NYC/Chicago

Made it to Chicago yesterday. The flight was smooth, so that was a plus. We got to the Four Seaons, and man, what a posh place. Take a look!

Went to work today and trained about 30 people. The people at the Chicago office were absolutely wonderful! Went to dinner with Dad at Big Bowl. Thought it was great. Now we leave to come home early in the morning. This was a great trip but it will definately be good to be back home, at least for a few days, before the big UK Vacation!

Things have been so crazy it has been hard to blog.

Monday it was back to work at MTV New York. Ended up with a new project that had to be done right away. You know what they say about best laid plans.

While all that was happening, Randye took Dad to visit with our Rabbi's wife. The Rabbi passed away six years ago. They went to lunch and to see the synagogue. He got to meet the new Rabbi and he saw one of my old 6th grade teachers who now works for the synagogue. My dad loved it. Finally, we went to have some real deli at the new version of the 2nd Avenue Deli (which is now actually on 3rd Ave). I went completely off the band wagon and had a tongue sandwich. I know...you are all screaming EWWWWW!. I also got to have some really wonderful sour pickles! At the end with the check, they actually give you little chocolate soda shot!

Tuesday I still had mega meetings at work and Randye took Dad to visit the cemetery. Then they headed out to Shea stadium for the Mets/Nationals game. It was a real pitchers battle...NOT! The final score was 10-8. My dad actually predicted 3 of the home runs. <Insert Twilight Zone Music here>.

Still we had Diamond Club passes and had dinner. We stopped to take a picture in front of the 1986 World Series trophy...

And then we watched the game. It was frustrating as hell with the Mets blowing the lead three times before winning. But if they go on to the playoffs...and should I say it? The series, I think this is the game that they will look back to as the turning point to getting it all done.

Wednesday, today, Dad went to work with me and met the group. He sat in the lounge while I went to meetings. The day went by so fast. Now finally, we made it to Chicago. We are at the Four Seasons. All I can say is OMG. What a posh place. I feel completely way under dressed!

Tomorrow it will be a jam-packed day of training. More to come later....

Well, the flight was very bumpy for the last 4o minutes but we must have had a major jetstream behind us. It only took about 4 hours and 15 minutes. Amazing. Dad did well on the flight, if a little bored. A guy next to us had the NY Post and times and he let my Dad have them when he was done, so for the most part, Dad was happy.

I was happy to get through an episode of Psych and most of National Treasure 2.

The weather was beautiful. The hotel we are at I have been to before and for the most part is fine, but no bars in the bathrooms for the elderly and no mat or strips for the tub, so people don't slip. When I asked the front desk if any mats were available, they looked at me as if I grew another head. Had to walk to Duane Reed to buy one at midnight. Also, we couldn't find any pillows.

Then it was off to dinner at Ben Benson's for dinner with my cousin, Randye. Randye's significant other, Jim is a manager there. My Dad really enjoyed it. What a wonderful evening. Between Jim and Phil taking care of us and providing wonderful conversation and the food and atmosphere...it was just what everyone needed.

Left to right: Jim, Phil, Dad, and Randye

Got back at midnight to also find that as I was getting ready to go to bed that the pull out couch did indeed have a mattress (although it was like sleeping on a chainlink fence with some towels over it) but no sheets or blankets. I was too tired to argue with them at 12:30 AM.

Still everything worked out and I'm here at work trying to get things done and since I haven't received any urgent calls, I'm assuming my Dad and Randye are off visiting!

Packing is my middle name. Packing for me, my Dad. Pack, pack, pack. It seems like the weather may be a bit of an issue as TS Hanna is making her presence known. It seems that the Mets game was washed out today. The forecast is showing thunderstorms for Tuesday. Let's hope it doesn't affect the game that day as it will be the last game we see at Shea. The new stadium will be used next year and this NYC icon will be no more.

Next post should be from NYC!

Dad will get to see NY again before he is unable to travel (not looking for trouble, just making sure he can get back to see family, friends and the all inmportant Met's game in Old Shea Stadium.