Sorry it's been a while

I just realized that I hadn't posted anything on this blog for quite some time. 

Comic Con of 2011 was pretty exciting.  Huge celebrities.  Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Jeff Bridges.  Steven Spielberg was the nicest.  Sent me orchids after he left. 

A month ago I had the meanest, rudest client ever.  She was evil personified.  The third party that was hired to work ith her had worked with her before knew exactly what she like.  Fortunately for us, she left twice during the program.  You could immediately see how relaxed the staff was once she was gone.  What was reassuring was everyone on the Executive Committee at the hotel had some sort of interaction with her so I didn't feel alone.

The first 3 months of this year were extremely stressful.  I asked on more than one occasion for help because I couldn't do it all.  Never got it.  The director offered to help but that was a joke.  The staff can't stand working with her so they have asked me not to give her any more groups.

What a week!

I haven't posted in a while but this past week was extremely hectic.  I was working closely with the Secret Service as we had the President of the Dominican Republic staying one night.  Talk about an entourage.  The worst part was their security people didn't want to work or talk with the Secret Service.  This was the second time I've worked with the Secret Service.  The first was when George W. stayed with us.  They are a great group of guys and not bad to look at.

The second group was a baseball team.  They were a little picky on room placement but all in all not any different from any other group.  The worst part was hoping the Dominican's wouldn't arrive at the same time as the team.  It all worked out.  I will say my illusion of ball players was shattered when I heard one player called down for a number to an escort service and when we didn't have one, asked for a yellow pages phone book.  Who knew there was a whole section in there.

Comic Con

Well, I made it through another year of Comic Con.  This year was pretty tame.  We had a few celebrities in the hotel but they weren't demanding or ask for anything out of the ordinary.  We did have one celebrity that needed to be brought in secretly.  They didn't wan people to know he was in the hotel as he was being announced as the new Hulk at the Convention.

You know I don't know why people think they need to be rude or a pain in the ass to get what they want.  I had a meeting planner in who was cold as ice.  All that does is make me want to avoid her at all costs.  That old saying, "you get more flies with honey than vinegar" sure holds true.

Celebrity week - The B List

This past week we had Crosby, Stills and Nash stay at the hotel.  They we probably one of the easiest bands to have in the hotel.  I even got a thank you from Nash when he was leaving for his amenity.  That has never happened.  Even regular guests never thank me.

Working Weekends

I just spent 12 hours at work.  Today was the first full day of a new group.  The client is a very nice man and the group seems to be made up of mostly southerners.  I actually didn't need to be there but if I hadn't been, that's when something would have gone wrong.  Besides, if I hadn't been there and stayed home, I would have been completely paranoid that something would go wrong.  I have to say the staff at my hotel are the best.  I work very cl osely with Banquets and the Front Desk staff.  They are constantly looking out for me and I for them.

Tomorrow is another day at work.  I should hopefully be out of there by 3:00 if not sooner.  I won't have a day off until next weekend.  I be exhausted by then.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work I go

I just worked one of the most difficult groups of my career.  It was so much that it was hard but that their expectations were so high.  I knew the staff could pull it off but with my job, one thing goes wrong and it all comes down on me.  We had a couple of glitches but all in all we did a great job.  The group left happy and hugs were given when they left. 

It seems no matter how much preparation is done, it never seems to be enought.  I'm just glad it's over and now it's on to the next one. 

I've been lucky that I was able to take some time off after the group.  I worked 11 days in a row and on average 11 hours a day.  They did make me come into the hotel for a meeting that I really didn't need to be at.  Nothing like selling people on somethine they've already bought.

My First Post

I am new to blogging but thought this was a good way start releasing my  stress after working at a hotel all day. 

Working in a hotel is not all glamour.  When I was a kid I used to watch the TV series "Hotel".  They made it look so exciting.  Sometimes it is, other times it's torture. 

In my years in hotels, I have had the opportunity to meet some great people and also some real pains in the ass.  It's a business that once you're in, it's very hard to get out of.  They constantly dangle the money carrot in your face.   I would love to get out but at my age it's a little late to start over. 

I don't know what I will end up posting but names will be changed to protect the guilty and the innocent.

If anyone else there is in the industry I would love to hear your comments and stories as well.