UMTravels

Off to the marketing meeting in the morning — new schedule has me doing them every other week so no meeting for me while I’m in the Bay Area next week… good? bad?

At least I got my check and it’s in the bank… and groceries for tomorrow’s dinner. That dinner would be Swanda’s Birthday Dinner on the actual date, not to be confused with his “birthday weekend”.

Speaking of Swanda — cocktails with said when I swung by to pick up my dry cleaning, two packages (memory for my mother’s old computer and a new ClearWire modem), with stops on the way at Daniel Smith (art supplies for Christmas present) and Home Depot (more Christmas lights for the walkway, not, and a birthday present for Swanda).

Headed home after a couple of drinks, a little shop talk and the news for a steak dinner — too lazy to even get salad out of the bag.

Mom’s old Windows 98 computer… now has the maximum amount of memory (160K — it used to have 32K!) and has Explorer 6 running on it (the last Explorer to support Windows 98). With a whopping two gig harddrive, it will make a nice web browsing box now that I installed an Ethernet card into it’s PCCard slot…tomorrow I’ll see if the wireless card will install.

As for the new ClearWire modem… simple plug and play. The old one was rated at 1.5mbps down and 256kbps up (not that I think it ever did that good). The new one (at the same price — good thing I didn’t buy the modem, but rented) is blazingly faster (WiMax technology – 4G) at 9.1mbps down and 488kbps up. Nice! Looks like I placed the right bet on technology.

[220.7]

My last morning in Juneau was a relaxing morning coffee, some leftovers, some moose Italian sausage with eggs. And then the forced march… OK, it was a great march that Alan and I did on other trails around the Mendenhall Glacier — trails that I didn’t take with Monica on Friday — I swear, they are trying to get me into shape.

Lots of time hanging out in the airport — which is fine with me — I’m loading with a sandwich, water, some jerky.

The flight plan for today is Juneau to Petersburg, then on to Wrangell, then onto Ketchikan, then onto Seattle. This is the “milk run” on the “combi” which you saw a picture of yesterday or the day before.

No windows in the front — just freight.

Not many seats on this flight — so you get good service from the two flight attendants — I’m sending the one up front some company kudos since she got me a scotch on the rocks and a Jones soda on a “juice” run… Juneau to Petersburg.

And speaking of “juice runs”, that would be Petersberg to Wrangell, and Wrangell to Ketchikan… more time on the ground then in the air. It’s kinda nice… hanging around at the front of the cabin with 6 feet of leg room…

And that shot is from the BACK of the plane — seating starts at row 16… the exit row. And that’s Krista — the world’s happiest flight attendant. Maybe that’s too much, but she loves her job, loves to fly — even on her off hours.

Good flight home with three stops (most people take the direct flight). Stopped for a cocktail at the Board Room on the way to baggage claim… good drink, and my bag was waiting for me.

Home in the Jag, a little business and then off to bed.

[? ? ?]

I can’t imagine the house where I’m staying with FOUR kids — THREE kids and their schedules is enough to make me dizzy. Congratulations Monica for being the uber-scheduler…

Today’s events:

• Bagels and cream cheese in the kitchen after coffee in the carriage house.
• Drive up to Eagle Crest Ski Area — hang out in the lodge (very family oriented, no bar other than the snack bar with lots of fried food) while Monica and the girls ski (girls = downhill, Monica = Nordic)
• Snack of fries and a Diet Coke from the snack bar while reading the New Yorker
• Back down the mountain for a stock up at the liquor store for:
  • two bottles of red wine for dinner with my hosts’ friends
  • pint of Jameson for my amusement after said dinner
  • Seattle Times so hosts can look for a condo in Seattle
  • New York Times to make Monica really happy
• Next up is a violin recital — a little over an hour long — and there were two kids (8-9 year-olds) at the end that were stunning — Forrest and Finn – wish I could find my program to give you their full names because I’m guessing they will do well
• Back home for a few minutes
• Off up the highway to friends of the hosts — good friends — the first invitation was to take a quick sauna… damn nice sauna. Needless to say the kids wanted nothing to do with a bunch of naked adults. Makes me really want to build another sauna.
• Dinner was winter caught Reg King Salmon off the grill over a bed of Asian noodles and mixed greens. Stunningly good. Yes, I ate too much.
• Dessert was a cobbler — luckily the adults served themselves before notifying the children.
• Home by ten — kids in bed, Alan and I trading music, me having a little Jameson

Headed home tomorrow on the “milk run”. Juneau to Petersburg to Wrangel to Ketchikan to Seattle. Guess I’d better pack some sandwiches tomorrow from the leftovers!

[? ? ?]

Somehow I’ve stayed on my usual schedule… sleeping till 8, drinking coffee and checking email until 9, and then dealing with the world. It’s nice to have one’s own apartment to do this in, away from Monica, Alan and the three kids (they are all sweet, but it’s me, in the morning, not pretty).

On today’s agenda:

• Reorganize Alan’s garage so the Porsche will comfortably fit in with all the bikes, ping pong tables, tools, etc.
• Move storage racks from the garage, truck and storage to the basement of his medical practice building
• Take Sophi (their “in-heat” dog) for a long walk on the airport trail (photos below)
• Dinner of venison steaks from one of Alan and Eric’s kills
• After dinner — it’s off to the Perseverance Theatre for a comical farce called “Leading Ladies” which was really good.

By 10pm I was exhausted.

Shot of a small plane coming into the airport:

And a shot of the plane that I’ll be taking on Sunday — a 737-400 Combi — on the milk run back to Seattle (Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangel, Ketchikan, Seattle):

Notice fact that there are no windows in the front half of the plane? The first row is exit row 16 (where I’m sitting). The front half of the plane is filled with freight containers…. hopefully I’ll get some shots on Monday… and you enter the plane up the stairs at the rear.

[? ? ?

Ra2f was way gone by the time I texted… “awake yet”. He was at Labor Ready, already.

Off to the airport I go for my flight to Juneau to visit my friend Monica, husband Alan, and the remaining kids at home. My two previous trips to Juneau this year were early May (stunning weather — clear, warm, walks in the park, boat rides) and Mid September (cold, raining, windy, didn’t leave the boat).

Another clear day greets me in Juneau. Monica met me at the airport… and recognizes the person I sat next to in 1C (she was in 1A)… guess this means if you are a doctor in Juneau you know everyone… sort of like Lopez Island, just bigger.

We dump the bags at the house, well, the guest house next to the house, and off we go to the Mendenhall Glacier… off season, no tourist buses filled with said tourist, just locals walking their dogs and the odd photographer and painters. Monica took this shot using my camera… and I swear that it isn’t photo-shopped — because to me, it looks like I’ve just been dropped in on this scene:

Man, that was a sweet shot! I’m thinking Christmas card shot. Wish I’d brought my Santa Hat.

So, after the glacier — then it’s off to the title company to sign papers (Monica and Alan, not me). Next stop — the “boat condo” they just sold to pick up an old exam table, a rack, and a Porsche Carrara 4S (I believe)… suddenly I’m driving the pickup — good thing the scotch from the plane has worn off!

Unload some of the stuff at his office, put the Porsche in the “carriage house” garage (which I’m staying in the upstairs of), and off to “First Friday December 2009” which is Juneau’s Monthly Artwalk. At least there is food and booze included.

But wait, theirs more… after the artwalk (fun), it’s dress-up time (wish I’d known). Apparently tonight is also the local dentist/doctor party (serious wine/booze/food spread) that is a fashion statement for the season… wish I’d known.  Wish everyone had known. Alan borrowed dress shoes from his size 14 shoe teenager, I borrowed a sport coat and tie from Alan, and the kids made up Monica to look stunning. Her is how I came out:

Not bad for double front Carharts and a Brooks Brothers button down shirt — which was my “outfit” for Alaska. That is also a shot of part of the interior of the “guest apartment”. Damn I’m lucky.

Well, not that lucky. Turns out what I thought was a 25-40% reduction in my billing hours for a major client is more like a 40-?% reduction in billing hours. Guess it’s a good thing I already had the “Christmas Thank You” gift shipped.

But our picture of the night (like you need three!) is from the youth orchestra that was playing at the party….

Nice community touch for a multiple-office party.

Now to bed to think about my new strategy for paying the mortgage.

[220.5]

More errands today, with some work thrown in. Guessing my billings will be down 24-35% this month. Guess I’d better book some time out of town.

Speaking of travel… by the end of January I’ll been half way to 2011 MVP status on Alaska with 10,530 flight miles — and I haven’t heard from my friends in New York City — that would be another 5,000 flight miles… and with my MVP Gold status, I have 4 one-way buy the cheap, cheap fare and they let you upgrade at time of booking as long as their are “U” upgrade seats available (which you can see on the site — and why I’m flying to Boston via Portland — that and they miles). Meant Boston for under $250 booked in First Class.

Trips for January?

• Tuscon visiting Joe and Nikia – Jan. 7-11th
• Denver/Estes Park (3-bedroom Presidential) – Jan. 12-15th
• Boston visiting Pucci – Jan. 21-25th

And then off to the Olympics bookings for February…

But on with Phase Two of Christmas…

And the first two stings of lights up outside (LED)… thinking I need about three more to outline the rest of the walkway.

Compared to the neighbors east of me… at least I have something.

Trip to Swanda’s for an emergency check book run (and a drink and two New Yorkers, and 4 packages — only one for me).

Dinner was country style pork ribs, roasted root vegetables, salad….

[219.7 – holding steady]

Yes, I should be working, but they don’t want me to work as much, so I guess I’ll get a “Swanda” jump on Christmas….

The tree is up:

And the first batch of cookies are out of the oven…

Gotta love that convection oven for baking cookies — quick, quick, quick.

Dinner tonight was steaks, baked potatoes, salad… wine for me, Diet Coke for Raf. He’s given up drinking and smoking after his bout with the flu — that should say him a ton of money.

[219.7 — not bad for just getting off the “buffet” express]

The plan was to do breakfast at 8am… my bladder had other ideas. Make that a little after seven.

Then the plan was to go back to sleep after breakfast in the main dining car. That part worked for about 45 minutes.

Lunch was in the Parlour Car that was decorated for the holidays…

It was the chicken Caesar wrap for lunch — probably should have passed on the chocolate moose cake.

After lunch there started to be a signal again — as in a cell phone signal so I could patch in my laptop and go back to work, having missed the conference call because of no reception.

Not a bad working environment, but crappy lighting on the picture.

Dinner was early tonight… the last seating was at 5:45pm where I finished off my bottle of Greg Norman Petite Syrah that I started last night with the duck. Tonight was the marinated steak (again) with mashed potatoes (rather than baked). Food good, conversation good. Not a bad way to live.

We got in an hour early, which is becoming standard on the Coast Starlight now that freight is way down because of the recession. Took a cab home since Raphael is getting over the flu and I don’t want to be in an enclosed space while he might be contagious… since I leave on Friday for Juneau.

Nice to be back in my own bed.

[? ? ?]

Next time… shower. That will be the motto.

I was up at 5:30am to have breakfast… in anticipation of getting in early to Los Angeles. Decided to nap after breakfast rather than shower. Bad decision.

On the upside? There was a little lounge at Union Station in Los Angeles with coffee and juice for the Sleeping Car patrons.

Downside… they were running late loading up and I smelled like a heifer by the time I boarded. I had to move the trash can out of the shower room to hose down before we left the station.

Lunch in the regular dining room — the Angus Burger with the works (cheese, bacon). The menu in the Parlour Car for lunch didn’t look that good, and it came with a tomato soup which I knew wouldn’t sit well (though I will try it tomorrow).

The morning and afternoon filled with work/play on the computer when I had a strong enough signal — and here is the map from 5pm:

Amazing the coast route that they take — talk about “no coverage”!

Today’s humorous email — can you work less hours… followed by 3 or 4 very specific requests for information/time. One way or the other… guess I’d better start the list of “must do” and “when finances allow”

Dinner tonight in the Parlour Car — though it was a bit of a cluster “you know what”… miscommunication between crew… but I got my 5-spice Duck Breast and started on a nice bottle of Greg Norman Petite Syrah (2007) which I will finish with tomorrow turkey wrap for lunch.

Train. Two days in a sleeper good. Three days, maybe too much.

[? ? ?]

It was a lazy day around the casa this morning — really all that I was waiting for was to leave. I’m Jonezing for train ride — or probably more Jonezing for some anonymity, the lovely joy of being able to close your compartment door and ignore the world… until they call you for dinner.

Off topic — internet access on this trip. At the parents, Mom had dial-up. This doesn’t cut it for me, and I’m too lazy to go next door to my sister-in-laws (and they are big lots so the wi-fi signal doesn’t make it) so I tethered my T-Mobile Dash 3G to my laptop. At the parents, I got an Edge signal which was about 210kbps down and 35kbps up. While we were stopped at the Albuquerque station I was getting 415kbps down and 315kbps up — and that was under an overpass with only 2 out of 5 bars of service! That’s enough speed to upload photos! Hell, my ClearWire connection at home is only 256kbps up.

So, here is a picture of the dinner last night (minus Jennifer, who was using my camera and Karen who was watching a movie in her room):

And should you want to see all the pictures (though there aren’t that many), here is the “photo bar” that you are all used to:

Dinner in the dining car tonight at 6pm, after a couple of scotches in my compartment (Room 6, Car 0331, Train #3, Southwest Chief). Table guest were an odd woman from New York yelling at her husband about “stop leak” for the car, and a father/son (no, not that way) from Indianapolis on their way to Flagstaff/Phoenix (work=son/pay=dad).

I had the marinated steak (medium rare — the father had it well done and they butterflied it which amazed me for being on the train) with a salad and a split of Hahn Cabernet. Not bad for a split. I took the dessert back to the room for later.

Had a nice after dinner glass of scotch with the guy from dinner — and logged on t LinkedIn and passed his information onto Rusty who last time I touched base was looking for a helicopter pilot job.

I love my roomette.

[? ? ?]

More eggs and toast for breakfast, more leftovers for lunch… but I have a plan to get rid of two more containers from the fridge: the sweet potatoes and the whipped cream.

Pie Time!

There was also a rolled up pie crust in the fridge, so this is easy. Beat up the sweet potatoes and some of the whipped cream, line the pie pan with a pie crust, scoop in the filling, apply a pie crust peace sign to the top (OK, so there was a little trim left over!) and bake for an hour.

All this leaves us of leftovers are some black olives and enough mashed potatoes for one potato pancake for breakfast in the morning… that and some brisket from my second night here.

Dinner tonight is a repeat of the folks at Thanksgiving minus Michele. Jameson and Natalie. Guess that means eight for chili and champagne (or beer for those who like that stuff) with a side of corn and zucchini that has some Mexican name that I can’t spell.

If you don’t hear anything more from me about this evening — assume the dinner went well, or if it didn’t, check the news reports. Headed back to Seattle tomorrow on the 2:40pm train to LA and then onto Seattle after a two hour layover… luckily, it’s a sleeper all the way.

Damn — luggage, I knew there was something I was forgetting. Father/son project, well, really a son project, but it’s handier to have someone who knows where everything is. Handle on my FlighTable keeps popping out. Time to bolt the thing in and think about making a custom piece where laptops and quart bags easily slide out for security. No shortage of bolt, nuts, washers in my father’s garage.

[218]

I think the above says it all about what the day after Thanksgiving is about — unless you are a sports fan, then you need to add Football and Basketball.

The morning run out of the house was a liquor run with my father — yes, the one who was kvetching last night about people drinking — but when WholePayCheck is offering 20% off on any in-stock wine when you buy more than a case, that gets my father off his high horse. Not only off his high horse, but bragging about 20 bottles for $212 including tax. Of course, should we want to drink more than one bottle at a meal with 8 guests…..

Next stop gas, then off for a booze stop for me. My Trader Joe’s shopping list:

• (3) bottles Lismore scotch (two for me, one for the house) $17.99 each
• (2) bottles Moskovskay, $9.99 each
• (1) liter $9.99
• (1) Pear Gorgonzola Salad Dressing, $3.99

As for the food today… eggs and toast for breakfast, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy for lunch… and the piece de resistance, more leftovers for dinner.

After 9pm it’s just me, my computer, and my scotch…. kinda peaceful.

[218.0 but this is my mother’s scale]

If it’s Thanksgiving, that must mean that it’s time to order some more shoes.

What?

Every Thanksgiving for the last several years, Vans has sent out coupons for use on Thanksgiving Day only. The last two years it was 25% off and Free Shipping bringing a pair of custom shoes to $45 each. This year it isn’t nearly as good — it’s a $10 coupon for your next order before Christmas if you spend $50 on one order, plus free shipping.

The plan? Order one pair of shoes, get the coupon, order the second pair. Makes the total $55 each rather than $60 regular price and not nearly as good as the $45 a pair from the last two years.

The shoes?

 and

One very colorful set and one more staid grey/black/red plaid. And with the extra $10 e-certificate I ordered a $14 belt (it wouldn’t let me order the $10 sunglasses, damn it):

And now that the shopping is done, it’s time for Thanksgiving and computer rehabilitation. Mom’s got a Windows 95 machine that needs recycling, and Jen has one as well. Time to get them reformatted and all the data off them, and ready for a new home.

Tons of food, lots of laughs — some hard times, who knew both of the designated drivers would be lawyers and my “drink cards” would fall flat — live, learn, roll with the punches and wonder why. Great to see Reha and Benton, great to hang with Nat, Jameson, Kennen.

[218 — mother’s scale, who knows]

As it is with all holidays — it’s the push in the last couple of days before said holiday so that you can hopefully not do anything (other than Google Alerts so you don’t come back to 400 of them) for a long holiday weekend.

Tomorrow the influx of people begins…. Michele is coming up from Albuquerque, Jamison and Natalie are coming from Olympia, plus the rest of the Sandia and Ortiz gangs. Plus we have Benton and Reha coming in from New Orleans who arrived today and are staying downtown at La Fonda — gonna be a full table.

Working on Christmas lists…. have some ideas, have checked out some things. Ran some errands with Mom — that and the work filled the day.

A quiet dinner at home with the parents — brisket, beans, coleslaw.

Followed by a quiet evening in front of multiple screens.

[? ? ?]

Another early day on this adventure. Now up at 4:30 to make the 6:06am Amtrak train to Lamy — which besides being the rail stop for Santa Fe is a mere 10 minutes from my parents house in Eldorado.

Basically about 40 people got off the train and about the same amount got on the train. That’s a lot of people for a small town.  And there were even a couple of “skater dude” types which made me happy.

I had my breakfast on board the #4 Southwest Chief — apparently it was a new kitchen crew because we were the first seating (for at least 15 minutes) and it took them 45 minutes to get any of our order out of the kitchen. I was seated in coach, but with a bulkhead seat — the downside on a train to that row is that there is no tray for your food or laptop.

Train was on-time and even early into Albuquerque which meant that I could take the weekly marketing call from the platform once I figured out where the mute button was on my borrowed phone. Call as done in an hour leaving me a little time to wander before getting back on the train.

Lunch before and after the conference call was the left over ribs from last night.

Uneventful trip — which is always the best. Unless you count the two cows that we killed while passing through the Pueblo… I guess the dining car was out of Angus beef. That actually did delay the train for ten minutes so I was a tad late getting into Lamy.

At the parent’s house I settled into work:

Nice lapboard courtesy of my father — apparently he saw one in a Levenger’s catalog and went out and bought a sheet of furniture grade plywood and made his own — it’s nice in this chair since it sits on the arms and has a cutout for my gut.

Dinner tonight was with the Ortiz Gang (my sis-in-law, bro-in-law, niece who live on Ortiz Street, one street over) and the meal was…. ribs — my father’s off the BBQ, along with scalloped potatoes and an asparagus dish. Gee — ribs last night, ribs at lunch, ribs for dinner.

[? ? ?]

Up at 7am for a “continental” breakfast. I don’t know what continent, maybe Antarctica. Cold and/or stale.

Back to bed to make up for tossing, turning, and cover grabbing.

Got all the necessary work stuff done and off my plate while awaiting answers.

My big item for the day today is a tour of the Riordan Mansion which is maybe 6-8 blocks (long blocks) from here. First stop is for a Pastrami sandwich at the Crystal Creek Sandwich Company. I ordered a half sandwich, she rung up a whole (and delivered one) and I was glad she did. Ate half, had the other half in the room after the tour. Damn good.

So, off to the Riordan Mansion, whose property borders Northern Arizona University. The 13,000 square foot duplex with common entertaining area dates from 1904, so we are early in the Art & Crafts era. With budget cuts they are now down to tours 5 days a week (from everyday except Christmas). I got their a little before noon for the one the hour, hour long tour.

It was supposed to be an hour long tour, but my incredibly knowledgeable guide (Cathy — at least I hope it’s with a “c”) had to keep answering all my off-beat questions like: “Why is there a box here with an extra set of bumpers for the pool table?” Answer: “To change the table from billiards to pool (the one with pockets).” The tour ended up being an hour and 40 minutes so it’s a good thing that I was the only person on the tour. Apparently the 11am tour had a bunch of people.

The only way to see the inside of the building is to take the tour ($6) and it’s well worth it. 90% of the furnishings in the house are the original, including some very rare Stickley Craftsman pieces with inlaid metal that weren’t in production then (they were samples) but now they sell a ton of (there are some benches in the visitor’s center that are modern).

And some of the interior shots…

Rest of the afternoon was filled with work on a template for some web pages and eventually my notes for tomorrow’s meeting that I may or may not be in cell phone range for.

Kyle had a meeting that ran until 7pm, and came by for a glass of wine before a late dinner at Granny’s Closet (a Flagstaff institution since 1974 — sounds like that place in Fremont, but I’m guessing it’s not going to be as upscale). Again, I tried eating light, especially since I have to be up at 4:30am to make my 6am train.

And I did learn one thing this evening while looking at the Amtrak schedule — I could have actually taken the Grand Canyon Railroad — though I would have had to spend last night in Williams Junction.

[? ? ?]

You know the rant… I hate morning flights. And this mornings was particularly brutal. Up at 3:30am, headed to the airport at 4, probably should have left at 4:30, oh well. The Board Room doesn’t even open til 5am.

Loading was on-time… unfortunately that’s where it started going down hill… maximum 30 minute mechanical delay (eating into my 50 minute layover). The “maximum” turned into leaving an hour late — making the connection to Flagstaff dicey. Two things were in my (and several other people on my plane also going to Flagstaff) favor — a 40 knot tailwind and using gates that were right next to each other. I even had time for a quick bathroom break!

Flight to Flagstaff was uneventful, caught a cab to the “lovely” Knight’s Inn (what do you expect for $26 a night), and then off to find where the train station is and stroll around downtown until hunger hits and I head to Charley’s Bar and Grill in the bottom of the Weatherford Hotel. Cup of soup and half a salad — not bad. Also picked up brochures for things to do tomorrow.

Sunny and low 50’s here — but will drop to about 20 tonight — explaining the ice formed on puddles. Beats the rain, at least for a couple of days.

Back to the motel for a nap, and then a call to Curt’s friend, Kyle to see if he’s still up for dinner tonight — which he is.

At 6:30 he shows up — and we have a glass of wine while pondering dinner choices. The Peruvian restaurant that was a possibility isn’t anymore… it’s now a Greek restaurant than nobody likes. Final choice for tonight: Beaver Street Brewery.

He had the meatloaf sandwich, I have the steak salad, we split a starter of the mussels. Yes, I know, ordering mussels in the mountains. I think they set under the warmer a bit too long, but the salad was excellent, but huge. I got through about half of it. Good wine by the glass selection, and the eye-candy was eye-popping — the joys of a college town.

A nightcap at the billiards hall next door (much less crowded, should have moved to the bar in the brewery) and back to the motel to call it a night.

[? ? ?]

Basically it was a lazy Saturday… got the work that needed doing out of the way early (had to get it done as I’m leaving town tomorrow) so that I could spend the rest of the day lounging around and getting ready for dinner tonight with friends from Portland — Tony and Elsa.

So — Tony and Elsa — from Alaska, but I met then when Tony was just graduating from Cornish Institute of Arts in Seattle — I bought something like 13 of his etching after he brought is portfolio over. I’d always wanted to say — want to come of and look at my etchings?

Tony’s current project is featured here: http://www.gunbabygraphics.com featuring his latest collaboration, Throwing Bones.

Dinner was just the three of us, Tony, Elsa, me — Raf was out getting his horns trimmed — let’s hope he’s in some sort of shape to take me to the airport tomorrow morning at 4am!

Anyway — dinner. Standard Uncle Markie fare — some fresh bread, high-heat roasted asparagus, country-style boneless pork ribs in Arthur Bryant’s sauce off the BBQ on the back deck. Great food, great company, a great time.

[221.3]

It’s weird how I feel more productive on the road — is it less distractions at the house (laundry, dishes, mail)? Maybe I’m just more focused.

Here is a shot of morning from the condo — man  love this view:

That is looking northeast up Hornby in the direction of our Vancouver office with the mountains in the background. Looking northwest here is the view:

Noon meeting with Karl went….well, but he was severely tardy — showed up finally at 1:30 for a 12-12:30 meeting… and really screwing my return to the states — putting me in Seattle at the height of rush hour. Not a happy camper.

Finally got to the house at 6pm after stops for groceries in Smokey Point and to pick up Chris’ mail at the apartment.

Spent the evening finishing up a few work things (trip report) and gnawing on a steak. Raf was out on a date so all was quiet — what I needed after the clusterf**k of traffic.

[? ? ?]

A quite morning around the condo — a couple of over easy eggs before the one o’clock meet and greet with the Vancouver office.

Well, meet and greet was what I had planned — with no appointments scheduled for the sales staff it turned into more of a “bull-pen” session on how to get more people through the door. Two long trip reports later leaves me with just one more meeting tomorrow on my way out of town.

I was hoping that Hummingbird and BamBam would be coming back for dinner tonight — they were the major reason I came up for a couple of days. Alas, not to be. Hummingbird was in the hospital today to get his kidney stone laser blasted. It’s now smaller, but there are pieces that still need to work there way down Mr. Urethra. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

So, no dinner guests — surgery ran two hours longer than they thought it would. Hummingbird is on painkillers, and BamBam will swing by in the morning for the hoodie he left behind and the gift I forgot to give them last night.

For me, dinner tonight is the rest of the salad fixings from last night, a marinated steak from the IGA, this last bit of wine, the last bit of scotch.

And here is the nighttime view from the condo window. It really is a pretty view — though the video doesn’t show all the trees lit up across the street at the Sheraton Wall Centre.

Since it’s just me — used one of my (many) WorldMark Video Coupons to get unrated version of Role Models. Yes, my guilty pleasure — crappy teen movies and pulp fiction.

[? ? ?]