What Men in Suits Do for Pleasure

When men (and women) in suits feel like they want to have some time off, but give the appearance of working, they go to exhibitions at the NEC.
There they can pretend to man stands, or pretend to be interested in the contents of the stands. When they are not doing that, they can sit in one of the Subway sandwich bars (the NEC stinks of Subway, like Torquay does) or in one of the Wetherspoons which have forgotten about cheap beer (£3.20 a pint!).
Having dealt with the exhibition (and come away with no decent info or goodies, and I did stop at the only stand that seemed vaguely of interest to ask questions (to investigate the disposal of Municipal Waste by rail, since you ask)) I took a little ride on Air Rail (which used to be Maglev, but is now cable hauled) to the airport and back,
and then made my way back to New Street (and it is still an attractive environment, 40 years after it was rebuilt, or did I mean a fume filled cavern?).
All my connections ran precisely to time, which was very much appreciated. I rather feel I was hoodwinked into going to this exhibition, as it was duller than a dull thing on a dull day in Dullshire. I must resist next time I am invited. Conferences are little better. I lasted 90% of an RTPI conference in Bath on Friday (which I attended for a busy colleague), and probably won't make the end of one at the Barbican in London next month. There are better things to do than wasting time at these self-important talkfests.