The Sun Is Alive And Well

I’ve been out in California this week, visiting customers and contributing to the financial well-being of Delta Airlines.

I called Bill to check on life in the office. He asked how California was.

“Fine,” I said, “just like it is in the movies. Warm, sunny, pleasant.”

“Sun? What is this sun you speak of?”

For those of you in Atlanta right now, I’d like to reassure that the sun is alive and well. I know the past few days of constant rain are causing you to collect pairs of animals in the garage, but never fear. Soon Mister Sunshine will return to remind you that you lost your sunglasses in the back of the SUV … and it will start raining the minute you locate them.

Imran and I headed to San Francisco on Monday. Despite the best attempts of the TSA, I did make my flight. It feels silly to run through the airport for the dubious honor of taking the middle seat for over four hours, but missing this flight would mean missing my Monday afternoon meeting.

We did manage toventure into San Francisco Tuesday night. I took Imran to Scoma’s, one of Fricso’s finer seafood establishments. We enjoyed fine fresh fish served by good waiters in a lovely setting. I also got to watch a waitress and two patrons talk about the fact that I look like David Spade, while trying not to let me know they were talking about the fact that I look like David Spade (technicality: they didn’t actually tell me that I resemble David Spade, so they don’t go on the counter).

Imran’s sole reason for heading into San Francisco from the valley was to drive down Lombard Street. Thanks to his Sony camera, we captured the experience as is was meant to be seen … low-quality MPEG (sorry, but I left my video camera at home). I’ll post that video in another article.

Wednesday night brought us to San Diego by way of Salt Lake City, thanks to the geography impaired route planners at Delta. I finally got to draw from my stash of frequent flyer “segment points”, upgrading my tickets to first class. I hope to obtain a ride in the big blue chair on Friday when I fly home.

Imran’s camera descended on downtown San Diego, snapping some pictures of the waterfront. One of the museums keeps old ships in dock as part of their exhibits. The “Star of India” was the most impressive of the bunch, a fine vessel that has lead a very interesting life}}. Based on the number of flags and yellow ribbons we saw, this Navy town is ready for their sailors to come home.

While I do have some break time, this is not a vacation. Vacations have less of a schedule and are the type of thing I like to do with family & close friends. Business tourism is a nice distraction, but I’d like to get home.