Random Tidbits from Indy

• Gotta give props to the good folks of Indianapolis. The downtown, which I have not seen in about five years, is well-stocked with nice retail stores, eateries, boozeries, etc. It's very clean. Too clean. Almost sterile, one of my colleagues pointed out. But it's a welcome change to be able to pause on a street corner, look at a map, and not worry that someone who saw you looking at that map is gonna assume you're a slack-jawed tourist who just fell off the back of the yam wagon and try to beat your brains out.
• I'm a fan of Hyatt hotels (sorry Hyatt, but I'm a bigger fan of Marriott spots, since I've got a stack of frequent visitor points with them). But I'm not a fan of Hyatt's Internet access policies. My roommates and I each brought our laptops 'cause we each have work to keep up with while we're here. Well, when I signed up for I-service to "our room" no one at the front desk mentioned that the I-service was restricted to my computer only. My roomies tried to log later from their machines and were told the access I'd purchased was for my computer only, not the room, and they'd have to purchase separate access. Boooooooo, Hisssssssss, Hyatt!
• Made a visit to the Indy Motor Speedway earlier in the evening, and I have to admit it was a very cool place and a cool experience. Prior to the visit, which was for an opening night reception for the convention I'm attending this week, I have to confess I'd never have voluntarily gone to a race track. But after seeing and feeling the place, I think I'd go to check it out during a race. I took a few pictures while standing on the track. Curiously, I saw another convention attendee kneel down and kiss the bricks that beat a path across across the track and the pit lane to the bleachers. I know the whole story about the history of the "brick yard." But I thought only the Pope kisses the ground when he visits a new place.

Anyway, back to "work."

I'll post more later in the week.