tap tap tap tap

I am in PDX and wake up in confusion...

OMG...what is that sound? Is someone locked out of their room and trying to wake the person up to let them in? Why isn't the noise stopping? Seriously what is going on its 7am and I just went to bed 5 hours ago...I still need to sleep and the noise will not end...UGH!

After 15 minutes of constant tapping or knocking, I finally call the front desk to have them send up someone to investigate the issue. I am certain some maniac is trying to brake down a door. I have already glanced in the hallway through my peephole and can't see anyone, but surely this must be the reason for the disturbance. The front desk lady chuckles and informs me the noise is coming from their friendly woodpecker....WTF. Apparently they have a woodpecker who visits their hotel and they can't do anything about it because its an endangered animal.

I was so frustrated but luckily after I called, the bird stopped for about two hours and then like clockwork came back about every hour or two for about 20 minutes. Next time I will request a room as far away from the woodpecker as possible. Moral of the story you may think its a maniac trying to break down your neighbors door when its simply satin in the form of a bird.

What number are you?

I am in ABQ for the second time this month and I don't really mind the overnight my favorite part is the gym that is behind the hotel. It's an actual gym people pay money for and we get to go for free. They have awesome equipment and weights plus a pool. I think its ingenious that the hotel only has 10 channels thus enticing you to make a trip to the gym for a plethora of channel selections. I spent about two hours watching some Law and Order and burning those calories on the elliptical and treadmill. I did use some restraint and avoided the sonic up the street.

Now my biggest pet peeve about this hotel is the bed. Some might think that a sleep number bed would be perfect because you can pick how hard or soft you want your bed. Genius idea however these beds suck and feel like you are sleeping on an air mattress. The first couple times I had a sleep number bed I would spend half the night trying to find my number....I would end up waking up sleep deprived and with a back ache. I have resigned to just leaving it alone at least this way I won't be sleep deprived and have a back ache.

If you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend doing so immediately. I was on the edge of my seat the entire movie. Spoiler alert...In the movie the main character's daughter goes on a European trip with her friend. Two young girls talk to this guy in the Taxi line and end up sharing a cab. The whole thing was a setup and the guy arranges their kidnapping and sell into a sex trade. The idea that it was so easy for this man to find out so much about the girls in such a short amount of time without sending any red flags. Its frightening how easy a target they were and I could really see a similar situation happening in any country. I'd like to think that I am pretty conscious of my surroundings and what situation I may be putting myself into, but those girls had no clue.

possible new camera

Here is the camera I am thinking of buying for my birthday present from both my parents and myself. What do you think? It also comes in pink, but I think I've settled on the blue.

Computer malfunction

My computer has been resurrected from the depths of virus HE**. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I tried everything in my power to fix the problem on my own and unfortunately was unsuccessful. I did luck out and my parents were having a computer genius fix their computer problems and he showed me what needed to be done for mine. Lucky me his advise worked and I am now up and running. I am so excited to have a working computer once again. I felt completely lost without facebook, bank monitoring, blog checking, and many other Internet luxuries.

I am currently purchasing a new anti-virus and hope to not have another crippling virus. Plus I plan on backing up all of those important files and pictures that I have yet to back up. Next time I will be better prepared for that little bug. I always thought I was cautious but even I can get fooled and tricked. Beware of anything that says A 360...that is the one that caused me such problems.

Free as a bird

Today was a beautiful day here in the valley of the Sun. It reached about 80 degrees and was perfect time for outdoor activities. When I got home I threw on some sneakers and headed out for a run/jog/walk. Instead of listening to my normal run mix, I decided to put the Ipod on shuffle. My goal was to jog as far as I could without stopping, and I succeeded in jogging about two miles (I'm not sure the exact mileage might have to drive my car the route and check, but I believe it was 2-3 miles). Each time I take this route I've made it further and further without stopping. Today I altered the route in search of a park. I had this incredible urge to go on the swings. Just thinking about the swings brought back wonderful childhood memories. I really enjoyed pumping my legs back and forth to get higher and higher as the wind breezed through my hair. I felt like I was soaring through the clouds with no worries, concerns or stress. I loved this feeling of peace, contentment, joy, and freedom. Any time I am feeling stressed out I am going to my "Happy Place" on the swings. I'm not sure if I am feeling so great because I am finally feeling like my head is above water (bills,etc) or if I've found that sense of peace that has been hidden for way too long. Whatever the reason, I am glad to have this feeling and plan to return to the swings anytime I feel my body drifting away.

Waste or not?

Let me explain first off as all of you know I am single and fly the friendly skies. I've always had this fantasy of meeting the man of my dreams on flight and so I always keep my eyes open. Today I had the pleasure of meeting this cutie, Chris on my flight to Boston. Now from our quick conversation I figured out he is probably a bit younger than I would consider dating but I flirted anyway. We chatted about why he was heading to Boston and where he lived and what he did for a living. I won't bore you with the details, but I was intrigued and hoping to find out more. I bought him a beverage on the flight and hoped that maybe he would come to the bathroom and start another conversation, but unfortunately the one time he went to the loo, I was up front. Then I was hoping he would stop on his way out and ask if I wanted to have dinner or drinks or something because he knew I was just in for the night and he was too. I had even written my phone number on a napkin and had it ready in my pocket in case he asked, but nope either he was too chicken or maybe he has a girlfriend. I get so frustrated when I put myself out there then nothing comes out of it...is it a waste of a good flirt or not? I guess practice makes perfect and if the guy was interested he would have found any way to get my number. Well Chris you missed out! Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow.