Not an Everyday Occurance

I was sitting in the hotel lobby waiting (3-1/2 hours!!) for my room to be ready. The lobby if filled with band and production people from the concert event, Maquinaria, last night. One guy is sitting off in the corner by himself and is talking on a cell phone. He starts talking about how some people ran up to him and "Beth" and "Daron" at the airport screaming "Josh, Josh" He informed the person on the other end of the phone that some one had a video camera and it was on YouTube now. He went on to explain how he is big in Brazil.

Bored, with nothing to do but wait (did I mention the 3-1/2 hours?) I decided to Google this Josh and his friends. "Josh, Amy, Sao Paulo, November" Definitely turned up the video, but still didn't know who he was. Now with this video thing I really wanted to know. Turns out he is Josh Hartzlet, songwriter, therapist, and most famsously, the husband to Amy Lee, lead singer (and lone oringal band member) of Evanescence. The good news is that my room became available soon after that. The bad news is I never saw Amy Lee! Drat!

Gotta admit though, this Internet thing has some power and instantness (that a word?). Sitting in a hotel lobby overhearing a guy on the phone talking about fans capturing cell phone video of him arriving at the airport the previous day, Googling him and then seeing nthe video - all while he is still on the call 10 feet away from me. And now I am posting on my blog for my friends. Waaay cool. Just wish it would have been a more relevant celebrity! No disrespect to Josh, of course!! ;)

In casre you are interested, here is the video of Josh and his two friends (whoever they are) arrving at the airport in Sao Paulo.

5th Continent in 5 Months

I never thought I'd do something like this. Since the end of May I have
been in Africa (Nairobi), Europe (Berlin, Budapest, Warsaw, and Prague,
with pass throughs in amsterdam), Asia (China, Korea, Japan), North America
(Chicago, South Bend, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara & Los
Angeles) and now South America (Sao Paulo). Hell, I am tired just typing it
in!

Jeff Ballard
Global Business Development Program Manager
IBM Software Group
Enterprise Content Management
P: 714.327.7725
C: 949.378.9130
E: JBallard@us.ibm.com

Healthy Travel Plan Delayed

Ok, bonehead packing error is delaying the start of my new weight loss
program. Kind of hard to take supplements when they are packed in your
suitcase! I was so focused on making sure I had my new supplements for the
trip I forgot to set some aside for today's travel! That's alright I wasn't
too sure I wanted to deal with the start of this while I was on a plane
anyways.

My goal this trip is to make it the healthiest one I've ever done.
Accomplishing that of course would not take a whole lot of effort. I have
not exactly set the bar too high when it comes to healthy travel. I tend to
enjoy the local cuisine, beer and culture at the expense of eating right,
working out and getting plenty of sleep.

The frequency of doing this over the past 6 months, coupled with an
upcoming trip to meet 'the family' as it were, are increasing the need to
reverse my backward slide into blob-dom. After the separation last year I
had dropped nearly 30 pounds. Sadly, an altered lifestyle since ... oh,
let's just say January 14, 2009 (and you know who you are!) ... has meant
less gym time, more dining out and far less sleep. This new pattern
started to erase the gains I had made physically up to that point.

So, now it is time to pay the piper and work to get back on the right
track. Why does it have to come when I am in Brazil?! Well, I guess if
travel were an excuse I'd continue to blob out. So I need to overcome that
at some point. Now is as good as time as any. Besides Thanksgiving looms on
the horizon!

But before that it is on to Brazil. The plane door has now closed. And so
begins the air travel portion of my 17 hour journey to Brazil and a renewed
journey back to a more healthy form!.

Jeff Ballard
Global Business Development Program Manager
IBM Software Group
Enterprise Content Management
P: 714.327.7725
C: 949.378.9130
E: JBallard@us.ibm.com

Blame it on Rio...or in this case Sao Paulo

Went to the Brazilian Consulate in Beverly Hills yesterday. I can tell you without a doubt that it sounds a whole lot more exotic that it was - in spite of the fact it was in the Larry Flynt Publishing building. Very tiny room. Very crowded with people. It was kind of a pain in the ass.

Apparently, though, they are doing a good job of 'returning the favor' for US citizens looking to travel to Brazil. In reponse to the US's visa and immigration laws enacted since 9/11, the Brazil government has done all it can to provide US citizens with the same experience Brazilians have when they come to the US. As noted on the consulate web site, "US passport holders must pay also a processing fee of US$130.00 in reciprocity for an identical fee paid by Brazilian citizens who apply for a Visa to the US."

This will be an interesting trip!

There Really is No Explaining This. Parental Advisory! For Mature Audiences Only!

Assembly Line!

They only sell 3 thing - hot dog w/fries, double dog w/fries and tamales -
but they sell a lot. And, apparently they have a system down pat. 10 people
on this hot dog assembly line. Given the crowd on this side of the counter
I can see why.

Hot Dog Heaven!

This place rocks! Best dog I've ever had! Thanks John & Jim for setting me
up! Double dog w/fries! Who knew a basic food could be so awesome!

Anyone traveling to Chicago you *must* experience a Chicago dog. And if you
only get one it must be Gene & Judes!

On the Road Again

This was one trip I could wait to get back on the road again (thanks for
the musical background Willie Nelson!). I do enjoy working with our
international teams at points all over the world. But this trip I am
getting to see family and friends - and getting to watch my favorite team.
The other trips are business - this one's personal!

I will also get to reconnect with at least a couple of the members of the
team that went to Kibera so that will be great as well.

I have had the thoughts rummaging around in my brain of the fact that as a
break from the hustle and bustle of travel - when I have several weeks
between business trips - what am I doing? Taking on the hustle and bustle
of travel! Yea, no one ever said I was too smart! Lol!

Think this billboard was made just for me!

And now my next Coca Cola destination is home!

Just for Mr. Brown!

Here you go, Bobby B. A dark Czech beer just for you! Let me tell you, this
place is beer heaven! Wish you were here to enjoy it!

Good grub!

But looking forward to the comfort foods of home!

I want one of these!

Local beer pub emphasizing local beers and holy cow are there a ton of
microbrews in Czech Republic! The beer bottles on display along the top of
the walls remind me of the beer can collecting days in middle school (just
collected cans. Did not drink the contents!). I am starting the eve with an
unfiltered pale lager from one of the CZ microbreweries. Mmmmm good!

Even the business complex has a sidewalk cafe!

This is the courtyard and cafe in the center of the business complex where
IBM's Czech and Central Eastern European HQ's are located. Great place to
eat and hang out on a summer Friday afternoon! Until some dumb-ass smokers
sits down 2 tables away up wind! Their 'personal pollution' ruined a great
view. Oh well, need to get my butt back I the office anyways!

That's Not What I Ordered, Is It?

As they hand me the food I ordered today I am once again reminded of one of
the tenets of international travel. The food you ordered will not be
anything like you are expecting. Unless you had it before or saw it on
someone else's plate what get will not resemble the image you have in your
mind.

In the US, for example, if you were to get the 'fried salmon' you'd
probably be expecting pan fried, lightly seared maybe pink slab o' fish to
be on your plate when it arrived. The last thing you would ever think you
we're going to get would be essentially salmon fish sticks. But, indeed
that is what was on the plate being presented to me with great glee. Huh.
Deep fried salmon. Never had it. OK. Life is about adapting and by-gosh I
can adapt to salmon nuggets! Especially since they gave me tartar sauce for
them. Wha?!

Overall they were fine. They kind of negated the whole notion of eating
something lite and healthy, tho. Gee, wonder if they though of deep frying
smaller pieces and serving 'popcorn salmon'? Could have been worse. At
least they didn't serve it on a slab of fat!

People Are People

And geeks are geeks no matter where you are in the world! Even in Czech
Republic. Hard to see here but the two guys in the center right are "sword
fighting" with some play swords. Glad to say they appeared to be Dell
employees and not IBM'ers. Their fighting style was amateurish and our IBM
sword fighter guys would slice them to bits (ooh, geek humor! God save me!)
Sorry, but this is as close as I could get with my phone. After all, I
didn't want to scare them. They had "weapons"!

Like a Weergin...

...touched for da fery first toime...".

Madonna hits Prague! The concert was held right next the IBM office and apparently some of her crew is staying here at the Hilton. Driving to the office was crazy. The place was cordoned off with police everywhere. It kind of reminded me of one of those concert videos where they show the pre-concert stuff going on wiht the people arriving, vendors setting up and police directing traffic.

Back at the hotel I checked on tickets. There were still some available. The guy told me there were two options - 1000 kroner and 3000 kroner. As I stand there not saying anything the guy asked if the 3000 was too much. "Umm. Dunno. I am trying to figure out how much that is in US dollars!" Well, it turned out to be either $80 or $160. They both were standing - but I think what he was really trying to tell me was that it was all lawn seating so everyone was standing. I was really tempted to do the more expensive seats. But I started to think about it. All told I'd rather wander the city and see the sites - and of course get the Starbcks mug and go to the Hard Rock!

Viva la Revolution!

John Lennon Wall

Not sure why it's here but it's cool. I wish they would somehow restrict
people adding to it. Kind of hard to read it all as people write over other
people's messages

This Looks Familiar

Isn't this from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland? But there
the dog had the key to the cell in his mouth!

Beautiful Shots Around Every Corner

I am still not off the Charles Bridge!

View from Charles Bridge in Prague

More Prague

Unbelievable

Not sure why US bridges have to be so utilitarian. The bridges and river
views in Central Europe are phenomenal!

Mission Accomplished!

I need to figure out how many Hard Rocks I have been to. I *think* this is
like number 55 or so. This one was way cool. 4 levels with a 4 story atrium
in the middle and a killer glass chandelier shaped like a guitar.

Apparently the 'King of Beers' has a Daddy!

Heard about the controversy for years but this was the first chance to
check (no pun intended!) out the original Budweiser. This stuff tastes
pretty good. I wonder if we can start getting it in the US instead of it's
Clydsdale urine counterpart!

And What Study was Conducted on This?

They take 'Green' pretty seriously in Poland I guess! No one said, though,
that going green had to mean going nicely... TWO towels ONLY! No more or
you will be shot, you gluttonous 3-towel bastard!

NOW we're talkin!

Specialty dessert of the house. Don't know what it is. They don't know hoe
to translate it in English. Hmmm. Living dangerously!

What Comes After Pink Soup?

Veal hiding inside a cabbage leaf underneath some funky looking cream
sauce. It was recommended as something I should try. We'll see!

Pink Soup!

I don't think I have ever had a food that was neon pink! It feels so 80's!
'Wake me up before you go-go!'

Pork Shank. Hmmmmm!

At a way cool socialist era style restaurant. Other than these clearly not
being 'mashed' potatoes, the food is great!

Take That Boudin!

Now this is a bread bowl! This is the starter for the evening, a
traditional soup. Forgot the name. All I remember is the "fermented bread"
part.

Actually tastes pretty good! Potatoes, had boiled egg, sausage. Yea, I'd
say pretty traditional!

Polish Food Experience

So, not that I am into doing restaurant reviews or anything but I have to
say this place seems pretty cool. Inside looks like what I suppose is a
Polish farmhouse (never been in one so can't say if that's the look they're
going for - but it is what they hit on). The waitresses are in peasant
style dresses and blouses and the seating is at old wooden tables that look
more at place in a picnic grounds than the middle of the big city. So, as a
tourist I buy the ambiance!

I am still trying to figure out if I should put the chip dip or the cold
mashed potatoes on the bread they brought to my table. Guess I'll try the
chip dip. The soup from my earlier post rocked by the way!

You know one thing I have learned traveling abroad is that the food will
never come out looking like you expect it to - unless you have ordered or
seen it before. Tonight is no different! My 'veal' does not look like I
would have thought. As to what it does look like, I will leave you to form
your own opinion as my opinion on the looks of the meal is not fit for
polite dinner conversation!

Wow, that was really good. "Hearty" certainly comes to mind, though! I
couldn't even finish half of the main course. No wonder the are so many fat
people here. I could not eat like this every day.

Well if you ever make it to Warsaw I can agree with the reviewers who said
this place, Chlopskie, is a great place to get your 1st experience with
real Polish food. Just remember to bring your appetite!

Sunny Warsaw

View from hotel - not from my room but from my floor

IBM Rate View

I think normally you have to pay extra for the empty abandoned lot view.
But I work for IBM so it is free to me!

Warszawie

One week down and I find myself now in Warsaw Poland. Unfortunately, this Hilton is not located on palace grounds like the one I just left in Budapest, but this has something also very highly valued - an amazingly comfortable bed! This is one of the best beds I think I have ever had in a hotel room. I am surprised to find it in Europe. Usually the king beds are really two small beds smashed together and barely softer than sleeping on the floor. This one, though, I fell into when I got to the room this morning and am having a hard time getting -and staying - out of!

It also has more English language channels - including a very strange VH1. I say strange because they play music videos! I vaguely remember that music on TV thing from the 80's but I thought those gave way to the reality shows. So, another thing I am enjoying about this place! You know I may never leave the hotel room. I wonder if I can just dial in to the meetings this week from my room?

Actually, given my wanderlust - and the fact there is a Hard Rock here - I'll tear myself away from this bed soon and head on out to check out the town.

Kickin' It on a Friday Eve

You know, we need more sidewalk cafes in the US - especially in California!
This really awesome. Instead of sitting in the office or in my hotel room,
I figured I'd head into the Pest side of town and work in some cool
location. Found it! I found the cool little restaurant row we visited the
first night as a team. Found the first bar that took AmEx and sat down and
ordered a beer. Now I am firing up the PC. I tell you life ain't bad!

There comes a time in every trip ...

…where the being away from home starts to get to you. Sure, you normally call it being homesick. Usually it is when you get tired of everything being different. You just really would like to have something familiar to get your bearings and keep a connection back home. For me, this is how my Hard Rock thing came about. When traveling abroad, it was always an oasis of Americana that I could count on for a brief reconnection with home - in the form of food, of course. Sure it is not the greatest food, but after a week or so of strange dishes, even their hamburgers look pretty darn good! And a chocolate malt? I am jonesing for one right now!!

On this trip, this feeling came early, but it was not because I was missing the familiarity and comfort of home. Nor was it the distinct lack of a Hard Rock in Budapest! This time it was because I was in a very romantic city full of charm and history that gave it an ambience that seemingly was designed specifically just for lovers. And you see them everywhere. Holding hands. Kissing. Hugging. And who can blame them. Amazing scenic views, old world charm, horse carriage rides over cobblestone streets, beautiful sunsets, sidewalk cafes, cool summer evenings. This place just oozes romance. I would venture to say that this city is even more romantic than Paris. Don’t believe me? I challenge you to visit both and then tell me what you think!

Unfortunately for me this romanticism is a constant reminder of what I am missing back home, just how much Vicki would love this place, and how great this experience would be if she were here to share it with. Every beautiful old building I see I think how much Vicki would love it. The sidewalk cafes I can only think how we could spend hours there just talking - and looking into each other’s eyes, of course. Looking out over the Danube and the amazing view of Budapest I think of how much better it would be with her there in my arms to share the view. Yep. I hit the “I miss you so much, honey” portion of the trip far earlier than expected. And it is not stopping any time soon apparently! Even as I write this I am sitting in a very old stone courtyard restaurant with red cloth covered tables, mood lighting and live gipsy music playing. And if that weren’t enough the song playing on the radio before the musicians came out was “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen. Thanks! As if I wasn’t already missing my best friend enough!! Then the first song the musicians played was “Hooray for Hollywood” - not romantic but got me thinking of home for sure. That was followed by “My Way”. Since Vicki is a huge Sinatra fan this would have been one of those moments in life that would have taken her breath away. It was perfect – well, it would have been perfect if she had been here with me.

I am figuring about now there are those ready to give me grief about ‘whining’. Now don’t get me wrong. This is not me complaining. I do realize how lucky I am to be traveling the world, seeing the sights, experiencing different cultures and working with people from all over. I fully appreciate and love this part of my job greatly. But there are times when the personal costs of this life get to be a bit overwhelming. Like when I come face to face with how empty my world is – even in the midst of so much beauty, culture and history – when Vicki is not in it. So forgive me for droning on a bit in this post, but this is part of the deal in this life of travel. Tonight I am not home sick. I am heart sick.

Not tonight honey, I have a heartache ...

I am not sure which I was more taken aback by. Their beauty or their brazenness. I wandered into the bar across from the hotel this evening for a beer. It was a rather unassuming place I had seen all week and thought it’d be a cool place to get a drink one evening. I didn’t feel like sitting in the hotel room – and especially in the lifeless, soul-less Hilton hotel bar – so it seemed to make sense to check it out.

When I walked in something felt strange – not right. As I sat there with my beer I suddenly had a woman come up and ask me if it was ok to sit next to me. OK, I didn’t fall off the Hungarian turnip truck sweetie! I knew the game. I was polite though and said sure you can sit there – “Not sure how much company I’ll be though”. She sat down any way. She starts striking up a conversation. I was courteous but not much more. I knew this is how things get started! I even made sure to add in something about “missing my girlfriend tonight”. That almost backfired though. “Budapest girlfriend?” she asks. “Umm, no, girlfriend back home.” Well, not sure if it was cutting to the chase because I mentioned the girlfriend, or if it is the modus operandi for Hungarian hookers, but she just laid it out (so to speak). “We have girls to go into back rooms for strip show and girls to your hotel for sex. Would you like?” Well, let’s not beat around the bush, sweetie, just tell me what you are after! I politely declined, to say the least. I quickly finished the beer and made my move out the door.

I didn't get very far though before being asked by another girl if I wanted someone to go back to the hotel with me. And this one was beautiful. The first woman was nice looking. While her outfit had said ‘hooker’ she looked like she could have been an administrative assistant, or customer service rep – oh, wait she was! This second one, though, looked like she belonged on a disco floor or on the arm of some Ukrainian Mafioso. Very beautiful, very thin and very dangerous! And very direct apparently! Again, I declined the offer and was able to finally get my butt out of there.

Not sure if these women understood that they were barking up the wrong tree. Tonight – and every night – my heart (and all other parts) belong to one person. And, by the way, did I mention I am really missing her tonight?

Watson Come Here ...

So why exactly is there a telephone museum in Budapest? Better yet, why is
there one at all? Well, I don't want to get hung up on that thought. I am
sure it gets ringing endorsements. My guess is it is hard to get through
because it is busy. Hopefully they publish their address clearly, you
wouldn't want to miss it because you got a wrong number. Oh yea! I am all
dialed in on this now! These are coming to you long distance, baby! Well,
I think that about does it for now. I am sure I'll think of more lines
later! Hey, if any come to mind jump in and we'll make this a party line!

Pure Fat

Ok, this is one reason why life expectancy here is 64 years. This, part of
my dinner, is pure FAT. Now, I am not saying it has a lot of fat or full of
fat, I am saying it IS fat! And you are supposed to eat it. Apparently
transylvanians must not have weight issues. Makes sense though, I have
never seen a fat vampire!

Tastes just like bacon - without that annoying meat texture! I think I am
going to hurl!

A Dinner with Bite!

You can order the Transylvania Style Wood Plate but its a pain in the neck.
Its only available at night and costs so much it'll bleed you dry! And it
has no beef on it. The waiter said something about the dangers of wood
steaks.

A Seriously Old Building

This is the church that is the middle of the Budapest Hilton Hotel. The
hotel itself was built by joining 2 buildings on either side of this
church. Actually the church is a facade. No, I am not making a political
statement on churches. This one now is literally only a facade. It is 800
years old and they incorporated it into the design of the hotel. From the
front you see the church front between the halves of the Hilton. Inside
this is a walkway from one side of the hotel to the other. The hotel
building itself is 300 years old and used to be a school. Budapest is an
amazing place. And I have to say this is a pretty cool location as far as
hotels go!

Budapest Beauty

After I settled into the hotel room this afternoon I decide to catch one of
the city tour buses to try and stay awake. (Trying to stay up after you
land is one trick to minimizing jet lag) I have to say I was quite amazed
at how beautiful Budapest is.

The Danube runs right through the heart of the city with the area of Buda
on one side and Pest on the other. And the scene is so picturesque. I know
I have seen it in the movies before! This place has that WWII era feel to
it. Actually I feel like I have stumbled onto a hot set for some post war
spy movie. I keep looking for Sean Connery to come around the corner in his
007 Astin Martin - or even Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in a stolen Mini
Cooper trying to ditch local police and Interpol.

The tour was pretty cool as I got to see just about everything,
location-wise, in the city that I'd want to see. And from the tour
narrative I learned that this place has had several 'owners' throughout the
centuries. It seems every few hundred years they got their butts kicked by
someone else. Hungary, as it is now, is only as old as 1989. Now, I am not
positive but if I had to guess I'd say the men were too sloth-like after
eating this heavy-ass food! It's good, but wow is it filling.

I have to work tomorrow but if I can squeeze some time in I hope to visit
one of the baths the city is so known for. In the meantime, I am going to
finish my beer and head back to the hotel - probably taking a few more pics
of the river view at night along the way!

Here I Go Again

I seem to have a lot of rock quotes going on these days and today is no
different. Off on another adventure. I know this is a business trip and all
but this time it's a bit different as for the most part, these are 3 new
destinations - Budapest Hungary, Warsaw Poland, and Prague czech Republic.

Now I say this, discounting my first excursion into Warsaw which lasted
like 23 hours. We flew in the early evening the night before our meetings.
The meetings went through lunch and we were on our way to the next local
shortly thereafter. So, I don't really count having seen Warsaw.

That 'controversy' aside, I have never stepped foot in - and in fact even
really know nothing about - Budapest and Prague. I have no idea of what I
am getting myself into. I know of 'Hungarian Ghoulash' and now of Hungarian
Paprika. There are supposed to be cool buildings in Budapest and the place
is known for the hot mineral spring baths. And my Cliff Claven fun fact of
the day is that 'Budapest' is comprised of two communities, one lying on
each side of the Danube (I think), named Buda and Pest. Oooh! So last week
I guess I was in Detroitontario and I live in Irvinetustin. Hmmm, that'd
mean I work in Costamesasantaana. Thank God we don't use the same naming
convention here!

Now with regard to Prague, I have heard it is really beautiful and the 'hot
spot' to go. Other than that beats me! Oh wait, there I a Hard Rock here!
Another notch on the ol' guitar case and of course a new t-shirt and pin!

Speaking of HR's, there is one in Warsaw that I am anxious to get to. I was
there before it opened - when they were building it. So this will now
count on my list as one I have been to once I actually 'go to' it.

The god news in all of this is today we have the internet and a cool site
called WikiTravel.com. It is a Wikipedia site and gives you the scoop on
just about any locale you'd be going to. I printed out the info to read on
the plane so hopefully I will know a bit more about these places.
Well, that's all for this post. I'm in the van on the way to LAX. It is
just after 7 am. I guess you could say I have been up since 6. In reality,
though, I had what amounted to a 1-1/2 hour nap that ended at 6. You know,
I gotta get better at the day befores on these trip departures!

Detroit, Rock City, Packs a Punch!

I got to sneak in some extra time to sight see on the trip visiting
grandmother. Detroit actually looks pretty cool. I wouldn't mind spending
some time downtown exploring more - unless of course in the couple hours I
was down there I already saw everything!

The new Tigers stadium and Ford Field look pretty cool I definitely want to
catch some games there!

As far as travel goes this one blew - at least on the ground in Detroit. I
spent 30 minutes just waiting for the Hertz bus after landing at 12:30 at
night. Then when I got to the lot I had to go in as the car was not ready
in the #1 Gold. The cranky lady I got to deal with then tried to convince
me that the Yaris she was giving me was an upgrade! Really? An upgrade?
From what exactly!

Fortunately the negative experience was limited primarily to the Detroit
Airport. Departing was about as much joy as the arrival. While Hertz seemed
not ready to process my return, it was 'the new Delta' that was the issue.
Apparently the Northwest personnel have not gotten the notice that *they*
were acquired by Delta, not the other way around! New name on the gates,
different uniform on the crew, but definitely the same cranky ass attitude
that made Northwest 'oh so special" to fly. I particularly loved the
attendant who uttered "Je-sus Christ" under her breath when I asked for
some info. She also explained that Delta was in the next terminal and that
this was a Northwest terminal. Now, mind you, she was in a Delta uniform.
The sign above her too-busy-to-be-bothered head said Delta, and the plane
sitting behind her was painted "Delta". If that weren't enough, this
NWA-or-die flighty attendant tried to tell me Northwest acquired Delta!
"Delta bought Northwest, right?" I quickly pointed out, trying to help her
understand the NWO - new world order - she now faced ... and wore ... and
worked under ... and worked for. Don't think she appreciated the news.
That's alright. I didn't appreciated her bring the Nitwits With Attitude
mind st she brought to my airline!

Good thing everything in the middle of this trip was great. Spending time
with my grandmother, taking her to her first movie in 30 years, taking her
to McDonald's which she considered a treat as her recently passed away
husband never would take her there, and just hanging out far out weighed
the crap at the airport.

Living the High Life!

Oh yea, look out! I am rockin' the Double A town in a Yaris! Who's bad!

The funny thing was the Hertz lady trying to convince me that this was an
upgrade! LOL!! Over what? A tricycle!?

Over Hills and ... It'd Better Over the Woods, Too!

An bonus trip amongst all the biz travel. While the destination is not as
exotic as Shanghai, Nairobi, or Prague, I am looking forward to it in a big
way.

My grandmother turned 90 in April and I was not able to make her party. I
was upset that I missed the milestone. But I promised her I'd come back in
June and spend time with her. I figured it'd better to do that anyways as I
knew she was going to have a bunch of people buzzing around her all day.
This way we get more 1-1 time! I missed June what with the trip to Berlin,
Jordan's graduation and a pending Asia trip. So this is the weekend! I am
happy I was finally able to make it happen.

So, Ann Arbor, Michigan here I come!

Some How It Wouldn't Be the Same

I am dying for some real Chicago style pizza but I don't think this would
satisfy that craving. Seoul-style Chicago Pizza??

Now let's see if I can get back!

I am in Yokahama. After figuring I had time today to get here and notch
another Hard Rock I am now faced with the task of getting back. Let's see
how we do...

My New Friend!

I seem to have made a new friend. Either that or I am sitting where he
wants to play!

Shanghai on a Saturday Afternoon

Enjoying kicking back on the walk along the river.

Nice legs!

Great desserts @ the hotel buffet. And let me tell you its not a Las Vegas
style spread of crappy food. This is an awesome spread.

Great Sports?

Flipping through the TV and looking at the channel guide I came across the
'Great Sports' channel. *This* is great sport in China?

Suite View!

Ok, I am not in a suite but it is a hell of a view from my room.

Quit yer Damn Spittin!

You know, I bet if people here would quit hocking all over the place there
would be less need for that whole surgical mask thing here in China!

I go through everything but a rectal exam to get into the country and when
I get in people are horkin' up who knows what and going projectile with it.
Something ain't right with that. The next person to hock a loogey in front
of me I will sneeze on!

Probed in Pudong

Cripes, I know what E.T. felt like when the NASA guys met up with him!
After we landed in Shanghai at Pudong Airport, and before we were allowed
to move from our seats, these two people came on board for a health
inspection. (In fact that is where I am typing this from now.) They were
dressed head to toe in throw-away hooded white cover-alls, surgical masks
and surgical gloves. They kind of reminded me of the clean room employees
you would see in an Intel commercial!

The first lady had some strange looking reader device that looked kind of
like a radar gun. She pointed it at my head for a few seconds and then
motioned for her buddy to come over. Oh crap! Did they see something? I was
trying not to breathe too much as my stupid nose was stuffy and I could
feel another sneeze brewing. Fortunately, her pal was the thermometer guy
and whatever the little radar gun thingy read I must have been fine because
when he got there she moved on. My temp was fine too and soon the second
marshmallow dude was on his way.

After they check everyone they are finally letting us deplane. And of
course after the clean bill of health that stupid sneeze is really starting
to well up.

Off the plane now and heading to the 2nd health checkpoint. And wouldn't it
figure I did sneeze again before I got off the plane. Right after I sneezed
the flight attendant stopped all of us from exiting the plane. I though
this was it. I was going to be whisked off to some Chinese makeshift exam
room in some back corridor of Pudong airport. Thankfully, she was stopping
us because the Michelin man and Michelin woman had not finished examining
quite everyone yet. After a couple of seconds they made their way back up
to the front and off the plane. Whew! I am cleared for entry - or so I
thought.

Notice I said off to the 2nd checkpoint! Not sneezing. Hmm, has anyone ever
been successful with that? I was certainly trying my hardest but it didn't
work - twice. The good news though, no one said anything. I made sure to
not sniffle going thru the checkpoint though and was able to pass with both
health checkers at the next point. Man, I hate these kind of tests!

Now I am in the taxi heading to the airport. One last sneeze for the heck
of it I guess. The taxi driver sure looked at me funny after that. I hope
he isn't now taking me to some national quarantine detention center!

Mainland China

We just landed in China and are taxiing to the terminal. I filled out my
Health Declaration form and am now crossing my fingers that I am not the
next quarantine story! A couple of weeks ago I read a story of an American
who was pulled away from his travel in China and was quarantined. He
himself was not sick and he showed no symptoms of the H1N1 virus, but
apparently he was near someone on the plane who needed to be quarantined.

I am fine. And as I look around the plane it is relatively empty, only
about 4 people within 6 feet of me. I am hoping they are fine, too! The
story of the man's quarantine was not a pretty one and I do NOT wish to
repeat it myself!

Thank You H1N1!

Well, I passed thru without being quarantined. It was strange though to get off the plane and be greeted by a woman wearing a surgical mask and sticking a thermometer in my ear. Could have been worse. At least it was the ear.

I was nervous about going through the check point because for some reason I normally get sneezing bouts when I fly anyway. At some point during the flight I will sneeze. Followed not too long after by a couple more sneezes. Normally they are just a nice little sneeze trilogies, if you will, coming like celebrity deaths - three at a time. On this flight, though they kept coming. I would say in the last 4 hours of the flight I sneezed, literally at least 9 times (a trilogy of trilogies! Ooh, how George Lucas of me!). I thought for sure someone nearby would rat me out-especially after about 6 or7 of them! I guess since anyone around me would have been quarantined too they all had just as much incentive to keep quiet as I did! Still, though, I was waiting for someone to pull me aside. Thank goodness it didn't happen. Since I have never heard of flying making people sneeze I bet I would have had a hard time explaining it!
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Another week another flight

You know part of me thinks it would be a fun exercise to figure out how many planes I have been on this year. That, however, is a small part! This is a number I would probably do better *not* knowing! It's kind of like when I reached the Million Miler status on Delta this year. It is an odd milestone. It is a dubious 'accomplishment' as few people reach that level of travel. Then again, that is a *hell* of a lot of travel!

It is cool, though to realize that this flight will bring me to my 4th continent in the last 30 days! I am very fortunate to be one of those people that gets to experience the flattening of the world first hand.

I remember years ago I would say you could tell the seasoned business traveler from the non. The simple use of "get to travel" vs "have to travel" would tell whether you were spending a lot of time in an airplane seat. I remember in the early days of my business travel I would always talk about 'getting' to travel. Then it seemed to get in the way and take me away from things in my life I didn't want to miss. Suddenly I saw myself as 'having' to travel. Now, with a little more perspective, I can see that while it does take you away from your home and family that it is still a blessing to be able to see and experience other parts if the world. And more important than the Eiffel Towers, Coliseums and Great Walls of the world, is meeting the people of the world and getting to know, understand and appreciate humanity in all its different flavors and varying perspectives.

Yes. A million miles is a lot. And I have been on more planes this year than many people ever get on. And yes, I have missed some things. But all in all I think it is worth it - being a citizen of the world and getting to see all that stuff! Just kind of wish everything wasn't so far away, ya know!


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New Trip!

After a brief hiatus it is time to get back on the road - well, in the air. Off to Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo over 13 days.

The Africa Experience

KLM has a special focus on Africa this month. Cool stories about how the airline is helping the people of Africa - including one with bikes. Given Holland's preferred transportation I am NOT surprised at that one! They also have a contest for people to tell their story of doing business with or within Africa. Maybe I'll enter!

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No Vaccinations Required??

After getting more shots than a grade schooler I land in Nairobi to find out there are no vaccination requirements! Ok, trying to put on the 'better safe than sorry" attitude!
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Amsterdam Fly-Thru

Just finished the second leg of my flight to Nairobi and am sitting on the
plane waiting for everyone to board. I left my home 16 hours ago and I
still have an 8 or 9 hour flight and a bus trip ahead of me. And on top of
it I will have a conference call at what I believe is 2:00 am local time
this evening after I get in. Oh yes ... The glamorous life!

Speaking of glamour, I would complain to someone about the horrible BO
nearby - but it is me! Man, I feel like I need a shower! I would have tried
to freshen up in Schipol, the Amsterdam airport, but I landed and had to go
directly to my gate as the flight was already boarding. Too bad I am not on
an Air France flight. They'd just think I was French!

Hey, but there might be good news. I *think* KLM serves Coke products! Keep
your fingers crossed for me! Lol!

Feeling the Million Miler Love

A couple of months ago I got that notice in the mail that I had felt both
pride and dread over. It was official I was now officially a Million Miler
with Delta Airlines. Wow. That is a lot of air time! I know there are
friends of mine who hit that number so long ago they are working on 2 or 3
times that. Fine for them but I never really wanted to be THAT guy. So
hitting this milestone was strange.

With it though, I felt there would at least be some perks that would be
cool. We'll see. On one of my first flights as a newly minted Million Miler
I get a luxurious middle seat! And since the economy is doing what it's
doing IBM relegates us to coach class. Yea. Travel is soooo cool. Middle
seat packed in coach on an 8 hour flight! Feeling the Delta love!

Mobilize the Forces!

OK people we have a potential code red crisis on our hands. In talking to
the flight attendant for Northwest I learned of a sinister plot afoot. When
she asked me if I wanted a drink I asked if they were now serving coke
instead of Pepsi. She told me that Delta is evaluating BOTH brands across
the whole Delta/Northwest system! What? Blasphemy!! We need to march on
Atlanta like sherman and make sure these two perfect partners stay
together! Write your congressman. Tell your neighbors. And sound the alarm.
Armageddon is near!

Fitting Send Off

Standing at LAX this morning before boarding the song "I Believe I Can Fly"
came over the sound system. My initial thought was wow horny appropriate
given I am about to fly. Then I realized just how appropriate it was for
this particular trip. The women in this business school themselves have
been learning to fly! The song is of having dreams of aspiring to something
great and belief in one's self to get there. I have always loved that song.
Good thing because it will be playing in my head for the next 11 days!

Culture Shock Extreme

So let's see ... 4 days ago I was at Amish Acres. And now I am at the extreme polar opposite! Sin City. I have experienced extremes in my travels before but THIS is a major shock to the system!
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Talk About Multitasking!

Apparently guys in Napanee, IN like to get on the Internet while doing their business. Just no smoking, though, ok?!

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Up, up and Away!

A few days of R&R in the Windy City. It feels strange to be going somewhere and not have to have my passport! And, for the most part the people all speak the same language as I do. Of course it is Chicago so sometimes you aren't so sure! "Da Bearsss" & "Braaats"

So, I'm dreaming of real Chicago pizza & Chicago dogs! Can't wait!
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Grounded

OK, so I am going to be home for a while now. Well, home as in restricted to US-only travel. No, I am not an accused terrorist or quarantined or anything. I need to get a visa for Brazil and for China. Brazil takes 3 weeks to get. And since i have to turn in the passport with the visa application, that means no leaving the country. Me and OJ Simpson - passport-less and restricted to North America!

So, I will make the best of it - like enjoying the new digs, and doing some personal US travel. Chicago here I come!

So Long, Seoul!

Well, the good news is that, yes, the sun does come out in Asia - at least in Seoul. The bad news is that it waited until the day I am leaving!
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Ooh, A Seminar - and in Korean!

Oh boy, talk about you fish out of water situation. We finished up the day by attending the dinner at the conference the local team put on with a partner. Normally a good thing, this was conducted in Korean. Everyone at the table spoke in Korean. Everyone ELSE that is. It was a challenge. I tried to start conversations in English and they'd go a while. Before you knew it though there was silence and then a new conversation - in Korean. It was a very long meal.

As for the food, it was pretty much the same stuff as you'd get in the US. And I do mean the same stuff! I think they flew it over from a US catering company it looked - and tasted - so familiar! Did I mention it was a long meal?

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What the Heck Happened to the Sun?

'Beautiful' Korea! I don't think I have seen the sun since I left So. Cal. And the trend continues with a smoggy day in Seoul. This view outside of my hotel room is sooo welcoming!

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Small World After all

Sitting here as an American I am listening to a Korean singer under a banner for an Irish holiday perform a Canadian's song from a movie about an English boat that sank. Yes, uncle Walt, it is a small world after all!
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