Look at that Millennial working on vacation... Lazy!

Each year Ayk’s company throws an annual meeting for its members, or clients. It’s always someplace warm, tropic and idyllic, and smack-dab in the middle of November—just long enough to get a break from the autumn chill. That year it was held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa. Or the Hyatt in Bonita Springs for short.

There were spouse/ guest (no option for long-term girlfriend) activities that I could have signed up for. But since I telecommute anyway, I’d rather use that time to make money. Why pass up the chance to bring in the bacon while sizzling under the sun?

One day I had lunch with Ayk and a few of his older coworkers and members. They were fascinated with a presentation from a breakfast conference. Wait, a fascinating work presentation? I was intrigued—and rather dubious. Much to my shock, I actually did wish I attended. It explored the traits of GenYers, or the dreaded Millennials.

But rather than call them good-for-nothing, lazy, entitled narcissists, like so many of the slacker GenXers or deadbeat hippie Baby Boomers yammer about every chance they get, the presentation bridged the gap between the generations. It was more of an anthropological study than a scapegoat fest that now so commonly fills the Interwebs.

You know that tune. “We’re old. You’re young. We’re crotchety. You suck. Here’s why. Blah blah.” Yeah, well, you sucked when you were young, too. And when we’re old, we’ll dish the same complaints onto the next generation. It’s the circle of gripe.

Enough social commentary. Let’s look at pretty hotel pictures.

Forget what TLC said. Chasing waterfalls is A-OK.

Take a walk on the dry side.

Yes, this place had a water slide. I repeat: A WATERSLIDE.
The only things missing were inner tubes and lines. That's a tradeoff I'll gladly take.

And here we go! 

Best work break, ever.

Wee!

Ayk's turn

Ker-SPLASH!

Tried doing a cute/ corny picture of us waving hi as shadows, but it looks like Ayk has an extra head Creepy.

Naples Pier

Ayk and I headed to the Naples Pier after the zoo. We would have checked out the animals longer, but there was a wedding there that evening. Look, I love animals too, but zoos smell foul. Who gets a whiff of sulfurous swamps and wildebeest dung, and thinks “Now THAT’S what I want wafting through the air while reciting vows.” What a romantic.

The beach was too chilly for swimming, but that didn’t stop us from dipping our toes in the gulf. We stayed on the pier till twilight. People watching should always come with a sunset backdrop.

So long, sun.

Beaches to the left

Beaches to the right

Dutch fisherman (Ayk swears he was Serbian) was kind enough to let me document his fish-gutting process.

It has teeth!

Expert gutter

Open wide

Looking back to the beach

Awkward nighttime flash

“Don’t touch it! It’s an electric eel!” the kid said as the fisherman reeled in his catch. Shocker: this guy wasn't giving off any hertz (baazing!).

Now it’s bait.

Sunset on the pier
 

Playing with perspective

For dinner, Ayk and I went to Café Barcelona. The only reason I’m mentioning this restaurant – not for the forgettable tapas – is because a Big Boyz Bail Bonds pen, ubiquitous in Baltimore restaurants, found its way to Naples. We asked the server, and she wasn’t sure where the pen came from. Guess someone wanted to share a bit of Baltimore with the Sunshine State.

Naples: Honey badgers!!

As I previously said, Ayk lucked out with his new job, which sends him all over the place. And since I work from home, I usually join him. I work when he works, and I take off time when he takes off time. It works beautifully.

Our first work trip together was in November 2012. Ayk’s job had an annual conference in Bonita Springs, Florida, just south of Naples. Of course I was excited to go see the beaches when it was winter in Maryland, but that’s not the main reason I was so giddy for that trip.

Remember how heartbroken I was after I couldn’t see the honey badger at the San Diego Zoo? I said I would see them, and see them I did. Not far from Ayk’s conference was the Naples Zoo, which is home to three adorable (yes, adorable) honey badgers.

When Ayk surprised me with the good news, I had a near Kristin Bell sloth meltdown. I managed to hold back the water works, since we were at a restaurant at the time. I actually did get a little choked up when I saw them in real life. Ha, like those ferocious beasts would care enough to pass the Kleenex.

Wrestling and running around—it’s what they do. It was tricky getting a non-blurry shot. They looked like speedy skunks from a distance.

Eating everything in sight is their favorite pastime.

Lunchtime! Just kidding. This venomous treat was just a few exhibits over.

Sure they’re ferocious, but they’re so adorable when they want to be. The darker coat one is the male; the other two are females.

Helplessly pawing for the honey coated nuts. Squee! I die.

They’re just begging for a cuddle buddy... until you remember their razor sharp claws can shred you if you pet them. They don’t care. Speaking of, the guy who made the honey badger don't care viral video actually made a video for the Naples Zoo, at his insistence. The zookeeper said his sassy voice isn't how he talks in real life. Bummer.

Scheming her escape, most likely. Before they were sent to the Naples, this trio was featured in a Utah zoo, where they broke out a few times. Here there’s a layer of concrete below the dirt. Let’s see if that’ll contain them.

Squint and you can see a badger hanging around/ attempting an escape in the little fenced off den.

A day or two before we got there, the honey badger keeper (aka my dream job) put a palm tree for them to claw at. They dug out the entire inside in one afternoon.

Wait, is it clawing its way out?

Nope, just tuckered out from all the running. Aww! The black pulp you see next to the tree is what they clawed out. Crazy critters.

Group shot with the honey badger from a safe distance.

And a close up, just in case.

We got a video (actually lots of videos) of the honey badgers running around, wrestling, and eating. Apologies in advance for this super sucky camera quality. The gears make an annoying noise whenever I zoomed in or out. Just ignore it and listen to the squee-inducing grunts.