Guest Blogger: Amy Meyers.
Amy is blonde, wears pink (dusty and vibrant salmon), and does a mean body roll. But don’t be fooled by the easy laugh (nigh unto a giggle), her spot-on imitation of Snow White’s falsetto, and the triple-dose of charm: Ms. Meyers is a professional.
I grew up admiring the powerful, female executives in movies from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Every collar was crisp, every pearl whispered sophistication, every click of the high-but-classy-heel exuded confidence and purpose. It all screamed power and respect to my teenage awkwardness. What a romanticized vision of reality – sitting at a desk for 8+ hours with people who you may or may not like.
Since entering the “corporate world,” I have become disillusioned with every detail of office life…except one. I still have my weak spot: business trips. Any frequent business traveler will grumble at my confession, but being paid to travel is SO glamorous. Not to mention fun, flattering, luxurious–and a privilege only offered to those who make shipping a person cost-effective–impressive. This is a determining factor in our twisted measure of success – you travel for your job and you have arrived in my book. I know. Silly.
But I’ve always wanted to say things like, “I’m catching the flight out tonight,” or, “Hold my calls while I’m traveling,” or, “Forward my messages,” or even, “Confirm my itinerary please, I need to hop on a plane immediately following my presentation.” I always imagined the appropriate backdrop for these phrases: corner office, diet coke on my botticino classico marble coaster (on my oversized desk), floor to ceiling windows, view of the metropolitan skyline with a kiss of sunset…you get the idea.
You can imagine my enthusiasm, then, when I was told that my time had come. I was catching the flight out. The scene somehow left something to be desired:
Fluorescent lights buzzed subtly in the background – or was it the mini-fridge (circa 1950) that my neighbor stashed under his desk? – as my boss rounded the taupe partition. I immediately blushed as I realized I had already shut down my computer to duck out a little early when I had a good 20 minutes before 5:00 pm. He didn’t hesitate, “Amy, we need you to go to the Boise and Burley offices in Idaho. Would you mind very much flying out there to take care of this project?” My eager reply must have given me away because he chuckled and explained that I could even expense $150/day for food.
Let me, just for this moment, pretend that I am the classy executive who is making a difference, with the world at her fingertips. Let me feel the full implication of my rental Mustang, as opposed to the Taurus. Let me soak in the luxurious meals and HBO. And let me bask in the dream until I’ve returned, refreshed and ready for more reality, which really is sweeter than the dream.
This is actually my third business trip – the others were much more legitimate (NY and LA), but it remains a novelty and Boise has not let me down. Good night and sweet dreams from the Hilton Inn in beautiful, bustling Boise, Idaho.
I will have limited access to internet. Hold my calls.
The Apron Stage 
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July 17, 2009 at 5:48 am
Brohammas
Business trip to Burley! The idea is absurd but the alliteration is nice.
July 17, 2009 at 8:32 am
smylies
Absurd?!?! Brohammas, come on. It’s Burley, Idaho. Home of the Spudman. On top of which, it’s a BUSINESS trip. I only ever went on one in my short life as a professional. It was to Provo, UT. Home of the Rex Lee 5k.
I did spend time as a professional planning business trips for other people, and I attest: if you’re getting sent out, you’ve arrived.
July 17, 2009 at 8:36 am
lisapiorczynski
Oh, I sooooo relate to this. Being in the world of academia, the best I get is a conference. Bonus points if I’m presenting. It’s still not nearly as sexy as a business trip, but I take glamor where I can find it.
July 17, 2009 at 9:10 am
Amanda
Shoot– being the world of a stay at home mother, the only business trips I get are to Target to buy more wipes… Yay!
July 17, 2009 at 9:11 am
Amanda
umm, let’s try, “being *in* the world…”
Much better. My child is 18 months old– can I still blame it on baby brain?
July 17, 2009 at 9:33 am
Kahalia
This post is so true for me. Jacqueline in the 90’s film Boomerang was my idol. She commanded that office. She went on a business trip to the Big Easy. WOW!
I’ve only gone on one business trip. But it was one of the best hotels stays of my life.
I had arrived.
It doesn’t matter where you travel. The dinkier the town the more it seems like a romantic comedy-glamorous in it’s own way (see New in Town).
July 17, 2009 at 10:34 am
Katie Merrill
I love going on business trips, and I love telling people that I will be out of town for work. I feel so very sophisticated, even though my business trips send me to random places to collect cheatgrass seeds and dirt. Oh so glamorous.
July 17, 2009 at 10:42 am
nakiru
I read this as I prep for a business trip to San Diego next week. I have, so far, been on three, and I agree. I feel like I have arrived.
As the second of four children, with two younger sisters, you can imagine the feeling of luxury of having an entire hotel bed to myself, with no kicking in the night, no one hogging the covers. No one to complain if I want to watch HGTV until midnight, and no one to complain if I choose to watch MTV (*gasp!*) when the alarm goes off at 6am.
I think business travel is decadent. I suspect that after two or three more trips that will fade, a bit, but I think that San Diego will only perpetuate the feeling of having arrived. My hotel is only ten blocks from the ocean.
Oh, the bliss.
July 17, 2009 at 11:16 am
Julie
Ugh, I’m afraid I will have to be your grumbling, jaded frequent flyer.
As such, I read this post shaking my head. Because for me, out-of-town stays are the most disillusioning part of all:
Living out of a suitcase so that you never have the book/shoes/accessory/appliance you want at that moment. Missing whatever fun (or mundane) things your friends/family have planned at home. Knowing that after working all day you get to go “home” to a hotel room where there will be no one to talk to. Watching mind-numbing TV at 2 a.m. because you can’t handle the lonely silence. Going without all the wonderful beauty products you take for granted because you can only fit so much into a quart-size plastic bag (and as any seasoned business traveler knows, it is NEVER worth the hassle to wait for checked baggage and/or risk having your clothes sent to Timbuktu). Always having twice as much work to do before and after the trip (both at the office and at home). Jet lag. Inevitable late-night airport delays/cancellations. Being too tired after a busy workday to even think of hitting the town to see what sights there are to see — and not having anyone to enjoy it with anyway. Forfeiting the comfort and healthiness of your normal exercise routine and diet. Getting lost right before an important meeting. Being constantly aware of the extra pressure to produce results that will justify the expense of your trip. Missing important emails from your boss/biggest client/best friend because the hotel Internet is down. Packing. Unpacking. Laundry. What a drag.
I couldn’t believe that someone who actually travels for business found it so appealing. Until you said this was your third trip. Ah yes, I do remember the novelty. I hate to say it, dear, but it’s only downhill from here.
/depressing rant
July 17, 2009 at 11:45 am
stannyann
“I will have limited access to Internet, hold my calls.”
It’s just something not every professional gets to say. But in the beautiful stage of no Blackberry, yes per diem, you are in the golden light my friend. I loved this. I remember my first business trip being handed a white envelope with my food allowance in cash (!), checking into a Marriott (my family only stayed at the Comfort Inn!), and knowing that Mobile, Alabama would always represent success to me.
Really? Me? On the company dime? Aw shucks.
July 17, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Laura
I have yet to go on a business trip and I am despairing that I will ever go on one. It makes me very gloomy.
July 17, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Brohammas
Julie, I can complain with you, or at least once could, but not for the same reasons. If you travel enough you learn which accessories you need (given you are talking electronics and not purses), and living out of a suitcase isn’t so bad. It encourages minimalism.
What is horrible is going to Austin and never actually seeing Austin. I’ve been to a bunch of cool places and as far as I know they all look the same: TV on top of a dresser, one bed, small table with arm chair, mini fridge, bathroom. That is my summary of Austin, Phoenix, Atlanta, NYC, Boston, Baltimore, etc. etc.
People think entertaining clients sounds glamorous too. That is till you realize that somehow all that all cleints do is drink. “Check in is at 3, dinner isnt till 5, so meet you at the hotel bar in ten minutes?” How is drinking a pastime? All that clients do while drinking is talk about what they are drinking.
If I had a dollar for every time I have had the “we are in a bar, why arent you drinking?” conversation with some half-twisted semis business guy wearing a golf shirt, I could single handedly end this recession.
I will stop now.
P.S. Kahalia is crazy DO NOT see “New In Town”
July 17, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Julie
Brohammas– Yes, I know the routine and how to maximize the minimalism. Having traveled dozens of times in the last few years, I can fully pack a suitcase in 10 minutes, complete with the bag of all necessary liquids on top, ID easily accessible, laptop easily removed. I have my designated travel outfit for speeding through airport security (slip-on shoes, no belt, etc.). I know the routine.
But oh, how often have I longed for the luxury of having at hand not just what I need, but also the million little things that make home so homey. That one book on my bookshelf, the handy selection in my refrigerator at midnight, fuzzy slippers if my feet are sore, unwinding in the garden after work, etc., etc.
In the end, yes, it is the people that matter most. And you usually find that glamorous bigwigs are just people too (and some even have depressing habits). I will say one good thing about leaving my home folks behind from time to time is I then realize just how much I should appreciate them.
July 17, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Lyn
This is hysterical. I love your descriptions of power women in 90s. I just saw some drawings at the Met that tried to capture exactly what you were talking about. And yes, as young girls, didn’t we all think that those were the women (not our frumpy mothers) who had it all figured out? And now, don’t a lot of us wish we could be more like our frumpy moms?
July 17, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Amy
Isn’t it funny how our perspective changes as we get older? This sarcastic narrative is not meant to imply that constant business travel is always desirable, that said travelers are truly superior, or that you should take your local family/friends for granted. It is only meant to remember childhood dreams, however silly they may have been, and to feel good about what has been accomplished, even if it is only a business trip to Burley. Feel good about your newfound perspective since “Working Girl” (or whatever movie inspired your young mind) and don’t take yourself too seriously.
July 17, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Kahalia
Excuse me Brohammas,
“See” New in Town, didn’t literally mean “see” it.
It meant for example, New in Town. It was horrible as a film, but wonderful as an example.
July 17, 2009 at 8:03 pm
No One You Know
A sister from another mister!
I want to fling my arms out wide and spin around and say, “…………..”, well, I don’t really know what I want to say. But it would be cool and be an awesome display of the giddines I imagine I would feel if I, too, we’re cool enough to travel. Anywhere.
I have 5 kids and have been married since I was a teenager.
In my head, I rock an expensive designer suit, have an assistant (who does not wear diapers) and move and shake more that a rattle.
Storm Burley.
Leave your mark.
Take all the little soaps.
Do it for me.
Do it for us all!
P.S. I skipped every post that was a downer.
No offense.
No rain on this parade, ya know what I’m sayin’.
July 18, 2009 at 1:17 am
Carole
Oh! I feel the same way about business travelling. And really, all short trips. Just walking around an airport without a lot of luggage makes me feel so competent.
I have somewhat related feelings about being contacted by work while I’m on vacation. I know it’s supposed to be this huge hassle and an incredible annoyance, but I secretly like it. It makes me feel important. If I’m going out of town for a few days, whether for business or pleasure, I always tell my coworkers, “Feel free to give me a call if anything should come up.” On our electronic out-board, I leave a note that says, “Out of the office until next week. Available by cell and email.”
I sometimes act annoyed when I get assignments from work while I’m out of town. But, you know, I don’t have to synch my iPhone to my work email. I do it to maintain the illusion that at any given time, someone somewhere might have an urgent problem that only I can solve.
July 18, 2009 at 2:15 am
Natalie
I will so feel like I’ve arrived when I get to travel. But I think I gotta get out of the public sector first!
July 20, 2009 at 8:30 am
amanda
i just rented new in town. dang it.
July 20, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Kristen
Hey, a trip is a trip. I enjoy any little escape from reality, if not only to make you appreciate your mundane routine of home all the more.
So I guess Harry Connick Jr. isn’t enough eye candy to make New In Town worth it?
July 24, 2009 at 7:12 pm
the taxi’s waiting. « perspicacity
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