This January, I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Developer of the Year at work, which was an honor all by itself.  Included with that honor, was a spot for me and a friend on the club trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.

The trip was amazing – snorkling, swimming with the dolphins, eating at Bobby Flay’s resteraunt – all so much fun.  Many thanks to all the people at my wonderful company who made last year’s success for me possible, and for the fun with my fellow club trip recipiants.

Check out the pictures here!

Tonight, my close firend Tory and I met for dinner to catch up. It was great times as always, but something odd happened.

As we left, a deshevled man came up and interrupted a conversation.

He apologized for the interruption, and his appearance, as he had been working for the past 48 hours trying to make money. As he continued, he explained he was trying to get home to his wife, of all places, NORTH CAROLINA.

Being a skeptic, I was reluctant to hear his story, but Tory let him continue.

He had been separated from his wife, and they lived in Charlotte, and all he wanted to do get is get home to see her. He was $10.00 short of a bus ride back to the Queen City.

What struck me as odd was that my daughter lives in Charlotte, but I listened nonetheless.

When he was done, Tory gave him the change in his pocket to help out. Being the skeptic I was, I asked him:

What part of Charlotte are you from?

He replied – Pineville, near Carolina Place Mall, off Highway 51.

Minutes from my daughter… just down the road… I shop at Carolina Place Mall when I am there.

My skin crawled. I reached in my pocket giving him the only bill I had – $10 - finishing his bus fare.

He offered Tory his  change back, and Tory declined.

I believe things happen for a reason. I believe he met us/me for reason.

My skin still crawls when I tell the story.

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So tonight, we went out with a group of friends to see RuPaul at the opening of Kiss and Fly – a new venue in downtown Austin.

It was a great time, and lots of fun. There are some pics in my Gallery from it – so check it out!

This weekend turned out to be a pretty busy one – and it was a blast at that.

Saturday started off as a lazy day, sleeping in and watching some awful yet gratifying tv. Jeff and I decided while watching Food Network that we’d make Chicken Fried Steak – his first ever taste of the southern staple. With a trip to HEB and the W for a Fry Daddy – fried pickles were calling, and they were so good! After a whirlwind in the kitchen, dinner was complete and the results were a success.

From dinner, we went to an Anti-SXSW party to relax and meet up with friends. Nothing against SXSW, but the crowds and traffic can wear on you.  We played couples Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Jeff and I got everything right, minus one question – the first! Who cares about triangles anyway?

Today I slept in till NOON. The phone was off and I was cozy and couldn’t have asked for anything better! This afternoon Jeff’s softball team, The Shady Ladies, had a double header – and won both! First game was 17 to 8 and 20 to 7!  The Ladies did awesome, with a couple of home runs and a few double plays at the hands of Jeff at 2nd base.

After some sun and softball, I headed home to do some yardwork. Lots of weed pulling, fertilizing, watering, planting, mulching and mowing. It’s BBQ season and the yard needs to be in showcase shape – or at least clean for friends!

This week is super busy, with bowling, a venue opening, dinner with my little nephew, networking happy hour and the HRC Gala on Saturday.

Here’s to an exciting week ahead!

So I had an awesome week this week with our clients.  Such an amazing group of people and an awesome enviroment to be in.

Tonight, I had a wrap up dinner with the client at Brown’s Pub, which is situated in the shadow of Windsor Castle – it was like waiting for the royals having a Speckled Hen Beer (which was an awesome ale!)

From Fish’nChips to Shepards Pie, and my all time favorite ever – Sticky Toffee Pudding!  The sights, the people and the experiences have been awesome.  Great Brittain has always been on my list of sights to see, and I’ve been fortunate enough to make it!

Thanks for keeping up with the trip, and reading my stories from the road.

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Here I am, in Heathrow – FINALLY.

Oh. My. God. I got from Belgium to Central London faster than I got from Central London to Heathrow. Granted, it took me about 30 minutes to get a Clam pass on the Underground, and then 30 minutes to catch the Picadilly line, an hour to get to Heathrow Terminal 5, then 30ish minutes to get from Terminal 5 to the hotel via bus – 25 of that waiting for the bus.

The hotel is nice, average Crowne Plaza room. We’re “close” to the airport, but not really… There’s totally nothing around but other hotels down the road, so I am sticking close to home tonight.

Lots of stuff on the agenda tomorrow… Buckingham Palace, Picadilly Circus, Big Ben, Harrods, Westminster Abby, and the elusive search for the perfect gift.

Working on some plans for Thursday – fingers crossed they come through!

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