The 15 (or so) minute break

The mid-morning break at my job is frequented by 7 or 8 regulars. Fifteen minutes often stretches past the mark, but so far we haven't been chastized for stealing company time.

At break, a number of my prior listed pleasures are often incorporated into on compact session: gossip, judging others, celebrity banter and best of all, coffee.

I feel slight guilt once the 20 minute mark is hit. Well, maybe not.

Enjoying Stupid Stuff

Drama, crime, vengence taken.



I suggest thou shalt not be guilty of culpable acts when the Trunk Monkey is around.

Those dang Weight Watchers MiniBars

I bought a box of these on Tuesday during a meeting. A dozen in a box. 1 point per bar.

Three days later and none left. I ate them all. I'm guilty as sin.

"LOST"

Because of my crazy work schedule I find it difficult to get wrapped up in ongoing television dramas. But several years ago something intrigued me about "Lost" and I have watched it faithfully since the first episode.

Oh yeah, the first season was magnifique! The second season good, the third season dumb, the fourth season showed improvement. But this final season, oh my gawd. Things are moving so fast, it is impossible to keep up with the web of characters, but every time you think you have it all straight in your head, you get hit with something like last night's closing line (Jump to the 1:20 mark on the video)


BAM! I wonder which characters in this series are truly guilty, and which are truly innocent. We may never know.

Hotels

Being a travel agent spoiled me rotten. One of the perks was being sent away to far-off destinations on "Fam" (familiarization) trips. Tour wholesales never put us up at the Econolodge or Days Inn; nay, top-of-the-line properties were always provided for lodging. How else would you expect the agent to sell said properties?

My tastes now run champagne on my beer salary. I find the Hampton Inn to be slumming it.

Many of my friends look for moderate accommodations when travelling. Their logic, "you are only going to be in the room to sleep". That makes perfect sense. For myself, I don't think I'm illogical, but I want upscale. My rational is that I live 365 days a year in modest conditions, and vacation is all about escaping the daily grind, ergo, splurge on accommodations!

My next trip isn't for fun, but for work. My lodging is booked and I will see you at the Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago Hotel. At least I will be able to indulge in my guilty pleasure after 5pm while there.

The Road Trip

This past summer gas jumped to over $4/gallon. For me, road trips will always be a pleasure, but now they aren't quite as guilty as they were six months ago.

As a teen, I loved reading Stephen King, particularly his short story collections. One story jumped out as appealling: "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut". I used the tale as an inspiration when I lived in Bulloch County; any dirt road veering from the main byways would be explored and I would work to shave a minute or two from my commute whenever possible.

As an adult I came to appreciate the road trip. I prefer taking the less travelled road - veering off the intersate and prefering the highway when time permits. Think about it - I may never pass that way again, and there could be many treasures to find!

Throw guilt to the wind and snap in the seatbelt, away we go!