i’m home from my interview in glamorous Newark, NJ. I’m a little disappointed to be honest.
Since I was flying into New Jersey, home of the Sopranos, I’d envisioned a big meaty Italian in a dark suit and even darker shades meeting my flight and directing me towards the waiting town car only to be whisked off to the office (with the Sopranos theme song spinning in my head) for my interview. We’d talk, then they’d take me for a Pasta lunch to seal the deal. They would welcome us with big kisses on both cheeks and escort us to the back room for a little more privacy. Plates of pasta would be consumed, with a bottle of a nice Chianti to top it off.

Once again, reality is not even close to how it should be.

I walked off the flight and saw nobody there, or maybe, this little Italian looking woman in a dark business suit that appeared like she was looking for somebody. I stopped and called the only number I had for these people and was given my contact’s mobile number. Sure enough, the little lady was looking for me.

After our precursory greetings and the polite interest in my flight she directed me to the food court. Yes, the food court. We stopped at the BK and got a beverage then proceeded to a semi-private area to get into the nitty gritty. For the next two hours, I had the pleasure of her schpeal. And it was good. There were many times that I could feel that inner little kid get excited about the prospects of a good future.

By all standards, I’d say it was a good interview. Do I expect them to offer me a job? dunno. (secretly nods head yes)

A very funny thing happened to me while I was sitting there talking to her though. I started getting excited about the job that I already have. I was thinking of things I could do to jumpstart my prospects and get some more business in the door. (do what I should have been doing all along, for example). So what do I do if they offer me the job? Do I take it? Do I politely turn them down and thank them for their interest?

DUH!!! It depends on how much money they offer!!!

All this travel in one day reminded me of my early trips to Tokyo. On my first trip, I spent a total of 2 hours and 34 minutes in the country. I landed, proceeded through Customs formalities and had my passport stamped, then I went outside and said to myself “They drive on the wrong side of the road here”.

I went back inside the airport, upstairs to the check-in counter and checked in for the return flight. Proceeded back thru customs formalities and headed towards the First class lounge. (Yes! I was flying first class). I sat in the same seat I had just occupied for the previous 10.5 hour flight.

I was gone from the US for almost 3 days and yet in linear time it was less than 24 hours.

The hardest part of that trip was explaining to US Customs officials why I had flown to Tokyo and returned on the same day. My answer? “I had nothing else to do this weekend”