How did we get to March 9th so quickly?

Almost everyone on my teams at work will tell you I rarely know what the correct day of the week is. I simply just go about a task list working to make sure the ever-changing list of items is complete. Today however, I realized while staring at my iPhone and testing and application, that the iCal app said today was the 9th. I sat staring at the little phone for a bit and then realized it was March 9th and even beyond that, it was 2010. When did that happen?

I remember writing a story when I was in the 4th grade about how old I would be when we flipped to the year 2000. I was going to be 28 years old and I was sure we would all be able to fly by then so a great deal of my short story had roots in this ability.

This afternoon as I sit here realizing it is 2010, I am 38 years old. We still can't fly. I'm disappointed. It would save me a lot of time getting to work and home if we could have figured out the flying on a personal hover-craft by now. Hmmmm. Maybe by the time I am 48? Oh who cares. I am retiring at 50 so why would I want the last 2 years to be a commuting breeze?

I digress....

I hate that time goes so quickly. I worry about getting older. I don't want to be old. I don't want physical ailments. I want a lifetime of moments with Jenn and anything less than a million years is too short.

I'm almost 40. I have always thought it would be difficult for me to take but today I realize that while I can't stop it from happening, I will embrace it because 50 is just around the corner and that seems far worse.

March 6th Bike Ride

It was another great day for a bike ride. I headed out on my 2010 Trek 6700 hardtail and today hit the Laguna Canyon Trail. I ran into a few spotty showers but the ride was MIND CLEARING!

March 6th Ride

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Old Spice -- Man on a Horse commercial

I totally love this commercial:

Bike ride in Irvine

I had an awesome bike ride today on my new Trek 6700 hardtail. It is a fantastic bike. The trail was challenging with lots of hills and winding paths. It was a good first outing.

2/20/10

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

PriceGrabber iPhone App

Dear Apple,

Please pick our app as a Staff Favorite or as a Featured App.

That's right! I have no shame. If you are an author, wouldn't you want Oprah to pick your book for her Book Club? Well, I'm happy to announce PriceGrabber has released its first iPhone app and this is truly a labor of love on my part. I have dreamed, cursed, laughed, smiled and completely enjoyed every single moment of this project.

This is just an initial entry into the app world. We will be releasing a much more interesting version in January but we can use all of the happy thoughts out there.

If you have an iPhone, give it a spin.....click here

I'd love to hear your feedback and please Apple.....pick Us! ;)

Shout Out to Michigan!

So I love to know the people who read my blog and I'm seeing some interesting activity coming from Marcellus, Michigan. If this is you....I'd love to hear from you and learn more about why you read. I have met some great people through blogging and I'd love to hear from you.

Trump International Hotel - Las Vegas - Review

We set out on a mission this year....to stay at every single major hotel in Las Vegas, on or near the Strip (Las Vegas Blvd).

So far, we are on track to make it and we have three more trips already planned and booked to round out 2009.

This past weekend (Labor Day Weekend) we chose a three night get-away that included a stay at Trump International Hotel. It is a bit north and off the Strip (officially). Its across the street from the Wynn and the Encore.

We will NOT be returning to stay at this hotel again and here is why.

First of all, the person checking us in was extremely pleasant and nice. But, we got a room on the 55th floor. You'd think that would be nice...hey its Vegas the view would have to be spectacular from the 55th floor right? Well the view was of the red light district directly below our room. A lovely blinking neon sign advertising the FULL NUDITY. Yeah, I love to see that every evening before going to bed.

This is a non-gaming, non-smoking hotel so if you plan to hit the casino, you will need to go to another location to gamble.

There is one restaurant in the hotel (other than a pool cafe that was never open when we were actually in the hotel). The DJT (named after Trump) was extremely expensive and we never ate in the restaurant. We did order room service one evening and the food came from this restaurant. It was okay, not great. The chicken noodle soup was homemade. The guy bringing the food was very pleasant and was a highlight of the stay.

The room was nicely decorated but the TV was VERY small and the pillows were VERY uncomfortable.

Being on the 55th floor meant we never had hot (or even warm) water for showers. It was cold water every time. The toilet runs for an extremely long time after flushing so you become concerned that it may not ever shut off.

There is also a train that runs near the hotel and it blows the horn three times before making the crossing. This happens about 6 times a night and even the deepest sleeper will wake up to this noise.

The shower amenities are lacking and we asked for laundry bags and never received them during the 3 day stay.

I tried to use the attache services (to ship some items) and no one ever answered the phone. I just sat on what felt like an eternal hold. I then went down to the concierge and they were unable to get anyone in the shipping department to answer the phone also. I ended up taking a taxi to Kinko's.

It has one advantage....it is directly across the street from the mall so you can walk straight across the street into Nordstroms.

Is it the worst hotel? No. But in this very competative market where Las Vegas hotels, restaurants and casinos are trying to get your every dollar, this hotel will never get mine agin. I ask you to consider this posting before you book your next trip to Las Vegas also.