father knows best (kinda)

One of the great things about my new gig is that I get to travel. I'm thrilled. This mystifies my dad. He said, "If you like business travel, you haven't done it enough."

I was thinking of this today as I waited for the National Rental Car bus at the Memphis International Airport today. I was exhausted, hungry, cold, stressed and with a full bladder ... and it started to rain. It didn't seem very glamorous right about then. I still had a great week, learned a lot, met great folks, saw some cool stuff.

That said, I relish the thought of being in my own bed tonight.

While I was gone my dad stayed in my place, which meant a little vacation for my mom and some completed chores for me upon my return. He loved it and cannot wait to come live here again. In fact, rather than saying, "I told you so" when I explained my business travel predicaments, he said, "Um, when are you leaving town again?"

Comments

[Opie]

I've not done a ton of business travel, but I have done some - places like Boston, Atlanta, Milwaukee. Something about it changes my mindset about exploration. I can be in a fascinating neighborhood and yet at the end of the workday all I want to do is sit in the hotel room and stare at cable channels I wouldn't waste five minutes on at home. It's weird.

[dad]

Business travel. "I'm from General Office and I've come to help you." That said, the visitor has assured him/herself of the utmost in confidence and complicity on the part of the folks who need instruction. (It also indicates who will buy the dinner later, but that never seemed to enter their mind)
I recall many years ago saying to my boss "I hate to travel. Among all the other things it is, it is boring." I was about to embark on a mandated trip to Eastern Canada. My boss told me, if you really think it's that boring, here's what you should do. When the Canadian Customs Official asks you what your business in Canada will be, just tell him---I'VE COME UP HERE TO TEACH YOU PEOPLE HOW TO PLAY ICE HOCKEY.