The Travel Thread

[jhawks99]

Good luck Gutter, have a safe and happy trip.

If you quit worrying like that you might get some sleep.

[Overlander]

Man, with all that trepidation*, I wonder if life is worth it for you, Gutter?

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

Has anyone seen Gutter?

Lulz.

Better chance the guy in the white shirt wearing the seatbelt in the front window would be me.
As of right now - flight from SFO to ORD is in the air headed to Chicago. My flight is scheduled to take off on time. I'll believe it when I see it - if I see it (pun intended due to the "dense" fog). That's my first +1 of day.
First -1 is that I planned to to sleep from about 11:00pm last night until 3:45am this morning. Nope. Slept from about 11:30pm to 1:30am. I have been having some bad sleep pattern/s lately. Wake up in the middle of the night/morning and can't fall back asleep.
My hope is being in and on PST will help me reset a bit.

Predicted +1s and -1s for today in order.

-1 Car service is late and blames the fog. Gee, fog was in the forecast - perhaps you should have accounted for it?
- 1 Driver is drunk/high/on uppers/or seems like he/she will fall asleep while driving.
-1 Driver is clearly sick (cold/flu/rsv/covid).
-1 Driver or car smells like shit.
-1 Car is either way too cold or way too warm. I ask driver to adjust and he/she doesn't.
-1 Get to airport and want to give my suitcase to and check in with a SkyCap - and there is no SkyCap so I have to go inside and wait in a ridiculously long line.
-1 TSA PreCheck stops me/checks me for something.
-1 I have to take a shit and there is no open stall in the disgusting dirty bathroom. Once I get a stall, it is nasty.
-1 I am hungry and get a really shitty tasting __________________.
-1 Airport terminal security alert and have to evacuate the terminal (It has happened to me twice).
-1 Have to go through LOOOOOONG security line to get back in.
-1 Get to gate and only open seat is next to someone who looks like a mass murderer.
-1 Screaming/crying child/children.
-1 Longer flight delay announced.
-1 Pilot/s/flight attendant/s are delayed getting to airport.
-1 Now announced flight is significantly more delayed.
-1 Finally ready to board and gate agent tells me my carry on bag is too big and makes me check it in. I argue. She/he wins.
-1 I have a window seat - which I prefer. Asshat next to me is an asshole. Flight takes off, asshat either is sick, smells, or will be sleeping the whole flight (may seem like a good thing - it won't be when I need to get up to take a piss).
-1 Flight lands late and as sometimes (too often) happens at LAX, we spend 30+ minutes waiting/"taxiing" to get to the gate.
-1 Get to the gate and there is a mechanical issue.
-1 Looooooong walk to get my suitcase at baggage claim.
-1 Looooooong wait to get my suitcase at baggage claim.
-1 Looooooong walk to get outside and wait for car rental shuttle bus.
-1 Looooooong wait for car rental shuttle bus.
-1 Looooooong line at car rental.
-1 Car I "reserved" is not available. They offer to "upgrade" me but at a significant cost increase or they try and "downgrade" me and refuse to give me a significant discount.
-1 Not supposed to be but will be cold and/or cloudy/gloomy outside.
-1 Traffic to hotel blows.
-1 Something in the car doesn't work/is broken. Didn't realize it when I was picking it up.
-1 Long wait to check in at hotel.
-1 Hotel tells me there will be extra unexpected charge/s.
-1 I am told or discover something at hotel is not in service/being repaired. Elevator issue, parking issue, water issue, wifi, housekeeping on strike, restaurant closed, whatever.
+1 Hotel is nice and I get a nice room. I unpack and get situated.
-1 I need to request something such as more hangars, mini fridge, whatever, and while they say they will bring up right away - they don't.
-1 I look outside window/s and see and HEAR major construction. Not a big deal being that I won't be in my room during the day most of my vacation but still kind of sucks.
-1 I realize I forgot to pack (and bring) something important I need and can't buy easily.
+1 I go grocery shopping for some "snacks" and beverages for the room.
-1 Something I didn't check when I first got in my in hotel room doesn't work/is broken.
-1 I have to switch rooms after I have unpacked.
Fast forward to this evening....
-1 Can't decide what I want for dinner. End up doing something shitty or lazy like eating chips.
-1 Can't decide what to do. End up staying in room and watching something shitty on TV.
-1 People next door or across the hall are fucking loud.
-1 I can't fall asleep or if I do, I have a shitty night's sleep.

FInal score about 40 -1 and 2 +1

I purposely didn't mention other -1s because I don't want to jinx myself and/or will myself in to it happening. All the things I listed I can deal with.

As I used to say way too often, I prefer to expect the worse and then be pleasantly surprised - than expect the best and be inevitably disappointed.

Not so quick amended update/s.

* Car was on time. 5 minutes early = +1
* Driver was not on drugs. I don't think. BUT.... Did tell me he's been driving for 15 hours and felt the need to say "ThankS God" after many things he said. = Even
* Driver had a continuous phlegmy cough without covering his mouth and had the sniffles. = -1
* Car smelled ok. +1
* Car was VERY cold but he put on some heat without my asking. = Even
* Was a skycap and he was terrific. = +1
* TSA PreCheck was easy. No problem. = +1
* Didn't need to take a shit. = +1
* Ate a really shitty tasting ___Bagel_____. = -1
* No airport terminal security alert and didn't have to evacuate the terminal (It has happened to me twice). = +1
* Got to gate and someone who looked like a mass murderer was laying on the carpet behind me. Didn't notice him for about 2 minutes. Kind of scared the shit out of me when I saw him. = -1
* Lady sitting next to me with her husband was sick as a dog. Flat out said to her husband, "Where's the Tylenol and I also need to take my medicine". =-1
* Of course screaming/crying child/children. = -1
* No flight delay = +1 Heck, I would give it a +10 if I could.
* Pilot/s/flight attendant/s were NOT delayed getting to airport. =+1
* No problem with carry on/s. =+1
* Asshat next to me was not an asshole. Flight takes off, asshat was sleeping much of the flight. Yep, needed to piss like a race horse. Had to wake her up. Felt bad. = Even
* Flight lands EARLY and as sometimes (too often) happens at LAX, Did NOT spend 30+ minutes waiting/"taxiing" to get to the gate. +1
* Get to the gate and there was a slight mechanical issue but was resolved quickly. = Even
* Looooooong walk to get my suitcase at baggage claim. I'll give it an = EVen
* Short wait to get my suitcase at baggage claim = +1
* Not so long walk to get outside and wait for car rental shuttle bus. = Even
* SHORT wait for car rental shuttle bus. = +1
* Short line at car rental - I pre filled everything, Even picked the specific car "on line". Just had to show my license and was given the keys. = Even
* Car I "reserved" WAS available. = +1
* Chilly but sunny and pleasant. = Even
* Traffic to hotel was easy. = +1
* No problem with the car. Yet. = Even
* Shirt wait to check in at hotel. Room I reserved wasn't ready. = Even
* No extra unexpected charge/s. Yet = Even
* Only minor issue was I requested a mini fridge (besides "honor bar" fridge ) and took a while to get it.
* Hotel is nice but seemed dead. Granted it was 11:00am when I checked in. Room/suite is nice but I can't say "great". Not as nice as I expected but just fine. = Even
* See my comment above regarding mini fridge - I need to request something such as more hangars, mini fridge, whatever, and while they say they will bring up right away - they don't. =-1
* BINGO! I look outside window/s and see and HEAR major construction. Not a big deal being that I won't be in my room during the day most of my vacation but still kind of sucks. = -1
* Didn't forget to pack anything. = +1
* I go grocery shopping for some "snacks" and beverages for the room. I helped an elderly lady reach yogurt on a high shelf and she was very sweet and grateful. Made us both feel good. = +1
* Nothing in the room not working. Yet. = Even
* No need to switch rooms but I am curious about other rooms I would probably like better. I was given a BIG upgrade so I am not going to complain and shouldn't look a gift horse in the asshole. = Even

[Shirley]

Sounds like you're livin' large, Gutter.

Glad you didn't waste any energy on anticipatory anxiety.

[Overlander]

Leaving Moriarity New Mexico, headed to Salt Lake City today.

A carefully planned route that is getting smoked by an unexpected pop up Winter Storm Warning in Utah.

The west is so cool.

[TDub]

Leaving Moriarity New Mexico, headed to Salt Lake City today.

A carefully planned route that is getting smoked by an unexpected pop up Winter Storm Warning in Utah.

The west is so cool

yes it is.

[KUTradition]

avalanche warnings abound

all this rain in the valleys is weird this time of year…but who’s gonna complain when i don’t have to shovel

[TDub]

avalanche warnings abound

all this rain in the valleys is weird this time of year…but who’s gonna complain when i don’t have to shovel

its been so dang rainy this fall/winter. Especially for around here. But...almost no snow at lower elevations.

Its not a bad thing...just unusual. And needed, I think we're still behind for the year despite 2 months of being way above average precip.

[KUTradition]

avalanche warnings abound

all this rain in the valleys is weird this time of year…but who’s gonna complain when i don’t have to shovel

its been so dang rainy this fall/winter. Especially for around here. But...almost no snow at lower elevations.

Its not a bad thing...just unusual. And needed, I think we're still behind for the year despite 2 months of being way above average precip.

i’m obviously not convinced that it isn’t ultimately a bad thing

[Overlander]

Just rolled into Provo for the night.

I have driven snowy mountain passes a lot of my adult life.

Coming up Hwy 6 was pretty dicey tonight

[KUTradition]

Just rolled into Provo for the night.

I have driven snowy mountain passes a lot of my adult life.

Coming up Hwy 6 was pretty dicey tonight

just seeing this

we shoulda met up for breakfast or coffee or something

[Overlander]

Just rolled into Provo for the night.

I have driven snowy mountain passes a lot of my adult life.

Coming up Hwy 6 was pretty dicey tonight

just seeing this

we shoulda met up for breakfast or coffee or something

That would have been cool.

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

Going to the "happiest" place on Earth today. My guess is I will have a wonderful time but......
There will be moments where it will be the UNhappiest place on Earth for me.

Some highlights with Gutterbuts so far....
Awesome Olafur Eliasson exhibit at MOCA (but...... people with young kids who disrespected others in attendance and people who were just flat out rude)
Clippers game (but...... 60 something year old total cunt sitting next to me who was on her phone the entire time - looking at social media shit - and when I got up to use the mens room she had a major attitude that I was interrupting her)
Rams game (but.....asshole sitting behind me felt the need to whistle LOUDLY - in my ear - every play in the Rams favor - and Rams fans sitting around me knowing less about football than I know about molecular biology - and paying $27 plus tip for 3 chicken tenders with no BBQ sauce and a Pepsi). Best part of the game for me was watching the Bengals/Broncos game on the "large screen".
Farmers Market in Pacific Palisades and seeing sea lions in Marina Del Rey (but.... cloudy and chilly and sort of felt like I was in a ghost town in Marina Del Rey)

To come...
Disneyland today
Musso and Frank (not the best restaurant but I like my favorites there) and Rampa (DJ) tomorrow night
Rose Bowl Wednesday
"Free day" Blazers/Lakers Thursday
"Free day" and Pink Talking Fish at night Friday
Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and possibly Clippers/Hawks Saturday
Still wait listed for Golden Globes red carpet - but have invitation to lame "after party" Sunday

[jhawks99]

Try and have a good time without looking for reasons to have a bad time.

[Overlander]

Try and have a good time without looking for reasons to have a bad time.

Impossible.

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

Disneyland review.....
Medium length version - It was fine. Some good things. Some bad things. HUGE key was getting in on the open. By 10:30am it was insanely crowded.
Yes, they have most things down to a science but maybe (probably?) it's just me, they seemed significantly understaffed.
Blew my mind how well maintained the park (including rides/attractions) is over 69 years - and that technology as far back as 69 years ago was amazing. Things that are over 50+ years old aren't "outdated".
Only rides I went on (for nostalgia reasons/purposes) ranked from 1-10 (1 being lame to 10 being great). Haunted Mansion (7) , Pirates of the Caribbean (6), Jungle Cruise (5), Submarine Voyage (Finding Nemo) (3).
Churros - WTF? Seemed to be the most popular food item. By far. Which brings me to.....
The crowd breakdown/demographics. Very interesting compared to Disney World but of course I am in California and not Florida.
These are estimates (Gutter version). 31.25% Hispanic. 11.75% Asian (i.e. Japanese, Chinese, Korean) 52.5% Caucasian. 2% African American (Black). 2.5% Other. Yeah, I'll say/ask it - Where were all the Indian/Pakistanis and Middle Easterns?
Maybe I never paid as much attention but incredible how many strollers and even more incredible how many people in motorized wheel chairs/scooters.
The entire experience was underwhelming compared to the other times I attended. Granted, I am 59 years old, I didn't go on many rides, I didn't see any "shows", and I left at Noon - and many things don't start happening until mid/late afternoon.
I did see the University of Oregon Cheerleaders and marching band perform on the way out.

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

In typical GUTTERED fashion....

Over a moth ago I was waitlisted and then ended up getting a ticket for Rampa tonight. Was leery being that I have the Rose Bowl tomorrow but whatever.
I knew doors open at 9:00pm. Figured Rampa would start 10:00/10:30ish. Was hoping to see him for an hour or so and be out by 11:30pm and back to the hotel by midnight.
Since the show was announced, it/they NEVER said anyone other than Rampa was performing.
Find out yesterday he has Anastazja (she's ok but not someone I really want to see) opening for him. WTF?
I emailed someone I know who knows someone who is working the show (6 degrees of Gutter) to see what time Rampa will start. "He advises you be there and get in by 11:00 but he may not start until after 11:30". WTF?
Here is my dilemma. I don't know what to do because merch(andise) is an issue for me.
A. I want some for myself. B. I have/want to buy something for the 80 something year old woman I work with because I jokingly turned her on to Rampa and promised her I would buy her something. C. People buy the shit up to re-sell. If I don't get in until 11:00, most if not all of the shit will be gone/sold by then. I can get there early and try and be inside at 9:00pm but then I have to stand around for 2+hours holding shit and waiting to see/hear Rampa.

Would have been better dealing with Burning Man in 2022 and seeing all of Keinmusik instead of just dealing with Rampa on NYE.

[JKLivin]

I have no idea what a Rampa is, but I remember going to Disneyland during my college years (I think I’m five years younger than you) and thinking it seemed old and run down back then. It was still fun, but not what I anticipated.

[pdub]

I think of the money that i'd need to spend to go to either Disneyland/Disneyworld and I think of the return on investment.

It sounds like paying for front row season tickets to the WNBA Fever.
Or 750 dollars just to sit at a hightop at Jeffersons.

[japhy]

Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice Beach

Sunny Blue in Santa Monica.

https://www.sunnyblueinc.com/about