Bienvenido a Miami

Well, I didn't get to go anywhere as exciting as Hong Kong so I apologize in advance for this blog being boring as hell. But since my flight back to Philly is delayed, I have some extra time on my hands, so I am going to blog anyway.

Honestly this wasn't the smoothest trip. Nothing horrible happened, but there were a lot of minor inconveniences.

First, the aircard I got from IT didn't work. No biggie, though, I just bought wireless at PHL.

We boarded the plane on time, but took off about 45 minutes late. Why? Well, first, they had a problem with a microphone, so they got a replacement, and then the replacement didn't work. Then, after that was all taken care of, the jetway got stuck onto the plane. They literally couldn't get it off. Last summer, when I flew down here with Rich, we flew US Airways as well, and that time, we took off late because the air conditioning pack (whatever that is) wasn't working. I think that US Airways has a list somewhere of ridiculous excuses that they use when the pilot is late or something. Weird stuff that nobody would even question because it's just so damned weird.

We made up the time in the air and got to Miami only about 15 minutes late. Then I went to baggage claim, where I proceeded, as usual, to start to freak out when my bag wasn't the very first one out. As Ray can attest to, I am very impatient, so when I don't see my bag right away, I get frustrated, but more importantly, I start to worry that it got lost. It's totally neurotic, I know, but I can't help it. Anyway, my bag finally made it out (after almost everyone was gone) and I went to catch the free shuttle to my hotel.

While I was waiting for the shuttle, a little old lady started talking to me. She was freaking out because she called the Days Inn for a shuttle and they weren't there yet. She was totally panicking and said that could barely see, so I had to read all the shuttle signs for her. It was like:

"Is that it?"
"No, that's Avis."
"Is THAT it?"
"No, that's the Holiday Inn."
"Is THAT it?"
"No, that's the employee shuttle."
Etc.

Finally, I asked her how long she'd been waiting and she said 15 minutes. I was like, "Uh, maybe you should wait before you start to panic, then." Then my shuttle came and I left her there. I hope her shuttle eventually came. Poor scared little old lady.

The hotel was nice, especially my room. I took pictures and then realized that nobody would be interested in seeing them. It wasn't THAT nice. I did some work (which took forever because the wireless connection at the hotel kept crapping out and because I was having VPN issues) and ordered room service, then went to watch my Buffy DVD special features disc, but the DVD player on my laptop wasn't working. Instead, I watched some "Sex and the City" (which I never get to do at home because of the boy) and then went to sleep.

This morning, all of the elevators weren't working. Walking down ten flights of stairs ain't no big thing, but walking UP ten flights of stairs, well, it sucks.

Then, I found out from Chad, the account director on Carnival, that our meeting was changed from 3-4 to 4-5, but nobody had told me or Josh. Meanwhile, Josh had shown up at the hotel and was waiting for me in the lobby.

So we sat around in the lobby for like HOURS, and ate lunch in the hotel restaurant. My hotel was called the Sheraton Miami Mart, because it was connected to the Miami Mart, which is basically a small mall full of really tacky shops selling tourist crap, slutty looking bathing suits, ugly handbags, etc. I went into an accessory store where all the merch was 2 for $7,50 and couldn't find a single thing that I'd even want to spend that piddling amount of money on. But, William, please note: there was a Starbucks attached to the hotel.

Steve, the senior account manager on Carnival, picked us up and we had our meeting. It went well - probably the only thing that was 100% smooth on this trip. Which is good, since that's what we came for, after all. They seemed receptive and enthusiastic to what we'd planned for 2008.

Then, Chad drove us to the airport, where I found out my flight to Philly is at least an hour delayed. Sigh. I'm also kind of panicking because I didn't realize that the parking deck at PHL was run by PPA, and I have two unpaid parking tickets (they are not just unpaid, I am appealing them both, but I haven't heard back from them and so I remain not paying them. Non-violent resistance). Anyway, I am so scared that there will be a boot on my car when I get there. I backed into my spot so that my plate wouldn't be totally visible when the PPA drives by, but I'm sure they are hip to that stealthy tactic.

Cross your fingers for me.