Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Selma Swing

For everything that went wrong on Monday, Tuesday was the antitheses. I showed up at the correct hotel, they were expecting me, the data all worked together, and it was an informative session. The only fly in the ointment was the preparation of the room. Usually in this town I use the meeting room at Vacation Inn. I grew weary however of having to set up the room – push discarded broken furniture to the side – and clean up old food wrappers left by the employees who use the room as a break room when it’s not rented as a meeting room. I also thought we might need a bigger room since we are offering a rebate on the software if you attend one of these meetings. Knowing we were squeezed at the Vacation Inn, I tried the Ghay’s Inn. I don’t know what it is about these small towns – but they obviously DON’T understand the idea of “set up the meeting room”. I arranged the tables, un-stacked the chairs, placed table clothes on the tables – and then began to set up my projector and laptop. It was at this point that the “helpful” front desk clerk showed up. She made no comments about the room being re-configured but was most interested in how I could show the internet on the wall – through a projector. She did notice how the paperwork design was distorting the picture, and offered to get a flat sheet and some pushpins so we could make a makeshift screen. After the meeting I followed M.O.T.O.R (Mother of the other red-head) north to Selma where we met up with her husband D.O.T.O.R. The drive north took us through the lovely, quaint little towns of Dripping Springs, or (Tunnel Springs), Beatrice (pronounced Bea-at-rice NOT Be-a-trice), and Camden to mention just a few. (Back roads baby, the only way to go!) M.O.T.O.R and D.O.T.O.R have become very close and dear friends to me – and I was SO glad to spend an evening with them. We ate at the Tally-Ho – and what a great meal. Fried crab claws, escargot, Filet Mignon, Zucchini muffins, and Bourbon Pecan Pie for dessert. It was fun to ask M.O.T.O.R and D.O.T.O.R to reminisce about their first meeting as teenagers. We talked about her attending finishing school “up North”, spending a Thanksgiving week at the Waldorf Astoria with some girlfriends and a chaperone!!! Also her memories of ordering pizza – and the delivery people sliding it under the gate after hours – along with the bottles of “Listerine” … Vodka flavored mouthwash. D.O.T.O.R recalled being in NYC with the Boy Scouts and seeing Gene Crupa play in a jazz club. All in all a pleasant evening – and that much nicer because of how Monday had turned out. I left Selma about 9:00 pm – and as I drove north to Tuscaloosa I listed to some great jazz and swing on Alabama Public Radio. I was dead tired when I arrive – about 11 pm. Checked in – checked for mail while struggling with an internet connection that kept dropping off – and then to sleep. I woke up at 7:00 am this morning. It was nice to sleep in and catch a little extra rest. Now I’m off to the Waffle House for breakfast! Then at lunch, after visiting a customer, I’m bound for Greenville, Mississippi! Tonight it’s dinner with IH8T24 and the gang out at the lake house. I can’t wait!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll bet your trips are a lot more interesting than most business trips !!!! I can't imagine most business people having to do their own setups - however,I guess that's the beauty of the South and backroads !!! Actually, I'm kinda jealous of all the area you cover in your DAYTIME travels !!! *o*

Anonymous said...

By the way, M.O.T.O.R. -- we raised the prettiest, mixed-colors, brunette when she was growing up. *O*

Anonymous said...

TP - Mine was red from the beginning! First redhead ever delivered by the doctor, after 10 years of practice. HE said it was the "rust" in our country well water.
M.O.T.O.R

Anonymous said...

Mit you know it goes without saying how much we enjoy your company. Just wish you would come more often to see us!!
While in Arkansas you should try the Wine. Even I like it.
M.O.T.O.R