captbrando's log

Phew!  Wrapped up my last business trip of the year last week.  Of course, both flights were delayed more than three hours (mostly not related to weather).  The meetings that we had with the client went very well, and I am looking forward to what is to come in 2009.

Here’s some holiday cheer for ya.  I have been known to go on a rant or two in my day.  The spelling & grammar are USUALLY correct as well (bonus!).  Here is a short collection of my favorite travel rants:

• An Open Letter to You, The Pissed Off Traveler
• Wow, the Pissed Off Traveler Returns
• Great Moments in Travel
• The Story of Chuckles and Smalls
• Made it to LGA, but not without a story!

I hope you enjoy these travel rants, and for those of you that are doing family travel, stay safe and good luck!

This past week I made a quick run through Chicago for work. I did get to see a Cubs game while I was there! On my way from the airport, to Wrigley, BACK, and other destinations, I noticed a sign in the cab authorizing a $1 fuel surcharge.

Hey, I understand that fuel prices are going up. And unlike the uneducated activists who think that all fuel surcharges should go away now that oil is under $100/barrel (guys, the prices are correlated, but not connected), I think that the cab fuel surcharge should go away for one reason.

Seriously guys, here’s that one way you will save $1 per trip (and MORE).

Quit driving like a 90 year old woman is chasing you in her Ferrari, waving her wig at you madly to get your attention, and putting her dentures on a reaching stick threatening to bite your cute little cheeks clear off your cute little face!

DAMMIT JIM! Slow down! Try driving with one foot instead of two!

Ahh, I feel better. Now, business guy in a tailored suit… fix the ringer on your phone.

I just threw most of the pictures from my trip up in the gallery. The main gallery is here, but I also took a TON of pictures of the opera house. I plan on combining a few and making some art for my new office. That gallery is here.

Enjoy!

I was trying to think of all of the pubs I hit in The Rocks, and was having trouble remembering them last night. I wanted to record them here while I was still thinking about it!

• Australian Heritage Hotel – One of the best beer selections
• Observer Hotel
• Mercantile Hotel – Saw live music here twice
• The Lord Nelson’s Brewery Hotel
• Hero of Waterloo – Best decor
• Glenmore Hotel – One of the best rooftop pubs in The Rocks
• Jacksons on George – Open late!
• Orient Hotel – Awesome music, and best memories of the trip

Why are they called Hotels? Glad you asked.

Back in the day, they used to try to be the one stop shop for the sailors that came into town with their pockets lined with cash. Bottom floor is the pub, the ladies were up on the second floor, and accommodations up on the third or higher.