I mean… who amongst us hasn’t picked up their luggage at baggage claim and have it covered with motor oil?
Anyone who’s spent any time on the road… as many people in our industry have, has “that story” to tell. Lost luggage? C’mon… that’s child’s play. What about getting to your hotel, late at night after a day’s worth of airport delays, only to open your door and find someone else sleeping in what’s supposed to be your bed? Or not sleeping…?
You, too? Of course. Having lived out of a suitcase for many years, it goes without saying that I’ve accumulated more than my share of stories and anecdotes. It was after one of my recent episodes, a tamer one, at that, that an idea was formed.
I checked into my hotel in (fill in the name of the city… they start to look alike after a while), went to my room, unpacked my work gear, and got busy. Answered emails, worked on proposals, confirmed my appointments for the next day… nothing out of the ordinary. Having been traveling all day, I didn’t feel like venturing out for dinner, so I went downstairs to the hotel’s restaurant. Went back to the room, did a little more work, and got ready for bed. Looked at the clock….
Scratch that. Looked for the clock… there was none.
I know… who needs a clock, when your mobile phone has a clock on it, with alarm, not to mention the ability to play my music whilst I drift off to sleep? Well…call me old school: I like a clock in my room. I like rolling over at 2:15 in morning, looking at the green light on the nightstand, and then cursing myself as I question why I’m up at that hour.
Some of you, of a certain age and gender, will understand. Nevertheless…
So before I get into bed, I call the front desk and ask them to please send up a clock. The desk clerk asks if I’m sure there isn’t one. I stare at the phone.
I posted this story on my Facebook page the following morning (aren’t we “friends”? If not, connect at: mikeschenker@facebook.com) and immediately heard from people with similar stories. One friend in particular, the lovely Mark Whitner, said that he, too, has been accumulating his adventures for years, and that he was ready to start compiling these and sharing them. Well… me too.
My stories? How about the drunk guy in the middle seat of a cross-country flight, singing to himself (and others) while downing countless little bottles? What about when I had what was described as “the best New England clam chowder” in all of Boston? Pulling a drawer out of a nightstand and having it land on my foot? Meeting this celebrity or that?
Mark and I decided to collaborate, and share our experiences with an unsuspecting public. Then we realized that that same public must have their own stories to share, too, so we reached out to our friends and followers via social media asking for their contributions. We recognize that we can’t be the only two travelers to have these adventures, so we’re turning to you readers, too.
As of this writing, we’re still compiling your (very interesting!) stories. We’re not quite sure of how we’re going to present them (Blog? Book? Made for TV movie?), but we’re continuing to accept submissions. This is an ongoing project… as long as people are traveling, there are going to be more stories!
I know at least one contributor will tell a story about a helicopter landing on her car. Can you top that? Be profane and profound. Graphic details are accepted and appreciated (so we can get that NC-17 rating we seek). Names will be withheld to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.
Come on… tell your stories! People are looking for entertaining summer reading!
Now what about that time you locked yourself out of your room in the middle of night?
Mike Schenker, MAS, is a promotional industry veteran and member of the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) Hall of Fame. He can be reached at mike@mikeschenker.com.