Up at 9am – getting closer to the Seattle schedule, just in time to leave town again – at least this time it’s in the same time zone.
Errands in the morning… Swanda’s for packages for Hummingbird which turn out to be from Argentina and covered with many pretty stamps, and a swing by Safeway… the oddest basket in awhile… a pound of coffee (with $1 off coupon on already discounted Seattle’s Best), and four beautiful lamb shanks:
And I don’t even need these for the Osso Bucco Fest at Suze’s on the 22nd – these may get put in my luggage for the Bay Area later this week – that would be the trip I’m packing for.
As for Ireland Out Of The Blue…. United sent me an email this morning… give us $299, and rack up 10,000+ EQM (elite qualifying miles) in 90 days, and we will continue your Premier status through the end of January 2012. Rules are that I must fly all on United/Continental. Damn them for making me fill my travel calendar like October-November-December (now January-February).
Choices:
|
City |
Cost |
EQM |
CPM |
|
Buenos Aires |
$ 1,121.00 |
14,812 |
0.076 |
|
Sydney |
$ 1,425.00 |
16,892 |
0.084 |
|
London |
$ 840.00 |
11,310 |
0.074 |
|
Glasgow |
$ 864.00 |
11,220 |
0.077 |
|
Amsterdam |
$ 934.00 |
13,740 |
0.068 |
|
Copenhagen |
$ 908.00 |
12,192 |
0.074 |
|
Paris |
$ 872.00 |
12,674 |
0.069 |
|
Hong Kong |
$ 837.00 |
13,190 |
0.063 |
|
Lima |
$ 1,100.00 |
10,150 |
0.108 |
|
And the winner: |
|||
|
Dublin |
$ 721.00 |
11,150 |
0.065 |
While Hong Kong was “technically” a little cheaper, it was a little over $100 more and not worth it since I won’t need the miles to push my United account over the 25,000 mile mark for a free ticket. End result…. $1,020 to get:
- Premier status through January 2012
- Round-trip US ticket with the miles
- Oh, and that trip to Ireland
To celebrate?
Like the “ice ball” in the center – courtesy of Maker’s Mark and an ice cube tray they sent me for Christmas. Two martinis later – it still hasn’t melted. Basically it’s a thingee that you fill with water, snap on a top which forces water into the other ball – and a hour or so later, ice balls.
Thank you again Helene for the stunning Waterford martini glasses – last time I was in Ireland I visited the now bankrupt factory and there was nothing as classy as what you gave me.
And to go after the martinis – a pan-fried steak and a nice romaine salad with a really crappy dressing.
Life is good. Even with the snow…
[230.3] Amazing with the food I was eating in Boston!
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