So, I spent the last two days at the track. I know for most of you, that conjures up images of dirty old men, garbage fluttering around, et cetera…a down on the luck image. Saratoga is different. First of all, the dress code is enforced. Secondly, the meet is only for six weeks, so there isn’t a patina of shabbiness taken on.

Wednesday was the better of the two days. First of all, I was in a catered tent right on the rail. The food was wonderful, and bar was open and someone else was paying for everything. Some networking was done, some gambling was done and all together it was very nice. I was able to spend some quality time with my boss, who really hasn’t gotten a fair shake from some of his underlings (and this isn’t because he took me up to the track with him on a school day).

Which is not to say that yesterday wasn’t fun. We went up for a reunion of Ami’s coworkers and it was a family event so TEA came along. Now, I am not one who thinks that children and horse racing mix (but it was Kids Fun Day!), however, TEA was incredibly well behaved, and he even picked a couple of winners. I ended up down for the day, but I had a wonderful time. There will be pictures up tonight or tomorrow.

One quick story: I went up to place a wager on the second race and in the machine was a ticket…I took a look and it was a voucher for about $300. I stuck it in my pocket, wagered, and started to walk back to my group. I got about five feet before my conscience got the better of me. I found a steward, explained the situation and asked what I should do. The best option ended up giving him the ticket and coming back at the end of the day. If no one had claimed it, the money was mine. Long story short, someone did claim and gave me a $20 reward for my honesty. Now here is where the story gets interesting, I called a couple of friends (well, two [info]retepsnave and KayGee) to vent about this. KayGee told the HR Director, who happened to be going to the Travers’ Ball with the CEO. The HR Director ended up relating the story to the CEO (whom I find more than a little intimidating…I mean, he built this company, has enormous personal wealth and he is much taller than I am) who said I was “too damn honest” which. I don’t know how to take something like that. I think I should just take it as a compliment.

Anyway, if you have a chance to travel to Saratoga for part of the meet, please do. It is a wonderful city, the track is great, and the clubhouse is perfect (or as perfect as a den of vice can be). Just remember, gentlemen wear jackets and ladies should wear hats, which should be the rule for life in general.