I remember as a kid not thinking too much about it when I truly learned that there was no Santa Claus. I think I kinda already knew.

But when I learned that Shamu wasn't a single killer whale, it was just what they named the whale performing for a given show? That was true disappointment.

Show's over, on my way to pick up the bags and head to the airport.

Here for SUPERCOMM 2009, which starts tomorrow. Got in last night, had some Chicago pizza, ready now for a coffee to get the day really started. And maybe Gino's East tonight or tomorrow for another round of that tasty, tasty pie.

I just find this statue of a cow in a space suit, claiming a patch of moon for Texas, amusing. It's in the lobby of the A terminal here at Houston International airport. A few more hours here then I'm back in Atlanta for a few days. Fortunately thre next trip is vacation, just book ended by trade shows (Chicago's next!).
Houston's been good, albeit little more than airport to hotel to convention center and back. I'm glad to be on my way home, even knowing there's little rest for me until next week. Tis my life, busier than I like, yet with little I wish to forgo...a far better dilemma than that faced by so many others. I'm thankful for my lot in life, it's a good one.
And I'm not even getting Pappadeaux on this trip, even though time permits...although if they delay my flight once more, I might change my mind and flock over to C terminal for a po-boy and pie to go!

Ok, so there's oly one I the picture, but there's 3 here and they're about to race...too dark to catch a picture of the race (no flash on this phone). Shame I can't share the race, just use your imagination and have some fun!

Had to take a quick pic of my feet still wet and a little sandy, while dressed in a full suit. Have to trust me on the coat, it's there. Good times.

Found something else fun. After a good customer visit and dinner afterwards, myself, my wife, and our new Sales VP walked across the street to the beach. Once there, we all removed our shoes t dip our feet in the slowly rising tidal waves. Simply bliss.

Found some more fun on the trip. Oh, and bowling last night? A lot of fun. And I'm so glad the picture of me bowling backwards came out so blurry.

Landed back in California a couple hours ago, hooked up with a couple of our top sales guys, now Frances and I find ourselves watching the sunset in Oceanside. We're off the marina here, chomping down on calamari and lobster quesadillas. Bit of a haul from where we're supposed to be, but hey, adventures are fun.

The next few days are all about the sales and training meetings. Thursday sees us a little free, then flying back to Hotlanta on Friday. I'll keep an eye out for more fun. Unless you count the team-building bowling planned for Wednesday. That should be fun. And we'll find more.

I had to get a few blocks back to snap this shot. That's after trying close to the base - no luck. Pretty good trip there, saw an old high school bud and the meeting that drew me there went swell. Home a day later, and maybe back before long.

Oof, yesterday I had not enough time at this airport. That's defined by perhaps 10 minutes between my exiting one plane and the door closing on my connecting flight. Tonight, more time, enough for a leisurely sandwich at Chili's. This place needs a decent Chicago style pizza joint in the B concourse. Well, all concourses, actually. There's some pizza joint in the C concourse but it didn't look like much. Alas.

So no real time in Chicago for me, as airports just don't count.

Bye O'Hare! I'm outta here!

Starting to look quite beautiful. Yet I can hardly believe we're in Southern California hovering close to the portable heater, already wearing a coat. It's chilly up in the hills!

The appetizers were delicious and we're hoping the wedded couple makes their way out soon. Heh, just as I type that the couple shows up! Pumping bass line, emphasized by the rythmic clapping from the crowd, heck, it's a few glowsticks short of a full rave! Eastern Europe meets Indian at a western style ranch in the hills of Southern California. And they're going to live in Australia!

More and more international matchmaking every day. This is a good thing. Very good.

And a nice wedding it is. Indian wedding at a western style ranch. Kinda neat.

Sadly, too many of my trips include views little better than this. And maybe Houston isn't quite as unique in general as some would like to believe.
My trip thus far:
- Car from home to MARTA
- MARTA to airport
- Flight to Houston
- Bus to rental car facility
- Rental car back to airport, pick up collegue
- Drive to hotel, check in
- Work with collegue in hotel lobby
- Drive to dinner with collegue
- Dinner with collegue & customer
- Drive back to hotel with collegue
- Talk to wife from hotel room
- Sleep
- Breakfast at hotel
- Drive with collegue to Kroger, buy donuts
- Drive with collegue to customer site
- Meeting with customer
- Drive to lunch with customer
- Lunch with customer
- Drive to airport with collegue
- Drop collegue at terminal
- Drive to rental car facility
- Bus to airport
- Check in at airport

And now, see if I can get an earlier flight without paying $50 for the 'priviledge' of opening a seat on a busier flight.

Not much photoworthy, this trip.

Quick two day business trip. Not a slow week.

Gotta start a first post somehow, eh? I must say, I love the view from my office.