Wine!

We started the "pleasure" part of our business trip yesterday evening by heading to Carmel-by-the-sea. It is such a boutique town. Most all the lodging, restaurants and shopping are unique to the area. We ate at a delicious restaurant (only 10 tables available) called Flying Fish Grill upon arrival to Carmel.

Today, we went to some wine vineyards southeast of Carmel-by-the-sea. I enjoyed this area more than Napa and Sonoma! I believe it was the fact that it was less touristy and more one on one attention that made this experience more enjoyable.





Of course, it could be the wine tastings speaking too...

Grand Opening!

The grand opening went very well for AQT! All of the speakers did a great job and the attendance was more than they expected! The press was there too - the local NBC and FOX both did segments on their 6 o'clock news. Here is one article I liked because it has pictures - I'm all about the photos!

(Mr. Patrick cutting the ribbon)

AQT.

We are in San Jose! Today is the grand opening for AQT Solar. Mr. Patrick invested in this solar company a few years back and it has been growing rapidly. It's very interesting even though quite a bit goes over my head. I learn a lot by listening though.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was supposed to be coming to make the keynote speech but canceled due to a budget crisis. Pshhh. I had been pretty excited about it - I was gonna give him one of these:

What do you think about that, Arnold? Impressed? I guess I won't get my chance to show off.

Lunchtime.

Joe thought it necessary to have a full rotisserie chicken for lunch. The question is, will he finish it all?

Sweet Disposition.

I have liked this song for awhile and was surprised when I saw I hadn't shared it yet.

A move...?

I have been lacking on the blogging front as of late. The biggest news is that we may have found a house in Solon that we like. One that we like enough that we are planning on putting in an offer! Most of my thoughts have been circulating the topic of remodeling - there would be a lot we would have to do in order to update the house. I don't think much has been changed since 1970. Retro.

The yard is beautiful; it is just under 2 acres and has a pond. This is a positive but the yard work that comes along with it is a drawback. We are taking our time and discussing the pros and cons before moving forward with such a large investment.

Chicago pics.

Finally I have gotten around to posting some pictures - all of which I did not take! I shouldn't take credit where I don't deserve it...thanks to Jessie and Rach for the following:

(Tara, Jessie, Rachel & me!)

Airport Woes

Well I am stuck in the airport waiting for my flight that was supposed to leave at 9:39 pm central time. The estimated departure time is now 11:35 which puts me in Pittsburgh at 2:00 am. Oye. I will be exhausted tomorrow and most likely will need an entire pot of coffee to get me through the day. Details/pictures of the Chicago trip are still to come...stay tuned.

It's perfect weather and a very neat experience!

Airport People Watching

I have always been in awe of those who can drink alcohol in the morning. I just don't think I could do it. Coffee please. That's why I am always surprised when I walk by an airport restaurant at 8:30 AM and see its' patrons lined along the bar - bloody marys and glasses full of beer! No thank you! My caffeine is all the pick up I need.

Chicago.

I am off to Chicago this morning! Three of my Spain friends are meeting me there for a Sevilla reunion. I'm really happy we have continued to keep in touch through emails and these get togethers over the past 3 years. It's pretty impressive since it would be easy to let long distance relationships like this dissolve our friendship over time. I think our love of travel has kept us meeting up in new locales.

House Hunting Let Downs.

Joe and I were back in the Solon area looking for a house that called out to us to be our home. We looked at 5 houses in the charming Chagrin Falls area but nothing struck us. I suppose we are picky, which we have the time to be. Search on!

We went to the Melting Pot with Suzi and Jon last night. We ordered the "big night out" which is the grand daddy of orders: four courses consisting of cheese fondue, a salad, the main meat fondue and, my personal favorite, the chocolate fondue! We left full and content.