Yep, tomorrow I’m off to the big meeting in Marietta, OH. There’s a publishing firm out there with my name on it (with luck).
I’ll be driving there…meeting with the owner…then meeting with a real estate agent…then driving back.
All tomorrow.
Mapquest says it’s 294.6 miles one way.
Say a prayer for me. It’ll just be me and my XM Radio for all that time.
Route 9 to 81 to 70 to 68 to 79 to 50 to 16.
And back.
In a suit.
Well!
I’m about 60 miles from Marietta, so I’ll give you a wave. 
Good luck with that!
You’re in for a loooong ass day.
Good luck.
Thank Og for XM radio!
Good luck!
Tomorrow’s your day for long drives. I did the drive back to SOVA today. 433 miles. Not something I recommend for the … well, pretty much anyone. Especially alone.
Bring a caffeinated beverage.
And your best scottish singing accent!
Drive naked.
Mr. Torie here. I’m taking me and my girlfriend to New orleans in March for 311 day. Mapquest tells me that its 640 miles here and back. Maybe I should look into getting xm radio. Just kidding we always keep each other entertained for long road trips, but this will be our longest trip so far.
I do not envy you, we are driving for a vacation not business and we have 4 days to recoup from the drive down before it’s time to head back.
Who ever said drive naked isn’t far off. Driving in a suit is no fun expecially when you get there and your suit is all messed up. Pick out the most comfortable clothes that you have. You’ll need all the comfort you can get in that car and change before you get there.
Whoot. I’m spending the day recouping from a series of long drives. I left my home in South Jersey on Saturday, Dec. 20th, and returned on Tuesday, Dec. 30th.
In those ten days, I celebrated Wigilia and Christmas with my mother and brother and saw my best friend get married.
To do all this, I made stops in Baltimore; Fayetteville, NC; Spring Hill, FL; Port Richey, FL; and Panama City Beach, FL. Travelling some 2600+ miles.
Thank goodness for the company of that darn cat, a copy of The Book of Questions, South of the Border, and a seemingly endless supply of '80s hits.
Hope you made the way there and back safely and can spend some time recouping as I did–in a hot tub! 
JC, if you haven’t left yet, I recommend radio stations 102.5 and 100.7 FM for classic rock and 80’s rock while you’re going up I-79. 87.5 FM is the local PBS station and carries some NPR.
Good luck with the drive and the job – at least the weather’s good for this time of year.
CJ
I still chalk up our one-day, 300-mile drive from our hometown to a wedding in Indiana - and back - to “one of stupidest things ever done.” Left at 5:00 in the morning, spent the afternoon with the groom (my boyfriend was the best man), went through a 6:00 wedding and a long, wild, reception, and drove back at 5:00 in the morning. I drove most of the way home, but I barely remember it.
When I think about it, my brain reverts into mother mode and shrieks at me, “WHY didn’t you pull over? WHHHHYY didn’t you get a room for the night? You could’ve been KILLED!” And yes. Yes, we could have. Very easily.
So even though you’re more than likely already gone…I’m sending “be careful” vibes at you. And best wishes, too!
I went 7,137 miles this summer, with a hyperactive 9 year old. I’m still alive. You’ll be fine.
Six-hundred miles? You pussy! I once drove from White Sands Missile Range, NM to drop a friend off in Duncanville, TX. I then went to McKinney and Plano to run some errands. From there, it was on to my sister’s house near Austin. HA! 945 miles in a day!
oh. almost forgot…
Yeah dude, I rock!
Try the 260 miles from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas in a motor-home at 55mph with no A/C in July. Add five kids ages 9-3 a wife who hates the heat and a very hot day in Vegas 115F. July 11 2003. But it is not a day I would trade for any other that I ever had.
That was one long-ass day, folks.
I’ll bet it was, JC.
So, how’d it go?
The interview, I’m talkin’ about here. Then you can tell 'em about the drive.
And fruitful, I should hope.
Well, they want me. It’s whether they can afford me that’s the problem. Marietta, OH isn’t exactly one of those flush, boom-economy regions.
First clue they’d sold themselves on me: They presented me with a personalized moving kit when I walked in the door. Including a local phone book.
Let’s open the packet (I haven’t yet…other than the phone book):
So far they’re choking on the price but they’re throwing bennies and off-book stuff my well. Free travel…6 weeks paid leave to start (3 weeks vacation, plus 10 sick days, plus 3 personal days).
They want me and need me. And we’re about 10-15K apart in terms of dollars. Though I told them if they had the company buy my house I’d make it work.
How’s all that sound, folks?
And try this…
This is the first time I’ve ever had a prospective employer completely open the books for me.
They gave me their complete audit statements for the last three years including current cash accounts and 2004 projections.
I don’t know if: