been away from the blog for a little while because life interrupted as it does sometimes. so what has happened lately? well i stayed at that "wonderful" downtown hotel again that had the horrible customer service and not so great rooms. why? because when i stayed with them the two times before they had no idea who i was, who i worked for or what my connection was to them and that's just the way i like it. i want you to give me the same service you would give another patron, i want everything to be what it would be if i were jane blow coming in off the street and making a reservation, that way i can critique you honestly on your true behavior and customer service.
so, needless to say, once they figured out who i was and what my connection was to them they offered me a night's stay in one of their better rooms and initially i wasn't going to take it because two unpleasant experiences were enough for me. but later, as i thought about it and realized that i did need a night away, i accepted it. it was on one of the busier weekends because of the holiday and that's why i chose it. i wanted to see what would happen once they were swamped with independance day celebrations as well as their normal weekend crowds.
so here goes:
1. customer service overall was great, everyone was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable and if they didn't know they did not pretend to and had no problem saying let me double check that. they also waived a fee that i had totally forgotten about and was not prepared for. they answered the phone promptly and courteously everytime i called with a question.
the one problem i had, and it's ongoing until they make a permanent change, everytime i go i bring my pod to listen to my music of choice and they don't have pod docking stations. what they have are the radios that require an adapter cord, which is fine because the radio in my office is like that and i can work it just fine, however, i have the hardest time getting theirs to work so i have to call down for an engineer everytime and everytime they send me a new radio. this time they sent the radio and i explained to the housekeeper what i needed and asked for and he said you know call back down there and insist they send you what you asked for initially because a new radio isn't going to solve that problem. i told him he was absolutely correct and i appreciated him understanding that and acknowledging that there was nothing he could do to help.
2. the room was really nice, neat and clean and overall pleasant. i had a friend come to spend the day with me and they enjoyed the size of the room, the layout and all of the comforts just as much as i did. the bed felt awesome and i had a really hard time getting out of it the next morning. my only issues were because of my allergies i request a hypo room, so no down products, they realized it before i could call down because 15mins into my stay housekeeping was coming with a change in linens (another customer service kudo for that). the other thing was that the bathroom was so tiny that i felt claustrophic whenever i was in there with the door closed and the way it was situated with the dressing area was awkward. i could not have the door to the bathroom open and be in the dressing area at the same time, just too tight.
3. meals; i did not eat any of my meals there. i think the pricing for their food is insane and i understand why, the area and the chef. my friend that spent the day took me to dinner and we ended up only paying for one meal because a bug decided to land on one of them and once that happened we were done. the morning of check out i walked down the street and for the price of a granola and yogurt parfait at the hotel i got a breakfast sandwich with chicken sausage and organic eggs, a cup of fresh fruit and a muffin. i already had a bottle of water in my room, that i brought with me, so i went back to my room ate my breakfast and was so full off the sandwich and fruit that i ate the muffin for lunch.
4. fitness facility; i did not use it the two times prior but had decided to use it this time. it is a small space, not much bigger than the suite i was in however, i did not feel crowded at all. that may have been because there were only two people in there when i came in and after they left 3 more came in and as i was leaving 1 more came in but it still did not feel congested. they had some of the latest equipment and it was easy to use.
5. rooftop deck; i'd been on it before and i thought the same thing this time around as i had before, they need more shade umbrellas because the sun was brutal up there. i know it's a sun deck however, they should provide the option of not being in the sun as much. there were only two umbrellas when they could easily have 4 and neither of the the two were up. insult to injury, it was still a little dirty, grungy, sticky from the night before.
check out was smooth with no problems at all. so overall, as i said to them in my survey, i would recommend them because of my connection with them and i know they have the ability to be a better hotel however, that one good experience did not outweigh the too really bad experiences and if anyone asked me for details i would be inclined to give them my honest opinion.
so that's enough of that and if i could legally give the name of the hotel i would but contractually speaking i can not. more things have happened in my life and they were good but i'll get to those things later.
peace and blessings!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
it's been a while
my head hasn't been in it and the only reason i'm on now is because i can't sleep. don't know what woke me but i can't go back to sleep right now. i've had a lot on my mind lately and i've had a lot that i've decided there's nothing i can do about it right now. there are some things that i have realized are out of my control and i need to turn it over to the Creator and have him work it out. but there have also been some thing that i know if i had not been proactive in what i knew i could do and then let the Creator handle the rest, it wouldn't have turned out the same.
we still don't know what's going to happen with the bank and this house, i'm still believing that it will be saved. the bank will come back with a response that is workable for my family and we will progress from there. i'm believing that once that happens all of the rest will fall into place, like the upkeep of this building, it will all come together and since i've stopped the worrying because i know i can only do so much and i've put it in God's hands i feel better about it.
my employer is still keeping us in the dark about some things, so we are walking around still in rumor and speculation. we are still hearing things via the media versus the executives that we should hear it from. i know there's only so much i can do about that but what i can do is make everyday work for me by continuing to do my job to the best of my ability. i did get some good news yesterday and it will be a change for me which will make things a lot better, just have to get the ball rolling.
my oldest, i believe, is afraid of getting out there on his own. he asked me the other day if anything had changed on my end regarding his end of month deadline. i told him nothing has changed, i'm still looking forward to him being on his own. when i gave him the deadline 6months ago i knew he could do it and i knew i could let him. three months after that i stressed to him the importance of doing it and that now was the time, he doesn't have any children and no real debt so he needs to do it while he has time to enjoy it. he said he understood but i know he's afraid, he's so used to people making life easier for him even when i tried to help him understand that life isn't going to be that way on the outside. you have to work and work hard to establish yourself and people expect that from you. he'll be fine.
my middle son is really finding himself, he's moved into the next grade and i'm proud of him for that. he's so into technology and art that i'm sure he'll move into animation (3d and otherwise). he tries hard to make sure he does his part around the house and hates it when someone calls him lazy because he does so much around here to help. i had to let my family know that this was not ok, you don't call the child that does the most lazy. don't call any of them lazy just because they don't want to do everything you want them to do.
my youngest, my shadow, my lovebug, has to go to summer school. we are both disappointed about that but it's not like either of us didn't know, he just wasn't doing the work. if it isn't something that he's interested in he doesn't want to do it and unfortunately school doesn't work that way. i've done everything that i can emotionally and financially to help him but ultimately he has to do the work. he's seeing a counselor now on a weekly basis so that she can help him get better organized and thinking like goal oriented child/person and some of it is working and some of it isn't but he enjoys going. i asked him why the other day and he said because she tells him he's smart and can do it, she encourages him. i started to ask how is that different from what i say or do but i didn't because i already know the answer; it's coming from someone on the outsided looking in. he'll be just fine as well, all of my boys will be just fine.
i'm missing my sweetness, he's out of town on business for a week. it's funny how i miss someone that i don't normally see everyday anyway, even moreso funny because he's not really mine to begin with. but what we have established, this friendship, this vote of confidence and encouragement for each other is wonderful. i try to give him the time and space he needs to figure out the situation he's in but it's hard because when i'm with him i'm really with him. his energy and my energy mix so well together, we are two seperate people (of course, lol) with our distinctive personalities and views but we are one when it comes down to the core of things. we both want the same things ultimately for ourselves, our families and each other. we both want to see the other prosper and advance, we both want a better space for our families, he wants to leave a legacy of hope and faith and prosperity for his family and i want my children not to be in the same boat i'm in when they are my age and i don't want to be in the same boat my grandparents are in when i reach their age.
we are both very stingy when it comes to giving our whole hearts away but when we do we love hard and good. sure we can love our family and friends and even those from our past relationships but truly being IN love and allowing ourselves to be open for someone to potentially hurt us, we don't do that. but we have with each other and it's scary for both of us and it feels really good all at the same time. i truly believe that the Creator put us here for each other and that we are to be partners for life, but like i said, he's got somethings he needs to figure out and for that matter so do i, his are just a little bit more complicated than mine are.
well i've rambled enough and i'm still not sleepy guess i'll listen to some relaxing music or meditations and see if that helps.
peace and blessings!
we still don't know what's going to happen with the bank and this house, i'm still believing that it will be saved. the bank will come back with a response that is workable for my family and we will progress from there. i'm believing that once that happens all of the rest will fall into place, like the upkeep of this building, it will all come together and since i've stopped the worrying because i know i can only do so much and i've put it in God's hands i feel better about it.
my employer is still keeping us in the dark about some things, so we are walking around still in rumor and speculation. we are still hearing things via the media versus the executives that we should hear it from. i know there's only so much i can do about that but what i can do is make everyday work for me by continuing to do my job to the best of my ability. i did get some good news yesterday and it will be a change for me which will make things a lot better, just have to get the ball rolling.
my oldest, i believe, is afraid of getting out there on his own. he asked me the other day if anything had changed on my end regarding his end of month deadline. i told him nothing has changed, i'm still looking forward to him being on his own. when i gave him the deadline 6months ago i knew he could do it and i knew i could let him. three months after that i stressed to him the importance of doing it and that now was the time, he doesn't have any children and no real debt so he needs to do it while he has time to enjoy it. he said he understood but i know he's afraid, he's so used to people making life easier for him even when i tried to help him understand that life isn't going to be that way on the outside. you have to work and work hard to establish yourself and people expect that from you. he'll be fine.
my middle son is really finding himself, he's moved into the next grade and i'm proud of him for that. he's so into technology and art that i'm sure he'll move into animation (3d and otherwise). he tries hard to make sure he does his part around the house and hates it when someone calls him lazy because he does so much around here to help. i had to let my family know that this was not ok, you don't call the child that does the most lazy. don't call any of them lazy just because they don't want to do everything you want them to do.
my youngest, my shadow, my lovebug, has to go to summer school. we are both disappointed about that but it's not like either of us didn't know, he just wasn't doing the work. if it isn't something that he's interested in he doesn't want to do it and unfortunately school doesn't work that way. i've done everything that i can emotionally and financially to help him but ultimately he has to do the work. he's seeing a counselor now on a weekly basis so that she can help him get better organized and thinking like goal oriented child/person and some of it is working and some of it isn't but he enjoys going. i asked him why the other day and he said because she tells him he's smart and can do it, she encourages him. i started to ask how is that different from what i say or do but i didn't because i already know the answer; it's coming from someone on the outsided looking in. he'll be just fine as well, all of my boys will be just fine.
i'm missing my sweetness, he's out of town on business for a week. it's funny how i miss someone that i don't normally see everyday anyway, even moreso funny because he's not really mine to begin with. but what we have established, this friendship, this vote of confidence and encouragement for each other is wonderful. i try to give him the time and space he needs to figure out the situation he's in but it's hard because when i'm with him i'm really with him. his energy and my energy mix so well together, we are two seperate people (of course, lol) with our distinctive personalities and views but we are one when it comes down to the core of things. we both want the same things ultimately for ourselves, our families and each other. we both want to see the other prosper and advance, we both want a better space for our families, he wants to leave a legacy of hope and faith and prosperity for his family and i want my children not to be in the same boat i'm in when they are my age and i don't want to be in the same boat my grandparents are in when i reach their age.
we are both very stingy when it comes to giving our whole hearts away but when we do we love hard and good. sure we can love our family and friends and even those from our past relationships but truly being IN love and allowing ourselves to be open for someone to potentially hurt us, we don't do that. but we have with each other and it's scary for both of us and it feels really good all at the same time. i truly believe that the Creator put us here for each other and that we are to be partners for life, but like i said, he's got somethings he needs to figure out and for that matter so do i, his are just a little bit more complicated than mine are.
well i've rambled enough and i'm still not sleepy guess i'll listen to some relaxing music or meditations and see if that helps.
peace and blessings!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
what do you do
when everything around you seems to be falling apart around you? when every bill you have is past due? when your home is slated for foreclosure? when your job just added the responsibilities of two other people to your plate and your plate was already full? when they have done this but not even entertained the idea of increasing your pay? when your health is failing due to stress and other complications? when the health of family members is failing with no chance of improvement because of age or type of illness? when your friends have issues of their own to cope with so you choose not to confide in them? when people from your past feel they are still entitled to you and shuts down when you explain that they no longer have that privilege? when your kids behave as if you have never taught them anything good? when the person you're in love with and claims to be in love with you can't be yours because they have to clean up some things on their end before they can become integrated into your life? when you want to just get in your car and drive just so you can get away from it all but you don't even have enough money for gas to get you started?
what do you do? you pray, you pray without stopping, you pray until all that you need is fullfilled, you pray until you get tired of praying and then you pray some more and while you pray you thank the creator for all that he has done in your life and all that he will continue to do, you thank him for the good and the bad, you thank him for waking you and allowing you to see another day. afterall he didn't have to let you live but he did because he had a purpose for you and you are not allowed to give up. you pray and give thanks until all that is supposed to be yours in his will is indeed yours. that's what you do.
peace and blessings!
what do you do? you pray, you pray without stopping, you pray until all that you need is fullfilled, you pray until you get tired of praying and then you pray some more and while you pray you thank the creator for all that he has done in your life and all that he will continue to do, you thank him for the good and the bad, you thank him for waking you and allowing you to see another day. afterall he didn't have to let you live but he did because he had a purpose for you and you are not allowed to give up. you pray and give thanks until all that is supposed to be yours in his will is indeed yours. that's what you do.
peace and blessings!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Prayer for our youth
Father God I ask in the mighty name of your son Jesus that you protect, cover and take hold of our children, all of our children. I ask that you give them not only the ability to look to you but the will and desire, I ask that you come to them throughout the day to guide them when they want to make a wrong decision, that you show them that there is a better way, that guns, fighting, drugs and the sex trade are not your way.
Father this is your world, these are your children you are in control. Father I ask that you show me how I can be a better example for them, not just mine but those around mine, those in the neighborhood. I want the young ladies to see that it is ok to be clean and presentable, they don't have to turn to sex for love and I want the young men to see what it is to respect women, to love women without saying sex is required.
Father show them what it is to care and provide for their families. I want them to see all of this despite what is put before them in the media. Father you have given us the authority to step on the devil's neck and to break his stronghold on our lives so I pray that we have the strength and desire to do just that. Our children need to see better examples of you in us the adults, they need better options to choose from, they need You Lord. Father I ask all of these things in Jesus' name, Amen.
Father this is your world, these are your children you are in control. Father I ask that you show me how I can be a better example for them, not just mine but those around mine, those in the neighborhood. I want the young ladies to see that it is ok to be clean and presentable, they don't have to turn to sex for love and I want the young men to see what it is to respect women, to love women without saying sex is required.
Father show them what it is to care and provide for their families. I want them to see all of this despite what is put before them in the media. Father you have given us the authority to step on the devil's neck and to break his stronghold on our lives so I pray that we have the strength and desire to do just that. Our children need to see better examples of you in us the adults, they need better options to choose from, they need You Lord. Father I ask all of these things in Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
where would i be?
it's been a rough and sickly past week and a half but i am still grateful for all that comes my way. my bad times help me to appreciate more my good times. i woke up this morning with smokie's song in my head and it comforted me. this happens a lot, i may be going through some trying times or i've had a bad dream and i will wake up with one of my favorite inspirational/gospel songs in my head and it just makes things better. my belief is that it is the Creator letting me know he still has me covered and all will be alright.
so i say in faith that it will get better; my family will be protected, our home will not be taken from us, my employment situation will get better, my finances will improve and all that is suppose to be well but isn't right now will be well and soon.
this day was given to you so go enjoy it in a wonderful and safe way.
peace and blessing beautiful people.
so i say in faith that it will get better; my family will be protected, our home will not be taken from us, my employment situation will get better, my finances will improve and all that is suppose to be well but isn't right now will be well and soon.
this day was given to you so go enjoy it in a wonderful and safe way.
peace and blessing beautiful people.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
sick
being sick for a couple of days and i just have to say, being sick is boring. i'm used to being up and active, busy running errands. i've been in bed for two freaking days with absolutely nothing interesting on tv to watch and can't talk on the phone because i have no voice and to top it off being creative is null because i'm sick and my creative juices are not flowing at all.
ugh, frustrating as all get out!!!
ugh, frustrating as all get out!!!
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