I've never been a big fan of traveling alone. I've always found the experience of discovering a new place is infinitely enhanced when there's someone alongside with whom you can enjoy the experience and the togetherness. Along those lines, there are few things that feel more tinged with loneliness that being on a business trip by myself in a city I wouldn't choose to be in if the choice had been mine to begin with. The good news is that it's been a short trip, and I'll be sleeping in my own bed tonight...even though my flight doesn't come in until late.
There was a time when traveling anywhere- even on business- was an exciting proposition. I got to go some place new...and on someone else's dime. It didn't take me long to figure out that it was a double-edged sword. Yes, someone else was paying the freight, but it came with the expectation that I'd work ridiculous hours, sometimes over weekends, with people I wouldn't have chosen to be with if you'd put a gun to my head. I'd be sleeping poorly, eating poorly, and not seeing anything save for the route from my hotel to my client's office. Yeah, it didn't take long for me to figure out that there was nothing glamorous about business travel. This trip has been little different- except for the quality of the people I'm working with- although it has been mercifully short.
Some longer trips have lent themselves to a few interesting experience, to be sure. I've seen the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls on a couple of extended business trips, and I generally try to take what good I can find out of having to be somewhere other than home. I've been to a number of sporting events at some pretty amazing venues, and while the Indians are out of town on this trip, I did see the Indians play the Twins when I was was last here in Cleveland.
Short trips like this are a pain, though. I got to my hotel Monday night, just in time to order room service. When I woke up yesterday morning the clock on the bedside table said 630am, though my internal clock, still firmly set on Pacific time, was making me all too aware that it was actually 330am Jack time. Even after the borderline-dangerous levels of caffeine I've consumed during my stay in Cleveland, I still feel like something the cat dragged in. And flying cross-country again tonight only guarantees that tomorrow morning will a challenge regardless of how much Pike Place Roast I can mainline.
Then there's the whole social aspect of being away from home. It's difficult to keep up with friends and maintain relationships from 2500 miles away. Ah, well...the good news is that my paycheck will be in my bank account tomorrow, which will once again serve as a reminder of why I do this....and it's not as if anyone is holding a gun to my head. The time may well come when I decide that enough is enough. Right now, that time feels as if it may be nigh...but tomorrow or the next day I may feel differently.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I really must pray to the caffeine gods once again....
