Price-Line-Negotiator!

Alise and I are going on a mini vacation this weekend.

 

I've been awfully tired recently, it's what happens to me in February. At this time of the year winter really starts to get on my nerves, and I sink into a bit of a lull. This is pretty common, apparently, many people feel this way at this time.

 

Alise, of course, hasn't been sleeping well and is starting to find simple movements quite difficult. Apparently this is my fault and the fault of 'my' son (as he is always referred to when he's making her uncomfortable). These two things, combined with our failures recently to properly 'relax' (when we're home we always say 'lets relax after we do this') made me spring into action yesterday, and find a mini solution.

 

Alise and I both enjoy staying in a hotel room. There's nothing quite like the comfort of a fresh bed, a big TV, a bathroom just steps away, and room service. There is actually a really nice hotel that's a 5 minute walk from our house, which I considered for this weekend. We both like to swim though, so I decided that I'd just do a Priceline.com search for something in Boston that had a good chance at a pool. I went with the 'name your own price' thing, so we wouldn't know in advance where we'd spend the night, but I selected 4* or higher in the area.

 

For anyone wondering why I chose to take Alise on a mini vacation in the city in which we live, instead of going further afield; I say this. She's 8 months pregnant, I'd like to stay close to her hospital. We don't really care where we are anyway, it's the room and relaxation that's important.

 

So, I settled down in front of Priceline.com to name my own price.

 

I've tried this before, but the feeling never changes. I actually picture William Shat-ner standing behind me, just like on the commercials. Coaching me, teasing me, insulting me.

 

'Median price for a 4* in Boston is $150', I said. 'I'll bid $100'

'Is that the best you can do?' Shat-ner scoffs.

'Okay, $80. $80 is fair, that'll get us something'

'Namby Pamby', he sneers

'FINE! FINE SHAT-NER! FUCK YOU! $60! THERE! $60 BASTARD BUCKS! STICK THAT IN YOUR STARSHIP-FUCKING-ENTERPRISE YOU TALENTLESS WANKER!'

 

To my shock, and the shock of William Shat-ner, it worked. I got us a room in a 4* hotel near to the airport. It has a pool, a fitness center, a beautiful restaurant, and room views of either the city skyline, the harbor, or the airport runway. I'm secretly hoping for a view of the airport runway. I love watching planes take off and land.

 

So hopefully, we'll have a nice relaxing weekend, free from the worries of 'things we should be doing'. I'll take photos, hopefully of planes.