I used to stay at Monaco hotels — especially the Monaco in SF (http://www.monaco-sf.com/) for about 10 days a month.  In fact, I was personally responsible for several companies making that their prefered hotel.and hosting events and parties at the hotel.  Over the years, staff changes and managers have come and gone, but overall, the "make me feel special" level of service was consistent and appreciated.  How fast can you lose it?  Let’s see. Last month I had business in SF and made a reservation.  It was not too busy a week.  I guess over the years, the process of my arrival has been pretty nice.  My key and check-in has been arranged ahead of time.  If there was a line, someone at the from desk caught my eye and passed me a key.  In addition, the hotel has always updated to a suite.  In addition, there has always been a very nice welcome gift – a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, a basket of fruit. Well — upon arrivral – the from desk was not too busy, but I waited in line.  Then I received the wrong key.  When I got to my room – the gift was a bottle of water and an apple 😦  In addition, the Internet and phone was not turned on, and it took over an hour for them to get that fixed.  For years, it was "Welcome back Mr. Cohen" — now it is "what name,…how do you spell that?" What was the cost — well, I was supposed to stay 4 days – I checked out the next AM (so they lost 3 days of room revenue).  I canceled my breakfast meeting there and set up something down the street.  The hotel I moved to was a better deal (who would have thought the Palace Hotel would be cheaper!).  I will be in SF two more times in the next 45 days — and I won’t be staying there (lost a few more days).  Overall, after 15+ I also have shared this story with a number of people, and now blogged it.  So what do I predict – The Kimpton chain is having problems.  I do not think this experienced was the exception. I will miss the old times.

So many of my friends expressed their sympathies about what happened.  In addition, I have received a few notes like the one below. Mr. Cohen, the blog you wrote about Shlomo was incredibly insightful and touching. My name is Leah (Silverberg) Rowe. Shlomo and my grandpa are cousins. I only met Shlomo a handful of times but have very fond memories of him. I was lucky enough to see him and his family at their home in Israel during the summer of 2004. What an amazing family! All of them were so full of life and energy. Really, I just want to thank you for writing such an amazing piece on Shlomo. I unfortunately have misplaced their address and e-mail. Please pass my condolences on to Margie. Sincerely, Leah Silverberg-Rowe

So “special access” tickets to the Grateful Dead 50 | Fare Thee Well through CID Entertainment (http://www.cidentertainment.com) went on sale this AM and there was the usual server crash and no phone support.  These tickets and travel packages went from $517 to over $2000!  Tickets for the Dead’s last concert also went on sale via the Dead’s loyal fan base site GDTS Too (http://www.gdtstoo.com), but they were hit with a gazillion requests with people sending in envelops and money orders and jumping through what is a pretty straight forward process – except you know we are talking about Deadheads that are not know for their ability to follow process and read instructions — and forget about deadlines.  YIKES!  And tomorrow will be ticket master sale of tickets for Chicago’s Soldier Field – July 3, 4, and 5.  So what will probably be a stupendous last hurrah for the Dead will be stressful for many long time fans looking for that last taste.  I’m wishing for my miracle just like 10’s of 1000s of other fans.  Over the years, I have had an extra ticket that was always gifted or sold at face value.  Gifting was always fun since you made someone so happy.  But I do not think there will be much gifting for this concert. Last week if was Burning Man.  I’ve been going to Black Rock City on and off for over 10 years, and what started out with tickets for less than $200 now cost alms $400.  The servers crashed and there are stories of hacking and all sorts of “unburner” type behavior.  The last couple years Burning Man (www.burningman.org) has attracted a new audience and there is only so much room.  So again, people wanting to go — new and old-time burners will just need to deal with uncertainty and frustration and hope that everything works out. Last is the recent incident at a yoga class I go to that is taught by my favorite teacher Kat (http://yogakatfitness.com) resulted in a near fight on getting into a class — yogis fighting?!  So unzen.  So not cool.  And the result of that debacle was having to sign-up in advance, having a pass, and all sorts of stuff that are not conducive to getting into your happy place.  So what happened next really was crazy — the next week, some people got in without their little plastic pass or sneaking in the back door, and that resulted in a few complaining to the front desk (tattle tales) — and the manager of the club had everyone leave the room and wait in line and checked for their name.  So not a good way to start the day. I do not know what the answer to these situations are.  Take a breath, do not worry.  Accept the reality that more people are seeking an experience and there just isn’t room for everyone.  One way or another life goes on. So if anyone does have an extra ticket to the Dead 50, please let me know. (smile) Links: http://www.wired.com/2015/02/hacking-burning-man-tickets/ http://www.gdtstoo.com http://www.cidentertainment.com/events/gratefuldead50/ #greatfuldead50 #gratefuldead #CIDEntertainment #GD2015 #deadtix #burningman #blackrockcity  #brc2015 #burningmantickets #HomewardBound #NoFurthur #yogakatfitness #GDTS #GDTSToo #Dead50 #faretheewell #DeadTickets #CIDEntertainment #GratefulDead50 #GDTSToo #homewardbound #burningmantickets #Burningman #NoFurthur #burningmsantickets #blackrockcity #brc2015 #FareTheeWell #Yoga #GD2015 #dead50 #YogaKatFitness #GDTS #GratefulDead

This may be a year we need to pass, Robert is getting married in Italy and has invited Madeleine and I — and the wedding is May 5.  But it is possible we go the first weekend.  Looks like a great start to a terrific festivle. JAZZ FEST ANNOUNCES 2007 TALENT LINEUP FOR NEW ORLEANS’ PREMIER MUSIC EVENT, APRIL 27-29 AND MAY 4-6 Harry Connick Jr., Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, Norah Jones, ZZ Top, John Legend, Van Morrison, Brad Paisley, Jill Scott, Ludacris, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, New Edition, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Irma Thomas, Jerry Lee Lewis, Counting Crows, Allman Brothers Band, Allen Toussaint, George Benson, Pharoah Sanders, George Thorogood, Stephen Marley featuring Jr. Gong, Better Than Ezra, Joss Stone, Banda el Recodo, Calexico, Taj Mahal, Johnny Rivers, Lucinda Williams, Branford Marsalis, Richie Havens, Soulive, Cowboy Mouth, Percy Sledge, Tony Joe White, Gillian Welch, Bobby Jones & the Nashville Super Choir, T-Bone Burnett, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Mose Allison, Marcia Ball, Roy Hargrove, Chuck Leavell, Arturo Sandoval, The Holmes Brothers, Snooks Eaglin, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The New Orleans Social Club, James Carter, The Radiators, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Lucky Peterson, Darrell McFadden, Sonny Landreth, Danilo Perez, Ivan Neville, Dottie Peoples, Davell Crawford, Ba Cissoko of Guinea, George Porter, Jr., Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Tab Benoit, Les Amazones of Guinea, World Saxophone Group, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Buckwheat Zydeco, Anders Osborne, Elder Baab & the Madison Bumble Bees of Winnsboro, Eddie Bo, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Rosie Ledet, Amanda Shaw, The Iguanas, Marva Wright, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Deacon John, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews & Orleans Avenue, Bob French, Elysian Fieldz, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Ellis Marsalis and over 500 more groups will gather in New Orleans for the 38th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, April 27-29 and May 4-6, 2007.