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One is the Loneliest Number
by eric at 05:23 PM on June 07, 2002
I'm a lucky bastard to have a job now, I know it, we all know it. Even if the jobless rate is decreasing again, we all felt the hurt, the sting, the pain, of being out of work or knowing people out of work over the last couple of years as the bubble burst.
Since I've got a job, and I know I'm lucky and I'm superstitious as hell about losing it due to absolutely no fault of my own, well, I don't complain. I literally will not do it -- even though I've had cause on more than one occasion over the last few months, it's not worth it for even the stupidest little item to make me splurge venom from my craw about anything regarding my employer.
Still... this week, I'm going to be returning for the first time in two years to the role of "business traveler." That means getting on a plane, carrying a laptop, doing a lot of schmoozing and talking and trying to remember people's names, and still being expected to do work while I'm at it. None of which bothers me as much as the nights.
I'm not a bar hopper, or a club goer, nor do I seek out houses of worship or crude tourist traps when I'm alone in a city. So what do I do for four nights by myself in Philadelphia? I'll probably work, I'll call my wife and have very long conversations where she'll tell me what our dogs did all day and how much she hates her current work assignment. Maybe I'll check the hotel pay-per-view and get an over-priced room service hamburger.
It's all so damn lonely. I dread this trip. I already want to go home.
comments (4)
and on the flip side, you could already be at home and have no job to go to. Start taking snap shots of the places you are going to/from, make it worth your while. EVERYTHING you do in life should be worth something, life is too short for it not to be...oh and congrats on your job!
by Pristine at June 7, 2002 9:16 PM
I'm with you, Eric. Business travel is not like a vacation.
I just got a job this week (Yippee! The crowd goes wild!!), and I have to go to Cleveland for two weeks in July, and Phoenix for two weeks in August. Both of these trips by myself. Now, there are things I could do (baseball games, f'rinstance), but I'd still rather be home with my wife.
Still, it could be worse. I COULD still be looking for a job. No thanks....
by northstar at June 8, 2002 8:26 AM
You're both right, even being on the road for six months selling roadkill would beat being unemployed these days.
by Eric at June 11, 2002 1:50 PM
Way to make me feel better.
by mg at June 11, 2002 3:40 PM