Now you're messin' with a

[cyrano]

Today is officially on notice. First there was the whole cancelled flight thing and six hours in Portland trying to stay awake. Then I got here and my hotel charge is significantly higher than it used to be, possibly because my work failed to update their contract with the local hotels. Yet another way in which my 'non salary benefits' are getting to be more and more useless. And there's no fridge in my room this time. And then my wireless connection was being strangled by internet bullies. So the teksupport guy had me do something which cut my signal entirely. I'm in the lobby now, which is where the signal should be strongest, and I'm getting a reasonbly good connection. So the hotel may actually be my problem. Maybe I can get them to move me. Anyway. So I went to pick up my rental car and the taxes are about thirty percent of my charges, which is horrifying and puts another dent in the wallet. And I go out to the parking lot to grab my economy car and I find a Subaru Outback. And I go back in and there must be some mistake because that thing is huge. Oh no, he says beaming from ear to ear, you got a free upgrade. Um. Can I get a free downgrade, because that thing's about twice as long and twice as tall as the car I'm used to. He says no, and given the selection in the parking lot I figure he's telling the truth. So anyway, I drive La Behoemoth to Safeway and grab some non-refrigerator comestibles so that I don't have to eat at the hotel bar every breakfast and lunch so I have bagels now. But I'm feeling really really frustrated.

Comments

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

And in the interest of reporting all the bad news, because it feels really prominent right now?
The rental's CD player doesn't like CDs. I continued my grand tradition of getting lost every single time I try to get on or off 405, and I don't like goodbyes very much at all.

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

I've really enjoyed having the GPS when I'm in a strange town. I never get lost.

I'm with you about disliking good-byes.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think a GPS would probably be amazingly useful. Sometimes even in towns that aren't so strange. I've never ponied up whatever extra cash the rental places would ask for one, though.

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

We bought one that is not attached to a specific vehicle, so you can take it on a plane (or used to) and use it anywhere.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

(or used to)
It's full of fluid, huh? (:
That sounds cool. Does it have the audio element? I love the thought of it telling me where to go so I don't have to look at it while I'm driving.

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

I'm just not sure what idiotic rule will pop up day-by-day.

There are vocal commands and alerts when you reach an intersection. It's pretty cool.

We should get dinner sometime with Erik and you could drive with us and see it in action.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I would not be opposed to this idea, even if there were no GPS involved. (:
Sundays look to be my best day for dinner because Monday is housemate night usually and any other night I'm working.
(And he checks the calendar--looks like September is pretty free at this point.)