Language Log: English-Only Insanity on the Campaign Trail

Language Log: English-Only Insanity on the Campaign Trail

I have to say I think English-Only mandates are meshuggah poshlost.

Copyright 2007 Harlan R. Cohen MBA,CPIM

Happy Holidays

Time to take a moment to say, I Wish us all a Happier New Year. I think in 2008 I will try to incorporate happy and unexpected collisions on the North Coast. No sense being seen as a total pr*ck. Big Brother is watching us all. Copyright 2007 Harlan R. Cohen MBA,CPIM

One Person Wrecks a Getaway

It only takes one person to wreck a weekend.I want you to know about someone we'll call B and our experiences with her during the week of 12/2-12/8.Until they make up for changing our room and dinner reservations, one star is all I can give them. B completely ruined a getaway for which my wife had discussed a year ago.

It all began when the hotel and dining room were turned over to some law firm with about 48 hours notice. We were told a guest had decided to stay over a day and the rooms were completely booked.We had insisted on dinner in The Cabin when they changed the room reservation to the Aurora Inn, which B described as completely comparable to the spa hotel.

When we arrived B turned us away at the door, first claiming to have forgotten the agreement we reached 24 hours before. We wanted to move the conversation to the front desk. and B apparently feel she could leave the Maitre'D alone at the desk. B wouldn't budge and was preparing to call Security because we were so angered by her rudeness lack of responsibility, and tunnel vision. (She might have offered us the same dinners the law firm would get, carried over to our room or the Inn's grille room.)

In the end, B comped our overnight stay and meals and supposedly intended to credit our spa package for a new date. Mario's also owns and operates the inn. And it was poor. Should you even consider serving a five year old Chardonnay? The waitress suggested a Pinot Grigio before I settled on the Chardonnay. I am not knowledgeable about wines. This particular Yellow Tail would have served as a dessert wine. The Bistro Fillet was tough and not hot.

The front of the house was trying to make us happy, every which way. We were just too depressed to make second choices. A pleasant little dinner salad. Firm, middling size shrimp for the shrimp cocktail, although served warm, not chilled. Large onion rings properly done. Our mistake perhaps was trying to recreate what we might have had at The Cabin. We can hope the burger and sandwiches are more palatable.

The Aurora Inn 'Preferred Quarters' was decently large. The TV was undersized with limited channels, couldn't find any premium access Bathroom was undersized. No worry about interruptions at the sink or toilet. The door would hit your knees or arm first. The desk had a blow dryer to replace the one missing from the room. I truly enjoyed the bed. My wife does not enjoy my snoring, however.Some of the amenities found at the spa hotel were also missing, especially the bathrobes.

Indoor pool closed at 9 PM and my wife told me hot tub / jacuzzi / whatever was out of service due to a bad igniter. Departure is 11 AM. Breakfast OK. Belgian waffle wasn't. Simply pancake batter.

We found the spa General Manager, Pat Spoto, more than willing to listen to our complaints that morning. We left with her assurance that she would handle everything personally when we are ready to come back. I suggested we would be ready to come back sooner if B was no longer a concern. Broken oral agreements are broken contracts.

We may still ask for our charge card to be credited come Monday. It is not like we didn't try and the spa services went completely unused.

Copyright 2007 Harlan R. Cohen MBA,CPIM