Bootleg Bidness Trip

Man, I hate to talk about my employer, because I love it so much. It keeps a roof over my head and food on the table and there's still money left over to waste at bars, clubs and retail stores. Sometimes there are perks like free CDs and concerts. So I overlook little things that really, if I paid more attention, would make me want to burn something down. Not the office building, because we're just one of many suites and I'm not into arsen. Not at all.

Anyways, this week I had a business trip to New York. You've probably heard of the town, it's not that far really. In The Day After Tomorrow Dennis Quaid started driving from D.C. then walked to New York in the worst snow storm ever. Since it's not far, it's not too expensive to reach. They're are several modes of transportation available for less than $200/person round trip. There's the plane, which isn't so flexible, the train, which is SUPER flexible and driving, which is by far the best bet for a small group of people. My employer chose a mode of transportation I hadn't even considered.
The bus. At least it was a Greyhound and not a Chinatown option. (Which I overheard someone lamenting over. "I wish you guys could have caught Vamoose." ) SIGH

I've taken the bus before, can't say I haven't. But I also remember the shame I felt the last time I rolled up in Chinatown with bags strapped to me wearing a grimy bus-riding outfit on a Friday night. I saw a former classmate and was glad that he didn't see me.

Anyway, I'll spare some of my other thoughts about the bus business trip beacuse I am at work. Well, one more thing. Before leaving I was asked to bring my own bed linens and towels because we were staying at a place that may not have enough. I was like, "Wow, this is bootleg. I miss my small company with the pshyco bosses and the big budget." I didn't bring sheets and luckily I didn't need them. The linens were in tack.

I'm just wondering if I've ever had a lower-income business trip before. I've had to share space with some unbearable people, but usually really nice spaces. Here's the thing about business trips. If I have to travel for business, whether it's a professional conference that I just choose to go to or an assignment for a freelance assignment, I pick the best mode of transportation that I can find. Why? It's a tax write off- a legitimate business expense. I mean, some companies have meetings in Bora Bora for this reason alone! Maybe I don't know much about corporate taxes, but I know that I wouldn't take a cheap-ass bus, which is basically a rolling port-a-potty, on my business travel. In the end, the only winner is the bus operator. OK.. I'm done for now.