One down... how many more to go?

My first study is officially complete - software strategy validated, recommendations for improvement made.

All kinds of fun reviews happen now - always framed in the context of self improvement - for me, the team, the people we worked with.... surveys galore. At the end of the day though, I think only these 3 dimensions really matter (on a scale of 1-10)

Learning: 3
Even though this was my first study, since I knew the content, and I know how to build slides, I didn't end up learning all that much

Impact: 2
Client was on the path already and working through a lot of the issues. We helped them a little bit around putting things together and providing an objective opinion, but these guys knew what they were doing - just needed a kick in the pants.

Fun: 6
The team was very casual and people were friendly. Lots of mentorship and Sakura got to come to spend an all expense paid (well sort of) weekend. Can't complain. Of course there were some late nights and random deadlines that were kind of crazy.

Next stop, San Diego on Monday. I almost had to go to Denver / Dallas, but at the last minute, a partner on this study snatched me up. Another short study, and I have a feeling this one is going to be even more insane.

For now, I'm trying not to think about it - my mom just got us a Wii and a few games, as well as Guitar Hero II. Oh and Harry Potter as well - more than enough to keep me occupied. So much to do and so little time... sigh....

Food shots... yumm.....

Pete Miller's... yeah that's bacon wrapped scallops... you know you love it.

Le Lan..... awesome....

Work hard, play easy

After a pretty long and intense week, I finally got to duck out Friday to pick up Sara at the airport. Checked into the W City Center, which was a pretty decent hotel, although it turns out it was the lesser of the Chicago W's due to it's location. Ah well, who knew you could go wrong with city center. Then it was off to Sushi Samba for dinner thanks to some awesome pre-planning she did. Food was ok, but we had this sake called Hakujura or something that was really awesome. It was like champagne but sake tasting - and of course cost like it too. After dinner we had a nice romantic stroll through the city back to the hotel. Felt like an old couple. :)

Spent Saturday wandering around the city - Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile - and just by chance it also happened to be the Bite of Chicago. We tried a few things but as with all Bites, I ended up being disappointed - somehow eating just a small portion of overpriced food from desperate vendors is not very satisfying. Of course I'll keep going just so I'll have something to complain about. :)

That night we went to a totally awesome restaurant. Le Lan. Beef carparccio, crazy good scallops, lean duck breast... damn man... just kicked ass. Well done Le Lan.

We then went up to the top of the John Hancock Tower for dessert and drinks. Although service was crap and there was a long line, the view was spectacular. Well worth the trip. Too bad we missed the fireworks by 15 mins. Argh.

Lazy Sunday. Got stuck in pig fat for 2 hours and when you don't realize why traffic comes to a stop in a new city, you feel pretty bitter about the city government. Turns out they were trying their best. Ah well, best to give people the benefit of the doubt. Well at least we still made Live Free or Die Hard



THE MOVIE WAS AWESOME! Ok - seems like a lot of awesomes on the trip, but seriously, it was cool. Go see it. Watching the trailer just made me want to see it again. Damn.

Checked into the Westin and then went to eat at Pete Miller's. More awesome. Clearly you can never go wrong with bacon wrapped scallops, but their prime rib and fillet mignon was great too. Nice.

At night we snuggled up in bed and watched the Adam Brody movie In the Land of Women. The movie was kind of whatever but I did like the look of the daugther. She had the whole punk thing going on. Maybe it's cuz I've been listening the new Avirl CD... it's really fun and it's great to shout in the car when your going nuts at work.

What a great weekend. And the best part? Company picked up her plane ticket, weekend hotel, and dinner one night. You wonder how they keep suckers like me working.

The Difference a Day Makes

Tuesday night
Walk into hotel lobby to find no one behind the front desk and a woman rocking a crying baby in a stroller back and forth. She gets up and checks me in. No room service or mini-bar, so I walk next door to the Citgo convenience store to get dinner. Convenience store has no hot food other than pizza. Dinner consists of Combos, Chili cheese flavored chips, maltballs, and Vitamin Water. Hotel room has air conditioning unit and TV, but no Internet (thanks goodness for Verizon wireless card)

Wednesday night
Walk into hotel lobby that’s palace like with a curved staircase, chandeliers, paintings, etc. Checked into a room with great view of San Francisco. Continental breakfast costs $21. Using the gym costs $15. At 9am, there is construction racket in the room next door.

Funny enough, I feel kind of whatever about both hotels. The first one, Days Inn, was obviously just rather sad, but livable. The second, the Fairmont, was classy, but way overpriced. That being said, I’d still always choose the latter as long as I’m not paying. J