I’d like to say I’m actually going to be able to see Albuquerque while I’m here, but I’m afraid that’s not going to be the case. I’ve already experienced one thing here that I absolutely love. When I walked out of the airport to get on the shuttle to the rental car center, there was one thing missing- the oppressive humidity that hangs on you like Linus’ security blanket in Houston. It was 80 degrees, sunny….and DRY. I like it already….
….I don’t fly out of Bush Intercontinental much, and for good reason. It’s like 40 miles from home, where Hobby is closer to 20. Yesterday’s trip up the Beltway turned into a real nightmare. The stoplights at Mesa Drive were out, which backed traffic up on the two-lane northeat quadrant of the Beltway. It took me close to 75 minutes to go 3 miles. I actually arrived at the airport too late to make my original flight, and had to catch one close to two hours later. The lesson learned? Never fly out of Intercontinental. Like anything with the name “Bush” attached to it, it’s a clusterf—k….
….There’s a Fox News Channel store at Intercontinental. It was all I could do to restrain myself from walking into the store and taking a piss on the t-shirts….
….Did you know that when you rent a car from Hertz and you have the temerity to use a VISA debit card, they’ll run a credit check on you? What a load of crap. When did the act of renting a car become something that gives a rental company the right to invade your privacy? What’s next? A blood sample? How ‘bout a rectal exam? I could have credit cards- probably several if I wanted to- but I’ve chosen not to travel that road. It means a great deal more financial stability and peace of mind, but it also means I get treated like I’m some sort of freak of nature, The lesson learned? Going off on the person behind the counter may feel good in the short term, but ultimately it changes exactly nothing. Oh…and I’m NEVER renting from Herz again. Period. That, and if you make a conscious decision not to use credit cards, be prepared to be treated like a second-class citizen. Like being financially responsible is some sort of crime against (human) nature….
….Never agree to being given a Ford Focus as a rental car. For that matter, never DRIVE one. Jeebus, I’ve driven riding lawn mowers with more oomph. This thing may have four cylinders, but it drives like three of them are on sabbatical….
….There must be more Starbucks locations here than anywhere on the face of the planet outside Seattle….
