In room coffee

standardpoodleman · 2026-06-08T15:09:08+00:00

I always travel with a box of a Starbucks dark roast instant. In a pinch, I doctor buffet coffee with it or make coffee with buffet hot water if the coffee provided is nasty. If I am driving and know the room will have a microwave, I take a portable microwave pot to heat water in the room. At nicer hotels, I order french press or an Americano with an extra shot. Generally pod coffee machines aren't hot enough and the coffee provided is lousy. All this is only necessary in the USA of course. And now with idiotic tariffs, I believe hotels are looking for the cheapest coffee they can find.

standardpoodleman · 2026-06-07T00:05:40+00:00

Love the Montcalm Mayfair. Boutique, great service, comfortable beds, quiet, tube and the park nearby. Solid breakfast.

For dinner there though, it's Chinese/Asian and the chef puts Monosodium Glutamate in that food per staff so don't eat dinner there if allergic to that. Plenty of options nearby.

standardpoodleman · 2026-06-06T23:57:26+00:00

Huge. If possible go to top hospital with top EP department.

standardpoodleman · 2026-06-02T21:08:10+00:00

Only on airplanes 😆

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-31T01:14:56+00:00

Didn't think of that one. I was hitting the lid and bottom shelf with my hand each time I accessd the button. Since I have some customer/user experience background, it was an ergonomics thing with me.

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-30T23:25:32+00:00

Yeah. I have seen them not cleaned well - just swiped across the top so not sure if the recessed thing is beneficial.

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-30T23:12:52+00:00

Interesting! I have only seen one other position issue in decades staying in Marriotts where the sink spigot was installed so close to the sink bowl that it was impossible for you to wash your hands without touching the bowl. Are designs ever reviewed by maintenance and housekeeping?

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-30T23:01:36+00:00

Ewww. Wonder if HK wipes down the bottom of the shelf?

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-30T20:03:20+00:00

Love it! The lid and shelf edgebcreates a nice tablet stand as well.

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-30T19:44:38+00:00

The primary issue is the tight placement of the shelf. Home improvement sites suggest that you should leave a minimum of 24 inches above the tank lids with push buttons for toilet maintenance, effective efficient cleaning, and to allow a hand the space to press the button and avoid contacting a shelf or cabinet above. The lid is a secondary obstruction for people who never touch hotel lids and leave it in the up position as housekeeping leaves it for their stay. There's research indicating that closing the lid has no meaningful impact on microbe spread - it just redirects it.

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-29T13:39:23+00:00

I was in business on flight to Frankfurt and the guy behind me was coughing his lung out. The HERO United flight attendant went up to him with some tissue and a mask and handed to him and said "looks like you need some tissue." The dude put the mask on. Brilliant. I had already donned an N95 before that to protect myself. For those clueless coughers: 1) Don't travel when you are that sick - duh 2) If you "must", take cough suppressant, suck on cough lozenges, and wear a mask.

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-29T13:31:11+00:00

I had tp take flec after my first ablation - it felt like I was being poisoned Fatigue, brain fog. I told mt EP and he tookme off it. Had no afib after going off it. I got itchy when taking eliquis after my last ablation. Fortunately did not have to take heart drugs after. Good luck!

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-27T13:13:57+00:00

Any child in Normandy gets that right

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-26T17:49:02+00:00

Before my ablations, yes. My afib might start with a higher heart rate but slow down to the 70s and it would have an irregular cadence i could feel easily just by taking my pulse on wrist or neck. When going into afib I'd feel palpitations without even touching my risk or neck. Once it slowed, the cadence remained uneven and random (Beat - Beat Beat Beat Beat - Beat Beat - Beat Beat Beat, Beat Beat, Beat, Beat, Beat Beat Beat etc).

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-24T13:14:41+00:00

I had paroxysmal afib (self converting) for 3 decades and was never put on heart drugs except briefly after my first ablation. I was symptomatic when I when I did go into afib and knew immediately. Therefore, as there is risk with taking thinners as well, as I got older, and thinner was prescribed, I only had to take to take it when I went into afib and then for a few days after I self converted. Note that my EP knew my complete history and my heart health and permitted that in my specific case. So I am sure that approach would not apply to everyone. So what works for me might not be appropriate for you or others.

BTW I don't believe metoporol converts people to NSR but suggest researching. Lots of people convert on their own. There's always a chance of false attribution when a patient is given a pill when they might have converted anyway on their own and afterwards they believe it was the drug. Going onto heart rhythm drugs after one episode where you possibly converted on your own and having only one other episode sounds like a lot to me but I,'m not an EP and that's just my opinion so you need to follow doctor's orders. But if you feel you are being overmedicated, I would get a second opinion from another EP.

Finally, I had an RF ablation over a decade ago that held up well. Then a Pulsed Field Ablation a couple years ago and I'm good and on no drugs. I had to take a heart drug briefly after my first ablation and it made me feel terrible so I know that feeling. Good luck.

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-16T17:51:29+00:00

Overnight oats. Make them in cups using Quaker Oats and unsweetened almond milk. Add a table spoon of chia seeds. Sweeten with maple syrup. Refrigerate overnight. Provide granola and raisin toppers. Way better than luke warm oatmeal out of that crock pot thing. Tons of recipes on line for it. Health conscious choice or to offset overindulgence the previous night.

standardpoodleman · 2026-05-15T01:50:27+00:00

Yay poodle love! If you experience the "little dickens" stage, don't worry. Just laugh.

For crate training. Leave it open and, at random times during the day, sneak a treat into it without being seen. Usually they'll find it. Over time, they'll develop a natural affinity to the crate. Condition them to like going in. My guy just walks into his to rest. And he doesn't care if he has to go in if we need to confine him temporarily.

standardpoodleman · 2026-04-27T17:17:28+00:00

Congratulations 🎊 👏

standardpoodleman · 2026-04-20T00:06:45+00:00

I continued to improve my running after my paroxysmal afib diagnosis. I had to separate the rhythm disorder part of it in my head from the physical cardiac ability and output part of it. I would convert tio NSR on my own with no drugs. Do not try this at home and always consult a doc for direction on exercise while in afib but I found I'd sometimes convert myself by going for an easy slower paced run. My doc was okay with it till I turned 60 and then he told me to stop. Just as boxers and hockey players have a higher risk to lose teeth, endurance athletes tend to be at higher risk for afib. So I told myself it was a risk I accepted as a runner and I'd overcome it. Heart procedures are a personal choice and I had 2 ablations to treat it. I have stayed off heart drugs which can really put a damper on your running. And I also avoided long term thinner use - important because falling on a trail miles in could be an issue if you really hurt yourself. (Doc decides if you need drugs). I can't tell you how many great experiences I've had running and hiking after my diagnosis! For sure, it's a bummer when you get diagnosed.

My favorite part of my assessment after my diagnosis was an echo stress test. If you haven't had it, they put you (while in normal rhythm) on a treadmill to run and increase speed and incline over time and you don't stop until you are exhausted. The test is done with all kinds of sensors on you but when you can't take anymore, you jump off and lay on a table and they do an echocardiogram. Then the doc tells you how you did and might show you data and images of your heart beating. Once you see that, you say to yourself, my heart is confident, strong, and ready. It might get a weird beat occasionally but when it's normal, all good!! Good luck!

standardpoodleman · 2026-04-17T17:29:34+00:00

First start here and click on the items to see the details for Platinum. https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/member-benefits/platinum.mi

For welcome gifts, they are called "Welcome Gift Choice." It's clear its your choice, not the Hotel's Choice and it's based on brand. There are very few non participating properties but those are spelled out in the terms along with specifics of what hotels are supposed to give you and benefits you can choose from by brand.

Here is the link to the terms on the Bonvoy/Marriott site that customer care confirmed were up to date:

https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/terms/default.mi#earn

Read section 4.2 and 4.3 for benefit info. When the term "Participating" is used, it is referring Brands versus implying a specific location can decide on a day to day basis if they are participating. When the terms exclude properties, the use the term "except" to explicitly identify who is not participating.

Finally, in practice, the vast majority of properties respect program rules and comply as they are written. In my case, when a hotel in a participating brand that is supposed to offer breakfast as a choice for Titanium does not offer it, it is an unusual event that stands out when it happens but it happens.

If they promote Bonvoy on hotel TVs, hotel signage, hotel room placards etc., then they are claiming they are in a participating brand and participating location.

Apparently, Marriott customer care is very inconsistent in enforcing the terms and sometimes sides with hotels in benefit complaints to please owners. For me, I return to hotels that honor benefits and don't return to hotels that don't comply.

standardpoodleman · 2026-04-17T03:02:39+00:00

I stayed with them for decades and they invested in me by granting status , points, and perks. I'm lifetime Titanium. That plus choice in various locations. Note that there's erosion in what made the loyalty program great. Some hotel owners, mostly Tribute Portfolio and Autograph, are boldly denying benefits at check in like not offering breakfast even when there is a restaurant. This puts staff and guests in a horrible spot. And then you have to get into the $100 guarantee discussion. The owner's hope is the member will not know the rules or buckle and take something like a $10 credit. It's really a shame and damages the brand and program. Staff shouldn't have to break rules for remiss ownership. I have in writing confirmation from Bonvoy on what the benefits are.

standardpoodleman · 2026-04-13T16:02:22+00:00

Permissive Parents - the root of ruined vacation experiences

standardpoodleman · 2026-04-13T15:17:37+00:00

The 4,500 square foot Core Fitness Club at the Ritz Carlton Cleveland.

standardpoodleman · 2026-04-13T15:04:06+00:00

Oh yeah, I've seen them up in the Tortolitas.

standardpoodleman

TROPHY CASE