Thursday

I forgot to mention the other day that Phillip gave a me a  good idea when he left. We were on the porch and he walked out and said "there's those porch people!" I said I should get a show on TLC called "Porch People". It could follow our day to day adventures. If freakin Honey Boo whatever can do it I can.

Speaking of adventure I left for Virginia yesterday and it's been a trip. Some good some bad. I'll post it below with a timeline.

Terry and I went by to see mom yesterday before we left. She was waiting in the lobby when I got there after dropping Drake off at his vet. We sat outside for a little while before leaving then Mandy stayed with her after that. 

I tried to call mom several times today but it was off the hook at first then Pat fixed it then I called and got no answer and now it's off the hook again.

And so the day goes! Here's the trip so far:

The Adventure so Far

Wed 230PM Depart Gastonia for Midlothian (Richmond) Virginia ETA 730PM inc. stopover for lunch

Wed 235PM I-85 at standstill due to accident, revert to US 29/74

Wed 315PM Finally reach I-485 and head north

Wed 400PM After more backups on I-85N stop to eat lunch in Concord NC. Go to bathroom to pee, always make sure underwear is clear of toilet as I sit down. Reached down there, felt something, pulled it out and it was a wash cloth I had used to dry that area when I got out of the shower earlier. Now that was funny.

Wed 640PM Bathroom stop in Burlington NC after missing exit to US 360 toward Danville due to traffic backup on exit ramp-double backed and exit in that direction was closed for construction. Had to turn around again and go I-85N

Wed 850PM reach first destination and drop Terry off. Headlights were not working so had to use DRL’s and fog lights then brights as darkness fell. Had switch turned to wrong position. Xenons came on when I restarted car after changing switch position. Stopped at grocery store nearby.

Wed 900PM Google maps has me taking Po White (appropriate name) toll road to hotel, exit and try to re-route, but can’t, had to pay two tolls on way to hotel, 75c each.

Wed 945PM driving to hotel on 4 lane roads that have no traffic and no lights and no nearby lights. Nerve racking.

Wed 1015PM reach hotel and try to check in but I’m told “they” don’t want me to pay for my room, that Erica Gomez from some company called ALE Solutions in St Charles Illinois had called and insisted I sign an agreement for a 26 night stay. It was in my name. I told them I made my own reservation, using my own card, and my own Choice Privileges number, and I only wanted two nights. Clerk continued to read paper, it concerned fire damage and an insurance claim, clerk took my card and ID after I insisted I had not filed any insurance claim and was not staying 26 nights.

Wed 1050PM after 35 minutes of delay I’m given a room on the 1^st floor, when I requested an upper floor. Now I’m thinking someone is setting me up for something, either identity theft, or someone come blow my door down and blow me away about 3am having mixed me up with someone else. “We lock the doors” she said. I have the sat phone with me, but it’s not activated so it only dials 911. That will work if nothing else will.

Wed 1100PM get to room. Try to buy a few gifts on Amazon on 70% sake day ending at midnight. Then decide to book an overseas vacation on sale cause Terry told me to on the way up here, before I go back to work. Would not let me book because it exceeded my daily check card limit.

Thu 400AM-600AM try to wind down and sleep hard to do since the first floor room they put me in was at end of hall beside a freeway. Put the “do not disturb” sign on the door handle outside. Everything in the room was turning brown because it was so old. Tried to call front desk and the button didn’t work, none of the buttons worked.

Thu 900AM. Manager calls from front desk wanting to know if I had any affiliation with ALE Solutions- something I was VERY clear about IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS LAST NIGHT. Then he calls back again a few minutes later and ASKS “WHAT IS THE NATURE OF YOUR BUSINESS IN TOWN” and where was I employed. He said it was to make sure they had the right person, because this ALE place had booked a reservation for someone who has my exact same name, something he had never seen before. He thanked me and hung up.

Thu 930AM Loud knock on door and someone yells HOUSEKEEPING! Remember, the do not disturb sign is on the door. I yell back that I don’t need it.

Thu 230PM Call a different hotel closer to family and make new reservation. Leave the pit.

Thu 345PM Arrive at niece’s house after using toll road again and driving an additional 3 miles to find place to eat.

Thu 520PM Leave niece’s go to grocery store same one as last night. Guy charges me again for the recyclable bag I bought there last night. Had to remove the charge. Card I use to pay is declined, twice, same one I used last night to try to book the trip, had to use a different card.

Thu 540PM Called brokerage from car to ask them to remove the block; they did and very quickly. Set Google destination to new hotel (car nav is not updated enough to do this) and as I pull out of the parking space I roll over the concrete parking stop that I didn’t think was there. Back up, leave, ask God to take me now.  Pay two tolls again on the toll road.

Thu 605PM Arrive at new hotel. Very nice, on top (5^th) floor, nice room and furnishings. Hoping for no surprises tonight.