There's Something About This Hotel Experience...

Hilton. Marriott. Holiday Inn. Sheraton. Radisson. Westin... Been there. Done that. Here is something new.

The Curtis Hotel in Denver. Check it out.
http://www.thecurtis.com/

This is an inexpensive boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Denver. Themed floors. Some are... horror films, big hair, TV, music mania, chick flick... Mine is One Hit Wonders. I was greeted by Vanilla Ice when I exited the elevator. Check it out... Ice Ice Baby.... Inside joke, but if Jason Solinger or Ben Weise are reading this... Word to Your Motha...

It is fun everywhere you go.
* Bathroom- The products are called "Glisten, Wet, and Suds" and the poster on the wall states
"All the women whining about not finding a husband obviously never had one"
* Night Stand- alarm clock is in the shape of a VW Bug in the brightest yellow ever seen
* Room Service- Breakfast of whole wheat pancakes and egg whites served with Smarties and Sweet Tarts candies
* Desk- picture of big butts in the worst plaids you will EVER find in the world
Kitschy.... in a good way...

Here is the best (well, not really...) part: For my wake-up call this morning... It was Hannibal Lector... "Good Morning Clarice".. Ok SERIOUS shivers down my spine. I'M UP NOW! No snooze button for this little girl.

Good news- comfortable bed. Great flat screen TV. I'm in.

Hmmm.. there is still some fun in this crazy world.
Gotta go... Carrie Bradshaw is calling.....

Cabo San Lucas

My Favorite Things About Cabo...

Constant heat and sunshine with a light breeze to keep you sane

Pueblo Bonito Sunset Resort & Spa... simply amazing

Pina Coladas, Pina Coladas, and more Pina Coladas... rum!

2-for-1 cocktails at the pool swim-up-bar during Happy Hour

Cabo Wabo and live bands- even better when Sammy shows up!

Parasailing over the Sea of Cortez.. so relaxing

Hola, Gracias, cervasa, tequila, and banos get you through the day

The time right before sunset while reading a book on the patio overlooking the ocean- ahhh...

Mexican food- need I say more???

Ara and strong hands at the spa

Time spent on the elipitcal is not so bad when you can see the beach and boats on the ocean...

Forgot About Mardi Gras...

Emily reminded me the other day that I forgot to post and/or send our Mardi Gras pics. I think that may have been a Freudian miss on my part due to the debauchery of what we engaged in and what we saw... but I went through the pics and think I will be ok to post a few. Here are some that are PG13.

Some to share... Emily and Darien enjoying the fun on Bourbon Street, some random drunk guy (well, maybe he was not drunk, just scantily clad), Emily about to engage in some "temptation", and ending with my "disguise" for "What Happens at Mardi Gras stays at Mardi Gras". Wait, that's Vegas, right? Whatever. We had a blast and saw things that I shall never repeat. Never.

Show me your..... $&(__&^#$@@

Why It's Good to be Single

It's my birthday in 3 days... I'm going to be 37... I'm single with no kids. I love it. Why you ask? Well, for many, many reasons, but here is the one I am going to share with you today:

THE BIRTHDAY HAUL FROM THE FOLKS AND GRANDMA

Since my brother and I are both single, and there are no grand kids, we rake it in. This year, we are all are going to Cabo San Lucas for a week starting tomorrow morning, so the gift opening ceremony took place today before the departure.

The haul:
* Tiffany & Company necklace (those of you who know me, know I LOVE Tiffany jewelry )
* Wok (time for some stir fry!)
* Some other fun stuff from Sur La Table- colorful whisk, cupcake potholder... (makes ya think I cook, huh?- ummm... not so much)
* Random stuff from Gap (you can never have enough stuff from Gap)
* A new set of pink & black polka dot travel bags (I seem to go through these more than the average girl due to my many travels plus I am a product whore... I know... This is the girl who spends over $100 on face lotion...)
* Pedi-egg (one of those things you never want to admit to purchasing yourself, but who does not desire smooth-as-a-baby-bottom heels!!!??? I'll let ya know how it works)

I admit it. I love gifts. Can't get enough of 'em. Oh- and I really love my folks and Grandma too. :)
Off to Cabo a lucky girl I go....

Airplane Travel Drama

You all hear the stories.... travel drama... stuck in the airport for hours, sitting on the runway, the loud snoring fat man next to you in the middle seat...

I take all of these with a LARGE grain of salt due to the countless times I am on an airplane in a year. It's the not-so-fun-perks of travel for work. I am Gold on NWA and A+ Rewards on Southwest... nothing to brag about, I just fly a ton. Not much phases me or makes me look twice, but my recent flight from SFO to MSP (sorry--- airport lingo.... San Francisco to Minneapolis) is a story in itself. All because of 1 idiotic woman who made my toes curl and NOT in a good way.

Let's start with the off-site parking lot...
Woman screaming because the shuttle stopped to pick up other passengers when she is late to catch her flight (note later... she is on MY flight--- we have PLENTY of time)
Continue.... she screams more that we must stop at International before we get to Terminal 1 (why must she be getting off at my terminal???)

Now I get inside...
Woman causing a scene because she has to pay for her checked luggage (where has she been??? everyone knows this is the case now--- airlines are being cheap- way to make $$$)
Moving onto the security line... same woman...
REFUSES to dispose of her $25 lotion (above 3 oz) because it is brand new and she just paid for it- well, not even sure what happened there, I moved on
Again.... who the hell does not know the 3 oz rule these days??? Have you heard the term... Threat level orange???

Keep going...
How many times does the gate agent have to tell people.... "We are currently boarding First Class ONLY"- Yep, you guessed it, same woman... Can't wait her turn

Now on the plane (not upgraded to First Class this time- darn that Delta/NW merger!!!)...
The woman, yes same woman, wants an isle seat, but she has a middle seat-- she did not think of this before? The plane is FULL- no open seats- bitch and moan some more

Not done yet.... As they always state-- "First Class passengers ONLY in the front bathrooms- and no lines formed at the front of the plane"--- Ms. I-Don't-Listen walks from row 20 (just a guess) all the way up front and just stands outside the cockpit door. Really??? "Miss- you can't form a line and these restrooms are for our passengers in First Class only". HIGH PITCHED screams come next.... Not joking. Come on!

I'm done. Time to recline my exit row seat, put on my Sony noise-cancelling headphones, and plop Jessica Simpson in the straight-to-DVD movie "Private Valentine: Blonde and Dangerous" into my lil' portable DVD player. Wait- did I just admit that? I guess that will be another blog entry tomorrow... Is that chicken or tuna??? No clue Jess...

PEEPS!!!

Short, but sweet... Easter entry:

Q-WHAT IS BETTER THAN PEEPS???

A- STALE PEEPS!!!

The staler the better- more stale = more yum! The older they are; the chewier they are. It may sound gross, but it's the truth.

Chew on!!!

How Clean Are Hotel Rooms? Really...

We have all heard the stories... and have seen the expose' on the news that reflects on how hotel rooms are really not that clean... such as maids doing who-knows-what with your toothbrush and never washing the drinking glasses or washing them with window cleaner...

Due to the fact that I spend many a night in a work related hotel room alone, I have a definite ritual when I arrive in the room whether it's the Ritz Carlton or a Motel 6 (ok, that's a lie- it's usually a Hilton). Basically, there are 2 MUSTS:

1- Immediately pull the comforter off the bed and NEVER go near it
2- Get out my travel-size Clorox wipes and wipe down EVERY surface, starting with the remote control

My friends and colleagues find this humorous, but I think it's simple: Safety First!

Here is what I have heard, and I do NOT think many of these are urban legends.
In addition to the toothbrush and glasses fiasco...

* Men with 1 hand down their pants and the other on the remote while enjoying some adult entertainment (think comforter as well- and you know they RARELY wash those things..ewww- oh, the comforter, not the men)
* Flight attendants using the coffee maker to wash their nylons- think hot water running...
* NEVER use the lotion provided in the bathroom--- you never know if it's REALLY lotion
* Turn the pillow cases inside out or simply bring your own- just to safe, ya never know...

I think that should do it to start. Just trying keep the germs away. Or, I may cause you to never want to stay in a hotel as long as you live. Not my intent, but your decision.

Happy Travels friends!

CRAZY STUFF THESE DAYS...

Ok, I am a serious slacker these days... It's been 3 weeks since my last post. Ugh! While I do NOT have the life as exciting as a movie star or anyone famous for that matter, I'd like to think I have SOMETHING to say in 3 weeks!

My excuse would be work... I have been incredibly busy, working tons of hours, and on the road. It will probably be that way for the next 2 months... Hey- I'm lucky to have a good job, right!?

So, I figured it would be a good time to chat about what has caught my eye (or ear) these past 3 weeks. Now, some of these I might wince later for admitting now, but that is the chance I must take- as well as my personal punishment for waiting 3 weeks for blogging.

Here goes...

* Tough Love on VH1

* Keeping Up with the Kardashians

* Disaster Movie

* Muffin tops

* Bikini Line Razors

That is enough for now. 5 will do it this round. Let's get started...

* Tough Love on VH1- if you have not wasted this hour of your life once a week, but are looking to feel better about yourself (female), I highly suggest you invest the time. It will make you laugh if nothing else. Gist- a Match Maker (male) tries to "help" a group of women (I use that term VERY loosely) ranging in the age of early 20's to late 30's understand why they are not lucky in love. My favorite so far: gals tagged with shock machines that the "match maker" shocks when they say stupid things on blind dates. Seriously... check it out...

* Kardashians- OK, I am obsessed... really. I know... I know... Kim Kardashian is famous for a sex tape and big butt, but I seriously am roped into this ridiculous reality show (I swore I would never become reality show junkie, but whatever...) Do I want to hear about Bruce Jenner's colon viewing and hear him say "poopie"? No... Do I want to see Kim get the cellulite on her butt worked on? NO... But somehow, I keep getting pulled in. Try it. You'll like it. Or hate me for making you waste the time. Imagine that- it's on E! right this moment! Khloe goes naked for PETA!

* Disaster Movie- Yep, it is as the title says. But I did laugh out loud because it was so incredibly stupid. Have you scene it? Attack of Alvin and the Chipmunks??? Again, I know... but laughing at my on stupidity I chalked up to covering my sit-up requirement for the day- my belly was hurting from laughing so much. And, in case you were not aware, Kim K. stars in this movie as well (ok, again I use the term "star" loosely), I think I see a trend here...

* Muffin Tops- No, not the yummy top of a blueberry or lemon poppyseed muffin... Yes, I AM going there---- the fat-over-the-waist-band thing. I had to add this. I saw soooo much of it San Diego last week. Is this REALLY necessary? BUY A BIGGER SIZE! Enough said. Gross. Move on.

* Last but certainly not least.... what the heck is up with the promotion of all of these new bikini line razors things out there? And- to make matters worse, the "coiffed bushes" in the commercials? This is the worst case of subliminal advertising I heave EVER scene. But, I guess they have made their point. I definitely remember the commercials... Please don't buy one. Just get a wax. Brazilian if you must.

So, that is what has been on my mind these days. I know... GET A LIFE! Right? I have one. It's just busy making fun of what's going on in the world when everyone else thinks we are in a recession. Mindless fun. That's for me.

Ta Ta.

Neti Pot

Do you know what a NETI POT is?

Check out the lovely picture to the right...

I heard about it from my Mom awhile back, but it just came to mind this week as I was suffering more than 5 days of an AWFUL cold and cough. Well, from the picture, it sure looks fun, eh? Yep- that is exactly how it works...

Fill a pot "neti pot" with a solution of warm water and saline (basically salt), pour it in 1 nostril, while continuing to breath through your mouth, and the solution runs out the other nostril.

HOW WEIRD IS THAT!?

Kinda gross actually, but several friends on Facebook swear by it, so...

I picked one up at Walgreens last night for $15 or so. I ran home with excited anticipation- to try the thing out (you'd think it was a new pair of shoes or a great bottle of wine!) Yep, feels kinda strange the first time (ok, now it sounds like sex or drugs!), my eyes even watered a bit, but no pain- and I think it helped. Think...

I have now completed 3 "sessions"- one more on the way tonight- not sure if my cold is getting better or if it really works, but I'll try anything.

So, if you like shoving stuff up your nose and/or like to feel something kinda funky... give the Neti Pot a try.

Fashion Crisis in Las Vegas

My Oh My--- I am behind in keeping my blog. Where has the time gone? Well, let me see...Minnesota, New Orleans, Santa Cruz, and Las Vegas to be exact. Whew- I'm glad to be home for the next week or 2. Anyway, I digress from the purpose of this latest entry.

WHAT THE HECK DO THE PEOPLE IN LAS VEGAS THINK THEY ARE WEARING??? DO THEY EVEN LOOK IN THE MIRROR BEFORE THEY LEAVE THEIR HOTEL ROOM???

Seriously.... not everyone is a showgirl (nor should they be) and not every woman has the body to wear a tight mini dress. And, what the heck is up with beer-bellied men wearing the skin-tight t-shirts? Is there a National Tightest T-Shirt Contest on the Fattest Man that I am not aware of?

Wow- I saw high heels that had platforms so large I swear they had living swimming goldfish in the heels, so many sequins my head was spinning, feather boas (for real), and cowboy hats so large men could carry their entire families around on the brim. What are people thinking???

I know... What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.. But that is supposed to be GOOD, not BAD. This is definitely bad- borders on pure insanity really.

People- it's not Halloween every day in Las Vegas- sure, it's different, and you can let loose (not literally) a bit, but come on... Please. Take my recommendation. Own a full length mirror and use the one in the hotel while you are at it.

Rant is now over.