Archives

Aug062008

Breakfast with Sinners

This post brought to you by our new sponsor Plans Unfolding.  Ron has done a fantastic job on his recent paper planner software release.  I have been utilizing a similar planner for a number of years now and basically take it with me everywhere I go.  This new release provides a graphical front end for data entry (previously I had to use a powerpoint template which required writing upside down in certain situations) and extremely configurable and downright crisp output due to the LaTeX engine underneath.  If you want to get organized, want to carry a large amount of data without having to reboot or like to have the ability to take notes on the fly — you know… like jotting down an observation you might want to blog on later that day… well, look no further and head on over to the Plans Unfolding website.  Here’s a partial cap of my organizer:

 My Plans Unfolding Organizer

(no animals were harmed in the making of this promotion)

Now on to today’s post.  As mentioned previously, we were heading through Council Bluffs Iowa on our way back from South Dakota when we decided to visit the local casino (Ameristar) and try our luck in the den of the devil.  My wife and I actually do like to gamble (in moderation) and quite frankly if you want a good people watching opportunity… go to a casino – especially in Vegas.  As detailed in the Rath Inn entry, we were up early and out of there as fast as possible, leaving us pretty hungry.  To satisfy this craving, we decided to catch some breakfast in their restaurant.  While we were waiting for the food to arrive, a couple with another man came in and sat at a booth next near us.  I am not sure if they were simply holdovers from the night before or just arriving, but it struck me odd that the solo dude ordered a beer while the other two stuck with water.  I do not drink very much at all (social only) and never for breakfast so it seemed a little interesting, but when the food arrived for the couple it was replaced with a sense of confusion.  Before they dug into their feed, they made the sign of the cross and took a few minutes to say a prayer.  This is not exactly the place I expected to see such conviction seeing as I am not aware of many religions that really endorse such sinful behavior as gambling (and potential lifestyles that can be found in such places).  I didn’t stick around to see if they actually went into the gambling area, but chalked it up as something I really hadn’t witnessed before – don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to people wanting to follow their faith –  as long as it isn’t directed at me, an attempt to influence me, or used to justify violence on your fellow man). 

Plates empty, glass drained… time to hit the tables

spacer
Jul292008

How To Earn My [W]Rath

As we were heading back from our South Dakota trip, we came upon a pretty nasty storm in Western Iowa.  Generally this doesn’t bother me much, but as all to common on any road travel these days, we were reduced to a single lane due to road construction.  As a result, it was difficult to concentrate on the narrow lanes while focusing through the downpour.  After awhile we decided to go ahead and stop for the night in Council Bluffs.  The GPS indicated there were some casinos nearby so we opted to stay at one of their hotels…. actually that was the plan, but we ended up calling for rooms in advance only to find out they were ALL booked.  No problem, we’ll find something along the way.  Unfortunately, we didn’t find very many options and it was getting pretty late.  Eventually, we found an exit with three hotels on it – I think a Holiday Inn and possibly a Day’s Inn (can’t remember for sure).  We opted for the Holiday Inn only to find out they were booked and was given the recommendation to try the other hotel (Day’s Inn) across the street.  So… we went over there having to pass a Rath Inn on the way.  As you probably expected, that hotel was full – we finally figured out that the College World Series was going on which filled up all the rooms in the neighboring cities (I believe the games are held in Omaha Nebraska).  The hotel clerk wouldn’t even recommend another option which immediately stood out as interesting… two hotels in the area refused to refer anybody to the Rath Inn – either stiff competition in the area or something is up.

 We were tired, the rain wasn’t letting up so we went against our better judgement and headed to Rath Inn to take a chance they had a room left.  It was more of a motel (park next to door), but a bed was all I really needed (hasty assumption there!)  Turns out we were able to procure the last non-smoking room – we’re in luck.  We drove the car to the room, quickly opened the door to get feel the comfort of the bed to soothe the eyes.  The view didn’t leave much of reason to blog on it – basic room generic decor … should be okay.  And then my wife comes out the bathroom with complete disgust on her face and seriously agitated.  Turns out they didn’t even bother cleaning the bathroom from the previous occupants.  DISGUSTING – we were trapped – nowhere to go and in a room not fit to stay – the traveler’s dilemma.  Fatigue won out, we tore all the sheets of the bed, grabbed a blanket from the car to sleep ON TOP of and did our best to get some sleep.

I now have a benchmark for the bottom rung of roadside bedding – and a new level of fatigue I’m willing to endure to find another place to stay. 

spacer