Number 1: We'll start chronologically. In January, I figured it was my last chance to swing up to Tahoe and see our friend Beth. And last chance to bum a free place to stay as well. As it turns out, Beth went above and beyond the normal hosting. This girl does for her guests what we all wish we could do for them when they visit. It started out with a helicopter ride (however brief over Tahoe.
Then, Beth let me help her make Ravioli, Butternut squash soup, and coconut creme brulee from scratch! Awesome!!! Lastly, we got free passes to Heavenly. Honestly, I think we paid for them, but it was so long ago, the experience itself was rich enough to pay for itself. Anybody wonder why I want to buy a vacation home up there? I don't know who the guy screaming in the video is. Just something I caught on tape.
Number 2: Hawaii. I never really wanted to go, but for $300 bucks and another free place to stay, who is going to turn that down. And I'm glad I didn't. The very first day, I took a kiteboarding lesson. Many thanks to Mark for taking pics of me beating myself up on the shores of Oahu. You are a beginner at this sport for a loooong time. Next, I was incredibly sick and on the couch for 3 days which is why the pics below reflect views through our patio doors. But we still had a blast even though I was a total drag on the fun. Thanks Mark and Becky for the invitation. Can't wait for our next adventure.
Number 3: Lucy. Good time to stop here and mention our first child Lucy. Of course it's a dog. Who ever heard of someone with a pet not saying it was their child? Especially when you see this face:
She's growing up quick size-wise, but is still getting into puppy trouble even though she listens pretty well. She just has so much damn energy! BTW, her full name is Lucille Ostero V. Arrested Development fans will get that.
Number 4: My trip to Santa Monica to visit my cousin Paulie from Jersey. As usual, my cousin, who lives 3 blocks from the beach, took me around for a much needed R&R vacation. Riding bikes on the boardwalk, beers at Hinano's, and overall lounging are what I like to do when I head out to see him. He even took me onto the set he was working on of some Eddie Murphy movie about a dying tree (sounds like another winner in your recent repetoire Eddie). Probably the best part was the outside gardens at the Getty Museum. Stunning!
Number 5: A quick trip to San Fran. I love being able to see Josh and Helene who are fantastic hosts also. I got a great chance to hang out with just Helene the first day and we went to the MOMA where there was a glass bridge installation at the top. Just walking the city we got a great chance to talk and I am thankful Josh let me have the time with his wonderful partner. She helped me pick out some perfume for Jennifer at Neimans while we fended off this crazy French perfume counter duo. Any day in SF with Josh and Helene is a good day.
Number 6: If I were doing these from worst to best, this would be best for sure. Sophia Katherine. She is a joy in my life to say the least. When she was born, and I heard her first lusty cry... I wept. We did not know if it was a boy or a girl when Jennifer was pregnant, so the surprise was overwhelming. Sophia admittedly wasn't pretty at first, but she's gotten a lot cuter since then. She's gurgling now, not quite talking, but I love that little girl more than anything...
Number 7: Portland, Oregon with my in-laws. I had 2 weeks of meetings up there, so instead of coming home for the weekend, I saved the company some money and had Jennifer and her parents fly up there. We did the falls, Washington Park, and even Cannon Beach and Haystack rock which I had never been to when it is sunny. Great time, great food, and great place. My only regret is not making it over to one of the McMennimans pubs while I was there. Oh, and I found THE BEST place for any man to get his haircut. "Hair M". How about beer, a haircut, a massage, and a shampoo for $30 bucks. Wish I got up there more often.
Number 8: Tacoma, Washington and the Nevada Desert. I finally got a chance to go to the Chihuly's Glass Museum when I was in Seattle. It's always closed on certain days when I'm there in the winter. Also, I have included here pics of my meetings at an AFB somewhere in the NV desert where I got up close and personal with the Reaper and Predator drones. They would have let me fly one, but their Atari joystick was busted that day and they were all out of saddles for me to ride on top of one...
Number 9: Ohanapekosh campsite and Mt. Rainier. They say you can never go back and it's true. I tried to put together a guys' trip to Washington state but tensions were high when we got there and so it wasn't the best trip I ever took. Fortunately, I had a great moment at the campsite toward the end when a buddy of mine, Matt, and I chilled in our chairs with some beers just enjoying the flowing glacier river from Rainier. Included here is some video of our hike at Rainier which was gorgeous, even in September. I can't imagine it in the spring. Still waiting for pics from Jon on this trip.
Number 10: Chicago. Always a great place to visit, but this time, Jason talked me into a Cubs game. Not being a big sports guy, I figured, "What the heck, it's Wrigley Field" and so I went and we had a blast. The fans, the team, the experience, and the seats were amazing! So much so, that I cut out of my last meeting the next day and we raced back up there to do it again for an afternoon game. Word to the wise, good tickets get a lot cheaper from scalpers after the first inning. This may upset some out there, but I'm a cubs fan now.
So many more experiences, and really amazing people I met on the road, but I have to stick to the Top 10 for now. Thanks for tuning in and I promise to update this thing a lot more in 2009. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah to my Jewish friends, and have a great New Year. Safe Travels.... -J
