Blogger

This service is starting to tick me off. The app isn't very good. I'm getting random errors. I can't seem to add a "gadget" of other bloggers I'm following . . . . Researching TypePad and WordPress. Any suggestions from anyone?

City Kitty

Since Murphy is such a little genius, I decided to see if I could potty train her. I ordered the CityKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit and it arrived today. We shall see how it goes.

Spring!

Planted some bulbs (dahlia, freesia, peony) and weeded the front beds. Added some mulch and they look gorgeous.








Next up, plant the new roses and finish that last bed in the front.

New Guinea Impatiens

New hanging baskets. Amazingly colorful and incredibly expensive.

Citi Aadvantage

On Monday, when I flew out, I thought I had this neat benefit with my new Citi Aadvantage card of getting a free checked bag. Except the kiosk made me pay. I called Citi and it appears that you must purchase the American Airlines ticket with your citi aadvantage card to get the free checked bag. I thought I would save my company the $50 but alas, I don't pay for my own air travel. So there's the answer to that question. 

North Carolina - Day 2

Well the convience of the Embassy Suites wasn't so convient today. I usually choose to stay here because it's close to work and they have a shuttle that will take you to and from. Then I don't have to get a car and get lost trying to figure out which way is North.

Haven't been impressed with the shuttle this trip. (Remember standing in the freezing rain yesterday?) They supposedly leave on the half hour. I asked at 40 after where the shuttle was and the front desk guy said he won't be back until 9. Um, what happened to the 8:30 run? He asked if I would like him to call me a cab. The words seemed nice but the attitude seemed irritated. Maybe it's because I'm sick. Maybe because I didn't get any sleep last night. 

After work, I called the hotel a total of 4 times over the course of 15 minutes. The first 3 times, it rang and rang and no one answered. Finally on the fourth try, I got a person and told them I was at this building and hey, can come one come get me. She put me in hold for a while to I guess confirm that someone could come to this building. She did ask if the driver dropped me here this morning. Well yes, which is why I assumed I could get picked up as well . . . 

Man Embassy Suites, you are wearing me out. Next time, rental car. 

I have to say the restaurant (yes a restaurant in a hotel) was very redeeming today. The staff was friendly and pleasant. The food . . . Oh my. Well the soup anyway. The soup of the day was something called three pepper chicken soup and quite frankly the name does it no justice. If they hadn't brought me a sample, I would have turned my nose up at it. Of course seeing and smelling made all the difference. It was creamy and slightly tomatoey at the same time with diced bell peppers and chicken. So very good in fact, that while the shrimp and grits weren't exactly to my liking, I didn't even care. Because I had eaten that amazing soup. I want to say that I remember thinking the shrimp and grits weren't worth it but I don't know where that was. Guess that's why I'm writing about my travels, to remember this stuff. Well, this and the drunk guy that thrown off the plane. 

North Carolina - Day 1

Well the trip started off ok with the exception of my medicine head. I previously signed up for the Citi Advantage card to get the benefits of group 1 boarding and a free checked bag when I travel. This was the first trip since I had it and I was curious to see how well it worked.

It didn't. I checked in on the American app and used the kiosk to check my bag when I got to the airport. The little computer told me I had to pay $25 so I thought well maybe they recognize a Citi Advantage card so I used it. But I got a reciept. So I guess I'll need to call them because I have a suspicious feeling it's not a reimbursement kind of thing.

The agent had to ask me for my boarding pass and my ID because, like I said, medicine head. I even left my phone in my pocket at security. I felt like such a rookie. 

Then was the flight. It was fine but I hate MD-80's. I had a seat that's classified as main cabin extra. Yes there was extra room for knees but side to side is absolutely no different and the under seat area was weird. The bars weren't aligned with the seat. Plus this new rolling laptop bag I have seemed cumbersome. But it fit so it guess I can't complain. The guy sitting next to me had on a short sleeve button shirt and his sleeve kept touching me. I was falling asleep and that little tickle from his sleeve jerked me wide awake. I did notice that there was a DC port under my seat so if you happen to be flying with a car charger . . . 

At baggage claim, another woman picked up my bag and took what I felt like was a long time to determine it wasn't hers. I finally said yeah, that's mine. Seriously, there are names on them. It's not rocket science. 

Oh man, the weather. At RDU airport, you wait outside on the curb for the hotel shuttles to come. When it's 32 and raining, this isn't the best system. My hotel's shuttle was pulling away as I walked up and I just knew that wasn't a good sign. It took about 25 minutes freezing in a much too lightweight jacket for the next one to come along but man was I glad he did. 

When I was cheking in at the Embassy Suites, the rep attempted to confirm my choice of a smoking room. Uh, hold up. "You actually have those?" Then I realized I needed to tell her no. Under no circumstance would I be in a smoking room. Like my week long sinus infection hasn't been enough fun, let's go ahead and make it worse. She asked if I booked it and I said yes but not really. I put in the request in some system and then I don't know what happens. (I did go back and confirm it was for a king, non-smoking room). She said my company does this a lot. Really? I've never had that happen. She was probably just getting to pass the buck. So she moved me to another room which was not a king so I guess I'll have to limit the amount of rolling around I do in my sleep. 

I do like the Embassy Suites. I come often enough that it feels familiar when I return. I especially like the convience of the hotel being so close to work. The separate living room and bar area are really nice and spacious. The only small negative is the age if this facility. The tiles on the bathroom floor are cracked and the shower needs new fixtures. But it's not near as bad as some of the other hotels I've stayed at. More to come as this is only day 1