On vacation this week to Hilton Head Island, SC. Started off
the trip with a couple days exploring downtown
I finally put up some of the pictures that I took to our recent trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. I hope that you enjoy them. I really had a good time and I am looking forward to going back some time soon.
Cheers!
I have been on a couple of short trips in that past couple weeks. Soon, I will have pictures from the trip to Lake Tahoe for the 4th of July and a short trip to LA including Catalina around my birthday.
Here are a few shots of the weekend hike at the Wildcat Canyon Park that Anne and I went on with her aunt and uncle. We had a good time and really enjoyed the weather and beautiful views of the Bay Area. The review of the hike said it was strenuous and we voted that the reviewer was right.
It was another great weekend. But, it was a bittersweet. For, it marked my return to work after being off all of last week.
Thursday and Friday I spent time with Anne in Monterey, CA. She was attending the CAM Conference. I was able to attend the Thursday evening event at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and at 800 Cannery Row, Ed Ricketts House tour. It was great to be at the Aquarium during the evening. It was a different experience. The Aquarium Staff were great hosts. Pictures HERE
Friday was filled with driving around Carmel and hanging around on the beach. Being so close to the beach in San Francisco you would think that we would hang out on the beach all the time. But, even the short drive South to Monterey, the beaches were completely different. You wanted to be on the beach down there which is not how I feel when I am up in the San Francisco. Even with the great day that it was we couldn't escape the fog. While sitting on the beach we were watching from the ocean consume the outer lands and us all in a matter of 30 minutes. It was really cool to watch.
Saturday evening was the regular Dice Game up in Sacramento. It was good to meet new people. And the shocker of all shockers is that I took first place!!!
Sunday was the SF Ballet. Anne and I took in the matinee performance of the SF Ballet Company mixed repertory performance. We went because of they were performing Rodeo. The first two acts were great too. We sat the $10 high attitude seats, but you know they were great. We saw most of the action and heard all the music. I would definitely do that again. It is can be hard to find reasonable prices for events in San Francisco. It was a nice treat to be able to attend a great performance at a great price.
After the Ballet we headed in the rain to Zuni Cafe. A good place to eat. On the pricey side and you will have to wait, but good food. Anne would suggest to sit on the upper level in the "walk way" bridge area. You can get a good view of the prep kitchen. You will know how every thing is prepped and when your order is coming.
Another weekend in the books.
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Barack Obama: The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Jared Diamond: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed
Another good book. Right along the lines for Gun, Germs, and Steel.
Bruce Greenwald: Competition Demystified: A Radically Simplified Approach to Business Strategy
Very good book. Though, highly academic. I felt like I really just took a course from Greenwald.
James Surowiecki: The Wisdom of Crowds
Great book. Interesting to really think about. Over at AskSpace.com and TBE we are testing some of the concepts in the book. Check it.
Malcolm Gladwell: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
With my science background I found The Tipping Point an interesting read. In the past, the tipping point of events has always been an unconscious thought. I hope to bring those tipping points to my consciousness and harness and anticipate tipping points in the future.
Keith Ferrazzi: Never Eat Alone : And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
Good advice and maybe a different approach to networking for many. I enjoyed the personal stories used as examples throughout the book. I am going to see if I can put his advice to practice.
Jimmy Buffett: A Salty Piece of Land
A new one for all the Buffett fans. It is escapism at its best. This novel is peppered with Buffett's life and music. While reading ASPL I was wishing that I was exploring the world.
Sun-Tzu: The Art of War (Penguin Classics)
What can I say. A book of sayings from Sun-Tzu. His knowledge is relevant beyond war. As good as it is to read it in English, I wish that I could read and understand the orignal Chinese text.
Stephan Schiffman: Cold Calling Techniques: (That Really Work!) (Cold Calling Techniques)
Interesting read. Not that I currently make cold calls, but I found the techniques useful in regular phone and business interactions.
The book made me think about how to approach a sale (both as the sales person and consumer).
Guy Kawasaki: The Art Of The Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide For Anyone Starting Anything
A must read by anybody that wants to start a business. I enjoyed the examples of what "to-do" and "not-do."
I will be re-reading this book and continuing to make notes.