It seems that so many times when I have gathered with friends and family, inevitably the topic of conversation ends up being a storytelling session about all the whacky things that have happened over the course of my years of being in the business of innkeeping and hotel and motel management. The reactions I've gotten have ranged from shock to uncontrolled laughter. As much as I've found pleasure in making people laugh, my friends have always said, "You really need to write a book " And so, here it is. I left the hospitality industry nearly a decade ago, and haven't regretted it; it has taken that long since then to get this book together. Working on it in fits and starts I believe has been instrumental in crafting what I hope to be a masterpiece whereby, not unlike those hours of sitting around the kitchen table or open fire, I can cause people to pause in shock or laugh out loud, for that is my intent. Too often the nonsensical dreams of wannabe innkeepers clouds the realities of what may lie before them. I had no such chimera, since my fantasies had been more of the nightmare variety. (I'm not sure that I can say the same for my wife, as is displayed in the opening sentence. In my storytelling, my wife has often remarked to me that to her it appeared "all these weird things happen to you." Without fail my response has been that these "weird" things happen to everyone. It's just that most people don't pay attention to what's going on around them. I have paid attention, and I hope that I have been able to present those observations in an entertaining fashion, worthy of your time. I am not one to write in adult or cursing language, although there are, on rare occasions, some expletives to be found here; they became necessary only because I was quoting someone and felt it necessary to maintain the moment. To all those people who have ever thought about, or seriously considered becoming an innkeeper, the authenticity of that lifestyle might be more than you had bargained for. This book is not a "how to" for getting started in the inn-keeping profession, but it does contain a lot of valuable information, based on my experiences, that could be useful to anyone in this business or who is interested in jumping into it. It helps to give those with such thoughts a better understanding what the commitment actually means. It's not all roses, and it demands a special person. Anyone who has been an innkeeper, a hotel or motel manager, or even an employee of such, should read this book. You will find yourself in it and be able to relate. (Meanwhile, for any of you who have ever stayed at a bed and breakfast, inn, hotel, motel, etc. . . . you might just find out I'm writing about you.)