Monday, January 5, 2009

Leaving on a jet plane

I'm drinking bold coffee brewed strong. And I think I'm going to need another seven cups to get me off and running. My flight leaves at 2 pm. I'm headed to New England for a dinner tonight and an interview tomorrow. Tomorrow night, I'll fly from there to New York for interviews on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I'm supposed to get into LaGuardia at about 8 pm tomorrow. Then, I get on a bus to the Upper West Side to take the subway to Penn Station to catch a train to New Jersey to take a cab to the futon where I'm staying the first two nights. I'm hoping to do all of that in about two hours. (I think that's called optimism.)

Wednesday, I have the day off. No interviews! I'm going to get a haircut, eat street food, and try not to freeze to death.

The last two nights, I'm staying in Manhattan at a hotel that boasts "urban adventure and daredevil design." Translation: Our designer decided to forgo lights in the lobby or the hallways so that as you take on the urban adventure that is groping your way to your room, you may inadvertently fondle someone posh and fabulous. Or, you may grab yourself a big, old hunk of sociopath. You daredevil you.

I've stayed there before. I tell Priceline I want a 3.5 star hotel for $100 a night and they put me here. Twice now. Last time, when the kid behind the lobby desk asked for my credit card at check-in, I said, "Well, I can't actually see anything in my bag right now, but this thing feels like it has raised numbers on it. It's either my credit card or Helen Keller's driver's license. Swipe it and let me know how it goes."

He said, "Wait, your name's Helen? I thought you said..."

But, my room was clean and quiet. There's also a little pub a few doors down that serves some great French onion soup... so, no real complaints.

In an effort to pack light, I'll be leaving my laptop at home. This means I'll be doing old-fashioned things in my spare time like writing in a notebook and reading a novel. If I get really bored, maybe I'll churn some butter.

Sunday morning, your daredevil reporter will return with stories of urban adventure. Some of them mostly true.

14 comments:

Christine G. said...

please tell me where in new england you're going.

email is christinegeiger@gmail.com
kthxbi.

Shan said...

Terroni! Just whip out that six pack of humor you're packin' at the next interview and call it a day! You are killing me with the stories lately! Whew! I know you will be so glad when this whole match process gets over with but it might be exciting to picture yourself in all the different locations and see which one feels best too.
Oh, and DO be on your toes in the lobby of that hotel. Urban adventure and daredevil design together sound like they could go many different directions depending on the day!

Anonymous said...

That's why I bought a 2-pound laptop - I can throw it in my backpack and still have internet access on the fly.

Good luck with both the traveling and the interviews!

j-dub said...

"fondle someone posh and fabulous"

might I rent that phrase at some point in the future? it's fantastic. I promise to attribute appropriately.

Susanlee said...

ahahaha! I hope you have an amazing time. That wouldn't by chance be the W Manhattan? I had a similar dark lobby, grope in the hallway experience at the W Seattle. Good luck, not that you need it.

MmeBenaut said...

(Chuckling). Good luck with the urban adventure thing and also the map and water bottle trip to the futon - sounds very difficult negotiating NYC somehow.
I always thought that the story (and the movie) of Helen Keller should be revived every five years or so. Sounds like some of the younger generation have never heard of her.

MmeBenaut said...

Dammit. I keep pressing that publish button before I've finished.

Good luck with the interviews! Could you perhaps fit the haircut in before you go to them instead of afterwards?

Maria said...

Knock 'em silly, T.

And if you get stinkin' drunk again, don't call me like last time.

I always wanted to say that. I heard in a movie once and it may be my only chance...

Gitz 'n Jo said...

Go kick some interview ass, woman. You can do it! :) (don't forget the belt... hate to show those white legs)

And then come back and give me a report on all things New York and fabulous so I can read, close my eyes and pretend I'm there.

You're so good to let me live vicariously...

:)

Susanlee said...

I hope you're surviving the city and your urban adventure hotel. You've received a little award over at my blog, so when you get a chance, check it out!

nina michelle said...

Be safe! And thank you very much Dr. T. oxox

neen

Terroni said...

You're welcome, Nina. I hope that something in all of that rambling made sense.

I will return to blogging tomorrow. Or rather, much later today. (I just looked at the clock and realized that it's Monday.) I am exhausted but can't seem to sleep. Can you get jet lagged without leaving your home's time zone? No? Well then, I'm not sure what the hell is wrong with me.

Neponset River Bridge Dig said...

Good luck!

Eric said...

That's hilarious, can't wait to read about the trip. I hope your interviews went well.