UPDATE: 3:22 p.m.

Question: What's the fastest way to devalue an upscale hotel?

Answer: Allow a group of sports writers to hang out in the lobby.

Yes, we're back here live from the lobby of the St. Regis Monarch Beach, where right now a gang of underdressed scribes are waiting for Scott Boras to emerge from a meeting. I'll fill you in on what has happened since the last time I checked in.

11:00 a.m. -- Spot Jim Fregosi on the balcony.

11:01 a.m. -- Decide it would be good to introduce myself to Jim Fregosi.

11:02 a.m. -- Begin waiting for Jim Fregosi to finish his conversation.

11:10 a.m. -- Continue to wait for Jim Fregosi to finish his conversation.

11:15 a.m. -- Head back to media work room while Jim Fregosi continues his conversation. Try to find a wireless signal.

11:16 a.m. -- Fail to find a wireless signal.

11:17 a.m. -- Return to lobby.

11:20 a.m. -- Spot a large group of reporters hurling questions at a man in a button-down shirt.

11:21 a.m. -- Try to figure out who the man in the button down shirt is.

11:25 a.m. -- Realize the man in the button down shirt is the agent for Colorado set-up man and free agent closer-hopeful Brian Fuentes. The agent for Brian Fuentes is Rick Thurman. Rick Thurman is also the agent for former Phillies reliever Tom Gordon.

11:30 a.m. -- Small piece of Phillies news: Thurman says Gordon should be ready to resume throwing in three to four months. It sounds like he hopes to play next season (The Phillies recently declined their option on Gordon for next season, making him a free agent).

12:00 p.m. -- Continue waiting for Jim Fregosi to finish conversation.

12:30 p.m. -- Walk to the St. Regis coffee shop. It is like a 7-11, if 7-11s sold mozzerella and proscuitto sandwiches that cost 12 dollars.

12:33 p.m. -- Purchase pre-made sandwich in a plastic container and a 12 oz. bottle of Coke. Total price-tag: $17.00

1:00 p.m. -- Discover Jim Fregosi has moved on to another conversation outside the front of the hotel.

1:05 p.m. -- Commence waiting for Jim Fregosi to finish second conversation.

2:00 p.m. -- Receive email from MLBPA. Second small piece of Phillies news: Rudy Seanez has filed for free agency.

2:30 p.m. -- Spot Phillies superscout Chuck Lamar in the lobby of the hotel.

2:35 p.m. -- Talk to Chuck Lamar about which World Series ring he will wear: the 1995 Braves ring he currently rocks, or the 2008 Phillies ring that will soon be on its way.

2:40 p.m. -- Lamar shoots down my suggestion: Get rid of wedding ring, and wear a World Series ring on both hands.

2:45 p.m. -- Finally talk to Jim Fregosi.

^

^

Live, from the lobby of the St. Regis Monarch Beach, it's the 2008 General Managers Meetings. . .Believe me, it is a lot more glamorous than it sounds. So far, this is what my day has consisted of:

6:00 a.m. -- Wake up. Wonder why it feels like 9 a.m.

6:15 a.m. -- Run from the hotel down to the Pacific Ocean.

6:30 a.m. -- Walk back.

7:00 a.m. -- Breakfast in hotel restaurant.

7:08 a.m. -- Discover new favorite omelet ingredient: crawfish.

7:30 a.m. -- Drive from the Laguna Cliffs Marriott to the St. Regis Monarch Beach.

7:45 a.m. -- Realize I left my cell phone in my room.

7:46 a.m. -- Drive back.

8:15 a.m. -- Am told by the staff at the St. Regis that there is no media work room for the GM Meetings.

8:30 a.m. -- Run into Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, who promptly shows me where the media work room is.

9:00 a.m. -- Call Paul Hagen to check in on Ruben Amaro Jr.'s introductory press conference. The only real news to come out of it: Pat Gillick will remain with the team as a consultant based out of his home in Seattle.

10:00 a.m. -- Second cup of coffee. Zero general managers.

As my friend Phil Sheridan sometimes says, "This is our job."