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It’s New Year’s Eve — tomorrow is the beginning of a new year — an election year, and a leap year. 2008 ….. two thousand eight years since the birth of Christ. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge as they say. Although tonight is a night of revelry; to celebrate the ending of the year, tomorrow will be a day of reflection. A day to think about where you are and where you’re going.

In Greenville, SC the New Year’s Eve death toll has already started with two fatal accidents so far and the night just starting. The Highway Patrol will be manning checkpoints tonight, so if you do go to a party, please have a designated driver and drive defensively! You for sure want to have that day of reflection tomorrow!

There are certainly plenty of places to celebrate in the Greenville Area beginning downtown with the Hyatt and the Blu Martini and spreading outward to Taylors, Simpsonville, Mauldin and out to Liberty.

So, Happy New Year from me to you. May 2008 bring all you ever hoped for.

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I must confess, dear readers, that I am not always the smart, logical person I appear to be on this blog. As humbling as it is, I am human and therefore subject to all the foibles that condition carries with it. Here is my confession…

As you may know (having read earlier posts in this tome), I traveled to the far reaches of Alabama this week with my trusty (and brand spanking new) laptop. I also brought my camera as I intended to take photos of my destination.

Well, I was in the midst of my post about the LaQuinta when I had the flash of brilliance that you dear readers might like to see some photos to punctuate my post (have you noted yet that there are no photos on the post???), so I brought out my trusty Sony and recorded those items of interest in my room. Not having the USB connection with me, and noticing a port on the front of the laptop that I identified (right or wrong is still to be determined) as a video card port, I popped my card out of the camera and inserted it into said port.

Well, it was apparent from the get-go that the port was wider than my card and after a cerebral palsy-like twitch on my part, MUCH deeper as well.

Panic sets in at this point as I fear for both my card AND my shiny new laptop!

I did have presence of mind to power it off before trying to remove the card with appliances.

What appliances you might ask?

I don’t travel with a kit of tools with me, however, being female, I have a few makeshift ones in my arsenal.

I found a paperclip which unfolded to become a probe. Using said paperclip-probe, I delicately inserted it into the port and tried to hook it around the end of the card. That only succeeded in driving the card even deeper and worse, dislodging some pin in the port that is now effectively trapping the card deep within it’s bowels.

I put the laptop away for the time being as I am out of ideas and appliances, but when I get home from my trip the next day, I go in search of other appliances. I find a set of hemostats that I think might work - nope, too thick. No pliers with thin enough and long enough jaws, so tomorrow, when the stores open, I will go in search of tweezers with long pointy ends. I know such exist as I used to have some many moons ago.

Meanwhile, my camera is unused, and my laptop languishes and I feel beaten by fate.

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UPDATE — I was able to remove (finally!) the errant card using a dental pick and have now safely reinstalled it in the camera, downloaded the photos and put them where I originally wanted them.

All is right with my world — well, except the port on the front of the laptop is in less than perfect condition now… A small price to pay for my clumsy stupidity.

I’m spending the night in this LaQuinta in Montgomery, AL. It’s an older building that is undergoing renovations at this time (according to signage on the property).

It’s pretty evident that the property was allowed to degrade pretty far before renovations were begun, but the room I was given has been redone and is in fair shape. The room has a microwave, coffee maker, hairdryer, clock radio, and tv. When I arrived last night I was told the internet and phones were down.

I jokingly asked if that meant a discount on the room rate and the unsmiling clerk typed something in his computer and quoted me a rate for this room that was $20 less than his original room quote. I accepted his offer

I was pleasantly surprised to find the internet up and although not blazing, adequate for my purposes. Since I had no need of a phone, I haven’t checked to see if it’s working as well. My cell will suffice for any calls I need to make.

The room is quite pretty with an Oriental decor that is clean and functional.

The bedding is quite extravagant as this is a double (meaning two double beds) and each bed has 3 nice, plump bed pillows on them. I’m used to being allocated two and often not plump pillows. Each bed also has a bolster pillow more for decoration than functionality, but a nice touch. The mattresses are comfortable — firm enough without being too firm, but not too soft either. As Goldilocks would say “just right!” I spent a reasonably good night’s sleep on the one chosen.

The hotel is located conveniently close to two interstate connections and has lots of restaurants close by to choose from as well as shopping. I was able to pick up a couple of items I had forgotten and have a nice dinner last night before checking in. The hotel serves a continental breakfast starting at 7:00 am which is a bit late for early risers like I am. Thank goodness for the in-room coffee maker!

LaQuinta, Montgomery, AL — you get a B

I will confess that I like the Golden Corral in general. I’ve certainly eaten in my fair share of them. After all, they are reasonably priced, you get plenty to eat and so what if there’s no wine list. And while there are some who will look down their nose at me for liking this chain, I make no apologies for my taste.

This one is fairly new and doing a hopping business, however the staff was pleasant and unhurried. My waiter, Dale, took time to welcome me and looked after this single, obviously travel-worn lady who was by herself. Please note that I didn’t have to ask for my water glass to be refilled (unlike the more expensive Applebee’s experience!)– it was done automatically whenever the level in it dropped to below half.

The food was plentiful and tasty. I asked for a medium rare sirloin and got it — cooked consistently all the way through. While it wasn’t the tenderest piece of beef I’ve ever eaten, it was edible and tasted good. I had steamed vegetables (squash, zucchini and onions) — cooked to a consistency that was just past crisp but still a long way from soggy. I also had a sweet potato casserole that was tasty as well. The yeast roll was a bit tough. I didn’t try dessert since I’m trying to watch what I eat and their dessert bar is WAY too tempting!

Dale even provided directions to my hotel for me.

Golden Corral, Montgomery, AL — you get a B-