LA blues

Explain to me the appeal of the poolside reception. It's presented as this great luxe thing, right? But it means that none of the hotel guests can use the pool. (Let's not even get into the annoyingness of having a lovely pool that I really can't use because it's surrounded by screening tents and I'm not crazy about the idea of prancing around in a bathing suit in front of colleagues. Seems unprofessional. Also problematic is the ground floor gym with windows looking onto the pool, which means that people in suits on their way to panels can stare at you while you sweat.) It's not like the pool enhances the party, either--I spent half the time trying to manuver around people so as not to get pushed into the pool. Congrats, you have filled the center of your party with a water hazard. Why is this a good thing, again?

Also, I don't think I'm quite cut out for the luxury hotel thing. The obsequiousness of the staff is starting to freak me out. Also, the fact that they charge $15 for fruit plate. What the heck is in that fruit plate?

On the positive side, it's southern CA, so the weather is gorgeous.