Coeur d'Alene and The Bucket List

This won't be the most exciting blog info as the only thing I have to say about Spokane, WA and Coeur d'Alene, ID is that there is a reason the hotel rates are low in mid January - it's FREEZING there! I do like Spokane in the other 3 seasons. If ever you are in the area and have a chance to stop by The Resort, it would be well worth it, just to have a drink and an appetizer and gaze out at the lake, frozen or unfrozen :) http://www.cdaresort.com/ Simply fabulous!

The Bucket List was better than I thought after seeing all the previews and a "feel good movie" at conclusion along with laughing and heartache through the movie. Morgan Freeman looked great and Jack, well, Jack is definitely past his prime but evermore Jack :)

Austin, Lance and the Cab Biatch

I was thoroughly excited about going to Austin, TX this week as I have not been to Austin. I was traveling with Laura, new to Harland and Chris, used to Harland ;) Laura waited for me at the airport and we shared a cab to downtown Austin, TX. I must admit I immediately became a "cab biatch" as I just could NOT face the 3 vans in line and wanted a "real car with 4 doors". I forced Laura into conversation to "stall" to avoid getting in the Van Cabs til the "real cab" was in line coordinated with our position - delay about 10 minutes :)There is just something about a van cab when you are not in the mood - keep in mind I'm still working myself into the travel year. Well, what goes around, comes around time and time again :)

Our cabbie named Larry (or something) was so full of knowledge about Austin, TX that neither Laura or I could get in a word edgewise. When we tried, and made a comment to one another, Larry brought up yet another interesting and encyclopedia-like fact about Austin. Larry had so many facts and knowledge about Austin that he actually took the extremely LONG route to the hotel from the airport (so I found out the following day on the return trip). I don't remember him taking a breath to be honest. Go Larry. Double your knowledge, double your cab fare in Austin :)

When I did walk around Austin in the daylight for an hour between webex and lunch meeting, I heard I completely missed Lance Armstrong by seconds at every corner and every bike path - darn! I wandered around, found two Starbucks, one fire station with cute firemen and a few old renovated buildings and alot of real estate construction with even the W Hotel being built not too far from the Four Seasons in little old Austin, TX. The most unusual observation in my extensive tour was the number of street people hanging out - the weather isn't' too bad even when it's cold (52 degrees and foggy drizzle) and business travelers to support the population :)

So, the morale of the story is - take the first cab and don't be a cab biatch :)

Thanks to my Mentor, Carey Anthony...

...after the experience in delay in Atlanta last week, United sent reply when I countered to their "5,000 miles for your inconvenience" to my letter I wrote with 3 500 mile upgrades - the equivalent of what it would take Atlanta to Denver. I learned from the best, thanks Carey :)

On The Road Again...

Having taken a break from blogging, I decided today was the day to recap where I was this week which was snowy Atlanta, Georgia for our annual sales kickoff meeting. Celebrate the success of 2007 and start at zero for 2008 :) The week was spent doing this in the downtown Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel (under remodeling construction, hence a corporate discount I'm sure...). I did my fair share of smiling, listening and nodding for the week. To top off the week, the return flight from Atlanta to Denver provided usual thrills and a lengthy opportunity to hang out in the minuscule United Red Carpet Room in Atlanta. The 4.5 hour delay from initial departure allowed me to catch up (even more) with some of our sales management and my fellow sales staff on our way to Denver. Weather in Dulles caused our grief, along with several issues from United.

Bottom line, United sent a nice little "thank you for your patience and we appreciate you as a customer and recognize we inconvenienced you - AGAIN" email. They offered a whopping 5,000 miles into my account for their generosity of my delay. As usual, I emailed yourvoice@united.com to let them know I do not care about 5,000 miles as a frequent traveler! I want upgrade certificates so I can get out of coach and the screaming kid /large person leaning on me in the middle scenario, on more flights when I'm delayed in the future!!!

Stay tuned and happy new year :)

Zoo Lights Denver & Ski Vacation Whistler, Canada

My avid readers, I appologize! I have been busy trying to have a bit of fun and relaxation! The first real event of 2008 was Denver Zoo Lights on 1/4/08!
















The second event and first flight of the year, was from Denver to Vancouver, BC Canada for a 2 and 1/4 hour flight to board a 2hr 40 minute bus to get to fabulous Whistler, BC Canada for a bit of skiing, pre-Olympic 2010 assessment and international viewing! Arriving at Whistler on 1/5/08 saw plenty of shopping, dining, talking and Village lights! Stay tuned for more when time!

National Treasure, Juno, Sweeney Todd

What a trio! 2 of them on New Year's Eve and the other, Juno, tonight! My friend Sarabeth and I went to see National Treasure and Sweeney Todd on New Year's Eve - what a party of popcorn, junk food, hot chocolate and schnapps smuggled into the movies! National Treasure was pure entertainment, kept my attention throughout the entire movie. A good old fashioned "fun" movie. Nothing to overthink! Perfect for today's first show.

Sweeney Todd stamped a variety of images in my head. The musical aspect was great. It is after all, Johnny Depp - but keep in mind it is truly Tim Burton. What a combo! Grim, goth, dark, the worst of London, but clever and witty all the same. It's not for the faint of heart, but the best thing to keep thinking is "it's just paint" ;)

Juno was bright, intelligent, hilarious and brilliant! I loved it. It captured me from the first scene. If I had my own Oscars right now, I am not clear who the winners would be. I am guessing one of my fans will have his own Carey Anthony Oscars and I won't want to miss it this year!