Mindy Leaves Manhattan

It would be my last full day in Manhattan, at least for this go round. I woke around 4am, the time Mindy wanted to be up. Can't remember now if I woke her up or if she woke on her own. In any case, she was soon up and in the bathroom preparing for her early departure and first day of school. I'm sure she'd never in her wildest dreams thought she'd be prepping for her first day of school at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan. :)

 I might've drifted off to sleep again for a few minutes, but woke for good before Mindy was out of the bathroom. I completed sit-ups while she threw the last of her stuff into her suitcase.Before returning to our room the evening before, we stopped by the front desk to ask the best mode of transport to get to the Newark airport at 430am. Without hesitation, they said to take a cab. 'The bellman will hail one for you. It will run about $60'. Mindy felt at ease with that option. Also while there, I let them know that I'd be checking out on Tuesday morning.

Just like that it was 430am. And after an extended hug and a kiss, Mindy was gone. I don't think either of us was sad. After all, I'd see her again Tuesday.  Without missing a beat, I finished off my pre-run routine by doing push-ups and suckin' down an orange juice. I was off to the fitness center slightly ahead of schedule and on the treadmill by 457am.

I ran 3.22 miles in about 29 minutes all the while ESPN whirled on the built-in TV screen. Still slightly ahead of scheduled, I did some curls with 15lb dumbbells, an exercise that used to be part of my daily routine, but casted aside when I started to experience chronic neck and shoulder pain. And as much as I hate to admit it, I can tell that I've lost some of the sculpted definition in my arms.

Back in my room I check my Droid. Mindy was already at the airport and at her gate. I showered and dressed for my last work day in NYC. Felt good. In the lobby I picked up a large caramel macchiato - nothing else. While waiting on Dave & Natalee, I texted Mindy asking if she was on her plane. She was. Dave & Natalee were down near their usual time of 615-620am. Off to the subway. I was due to buy a new subway pass, this being Monday and a new week. However, because I bought Mindy a $10 pass on Sunday, there were at least two more rides left on her pass. That was ideal. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, that would work out perfectly. Off to work.

It was dry, cool and cloudy, perhaps even a hint of the autumn to come in the air. Gone were the antagonists once so much a part of each morning. It was nice to enter the building in peace. Like most days, we were there early - about 15 minutes. We probably socialized for the first 30 minutes or so, telling of our weekends.  Learned that Paul's wife, Susan, who we went out with Saturday night had her departure flight canceled Sunday evening. Wouldn't be leaving until Monday around noon. Dave & Natalee shared stories from their dinner cruise. Said they had a ball.

Mindy sent another text around 815am letting me know she landed in CMH, and would be calling me once on the road for work. A few minutes later she called from I-270 zipping around to Grove City and her school. Nothing like waking up in the middle of Manhattan and then buzzing around 270 a couple hours later.

The morning flew by. Stayed focused on the task at hand completing all the work assigned. Our catered lunch was especially salty but good - tacos. I had three. Made a large taco salad out of them.

During the afternoon, the realization that our assignment was drawing to close became much more of a reality. I spent a couple of those hours tying up loose ends, including erasing my existence on the PC I used during the 2+ week span.

Dave & Natalee organized a 'last supper' at the Capital City Grill near Wall St. At the time I wasn't sure I'd join them. I was tired and a good night's sleep sounded awfully inviting. However, in the back of my mind I also knew this might be the last time I'd see many of these fine folks. In the end I decided I'd go along.

Also lifting my spirits was my boss back home, who IM'd sharing that I should take Wednesday off to recuperate. That sounded so good. We left the office about ten minutes early. Dave, Natalee & I walked to an Irish pub (lots of them in Manhattan) just a couple blocks away from the office for a quick beer before ultimately making our way to dinner. Chad, Raj, and Meghan , who said they'd join us, were soon there too. We hung there until 745p. Natalee, who made the dinner reservation, said she thought she changed our dinner reservation via the internet to 8pm, but when she got the confirmation email it was for the Capital City Grill in Houston, her hometown. Too funny! We hustled over to the Wall St Capital City Grill now late.

There we joined forces with about 7 more of our work peeps. In total, there were 12 of us. Once again, we were seated in a private dining room where we opted for the restaurant week menu. Not wanting to drink too much and deal with the fallout in the morning, I stuck with only water. Figured I might drink one more beer after dinner. I ordered the NY strip, this time without the lobster tail. Holy smoke! That might've been the best steak I've ever eaten. It was terrific! Dave, Natalee, Meghan, and Vicki all did the wine tour thing - $25 for nine tastes.

Talked with Mindy around 945pm. Shared that we were still at dinner. She asked that I call/text once back at the hotel. But from the sounds of it, she'd almost certainly be sound asleep by then. After dinner a few people in our group hadn't yet seen the NYSE, which was just around the corner. We walked over and took a few photos. I was really ready to call it a night and head back to the hotel. Others, however, wanted to stop at a pub for one last beer. Not caring to ride the subway alone, I went along. What the hell.

We found yet another Irish pub somewhere between the Wall St subway terminal and ground zero. There I ordered a Sam Adams draft. We didn't stay too long. Natalee was pretty much toast - wobbly even. In fact, I thought she might get sick. She was off in the bathroom for quite a while. Maybe she did.

Said goodbye to Chad as he headed the opposite way of us towards his ground zero hotel. Agreed to stay in touch. Dave, Natalee and I headed to the Wall St subway terminal. Waited about five-ten minutes for a train, our longest wait yet. Finally, a train arrived. Nearing midnight, the group of passengers might've been the roughest looking yet. Figures though, given the late hour. They certainly weren't commuters.

Said goodbye to Dave and Natalee in the hotel lobby, though Dave and I learn that our departures were pretty much the same time. We agree to share a cab to the airport (LGA) come morning. Back in my room I texted Mindy that I was home safely. I slipped into my PJs then cracked open one of three remaining Brooklyn IPA's stowed in my mini fridge. Couldn't bear the thought of letting it go to waste. Good night Manhattan. Thanks for the ride!