orlando

melissa and i

i think i can count the number of nights i've spent in my own bed in the last three months on one hand.  needless to say, i wasn't that excited about having to end my fun conference weekend early to get on a plane for another work event in orlando (one of my least favorite cities)

but lo and behold - i had a blast!  it was my first show of the year traveling with my group sales co-workers, and i realized how much i had missed them!  the group consisted of one of my closest office friends, three sales guys and a sales girl, and i had forgotten just how much i enjoy being on the road with them.  always laid back, drama free, and up for a good time - and that is exactly what we had.

even the exhibit hall hours flew fast with the catching up, the visiting canine companions for independence dogs, and the general camaraderie of the team.

after the hall closed, the girls and i donned swimsuits and took advantage of the lazy river boasted by our hotel (hilton bonnet creek - one of my favorite new properties) while the guys grabbed some snacks poolside.  it was a moment of complete and utter relaxation -- something extremely difficult to find on a business trip.

after getting dry, we joined the guys by the firepit and enjoyed dinner in our outdoor chaises before calling it a night.

the following day was more of the same, with a short reptile break (oh, the things you find on a trade show floor!) but i had talked the group into trying one of my favorite travel traditions, a movie at a 'dine-in' theater.  amc has several around the country (though none in california).  there are two types of theater, one, the fork & screen, the other, cinema suites.

melissa & i, eli &
kevin, eric & jeff

the fork & screen theaters offer super cushy chairs and each row has a bar in front of it, which comes in handy when you order your dinner or snacks from the full menu.  there is a button on the bar and you simply push it when you need something...a diet coke refill, more popcorn, a caesar salad...the cinema suites take it one step further and while there is no bar, you are in a full recliner, in pairs of two, with a table between you for your delectables.

the movie choice for the evening was 'avengers' (my second time) and was in one of the fork & screen theaters.  my co-workers were blown away by the experience (the movie was pretty awesome, too!).  they have come to trust my penchant for creating/finding unique experiences, but they were still impressed. and the best part for me is that these 'special' theaters cost about the same as a 'regular' theater in california. score!

looking forward to exploring atlanta with these guys next month!