2/19/26

 

Flying is always an experience. I had a relaxing middle of the day flight. I was through security in 6 minutes. 

I had forgotten that I was not on a direct flight. I went to the gate and was like…why is this plane going to Washington DC.

Whatever! I figured it out. As long as I know the plan and where to be, I was not going to get lost in the details. I remembered the important stuff, like what to pack and when to arrive at the airport.

The flight attendant had a bit of an attitude, but it was warranted. 3 people were talking on their phones during the safety announcement. He stopped the announcement 4 times to ask them to stop.

“you can finish that call from the terminal if you don’t end your call now.”

Just follow the rules people!

My nose is over active. The first plane was a mix of halitosis, oily skin, and dirty laundry. Not farts! That’s good, but the smell was still unpleasant. My face was also unpleasant as it was twisted up in mild disgust.

The first flight was turbulent. It was a small plane and was being bounced all over. I don’t mind turbulence. It makes me feel like I am on a rollercoaster and my stomach feels funny….not in a bad way.

As I was eating lunch, I overheard a man giving a stern talking to an employee. He was very patient, he was very kind, but to the point. Mimosa, yep that was the employees name, was not taking feedback, didn’t follow the procedure that was laid out and was pissed they were in trouble. 

 I suspect that Mimosa will not be employed for long. It was great entertaining drama to listen to. Just follow the rules Mimosa! Maybe Mimosa had too many Mimosa’s prior to that call?

I arrived in Roanoke and headed to the Roanoke Hotel and conference center. It is a Tudor style enormous building that was built in 1882. When you step inside the hotel, it’s like you stepped back into time. The check in area has beautiful wood working and the elevators have fancy buttons. There are check stubs and ledgers  from 100 years ago displayed on the walls. 

It HAS to be haunted. I hope I get visited by a friendly ghost.

I headed to go set up the booth I am working at. This is a smaller conference, so we had limited items sent.

I unpacked the boxes and started setting things up. I unwrapped a few boxes of “merch” or “swag” to hand out but realized that we didn’t have any containers to house them in.

Frustrated, I went back to the room to figure out how to have Instacart delivered some.  As I sat and mulled my situation over, I found multiple items in the room to “borrow” for the conference that would add visual appeal as well as be functional.

I gathered up a garbage can, a pillow case, a Kleenex box holder and the ice bucket. Perfect containers to hold things. I was pleased with my innovation.

My counterpart arrived and we really hit it off. After setting up the booth with new enthusiasm, we grabbed dinner at a super fancy restaurant (institute the hotel). Neither one of us was dressed properly. 

I ordered the beet salad. It came on this teeny tiny plate. Just enough greens to feed a baby bunny. My coworker, ordered the venison stew. I would hardly call it a “bowl”. It was a portion a small child would eat. However, mine was delicious!

We have a long day tomorrow. 7:30 -5:30. I thought I would have more time to do “work” things. I might crash early tomorrow.