Day 112: I don't want to go to SEE-cock-asssssss

DAY 112: I’m in Newark (well technically Secaucus, pronounced SEE-kaw-kus, or in my Chicago accent SEE-cock-ass), New Jersey, my favorite place east of Pennsylvania and west of New York. Our cab driver was great – he quickly got us to the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel on Wood Avenue, problem was we were going to the Meadowlands Consumer Center on Plaza Drive. He didn’t speak English, just heard Plaza and said, yes, I know, here. Seriously….wtf! After a good amount of back and forth and the involvement of the Hotel bellhop, we convinced him this was NOT the place we needed and got him to take us to the right place, which was miles away on the other side of town. I’ve come to the conclusion that he must have been deaf as well – that would explain his blaring, ear-splitting obnoxious cell phone ring tone and Indian music on the radio. Music which he lowered when he took a phone call, but did not lower when my coworker had to take 2 phone calls. So pleasant. I’d really like to know where common courtesy has gone? Did it go out with poodle skirts? Or disco? Or was it more recently along with neon green sunglasses and Flock of Seagulls hair? Oh wait, those came back in style didn’t they?? Shall I expect common courtesy to follow? I’ll be on the lookout. Optimistic spin: While I was sitting at the airport waiting to board my flight to gorgeous NJ, I looked to my right and noticed there was a dog, just sitting there, not in a bag or anything (technically there was a bag, but his owner had let him out). I looked at him, he looked at me…I was stunned there was a dog next to me and that I didn’t even notice until I turned my head. He was SO well behaved. I pet him, we bonded. My co-workers came back with their food and sat across the aisle from him. Apparently, he REALLY wanted some of their food, so much so that he begged. Here’s what that looked like….honestly, this alone makes the trip to NJ worth it…bad food and all (oh, did I not mention – my room service not only f’ed up my order and brought me someone else’s food, the food they did bring me once the mistake was corrected SUCKED. I think someone was trying to tell me something by sending me the wrong food in the first place…i.e., never send back wrong food because yours is probably worse.) Optimistic spin: I can see the NYC skyline from my hotel window…the way tip of it, one small little part…it’s sort of not that cool though because I’m here, and it’s there – just the tip is all I get, and we all know just the tip is never enough.  It always leaves you wanting more (yes, I'm being dirty….)  Oh, here's that video of the begging puppy in the airport (give it a minute to load if it's not up yet):