Working Like A Dog!

I have gotten a day of rest, but now it’s back to work.  Yeah, really!  I went to the office today to pick up an item for my next trip and found out that something was wrong with my parking card.  Thankfully the building has a pay garage so I charged it to the company.  I was in and out in 15 minutes but it still cost $1.50.  Expensive!

So on to my trip.  The first place I stayed at was great, as I posted.  I really hated to leave.  The second place was okay but I was behind schedule and didn’t get in until 8pm.  That’s when I had supper and filled up the tank on the car.  It was 10pm by the time I was ready for bed and then I had to wind down.  It was midnight before I got to sleep but I really slept!  The drive to the 2nd place was supposed to be 3 1/2 hours but it turned into 4 1/2 hours because I got into a fight with the GPS unit.  Damn thing, it was great but we had our moments.  I was in a forest at one point, passed two prisons and the started to see casinos – it wasn’t long after that I got to my motel.

The third day of my trip was sheer hell.  The day started out at 7am and ended the following day at 1am.  Yes I was awake the whole time!  I had to visit two places in one day on my 3rd day.  The folks at the 2nd place kept me in talking and my laptop battery died, so I had to do things the old fashioned way.  Pen and paper!  The next place was waiting on me they had two machines infected with viruses.  I did the best I could with what I had but I honestly think I did more harm than good.  I skipped lunch so by the time I got here it was late and I wanted supper at a decent hour.

I used the iPhone to find what was Around Me and saw a local pizza place that sounded interesting.  I went in and the first question I asked was do you take AMEX.  Yeah, we take everything, no ones card has ever been declined.  Guess what?  I was the 1st.  It wasn’t a problem with my card but they didn’t take AMEX.  I explained that I was traveling on business and that was my only credit card.  The waitresses looked rather dumb founded.  One tried to get me to go to a gas station get a bottle of water and ask for cash back.  That won’t work this is AMEX.  Then I was asked to visit an ATM, perfect but I have no PIN # so that options out.  What to do?  I let them sweat it out for a bit then I pulled out my Debit Card and paid for the meal out of my pocket.  I got great service and was thinking about leaving a nice tip but the whole AMEX thing made me leave nothing at all.  I wrote the office and told them about it, what a crock!

From now on if I am in doubt I am asking for a manager before I place an order.  If they tell me they take AMEX, then I will order.  If this situation presents it’s self again I am going to make the restaurant eat it.  I shouldn’t have to pay money out of my pocket when I asked up front and was told yeah we take it.

So it was like 10:30 pm before I got done and was ready to leave.  I used Mr. GPS to get to the next location.  Saw a sign that you never want to see BRIDGE OUT – ROAD CLOSED.  WTF!  Now what?  Turn on the only road that was close by, pray that the GPS recalculates and can reroute me.  It did, but I was on back roads for a good part of the journey. 

I got in at 12:50am, went to check in and realized I was at the wrong hotel.  GPS said the destination was on my right but now that I think about it, I actually remember turning left.  Drove around a bit and then realized where it was.  This was a Ramada Inn and the most expensive room out of my whole trip.  I was shocked to find a vending machine that dispensed condoms, but I guess they are everywhere.  I also found it odd that I was asked for a personal card to put any additional charges on.  Once I got to my room and saw LODGENET I knew it was all about movies be it New Releases or Adult.  I did check out both sections the New Releases were okay but I just wasn’t ready for a movie at such a late hour.  I checked out the Adult Section because I was nosy and of course nothing for the Gay Man, drats but also a good thing.  I found a comedy show on and watched that until I started to get drowsy.  Before I knew it 6am was here, time to get up and get moving. 

I went to the breakfast buffet, which I thought was included in the price of the room.  I mean it was $165 for just a few hours of sleep.  Yeah, no breakfast was extra like $10.65 extra.  They had eggs, bacon, hash browns and the best looking muffins.  I had some eggs and went to grab a muffin.  I lifted up the cellophane to get one and bugs were crawling around.  No thanks, no muffin for me.  They had freshly made pancakes as well, but I am allergic to maple so I passed.   When I got the bill I was a little stunned but then again it’s not my money so no complaints. 

The equipment that I saw is old, were talking Windows XP Home Edition in a Professional environment.  The keyboards and mice were horrible.  I feel like I am getting sick or picked up something that I didn’t want.  However, I am pushing on.  It will cost a pretty penny to replace all of this and most of it is trash, it needs to go.  Then you have my travels back to swap it all out.  Joy!  I look forward to going back to the 1st place but that is it.  I really didn’t care much for the other two places.

I heard the best pickup line from the radio.  There was a guy on one of my flights he looked like a parking ticket.  Yeah, he had fine written all over him.  I told that one to my brother and my partner, they got a kick out of it.  I saw a few guys I would have liked to use it on as well.  However, sex wasn’t something I had a whole lot of time to think about.

We had a laptop grow legs and walk away.  I was asked via e-mail what our options were.  So I responded and then I got yelled at by my boss because I sent an e-mail blast and he didn’t like that.  All I did was REPLY ALL.  I mean he is the one that wants to be copied on every damn thing.  The man has trust issues and likes to micromanage.  I fucking hate that.  It pisses me off to no end!  You hired me to do a job, now let me do it.  I think working the late hours I proved to them I am dedicated, we shall see what happens.

I got home just long enough to see the kids, who were glad I was home.  Especially Big Boy.  He stopped eating because he missed me.  FUCK.  My partner didn’t do a good job of seeing that he got his medicine, I mean he has mobility issues just as much as Big Boy.  So I am doing what I can.  He is eating again, which is a good thing.  No yellow so all is well.  I just hope he keeps going strong.  My fear is that I am going to lose either my partner or Big Boy due to my travels.

I am headed out tomorrow night and won’t be back until Thursday morning.  I didn’t ask but I am taking Thursday for myself, I mean I earned it from the last trip.  Plus as I sit an type this I am fixing a computer.  I will return back to the regular bump and grind on Friday.

So everyone is asking me the same thing.  Where to then?  Good question.  I think will be staying put here at home but it’s anyone's guess at this point. 

A female coworker is going with me on this next trip, but no one said if we are flying together.  I have already made my hotel reservations and upgraded my rental car to include GPS.  I mean since no one communicated with me I have no idea and if I ask questions, I have to copy in God & Country so I am just doing the best I can.

I went to print my boarding passes tonight and the airline (nameless) makes you choose your seat before they will let you print your boarding pass.  I have one picked out for the 1st flight but the connecting flight doesn’t have anything for free, they are all pay seats and were talking $24.00.  I am waiting until tomorrow and if that is all they have, then so be it, I will charge it off.  I need my boarding pass I don’t have time to play.  The return flights I picked out one seat but the other flight same story nothing but pay seats.  I could at least sit up front, wouldn’t that be nice. 

So all of this has taught me that really there are some things you have to give control to someone else, like flying.  People for the most part are good, but you still have to watch your back.  Never know when someone patting you on the back is looking for a soft spot to put the knife. 

Well folks I am whipped.  I still have to pack and am catching up on Laundry.  Tomorrow will be a rushed day so I figure I better get a good nights sleep.

I am positive that there is something I forgot but when I remember I will post it.  Right now going to bed seems like the best idea I have had all day, outside of Taco Bell for supper.      Take care and be well.  I will post more when time allows.  At least on the next trip I am going one place and might be able to go swimming at night.  That would be awesome, then this really would feel more like vacation.  If it wasn’t for Big Boy & my Partner I could do this travel thing full time, it really isn’t that bad other than your brain turns in to mush.

I will talk with you peeps later!