Guest Services

Oh, sweet freedom!! Free at last, free at last, sweet Jesus free at last, the visitors have left.

When I was younger and traveled, I did as most young guys do. I stayed at the 'Friends Sofa Hotel', and when a friend needed a place to stay, I never had a problem reciprocating. In fact I think that's how the hotel chain 'Sofitel' got it's name. At some point though, it gets out of hand and you realize a real hotel is the way to go.

This past week, seven whole days, we hosted Mark's niece and ex-sister-in-law, her new husband, and his son. They were really very nice and tried hard to not be a burden, but lets face it, six people in a home designed for two is a crowd. I was boxed out of my office where my computer is, because there was a huge inflatable bed with two sleeping people in there. I couldn't watch television in my own selfish, remote monopolizing way, because a sweet fifteen year old girl was watching teenage girl shows. When I went to take a shower, I turned on the water and after two minutes I was blasted with nothing but cold water, because I was the sixth one taking a shower. So as I stood there, soaped up head to toe, with only the icy water to rinse off with, I made a pledge. No more Sofa Hotel.

The truth is that no matter how much you love somebody, and they love you, after just two days on their couch you are a burden. Mark and I have plans for Chicago in August, and we will be staying in a hotel for the whole stay. We won't even be staying at my mom's house for one night like we usually do. Not so much because it would be a burden on her, mostly because her sofa is one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever slept on.