Greetings from Newark
I'm in Newark, NJ for work today and tomorrow. In reality, it's one of those business trips when you're not exactly sure when you may get to go home. The negotiations may last 3 minutes, 3 hours or 3 days. Too soon to tell, but I'm hoping for the happy medium.
When you're on such an unpredictable excursion, it's always nice to either (1) be with someone or (2) be someplace interesting (or at least active). Well, I am alone and unfortunately Newark isn't on my Top 50 list of "had to see before I check out" locales. Sidebar: People think Pittsburgh is dull, gray and rundown?? This place is a freakin' disaster. Something right out of a Rated M for mature video game. I've never seen the game Grand Theft Auto, but I suspect that it is based - in large part - on Newark's leading industry and contains some of its better scenery..
Now I realize that I'm only a $50 cab ride from the busiest city in the universe, but unfortunately even NYC when you're alone isn't much fun. Most of the guys that I know that used to live in NYC have matured to CT or NJ. Or, if they still live in the City, they work till midnight or have other things going on. Frankly, I can't even think of anyone to call.
Plus, when I travel, I cannot eat alone in a restaurant. Just can't do it. Instead, I camp out at the bar and watch ESPN while bending the ear of the bartender. I've noticed, however, that Big Apple bartenders aren't long on the conversation. I'm just another out of town lawyer, wasting their time - or so it seems.
I guess you've reached the pinnacle of middle age (or the downside of your career) when you seek out the hotel's Business Center to surf the Internet. Truth be told, I'm just killing time before I grab a seat in the hotel bar & grill for a Miller Lite and the chicken tenders - the only safe business travel food. Hotels cannot screw up chicken tenders, right?
Well, at .63 cents a minute, this may be the most expensive blog entry of my young career. Here's hoping I see Pittsburgh again before March . . .
