Got the hardcopy of my performance review. Pretty glowing, which is nice. Tomorrow I find out what that means raise-wise (last year I got the maximum raise but that was only 3% and I know the company is not flush with cash this year, but anything would be good).

Jesse, it shouldn't, especially if your co-worker belongs to one of the frequent renter programs. It seems like you're cutting it close regardless--what if your flight is delayed?

meara and brenda (and anyone else who wants to chime in), what luggage are you using these days? My rollaboard has finally given up the ghost, and I need to replace it. Depending on the length of the trip, I both carry it on and check it. I'm thinking about going with Briggs & Riley for the fantastic warranty, but I'm on the fence about buying a $469 22" roller bag. I travel about 50-60,000 air miles a year, and a decent amount by car.

Jesse, clearly you just need to come out here on vacation.

Maria, at the moment I'm using a Travelpro I got at TJ Maxx or Marshalls, in conjunction with a Baggalini as my personal item (this one which was $40 there). It's not great, but honestly I kind of figure that I'd rather buy 3-4 $50 bags than a $400 one? I rarely check it so it's not really getting all that beat up, and I don't have particularly high requirements for what it's like (it has an outside pocket zipper, which I can fit my laptop into, but isn't meant for that, otherwise it's just a basic box). I'm much more picky about the shoulder bag (which until recently was a backpack)

It needs to be made prettier, but: [link]

Thanks, meara. I don't check it if I'm doing a 1-day trip, but 2 or more, and my liquids don't fit in a quart-size bag. So I check it.

I think I'll check out TJ Maxx/Marshalls tonight. I leave Wednesday for Nashville, and I can get one more trip out of my current bag, but the interior is destroyed, the handle is loose, and the add-a-bag clip broke off last year. That's been a hassle for me.

LOVE it, shrift!

Now I just need to think up something to ask.

I have a screw in the handle of my usual travel case that I constantly have to tighten. I need to remember to nail polish or glue it...but now that I'm thinking about it, it is at the apartment so I can't fix it now.

In moving news, we moved the cats about an hour ago. Noodle is hiding and no interested in being coaxed out while Miss Kitty is wandering around my room meowing. They are limited to my room for the short term...will let them have the run of the rest of the place later.

It needs to be made prettier, but:

I adore it!

For those house-hunting in the NYC suburbs, I think you should buy this: [link]