Hold’er Newt

I’m in Orlando now for the trade show. Business is good. Lots of good leads. I can see why our partners do this every year. Speaking of our partners, they are a fun bunch to hang around with. Everyone seems to be enjoying the day.

I wish my feet could say the same. In spite of having good carpeting in the booth, my feet are taking a toll. I brought other shoes for tomorrow, so there’s hope I’ll be able to walk out of here at the end of the show.

I find it funny that the convention center wants $1300 per device to hook up network access, yet the entire hall has free Wi-Fi, sponsored by Intel. Bits want to be free!

Dinner was at an Orlando Ale House. It was a two block hike to get there from our hotel. Service was on the slower side, but the meal was good. Plates full of shrimp!

I got back to the hotel in time to give Kelly a call. I’m really missing her and Hallie. All I wanted to do after the show ended today was to have them to return to. Been feeling very lonely lately.

I was totally caught off guard by an event today; one that I never in million years could have predicted. I met Newt Gingrich! He was one of the featured speakers at the conference (though not “speaker of the house” this time. Heh heh) and was sponsored by one of the partners in our booth. Thus, he wandered through the booth, looking at all the products being shown. As he walked up to me, I was just finishing up with a hot lead. I knew he wasn’t going to buy anything, so I made him cool his heels! Once my prospect moved on, I had time to check my cellphone messages before being introduced to Newt. Guess I was in no hurry.

Gingrich offered a sincere “nice to meet you” and shook my hand. Though the technical jargon our partner was prodiving him must have gone right over his head, he seemed to nod right along. He’s no dummy: no one gets to the position he held by being stupid.

Overall, I was struck by how quiet he was; like he was just soaking things in. It wasn’t the persona I’d seen on television. He seemed like a normal, rational guy. He didn’t seem to put on airs, either. Didn’t seem to crave attention. No entourage, either. His unassuming nature made me wonder how at one point he had become such a powerful politician.

That sums up the day. I got way too little sleep this morning in an effort not to be late for my flight. It’s now catch-up time. I may need my rest. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?