Procrastination

wow...I can't beleive that we are already into November... October completely flew by.   I had a lot of fun though.  Mexico, Grand Canyon, Vegas, and Vancouver!  Things continue to truck along for me.  I never know really what day it is, or what I have scheduled for that same afternoon, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  
I am procrastinating on so many things I have to do today...so many many many things.  I would like to think that I am super organized and efficient, but I am starting to find out that I'm not so much.   Normal things like re-newing my driver's license is being cut down to the last minute (I am keeping my fingers crossed that this happens on time).  
Anywho, I think I am going to go stare out the window for a few minutes, wash a couple of dirty plates, start an e-mail, and then start to think about dinner options...  

In Over my head....

So I know it's been a while (that's how I'm starting all of these blog posts)....there has of course been change. Change is INN right ? ( a little Holiday Inn humor for you). Work continues to challenge me like never before. Ususally by this point of a job I am on top and in control. In this job, I am still riding a 3 wheeled bike wearing extra padding.
I've always relied on a cute smile, boyish charm, and throwing out that "sister" attitude to have clients and co-workers like me, now....I've got to somehow continue that AND create business results....this is not what was taught at the community college....

I know that I can do it but I need to motivation to do so....so far...notta really. To be honest I don't even know where that motivation needs to come from. I need focus, organization...I need a clue.

My next big project is creating and leading a "leadership summit" for 20 hotels which happens in 2 weeks....eek! So many ideas flowing, but not sure what will be absolute best.

Ok....so this post is a littly winey (yes I want cheese with my whine) but I am trying to commit to blog more...so I hope you few readers enjoy! Love to hear your comments!

Six Dollars Lost on Kitty Glitter

Howdy! I know it's been quite a while since I last updated this, and I am making it a personal goal to be better at updating this blog of mine.

I am sitting here in East Las Vegas Nevada for another Stay Real workshop. We have a small class, which is actually nice, there doesn't seem to be as much pressure, and with every passing workshop I feel more and more confident.

Work continues to be crazy, I feel like my head is now just above water rather then drowning in confusion, overwhelming anxiety and complimentary Cran-Apple juice in a 4 oz. palstic cup at 30,000 ft.

I can't complain though, I am back in Vegas, one of my favorite cities. I am straying farther away into the strip and venturing into the grimey smoke filled Vegas that I've come to adore and love. Tonight I my co-worker and I walked from our Holiday Inn to the Skyline Casino on Boulder Highway. We sat at the bar and played video poker while I waited for my Philly Cheesesteak sandwhich (hold the onions) and whiskey coke. I put in $5 and managed to hold out for 40 minutes before I do what I always do and get impatient and "max bet" all my money. I am always too embarrassed to cash in a ticket for $3.25. After a highclass dinner of day old roll, and beef that was only smoked by 2nd hand, I found a penny slot machine that was house cat themed called Kitty Glitter. I didn't realize that I was betting the max amount ($0.50) and quickly went through $6 before calling it a night.

Toss No Mas

Livin' the Vida Loca here in New Mexico once again. Albuquerque to be exact...a city that I never understood the origin of it's name, or even if I am spelling it right. Anyway. Workshop week...n'uf said, I am like a walking zombie who performs during the day. I actually like the workshops that I conduct, but they are exhausting!!! Good Grief.

So, you're probably wondering about the title of this entry. Toss No Mas is the New Mexican campaign against littering. It's everywhere down here, billboards, commercials, crackin' my sh*t up, I love it!

I really wish I had more to chat about, but unfortunately I don't. I felt like my blog needed a little love (who doesn't now and then right?). However, I am home ALL week next week...yea, can you believe that??? My first week home since the first week of January. I am very excited. Office admin work and SPRING CLEANING!!!

I am a dork, I know. Anywho, the moment something interesting happens to me, I will blog! Take care Y'all.

Sometime you feel like a nut...

Viva New Mexico... I guess.





This is it, go time. I am on my own here in New Mexico doin' my thing this week. I started in Las Cruces... college town near the Mexican & Texan border. It was ok, nothing great although I did eat dinner at La Posta which is an authentic Mexican restaraunt that has a bird sanctuary in their lobby...Parrots and burritos, yum.




Next was Alamogordo, fun little town, I stayed the night but was so beat I stayed in and went to bed early (mom, if your reading this, don't think that you "told me so"). This morning I had a great visit with the hotel and felt like I actually earned some of my paycheck. After a quick parking-lot lunch at Arby's I was on to Ruidoso. But before I left Alamogordo, I couldn't resist stopping by the world's largest pistachio nut...yep...you heard me right, the world's largest pistachio nut...right here in scenic Alamogordo NM.





Ruidoso, was even smaller then the first two towns. It's claim to fame is horse racing, and if they get snow...skiing. Had a great convo with them and got to see 2 week old twin girls...very cute and ridiculously tiny.





Now I am in Socorro which is right past San Antonio...no not San Antonio TX...San Antonio NM...can we talk about this for a minute? Why does New Mexico feel like it can trick people into coming to their state by naming their one street towns after large metro cities??? San Antonio...the biggest thing there is a billboard for the Shell station...Las Vegas NM...no fountain shows, show girls, or even any sign of fun to be honest... New Mexico...Stop it...ok...Stop pretending your something your not. Let people come visit you for the cacti and large pistachio nut... deal???





Hope all is well in your land. Hit me up!

Man Sweat on Row 40

Can I just say that sitting next to a giant sweaty man with a cold for 4 ½ hours on a plane is not my ideal evening… ALT/SLC…row 40 on Delta flight 1230… I was hoping for a Hudson River landing just to freshen up (too soon…?). Nonetheless, I made it home safely so I guess I can’t complain too much. Atlanta was a bit of a snooze, a lot of info that didn’t necessarily pertain to me…but what can ya do? Comes with the job I suppose.

I FINALLY got more then a weekend to be home in Salt Lake. Even though I spent all day working, it felt good to be on my own for a day and actually get some stuff done. It has been pretty overwhelming to try to learn everything being thrown at me, organize and set up a home office, prepare for a portfolio turn-over, and manage the balance between my “professional” and personal life… Good Grief! I am starting to feel like I can do this though.

I am off to Tucson Arizona and then Vegas by Friday (I will actually get to enjoy the city for one night this time…stories to come, I am sure). Have a great week!

The Awkward Dinner

I am in Atlanta for a FSOS conference (Franchise Service & Operation Support) and tonight attended a "rotation dinner". This dinner is designed to get a small group of people together from different departments to network. Let's just say, I was definitely the bottome of the totem pole.

We had a series of flash cards with engaging questions that was suppose to lead to insiteful conversation. Questions would range from "what time period would you live in" to "if you could be watching a T.V. show right now, what would it be?".

I tried to put some depth in my answers but everyone else seemed to be in the lead for Miss America.

"If you had $10,000 what would you do with it?" My answer was to travel, and have a memorable extravagant vacation. The other answers consisted of "donate to charity" "cure my nephew's cancer" and "Isn't it funny how little $10,000 seems now? I have that sitting in my chacking account...". Mind you, these people were Directors of such and such... I felt like the assistant to a housekeeper compared to them.... Needless to say, I am not a wine drinker, but the 2 glasses I had were not nearly enough to make that dinner less tweird (yea, that's right Tweird..Totally Wierd). As much as I enjoy repeating conversations about infant cancer with my lobster ravioli dish...I would have perfered Del Taco in my room while watching Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. Did I mention we were at Macaroni Grill....YEA...freakin Macaroni Grill....

Anywho, I suppose the experience of stepping outside of my comfort level was just another of those "adult" learning experiences that I need. Really...a free meal (even if it is greezy Mac Grill) is a free meal, so I can't complain.

Alright y'all I am going to bed...I am exahusted! I miss the days of knowing what the hell I was doing day to day...

Bringing you love from the freezing cold "Hotlanta"... Hit me up!

The not so Sin City

SO... I was in Las Vegas last week for a "Stay Real" workshop. It was an amazing experience. Not to get too detailed about it...General Managers and hotel Guest Experince Champions sign up to attend these workshops on the service culture that IHG is putting in place for the Holiday Inn re-launch...(ok, I am now crossed eyed and have n0-idea what I am saying).

ANYWHO... It was a great experience. I was with Chad from San Fran (who has been mentor extrodinair) and Twanda (who I think we were related in a past life).

The class was great, definitely presented some challenges that I will have to work on, but also built a lot of confindence that IHG didn't make a total ass-backwards decision to hire me for the job.

For being in Vegas for the week, I didn't really have much time (or energy) to get out and see the town...see mom, I can be responsible. I did however, get one great night on the strip with my fellow facilitators (it was Twanda's first time in the city of sin).

Let me explain the balloon picture...there was this creepy (but well meaning) clown in an electric wheelchair who insisted on making be and T a hat and Chad a...belt... He called me Mary Ann and smelled like bacon... Nonetheless an interesting night. Throw in a yardstick "Octane 190" and a little bit of rain, and you have the most exciting night for me in Vegas.

I am in the A-T-L now for a conference...and well...it aint so hot, BUT I am getting to meet some great people.

More stories to come, I promise to get better at keeping this thing up-dated!

P.S. I am still getting to know the ways of the blog so sorry if this looks a little DUM.

There's no place like home

I went to my parent’s house last night for my brother’s birthday dinner. He’s 31 (or at least he will be on the 12th) and the oldest of the family. Every year it’s the same thing, delicious greasy taco’s and the inevitable heartburn to follow. I am sure that the beer I have while packing (a seemingly weekly tradition now) doesn’t help prevent this either.

I have admittedly come to appreciate home more since my recent string of travel. What is home? Is it the physical one bedroom concrete building, lead-painted place I call an apartment…or is it more. I have always enjoyed living in Salt Lake, claiming that someday I would move on to bigger and better… But I am finding how much this place means to me…it’s home. My family, friends, bed, car, hang-outs are here…this is what I call home. Even the Salt Lake International Airport holds a special place in my heart now, I know where to find a slice of Sbarro’s pizza or a urinal when needed. So…is home what’s familiar? What I know? A feeling of belonging? Some food for thought…

Well…I am off to Las Vegas to observe my first RLC. I am excited yet feel incredibly un-prepared (seems to be a common feeling with this job so far). Wish me luck, I am sure I will be posting something this week.

San Francisco...

I went to San Francisco last week and had a blast! It started out as work and ended with a lot of play!

Fellow co-worker Chad showed me the ropes of consulting with a hotel in Fremont and San Pablo. It really was good to see how each hotel was different, and gave me some confidence that I may be qualified for this job.

After my days with Chad, one of my BFFs Brittany and her husband Chris joined me for a little fun.

I LOVE San Fran, it is beautiful and full of some crazy people. Always a good time, I am looking forward to going back!

New Job...

SO...the reason why I started this blog is because I got myself a new job. I recently (the past few years) have been involved in the hotel world and LOVE IT! So many new people to meet and no one day is like the other. I started out at the Hotel Monaco (Salt Lake City) working in their resaurant, then on the The Grand America Hotel (also Salt Lake City) working in the Convnetions department. My last stop was at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center where I was the Event Services Manager. I loved working in the Events arena, very exciting.

I recently accepted a job with InterContinental Hotels Group as a Brand Service Consultant for the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express Brands.

People are always asking what it is I do...good questions, I hope one day I can answer that for myself...

In a Nutshell:

IHG is re-launching the Holiday Inn brands (we all know Holiday Inn for being a little old fashion and somewhat ghetto, right?). The re-launch will include full renovations on the inside and out, and also change the service aspect as well (enter SQuigley).

I will be training (a.k.a. facilitation) General Manager and Guest Experience Champions from hotels across the country on the new service culture (Stay Real) as well as making personal visits to hotels in my region to consult and coach them on improving guest experiences.

Still confused??? Me too.

I travel frequently, although my home office is still based here in Salt Lake City, UT.

So...there you have it, a very quick and focused overview of what I get paid to do...

Welcome Aboard!

Hey gang!

I am starting this blog so that you are "in the know" on what's new in my world. I am here, there and everywhere meeting new people, learning new things, and experiencing exciting stuff. I hope you enjoy hearing what I gotta say, and please feel free to leave comments!

Happy Reading!!!