Ok I’m sitting in my hotel room - just sent out some work stuff - feeling guilty and weird. I want to help, I want things to do, I want to not just be some weird little thing trolling the grounds doing nothing. But no one is really hooking me up with anything - and I’m feeling VERY annoying asking all the time. Can I help? What can I help with ? Is there anything you need? Here’s my phone number, etc etc etc. It’s gotten to a point where it HAS to be annoying hearing me constantly ask. Somehow, everyone else seems to know what they’re doing and what they need to do. Two of the sales people showed up and pretty much looked in control of what they were doing (and barely engaged in conversation with me). I’m beginning to wonder if they think I’m super young or stupid. Both are dumb reasons to not include someone.
I guess I’ve got the work travel lonlies. I always WANT to travel for work but then every time I do, I feel pretty lonely. I know it’s still early in my work relationships, but I think if some of the other folks were here I wouldn’t feel like such a turd on a hot stone. So the guilt, let’s talk about that. Everyone invited each other to go get some lunch and didn’t invite me. They all asked each other LOUDLY in front of me. I didn’t let it bother me. I’m not hungry and frankly I don’t think I have anything to share with them at this point. Ok fine, I let it get to me. Anyway, one of them felt guilty and invited me (this person is just overall a really sweet person so I’m glad she asked) but I declined and instead I’m going to just wander around. Here I am in the center of Hollywood on a beautiful sunny day where I can’t FORCE people to give me things to do and I feel guilty about just going and walking around. But like, how many times do I have to offer? Everytime, I know. Well f it. I’m going to go for a walk.
I’ll head back in like 2 hours or something. I’m hoping my roommate shows up soon so I have someone to play with.
Come to AZ, I’ll take you to lunch.
Hey crazy woman! How was the walk-about? Hope you found some inspiration out there in crazy h’wood … I want to hear all about how the celebrate St Patty’s. When is the actual conference? I hope your booth is fanastically fun (or at least less lonely and more productive). Don’t let people get you down, they’re just intimidated by your spirit and are self-absorbed in their own importance … I know you’ll find a way to let your light shine through the competition and been “seen” … keep fighting the good fight, and be the person you want to be friends with, everyone else will come around and be as attracted to the magnetic you as the rest of your groupies are. Luvs ya!
Yeah I remember getting the work travel lonlies. I remember when I went on a trip and some person I knew who was also there gave me his phone number and told me to call him to setup dinner plans. So I call (because I just do whatever people say because I never think that sometimes people just say things to be nice) and he goes “Oh….well I’m meeting such and such group of people for dinner…I guess you can come if you want.” I’m not sure why I even bothered calling, it’s not like I enjoyed this person’s company or even the company of the rest of that group, but I went anyway and had a lame time. I should have stayed in and ordered room service and a seedy movie.
i agree with everything thereyesreport said
did you ever make it to in-n-out? those burgers and fries can put me in a good mood no matter how poopy i feel.
It’s pretty much a universal truth: Work travel sucks. Go out and take some pictures.
Yeah, work travel does suck. I don’t know why. I’m in the same boat–it seems like it will be really cool and make me feel important, then the day before I go I’m wondering why in the world I was excited about traveling.
Sorry to hear about the work/travel blues. Easier said than done (and it seems like you’ve already picked up on it) but try not to let the isolation feeling get to you. You’ve always been a complete unknown but always intelligent and engaging . . . someone with whom it’s easy to relate.
This may sound odd, but, hey . . . take the “charity meal.” It’s hard to make friends if you’re the only one around (and you make friends too easily to pass up the opportunity . . . your blog is the best case in point.) I hope you have a better day tomorrow.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day.