'twas the week before Christmas

And I am on a friggin business trip. No presents for anyone this year. Maybe a unused sleeping mask from Jet Blue, a bag of uneaten peanuts from Southwest..... I am definitely not in the mood. Have had a cold for about two months and can't stop coughing. I know, boo hoo poor me! Looking forward to the start of next year and only have to travel on the West Coast. Started this week up in NYC, got a killer deal on a hotel on 42nd street. Got to see my cousin Nancy, have a hot dog and wander about Time Square in addition to getting some work done. In Florida right now setting up the Florida Gulf Coast opening. Beautiful weather today

San Francisco

Just finishing up with meetings this week at the support center. Spent this afternoon playing tour guide to the Newark Partners.We trolled the city for photo opps. I forgot how beautiful the city really is. It was their first trip and it was nice seeing San Francisco through their eyes.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving, the holiday I give myself and this year, like others I seem to wind up in Vegas. I think in the past ten years,I've spent at least eight years observing the start of our national land grab from the native americans in Las Vegas.
I gotta admit, I do kind of enjoy it.I had to spend time there prior because of work commitments but now, it just seems like my own personal tradition. Not as crowded as you'd think midweek and well, Vegas is Vegas. Spent this year with an ex-stripper from LA going down memory lane. Definitely one for the books. You've gotta love someone who borrows money from you and says "put it on my tab".
This is Downtown on Fremont. I love the neon and the color.

Binion's is the best for $3 blackjack and their steakhouse isn't too bad either. Harrahs owns it now and it wasn't quite as Old School (seedy) as I remembered it but good.

Christmas comes early

Seems like Christmas starts earlier each year. You can usually count on Capital Records to have their tree on top of the building lit the day after Thanksgiving. Driving home from dinner with Dana and Bill in the Valley last night and boom! already up and lit! When did that happen?

Umami Burger and the LA Zoo

Spent the afternoon with the Damianos at the LA Zoo. It was Dante's first time to visit a zoo and he seemed singularly unimpressed most of the time. He was excited before, "we're going to the zoo, Z-O-O" but once there....... not so much.
Went to Umami Burger on Hollywood Blvd in the old Cobra's and Matador's spot beforehand and he really liked that. Tami, Chris and I ordered four burgers and cut them up to share. The lamb burger was the bomb. Also ordered the tempura malt beer battered onion rings and sweet potato fries as sides. I was mildly uneasy that Dante would not be happy as he is a bit of a picky eater and will let you know in no uncertain terms if he is not happy with the restaurant choice. Chicken fingers, PB& J sandwiches, pasta and pizza are young Master Damiano's favorites right now and none of which were on the very small menu.
Surprisingly, he was quite taken with the O-rings and polished off an order by himself. Tami thought ahead and brought his lunch but he really got into the rings. As a reward for eating everything and being so good, Chris ordered Dante the homemade ice cream sandwich. That was good! the texture of the sandwich and the flavor was sublime. Dante very begrudgingly let each of us have a bite. Here is his expression while eating it:



We made it to the zoo and it started well

but after an hour..... "you've seen one animal, you've seen them all. Can we go yet?"

Even the lion roaring in his cage failed to impress Dante. I love the look of bored indifference on his face. I can just hear him on Monday at school, "I was forced to go to the Zoo this weekend. There are so many other things we could have done"

day of the dead

Spent part of the day in downtown LA with Jim for the day of the dead festival on Olvera street. Lots of interesting shots. Eating my heart out over the ones I didn't take.

Chicago

Just spent two days in Chicago with the Northwestern University operator. The fall colors were spectacular. Spent this past weekend driving my Mom around looking for the colors to change in Tahoe and nothing!

Should have brought her with me for this trip.