The Ramblings of a Batty Bard

The unmitigated gall of some people leaves me so irate at times that all I want to do is howl in frustration.

I love my FurKid. I spoil my FurKid rotten. Both my furkids. And yes, sometimes I am a "Bad Momma" but I love my critters. And if ever it came down to I eat or they eat, guess who goes without... me.

So to hear that "someone" (who will remain nameless - for now) has the audacity to suggest that I give Pathfinder up because he is kept on a 30 foot run and "deserves a better quality of life" leaves me quite literally shaking with rage.

Pathfinder spends quite a bit of time indoors. If the house was not quite as small as it was (especially with three humans of not necessarily small stature) he would be in the house even MORE often. We bring him in almost daily in the evenings.. you know.. in the pm, when I am actually AWAKE. The dog is on a 30 foot run, has a rather large doghouse which Roomie built for him under the porch stairs, water and food. He eats two good size meals per day and scraps (told you I spoil him). There are dog treats on the dryer just inside the door and most days we bring him in, he gets a doggie bone.

But either way... he has his shots, he is healthy and (except for the occassional bout of whining) a very well-behaved pupper. The mere fact that this person has the temerity to even suggest that I mis-treat my dog has me so riled up I can't even see straight.

I have promised a dear friend that I would hold my tongue (hard as it may be) because while I may hate confrontation (no, seriously.. avoid it like the plague) if I feel that I am being impugned I have no problems going straight to your face.

I just find it ironic that the same person who has the nerve to throw crap in my direction..

a. has run over her own dog when the dog was running around the unfenced property WITHOUT A LEAD
b. has been warned repeatedly that their FEMALE dog spent her unsupervised outdoor time with my MALE dog who is not fixed and if the female ended up pregnant, that since my dog is ON A LEAD that we would not be held responsible in any way, shape or form

c. has been threatened to be reported to the local authorities for allowing her dog to run, without a leash and unsupervised. The dog has left the property and headed toward the street several times, almost causing an accident.

d. has almost had the dog run over by me as the, once again, unrestrained animal ran toward my vehicle as I was headed toward my driveway. I locked up the brakes and stopped just in time. It's a good thing I was not going very fast or I would have run the dog over.

Seriously.

People in glass houses should not throw stones at those of us who live in stone castles. Cuz she has stones. I haz a trebuchet.

Just sayin.

*ding ding*

Round one of Holiday fun is over and done with. Thanksgiving was a blast. The Boy and I went up to DC to spend the day with his family and let me tell you that I had a great time. I know his brother and SiL from SCA and they are always a hoot to hang out with, but the rest of the family is just great. It was awesome to be there and laugh and joke and smell all the really great food.

And the dessert board was to die for!

So after waaaaay too much food, Boy and I go back to crash (he is feeling not good and is running a fever) and Friday dawns with us planning to spend it with another SCA friend of mine. We get treated to a great lunch (ok.. it's Johnny Rockets, but I love me a good burger!) and "Ninja Assasin".

OK.. so I enjoyed the movie.. all I have to say, though, is that I didn't know that you could get tracer fire from Shurikens! And I sooo want the lead dude's weapon, although the training accidents with that thing have got to be interesting. LOL... After that, I got to spend some time hanging out with some other really cool peeps that I don't get to see very often (waves at Badouin, Griele and Jeanmaire) made of awesome!

Saturday I woke up thinking it was Sunday and realized that yup.. I actually had an extra day off this week. Something that I totally needed. We got up, puttered abit and then went to the House Blackspear Thanksgiving where once again, waaaay too much food and I got taught how to play Euchre.

I have to say one thing... I have known and been friends Sean and Elisabeth as well as some of the other members of Blackspear for a few years. But one thing I can say is that the household - as a whole- has always made me feel welcome and being among them is like being with my own family. It's a nice feeling. Just saying.

Sunday was a lazy day and then headed home so I could go to work. OMG.. I think people forgot how to drive on Sunday. We sat on I-81 for forty-five minutes. quite literally parked there.

All in all.. wonderful holiday weekend. Would have been better to not have been sick.. and to be able to sleep for more than three hours at a stretch - it was actually sort of funny.. you could almost set a watch by me.

Oh.. and a funny (now) moment...

I am once again up at some ungodly hour after sleeping for 3 hours (its got to be about 4ish or so am) My back is screaming Ave Marias and so I sit up. Apparantly.. I fell asleep, sitting straight up. I'm a goof.

Ah well. Hope everyone else had a good holiday.

Now on to round 2 and Christmas, LOL.

It was one of *those* weekends. It was. Boy and I drove up to Holiday Faire for to visit friends, family and the like.

From the word "go" it was up and down... mostly because I felt like unmitigated CRAP. Thursday night I sat at work feeling myself get progressively worse. Raw, sore throat, body aches that felt like I had been hit by a truck (and since I actually HAVE --ok so "we" hit the truck, still.. I know what that feels like) and just a general feeling of ick.

Boy was sweet. He caught me online about partway through the night and I told him how I felt. Next thing I know he is at my job with sore throat spray and cough drops and just a warm hug. He sat with me for a while and then went home to take a nap.

Got home and both Boy and I took some Ibuprofin.. whatever this was it was trying to kick both of our tails... and had already gotten me pretty good. Ibu seemed to work... we both napped and by 10am he is up, bright eyes and bushy tailed--- (oooo morning people) and raring to go.

Had made plans to see dublayz and brockk for lunch so that was our first stop. Well.. we had a fabu visit and lunch turned into dinner (roller coaster goes up) and then, as we were having dinner, my throat starts acting up again (roller coaster goes down) Our ride levels out as we head the rest of the way up north and Boy and I are having a nice time of it in the car with Lord Fuzzy Butt (aka Pathfinder).. but the ride comes crashing down as we get to MD.

My throat is so bad I am about in tears and nothing is working. Ice-cream had helped earlier so boy goes out and buys me yummy Dulce de Leche ice cream (my total favorite). I make it through about 4 spoonfulls before I can't handle anymore. And then all of a sudden my core temp drops. Or something... all I know is that I developed a case of the shivers like no one's business... wrapped in three blankets and a sleeping bag and I am still COLD to the touch. can't get warm to save my life. What this translates into is that I turned into a bratty five year old. Boy was sweet, kind and patient... although firm. He finally gets me to lay down.. after he has cranked the heat in the room to tropical jungle status... so I can get warm.. and the pendulum swings the other way.

I lay down and within 20 minutes I am burning up... can't win for losing, can ya? Thank the heavens for ibuprofin. Got regulated eventually but it meant I got little to no sleep.

Saturday was Holiday Faire. It was the first time I got to see the event and it was nice. Might have to try and make it again when I don't feel like horse manure. but what I got to enjoy of it was nice. I had NO commitments or anything so I watched some of the heavy and rapier fighting, wandered around a bit, talked to some people about upcoming stuff, and generally networked and chit-chatted. Was made of much awesomeness! But by 4ish my goose was quite literally cooked.

Boy was, again, my total hero. Did not put on armor (although I could tell he was jonesing to) so that he could stay with me and make sure I was ok. He kept me warm and looked after me. After that was dinner with friends, which as very nice, and back to the house.I could barely keep my eyes open on the ride back and apparantly feel promptly asleep on the couch. Which of course, only lasted until I actually tried to get to bed and sleep.. then I could not sleep and was up at 4am. go figure.

Sunday my throat was at its worse. The decongestants were helping some.. but by this point the damage had been done and my throat was hamburger... I muddled through it and we went to see the Redskins game with family. That was fun. Then home again.. where again, I could barely keep my eyes open, which made me feel bad cuz Boy had to basically drive back by himself with me zombiefied next to him.

Work was t orture, as usual.. but thank goodness the end is near... hopefully I will be able to sleep. There is light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully it's not another roller-coaster car headed in my direction. Throat hurts, but not hear as much, body aches gone, headachethere, but manageable... other little nit-picky symptoms, there but manageable. As long as I can swallow again.. I think I will be ok.

will say this much.. Boy was an angel and my t otal hero this weekend....

"When I show you that I just don't care...
When I'm throwing punches in the air
when I'm broken down and I can't stand
Are you strong enough to be my man..."

The answer, most loud and clear...

Yes.

:-)

After what seemed like forever filled with rainy days and chill weather, I believe I actually saw the sun on Friday! Woot! The Boy and I had plans to go see some friends and after he took care of a work commitment, on the road again we were...

It was a pleasant day, filled with laughter and friends. I cooked dinner and we all ate until we about hurt ourselves!

Saturday was spent just lounging around, although I did get some time in the hot tub (it was most awesome). Later that evening, the girls went back into the 'girlie cave" and we spent what had to have been three hours "window" shopping via the internet at this great website. Must start saving the pennies NOW, let me tell you.

Today we headed home and as we left, I got the wild hair to call some other friends who lived sort of on the way home... don't get to see them near often enough.. so we dropped by there for a couple of hours.

Also real nice.. we had some fun, had some good conversations and now here I sit, back at work. I"m tired as all get out, but in a good way. Pleasant weekend with g reat friends. Can't beat that!

the only "sadness" was that I was going to try to go to the ren faire today.. but that didn't happen. I don't think I am going to make it this year. The only "major" loss in that is the fact that I have a friend who works the Carolina Ren Faire and I won't get to see him.. but mayhaps some other time.

Still and all, while this is a sadness... it is but a brief cloud in a weekend filled with much sun.

Four years.

I have been working third shift (this time around) for four years now.  One would think that certain things would be just second nature by now.

Yea.. not so much...

I still say "Have a good night" when I'm checking people out in the morning.  I get some really funny looks at that one.  I sometimes catch myself and say.. Day, night... whatever... LOL...

I still forget what day of the week it is, let alone what DATE it is.  Trying to close out some of my reports is rather amusing sometimes.

Maybe it's just been one of those "Do Over" kind of days.

.

No Crown Tourney for our intrepid Sidhe-Wolf... not this time.

It was "The Boy's" birthday this weekend, so we spent it with family.

Weekend was made of Win..

It was decided that Friday was going to be Date Night.. just the two of us, which was very nice.  We went to the mall to have dinner and play "movie roulette".. You know movie roulette, don't you?  You just sort of show up to the local theatre and pick something that's playing.  Well.. since we don't live there.. we had no idea what was playing or when...

Hrm.. decisions, decisions.... we finally narrowed it down to a Jamie Foxx movie or a movie with George Clooney -- The Men Who Stare at Goats.

Yes.. yes... when we pulled the trigger, we got the chamber that had the round in it. 

We left the theatre two hours later in fits of hysterical laughter...  "We want our two hours back!!!"  Describing this movie is best done wit the following sentiments...

1. This is what happens when people try to write scripts hopped up on LSD
2. OMG are Kevin Spacey, George Clooney and Ewan McGregor desperate for money?
3. At least the Goats were cute.

Saturday was spent with his family, his Mom and his siblings, where we had dinner and the most unbelievable cheesecake EVAH!  I loves me some cheesecake and one bite of this had me all but swooning!!  The homemade apple pie was to die for as well... Some great conversations and joking around and a night  that was spent in the warm embrace of family...

I miss that -- Mom and my sister being in Florida and all.. but that's a story for another day.

Today was getting ready to come back home... Lazy day spent enjoying the weather (seriously gorgeous) and talking about plans for the Thanksgiving Holiday... a quick stop to the local restaurant depot (woot!.. spiral pig!!) and then we headed home. 

I have to say that even though it was his birthday... it was so sweet to come home and see my flowers in their vase on the dresser... all pretty and red.. the room smelled like roses.. and it was just a pleasant end to a great weekend.

I did miss going to Crown (a little) and seeing many of my SCA friends and family... but there is always another event and another time... and I would not have missed or changed a single thing about this weekend for the world.

Sweet:

I have been a baseball fan for as long as I c an remember.  And for ALL of that time I have been a NY Yankees fan.  Memories of watching the games with my Dad flow through my brain.  Memories of calling my dad throughout baseball season, in the middle of a random game, going.. "OMG, what the HECK was that!!!".  Dad would laugh at me and we would chat for a while.  Watching them tonight was awesome.  Nine years since the last World Series Title...

Like a friend of mine said.. I've been away from NY for almost 20 years.  I've never wanted to be back home as badly as I do right now.. because NY will always be home.  The Bronx Bombers will always be my team.. through thick or thin.. and it may seem like a small thing.. but its MY thing.  I can watch and enjoy most other sport s (with the exception of Basketball) but I am and always will be a rabid NY Yankees baseball fan. 

Sweet is also being told that are missed, even when you are only five minutes away.  That someone would rather have you near (even if you are sleeping) than have to be away from you.  Maybe that's just the newness... maybe not... but it's still sweet and still brings a smile to my face.  It really is the little things.

Bitter:
While I try not to dwell on the things that leave a sour taste in my mouth.. some are strong and violent enough to shake me to my core.  I love my mother.. I do... but she has the uncanny ability to infuriate me to the point where my temper wants to have a small    nuclear meltdown.  Her recollection of certain things changes to suit her needs.. and t here's no arguing with her.  Ok.. so be it...  Her ability to tear me down without even thinking about it has led to countless of arguments.. some more heated than others.  Today's takes the proverbial cake.

I am 38 years old.
Like good old blues eyes said...
Regrets,,, I've had a few, but then again to few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption...

Yes there were (are) times I'm sure you knew
That I bit off more than I could chew
But  through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall.. and did it...
My way.
 - Frank Sinatra

As part of an old-school Hispanic upbringing.. there are some things in which I don't argue with my mother... (ok.. maybe a little, but not really)  and there are some areas in which my mother can stand firm and while I may not like it.. it is her right and she is mother and I respect that... but there IS a line... it was crossed tonight and as angry as I am.. I am hurt beyond belief.   I've always been the black sheep.. and the baby of the family.  Never has that been made more obvious than it was today.

I love my mother.  I do.  Right now, though.. I don't like her very much.

But.. I will take comfort in other things... and smile.

You better stand tall when they're calling you out
dont bend, don't break, baby don't back down...
It's my life.. it's now or never
and I ain't gonna live forever..
I just wanna live while I'm alive
My heart is like an open highway..
Like Frankie said "I did it MY WAY"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
Cuz it's..  my life!

( Are you Serious? )

I hate migraines.  I really do.  Today was a beautiful day... Boy and I were out running errands and doing schtuff... when all of a sudden (and I mean all of sudden) out of nowhere , my head just begins to hurt. 

It got bad enough that I was in the "I need a dark room" phase.  Home I went, into said dark room.  Nap happened while my head and neck and shoulders were being rubbed.

When the work alarm went off, I still hurt, but I could at least function (albeit like a zombie)

Ibuprofin isn't touching it and I am at the point where I can no longer take anymore.  Oh well..thankfully, all of my check-ins are here and tonight seems to be a quiet night.

But 7am can't get here fast enough.

Guess what?

I stayed home today.  And Yesterday.

Can you believe it?  I spent the entire weekend AT HOME.  It is almost frightening.  Especially when I can't seem to rememer when the last time I did that was.

So Fri I went to As house & we had a girl hair day.   After that we just came home and I was able to catch up on some of my DVR TV shows.  Spent some quality time with the pupper dog & played with the kitty. Late dinner with the Boy... it was nice.

Tody was  total work day, but it started out with a very nice treat.  Roomie took the Boy & myself out to lunch at this new Chinese buffet place not far from the house.  Once done, we came back home and the work began.  We reorganzed the garage.  OMG... that project took most of the afternoon... but it was totally needed.  I'm still not quite done with my half and neither is the Roomie, actually... but.. we got a metric shiet ton of crap out of there.  Old boxes, stuff from Roomie that just needed to go elsewhere.... There is even SPACE in which to walk now.  LOL.

My next task is to set up my event stuff in some semblance of order so that when car packing time comes... there is rhyme and reason and its easier to pack the vehicle.  At some point in the near future, it will need to be redone again (Boy stuff)  but for now.. at least there is some kind of established order in the garage.  It was getting bad enough that I was beginning to dread going into there for anything.

So now I am done... dinner was grilled London broil with simple seasonings &  hint of caraway with rice... nummy (least I thought so..)  and its early enough in the night that I can just veg for awhile.  I am content.  Sitting here in the office, playing with the kitty, checking LJ and such.  The Boy and the Roomie are in the next room watching some TV show about guns and discussing various types of firearms.

Yup.  I can honestly say... life's pretty good right now. 

*happy contented sigh*

I am one of those people that subliminal advertising was MADE for! 

From time to time I get these bizarre food cravings (stop it.. get your minds out of the gutter RIGHT NOW!)  Seriously.  From time to time I randomly have the urge for different types of food.  Sometimes it is because I realize I have not had something in a while and sometimes.. well.. sometimes I see something (like a commerical or the like) and just get this overwhelming urge for a certain type of food.

Had one of those tonight.

I am sitting at home with the Boy and the Roomie, having dinner and watching television.  After awhile, i start doing some straightening up and pick up an empty box of soda crackers.  I stare at the packaging and it's like someone hit the flash back button.  I remember nights of hot chocolate and buttered crackers w/ cheese at my mom's house or even MORE bizarre.. I remember mom making deviled eggs, sliced ham and serving them with crackers.

Mmmmm... deviled eggs.

Yup.. serious craving for deviled eggs right about now.  Tomorrow is grocery day.  I guess I know what ingredients I'm picking up!

Like I said... sometimes.. I'm just totally bizarre!

It's the little things in life that make you smile.  Then there are the not so little things.. but the moments of kindness that make you smile whenever you think about them.

I had one of those moments today.

The day started out like any other.  Home from work, nappage and then the mundane tasks of getting dinner ready and the like began.  The Boy and I took care of some errands and the Roomie came home from work as I was beginning to cook dinner.

No biggie, right?

I am in the kitchen, making dinner when I hear a noise outside.  Roomie comes out of his room and we troop outside.. to see what I lovingly referred to as a "gaggle" of Tech students making their way to the house.  While I am thrilled that they have come to visit, this is not exactly a normal occurrence ... and then.. then I have that moment...

When I get handed a bag with my birthday present...

A Wusthof Meat Cleaver... OMG.  It's awesome!!!   A bunch of the students had chipped in to buy this for me.. and presented it to me along with a CD of the "Black Diamond Bards!"

I could have cried, although I laughed and held the cleaver aloft, saying... "I will not be defied by dead bird EVER AGAIN!!!"

We laughed...

The Tech students are AWESEOME!

It's been awhile.  Not that I've given up LiveJournal for Facebook.. although most nights you can find me there (heck.. it's one of the things that keeps me awake while I am at work..) but there just hasn't been much going on, except for the routine day to day.  That... and to be honest.. I've been trying to save all my dear friends from sugar overload, if you know what I mean, LOL.

Life continues apace.  Work is work and we are slowly but surely getting in some new people.  I realized the other day that sometimes it sort of sucks to be me.. because there is, quite literally, no one to work for me if I get sick... either the GM needs to come in or someone is totally inconvenienced.  I learned this the hard way.. but oh well.

War of the Wings was a blast.  I ended up spending most of my time in the Black Diamond Baronial encampment doing the meal plan stuff, but I had the help of many wonderful hands.  Black Diamond is awesome and the spirit of camraderie and willingness to help the permeates throughout the people that live here is a joy.  Not to say that I didn't find or feel those same things in Sacred Stone when I lived there.. but .. you know how it is.. new place, new experiences and you wonder.  I wonder no longer.

The schtick at WoW was funny and as a joke on Saturday morning (before procession) I was jokingly chained to the grill.  There's a picture of that floating around somewhere, LOL.  It was funny.  I played with some new recipes over the weekend (the apricot and orange glazed pork seemed to be a hit) and had some minor and not-so-funny-THEN-but-sort-of-funny-NOW snafu's with the grill (bad flare up and tortured chicken... but we won't go there)

The only sucky part of War of the Wings was camping in one spot and cooking in another.  Things sort of just worked out  that way... and I will say that I will endeavor to make sure that this doesn't happen again.  Or at least make sure the camps are closer, LOL...

The Boy, during Court, looked great in his new black G-63 and he seemed happy with it (thank you Allegranza!!!) and we spent the rest of the evening singing and hanging out with friends.  I think I changed clothes more times in one day that Saturday than I do at most events.  It was kind of funny.

Monday was my birthday.. it was a bizarre day of highs and lows.  We will s tart with the fact that my car died a horrible death.  Needed a new starter -- grump and growl.  Next came the fact that I got bitten by some typle of miniscule critter on the corner of the mouth and I looked like a Botox/Collagen injection gone horribly wrong by the end of the day.  My lips were painfully swollen as was, to be honest, most of my face.  I swear I looked like the Creature from the Black Lagoon.  The Boy was sweet about it... until I ended up going to work anyway (he was less amused then) but that's the part about there was quite literally no one to work for me.

I got lots of B;day wishes (woot!) from my friends which made me smile (which hurt, by the way, LOL) and then The Boy, The Roomie and myself went out to have a b'day dinner.  I have to say... I LOVE Wallaby Darned's!  Go Outback.  I also hadn't had a blooming onion in like forever.  I also got a dozen Roses from The Boy (snoopy dance).  OK.. I honestly got those on Friday.. but still.. 

Today (ok.. last night for the rest of you on Normal People Time) was better.  Car got fixed (it's AMAZING.. you stick the key in the ignition and it goes VROOM!! as opposed to just clicking and sitting there stupidly) which made me happy, and there have been some developments at work which might make me very happy.  I won't know the whens and hows of this until a little later.. but when I know.. you'll know.

So what's the State of Sidhewolf these days...

Happy. 

Ok.. so it wasn't *really* a weekend... worked 1/2 day on Friday and got Saturday off (with about 2-3 phone calls from work about various and sundry).

Friday was a nightmare... Overbooking problems and an irate guest.  *sigh*.  Saturday was being called because we were once again overbooked (really people.. does no one but me check these things?!?)  and rooms being dirty when they shoujld have been clean.  But... I will not linger on these things... these were but mere vague clouds on the horizon of what was a great day off.

Boy and I took off to Charlotte on Saturday to visit Da Boss and Mama Lion.. Mama was at University.. Boss, Boy an I hung out and had fun on Saturday and the took of late Sat. Night to grab a bite.  Today was a brief shopping trip to the mall and a quick visit with C & A, whom I have missed a great deal!  thank goodness I had no apron strings for him to tie into a corset!!!

It was a great time and I really needed a bit of decompression...  could totally have used more.. but.. it is what it is and I am grateful for what time I did have.

The best part of the weekend was arriving in Charlotte and getting out of the car to hug Boss... as I walked toward him he got up and was saying how glad he was to see him and then went "Wow!!! you are looking great!"  Yup.. Gracie is still shrinking.  Maybe not at a high rate of speed but it was noticed by everyone that saw me this weekend. 

WOO HOO!

Ok.. it's the little victories that somehow mean a whole lot. 

Now I need to get back to my walking regimen.  I know the weather is getting colder, so doing it in the mornings is sooo not gonna happen. 

But.. back to work I am and getting ready for War of the Wings.  Am doing a bit of cooking that weekend so much shopping and finalization of plans needs to happen over the next few days. 

And monday is the birthday.. don't know if I'm happy about that or not.  Getting older sort of sucks.. but man.. these days.. I feel like a teenager! 

guess that's it for now.. luckily I had nappage and think I can actually manage to survive the shift tonight so long as it stays quiet!

See ya'll at War!

On tonight's episode of Hotel -- amusing lobby drunks!

I have a guest who has been staying here for the better part of a year.  He is an independant contractor and he stays here during the week and goes home on the weekends.

When he comes in, he usually stays and chats with me and he is always sweet and funny and charming  Every once in a while he and his boys go out for  "night on the town".. and when they come back they are usually most amusing.

Tonight, however.. tonight goes beyond everything.  He and one of his people come in, drunk to the gills and stop at the desk.  OMG...

I come out from the back office and say hi... he proceeds to (loudly) call out to me and ask me to help me get his phone, which he had left in the cab that brought him back to the hotel.

He and his cousin are so rip-roaring drunk it's not funny.  Much hilarity in the form of banter (and him sweaving like a drunken cobra in my lobby)  ensue.  He gets his phone back and we try to get him to go back to his room... this is not happening.  Next thing I know he gets into a playfight with his cousin and goes ass over teakettle over the computer in the lobby...

Uh-uh.. no way. 

I come out from behind the desk to make sure that everyone is ok.  We try to get DG1 (drunk guy1) to go back to his room (his cousin is much more sober at this point) but he ain't having it.  Finally... the New Yorican in me comes out... DG1 and I start bantering and I reach out and begin to push him gently but firmly back into one of  the lobby chairs.  He falls into it and proceeds (after knocking down a plant, brochure stand and several other things) to pass out.

-Sigh-

I go to the back office and get my master key... I get permission from his cousin to open the door to his room and then we prop the door open.  Between the two of us we pick up DG1 and begin to manhandle him back to his room.  Needless to say *that * was fun.  Good thing his room is on the first floor and not too far away from the front desk.

We get him into his room, I say goodnight to his cousin and head back to the front desk to clean up the aftermath of Class 5 Hurricane Drunk Guy. 

No sooner  than I get done cleaning up the mess in the lobby (and righting the poor plant in the corner) than I hear a very loud thump from my hallway.

Yup.. DG1 is trying to come back to the lobby to rescue teh "drink" that he had left.  Oy... His cousin and I manage to convince him that he drank it and once again begin to manhandle his drunk behind BACK to his room.  He about falls, twice and we finally manage to get him to lie down. 

I know that I have gone above and beyond the call of duty here but he is one of our regulars and (when he is sober) a nice guy to boot... so I lean over and ask him sweetly to please stay put in his room so that he does not fall and hurt himself.  he looks at me... tells me okay and then tries to poke me in the nose (managing to all but skewer my brainpan in the process)

Ah sigh.  I love my job. 

Well.. I had been feeling tired before now.  Sometimes you just gotta wonder what tomorrow holds!

When last we left our heroine, she was smiling.. sort of.  Tonight.. not so much.  Remember when we spoke about idiot co-workers who could not find their tail end with both paws and a flashlight?  Yea... that's the one..

It's a game weekend.  We are FULL.... as in Beyond full.  We were full last night.  And two of our guests called and spoke to a clerk saying that they would not be in until early this am.. so to go ahead and check them in, so they would not lose their room.

Okey dokey.

This was communicated to me by the clerk that took the phone call... I communicated this to my relief.. I don't know what happened after that... except that SOMEONE checked out both rooms and then RESOLD them.  which means, of course, that I am now overbooked. 

We had one cancellation, so I was only overbooked by one room.. but... ya know what happens when you over book a hotel? 

You have to "walk" the  guest.  "Walking" a guest is not fun.  Especially when it is your own dumb fault.  In this case, not MY dumb fault but the dumb fault of someone who works here who does not have to deal with a soggy and now (rightfully) irate guest who does not have a place to sleep.

I have spent the last 30 (yes.. count em 30) minutes trying to locate a room.  After many phone calls and about a thousand apologies I find them a smoking room for a bit less than what they were going to pay here.  Granted it's a different chain.. but.. it is what it is. At least they now have a place to sleep without driving almost an hour north of here.

I am irritated beyond belief.  It's called COMMUNICATION people! 

I know that when I relieve the 2nd shifter I ask a a series of questions... is everyone here, is there anything I should know.. blah blah blah. I look around at the random scraps of paper lying on the desk and make sure they haven't forgotten to tell me anything.   When my relief comes in at 7am.. I give them the complete download of my night... along with anything pertinent and sometimes not so much that they may need for the rest of the day.  Honestly.. you never know what may or may not come in handy!

Oh.. and BTW.. not for nothing.. but after a while the Burgundy/Orange color combo makes my eyes bleed.  Just sayin.

Next we have the most amusing guests ever... sort of.   Drunk people are always fun... when they walk up to the counter reeking of booze so bad you have to physically take a step backwards.. well.. maybe not quite so much then.. still..

Tonight's drunk stories...

These two guys come in ... they are getting ready to go up to their room and realize that they don't have their key.. why?  Because they tossed their key to their drunk buddy in the parking lot of whatever bar they were at and the drunk buddy, of course, could not catch it.  Key sails right on past into some grass and they can't find it.  No problem.  They show me appropriate ID and I get them a new key.  Watching them trying to explain to me WHY they dont have the key was amusing.. sort of.

Next drunk guy comes in.. and he is the quintessential, stereotypical drunk.  Bleary eyed, can barely stand up straight and stringing an entire coherent sentence together is a feat of utmost proportions.  He.. he is my special puppy for the night.  He comes in, smiles that loopy "I'm so drunk I c an't stand it" smile and heads to his room.  About two minutes later, he comes back down to the desk.  I smile at him.. "Can I help you?"

"yea," he responds... "I can't find my room"  I know  that laughing in his face is not polite.  I tell this to myself repeatedly... so I smile.. and I ask him for ID.

As he fumbles for his wallet, he proceeds to inform me that he knows that he is on the 4th floor "somewhere" but can't for the life of him remember *what* room.  No prob. He finally gets his identification and we determine what number is room is.  I'm even nice enough to write it down for him.  Big loopy drunk grin... and off he goes.

And comes back.. again.

Now I am all but laughing...I ask him what I can do for him...

"Man.. if I can just make it to my room.. I think I'll be all right.. but I can't find the key!"  Well. .I've already seen his ID, so I make him an new key.  Hand it over to him and he sits at the desk and chats with me for a few minutes about where he might have lost the key and such.  Then, as he is getting ready to walk away, he asks me if I would "kiss him goodnight"

Um.. no thank you.  I can't help but smile at the poor drunk guy as I shake my head and tell him that I can't do that... he looks at me and sighs a deep drunken stupor kind of sigh and says that "its' too bad, cuz  I was kinda cute!"  Drunk boys are so much fun.  Beer goggles and all.  I thanked him for the compliment and told him that he should try and head back to his room to get some sleep.

At which point I get propositioned again.. and then he asks me if I can help him get back.  Still grinning like a Cheshire cat... I tell him that I can't leave the desk.. Might be some dumb, but I ain't plumb dumb.. there is no way I am "escorting" a drunk male back to his room after he's propositioned me.. twice.  He shakes his head and checks the room number on the paper that I've given him and heads back to his room.

I wait, with baited breath, to see if he comes back down.. but it seems that he made it ok.  I wait about fifteen minutes (to be on t he safe side) and then do a security walk to make sure that he isn't laying in the hallway somewhere...but no.. no drunk guy in my hallway.  This is a good thing.

The rest of my night is then taken up by phone calls from the Night Auditor from another nearby hotel, who seems to have decided that I am the cat's meow and he likes talking to me.  Wow.  

At least my night is now almost over and tonight (tomorrow) whenever the heck it is that I work next, Iwon't have to deal with drunk football fans.  There is something to be grateful for!

Until Next time..
Same Batty Bard time...
Same Batty Bard channel!

Most days, when you feel the urge to purge your soul it's because some guest has totally rubbed your fur in the wrong direction.  Some days it's because you have idiot co-workers who could not find their hind ends with both hands, a flashlight AND a detailed map.  Every once in a great while it's because you end up with a guest(s) that is just awesome or funny and has made your night.

Tonight is one of those rare occasions.

While it is true that our intrepid Night Auditor is facing many more days on-shift than she cares to count, she still manages to come in to work with a smile on her face.  Not because I'm happy (at least not tonight.. it's been grey and miserable all day and it's totally been one of the Do Over type of days) but because some nights, if you don't smile, you are just gonna cry.

I am sitting at the desk and it is near 2am.. the hotel is virutally full.. (Game Weekend!)  and people who have gone out partying are starting to return home to roost.   The hours between 2 and 3 am are also when the Sidhewolf tends to get a bit.. um.. noshy.  So I reach for my trusty "Night Audit Survival Kit". (no kidding.. it exists.. at least in my world)  I pull out... POPCORN (total comfort food) and pop me a bag...

So here I sit.. freshly popped popcorn and my latest addiction, Bejeweled Blitz on FB... (I've just about totally given up on trying to beat my darn roomie.. he's just too damn good at the game!) when a couple of young(ish) guys walk in from bar-hopping.  They hit the lobby and begin to comment (loudly) on how good the popcorn smells and begin to look in the lobby for the popcorn...

Understand that there are some hotels that provide free popcorn for their guests.. we are not one of them.

I can not help but be amused and somewhat shamefaced (since it's MY popcorn that they smell).  After searching the lobby... they come up to the desk and ask where the popcorn is...I can't help but smile and show them the bag of microwave popcorn sitting next to me.

Both guys crack up laughing and begin joking that I had been laughing at them the whole time they were searching high and low for the yummy smelling popcorn... and began giving me a good-natured ribbing.  They were f unny and irreverent (although respectful) and laughed even louder when I offered them an unpopped bag (which they did not take me up on)  After a few minutes, they said goodnight, told me to enjoy my snack and headed up to their room

You don't often get guests like these.. most of the time people look at you like you aren't even there... and it was just a pleasant interlude in a long night.

and as I get ready to sign off.. I am reminded of a line from the movie "Clerks"

"Man, I'm not even supposed to BE here tonight!"  LOL...

He's crazy.  Seriously.  Absolutely insane.

He showed up on my doorstep.  At 3:30am.  I got an unplanned, unexpected, totally out of the blue weekend.

Together, along with A and the roomie we went to MATO.  Today we were total slugs (and considering how long of a night he had Friday after driving and then us leaving for MATO at the break of dawn - he was totally entitled) and just sat around and hung out and talked.

Yup, still grinning like a crazed monkey.

I have won the cosmic lottery...

( I was having a bard moment )

I was in Maryland yesterday (big surprise there, right?) actually, it should be.  It was mid-week.  I am not normally off until Friday and Saturday night. 

Had an appointment I had to keep Wednesday morning, which was pretty spiff.  He and I went together.  And for those of you who are wondering... yes, things are going swimmingly... as best they can when you consider that he is five hours away (a source of constant irritation for both of us).

FLYING FAST AND LOW...
The appointment that I had yesterday made for an interesting couple of days.  I ended up having to work a double shift on Tuesday so I could shoot up to MD, so I could be there in time for us to make our 9:00am appointment.  I left Blacksburg at about 3:30pm and was in MD by 7:45ish.  Talk about flying fast and low, but traffic was light (yes.. even the beltway!) and it was pretty spiff.  Had a moment of panic when I thought I was lost and couldn't get ahold of  "The Boy" but in the end, it all worked out and I arrived safe and sound.

I have to admit that it was nice to be wrapped up in a bear hug that quite literally took me off of my feet!  Would call him "papa bear" cuz he is a big old bear... but that would be seven kinds of bizarre since I call R&A, Papa Bear and Mama Lion... (yikes!) He's got this big ole grin on his face (Cheshire cat style!) and the next  thing I know... I'm on the couch with a plate of very yummy spaghetti!  Dude!  Dinner was ready and waiting on me.  Spoiled I tell you.. I am spoiled rotten!

REDISCOVERING MY ROOTS...
Driving in DC/MD is an experience.  That's the only way I can put it.  I believe I have rediscovered my New York roots, cuz you have to drive like a crazed yellow cab driver sometimes!  Trying to get throught the beltway at 5pm yesterday on the way home was um.. an experience!  I would have waited until a bit later in the evening but I had to be at work by 11pm and while I would have left a bit earlier.. I needed a nap and at least a few extra minutes with The Boy! 

I haven't had to drive this aggressively since I vacationed in Puerto Rico (where a description of the driving - relatively apt I might add - was that someone had taken a whole mess of pissed off fire ants, put them in a jar, shaken them up real good and then turned them loose!)  Throw some Metallica on the MP3 player and I was right there in the thick of things.  Luckily traffic wasn't *that* horrific (I managed to keep a speed somewhere in the 35-40 mph range at all times) and soon was out of the beltway and on I-66 and the open road.  Home safe and sound and back to the daily grind.

AND THE BEAT GOES ON...
LIfe continues apace.  The usual routine of work, home and events with a few trips to MD in there whenever I can swing it.  Work drama abounds with the Front Office Manager and one of the clerks over scheduling issues which makes me O SO GLAD that I have a pretty set schedule and that no one wants my hours, so they tend to leave me alone for the most part.

I am set up to go to Midnight at the Oasis this weekend and then to Siege of Glengary. While I am looking forward to both events for the opportunity to spend time with dear friends (and play in the kitchen at MATO) I can't wait for Glengary.  Can you guess why?!?  Hehe!   Once again, we've lined up some side jobs for him.. so we get more visit time! 

WOOT!   super turbo snoopy happy dance (picture that!)

And then somewhere in there I have to plan a Halloween costume.  Can't decide can't decide!

No, life is not perfect (what life ever is) but it seems that sun shines a little brighter  these days more often than not.

It's 5:45am.  I am sitting here, with my stomach thinking that my throat has been cut.

A few moments ago, I didnt know why.

I forgot to eat dinner again.

Duh.

Vending machine.. here I come.  Not  the healthiest of choices..but in the middle of a 14 shift (with 6 more hours still to go) I have seriously limited options.

Sometimes.. I totally haz da stoopid.

Yes, another event weekend come and gone.  Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday. 

It was nice to spend time with my friends and family from the South.  Living in Black Diamond, I know tend to go North as often as I go South (and with the added incentive of The Boy.. North tends to win a little more often, LOL). 

I have to admit.. I don't normally like King's Mountain events.. but this one was a lot of fun.  Baron Talorgen did a fantastic job and the ability to drive up to the field and cabins and hall to unload and such made life a bit easier to hump stuff in and out of the car.  So YAY Tal!

And after three years of service, I am no longer SS Baronial Bardic Champion.. this involved a little bit of schtick at feast, at that was fun.  TE Axel and Jeanmaire are a hoot and I love them dearly!

I must admit that the only "down" to the event was missing The Boy.  He was at Storvik's Birthday.. where he threw his name into the ring for Baronial Heavy Champion ... and won!!  (snoopy happy dance) 

He told me he was going out for champion and asked if I could go to watch him fight. That's when I realized it was the same weekend as SSBB.  I had not only made commitments to go to SSBB, but had long-standing plans with Morwenna that I would do the food for her birthday party on Friday night.  That being the case.. there was no way to go to Storvik... The Boy was understanding.. but it still broke my heart to not be there for him.

I was at least glad when he called me later that night to tell me he had been granted the honor of serving as Baronial Heavy Champion. 

13 more days. 

*sigh*.

PiC and I are in my friend As kitchen.  We are looking out side the window and see this great big weeble-wobble of a groundhog just hanging out in the backyard.  A and I start joking about how they taste like roast beef (she said it, not me) and every time she said it.. the ground hog would look up at us.  It was amusing.

So as A jokes about turning the groundhog into Roast Beast, PiC takes off, out of the kitchen at a dead run.  I (and A) are watching said groundhog, who is oblivious to the danger running towards him on two legs.  We recognized the instant it noticed PiC tear-assing toward him because the ground hog looked up at us, looked over at PiC, gave a distinct "OH CRAP" look and then  took off, with PiC in hot pursuit.

By this point A and I are laughing so hard we are darn near in tears.  PiC runs across the backyard, does this "slide into home plate" thing as the groundhog dives for cover and hides under As shed.  PiC then picks up a small plastic sword and proceeds to POKE at said groundhog who has run for cover.

Again... A and I are laughing so hard as to darn near be in stitches.  I was just afraid the groundhog was gonna get irritated and launch itself at PiC,  trying to take his nose off... (that would have sucked) but luckily that was not the case.

Needless to say, PiC now qualifies for most amusing mammal of the day.  That was just too ha-ha funny!

it never ceases to amaze me how it can take forever for one week to go by when you are looking forward to something and one week to pass so quickly when you are enjoying something.

This past week was a little slice of heaven.  Yes... he was here.  All I can say is that it was awesome and my week went by far to quickly.  This weekend was a lot of fun.  Drove him back home and we went to a cookout with his family.  They all seem very nice.  I also got ot spent some time with LLT and Orla crawling around Restaurant Depot (where I promptly got myself run over by a very large cart)

The Boy insisted that I take the dog with me to MD this weekend and puppers was soooo good.  We all had a good time.  Far to soon it was time to get back in the car and head home so that I could work tonight.  The day seemed to fly by and the car ride home seemed especially long.

but I hold with me the memory of driving toward MD... MP3 player going and he and I singing, laughing the entire time.   Of being taken to dinner... of being woken up this morning with breakfast.  Of him spoiling the puppy (who seems to think he is the next best thing to sliced bread!)

And I had Shakespeare quoted at me again.  You just can't beat  that with a stick!

I  am omg-grinning-like-a-monkey happy.

This feeling, btw, is as heady as anything I can think of.  It's addictive. 

Event was wonderful and I had a blast! 

Didn't get there until later in the evening Friday night, so really.. all I had the energy to do was unload the immediate necessities from the car. Luckily, my sweetie had already gotten there and had set up the tent, so he helped schlep schtuff from car and got us settled.

Morning came far too early for my tastes, but apparantly a busy little chair elf (PiC) had visited during the night and the Glastonbury chairs were set up outside the tent when I awoke... yay for awesome friends!

We went to last court and it was awesome... then I get called into court... Um... huh?

Got Undine from HE Esa (which was beautiful in Book of Kells style) and a Parasol Authorization!  Too ha-ha funny and cute.

Then I headed off to the A*S hall to chat with some friends before going to watch the fighting... told the sweetie I would go watch him fight.  Well.. I feel like I heel cuz I never actually made it back to the list-field. Ended up entering the Bardic Bear Pit.. which was fun.. but brutal. (three hours of singing and my voice started to feel like hamburger...)

Then came evening Court... sitting next to my sweetie was awesome and while I was sittin there, enjoying his company I get called into court again... Um.. Huh?

Dude... gotz a Herring!!!! Was completely and totally caught off guard! The scroll is beautiful with a pink border and pretty flowers and all just plain spiff!!!!

And to top it all off... I ended up WINNING the Bardic Bear-Pit, which rocked!  Got a beautful leather bound journal with music on the front... it's just too pretty for words!

Rest of day is a blur.. Retained for Her Majesty Kalisa until They left site and then went back to tent and went.. Flop! Could no longer feel feet!  Hey.. when I skip out on a bardic cirlce.. you know I'm tired!

Today was pack out at an ungodly hour (at least in my world) but  everything is packed and in vehicle and had uneventful but most amusing car ride home.

Sitting in my car, driving and listening to two fighter  boys talk about Unified Theory is surreal.  Seriously!

All in all.. it's been a pleasant (FANTASTIC!) weekend and the whole week is shaping up to be pretty damn cool.  He is with me this week.  *sigh... *smile!

Can't beat *that* with a stick!

We begin today's episode with the creepy stalker guy in the parking lot.

Get to work and begin my normal procedures.  The 2nd shift clerk is actually a "fill-in".. meaning.. he doesn't REALLY work here.  He used to, but now he sort of comes and goes to fill in periodically if we are ever truly desperate for help.  So he and I are playing "catch-up" when we realize that there isa guest that keeps coming down to the lobby, walking outside for a few minutes and then coming back in.

2DC (2nd shift desk clerk) looks over at me and comments that dude has been doing that for quite some time this evening.  We kind of look at each other and shrug.  Ok.. to each his own, right? 

Well.. he does it like two more times in less than 1/2 hour.  Finally, I can't take it anymore.  I ask him if everything is okay and if there is something that I can do for him.  That is when he informs me that there is a dude sitting in a grey SUV between his truck and his son's car who has been doing nothing but just SITTING there for 3 hours.  Like.. no joke.. THREE HOURS.

Guest says that he is mildly distrubed because the car belongs to his son and has all of his stuff (computer, etc for Va Tech).

Well... I turn to my trusty computer... why? Because new protocols now demand that we record make/model/color of vehicle during check in process.  Like.. we get written up if the information is not there.  Run my list of vehicles in-house.  None matching the description show up on my list.

While this is not necessarily a determining factor (sometimes we have multiple vehicles for one room and can only record one vehicle at this time) it's creepy enough that I decide to call Blacksburg PD.  Just to be sure.  I usually go out and  do a "security walk" around the building.. but... I was cautious enough this time that I wanted a patrol car to do a sweep.

Sure enough.. partol car does sweep.. car moves.  I have no idea what that was all about but it was bizarre.

Next comes Mr. Belligerent.. and I mean, like not a 1/2 hour later.  Man comes in looking for a room.  Ok.  I quote him our rate with his AAA discount.  He is growly and unpleasant and informs me that "this better be a damn nice room" for that price.  He throws his credit card, id and AAA card at me.  At this point, I am starting to get a little.. um.. irked. 

I can understand that you may or may not like our rates.  I get that.  I can understand that you may be tired... I get that, too.. but don't throw stuff at me. So..  on comes my "I'm a the super nice Night Auditor chick" smile (though it's a litle frayed at the edges by now) and continue with the check-in.

Now.. everyone is different.. handles transactions differently.  I have a very specific procedure I follow when I check someone in... because I can get distracted if the phone rings or something else goes on... I prop ID and credit card on keyboard right in front of my face. I immediately type in AAA number and hand the card back... I do this so I don't forget to hand it back.  So I hand back the AAA card, with a polite "Thank you, sir" and he takes it and then slams it onto the desk.  Trying desperately to ignore him (while not ignoring him) I type in his information from the ID, swipe his credit card and hand them both back with another "thank you".  He takes those, slams THOSE onto the desk.

At this point, my right eye is beginning to twitch.

Unfortunately for me.. I then have to get his vehicle information and phone number.  He growls at me "Are you kidding"

Nope.

"You all sure ask for a lot of damn information for a hotel room".  Um.. uh-huh... sorry.. and I HAVE to have the information, or I get into trouble.  So unless you want to support me and mine for quite some time.. just give me the darn information and we can all go about our merry way 'kay?

As I get him to sign off on his registration c ard and give him his keys, he begins to complain how he should never have driven up this way tonight.. how he was being inconvenienced, etc etc.  Uh-huh.. so not falling into this trap.  I apologize ( I have no idea what for.. but it seemed like the thing to do at the time) and quickly give him his keys and let him go.

Once he was gone, 2DC (who has still around) looks at me and comments how he is glad that I was the one to take care of him.. that he didn't think that he would have been able to keep his cool with the guy.  Eh.. it is what it is...and goodness knows I have tons of customer service experience... still drives me buggy... still makes me wonder at the behavior of some people... but... it's a living.

And last, but most definately not least.. is the 2-bit crack whore that just tried to get a room.  Like.. no kidding... I saw this woman walk into my hotel and my eyes bugged out of my head.  Nasty cut off denim short-shorts that make Daisy Dukes look like long pants (shudder... bleach.. I need bleach!!!) A cut-off denim vest type thing mostly unbuttoned with nothing underneath (ack.. urk... dear gods.. ) who comes in asking if I have rooms.

Why yes.. as I matter of fact I do.  And I feel no guilt whatsoever that I quoted her a price that was about 50% higher than my normal non-discounted rate.  She was going to pay it, too... until she whipped out a wad of cash (I don't even want to think about from where..) and I told her that cash customers were required to pay a $150.00 deposit (which is true).  Then she went away and I sat here twitching for a good five minutes.

Man... the crazies are out tonight.  Well.. if nothing else.. makes the night go by faster!

Until next time...

Same batty bard time
same batty bard channel!

Thank you ... Patsy Cline.. I now have the darn song stuck in my head, LOL.

Allegranza and I have started a new regimen.  Three days a week we go walking on the Huckleberry (yes.. the trail is called the Huckleberry.. I can't make this stuff up!) We average anywhere between 2 and 3 miles per day depending on time. 

It's great to have someone to walk with.. and to make a plan and stick to it.

And A and I both love having the girl time, plus baby Kael is too cute for words!

I very much look forward to our morning walks. 

Next on the Agenda:
( Coronation )

"Deep in the bosom of the gentle night
Is when I search for the light...
But there's no release.. no peace
I toss and turn without cease
I can't get no sleep."

-Faithless
Insomnia

Today's headio soundtrack. 

( Into the depraved mind of an insomniac )

( Take it to the Limit! )

1. Passive Agressiveness annoys me and invariably brings out the worst in me

2. Provoking the panther in NOT a good idea.  Period.

3. Throw enough crap in my general direction and do not be surprised when I start returning the favor. (amazing how that works)

4. Take a long hard look at the big picture before you start picking at the little threads.  A whole lot more than you expect may come unraveled.

A smile.

A genuine and heartfelt hug.

A soft caress.

A tender kiss upon your brow.

A contented sigh.

Yup, life after Pennsic has developed a layer of um.. "complicated" but I wouldn't change it for the world.

When you work at a hotel, heck any job, you learn to check your attitude at the door.  It doesn't matter how good/bad or indifferent your day up until that point has been. In order to survive ANY customer service job, you have to clock in, paste a smile on your face and go through your day (or night in this case)

This evening was no exception.

Yet checking your attitude at the door does not mean that you are truly OK.  You are still irritated, happy, sad, what have you.  You just try and make sure that none of that splatters onto your guests. Sometimes, however, they invite it.

And when you catch me in a foul mood to begin with... well... put on the flak jackets.

I am/was not in a *truly* foul mood.  Honestly, I seriously think that my blood sugar dropped which in turn makes me cranky and easily frustratable.  That is what started it.  Come to work and the back office is a disaster area, which I am expected to clean up.  Honestly people... I am not your mother!

So I am sitting here, head swimming a bit (the vending machine beckons but I resist its evil call -- no change) when I get a phone call from a guest.  He is so polite it just sets my teeth on edge.

"Guest services, this is Your Most Awesome Night Audit Clerk EVER! how can I help you?"

"Tell the morons in room XXX to shut the hell up and go to sleep."  Click.

???  Grrr.  I can understand where the guest may be displeased, but is it really necessary to call and give ME hell and then HANG UP on me? Really? 

The hackles come up, the teeth bare but then I take a deep breath.  No reason for bloodshed.. yet.

Now when handling a guest noise complaint there are several tactics.  My first warning is usually delivered by  telephone.  I will contact the guest room in question via phone and inform them of the complaint and ask them to keep it down.  2nd warning is delivered in person with a knock at the door and if I have to come back a third time, it usually means that you are packing your stuff and finding somewhere else to sleep.

so I pick up the phone and call the  guest room in question.  I looked the guest up.  It's some of my comcast boys.  They stay all the time and I usually don't have a problem with them so I figure that a phone call is going to be just fine. 

Uh-huh.

Famous last words.

I dial the room number, the guest picks up and I get...

F*#k you! and then hung up on.

Ok.. so now there is full throated growling going on.  I call back (because I know that if I go knock on t he door, things will go poorly.. for someone) and get the same thing again but  this time he doesn't hang up.

As politely as possible, I say "Excuse me?" There is silence on the other end of the phone.  I take my moment, deliver my warning to keep it down and disconnect the call.

Seriously, cursing at a desk clerk is not a good idea.  Swearing at me when I haven't done anything and am already not feeling my normal chipper self is just going to go poorly for you.  Especially when you stay here on a regular basis and I normally bend over backwards for you.  Just sayin!

He best hope that I don't see his boss in the AM.. who is real sweet and would not be amused.

Remember folks.. swearing at the desk clerks is bad.  Swearing at THIS desk clerk is even worse.  And if you are going to call the desk to complain.. don't take it out on me... I"m the one who is going to fix the problem, remember?  Snapping at me and then hanging up before I can even acknowledge what you want does not endear you to me or make me want to do JACK for you.

Is it so hard? 

Growl, grump.
I so need some chocolate.

Just pulled in.  Much pupper love happening and Bainsidhe is just running around the house, trilling up a storm.

The 50 words or less version....

1. No Drama camp.... AMEN!
2. New friends
3. Retaining for Her Majesty
4. Retaining for Her Highness
5. Catering Herald's Party!  (WOOT!)
6. doing Breakfast... yup.. I was up and moving by 7am almost every day for a week.  (be afraid!)
7. cherry grog is evil!

I had planned on this pennsic being fun and uncomplicated.  Well... I got the fun part in..  I worked and I did, but I played as well.  It was a fantastic experience.  I had not, however, planned on a certain layer of complication.  But ya know what?  That's ok.  It's a fun kind of complicated.

Nope.. you get no more right now... just know that my war started out on a note but ended in a happy song.

/insert cheshire cat grin *here*

The car is packed (mostly) and I am counting down the hours.  Yup.. it's that time again... Pennsic.

A little bit of a busy schedule but it's what I thrive on... Sunday I am providing food for the Known World Heralds get together, which is awesome -- and which means a trip to the store sometime on Saturday after I get my bearings.  (I might even just suck it up and go to Friday night late.. simply because I can.. but I don't know yet.)

Monday and Tuesday evenings I have some bardic type commitments and Wednesday I think I am  going to watch a friend fight.  Squire's Tourney and I think I want to sponsor him in the Tuchux Charity Tourney.. so I figure.. if I'm gonna sponsor him.. I should at least BE THERE to see it, right?  I am currently charging the camera battery (but the camera goes every year and takes very few pics, more's the pity) but we will see what happens.

Plus.. there is armor shopping  -- ok.. so right now it's window shopping to see *what* I may want, price some stuff out, etc etc. and trim shopping.  Hehe... there is some irony in the fact that the armor shopping is for me and the trim is NOT.  It's enough to make me chuckle.

Work-wise it has been a quite, but steady night.  Lots of random people walking in for rooms (which is unusual at this hotel) and a strange phone call...

( Confessions of a Night Auditor )

I should not be allowed to surf the 'net at 2am unsupervised.

Found an old merengue song that I love.  Now I want to go dancing.  Damnit! Where's the nearest Latin Dance Club!!!!!  (and who can I drag with me?)

Heh!

O weep not for the gentle Rose, the Golden flower faire
This blossom left the mortal coil to bloom in Heaven's Lair.

Come bide beside the fire, for I a tale would tell
Inspired by my heartfelt love of the golden-bright Gazelle.
A Rose was she, the rarest kind, with heart so pure and true
With silken strands of golden hair and shim'ring eyes of blue.

But weep not for the gentle Rose, the Golden flower faire
This blossom left the mortal coil to bloom in Heaven's Lair.

So regal in her bearing, a Queen down to her core
Yet a vesssel of humility, revered from shore to shore
O cruel Fate with hardened heart, you've struck and brought her low
Filled very soul she ever touched with anguishl, grief and woe!

But weep not for the gentle Rose, the Golden flower faire
This blossom left the mortal coil to bloom in Heaven's Lair.

Ever steadfast in her Armor, stood the golden bright Gazelle
For Grace and Courtesy had always served her well.
So I sing to you of Valor, though not with sword or shield
I sing to you of Courage upon Life's unfair battlefield.

But weep not fo the gentle Rose, the Golden flower faire
This blossom left the mortal coil to bloom in Heaven's Lair.

Remember not with sorrow from what our sight is gone
Her Golden light forever shines in memory and song.
Hear her laughter ringing as breeses flow through trees
See the mirth within her eyes in the waves of azure seas.

 But weep not for the gentle Rose, the Golden flower faire
This blossom left the mortal coil to bloom in Heaven's Lair.

Come bide beside me by the fire, for I a tale would tell
The Muse that touched me on this night, the Golden Bright Gazelle
And heavy-hearted though we be, I cannot but hear her say
"My love stays with you always, though I be far away..."

So weep not for the gentle Rose, the Golden flower faire
This blossom left the mortal coil to bloom in Heaven's Lair
No weep not for the gentle Rosse, the Golden flower faire
This blossom left the mortal coil to bloom in Heaven's Lair.

( Yes, this is a meme and I blame Dryw! )

The unmitigated stupidity and cruelty of some people is just amazing to me.  It shouldn't be.. but it is.

What has me riled up this time?  The fact that some sub-human jerk-off has decided to dump a mama cat and her two adorable kittens at my hotel.

Why does this infuriate me?  Well..lf you are a friend, you know why.

I love my animals, they are my children... and I know that not everyone feels that way and I can be (somewhat) reasonable and be glad that they were taken to the hotel and not just turned out onto the street.  We've been feeding them (and at night I play with them.. I know.. I am a sucker) and the guests play with them... but still.

They should have a home.  '

Seriously... I mean.. I've had to give up animals before.  It's not something I ever want to experience again... but I didn't just drive them somewhere and let them go.  Matter of fact, a friend ended up taking them and while they were "outdoor" critters.. they had a shelter and food and water set up.  I didn't just dump them somewhere.

I dont know.  I guess I'm just irked.  So now I will pet my kitty and hug my doggie and be glad that they are with me.

Sigh... If I knew I could .. I would bring the little furballs home.. but that would just cause major bad all the way around.

Oh well.

( The Event, The FurKid and More...  )