Wednesday, April 29, 2009

reporting from Newark, NJ

The Days Inn, Newark airport - avoid it at all costs. Don't go, don't recommend, just stay away. Even at $79.99 a night it is almost too awful to bear. Ilan, I thought, you told me in October, we were staying at a Marriott!
This Days Inn hotel is a nightmare and it is not just because I am a jaded business traveler (I don't think). Let me explain - I called for hotel shuttle from P4 hotel shuttle pick up area at EWR as the hotel does not send the shuttle on a routine (this *is* a airport hotel mind you). I saw the Marriott portfolio properties, Wyndam, even Howard Johnson's shuttle 3 times before I finally called again. The front desk is staffed by what seems to be a loud, angry, "my way or the highway" type woman whom obviously never heard about hospitality & friendliness, but ok....., the shuttle arrived 50 minutes after my call. The driver seemed almost as unhappy and was busy drinking his soda while we negotiated tight highway ramp turns at full speed, got to hotel to be scolded about what payment do I want to provide - cash or charge (who pays for hotels in cash?). Anyway, my room & tax was suppose to be hosted so I advised that maybe she had a billing form; to wit, I got a quick, "NO"! Ok. I will solve that tomorrow, so, provided my DC card and went to room. Is this hotel 40 years old? I hate bathrooms in the guest room area, old polyester comforters (didn't know they still made them and REALLY don't want to know who has been doing what on it since the last washing. I will toss it on the floor) and rocks with pillow cases on them. Alright still, busy day catching up on email so at 8pm I realized I had only the small nibble they give on the plane so I went to find food. There is nothing within walking distance. Not one quickie mart, fast food joint or anything. Only a very overpriced on property restaurant. So, feeling trepidation, I entered. Who is the waiter? The hotel manager! I am not kidding..... that is what his name tag said. I ordered iced tea. I was thirsty so I asked for a carafe so he isn't running back and forth (although I was only person in restaurant). He advised iced teas are purchased by the glass. Only hot coffee and tea are all you can drink. Now, wait a minute; isn't hot tea the same as iced tea but with ice? I didn't want to fight it but I think this may be then only restaurant in America that does not provide complimentary iced tea refills. Now, menu prices..... $18.95 for spaghetti and that was the daily special! I think not. I know Gordon Ramsay, Paul Dean or Bobby Flay are not in the kitchen nor are likely to show up for a throw down of Days Inn spaghetti . So, a $8.95 pizza it is. The manager/waiter brought the pizza but did not offer more water, I had to get the crushed red peppers and parm cheese shakers from salad bar...... and the 15% gratuity was included on my check as mandatory! I am a table of one and they have the nerve to mandate a gratuity. Isn't a grat for exceptional service?

I am just glad I will be seeing several professional friends tomorrow I have not seen since October and we will spend the next 5 days enjoying ourselves; good food, good wine and good company. Wish you were here Hanson!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Swine flu

The sky is not falling yet but if you listen to the news outlets, we are all doomed. I think our great President Obama put it best this morning; "we should monitor this but not panic". As with other planners, I am having SARS flashbacks. Many of the Mexican deaths are people that did not seek or have access to proper medical care. While we do need to be aware that viruses mutate and become resistant, I think only those that are otherwise susceptible to medical problems; those with other infections and compromised immune systems or the elderly really need to put up a red flag. All of the rest of us should just be cautious as we are during a regular flu and cold season.

These websites are unbiased (meaning they don't report the news for ratings) and will communicate the facts without the drama;

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

http://urgent.internationalsos.com/default.aspx

http://www.who.int/en/

Thursday, April 23, 2009

An award from the US Small Business Administration!

POTHOS has been award the San Diego CA and Imperial County CA Disabled Veteran Business of the year.

http://www.sdchamber-members.org/smallbusinessawards.htm

The official announcement is at the luncheon May 27th so I hope I am not mis behaving by letting the cat out of the bag, but, I received the letter today and just had to blog about it. I am so proud!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

a report from Lexington KY

The first email I saw this morning was Delta's CEO speculating that in the near future, airlines will charge travel agencies for access and to book airline tickets. With all due respect to Richard Anderson, Delta's CEO and Gerard Arpey, Americans CEO..... this is ridiculous. Travel agent's and agencies are a sales lane for them. Would a sales person pay the company for the privilege of being able to sell their products and services. Of course not. Sales people are to be compensated for their work, not provide payment for selling. These airlines loose millions a quarter and look for whatever line item they can to recover these losses. Maybe the correct line item is management labor?

I learned something last night. I really only like filet mignon for a piece of beef. I tried a kobe beef strip steak, that seemed very well prepared and presented with blue cheese an lovely wine reduction, but just couldn't get past all the fat. Two bites and I was done trying to cut around all that fat to get at the lean meat.

I also learned quite a bit about Kentucky Bourbon from a representative of Woodford Reserve Distillery (http://www.woodfordreserve.com/). Very interesting history and tasting lessons, but my final opinion is; personally, I still don't care for the taste of bourbon.

And a final thought, when you might be visiting the Lexington Marriott (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lexky-griffin-gate-marriott-resort-and-spa/) don't forget to look for restaurant server Kathy for great service and don't miss the sliders, fried green tomatoes and creme brulee!

Monday, April 20, 2009

A beginning......

I have done my best to try to avoid blogging. I thought I just didn't have the time for something that I couldn't see as directly beneficial. I have read the blogs of others and enjoy reading the stories of their thoughts & experiences.

Recently, I was asked again to write an article and, while it took me a while to get motivated, once I started I was on a roll and my 500 - 800 word article was over 2500 words. I guess I had something to say. The article had to be reduced for size to fit the magazine space and I felt that my personality was lost in that literary reduction.

In my daily professional contacts, I seem to come into contact with interesting people that make me want to speculate. I have wanted to have a forum in the professional industry organizations be able to discuss the wins, the losses and the "headscratchers". MPI has not listened to that need, so, for the these reasons, I think it is time I start to write a blog.

For the most part, I will try to keep this interesting..... for me, and maybe a reader. I see it as a kind of therapy; so I am not cocooned. I might muse about a meal or a hotel or airline experience. I will also tell the naked truth about businesses I come into contact with and their conduct; be it good and more importantly, bad. I have so wanted and needed a forum to tell about bad behavior and wrongs that I see & experience every day. We except bad behavior because we have become sheep. There was a great article about how we, the traveling public, accept the hassles of travel; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30210457/. I thought this was a terrific article.

As I come across interesting professional bits like this as well as my own musings, I am now happy I have a forum to share. I will endeavor to post here as often. I just cant help but to wonder; "will anyone be reading?"