We won two customer-voted Software Satisfaction Awards at last night's event here in London. It was a huge surprise as we were up against some of the biggest names in the industry and I had been enjoying the dinner, conversation and several glasses of champagne in the expectation that we would be keeping a low profile.
Earlier, as other awards were being handed out, I noticed that the pretty lady in the blue dress standing on stage next to the table with the waiting awards was being ignored by all the other winners who would walk past her as they went to shake hands and collect their award from the compere. I didn't think that was right. So I announced to our table that should we win an award I would make sure to stop and give her a kiss en route.
Sure enough, my (and her) dream came true. Twice.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Getting Satisfied
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Snowy England
Just a quick update today as I am rushing around and heading up to the City for some PR meetings and a product award ceremony (that I only found out about yesterday).
Yesterday's flight from San Francisco was short. Due to some immense tail winds we made it in to London in 8 hours and 52 minutes. I slept most of the way.
This picture of the snow covered landscape was taken somewhere near Birmingham.
Yesterday's flight from San Francisco was short. Due to some immense tail winds we made it in to London in 8 hours and 52 minutes. I slept most of the way.
This picture of the snow covered landscape was taken somewhere near Birmingham.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Don't think I don't see you
Just because you might be wearing a pirate costume, army fatigues or a traditional Santa outfit doesn't mean you can trick me. I can see right through your disguises.
And you still frighten me.
And you still frighten me.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Saturday's Southern Comfort
Just to show you that I say what I mean and I mean what I say...
Feast your eyes on this plateful of loveliness (and carbs, calories, and other assorted goodies/baddies) from my Saturday morning visit to The Pantry before heading back to Kingsburg.
For those of you who haven't been there before, this dish is called Southern Comfort and consists of scrambled eggs (no-cholesterol egg beaters to be precise), biscuit with country gravy and hash brown potatoes with grilled onions and seasoning.
And it was mine. And I ate it.
Feast your eyes on this plateful of loveliness (and carbs, calories, and other assorted goodies/baddies) from my Saturday morning visit to The Pantry before heading back to Kingsburg.
For those of you who haven't been there before, this dish is called Southern Comfort and consists of scrambled eggs (no-cholesterol egg beaters to be precise), biscuit with country gravy and hash brown potatoes with grilled onions and seasoning.
And it was mine. And I ate it.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ethical Dilemma
As many of you know, Michelle and I chose several years ago to no longer shop at WalMart as our small protest against some of their questionable business practices. It's simply not possible to offer Wild Salmon at those prices without ecological or health and safety corners being cut. Ditto those cheap 'American' bicycles that have to be manufactured in China to meet their pricing requirements. And don't get me started on the whole Pickle fiasco.
We even held fast to our convictions when, as a sign of their good intentions and environmental responsibility, they took the lead to push fluorescent light bulbs to the masses. Yes, we're all saving energy - which is good and necessary - but I wonder if we really have a handle on what we're going to do with all the mercury in them so it doesn't end up in our water. Or our tuna. Although I guess that ship sailed a while ago...
Anyway, you can imagine my dilemma then upon learning that Keith Urban - our favorite (pretend) Country artist and husband of Nicole Kidman - is releasing his new live DVD exclusively via WalMart. And even though, I'm almost certain, no salmon, tuna or bicycles will have been harmed or fed mercury in the process of releasing it, I'm torn as to whether I can legitimately break our WalMart embargo just this once to buy it. What if it's the top of a slippery slope that leads to a place that I don't even want to think about? And I'm not sure that I can even ask Lamb Procurement Services to get it for me - even as a gift - because every time I watch that little Aussie guy play his Country/Rock crossover songs with crowd-pleasing guitar solos that remind us of Prince I'll know where it came from.
Oh, I know - I'll pick up a copy from ASDA next time I'm in the UK.
We even held fast to our convictions when, as a sign of their good intentions and environmental responsibility, they took the lead to push fluorescent light bulbs to the masses. Yes, we're all saving energy - which is good and necessary - but I wonder if we really have a handle on what we're going to do with all the mercury in them so it doesn't end up in our water. Or our tuna. Although I guess that ship sailed a while ago...
Anyway, you can imagine my dilemma then upon learning that Keith Urban - our favorite (pretend) Country artist and husband of Nicole Kidman - is releasing his new live DVD exclusively via WalMart. And even though, I'm almost certain, no salmon, tuna or bicycles will have been harmed or fed mercury in the process of releasing it, I'm torn as to whether I can legitimately break our WalMart embargo just this once to buy it. What if it's the top of a slippery slope that leads to a place that I don't even want to think about? And I'm not sure that I can even ask Lamb Procurement Services to get it for me - even as a gift - because every time I watch that little Aussie guy play his Country/Rock crossover songs with crowd-pleasing guitar solos that remind us of Prince I'll know where it came from.
Oh, I know - I'll pick up a copy from ASDA next time I'm in the UK.
Monday, October 20, 2008
I spoke too soon
Yep. No sooner do I espouse the joys of being back home for a few days and spending time with Michelle than I find myself left alone for the evening while she swans off to San Jose with her sisters to see Tina Turner in concert.
So, Michelle, when I get back on Saturday for my 'farewell stopover' before heading out on another business trip don't expect the tickets to this gig to be that easy to come by either.
P.S. Yes - I will be eating breakfast at The Pantry on Saturday too.
So, Michelle, when I get back on Saturday for my 'farewell stopover' before heading out on another business trip don't expect the tickets to this gig to be that easy to come by either.
P.S. Yes - I will be eating breakfast at The Pantry on Saturday too.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Lover, not a Blogger
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.
I say you can only really measure it when the absence is over.
Forgive me for not writing so much lately - I've been busy doing the measuring.
I say you can only really measure it when the absence is over.
Forgive me for not writing so much lately - I've been busy doing the measuring.
Monday, October 13, 2008
New Kids on a Friday Night
This is what it looks like when you get to see your favorite childhood band again 15 years after you last saw them when you were 9 years old.
Yep, Anna was very excited and screaming her heart out at the NKOTB concert in San Jose on Friday night. She was not alone - other than Jim, Kyle and I we saw probably one other guy in the entire audience. And I think he loved Jordan almost as much as Anna did - if you know what I mean. ;)
Yep, Anna was very excited and screaming her heart out at the NKOTB concert in San Jose on Friday night. She was not alone - other than Jim, Kyle and I we saw probably one other guy in the entire audience. And I think he loved Jordan almost as much as Anna did - if you know what I mean. ;)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Competitive Cat Photos
For the past few weeks Hanako and I have been involved in an increasingly serious competition to prove who's cat is the cutest.
This is her latest entry - received yesterday afternoon.
I told her it was ok, but a little boring. What say you?
This is her latest entry - received yesterday afternoon.
I told her it was ok, but a little boring. What say you?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Package #3
I was privileged to receive another overseas package today.
This one was from Michelle herself. She had to tip me off that something was on the way as it had taken much longer than she anticipated for me to receive it - it seems that we have a new postman who didn't want to leave it at reception like the previous packages were so I wasn't aware of it until I checked my mailbox and found the note they'd left. Anyway, now that I have it I can reveal it included some underwear and a pack of Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Wheat Thin crackers.
It wasn't until later this evening when I went to move the underwear that I realized that something was rattling in the boxer shorts. Upon further investigation it turned out to the be the handy glasses repair kit that I had excitedly purchased on my last Kingsburg visit and proudly displayed at breakfast that morning.
Anyway, thank you Honey. You make me want to get home even sooner than this Friday!
This one was from Michelle herself. She had to tip me off that something was on the way as it had taken much longer than she anticipated for me to receive it - it seems that we have a new postman who didn't want to leave it at reception like the previous packages were so I wasn't aware of it until I checked my mailbox and found the note they'd left. Anyway, now that I have it I can reveal it included some underwear and a pack of Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Wheat Thin crackers.
It wasn't until later this evening when I went to move the underwear that I realized that something was rattling in the boxer shorts. Upon further investigation it turned out to the be the handy glasses repair kit that I had excitedly purchased on my last Kingsburg visit and proudly displayed at breakfast that morning.
Anyway, thank you Honey. You make me want to get home even sooner than this Friday!
Big in Japan
It appears that Blue Guitar Guy has a hit on his hands out here in Japan, in the form of U're a Jerk, the song he released exclusively on this site earlier in the summer.
Apparently, some local ladies heard it recently at a late night party and have been requesting it ever since. One was even heard to ask if he could write a song for her.
In all the global market doom and gloom it's good to hear that the market for quality personalized songs is alive and well in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Apparently, some local ladies heard it recently at a late night party and have been requesting it ever since. One was even heard to ask if he could write a song for her.
In all the global market doom and gloom it's good to hear that the market for quality personalized songs is alive and well in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Breakfast View
The battery died on my camera while out sightseeing in Manila yesterday so I can't upload the few photos I was able to take before the torrential rain started until I get back to Tokyo tonight.
To tide you over, here's a picture of the cactus on my table at breakfast this morning overlooking the pool area. Nothing funny, nothing particularly interesting - sometimes a cactus is just a cactus.
To tide you over, here's a picture of the cactus on my table at breakfast this morning overlooking the pool area. Nothing funny, nothing particularly interesting - sometimes a cactus is just a cactus.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Manila so far
I've been in Manila for a couple of days now and really haven't seen anything much other than the hotel and the office. What I can tell you, though, is that the traffic is very bad, there's quite a bit of smog, and everyone is very polite and pleased to see you. One lady in our office mentioned, after I had met her, that she was surprised at how handsome I was. I, of course, have immediately put in for a promotion for her.
I have had the pleasure of eating in the hotel buffet which is very nice and sports a magnificent chocolate elephant sculpture by the dessert area. The staff weren't quite sure what to say when I insisted I didn't want any of the other desserts on offer and would prefer a piece of the elephant's ear instead.
I have had the pleasure of eating in the hotel buffet which is very nice and sports a magnificent chocolate elephant sculpture by the dessert area. The staff weren't quite sure what to say when I insisted I didn't want any of the other desserts on offer and would prefer a piece of the elephant's ear instead.