[imjk]

I once attended a conference in NYC early in my career where I stayed with friends in NJ to save on costs (I was just starting a fledgling business). The conference would end in the afternoon around 3-4PM or earlier and then have social events a few hours later around 8PM. For 3 days I faced the dilemma of making the commute back to Jersey to get maybe 1 hour of solid rest (minus the commute time) or hanging around a cafe in the city and networking later with an exhausted mind and body. I tried both and neither was optimal. I would have loved to have a service like this around at the time and would have gladly paid $25 for a solid hour to decompress and rest.

[o0-0o]

Reading between the lines it sounds like the company you work(ed) for was public, and like(s/d) saving costs by housing you across flowing water. I am, of course, unsure if you considered putting this to your advantage, but I don't think it's too difficult to envisage! Start by imagining what you would do on vacation. IFF they are going to make you come to the office by 9AM then don't get there then. 11AM would be more appropriate if you now have to commute like that. Don't come out and say it though -- blame it on the trains. Also, smoke a joint and listen to your ipod on the train so you can really enjoy your business trip (which is not a home trip so make it one). Use the whole trip to relax, and remove your problems one at a time.

[ido]

The company he worked for was his - from what I understood of the post he was freshly self employed:

    (I was just starting a fledgling business)