I am currently sitting at a public computer in The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. I’m here for the 54th Transportation Conference. I drove down yesterday in the TranSystems truck with the trade show booth and the huge panels that I designed in InDesign. I was kind of excited, I guess. It’s my first business trip.

Anyway, I’m disappointed. I’ve never seen people act so fake in my entire life. Plus, everyone’s more interested in filling out bingo cards and picking up stress toys than they are learning about each other’s companies and opportunities in the transportation industry. I don’t get it.

And another thing — couldn’t they have splurged on a CD that plays something other than “Strangers In The Night” and “New York, New York” for background music? I think I’ve heard both songs at least 15 times since 7:00 this morning.

Perhaps I’m incredibly negative and pessimistic, but I don’t see how this benefits anyone except for me — because I get to stay here for free, get paid for it and go down to Blacksburg and party later.