July 17, 2009

Why I like to drive and camp.


So I was going to San Antonio for an important meeting with my client and a series of their vendors. While I was scheduled with plenty of time to get to Texas and be early for a dinner with the business partners, everything unraveled when the flight attendant at Dulles Airport was not able to take the flight and it was cancelled - everyone had to stand in a long single file line and wait to be rebooked to their final destination. One of the less patient passengers loudly speculated that it was a hangover or "woman problems." The woman behind the counter gave him a problem getting to Baton Rouge... I think she was connecting him through Denver.


The flight was merely the first in a series of cascading events that brings about this post. While I was delayed, stood by, scampered, and sat next to the largest woman I've met in a long time (I thought our row might actually be a hazard to the safety of the flight) - but the point is that I arrived in San Antonio about six hours later than planned. Suffice it to say that I was a little disappointed when I had to help the nice non-english speaking maid pull out a couch.


A redacted version of my letter follows:


Hilton Corporate Services

RE: Customer Visit, Confirmation: 82485393 / Folio: 530911
Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is BXXXX McXXXXXXXX (Hilton Rewards: XXXXXXX), I was a guest at the Double Tree Hotel, San Antonio airport July 15, 2009. I have been a business traveler for the past 12 years – visiting multiple brands, including Hilton. This letter is the first formal correspondence I have ever prepared in response to the lodging conditions I encountered in my recent stay.

Upon check-in, the desk clerk requested the assistance of the Asst. Front Desk Mgr, Robert XXXXXX, to inform me that the hotel was oversold (normally 10%, but due to it being a weekday it was now at 20%) and the only room available had a “nice” fold-out bed. In appreciation for my patience, they would reduce my rate and offer me a free breakfast. I was in town at client expense to participate in a presentation (at the Double Tree meeting facility) to 36 of my client’s top vendors in South Texas where we would be providing a catered breakfast (by a Double Tree vendor). I asked if there were other accommodations and was informed that there were, but they would not be within walking distance (imperative for the pre-meeting prep scheduled for 6:45am).

Mr. XXXXXX, in an attempt to accommodate me, did give me a voucher for a free drink at Cascabel Restaurant & Bar, but I am concerned that options that were presented were below the standards I expect from Hilton brands. My frustration with this situation prompts this correspondence, and I have included images of the situation

The inventory of room 504[1] is:
· 1 conference room table (seats 8 comfortably)
· 12 chairs - 8 conference room; 1 office, 2 sitting; 1 with ottoman
· 4 tables - 1 coffee, 1 conference, 1 desk, 1 mirrored for coffee service
· 1 two cushion couch (greenish with tears in cushions) [2];
· 1 armoire with flat screen television (facing sitting chairs);
· 1 sixteen inch brown stain between the bathroom and exit door[3];
· 1 closet with TWO hangers;
· 2 telephones (only one working) neither within eight feet of couch;
· 1 pull-out couch[4].

I was pleased that the automated wake-up call system worked, but was mildly annoyed that the call arrived ten minutes before the scheduled time (a similar result was mentioned by a member of my client team). Fortunately the meeting room was appropriately prepared and the technical support (Shane) was knowledgeable and responsive to our requirements.

I am not writing to hold Hilton hostage for the $80.56 this property charged or Hilton Rewards points and status; I think this situation has established that I will no longer consider Hilton brands for my lodging requirements. I ask that your company remove me from the mailing lists (electronic and USPS) related to rewards promotions or offer services from partners (credit cards) that I did not ask for and see as unnecessary.


Sincerely,

BXXXX McMXXXXXX
[1] Please reference Picture 1 for a general view of the room.
[2] Please reference Picture 2 for close-up of these cushions.
[3] Please reference Picture 3 for a photo of the stain on the floor.
[4] Please reference picture 4 for a close-up of pull-out couch.




I received a reply via email indicating that Hilton is looking into the situation. If anything interesting arrives, I'm sure Caleb will goad me into sharing it.

June 28, 2009

BREWDAY

So I am finally pushing my brewing skills a little bit by trying to do a fifteen gallon batch – my uncle George had prepared the equipment but never put it into use, and since I acquired the equipment I’d only used it as space and weight during moves to at least three different living situations. As with all my brewing episodes, the first time is a lot of excitement, learning, mess, and wonder if it will come out alright.

Process for all grain brewing: Add crushed malted grain to 150 degree water and maintain temperature for one hour. Raise temperature of mash to 170 degrees for ten minutes. Pour off liquid (wort) into secondary container, add hops at varying schedules, and boil wort for one hour. Chill wort as rapidly as possible, pour into tertiary container and when cooled to room temperature add yeast and stand back.

Fortunately Lindsey was around for brew day – and was a tremendous help in the process, especially since the false bottom in the mash container failed to keep the grain from pouring out as we attempted to pour the wort into the boil container. As a result, we used a couple of pots and filters / screens to quart by quart strain the wort to avoid getting grain into the boil pot (boiling the grains would lead to super bitter beer). The lack of elbow joints at the outlets also cause scalding liquid to go all over. We managed to complete the transfers and a shopping list for my next trip to home depot.

Pictures: a) the equipment pre brew; b) the ingredients pre brew – my home brew only contains water, grain, hops, and yeast; c) Lindsey adding about thirty pounds of crushed grain (in stages);

d) hop pellets that condense and preserve the delicate flowers/leaves; e) yeast that comes in a bag in a bag – the smack-pack allows one to break the inner bag, allowing yeast to mingle with starter and by the time it is pitched billyuns and billyuns of yeast cells are ready; f) the full equipment, on the rack, after I’d added the elbow joints

The aftermath: adding thirty pounds of semi-depleted grains to my modest compost pile caused the mini-ecosystem to crash. the smell of the rotting grains has brought a bunch of flies and other baddies to my pile... I have covered it with potting soil to try to mask the smell lest my neighbors believe I am burying bodies.

Video (be patient): www.mackatwork.com/videos/20090628-BREWDAY(9).MOV - That is a six gallon carboy about 24 hours after brewing and adding yeast. The plastic contraption on top providing audio is an air-lock that prevents contaminants from being introduced - the bubbling gas is alcohol infused carbon dioxide.