Priceless.

"I'm gonna copy you." Meeg said, as she updated her facebook status. "How much do you think it cost for the gas to get here?" "Maybe twelve bucks?" I answered. She continued to list the things she purchased to get here and how much they cost, just like the MasterCard commercials. She finished her update with, "Spending two nights at the Ritz-Carlton--priceless."

The Ritz is all about price. In fact, to call the stay "pricey" would be a masterpiece of an understatement, depending on your current station in life. Our particular room starts at over $400 per night, not including the $45-a night valet charge. If I were to get the munchies in the middle of the night, and forget that the honor bar was not stocked with my supplies, I could easily run up a $76 tab for peanut MnM's, wine and a half-can of Pringles. I kid you not.

I've been in a whirling dervish of to-do's at home and it's started to show in my face. I needed to get away, to unwind. I needed to clear my head of the fog that comes with shouldering sorrow, anger and confusion, grouped too closely together. Meeg's invite was timed perfectly.

This place is so low-key and relaxing. You can't stay stressed or tense without really trying. A few more days would've been great, but I'm not complaining. Of course, just as I've started to get used to doing nothing, we'll be heading back home in the morning. And of course, I have a concert to do just a few hours after I get home.

But right now Meeg is asleep on the bed, the firepit is still burning outside and all is quiet inside and outside of this magnificent hotel. The ocean waves are breaking in the distance, reminding me that there's more to life than the trivial little dramas I find myself repeatedly starring in. I'll brush my teeth, soak in the bath/pool, wrap myself in a comfy white robe and sleep with no threat of an impending alarm clock.

I may not have completely un-wound or de-stressed, but there were moments, and I'll take what I can get.

Arriving back home to my loved ones in a better state than when I left:

Priceless.