I'm staying in a nice hotel in California this week on business. The restaurant is satisfactory, albeit a little pricey for what they deliver. The gym is OK and the room is good enough. Last week I was in Albuquerque, NM and stayed at the Embassy Suites. I didn't know I had it so good. From now on, I'll take the Embassy Suites any day of the week - there's good and then there's better.

In the evenings, after dinner and a little time on the laptop, I pop down to the bar in the lounge for a nightcap. Last night an Asian man was accompanied by his New York translator. The New Yorker's switch between a thick east coast accent and his sharp Japanese dialect was striking - a lucky people watching opportunity indeed. Its fun to watch someone speak a language that you would NEVER guess they know.

A few steps from the bar is a small doorway that leads to a large room. In the evening, the door is usually open. The room includes several lazyboy recliners, a six foot television with non-stop sports, a pool table and a desk. Seated at the desk is a small black man that looks like he can handle himself. He's probably in his mid 40's, well groomed and confident.

This room is a collection site for the U.S. Army. Each night, a handful of new young men assemble, speak briefly with the man seated at the desk and then mill about uncomfortably in the room. Some will play pool or watch the game on TV. Each man has a duffle bag that probably contains everything they'll be taking to their next stop - the base. Nearly every one of them look like they could step into the octagon in a UFC fight. They have short hair, obviously work out and don't really look at ease as they chat with other recruits or walk over to the restaurant for a free meal by way of the small ticket in their hand. I bet they all watch UFC. Well, I think I'd win most of my bets. I kind of wish I could walk over and chat about recent bouts with them.

The entire spectacle is a thought provoking experience. These are the people joining the military. This is their last night before waking up in a base or elsewhere for the next couple of years. It has a way of putting a somber mood on the room.