Find something fun to do on at least 80% of my business trips

I had to go to NJ for a week, so I went up 2 days early and be-bopped around NYC.

Saw one of the last 4 known copies (of the set of the first 14 made) of the Magna Carta – it was awesomely inspiring.

Went to my milliner’s in Chelsea and renewed my love of spectacular hats but resisted the urge to spend $1k I didn’t have to spare.

Saw the Stonewall Inn (it’s the 40th anniversary of Stonewall; an important milestone in freedom).

Took a friend on their first-ever NYC subway ride.

Ate at several lovely restaurants.

Had breakfast with a former co-worker.

Replenished my supply of Portuguese EVOO, which I’ve only ever been able to find in Newark.

I should probably mark this goal “completed”, since I’ve been consistently achieving it for over a year – but leaving it open helps me keep it in focus.

The next business trip will be Monday through Wed. of next week. My boss, and at least 20 co-workers, are all converging for meetings… Unless I can consider supper with colleagues “fun”, this trip will be one of the 20% that don’t hit the goal. I don’t see a spot to work in a side adventure, based on the current agenda.

I’ve never visited India, so this is going to be a real opportunity to find fun things to do!

While I was up in NY/NJ this past week, I got to see the Xmas tree at Rockafeller Center; and I went to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.

I’m still Scrooging this year, but those were fun to see.

I saw Hairspray! this past weekend while on a business trip to NY/NJ.

Three of the original cast members were playing, including Harvey Fierstein, since the production closes 1/4/09.

It was fabulous – I want to look for the soundtrack for at least one of the songs!

So, I’m heading back up to the NY / NJ metro area for business. Some of my coworkers and I plan to go to a Broadway matinee on Sunday – don’t know which one; just whatever is available at the half price ticket booth.

1) saw Penn & Teller – awesome, awesome, awesome
2) saw the MGM lions, the wildlife at the Flamingo, the dancing fountains at Bellagio, the sculptures at Cesaer’s, the gondolas at the Venetian
3) Croissants & coffee at Paris
4) Dinner at Delmonico’s in the Venetian
5) Lunch at Smith & Wollensky
6) rode the monorail
7) got solicited by a male hooker & a drunken female barfly

All in all – an excellent time!

The company is sending me to work a tradeshow in Las Vegas this month. I think I just may be able to hit the goal of finding something fun to do on this trip…

Since my stay overlapped a weekend, I was able to go to the Farmers Market – pretty cool stuff!

Local cheeses, fruits, flowers, gourmet items… well worth the excursion.

5/29/08 – 5/30/08 I went to a training conference in Rancho Mirage, CA which is near Palm Springs.

I rode the Palm Springs Tramway to the top of a tall mountain; got to see all sorts of interesting things on the way up to the top because the inside of the car rotates as it moves along the cable system – giving a 360 degree view during the trip.