What I Needed Was Home...

I have not been in the office since last Thursday.

I took off Friday for Toronto. Got back to Boston Sunday. The left for NYC for three days early Monday morning.

I am all "traveled" out for now. I just want to stay in Boston (And really, whoever thought I would say THAT?) for now.

I haven't had a proper bubble bath, sleep, or general feeling of "comfort" since last week. It feels like ages ago.

I must admit, though, all this traveling was worth it. The wedding in Canada was definitely unique and fun... And the two conferences I went to in NYC were very valuable. I have come back with quite a few ideas.

But damn, it feels good to be home!

Stuck In Traffic.

Ugh...

After a long few days in NYC, I now find myself stuck in traffic in Connecticut on the Bolt Bus.

Since I don't drive, I forgot how easy it is for traffic to get backed up. Maybe I should have taken the train? I guess the Bolt Bus is probably best for mornings, rather than evenings.

Mail Goggles From Google.

I am just now catching up on some news from the past few days, and I saw this article...

Google prevent drunk emailing.

The new service is called "Mail Goggles." It's sole purpose is to help prevent you from sending that drunk email. (Wonder if they will ever offer this on Blogger to help prevent drunk blogging?)

Once you activate it for your account via the "Labs" tab in your Gmail Settings...



... It will then prompt you with simple but thoughtful math questions you will have to answer before sending emails late at night.

I activated it for my account to see if it would work, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. It didn't prompt me to answer any math questions this morning... So it must be on a time-setting and will only prompt me late at night.

But what happens if I start drinking during the work day? I could really use this feature during the daytime then.

Hotel Ganesvoort.

So, last night I stayed at the Westin in Times Square. And make no mistake, it's a wonderful hotel. (I am still in shock of the fact that I had gym equipment in my room, but if you wanted to use the hotel's gym, you had to pay $10. CRAZY!) But I am in love with the hotel I am staying in this evening...

The Hotel Ganesvoort.

Located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan's West Side, the Hotel Gansevoort is a wonder. I am kindly being put up here for the evening by a vendor... And I figured I would have a small, but trendy room. I walked into my room this afternoon though... And I was ECSTATIC!

I have a view from room of 9th Avenue below. I can see Pastis, the Soho House and some of the view of the West Side.









And I am really please with my room. Even after I got to see my co-worker Bail's room.

See, Bail originally wasn't going to come. Mr. Sports was supposed to come, but had to cancel when he realized he wouldn't be back from NYC in time for his day of atonement to begin. So when he had to back out at the last minute, Bail said she could come instead. And let's just say... My room is shit compared to hers.

Don't get me wrong, mine is pimped out! But hers?

• Two balconies
• On the 12th floor
• Views of the Hudson River
• Private sitting area, separate from the bedroom
• Bath products

And, they asked her what newspaper she wanted tomorrow morning. No one asked me shit.

From now on, whenever I go anywhere, I am going as "Mr. Sports." His name has WAAAAY more pull than mine.

Vegan-Raw Lunch.

I had the unique pleasure of meeting with one of my super-smart Google reps today for lunch.

When she was last in Boston, I had confessed to her that I was DYING to stop off at the Googleplex for lunch. (If you've never heard how Google takes care of it's employees with various perks, including free gourmet lunches... READ UP!)

Before we went into the secure building, and up to the cafeteria floor, she warned me...

"Now, please understand," she began, "most people over-due it their first time here. There's a lot of great stuff, and you will want it all. It's hard to exercise restraint."

Right when we walked into the cafeteria, a woman from a new energy drink company offered us a sample of a "calorie-burning" cocktail. It was blueberry-raspberry flavored. And it had extracts from red wine and green tea. It was yum.

Them I was hit by the food scene.

In front of me were stations and stations of glorious food. There was a salad bar. A "spa bar" with various healthy spa foods and fresh fruited water. (Like filtered water with mangoes in it.) Then there was the comfort food section. And a grill section. And the DESSERT section. But... I chose none of this... I went with a very unique section...

The vegan-raw bar.

Yes, if you've seen Sex and the City from Season 6... You are familiar with the concept of eating "raw." It's vegan, non-dairy and nothing is cooked over a low temperature. It sounds unappetizing... But it was delicious. So delicious!!!



I know, bad picture... But on my plate is:

• Lentil & Rice Casserole (OMG! So good!)
• Turnips with Tarragon sauce (The only thing I didn't like.)
• An Apple and Grain Salad
• Wheatberry with Cranberries Salad
• Roasted Zucchini
• Marinated Mushrooms
• Asparagus

After wards, I did hit the dessert table for a few things, including a small shot of hot chocolate with orange and mint in it. (Surprisingly, very good.)

I mean, I love my company and am very happy with a free weekly lunch... But Google people are VERY lucky!

Many thanks to my Google rep for indulging my curiosity and getting me in there.