Telecom strangeness

The hotel I'm in this week has free ethernet hookups in the rooms (capped at 1.5Mbps but still faster than a modem by far), yet they charge for local calls. Huh?

Wonder what combination of morons came up with this plan. "Let's charge extra for calling out for pizza hut, but let them use a high-speed telecommunications system for free." Not that the $110/night is free but still...

Thoughts on the plane out here

I'm on yet another business trip. Not that long ago, my return trips were sources of joy to me.
When I'd get home, invariably on a Friday morning, my family would be waiting for me at the end of the walkway from the airplane. Both Alex and Angela were always so glad to see me.
We'd hug and kiss, and after the interminable wait for luggage we'd go home.
By the time we got home, it would be time for Alex to take a nap, so we'd make sure he was happy, read him an itty-bitty book, and tuck him into bed. We'd cuddle on the couch or talk about the plans for the coming weekend, and then Angela would go to work.
When the boy awoke, we'd play with blocks, eat candy, go for walks, and play in the park. He'd wander around the backyard, exploring places that were still new to him every day. He'd insist on hugs and kisses that I had no hesitance giving out.
After we had a decent dinner, we'd sit and watch the Simpsons or some other cartoon, and off he'd go to bed. I'd stay up a bit longer, crashing usually before Angela came home. The next morning, I'd give her an extra snuggle before I got up to feed Alex his breakfast.

That was how my business trips used to end. Now, I return to an empty house, and a weekend filled with no plans.