AirBnB and VRBO seem to be on the pricy end if you're alone and can't split the cost with someone. Otherwise, with AirBnB you're renting a room in someone's place while they're there. Which I've always thought about doing because, hey, having local advice is good, but the introvert in me has always chickened out in the end.
I've looked at Air BnB in both London and Dublin and I think some of them may be investment properties for people. My friends stayed at an amazing place in Brooklyn with a roof deck that was allegedly owned by Russians. Between the four of them, it was very reasonable for NY.
I stayed in a hotel in Barcelona, but my friend's family rented two apartments through AirBnB. It was perfect for them, and definitely cheaper than a hotel for 6 people. It wasn't sketchy at all. The owners had a property manager, and they took payment via handheld card machine.
We've used airbnb and vrbo, only ever getting a place to ourselves through both, and it's worked great so far. I agree that the airbnb website is nicer looking, though.
The case against hugs
Represent!
I'm afraid I'm kind of weaselly when it comes to declining hugs from people I'd rather not hug; I kind of just do the "hug" that's really inclining the top half of my body towards the enthusiastic hugger and then limply putting one arm on their shoulder/upper arm and patting ineffectually a couple of times.
Your basic passive-aggressive hug. I own it. I just don't want to have the conversation yet again of "You don't want to hug? WHY??? *I'm* big hugger! I hug everyone!" Mostly because my answer is generally "I don't like you/don't know you well enough to hug you," and nobody wants to hear that.
Plus, one time, someone actually got shirty when I declined a hug, saying, "I just saw you hug [person]! My turn!" And I was all O_o GET AWAY CREEPER.
I'm actually way more huggy than I used to be, but most people can still tell when I'm flinching away from one. From a hug! Not from the person! I would often love to give the person a very warm and friendly handshake!
ION, is it weird that I think I'd rather come into the office on Monday than bring my computer and stuff home and work there?
I don't think so. I find working from home more onerous than coming into the office, usually. Home is where I don't work!
That's what I decided. Especially because then I'll spend Sunday thinking I should just get it over with, etc., when instead I can just plan to go at X time on Monday. Done!
I keep forgetting Monday is a holiday for some people. I'm not a fan of Columbus, but I could sure use a holiday in October.
