why not? I've never been there and it's something to do. Biggest mall in America. Maybe I'll even take a roller coaster ride if I'm feeling crazy, but probably I'll just buy a shirt or two.
Acme Comedy Co. After thoroughly enjoying the comedy club in KC, this one is supposed to be the third best in the country. The comedians playing this week and next both seem pretty funny, and it's pretty affordable.
http://www.acmecomedycompany.com/acme/shows.php
Watch the LOST finale. No one tells me what happens if I don't get to see it on Wednesday night. I don't care how dorky this one makes me sound.
Those are my hopes for the next ten days. Anything else will be bonus. Any other suggestions? I'd see a musical, but I keep lapping the same musicals I've already seen in other cities. Myself and Broadway musicals are touring the country together. For example, this week, Phantom of the Opera is playing in Minneapolis, which I already saw in Des Moines. Last week, RENT was playing in Dallas, which I already saw in Chicago.
Today makes 15 states for work since August, and 18 states/provinces overall since August.
We're staying at the Holiday Inn Metrodome this week, and I'll review it in a few days once I get a better feel for the place.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Random Dallas stuff
I have to say I really enjoyed staying at the Hyatt. Expensive (well, not the $55 a night part), but well worth it. I'm glad a convention cancelled on them and we could stay there.
Didn't do much tourist-y stuff in Dallas, AND I forgot to get a Texas shot glass. I'll just have to go back to Texas again at some point.
Two restaurants of note:
Houston's: A slightly expensive, but very good restaurant. American food with an awesome burger. I'm sure the other food was good too, but I enjoyed my burger.
The Iron Cactus: In downtown Dallas, and they had the best Tex-Mex I had while we were down there.
Neither of these were recommended by airport girl, but we still appreciated her help. I wish I got to the Dallas Museum of Art...it was free Thursday nights from 5-9pm for those who do go explore Dallas. It got to 93 degrees on Friday, and it was awfully nice to feel hot summer weather. It's coming Illinois!
Lastly, I leave you with this question: You know how when a plane is late to the gate, and once you get on the plane, the pilot says they can make up time in the air? Well, if they can go that fast, why don't they go that fast all the time?
Didn't do much tourist-y stuff in Dallas, AND I forgot to get a Texas shot glass. I'll just have to go back to Texas again at some point.
Two restaurants of note:
Houston's: A slightly expensive, but very good restaurant. American food with an awesome burger. I'm sure the other food was good too, but I enjoyed my burger.
The Iron Cactus: In downtown Dallas, and they had the best Tex-Mex I had while we were down there.
Neither of these were recommended by airport girl, but we still appreciated her help. I wish I got to the Dallas Museum of Art...it was free Thursday nights from 5-9pm for those who do go explore Dallas. It got to 93 degrees on Friday, and it was awfully nice to feel hot summer weather. It's coming Illinois!
Lastly, I leave you with this question: You know how when a plane is late to the gate, and once you get on the plane, the pilot says they can make up time in the air? Well, if they can go that fast, why don't they go that fast all the time?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Dallas, Texas
"You'll always have an amazing time in Texas!" was the last line of the voice-over during the Texas On Tour promotion I worked last summer. Four days of that line once the canoe-videotape ended, and here I am, in Texas a year later. So far, not quite what I pictured. No southern accents, so men walking around in cowboy boots and hats, no shoot-outs in the street. Of course, we're in downtown Dallas, surrounded by skyscrapers. Not quite the wild west.
We're staying at the Hyatt Regency downtown, which is really nice. Priceline decided to bump my 3 star request up to a 4 star, so thanks Priceline, this place is great. Of course with 4 star hotels, you have to pay for everything, such as internet and parking, but the internet is cheaper than some places. The regular exercise room is closed right now, so there's a temp one which is adequate. The 30 story glass elevator is really fun to ride up and down in. I'm on the third floor, and the only weird thing is you can hear the fountains in the lobby from my room. It always sounds like it's raining. The lobby is really pretty though and the rooms are nice.
Special thanks this week to "airport girl" who is a burlesque dancer from Dallas. At O'Hare, she wrote down a list of places for us to eat in Dallas, and so far she is two for two on recommendations.
We're staying at the Hyatt Regency downtown, which is really nice. Priceline decided to bump my 3 star request up to a 4 star, so thanks Priceline, this place is great. Of course with 4 star hotels, you have to pay for everything, such as internet and parking, but the internet is cheaper than some places. The regular exercise room is closed right now, so there's a temp one which is adequate. The 30 story glass elevator is really fun to ride up and down in. I'm on the third floor, and the only weird thing is you can hear the fountains in the lobby from my room. It always sounds like it's raining. The lobby is really pretty though and the rooms are nice.
Special thanks this week to "airport girl" who is a burlesque dancer from Dallas. At O'Hare, she wrote down a list of places for us to eat in Dallas, and so far she is two for two on recommendations.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Belton, MO
This week we're staying at a Marriott Courtyard in south Kansas City, but working in Belton, MO about 10 miles south.
We went to a Royals vs. Blue Jays game tonight, but only stayed through half of the 4th inning. It all of a sudden got very cold and wet outside. I'm glad I brought towels to wipe down the seats, but it was still freezing. It was so warm last week, but tonight, the weather was quite sucky. A glass of wine in the hot tub did help the numbness. We left when the KC Royals were winning 5-1, but I just checked and they won 7-1 overall. Good job Royals. Coco Crisp, my 2nd favorite MLB player after Milton Bradley played tonight and I saw him, so it was worth it. The new stadium did look very nice and I like the fountains in the outfield. When there was a home run, the fountains went off along with the fireworks. There were the least amount of fans in the crowd I've ever seen at a game. It was quite sad. The rest of it reminded me a lot of US Cellular Field.
The Courtyard is pretty similar to every other Courtyard I've stayed at, but a nice perk of this one is it has balconies that overlook an actual courtyard. King bed, kind of comfy, free internet, fairly small rooms, couch, non-fancy towel folding/toiletries, breakfast (but not free), small but nice work-out room, business center (one computer) with free printing, coffee service all day, and a decent pool and hot tub.
Belton is a cute town. It is not super small town, but is small enough where everyone is nice and polite, and talk about a new store in town like it's big news. Nothing else very exciting there. There are a couple of small mom and pop restaurants to hit up, and that will be a nice change of pace from chain restaurants.
Done on Thursday this week, and a new cycle begins again next week. Goodbye Kansas/Missouri...it's been a good four weeks...on to Texas and Minnesota!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Touristy in Kansas
Two tourist-y things we've done in the past few days:
Went and ate at Oklahoma Joe's...the best barbeque restaurant in a gas station. This was just a plain ol' gas station with a very busy bbq restaurant in it. Definitely not fancy, but I had some good food for a very good price. I'm getting quite a collection of bbq restaurants under my belt.
Tonight we saw a comedy show at Famous Johnny's Comedy Club in Overland Park. We saw Elliott Threatt perform, and he was pretty funny. He told me that my skydiving in New Zealand was bullshit, but I swore it was true. Famous Johnny's was a nice little place to see a comedy show, not horribly crowded, 2 item minimum but they weren't very pricy, and about an hour and a half of a performance. I enjoyed the night and would go back to see another show. It is a little strange seeing a show in somewhere other than you live, because there is a lot of local humor that gets lost. A lot of Kansas cities and Arkansas jokes that I'm sure are funnier if you are from KC. http://www.famousjohnnys.com/
Had a lot of bad weather in the area and a couple tornadoes went through. I didn't see any, it was a bit west and north of where we are, but I said it wouldn't be a trip to Kansas without some twisters. Glad Kansas and Missouri are doing their parts to make my trip complete.
We're going to see a Royals game on Monday, weather-permitting and that'll probably end any fun activities in the area. I'll let you know how Belton, Missouri is!
Went and ate at Oklahoma Joe's...the best barbeque restaurant in a gas station. This was just a plain ol' gas station with a very busy bbq restaurant in it. Definitely not fancy, but I had some good food for a very good price. I'm getting quite a collection of bbq restaurants under my belt.
Tonight we saw a comedy show at Famous Johnny's Comedy Club in Overland Park. We saw Elliott Threatt perform, and he was pretty funny. He told me that my skydiving in New Zealand was bullshit, but I swore it was true. Famous Johnny's was a nice little place to see a comedy show, not horribly crowded, 2 item minimum but they weren't very pricy, and about an hour and a half of a performance. I enjoyed the night and would go back to see another show. It is a little strange seeing a show in somewhere other than you live, because there is a lot of local humor that gets lost. A lot of Kansas cities and Arkansas jokes that I'm sure are funnier if you are from KC. http://www.famousjohnnys.com/
Had a lot of bad weather in the area and a couple tornadoes went through. I didn't see any, it was a bit west and north of where we are, but I said it wouldn't be a trip to Kansas without some twisters. Glad Kansas and Missouri are doing their parts to make my trip complete.
We're going to see a Royals game on Monday, weather-permitting and that'll probably end any fun activities in the area. I'll let you know how Belton, Missouri is!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Overland Park, Kansas
I'm in Kansas, where thoughts of Dorothy, corn, and tornadoes run rampant. Another new state for me, but it is very similar to every other midwest state.
This week we're staying at the Overland Park Marriott. Now, I'm sure usually this is a very nice hotel, and the rooms are quite nice. The bed is huge, a very comfy comforter, and a huge flat screen tv. Internet is not free, but that's pretty usual for nicer hotels. Unfortunately the hotel is under construction and I was woken up this morning around 8am to the lovely sounds of jackhammers and other lovely construction noises. Grant practically had to scream to say good morning when we walked outside. I'm up on the 6th floor, it shouldn't be that loud from the lobby! What else is annoying is the fitness room and pools are closed due to the construction, and I just don't feel like going to the Jewish Community Center two miles away to go work out. So, what should be a nice hotel, is really kind of an annoying place to stay and a cheap hotel would probably have been better. Until the construction is done, I'd avoid staying here.
Other than that, Overland Park is a nice suburb of KC. We'll probably be hitting up more bbq places while we're in the area, but since we were here a few weeks ago, not sure what else we'll be doing around these parts. I'll let you know!
*Special thanks this week to Lifetime Fitness for the week long pass!
This week we're staying at the Overland Park Marriott. Now, I'm sure usually this is a very nice hotel, and the rooms are quite nice. The bed is huge, a very comfy comforter, and a huge flat screen tv. Internet is not free, but that's pretty usual for nicer hotels. Unfortunately the hotel is under construction and I was woken up this morning around 8am to the lovely sounds of jackhammers and other lovely construction noises. Grant practically had to scream to say good morning when we walked outside. I'm up on the 6th floor, it shouldn't be that loud from the lobby! What else is annoying is the fitness room and pools are closed due to the construction, and I just don't feel like going to the Jewish Community Center two miles away to go work out. So, what should be a nice hotel, is really kind of an annoying place to stay and a cheap hotel would probably have been better. Until the construction is done, I'd avoid staying here.
Other than that, Overland Park is a nice suburb of KC. We'll probably be hitting up more bbq places while we're in the area, but since we were here a few weeks ago, not sure what else we'll be doing around these parts. I'll let you know!
*Special thanks this week to Lifetime Fitness for the week long pass!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Plainfield, IN
This was a very quick week of work in Plainfield, IN 1. due to ops, and 2. due to my being very sick. Typical suburb outside of Indianapolis. We stayed at the Residence Inn by the airport, and it reminded me how awesome Residence Inn's are. Free dinners, huge rooms, full kitchens, comfy bed, free internet. It feels more like you're living in an apartment rather than squeezing into a hotel room.
Another two week trip in KC coming up!
Another two week trip in KC coming up!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Las Vegas, NV
Vegas was a ton of fun. The Mirage is a great hotel to stay in, and except for the elevators that were under renovation and took forever, it had beautiful pools, nice casino, big rooms, big flat screen tvs, comfy beds. They fit four people pretty comfortably. One day I didn't even leave the hotel till 10pm because I just stayed there sleeping in, hanging by the pool and hot tub, gambling in the casino, then seeing a show there. It's amazing how much there is in one hotel.
I saw O, the Cirque de Soleil show, Terry Fator who won America's Got Talent, he's a celebrity impersonator/ventriliquist/singer/comedian, and Thunder from down Under, a bunch of half-naked Australian men. All shows were great. Terry Fator was probably my favorite, just because he's so talented and it was thoroughly entertaining all the way through. I suggest watching some Youtube clips of him if you're bored. O was beautiful to watch and had a lot of extremely cool elements. Thunder From Down Under was fun, but Chippendales were definitely better.
The champagne brunch at Paris on Sunday was pretty awesome. I think any champagne brunch in Vegas is probably great, but this was a good one.
One of my favorite parts of the weekend was playing craps with some of the guys for 3-4 hours at Casino Royale (couldn't get away from good ol' Casino Royale with their cheap drinks and cheap tables). We stayed up the first night till 7am (this was the first real time I've stayed up more than 24 hours) but had a great time. My luck went downhill after that night with gambling, but oh well. Good times all around.
We stayed awake for almost three days straight but I still feel like we barely did anything. I just know I had an awesome time, was really glad to hang out with everyone for awhile, and want to go back. I already miss you guys! Another trip again next year!
I saw O, the Cirque de Soleil show, Terry Fator who won America's Got Talent, he's a celebrity impersonator/ventriliquist/singer/comedian, and Thunder from down Under, a bunch of half-naked Australian men. All shows were great. Terry Fator was probably my favorite, just because he's so talented and it was thoroughly entertaining all the way through. I suggest watching some Youtube clips of him if you're bored. O was beautiful to watch and had a lot of extremely cool elements. Thunder From Down Under was fun, but Chippendales were definitely better.
The champagne brunch at Paris on Sunday was pretty awesome. I think any champagne brunch in Vegas is probably great, but this was a good one.
One of my favorite parts of the weekend was playing craps with some of the guys for 3-4 hours at Casino Royale (couldn't get away from good ol' Casino Royale with their cheap drinks and cheap tables). We stayed up the first night till 7am (this was the first real time I've stayed up more than 24 hours) but had a great time. My luck went downhill after that night with gambling, but oh well. Good times all around.
We stayed awake for almost three days straight but I still feel like we barely did anything. I just know I had an awesome time, was really glad to hang out with everyone for awhile, and want to go back. I already miss you guys! Another trip again next year!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Indianapolis, IN
I'm in Indy this week, staying with Beth. So far, nothing terribly eventful. They are filming Extreme Home Makeover in the area (Beth, Becca, and friends have volunteered) and we just caught some of the filming in Hinkel Fieldhouse across the street. Saw Ty, but the pictures I took on my phone were not good. It was very touching hearing the stories about the family.
Random sidenote: A tonsorial is a barber shop. We saw that in a mural in Moe and Johnny's when we went to dinner and we had to ask what that was.
I've been to Indy quite a few times and I'm not staying in a hotel, so nothing really to review. It is nice going home to somewhere other than a hotel after work. We get to do things like walk the dogs and eat cooked food! Ah, the little things in life that are missing from life on the road. Thanks to Beth's house for letting me sleep on the couch all week.
Going to Vegas on Friday! Very excited!
Random sidenote: A tonsorial is a barber shop. We saw that in a mural in Moe and Johnny's when we went to dinner and we had to ask what that was.
I've been to Indy quite a few times and I'm not staying in a hotel, so nothing really to review. It is nice going home to somewhere other than a hotel after work. We get to do things like walk the dogs and eat cooked food! Ah, the little things in life that are missing from life on the road. Thanks to Beth's house for letting me sleep on the couch all week.
Going to Vegas on Friday! Very excited!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
KC: Part 2
KC Food:
We've gone to quite a few restaurants in the area, so I wanted to share my thoughts on them quickly.
Chefburger: Good lunch place. A great variety of burgers to get and they were pretty tasty.
Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant: This is a chain but I have never heard of it before. I've been on a sangria kick lately, and they had very good sangria. Food was moderately priced and pretty standard.
Fiorelli's Jack Stack: This is one of the BBQ places to hit in KC we were told. There are a few locations, and we went to the one by Union Station. I really enjoyed the ribs I got, although was kind of unsure about the cheesy corn. It tasted more like soup than corn. The bbq sauce was really good (I didn't try the spicy one, but the standard had a good flavor). The portions were huge and I wish I had a fridge in the hotel room to bring back the leftovers. This wasn't one of the "down home" bbq places in the area, but definitely good food that wasn't too pricey.
Flying Saucer: We tried to eat here twice, but couldn't find a place to sit. Apparently it's popular.
Maker's Mark Bourbon House and Lounge: This was probably the best meal I've had this week. Steak on Tuesday was half off so I got a Kansas City Strip, mashed potatoes, and loaded baked potato soup. It was all awesome. Everything was really fresh and was excellent. However, this place was really expensive. If the steak wasn't half off, it'd have to be a really special occasion to go there for dinner. I didn't try any bourbons, but they had plenty to choose from.
There were a few others I can't remember the name of or that are not in my brochure on the Power and Light district.
KC Arts:
I saw Phantom of the Opera at the Music Hall on Wednesday. The show was a Broadway Across America show and was a great performance. The Music Hall was a nice place to see a show, but the seats in the balcony were positioned so there was a person seated directly in front of you, not on any angle. Once the lights went down, you could see a ton of people and switching seats (it wasn't sold out) in order to see better. The actors were great, had awesome voices, and was probably one of the best touring shows I've seen. There was no one weak actor that is so typical with touring casts. The costumes and scenery were beautiful. The special effects were done well. I'm glad I knew the story already though, because I think I would have been a little confused at parts if I didn't. They seemed to rush the beginning a lot which made it fast-paced, but I think it lost some of the backstory.
Good week in KC, but glad to be heading home tomorrow. Back to Missouri in a couple weeks.
We've gone to quite a few restaurants in the area, so I wanted to share my thoughts on them quickly.
Chefburger: Good lunch place. A great variety of burgers to get and they were pretty tasty.
Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant: This is a chain but I have never heard of it before. I've been on a sangria kick lately, and they had very good sangria. Food was moderately priced and pretty standard.
Fiorelli's Jack Stack: This is one of the BBQ places to hit in KC we were told. There are a few locations, and we went to the one by Union Station. I really enjoyed the ribs I got, although was kind of unsure about the cheesy corn. It tasted more like soup than corn. The bbq sauce was really good (I didn't try the spicy one, but the standard had a good flavor). The portions were huge and I wish I had a fridge in the hotel room to bring back the leftovers. This wasn't one of the "down home" bbq places in the area, but definitely good food that wasn't too pricey.
Flying Saucer: We tried to eat here twice, but couldn't find a place to sit. Apparently it's popular.
Maker's Mark Bourbon House and Lounge: This was probably the best meal I've had this week. Steak on Tuesday was half off so I got a Kansas City Strip, mashed potatoes, and loaded baked potato soup. It was all awesome. Everything was really fresh and was excellent. However, this place was really expensive. If the steak wasn't half off, it'd have to be a really special occasion to go there for dinner. I didn't try any bourbons, but they had plenty to choose from.
There were a few others I can't remember the name of or that are not in my brochure on the Power and Light district.
KC Arts:
I saw Phantom of the Opera at the Music Hall on Wednesday. The show was a Broadway Across America show and was a great performance. The Music Hall was a nice place to see a show, but the seats in the balcony were positioned so there was a person seated directly in front of you, not on any angle. Once the lights went down, you could see a ton of people and switching seats (it wasn't sold out) in order to see better. The actors were great, had awesome voices, and was probably one of the best touring shows I've seen. There was no one weak actor that is so typical with touring casts. The costumes and scenery were beautiful. The special effects were done well. I'm glad I knew the story already though, because I think I would have been a little confused at parts if I didn't. They seemed to rush the beginning a lot which made it fast-paced, but I think it lost some of the backstory.
Good week in KC, but glad to be heading home tomorrow. Back to Missouri in a couple weeks.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Kansas City, Missouri
Week 2 of my two week Missouri trip, and now we're in Kansas City until Friday. We're staying at the Holiday Inn, formerly the Aladdin Hotel, in downtown KC across from the convention center.
So far, I like Kansas City. It's been awhile since I've been in a downtown area and this is a nice city, small, clean, just enough big buildings without being crowded. We got here yesterday when they were playing the NCAA games a few blocks away at the Sprint Center so things were crazy last night. We went to the Power and Lights district, the popular area with a bunch of restaurants and bars by the stadium. Something like 40 bars in a two block area. I really like the middle section with the Live! stage that had around 10 bars and restaurants that were all in an enclosed square that you could walk around with your alcohol, bar hop, listen to the bands playing in the middle, watch the NCAA games, etc. We mostly stayed at Angels Rock Bar which had good music and some entertaining random acts by the bartenders such as swinging on swings over the crowd, dancing on the bars, and swallowing fire.
We'll see what other events the week brings. I'm going to see Phantom of the Opera on Wednesday since the Music Hall is pretty much across the street from the hotel. It's awesome being with walking distance of so many things.
The Holiday Inn/Aladdin Hotel is cool. It's an older building, so it has some style in the lobby and they make the rooms look pretty stylish, if on the small side. When we checked in we were given free glasses of champagne while we waited five minutes for the rooms to be done. That was a nice welcome. Free internet, valet parking, room service (which is particularly pricey), dvd players in the rooms, flat screen tv, big comfy beds (although not as good as the Hilton's), restaurant, lounge, spa, decent exercise room, and free business center with fast computers. Also, the Kleenex was folded into a rose and one of my towels was folded into an elephant! Last big plus, we can walk to the store from here too.
If you've been here before, please recommend what barbeque place to go to. There are a ton to choose from, and I hear this is the place for bbq.
So far, I like Kansas City. It's been awhile since I've been in a downtown area and this is a nice city, small, clean, just enough big buildings without being crowded. We got here yesterday when they were playing the NCAA games a few blocks away at the Sprint Center so things were crazy last night. We went to the Power and Lights district, the popular area with a bunch of restaurants and bars by the stadium. Something like 40 bars in a two block area. I really like the middle section with the Live! stage that had around 10 bars and restaurants that were all in an enclosed square that you could walk around with your alcohol, bar hop, listen to the bands playing in the middle, watch the NCAA games, etc. We mostly stayed at Angels Rock Bar which had good music and some entertaining random acts by the bartenders such as swinging on swings over the crowd, dancing on the bars, and swallowing fire.
We'll see what other events the week brings. I'm going to see Phantom of the Opera on Wednesday since the Music Hall is pretty much across the street from the hotel. It's awesome being with walking distance of so many things.
The Holiday Inn/Aladdin Hotel is cool. It's an older building, so it has some style in the lobby and they make the rooms look pretty stylish, if on the small side. When we checked in we were given free glasses of champagne while we waited five minutes for the rooms to be done. That was a nice welcome. Free internet, valet parking, room service (which is particularly pricey), dvd players in the rooms, flat screen tv, big comfy beds (although not as good as the Hilton's), restaurant, lounge, spa, decent exercise room, and free business center with fast computers. Also, the Kleenex was folded into a rose and one of my towels was folded into an elephant! Last big plus, we can walk to the store from here too.
If you've been here before, please recommend what barbeque place to go to. There are a ton to choose from, and I hear this is the place for bbq.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Joplin, Missouri
Back to civilization, 80 degrees warmer than last week, and in southwestern Missouri. Drove down Route 66 for awhile, saw the Arch in St. Louis, drove a long way through Missouri with lots of Jesus signs, and here we are on the border of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Staying at the Holiday Inn here in Joplin. Nice, but older. My room is really small so I can't give a very fair review since I have zero sink space and have to balance my make-up, brush, and other supplies on the toilet and rack over the toilet, but other than that it's nice. Beds are decent, nice lobby, older but ok fitness center, and very average business center. They do have an indoor pool, hot tub, outdoor pool, room service, bar, manager's reception which I haven't been to, and free internet. I can hear everything in the hall from my room. The loudest people are not the guests, but the staff. They are doing housekeeping until 5pm every day or after and yell down the halls. I got back today at 5pm and my room was still not made up and they are still screaming down the halls at 7:15pm and complaining. It's pretty annoying.
On St. Patrick's Day we went to some bars on Main Street/Joplin which were fun and had live bands. Within the first five minutes of the first one we saw a bar fight be broken up by a huge man in a kilt and a very intoxicated little person. When on Monday we asked the guy at Olive Garden where to go in town, he recommended the Buffalo Wild Wings...exciting.
This is also the location of where they do a show called Trick My Truck, a Pimp My Ride, but for trucks, that plays on CMT. I have not heard of this show.
Next six weeks include more Missouri, Kansas, and Indianapolis. Thank goodness it's getting warm again. I didn't realized I missed going outside without a coat.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
High of -1
I survived the blizzard! The store had to close early it got so bad, all the interstates were closed, windchills of -40 degrees, 50 mph gusts, drifts south up to 5 feet, near white-out conditions. But if I can get through a North Dakota blizzard, any other blizzards will be a breeze.
Today, the high was -1. I am actually looking forward to 30 degree weather. I have to put the picture up of what the above shot looks like normally. It's a drastic difference.
The University of North Dakota is nice campus. Home of the Sioux...which I'm wondering how they escaped political correctness with a giant Native American head on the side of Englestad Stadium. I think they're forgotten about up here.
I don't really care what you North Dakotans think...if the weather is in the negatives, I'm going to wear a hat, scarf, gloves, and heavy jacket. Yes, I know it's not northern Canada, but close enough.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Blizzard Warning: Grand Forks, ND
Here's the storm description of the blizzard that will be hitting at 7am tomorrow:
A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL BRING A SECOND ROUND OF SNOW TUESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS SECOND SYSTEM. NORTH WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. THE COMBINATION OF WIND AND SNOW SHOULD RESULT IN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WHICH WILL MAKE TRAVEL EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE. WIND CHILLS TUESDAY INTO TUESDAY NIGHT ARE EXPECTED TO FALL TO HAZARDOUS LEVELS OF 30 TO 40 BELOW ZERO.
A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS... MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL... HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED... STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.
It was 60 degrees and sunny in Illinois when I left. Damn winter. We've already been called wimps several times for thinking it's cold.
Staying at a Fairfield again, which is pretty similar to every other Fairfield. I got some groceries stocked up in my mini-fridge so I don't have to go out in this snow, and a nice comfy king size bed. Nice complimentary breakfast, free internet, but kind of a tiny room.
I'll let you know how the blizzard goes!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
North Dakota!
After 12 hours of travel, I have arrived in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This travel today has included: 4 time changes in the last 24 hours, 2.5 hours driving to Midway, 5 hours on planes, 2.5 hour layover, 1.5 hour driving from Fargo to Grand Forks, 3 states, turbo prop planes, sun, floods, and a blizzard watch.
But a new state, woo hoo! New shot glass for the collection for sure. Not too cold and no snow yet...cross your fingers.
But a new state, woo hoo! New shot glass for the collection for sure. Not too cold and no snow yet...cross your fingers.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Countryside, IL
Done with Iowa! Quick week in Illinois then on to more exciting travels. This week I'm in Countryside, Illinois, a somewhat southwest suburb of Chicago near Brookfield and LaGrange. Besides Brookfield Zoo a few miles away, not sure of anything else around here.
I did get a pretty good massage at Massage Envy for a cheap introductory deal. That was sweet.
Staying at the Marriott in Burr Ridge which is really nice. Highlights are the really comfy beds (comparable to the Hilton's beds which were awesome) and the fun ways they fold the towels and Kleenex. They folded my Kleenex into a rose yesterday! That takes skill. They also refilled all the shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. That being said, no cookies, expensive bottled water they sit on the desk to taunt you with, and no free internet (or internet I can skill from someplace that is free). They do have a nice work out room, pool, hot tub, flat screen tv's, good size rooms, and business center. Overall a nice hotel.
Wish me luck as I venture to North Dakota next week. I think I'm going to watch "Fargo" in preparation. It's supposed to snow almost all next week and be around 12 degrees (in Grand Forks). I hope winter is done with by the time I get back to the midwest.
I did get a pretty good massage at Massage Envy for a cheap introductory deal. That was sweet.
Staying at the Marriott in Burr Ridge which is really nice. Highlights are the really comfy beds (comparable to the Hilton's beds which were awesome) and the fun ways they fold the towels and Kleenex. They folded my Kleenex into a rose yesterday! That takes skill. They also refilled all the shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. That being said, no cookies, expensive bottled water they sit on the desk to taunt you with, and no free internet (or internet I can skill from someplace that is free). They do have a nice work out room, pool, hot tub, flat screen tv's, good size rooms, and business center. Overall a nice hotel.
Wish me luck as I venture to North Dakota next week. I think I'm going to watch "Fargo" in preparation. It's supposed to snow almost all next week and be around 12 degrees (in Grand Forks). I hope winter is done with by the time I get back to the midwest.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ankeny, IA
Back to work and back to Iowa again. I got to Des Moines this time around, it's about 10 minutes away from here and saw Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Civic Center. The Civic Center was a nice performance space, but it is so different seeing a Broadway touring cast here as opposed to Chicago. I think the theater sat about 2000, but it was not ornate at all, no rows in the center of the aisles (you could only enter from the sides, and if you were in the middle, like I was, you had to climb over 40 people to get there). The ambiance of the theater aside, it was a very cute show. Don't expect any substance, but you'll be entertained. But, only $5 to park!
Staying at the Fairfield Inn. Nice size rooms, they refill my shampoo, conditioner, and lotion every day, free internet, relatively comfy bed, loud noisy heater, free breakfast, microwave and mini-fridge, good selection of tv channels, business center, pool, hot tub, and my favorite part so far, free cookies at the front desk. For those hotels that want to make me happy, give me shampoo and conditioner every day and give me cookies. Nothing else necessary.
Nothing much really to do in Ankeny itself, it's pretty much a suburb of Des Moines. I did go to the Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona. Nice casino, only bad part is everyone is smoking inside. I've found out that casinos are a good place to go if you are by yourself and just want to waste an hour or two. You can play penny slots, win or lose a little bit of money, talk to those around you, and no one thinks you're weird for being there alone. Plus you can drink if you so please.
Oh, also if you're in this area, go to Tasty Tacos and get a flour taco. Damn good.
Staying at the Fairfield Inn. Nice size rooms, they refill my shampoo, conditioner, and lotion every day, free internet, relatively comfy bed, loud noisy heater, free breakfast, microwave and mini-fridge, good selection of tv channels, business center, pool, hot tub, and my favorite part so far, free cookies at the front desk. For those hotels that want to make me happy, give me shampoo and conditioner every day and give me cookies. Nothing else necessary.
Nothing much really to do in Ankeny itself, it's pretty much a suburb of Des Moines. I did go to the Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona. Nice casino, only bad part is everyone is smoking inside. I've found out that casinos are a good place to go if you are by yourself and just want to waste an hour or two. You can play penny slots, win or lose a little bit of money, talk to those around you, and no one thinks you're weird for being there alone. Plus you can drink if you so please.
Oh, also if you're in this area, go to Tasty Tacos and get a flour taco. Damn good.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
San Diego, CA
This was not a work trip for once! I went to San Diego to visit Ryan for a few days. Of course I pick the couple days that it decides to be colder and rainy, but it was still warmer than Illinois. There are a lot of different little neighborhoods, similar to Chicago, that make up the city. We went to the bars in Northpark which was the trendier area, Hillcrest, the boystown area, then hit up a few of the beach areas such as Ocean Beach. The cliffs over the beach by the university were my favorite even though the rain made it really slippery and my purse and shoes got clay all over them. No touristy activities, but definitely saw a lot of the area. Palm trees, beaches, and mountains...awesome. It was nice to fly somewhere and not work at the other end.
As a sidenote, the Southwest flight on Valentine's Day was great...good job Southwest. They had the plane decorated, gave everyone a free pink drink, sang songs, played match.com, and tried to make the flight entertaining.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Flying and Airports
I decided today that I fly too much, mainly because four different times I had to tell people in the San Diego airport things they were doing wrong. Now, I know people don't fly or travel near as much as I do. I was not mad at these people, I just want them to not delay everyone else who is not scared, excited, nervous, happy, etc about flying. Below is my list of things that are common airport mistakes/helpful tips. Don't be that guy that business travelers hate.
1. Don't arrive 20 minutes before your flight and expect everyone to feel bad for you and let you cut. Now, I know things happen that make you late. Everyone is at the airport on a time schedule. Just get there an hour and a half beforehand and you and your bags will make it to your next destination.
2. Don't argue with the ticketing people at the counter, that lady who asks you if you have an e-ticket, or the flight attendants. They have to do things a certain way. You yelling won't help matters. Be polite, ask nicely, and all will be happy.
3. Wear slip on shoes through security. Take any jackets, sweatshirts, and belts off. Avoid the hassle.
4. Put your laptop in a bin by itself.
5. Keep your ID and boarding pass in an accessible area.
6. If at all possible, don't check baggage. I always do, and so far I've been lucky with not losing any, but it's so much easier if you don't.
7. When you pick up your luggage in your destination city, don't crowd around the conveyor belt and not let anyone else through. You are not the only one who wants your bag, and if I have to chase it down the belt because I couldn't get past you, I'm not going to be happy.
8. Dress in layers. First the plane is hot, then you're freezing, then you wish you had your sweatshirt to roll up as a pillow. Layer it up.
9. If you can't carry it, don't bring it. Unless you're moving to a new city, do you really need those four oversized bags that you are forced to kick and tie all together to the kiosk? No.
10. Continuing to ask the the employees at the gate if there are any updates on the progress of the plane does not make it come faster.
11. Listen when they make those announcements. It very often pertains to you. There is no reason not to know that your gate changed.
12. Make sure to have plenty of reading materials/Ipod/laptop/etc to keep you busy on the plane. Watching the back of the seat is no fun.
13. Always take the peanuts or snacks.
14. Be sure to know what time zone you are flying in and out of.
15. Weigh your bag before you go. Having to take 2 pounds out and shuffle it around after they weigh it is a pain. And, no one in line wants to see what you packed.
16. Don't chit chat with the person next to you unless you are sure they want to chitchat. If they have headphones on, are reading a book, avoiding eye contact, or give you one word answers, they don't care where you are going, why you are going there, or your life story. Deal with it.
17. Don't turn on your electronic devices until they tell you to. The flight attendants can see you. They are people with eyes. Your earbuds are not invisible. Also, don't completely ignore them when they do their safety demonstration. At least pretend like you care.
18. Go with the flow.
19. This one is my dad's addition: Don't use the back of the person's seat in front of you as a wall to hoist yourself up with. There is probably a person whose head is wobbling all around and they are too polite to say anything to you. Use those leg muscles. Oh, and if you are in the aisle seat, stand up and let those in the middle get through. Don't just scoot your legs in. It's uncomfortable for all involved.
Hope that helps you. Any other suggestions? I'll add more if I encounter them. Happy flying.
1. Don't arrive 20 minutes before your flight and expect everyone to feel bad for you and let you cut. Now, I know things happen that make you late. Everyone is at the airport on a time schedule. Just get there an hour and a half beforehand and you and your bags will make it to your next destination.
2. Don't argue with the ticketing people at the counter, that lady who asks you if you have an e-ticket, or the flight attendants. They have to do things a certain way. You yelling won't help matters. Be polite, ask nicely, and all will be happy.
3. Wear slip on shoes through security. Take any jackets, sweatshirts, and belts off. Avoid the hassle.
4. Put your laptop in a bin by itself.
5. Keep your ID and boarding pass in an accessible area.
6. If at all possible, don't check baggage. I always do, and so far I've been lucky with not losing any, but it's so much easier if you don't.
7. When you pick up your luggage in your destination city, don't crowd around the conveyor belt and not let anyone else through. You are not the only one who wants your bag, and if I have to chase it down the belt because I couldn't get past you, I'm not going to be happy.
8. Dress in layers. First the plane is hot, then you're freezing, then you wish you had your sweatshirt to roll up as a pillow. Layer it up.
9. If you can't carry it, don't bring it. Unless you're moving to a new city, do you really need those four oversized bags that you are forced to kick and tie all together to the kiosk? No.
10. Continuing to ask the the employees at the gate if there are any updates on the progress of the plane does not make it come faster.
11. Listen when they make those announcements. It very often pertains to you. There is no reason not to know that your gate changed.
12. Make sure to have plenty of reading materials/Ipod/laptop/etc to keep you busy on the plane. Watching the back of the seat is no fun.
13. Always take the peanuts or snacks.
14. Be sure to know what time zone you are flying in and out of.
15. Weigh your bag before you go. Having to take 2 pounds out and shuffle it around after they weigh it is a pain. And, no one in line wants to see what you packed.
16. Don't chit chat with the person next to you unless you are sure they want to chitchat. If they have headphones on, are reading a book, avoiding eye contact, or give you one word answers, they don't care where you are going, why you are going there, or your life story. Deal with it.
17. Don't turn on your electronic devices until they tell you to. The flight attendants can see you. They are people with eyes. Your earbuds are not invisible. Also, don't completely ignore them when they do their safety demonstration. At least pretend like you care.
18. Go with the flow.
19. This one is my dad's addition: Don't use the back of the person's seat in front of you as a wall to hoist yourself up with. There is probably a person whose head is wobbling all around and they are too polite to say anything to you. Use those leg muscles. Oh, and if you are in the aisle seat, stand up and let those in the middle get through. Don't just scoot your legs in. It's uncomfortable for all involved.
Hope that helps you. Any other suggestions? I'll add more if I encounter them. Happy flying.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Clinton, Iowa
Continuing with my Music Man Iowa theme, I am staying this week in...get ready...River City! Now technically I guess Music Man is based in Mason City, and I am technically in Clinton, but almost all the signs around say River City this or that and it's another small town with an older feel. Only one more week in Iowa before I stop referencing Music Man, but this one was too good to pass up.
Sooo...Clinton, Iowa. There's apparently a casino here, but I've yet to see it. Clinton is right on the Mississippi so you can drive over a bridge into Fulton a few times a day. Not much other excitement. Staying at the Best Western Frontier Inn. Nice part is a hot breakfast buffet that's free, there's an indoor pool, hot tub, free internet, mini fridge and microwave, decent sized rooms, not very comfy bed, pretty crappy fitness area (but it has one). And I think another way I'm going to begin judging hotels...they refill the shampoo, lotion, conditioner, and soap every day. It sounds silly, but so many don't and it makes me mad every time.
On a non-Iowa note, I'm going to San Diego to visit Ryan on Saturday! Then I have next week off to be in So-Cal and Champaign. I'm excited!
Sooo...Clinton, Iowa. There's apparently a casino here, but I've yet to see it. Clinton is right on the Mississippi so you can drive over a bridge into Fulton a few times a day. Not much other excitement. Staying at the Best Western Frontier Inn. Nice part is a hot breakfast buffet that's free, there's an indoor pool, hot tub, free internet, mini fridge and microwave, decent sized rooms, not very comfy bed, pretty crappy fitness area (but it has one). And I think another way I'm going to begin judging hotels...they refill the shampoo, lotion, conditioner, and soap every day. It sounds silly, but so many don't and it makes me mad every time.
On a non-Iowa note, I'm going to San Diego to visit Ryan on Saturday! Then I have next week off to be in So-Cal and Champaign. I'm excited!
Monday, February 2, 2009
States Visited
Here is my current list of states visited since I started work. It was just work specific before, but I keep traveling even when I don't have to.
Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Ontario (side trip during our time in Michigan)
Illinois (all over the place)
Florida (West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens)
Colorado (Boulder, Fort Collins)
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
Ohio (Canton, North Olmsted)
Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Appleton)
Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
Georgia (Atlanta)
Iowa (Clinton, Des Moines, Council Bluffs)
North Dakota (Grand Forks)
California (side trip to San Diego to visit Ryan)
Indiana (Indianapolis)
Nevada (vacation in Vegas!)
Missouri (Kansas City, Joplin, Belton, St. Louis)
Kansas (Overland Park)
Texas (Dallas)
Minnesota (St. Paul)
Tennessee (Memphis)
Arkansas (drove through to Memphis)
Nebraska (flew into Omaha to Council Bluffs)
North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham)
For those counting, that's 22 states, one Canadian province. Since late August 2008!
Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Ontario (side trip during our time in Michigan)
Illinois (all over the place)
Florida (West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens)
Colorado (Boulder, Fort Collins)
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
Ohio (Canton, North Olmsted)
Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Appleton)
Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
Georgia (Atlanta)
Iowa (Clinton, Des Moines, Council Bluffs)
North Dakota (Grand Forks)
California (side trip to San Diego to visit Ryan)
Indiana (Indianapolis)
Nevada (vacation in Vegas!)
Missouri (Kansas City, Joplin, Belton, St. Louis)
Kansas (Overland Park)
Texas (Dallas)
Minnesota (St. Paul)
Tennessee (Memphis)
Arkansas (drove through to Memphis)
Nebraska (flew into Omaha to Council Bluffs)
North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham)
For those counting, that's 22 states, one Canadian province. Since late August 2008!
Indianola, Iowa
Dubuque, Des Moines, Davenport, Marshalltown, Mason City, Keokuk, Ames, Clear Lake...
Ought to give Iowa a try! Or....not. Sorry for the Music Man reference, that's the only Iowa song I know and it keeps getting stuck in my head.
I am working in Indianola, Iowa and staying in Des Moines. After driving and driving through corn fields and finally reaching the Iowa border, and then driving and driving some more, I was very excited to see an actual city (Des Moines). But then, we went to work this morning, and welcome to small town Iowa. Corn fields, farm, tractors, and a senile old man telling Tom at lunch to stay away from me because I might hit him upside the head because females are ornery like that (we should say ornery more, it's an awesome word).
Staying at a Comfort Inn by the airport this week. It's nice, decent for a 2 star, free internet, pool, hot tub, nice free breakfast, good size rooms, comfy beds. Only complaint so far is no free conditioner, just shampoo and lotion. But, I should just keep a stash of small bottles of shampoo and conditioner I've collected along the way with me so I don't run into not having something.
Today I'll leave you with the prayer for "The Stranger Within Our Gates" that is laminated in the hotel room and sat on the dresser. It's a very nice thought for those of us who live the traveling lifestyle.
"May this room and this hotel be your 'second' home. May those you love be near you in thoughts and dreams. Even though we may not get to know you, we hope that you will be comfortable and happy as if you were in your own house. May the business that brought you our way prosper. May every call you make and every message you receive add to your joy. When you leave, may your journey be safe. We are all travelers. From birth till death, we travel between eternities. May these days be pleasant for you, profitable for society, helpful for those you meet, and a joy to those who know and love you best."
Ought to give Iowa a try! Or....not. Sorry for the Music Man reference, that's the only Iowa song I know and it keeps getting stuck in my head.
I am working in Indianola, Iowa and staying in Des Moines. After driving and driving through corn fields and finally reaching the Iowa border, and then driving and driving some more, I was very excited to see an actual city (Des Moines). But then, we went to work this morning, and welcome to small town Iowa. Corn fields, farm, tractors, and a senile old man telling Tom at lunch to stay away from me because I might hit him upside the head because females are ornery like that (we should say ornery more, it's an awesome word).
Staying at a Comfort Inn by the airport this week. It's nice, decent for a 2 star, free internet, pool, hot tub, nice free breakfast, good size rooms, comfy beds. Only complaint so far is no free conditioner, just shampoo and lotion. But, I should just keep a stash of small bottles of shampoo and conditioner I've collected along the way with me so I don't run into not having something.
Today I'll leave you with the prayer for "The Stranger Within Our Gates" that is laminated in the hotel room and sat on the dresser. It's a very nice thought for those of us who live the traveling lifestyle.
"May this room and this hotel be your 'second' home. May those you love be near you in thoughts and dreams. Even though we may not get to know you, we hope that you will be comfortable and happy as if you were in your own house. May the business that brought you our way prosper. May every call you make and every message you receive add to your joy. When you leave, may your journey be safe. We are all travelers. From birth till death, we travel between eternities. May these days be pleasant for you, profitable for society, helpful for those you meet, and a joy to those who know and love you best."
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Kankakee...Oh wait....Frankfort, IL
I started off the week working in Kankakee, and then today, due to stealing and then ruining of menus, we had to switch to a new store. Tomorrow, we start at Frankfort. What a weird week. Pretty much this equals to two stores that we aren't getting much done at in good ol' Illinois. At least in Frankfort I can stay at home for a few days.
Fairfield Inn in Kankakee, for the one night I stayed there, was very nice. Good continental breakfast, pool, hot tub, comfy beds, free internet. No exercise room, but oh well. No need to do too much exercising :-)
Fairfield Inn in Kankakee, for the one night I stayed there, was very nice. Good continental breakfast, pool, hot tub, comfy beds, free internet. No exercise room, but oh well. No need to do too much exercising :-)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Not very hot Atlanta, GA
In Atlanta, Georgia this week. It was freezing (snow flurries and everything when we landed) but today finally got a bit nicer. Not having been here since the Olympics, I like the city a lot. We're working up in Buckhead which is way, way too ritzy for me, very Rodeo Drive-esque, but the city itself is pretty and clean. Beautiful people, little dogs wearing clothes, doorbells to gain admittance into a store, and too many BMW's and Lexus on the road. Staying at another Courtyard closer to downtown which isn't very exciting.
Last night I ate at Skip Caray's (Harry Caray's son) house last night courtesy of a friend of the family who is living with them. All the houses over there were amazing, and the Caray's house had some amazing memorabilia in it (see above). It felt like a museum instead of a basement of a house. Definitely a cool change of pace.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
More on Fort Collins, CO
We took a drive through the foothills for about an hour and saw some of the scenery. One of my favorite parts was a small town about 20 minutes in with a population of 47 1/2. It's amazing how quick you lose civilization.Although we didn't get to the New Belgium brewery, we did hit up Coopersmith's for dinner and had some good beer. Stonehouse (?) I think was the name of it, was a cool bar that we went to on Thursday night.
Off to Atlanta next week!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Fort Collins, Colorado
Off in the Rockies (or at least the foothills) this week. The town is nice, the views, when it's sunny, are pretty off in the distance. There are a bunch of breweries over here (Odells, New Belgium, Coopersmith's, etc) that I think we'll hit up if they are open past 5pm.
Staying at the Hilton, and it's very nice. Super comfy beds. Internet is not free, but we're stealing the meeting rooms internet so all is good. Work out room, pool, room service, and all that stuff that I never use.
Yesterday we saw a Pepper concert at the Aggie Theater in Old Town which was a pretty cool spot to see bands. I liked Pepper, and I think I will be listening to them more. The show was a lot of fun and the opening bands pretty good as well.
We'll see what else the week brings.
Staying at the Hilton, and it's very nice. Super comfy beds. Internet is not free, but we're stealing the meeting rooms internet so all is good. Work out room, pool, room service, and all that stuff that I never use.
Yesterday we saw a Pepper concert at the Aggie Theater in Old Town which was a pretty cool spot to see bands. I liked Pepper, and I think I will be listening to them more. The show was a lot of fun and the opening bands pretty good as well.
We'll see what else the week brings.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
This week is a constant reminder of the "Tuscaloosa Heart" episode of Scrubs, the song "Sweet Home, Alabama" and Forest Gump. Mainly because those were the only previous ideas of Alabama I had.
The weather is warm, but really rainy. The southern twangs are very cute. The racism and sexism I was expecting hasn't really shown up yet. The University is really nice.
We ate at Archibald's BBQ today which was literally in an old shack in the back of this guy's house. It was pretty awesome ribs and definitely a unique eating experience. Once I figure out how to get the picture from my phone online, I will put the picture of this shack up.
We're staying at a Howard Johnson motel, which is kind of sucky, but oh well. Typical motel. At least I have internet, unlike the guys' room.
And that's about it so far. New state for me though, woo hoo!
The weather is warm, but really rainy. The southern twangs are very cute. The racism and sexism I was expecting hasn't really shown up yet. The University is really nice.
We ate at Archibald's BBQ today which was literally in an old shack in the back of this guy's house. It was pretty awesome ribs and definitely a unique eating experience. Once I figure out how to get the picture from my phone online, I will put the picture of this shack up.
We're staying at a Howard Johnson motel, which is kind of sucky, but oh well. Typical motel. At least I have internet, unlike the guys' room.
And that's about it so far. New state for me though, woo hoo!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Quick wrap up of the quick stay in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
Stayed at the Wyndham Convention Center in Milwaukee across from the airport. It was nice, decent work out room (which I actually used twice), in and outdoor pool (which I didn't use), mini fridge in the room, and free internet. The business center was way too pricy, but most of these places are.
Took a quick trip to downtown Milwaukee and ate at Benihana's which was a nice change of pace. In Oak Creek, Erv's Restaurant and Georgie Porgy were pretty cool local spots.
For my New Years resolutions, I plan on exercising more when there are exercise rooms in the hotel and to attempt to eat better at restaurants.
Stayed at the Wyndham Convention Center in Milwaukee across from the airport. It was nice, decent work out room (which I actually used twice), in and outdoor pool (which I didn't use), mini fridge in the room, and free internet. The business center was way too pricy, but most of these places are.
Took a quick trip to downtown Milwaukee and ate at Benihana's which was a nice change of pace. In Oak Creek, Erv's Restaurant and Georgie Porgy were pretty cool local spots.
For my New Years resolutions, I plan on exercising more when there are exercise rooms in the hotel and to attempt to eat better at restaurants.
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