Air travel can be so draining — dealing with rude people and their screaming kids, long waits at the airport, cramped quarters, and general inconveniences — but yesterday was filled with pleasant surprises. We arrived at the airport a little later than usual and walked right onto the plane without any pesky waiting around. Six hours later, Seattle rolled out the welcome mat with sunny skies, fairly balmy weather, and people so super-friendly and polite they won’t even jaywalk — freaky. Hertz upgraded us to a Grand (Biz) Marquis (sing it with me now: “Oh baby YOOOU! You got what I NEEEEED”), then the hotel moved us to a king suite with a supremely comfortable bed.

And then there’s Nordstrom, only a short walk from the hotel. Laura Mercier is supposed to be all that, especially for ever-so-slightly mature skin, so I hit the counter. I got my products and the (super-friendly) salesperson made a nice little commission; it’s my way of giving back to the city that already has made me feel so welcome. Product review tk, once I’ve had a chance to test drive them.

Today promises to be another good one. Gil and I […]