on the down low

Coming to you from Mountain Standard Time.

So, I have totally forgotten what it was that I was going to sit down and write about (maybe it will come back to me). It was with me about 5 minutes ago, and then I thought…I need a picture to go with this entry! A picture that shows how comfortable the hotel bed is that I’m blogging on (not as dirty as it sounds, I promise…hee-hee).

(But anyway, here is the bed. Does it not look so comfy and cozy?)

Anyway, I am on the road again. Only this time it’s on someone else’s dime. I kind of like business trips.  Especially in my line of work, a business trip usually means dressing down. Getting to wear jeans to work. Although, no jeans + heels for me on this trip.  It's all about the steel toed boots and hard hat.

So, I’m sitting here in my hotel room, watching Dancing with the Stars. Last year this was one of my favorite shows. I think it had something to do with Seattle native and Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ohno. He (and was it Julieanne?) were such an awesome dancing pair. I rooted for him from day one. But this year there is no one on the show that is pulling me in…yet. But I’m watching it tonight because I don’t know the local channels here, and this is good enough (am I missing something else on Monday night?).

Anyway, I digress.  Back to business trips. I used to fear them. Especially traveling alone. But now, I’ve realized it’s not so bad. The part that used to scare me was eating alone. But, as I've learned it's actually kind of nice to eat by yourself.  Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy conversation and social interaction. But sometimes, it’s nice to just get to sit there, and not feel like you have to make conversation. Tonight I went to a great little (kind of fancy, although I didn’t know that until I looked at the menu and it was too late to walk out…is $49 (including tip) too much for one person?  I hope my expense report gets approved) restaurant.

Being in a town I’m not familiar with, I really didn’t know where I was going to eat dinner tonight. Sure, there are plenty of sit down chain restaurants and fast food everywhere, but I thought I’d venture out a little bit, and try to find something unique. I drove to the “downtown” area of the college town I’m in and looked for something good. I drove by a little place called “Scotty’s Table”. I drove around the block first, checking the place out. Then I parked my rental car and walked up to the front door of “Scotty’s Place” and casually glanced inside. I saw two guys sitting at the bar, and several couples scattered about. I immediately felt unsure. Unable to walk in alone. So I walked around the block. And by the time I came back around, I was actually ready to hop in the car and drive someplace else, but a little voice inside my head said something like “You are never going to see these people again. Who cares? Go in already."

So, I walked in, after first stopping by the car to grab my copy of "The Kite Runner" that I’m almost done with (I like to eat alone, but I don’t like to twiddle my thumbs), and I admitted to the hostess that I was dining alone tonight. She set me up at a table in the bar area.

Turns out I had a very nice evening of wine and Chicken Souvlakia and I made some good progress on my book.  I don’t want to get used to eating alone. But it makes me feel good that I can do it without feeling sorry for myself.

Also, you know what else? In the mountain time zone, TV shows are on the central time schedule, which means that shows are on an hour earlier than I’m used to. And for that, I heart mountain time. This means I will probably not fall asleep during Jay Leno’s Headlines segment…which is so freaking hilarious. I will be laughing out loud. I can’t wait.

One more thing…traveling to a different time zone on the day that daylight savings time returns to standard time is so confusing! Time changes confuse me when I don’t travel, but today, the clock on my computer says 8pm, but the alarm clock in my room says 9pm, and why does my cell phone say 10pm? I am so confused.

Ooh, The Bachelor is on now.  Gotta go.  You see, it's kind of like a train wreck (not unlike this post).  And I can't look away.

Rocky Mountain High.

Rather than bore you with the details, I now present to you: 

15 things I did on my Colorado Vacation

#1.  Was greeted at the airport by my very tall friend (hi, Tara!) with a sign that was nearly as tall I am:

#2.  Had a lot of fun with a rocking pig:

#3.  Had my picture taken in the bathroom of a very nice restaurant (but the flowers are so purdy!):

#4.  Mixed altitude with alcohol.  You do not get any pictures of this.

#5.  Went shopping for bras and underwear.  Also, sadly, no pictures.

#6.  Drove to Vail on what could not have been a more beautiful day:

#7.  Experienced a pedicure that has left my left big toe in severe pain.  Never before have I paid good money for someone to inflict harm on me one minute and leave me in hysterics the next (my feet are oh-so-ticklish!):

#8.  Had an awesome server at Sweet Basil (Ben!) who kinda sorta reminds me of Chris Daughtry:

#9.  Woke up in Vail to a dumping of snow!:

#10.  Took a ton of pictures (many from the heated passenger seat!):

#11.  Did NOT wreck the car on the drive back home (it did not look like there were any injuries, otherwise I would not have pretended to be the accident investigator):

#12.  Escaped a near-attack by the local bull elk:

#13.  Had to say goodbye to my lovely friend.  Until next time, Tara!

#14.  Caught this glimpse of four volcanoes before descending into Seattle (Mt. Rainier in foreground, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens from left to right in background):

#15.  Experienced one last bit of sunshine before dropping into the Seattle grey:

And that is all.
The end.