You May Not Hear From Us For Awhile

So this is an entry to let you all know that we made it to Staten Island, and we checked into the Staten Island Hotel - and it recently went through a multi-million dollar renovation and so hey, it's bearable and all that jazz. EXCEPT! There is no: 1) wireless; or 2) high speed internet access. INFACT - you have to use DIAL UP! DIAL UP! Have you ever heard of such a ridiculous thing? And of course, you have to use a local number, and of COURSE they charge you for local calls so OF COURSE they are milking us for everything we're worth. And we're the 1st National Touring Company of WILLY WONKA THE MUSICAL - so we're worth A LOT!
A quick trip to the lobby, and Diane, the sniffing desk attendant, told us that there was wireless in the lobby. GREAT. I bring my computer down, get all set up, go to sign on, and find out they want me to PAY for the wireless in the lobby. WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE? And it's some ridiculous thing like $10 for a full 24 hour period, but you can ONLY use it in the little lobby area. And don't THINK I haven't tried to find a wireless connection just floating around in the air. I got nothing.
SO - for your safety in the future possibility of booking a room, conference or event at the Staten Island Hotel, I would like to cut and paste a portion of their website below and then HIGHLIGHT the portions that are COMPLETE lies. Why? Because CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW.

A STATEN ISLAND HOTEL WITH THE PERFECT BALANCE...perfect balance would be something other than EXPENSIVE DIAL UP in their guest rooms.
Welcome to the Staten Island Hotel & Executive Meeting Center.
Fresh from a multi-million dollar renovation, the Staten Island Hotel is ideal for travelers (if by ideal you mean ANNOYING because they don't have reliable internet service) and a hub (hub? hub = wireless. NO wireless here. Liars.) for the vibrant community just minutes from the Manhattan skyline. This unique Staten Island hotel combines:
The service and luxury of a first-class hotel (um...pretty sure most first-class hotels have moved PAST dial up)with the friendliness (Sniffling Diane at the front desk was NOT friendly) of a small town
The facilities and amenities of a modern meetings and conference center (MODERN? Modern is WIRELESS...or atleast good HIGH SPEED. Show me a business traveler/conference attendee who is happy with CRAPPY DIAL UP, and I will show you a MORON!)

So anyway - we're here. And if you don't read an update on here for a couple of days, call and complain at the front desk of the Staten Island Hotel. And if you get Diane, sniff in her ear.
Hope you're all well and have a great weekend.

Stay connected...
Gussy