When I'm not working...

I thought I would use today's post to give a glimpse into my life outside of work travels. When I'm not working, which admittedly, isn't often these days, I love to cook. So this Sunday I had some friends over for a big pasta dinner. Growing up we always had pasta on Sundays and I've continued that tradition. I try to make a big pot of sauce, probably every other month, and freeze it in individual portions. More recently I started making my own pasta as well. When this weekend came up I decided to give ravioli a try for the first time.

4 cups of unbleached, all purpose flour

6 eggs, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of olive oil, whisked and poured into the well in the flour

Stir the egg mixture in the well

Gradually increasing the size of the well...

Stir in as much as possible until you give up and decide to use your hands and form a rough ball

Kneed the dough for 10 to 20 minutes

Let the dough rest (in a mixing bowl covered with saran wrap) for at least an hour

Cut the dough into 6 equal portions (and then cut each in half again because your counter space isn't long enough to hold the full length of pasta dough)

Feed the dough through the pasta maker, starting at the largest setting, pass through each setting twice, stopping at the second to smallest setting (wonder why they have a smaller setting if you're not supposed to use it).

Keep passing through pasta machine...

 Lay the pasta sheet out on the counter and place dollops of cheese mixture (ricotta, pecorino romano, egg, parsley, salt and pepper) across the sheet

Lay the other side of the pasta over the first side and smooth out air

Use crimper thing to seal and cut ravioli (and make them look pretty)

Place ravioli on dishtowel, covered with cornmeal until ready to cook.

Make pasta sauce.

Eat

Drink

and be merry.


(* Recipe adapted from Lidia's Italian Table)

The 8 hour trip to nowhere

I don't have it in me to recount today. The best way to tell the story is in my emails to Jenny (or my facebook status updates). Please find (a slightly edited version and some additional color commentary) our emails over the last 8 hours

From: Allison
To: Jenny
Sent: Wed Jan 26 11:41:23 2011

Well getting a taxi was no problem! I'm going to be super early to my flight (Wishful thinking apparently)

From: Allison
To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Aaaaand my flight is delayed (The beginning of the end)

From: Jenny
To: Allison
Sent: Wed Jan 26 11:58:39 2011

delayed why? it's raining, right?!

From: Allison
To: Jenny

On Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 12:00 PM,

Its delayed out of chicago. Hasn't even left yet

From: Jenny
To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 12:01:22 2011

i feel like that's not a good sign for you to then GO to chicago and beyond! are there weather issues in chicago or just traffic?

From: Allison
To: Jenny

Sent:  Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 12:12 PM

No idea. Fortunately they reserved a seat for me on the same flight as my colleague (At one point or another I had seats on 3 different flights from Chicago to Des Moines, none of which I actually made)

From: Jenny
To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 12:53:27 2011

same flight out of chicago?

From: Allison
To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 1:08 PM

Yep. Although I just heard an announcement that all flights to LGA have been cancelled at all carriers except for the one leaving here next. That will be the last flight.

That's the airport my colleague is flying out of

From: Jenny

To: Allison
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 1:14 PM

Yeah I think you're gonna be cooling your heels in Iowa alone, my friend.  Hope you have a good book!

From: Allison
To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 1:49 PM

Ugh I really don't want to eat Panda Express if I don't have to! But I'm hungry!

From: Allison
To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 3:48 PM

So I boarded. Then they had to deice the plane. Then they heard there are ice pellets so they had to stop deicing the plane and they're not sure what's going to happen. So we're sitting

From: Jenny
To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 15:49:55 2011

this is the most ill fated trip! (and it's only half way through!)

From: Allison
To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 3:52 PM

Seriously. I left my apt at 11:40! I haven't gone anywhere! I don't know if I should take out my laptop and try to be productive or if it is going to be a matter of minutes

 From: Jenny

 To: Allison

 Sent: Wed Jan 26 16:08:30 2011

 any progress?

 From: Allison

 To: Jenny

 Sent: Wed Jan 26 16:23:36 2011

 Ok so we are leaving? But I might miss my connection

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: 1/26/11

 Just kidding! Now they need to treat the runways so its going to be another  45 minutes

From: Jenny
To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 17:21:06 2011

Did they treat them? I heard some domestic flights were being cancelled...

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 5:30 PM

I wish they would!

I was supposed to be getting in to des moines right about now and still haven't left.

I was able to be productive initially but since then everything has been stops and starts. Sit in one place for 20 minutes. All electronics off for 20 minutes etc. So I haven't been able to get nearly enough done. And our meetings start at 6am tomorrow. Awesome.

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent:  Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 5:47 PM

They boarded us just to tell us its taking longer to plow the runways than expected. And we still need to de ice

From: Jenny
To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 17:48:57 2011

you deserve a big, giant, glass or 3 of wine en route/when you arrive!  i havent heard any planes in quite a while... (This is why I shouldn't get used to First Class. I really wanted that wine...but they don't serve it in Economy plus!)

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 5:52 PM

They closed the airport for the plowing. Apparently there are flights that have pulled away from the gate and been deiced only to need to come back and get deiced again (we never made it past the gate!)

From: Jenny
To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 17:53:02 2011

yeah, conditions are not good! so what does it mean if the airport is closed?  can your flight still take off?  if not, can you get back in?  i realize you prob dk the answers, but yikes!

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 5:54 PM

Its just "closed" during the plowing. So no planes have been taking off or landing. The actual building is open, and plenty busy!

From: Jenny
To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 17:56:01 2011

What a mess! Speaking of, I just looked out the window to check the snow, and approx half of a tree has fallen on 2 cars in the lot! YIKES.  That best not happen to me!! (Another example of perspective being everything. My day was frustrating but at least I didn't sustain property damage!)

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 6:02 PM

Oh my gosh! That truly sucks

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent 1/26/11

One of the deicing trucks broke, The other is getting refilled, Its taking multiple applications to get the ice off

From: Jenny

To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 18:27:47 2011

How long have you been on this plane on the ground now? 3 hrs? Miserable! (yes, yes it is)

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent:  1/26/11

well we've been on and off. But about 3 hours since we first boarded.

Its been over 6.5 hours since I first got to the airport

From: Jenny

To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 18:34:37 2011

Even if you don't take off, I'm not sure how you'll get home! At least you live so close to the metro! My power keeps flickering...

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:38:07

We're being deiced now.

Take 7

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:58:56

Guess what (!!!)

From: Jenny

To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 18:59:45 2011

You're coming home?

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:02:05

Well probably. They closed DCA again. I don't think I can get to chicago tonight and I don't think I'll be able to get anything to DSM if I do get to ORD

From: Jenny

To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 19:03:36 2011

Bummer for you, but good for me :) Now, let's have a snow play date tomorrow?

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:05:44

Haha we'll do something for sure...but I'll still have to work! We don't really get snow days! Has OPM said anything about tomorrow yet? (For those that don't work in DC - OPM is the Office of Personnel Management and they decide if federal offices are open or closed, my company follow OPMs decisions during inclement weather)

From: Jenny

To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 19:06:38 2011

Oh I for sure have to work, too, even if the gov is closed. Haven't seen a status for tmrw yet.

(we are such good employees!)

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:07:48

Its official the flight is cancelled. I can't get in touch w my colleague so I imagine he's flying

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:12:14

I hope I can get a taxi!

From: Jenny

To: Allison

Sent: Wed Jan 26 19:16:48 2011

You honestly might be better of trying to metro?

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed Jan 26 19:17:23 2011

Subject: Re: Fw:

Ugh probably

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed Jan 26 19:24:48 2011

Yep you were right. Metro it is

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:48:25

Seriously? I'm stuck on the metro now

From: Allison

To: Jenny

Sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:05:01

Home

From: Jenny

To: Allison
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 8:06 PM

Good! Now you should have the wine! (And I did)

Fingers Crossed!

I'm getting ready to call for a taxi and head back to Des Moines. The only problem is my colleague is in New York where they are already getting snow and are anticipating getting more. His flight isn't until 5pm and mine is at 1:30pm.  I won't know if he made his flight until after I land in Des Moines.

There is a decent possibility I could get all the way to Iowa just to need to turn back around and head back to DC...which should be getting their own snow at that point.

I've said all along I anticipate getting snowed in somewhere this winter and it's look like this could be it!

Fingers crossed we both get to Des Moines (and more importantly, are able to get home from Des Moines)!

Deja Vu?

Back to Des Moines tomorrow. Same day of the week. Same flight.  Last week I made it from my apartment, to DCA, through security and to my gate in approximately 17 minutes.  I'm not sure I"ll be able to replicate that this week. I tried to make a reservation for a taxi but was told they're not taking reservations for tomorrow "due to the weather." Um... we're only supposed to get 1 to 3 inches. And it isn't supposed to be all snow until 3pm tomorrow.

Hopefully I can get there!

The nicest part of tomorrow and last week is that I get to travel in comfort. It's so much nicer to travel in jeans than a suit.

On the other hand I think people treat me differently when I look like a professional instead of a college student!

For Paigey

My sister came to DC for lunch today! We went to the restaurant where my other sister works. I had the Chicken Ciabatta sandwich. As Paige said "Allison basically does a CRTL-F for goat cheese on a menu". And that was the only item with goat cheese. Paige also said that I have been ignoring her.  Apparently I have failed to follow through on her request for my schedule, as she had requested when I solicited blog ideas.

So. For Paigey.  Please see my schedule below:

What a difference a month makes!! January looks deceivingly light. But don't be fooled. There a few "in-days" that kept me from traveling and plenty of work that needs/needed to get done in the office (and in my apartment all weekend long). February on the other hand will be much  more traveling. I'm also beginning my vacation in February!

So now you know where I'm going to be for the next few weeks Paige!

Red Wine Tastes Better in First Class...

The apple slices are crisper, the Toblerone bars are sweeter, the sunshine is brighter and the flowers are prettier.

So I got upgraded to First Class today.

(*My name is on that board, it's just a really bad picture)
I didn't think it would actually happen! I have the lowest status on United. There is so much competition for upgrades. I fly a lot of flights with other business travelers, most of whom have higher status than I do and have had status for longer. They get all the upgrades before I do.  Which is fine. Having status/getting upgrades is a double edged sword. On the one hand, it makes your traveling experience better. On the other hand, if you're getting these upgrades, it's usually because you're away from home, family and friends more than someone with lower or no status.

Apparently no one wants to fly back from business trips in the evenings on Friday. So that's when I get upgraded.

The problem is - now I've experienced First Class. So I'm going to be very disappointed when it doesn't keep happening!!

I love a good restaurant recommendation

Unfortunately, not all of them are good!

My colleague passed along a few restaurant recommendations for Des Moines the other day, one of which I went to last night (thank you Davina). My colleague spent his night with family in town and I needed to eat so I went to Centro, a restaurant downtown for dinner. It is an Italian restaurant with a nice atmosphere and good wine list.

I was the awkward person eating alone in a corner - but the food was good.

Since I was eating alone, that gave me ample time to eavesdrop on others...one of the things I noticed is that someone at the table next to me ordered a margarita with dinner. Now I like tequila as much as the next girl (and probably more) but when you're eating Italian...why do you order a marg???

Today during one of our client meeting we solicited additional restaurant recommendations. There were 2 restaurants that were clearly the favorites, one of which was the one I went to last night.  My colleague and I decided to to try the other restaurant tonight, Latin King.

Now when you hear the name Latin King - what kind of food would you anticipate?

Italian right? Clearly Latin King screams Italian.

Let's just say the food tonight did not live up to the food yesterday and leave it at that.

Do you really need....

an alert on your car to tell you that it's cold outside??

On the other hand, I guess this is better than the loud "beep" my jetta makes when the temp drops from 40 to 39 and 33 to 32. If I'm ever in an accident in the winter, it's going to be because my car startled me and I jumped out of my seat!

Toiletry Guilt

Let me preface this with: I know this is a weird topic for a blog post...

Actually I guess I could preface a lot of my posts with that disclaimer...

Anyway.

When I travel I bring all of my toiletries with me, including shampoo/conditioner/face wash/etc. But I still take the free shampoos, lotions and soaps from the hotel and donate them to the soup kitchen (of sorts) where I volunteer from time to time.

But I usually use the bath soap they provide and always feel guilty about it! It seems so wasteful for me to use a whole bar of soap (even if it is just a little bar) for 1 shower when it could be donated to someone who needs it more than I do and can use it more often than I can.

I should probably just invest in some shower gel and start carrying that around as well.

Also, whenever I check out from a hotel I do a quick look around to ensure I'm not leaving anything behind. When I glance into the bathroom I see this one lone bottle of conditioner left on the counter. I always wonder what the housekeeping staff things about the random girl cleaning them out of toiletries, except for the conditioner.

(Sorry folks, haven't traveled in a few days and I'm scraping the bottom of the blog barrel)

2 Nights in Des Moines

So far it has been rare for me to spend 2 nights in any one place. But this week I'm going to be in Des Moines Wednesday evening through Friday afternoon. To date all I have seen of Des Moines is the 6 miles between the airport and the hospital. This time around I really would like to see more of the city.

The only problem is - I'm not sure what to do in Des Moines...

Any ideas??

3 Pictures I Wish I Had Taken

1. An older gentleman doing calisthenics at the airport gate.

2. A guy wearing rubber boots, knee high socks, a kilt and dreadlocks down back.

3. The clogs with socks the guy next to me on the plane was wearing.

But I wimped out. I need a stealthier camera. Or figure out how stop my phone from making the "camera" sound when I take a picture.

Parking Garage Rage

My colleagues and I made it safely to Raleigh this morning and after a brief stop at Kinko's arrived at the hospital. Everything was running pretty smoothly up to that point. The bus to Hertz was right there when I stepped out of the airport, my car was mere feet away and I didn't have to stand at rental car counter, the copies were ready, waiting and paid for when I arrived at Kinkos.

All was good.

Until I got to the hospital and started driving around. There was no parking to be found. The first time through the garage I noticed 2 things.

1. An entire level of parking was roped off because it was open air
2. Some (insert expletive here) one parked across 2 spots.

After 2 additional trips through the 4 story garage I finally found parking when they opened the roof (or someone just decided to rip down the yellow caution tape)....which was still a sheet of ice...and I  had a serious urge to key someone's car. (I should note that I did not, nor have I ever, keyed anyone's car).

Off to Raleigh...maybe?

I'm headed to Raleigh, NC tomorrow morning and will be back on Thursday evening.

Unless I don't go at all?

Two colleagues working on this engagement were supposed to head down tonight. Their flight was canceled. Now they're supposed to be going tomorrow but on a 6am flight (the rest of us are at 8:45).

None of us are really sure if this is actually going happen.  Apparently there is ice in Raleigh?

The suspense is killing me.

Response Requested

This is my longest stretch of time in the office in the last few months. Including yesterday it will be 5 business days in a row of office time.

And what that is a very good thing for my workload, it's not such a good thing for my blog. If I'm not traveling then I'm not meeting characters at hotel bars, investigating the condiment situation in hospitals or evaluating airline response times.

So I want to use this time to hear from you.

What do you like? What do you not like? What do you want more of? What do you want less of?

(Ideally those answers pertain to the blog but I'm not too picky)

Thanks Delta

I get a lot of junk mail because of my various frequent flier memberships with different airlines. I probably get a new credit card offer at least weekly. So when I got a letter from Delta I almost threw it away, the only reason why I didn't was because it was slimmer than your average credit card offer. It was, in fact, just a letter from Delta. As some might remember, I had a "marathon" day on December 20th and one of my flights ran late. Due to the delay Delta went ahead and put an extra 1000 bonus miles in my SkyMiles account.

I'm not someone who gets too worked up about airline delays. Yes, it's frustrating and if it happens I'm usually disappointed, but rarely do I blame the airlines (and I never get mad at the gate attendant). I can hardly blame Delta for bad weather. And if they need to delay my flight a little longer so they can get a fresh crew, that's fine by me! Sure, I want to get home as much as the next guy, but I want to get there safely.

So I would never expect a bonus like this from an airline. But I sure do appreciate it!  Coincidentally I booked a personal flight with Delta today. (It really was coincidental - cheapest airline with direct flights to Miami). I can't really compare Delta's response to other airlines as I haven't faced major delays with other airlines (yet).

Dear Santa (Dad)

Thank you for the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones. They make a huge difference...for my sanity...

Love,
Allie

Seriously - these things are amazing. I wasn't sure I wanted them because they're on the larger size (for headphones) and something else I would have to carry (in addition to my kindle, computer, notebook, assorted papers, etc). They make a huge difference! Occasionally I would turn them off to see the difference and the plane seemed so loud I was amazed I hadn't already lost my hearing on flights!  Plus the little girl behind me playing on a computer without headphones seemed quieter with these on...didn't stop me from feeling the seat getting kick though...