Duquesne vs Virginia Tech – March 18th - NIT – ESPNU – 7pm et
So my prediction came true – I was indeed assigned to the VA Tech game.
My trip in on Tuesday was good. I ran into a co-worker at Dulles during my connection. He was going to VA Tech as well and was my AP.
It was nice catching up with him and having someone to chat with on the flight from Dulles to Roanoke.
Here’s the deal with rental cars… ESPN rents cards from National. Since I rent almost weekly, I am “Executive Elite” – which means at most airports, I have a wide variety of cars to choose from. There is a section of cars from all ‘classes’ that I walk up to and take what ever I want.
However, at the smaller airports, that perk is not available. I am actually assigned a car, just like everyone else, by the National agent. (agh! the horror!!)
Usually, your car depends on your level of niceness to the agent. It is very common at these smaller National locations, that they compliment me on my friendliness compared to my co-workers. It’s no secret, we are high maintenance. When you travel for a living, you have high expectations when it comes to the little things. Being able to choose from a Ford Escort and a Chevy Trailblazer is a big thing! So when that option is taken away, we tend to get cranky!
ANYWAY… I thought I had the agent hooked when I killed her with kindness. But when I got out to the lot – and couldn’t find parking space #1, because it started with space #3… space #1 was at the end after #27 (cuz that makes sense)…. I discovered that I had not won her over. I was the proud driver of a 2009 Vibe. As I approached it, I said to myself, “my bike has larger tires.”
No offense to anyone who drives a small car. I own a SUV, so any car is tiny to me.
The drive to Blacksburg was good - gave me a chance to catch up phone calls from the day.
I took a wrong turn at the exit and had a little trip down memory lane….
I passed the Holiday Inn….. wow! I was on the phone with Dave and yelled “that’s the Holiday Inn, oh my God!”
Many years ago, I stayed there while doing a football game.
I will never forget this part….
I got in around 10pm and wanted a beer as I got settled into the room. So I went down to the hotel bar. I ordered a Miller Lite in a bottle.. when the bartender handed it to me, I said, “oh, can I please sign for it now – I want to take it to my room.”
She said, “Oh, well, I am going to have to walk with you back to your room. We have a new policy that doesn’t allow you to leave the bar with a beverage.” I said, “Ok, whatever.”
On the walk to my room, the bartender apologized and said, “I am so sorry, we just have this new policy because have had some trouble with people drinking too much and causing trouble – I will be honest – it happens on football weekends – it’s the people from ESPN.”
I laughed and said, “Really? I am one of those people.”
She was extremely embarrassed and thankfully we were at my door by then, so she was able to hand me my beer and walk away.
Another one of my all-time favorite travel stories!
Back to now…..
Arrived at the hotel and got out of the clown car…. UGH! Now that is the smell I remember of VA Tech– simmering cow shit!
The hotel was dreadful. It was kinda like an all-suite place – but oh my, so dirty!
St. Patrick’s Day is my favorite holiday – I love green, shamrocks and it’s the eve of the best day of the year – so what’s not to like? I was in a college town, so there was probably a lot of fun to be had. But I chose to order take out and drink a bottle of wine in my room.
On Wednesday morning, I woke up, fittingly, at 8:52 am. The very moment I was born 35 years ago.
I had a great game with a lot of people I work with frequently. However, none of them knew what today ‘was’. It was kinda fun as I was carrying a little secret all day. I didn’t tell anyone.
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