Saturday, June 13, 2009

Help Us Tom Bodett

I was driving up the coast of California to a series of shows in the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez area this week. It's a gorgeous drive, and I enjoy it immensely whenever I make a trip in that direction. One moment you're driving along the Pacific Ocean, then, a half-hour later, you're in beautiful wine country.

Just before hitting Santa Barbara, one driving this route will come to a small beach town called Carpinteria (no, not the carpet store...that's Carpeteria). I have driven this way many times in the past and know the area fairly well. There is a very nice looking, and, by all appearances, well-kept Motel 6 right along the freeway. Now, I've never stayed there -- I try not to stay at Motel 6s. Not that I have anything against them; I've used them when the situation arose and it was necessary to get a quick room during a trip, but I just prefer getting a few more frills than a bed, a light bulb, and an aluminum towel rack for the money I spend.

That's why I was shocked to see the price for a room at this particular Motel 6 in Carpinteria displayed in big bold numbers: $99.00!

Really? $99.00 for a Motel 6 room?! When did that happen? And where the hell was Tom Bodett when all of this went down? Tom used to say in their commercials, "We'll leave the light on for you." Well someone has to inform him that Motel 6 has changed their slogan to "We'll leave the meter on for you."

$99.00. Crimony pete!

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Shawn McMaster
Conjured-Up Creations
P.O. Box 973
Newbury Park, CA 91319
(805) 480-0703
www.conjuredupcreations.com