I've probably just neglected to read something but does the expo take place in the Renaissance as well as the Mariott, cos that's what the website says, yet my tickets aren't hotel specific...

Yeah, Marriott went completely non-smoking as of Oct 1st, I think. I'm fine with a non-smoking room, really -- you could tell you were on a smoking floor from the elevators, which was gross. I can sort of see the logic in not allowing it on balconies, since then if people in neighboring rooms open their windows, they'll get the smoke wafting in. But damn.

Plus a lot of our interviewers smoke, and they're going to be cranky enough without throwing this in.

I ordered food 95 minutes ago and have learned that they lost my order and need to resubmit it now. This makes me sad.

I was assuming the Marriott. Though I find it kinda weird that they don't have any info on the tickets. Is there any location information? Like a room name or something?

Lots and lots of room names. They just don't say what hotel they're going to be in, so I'm guessing the Mariott - unless Room M and Room R refers to the Mariott and Renaissance.

I'm working there on Saturday, and as far as I know, it's all about the Marriott. My wee event planning company is apparently involved in some parts of the Expo. Um. I don't pay enough attention to these things. Obviously.

I'll find out for you Jackal.

Huh. That's not very helpful of them. I did look at both hotels and the Marriott mostly seems to do the weird naming of rooms after cities or neighborhoods.

I think they should hold the story breaking thing on the Imperial Patio. We can all smoke! Though I would spend the day humming Darth Vader's theme.

And yes! Food! Here! Half-price!

Okay, I just delved into the depths of the expo program and it seems on the tickets they're using R and M to refer to each hotel - but it's written as "Room M-Meridian" and "Room R-Wilshire" - so it's not jetlag friendly.

I once had someone scream at me because I smoking outside in a completely empty area of the sidewalk, nowhere near any doorways, at LAX.

Jeebus christmas. People are nuts.

Speaking of LA and hotel rooms, anybody got a suggestion about where I should be looking for a hotel in LA? I have to go to Long Beach, Pasadena, and Riverside as well. I'll have a rental car, but what area should I be looking in. I'm tempted to stay at the W, which is in Westwood. Is that a good location?

And um, this is relevant 'cause Tim is in LA, and I might need to see him. Or something.

Westwood is a nice location. You won't be near any of the places you're going to but, since none of the places you're going to are near each other, it's not like you'll be adding hours to your driving time.

The W is awesome.