Going Away

When I get to a point where all I want to say is "GO AWAY" it's nice when it's me that actually does.

Like the jet setter I'm not, I just got back from a long weekend in Dallas "on business", which basically means I stayed in an overpriced hotel and ate too much on the company nickel and paid very little attention to what was happening at my meetings. It was all good.

When I checked in I was informed that my room wasn't ready, so in finding me an alternative I asked, coyly of course, if it would be an upgrade. A sly glance, a tickety-boo, and the hotel clerk said "All set [S.L.B.] - enjoy your stay!" When I got to my room BINGO - Executive Suite! I totally scored. Big, beautiful room with a cathedral view, so I was told. I think I saw it in the distance.

So the room was nice, but what about the fitness center??? Most hotel workout zones are small and stinky, the water cooler empty, the stability balls squishy and, at 5:00 a.m., good luck finding a clean towel. O.M.G. NOT! Huge space, all gleaming hardwood floors totally free of tumbleweeds, 12 dreadmills, a bunch of ellipticals, 5 bikes, about 30 weight machines, free weights, huge workout mat with mirrors, and 24/7. At 4:30 a.m. I was the only one there on Saturday morning - BINGO! BONUS: After a run I got to watch cartoons, partly because I couldn't figure out how to change the channel. Kinda warped me for the rest of the day.

Skimped on breakfast because the stupid meetings started at 8:00 a.m. but lunch and dinner out was a virtual feast. French fries, burgers, beer, meat on a stick, too many tapas (if there is such a thing), eating outdoors because it was warm, dessert, champagne, and, in the morning, a small hangover to work off on the dreadmill. Which is probably why I slipped getting into the bathtub on Sunday only to whomp my head on the floor when my feet went out from under me. Time to slow down.

NOT. Did a big day, ate out again, and did another run on Monday before flying home. It was a nice break from my routine, and, though I like my routine, one does get into a rut sometimes, especially during the winter season when I'm mostly stuck inside with only the stupid ideas in my head to entertain me.

Hotel fitness centers are not the friendliest places on earth but what can I expect at 5:00 a.m.? The bar isn't open yet. Nice to go away. Better to get home to my buddies at the Y. And I missed our nice big pool. Hotel pools are for kids, and there were no rules posted about not peeing in the pool.