Hotels are lonely places

[Lethe]

For the second time in two weeks i'm at a hotel for about a week's stay. Even with a laptop, cable tv, a 12 pack, and chinese takeout, it's still lonely and boring....don't know anybody in Houston.

[texanwitch]

1. I am in Houston.

Howdy.

[Lethe]

7. Hey!

:hi:

[texanwitch]

10. See,

Now you know somebody in Houston.

[jobycom]

2. Go to the Butterfly museum and make some chromatic-winged friends.

Lots to do in Houston. Great museums, beaches nearby... I'll be passing through there tomorrow night, I'll wave at you from the highway. :)

[Lethe]

8. hey i might check that out if i have time

unfortunately i will be in meetings for 8 hours a day and then working a few in the hotel

[Captain Hilts]

13. And NONE of it easy to get to. My first day in Houston - I was up near FM1960

I got in a friend's shitty, unairconditioned car and drove to Pasadena to see the battleship TEXAS.

Man, what a drive...

Houston sucks out loud.

[jobycom]

21. Why would you go there?

Houston doesn't suck, but that's a sucky drive.

[Captain Hilts]

25. I'm a naval history buff. It was June. Need I say more? Now, I know folks that like Houston...

but they admit that it takes some getting used to.

To know how to get around, etc.

Houston has one of the country's best opera companies. I know that.

I did focus groups for the Houston Astros. They had the dumb ass idea of changing their name when they moved to the new stadium - whatever it's called right now. About five minutes into the groups it was clear that that idea was a big, fat, lead balloon.

[brendan120678]

26. Changing their name after moving?

What would they have called them? The Houston Enrons? They would have had to change their name again then, to the Houston Orange Juices. Or I guess they could have gone back to their original (and much cooler) Houston Colt .45's

[Captain Hilts]

27. They had no clue. They thought it was weird to have your team named after their old stadium...

but the folks in the group noted that Houston was a relatively new big city and had few traditions and this one should be kept.

The groups actually worked out well - they were with folks on the Astros' mailing list. They kind of ran themselves: folks talked about ad recall, how they found out about ticket deals, how Astro ads compared to Rockets' ads, etc. A fun set of groups.

[jobycom]

30. They had a lot in common with Enron, so Enron-related names might be good.

I mean, they both got caught stealing so much they finally collapsed.

The Houston Burst.
The Houston Bubbles.
The Houston Folders.
The Houston Souffles.
The Houston WeLookGoodOnPapers.
The Houston Lay Down and Dies...

[Patiod]

31. What do you mean "I did focus groups"

Are you a moderator? Or were you a participant?

I'm only asking because I'm a moderator, and we're not exactly a dime a dozen....

[Manifestor_of_Light]

23. Sucky drive.

I grew up in Houston and lived there most of my life (about half a century).

Driving Rules:
A)Ya gotta have a car to do ANYTHING;
B)Your drive will be incredibly LONG (like 40 miles or so);
C) All the other drivers will try to slice in front of you or tailgate;
D) Navigating the freeways may fill you with terror;
E) If you are not a native, the surface roads will fill you with EXTREME terror.
F) Yellow light means "SIX MORE CARS".
G) Red light means "TWO MORE CARS".

However, you may hire me to be your navigator. I can get across town on the surface roads to avoid traffic. :D :D

[texanwitch]

3. It isn't so hot now.

It is in the low 90's now.

We had a cool front.

[gmoney]

4. isn't that why hotels have bars?

maybe it's Karaoke night?

[Lethe]

9. man i wish this place had a bar!

but this is one of those extended stay type places.

[MajorChode]

29. I spent 6 weeks in one of those one time

The best thing to do is find some kind of place to hang out. It can be a gym, a library, a bar, a coffee shop or whatever. Staying in a small room for extended periods can drive you a bit batty.

In big cities where apartments are typically tiny, local pubs and coffee shops become community living rooms. This is especially true in Europe but also in some areas of the US.

[XemaSab]

5. I hear ya

I assume the mota is gone? :hide:

[Lethe]

11. heya!

dude i am totally dry....man that would make these seminars a WHOLE lot more interesting

:D

[NNadir]

6. Been there, done that, but some hotels are better than others.

A magnificient Hotel is the Hotel Boulderodo in Boulder, Colorado.

Great rooms, great food - particularly breakfast - great town to walk around, great views. In fact the bar food in the Hotel Boulderodo is better than the main restaurants in 90% of American Hotels, and believe me, I know American Hotels.

I used to wake up and not know what city I was in. Hell, I used to wake up and not know what country I was in, or what language to speak.

I never realized the lonliless of travel when I stayed at the Hotel Boulderodo though.

I liked having to do business in Boulder. The only thing I regret is that I've never been able to get there with my wife.

[Captain Hilts]

12. I spent a week at an airport hotel in Houston right near the runway. I always end up

in the hotel bar watching sports and I don't even drink.

[EvilAL]

14. I don't have a laptop

so I have to use the fuckin lobby one. However, it is fun when people forget to log out of facebook or msn.

[av8rdave]

15. I know exactly how you feel

I spend about 1/3 of my nights in hotels...stuck in one in Mexico City right now, in fact.

They are very lonely!

[EvilAL]

16. Write a song

and you won't feel bored and lonely and when it becomes a hit you can have friends in the hotel with you as you tour the world.

[av8rdave]

17. Great idea! I'd settle for being a one hit wonder!

[EvilAL]

18. Awesome. Include me in it somewhere.

[av8rdave]

19. Of course!

[EvilAL]

20. I can put a kickass

tapping solo in it if you can't find anyone.

[madinmaryland]

22. That's what your thumb and four fingers are for. It takes care of most

of those anxieties!

:hide:

[armyowalgreens]

24. fapfapfapfapfapfap

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[KamaAina]

28. I'm posting from one right now

I'll be living in it for at least the next two months (new job in a new city).

It is kind of like a Fellini film, only without a train going into a tunnel (so far :-) ).

[Patiod]

32. I used to complain about the same thing in Houston

but at least the Omni has a nice pool and gym.

My stays are usually pretty short, so I feel lucky if I get a chance to use the gym in any given place!