zoning

i'm in the zone at work this week. arguably working on five accounts right now. really two full-time and one temporarily. the other two are harder to explain. let's just say i am busy. after this week, i'll travel twice in two weeks. From Ohio to Chicago and Indianapolis, the midwest business tour for a total of three nights away from my family.

biz travel sucks for public relations. in fact, public relations made a list of top ten careers with most miles walked. somewhere beneath postal carriers we came in on the list. i blame business travel and trade shows. my big event is next week and the week after i attend a client's customer event.

biz trips used to be good excuses to drink. i was always careful to not go too crazy in front of a client. arguably i never got too crazy when i was drinking though. i usually waited until the evening of the first night on the road. typically i only am on the road for one or two nights. in addition to whatever social drinking i did with the client, i would also have a few brews delivered via roomservice for a nightcap. typically on the way back, the airport bar and flight attendants also provided some libation. even with our more politically correct times, there are still plenty of opportunities to drink in business...particularly while on the road.

i've travelled several times in the past 11 months and i've barely ever gotten the "liver pangs" where i longed for a drink. the only rough spots involve telling your client you do not drink and then why you do not drink.

sadly, i am in a business where i cannot proudly proclaim i am 11 months sober. they do not hear 11 months. they barely hear sober. the word merely triggers other thoughts and sounds. i guess that's why they call it alcoholics anonymous, eh? it's not like this would be something you could throw out there in ANY business situation.

all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. more to come...