Distractions, reflections

Times Square is a tourist mecca for visitors to New York City. Most people see it from the ground level. Working with a client in one of the skyscrapers privileged us a different perspective. Above Broadway at 44th Street, here’s the view southwest. Across the Hudson River, the towers of Jersey City don’t look so far away.

Looking directly south, the towers around the theater district diminish, with the next cluster of peaks downtown in the financial district.

Looking down on streets in the lower 40′s, we were trying to figure out the machinery on some rooftops.

The view southeast shows some of the billboards that make Times Square famous.  Read more... (255 words, 7 images, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)

In my current day job, I probably spend the majority of the days at home at my desk. When I do client interviews, I try to schedule two to three days in one place, and stay in a nearby hotel. It’s a rare occasion when I do a day trip, boarding a plane in the morning, and returning that evening. The flight from Toronto to New York is scheduled at 95 minutes, so making two customer calls in one day is feasible. I’ve never been in the Chelsea neighbourhood before, but precise directions to a taxi driver dropped me off at 8th Avenue and 11th Street. Looking south, the buildings seem to be a few stories high, with a few skyscapers thrown in.

Greg called me on my mobile phone, and we met up. As a good sales person, he knows the preferences of his clients. Our first call was on an executive who isn’t a fan of bagels, but really likes donuts. Thus, we stopped by Donut Haven to pick up a fresh assortment.

We went on the customer call, and then headed northbound on the fastest mode of transportation: the New York City subway. Greg’s home is in Providence, RI, so he says he doesn’t really know the subway lines. By a strange coincidence, all of his clients and the office are all on the E line, so he doesn’t gets lost.  Read more... (351 words, 5 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

On my second leg of this business trip, I actually got to stay in Manhattan for a few days. The hotel (and office) were close to Radio City Music Hall, so I got to see some bright lights.

 Read more... (199 words, 7 images, estimated 48 secs reading time)