The Doings Report

Let's see, where were we?

Oh, yes, I started off the week sick. This was not a great start to the week, since it put me behind on work hours AGAIN. I hate that. In some ways, my manager's flexibility regarding my hours is a drag, since I then feel compelled to make up every hour I miss. This means a sick day or, heaven forbid, two can turn into a week or three of pressuring myself to CATCH UP.

On Monday, Frank drove MJ down to Corvallis to visit with the Zen ones and Patrick G. She spent three days there and had a really good time. They talked, laughed, bowled, ate pastries, slept very little, and bonded with Karma.

Frank then caught my cold and MJ was opposed to riding the bus, so I drove down to pick her up Thursday night after work. (This is called putting your money and time where your big fat unschooling mouth is.) The drive down was lovely, uncrowded, and efficient.

And then I tried to check into the Motel 6.

It was just after midnight. The office was deserted. There was a little bell on the counter that said, "Ring Bell for Service," so I did, politely. Tink tink tink. No response. Then I noticed that the word "Loudly" had been penned in at the bottom of the sign, so I rang the bell again with more force. Ding ding ding. Still no response. Ding ding ding dammit ding. Nada.

Brainstorm! I looked up the phone number for the motel and used my cell phone to call. Phones rang everywhere but nobody came to answer them. I pounded on the office door. I called out. I yelled. I whaled on that stupid f***ing bell. I stuck my fingers in my mouth and released my best "Kids, it's time to come home" whistle. And, finally, I went into the hallway and pounded on the door marked "Private."

Why? Why did I work so hard? I have no idea. Looking back, this is my main regret.

Anyway, the hallway knocking seemed to do the trick. I heard noises from the back, called out again, and was answered with a terse, "Yeah." Seconds later, a very sleepy looking man appeared. He didn't respond to my cranky "Hi," didn't look at me, and didn't apologize. Instead, he began shuffling papers on the desk. He shuffled for quite some time. I'm thinking, "Is he sleepwalking? Is he trying to figure out what rooms are available? What?" But after several minutes, it dawns on me that I am being jerked around. This is my punishment for waking him.

Deciding to test this theory out, I said, "Do you have rooms available?" Without turning from his very busy paper-shuffling work, he said, "Yes." Pause. "Can you help me get into one?" I asked. He smirked a little, said "Yes," and turned toward me. Oh, hell, no. I asked, "Did any of that paper shuffling get you closer to helping me?" His smirk widened, and he said, "No."

So, I turned on my heel and left. Unsurprisingly, he made no effort to stop me.

Ten minutes later, I was tucked into a comfortable room at the Best Western next door, out an extra $25 bucks and STEAMING MAD. I haven't felt rage like that in a long, long time. It took me hours to cool off enough to sleep, which pretty much filleted my carefully planned schedule for not missing any more work hours due to this foray into central Oregon.

Friday morning, I called Motel 6 HQ and had my (sizable) say. They are sending us a voucher for a free night's stay, and I have been assured that the regional manager will be contacted regarding this clerk's behavior. These efforts at restitution have calmed my ire somewhat, but not so much that I refrained from telling this story here. A weekend's free stay and assurances that his ass is fired might have taken me farther.

Anyway, it was a nice morning after that. Mary, Conor, Qacei, Patrick, MJ, and I headed to Sunnyside Up for breakfast sandwiches (yum!) and a much needed machiatto. (Is that how you spell machiatto? I just drink them.) I also bought a SSU t-shirt so I could go to work in a clean shirt. (Yeah, that was the reason...not 'cause I've wanted one for months.)

And then MJ and I drove to Redmond. This drive was less fun, since we hit traffic jams in Portland, Tacoma, and Renton. It was 3:00 by the time we got to Microsoft, and I was wrung out. But I put in a decent four hours anyway, while MJ cruised the 'net. So, with the extra hours I put in mid-week, I am still "only" 8 hours behind.

On Saturday, the four of us drove over to Yakima for cousin Alicen's wedding. It was a lovely ceremony and a fun gathering, even if all you Maiers did leave the girls and me hanging to do the Time Warp alone. What would Dr. Frank-N-Furter say?!

And Sunday we drove home. MJ drove the climb up to the pass, so she got some more roadtrip experience under her belt, and then I took over and got some more completely unnecessary I-405 experience. (sigh)

I've just realized I've completely left Chloe out of this report. She was here all week! She has spent the week filling up on time to do just whatever she wants. After our very social first three months of 2008, she has been feeling pretty desperate for some of that. "Just whatever she wants" has included reading, writing, anime viewing, and quite a bit of conversation with Mom and Dad.

Happy Monday, everybody!