a room with a {beep | beep | beep} view

I spent yesterday driving 11+ hours through the state of Florida on my way to a writers conference in Orlando. 

While a drive through Florida may sound scenic, the reality is that Orlando is inland and the drive there involves traveling hundreds of miles down a generic looking highway.

I don't have time for a "real" vacation this year, so the conference is my chance to mix a little business and pleasure.  Before booking the reservations, I looked at the hotel online and the standard room floorplan showed substantial-sized accommodations and a little balcony.  Add in a mini-bar and, hey, I can consider this a real vacation.

Imagine my disappointment when I got into the room, found no mini-bar, and saw a lovely view of the A/C units and trash bins.  Plus, at 8am I awoke to {beep | beep | beep} ... no, it wasn't the alarm clock, it was the garbage truck backing up into the trash/delivery/ugly area.  Not quite the Disney-esque fireworks and castle-rama view I was hoping for.  Here's a photo I took:

The hotel is booked solid, so there is no way I can switch rooms.  So... whatevah.

The writers conference kicks off tomorrow, so I spent today at the pool in my new (skirt!ed) bikini.  Here is the photo I took of myself:

I debated on whether to crop my bloated belly out of the photo, and then thought, eh, who cares...

I hope you are all having a beachy week too. I'll write more later if anything good happens!