Me So Thorny

I’ve traveled a lot recently and had the chance to spend alternate nights in two different classes of hotels — a 4 star and a 2 star. The experience left me wondering, “Why am I so impressed with nice hotel rooms?”

A luxury hotel room might have nice linens and furniture, marble tile in the bathroom, and perhaps even a phone or a TV near the toilet. Yet, in most cases the room is still that — just a room. In most cases a standard hotel room is about the size of a decent sized bedroom with a little extra room to move.

Yet so often, I found myself oohing and ahhing over a hotel room that was smaller than my usual place of residence, had less things in it, and was costing me extra for everything — internet, breakfast, parking, etc.

I found that the 2 to 3 star hotels were much the same as the upper-level hotels and cost a whole lot less. Sure the decor might not be as spectacular and the sheet thread count might be a little bit less — but in the end, who cares. It’s a place to sleep. And often the 2 star hotels will have free parking, free internet, and free breakfast, which saves you anywhere from $20-30 a night in extra fees you might spend at a 4 star hotel.

The only thing that would make me pay more for a hotel room is the view or the location. If there’s nothing nearby that is a fair substitute, I’ll spend the money. But other than that, it’s just a waste.

I find that most people are really self-unaware. Myself included, at times. This is exhibited quite often by the staff of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart who find countless examples of politicians saying one thing at one time, and another at another. It’s like their views change with the context. This seems to be true of all of us at times.

My dad, for example, is getting extremely frustrated that his own dad doesn’t respond to his advice about things. Yet, try to tell my dad something and he’ll completely ignore your advice too. Even if you explain to him how he’s acting just like my grandpa, he still doesn’t get it.

My point in writing this is that even when you think you’re all on top of your life, there’s always a chance to step back and ask, “What am I doing that’s stupid?” It might be something like being late with credit card payments, or spending too much, or procrastinating.

It’s a lot easier to try to change your own habits once you become aware of them than it is to try to convince someone else to change theirs.

I am starting over on this blog to change the focus a little. I am as over my thorny-ness as I think I can get and now I constantly find myself discovering new ways to deal with life’s little pricks.