Originally Posted by sbm12 (Post 11842884)

I have a few rather entertaining (at least to me) stories from 10 years ago and my visit to Nice and Monaco. I have no idea where we stayed but it was certainly on the budget side of the spectrum and I'm sure it was fine. Honestly, I don't pay too much mind to the hotels where I stay; I'm not there for the hotel.

First fun story was dinner in Nice. There is a farmers' market in the mornings on the main plaza just inland from the ocean downtown. In the evening that same area is hosed down and then a bunch of tables and chairs set up and the restaurants along the sides of the plaza have al fresco dining. Sure, they are targeting tourists, but it was cheap and all we wanted were some bowls of moules anyways. We ordered the prix fixe menu that included a glass of wine, moules, frites and a dessert. When the waitress came around to get our dessert order I just ordered another bowl of moules as my dessert. She was very confused. Eventually I had my two chocolate mousses (they weren't very good, as I recall) but the scene of trying to explain that I wanted more food rather than dessert still stands out in my mind as an entertaining one.

Second fun thing we did was the ride from Nice to Monaco. We rented mopeds that day and took the coastal road. It was a 45-60 minute ride and it was ridiculously beautiful. Just amazing. We tooled around through Monte Carlo for a few minutes and made our way back up a hill and then looped around to come back into town. It was at this point that we were pulled over by the border patrol. Apparently my decision to take off my shirt and get some sun while riding around was a bad one. By the end of the 15 minutes we spent with the border patrol we were taking photos together and the guy working there was trying to pimp out the woman to me and my buddies.

I realize that neither of these is likely at all useful to you, but why should that stop me from sharing?

^^

Originally Posted by photog72 (Post 11841654)

Well, it is official. I am out of a job. My position was eliminated. Along with at least 3 others at my station. I'll let it sink in for a day, then start the search. Thanks for the well wishes. I didn't even have an appetite for dinner. I DVRd Conan, but don't have any inclination to watch any tv. Former co-workers on FB have been supportive.

Good night.

Originally Posted by gbryan84 (Post 11843032)

Im in for a :rolleyes: polo. Or maybe the few of us that bought CO polos at the DO could get a :rolleyes: and our FT handle put on those shirts?

Originally Posted by IAHtraveler (Post 11841280)

Conan's first show tonight... I wonder if he'll be as good as Leno?

Originally Posted by photog72 (Post 11841654)

Well, it is official. I am out of a job. My position was eliminated. Along with at least 3 others at my station. I'll let it sink in for a day, then start the search. Thanks for the well wishes. I didn't even have an appetite for dinner. I DVRd Conan, but don't have any inclination to watch any tv. Former co-workers on FB have been supportive.

Originally Posted by COFlyerCLE (Post 11843053)

Sorry to hear about this photog72. Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by Lurker1999 (Post 11843058)

I need some advice on which positioning flights I should choose for my SEA-NRT B fare trip. Right now there's direct flights from BOS on Alaska for $350 and on Jetblue for $410. Flight times are essentially identical. As far as I can tell the advantages are:

JetBlue:
More legroom
Free snacks
TV/XM radio for the transcon

Alaska:
EQMs for CO million miler status (don't need them to requalify this year)
Cheaper by $60

Anything I'm missing? I don't really collect B6 points so I doubt I'd ever see any redemptions out of them.

Originally Posted by Lurker1999 (Post 11843058)

I need some advice on which positioning flights I should choose for my SEA-NRT B fare trip. Right now there's direct flights from BOS on Alaska for $350 and on Jetblue for $410. Flight times are essentially identical. As far as I can tell the advantages are:

JetBlue:
More legroom
Free snacks
TV/XM radio for the transcon

Alaska:
EQMs for CO million miler status (don't need them to requalify this year)
Cheaper by $60

Anything I'm missing? I don't really collect B6 points so I doubt I'd ever see any redemptions out of them.

Originally Posted by PSU Mudder (Post 11843031)

Very useful, in fact, by the absence of statements such as "Nice is a hellhole, I'd rather go to Lock Haven, PA"

It looks like the beaches aren't as nice in Nice as they are in Cannes or St Trop. I'm not really up for overpaying for a hotel or dinners in St Trop, although I'm more than happy to rent a few beach chairs at Nikki Beach or Tahiti and watch the people go by. I'm thinking maybe of staying in Cannes and doing day trips to the other cities.

Now if only CO would open up saverpass BF seats to Milan so that I wouldn't have to deal with a connection in CD:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by ConciergeMike (Post 11843074)

COFlyerCLE, are you at home at all during the week over the summer? I was planning on putting the :rolleyes: signal out should I be in CLE for the new job. The usual CLE suspects will be so alerted as well, as soon as I have an idea of when I'll be there.

Originally Posted by ConciergeMike (Post 11843083)

TrueBlue and their crappy 12-month rule.

Originally Posted by mnmag (Post 11841964)

You sure you don't have a 'virtual' wife somewhere?! --

Originally Posted by mnmag (Post 11842006)

Sorry that I missed meeting MWG25, as someone mentioned that they get her handle & mine a bit confused, due the fact that they both begin w/a M! :)

Originally Posted by kingalien (Post 11842678)

Need to get some work done today instead of being on AM.

Originally Posted by Hartmann (Post 11842692)

I had no idea that Scotland had this!! I didn't even know they still used their canals.

That will be one of my first stops there, whenever I go.

Originally Posted by mnmag (Post 11843075)

May as well save $60 -- am surprised that B6 is not cheaper. Go for the EQMs!

Originally Posted by ConciergeMike (Post 11843083)

I think you answered your own question. You're paying less to accrue value in something that you care about more, and that something has the side benefit of pursuing something for life, as opposed to TrueBlue and their crappy 12-month rule.