I had a great day Tuesday. Too bad that didn’t carry over once I left Kansas City.

I decided Monday night after staying away from Buffalo Wild Wings to buy gifts for LIz, Brittany and Lisa the next morning. I knew Lisa would not be back until Saturday, and I didn’t think Brittany was working Tuesday, but I thought Liz was.

Turns out I got Brittany and Liz mixed up. Brittany worked Tuesday morning, so I sat in her section. She LOVED her gift. I got Liz to come by Buffalo Wild Wings just before 3 while she was out shopping, and she too was impressed. I cannot reveal the gift because LIsa might read this.

I wasn’t planning on spending long at Buffalo Wild Wings Tuesday, but sure enough, I stayed until 8:30. In the evening, I sat at my old table in the dining room, table 162, and had Rue-Jean Klapporth serve me for the first time. She got me to play some of her favorite songs which impressed her.

I didn’t get out of Kansas CIty until almost noon Christmas Eve, since I stopped at the new Chik-Fil-A on Barry Road and then for gas at Hiy-Vee just down Barry. The sun stuck its head out of the clouds just past Junction City, and it was there I remembered Buffalo Wild Wings in Salina was now open.

I checked in a little before 3 and stayed until closing at 5. Not as big as the location at Zona Rosa, but still bigger than ones I visited in Baton Rouge (Bluebonnet), Wichita (North Rock), Topeka and Manhattan. The walls are brick, and there is recessed track lighting all along the dining room ceiling. With a wide open window facing east, there is much more light coming in than at Zona Rosa.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have stayed away from Russell on Christmas Day. I really had no reason for going back, except for getting more clothes. I wasn’t too wild about the ham my mother cooked for Christmas dinner, although I enjoyed the eggplant casserole and broccoli with melted cheddar.

I wanted to leave Russell before dawn this morning, but I didn’t get out of town until after 10. I beat the snow east and to the Kansas City area at 2, but I ran into another problem.

I went to the Overland Park Marriott to check in, and it turns out there were no rooms available on the 11th (top) floor. I was offered a room on the 10th floor, but I wasn’t biting. They told me a big group took up most of the rooms on the 11th floor. I was unhappy the group got priority over a Platinum Premier member like myself, a Platinum Premier member who was in the top five percent of guests at that hotel.

I decided that I would go back to the Courtyard on Tiffany Springs. The television selection stinks, but (a) it’s $40 less per night and (b) much closer to Buffalo Wild Wings.

I arrived at Buffalo Wild Wings at 3, after making a quick dash into the CVS pharmacy next door. I’m now sitting at the bar with Brittany and Tori Weber. Liz brought me a couple of gifts, a polo shirt and a Tommy Hilfiger wallet. I was very impressed. It’s the thought that counts. I’ve haven’t had anyone do that for me in a very long time.

I now have a week to get Liz’s 21st birthday present. I will probably get her some beer to enjoy legally, plus I’ve got something else up my sleeve.