I was very impressed with the toughness of Eastern. That was our biggest challenge, overcoming their toughness.

Obstacle & challenge in life makes us sensitive, confident & patient. It arms with fighting spirit.It teaches us how to take difficulties in our stride & how to overcome.

[But another challenge for hip hotels is overcoming the short shelf life of any trend.] Being hip is catching the right vibe and the right wave at the right time, and then making sure you stay ahead of changing tastes, ... If you're hip today in 2005, then how do you stay hip in 2007?

It probably was more beneficial to me than it was to them, because you start to question whether you can get things done.

Somebody didn't rotate down inside.

I always talk about not tightening up, but lightening up in all areas.