08/15/2003 I took my time breaking camp.  It was a gorgeous sunny day and there was just no real need to hurry.  So everything was put away correctly.  Now if only the car didn't look like I lived in it.  I have to drop off about half of the crap I'm carrying.

I was less than 100 miles from Reston so I took the scenic routes instead of the major highways.  It's hard to believe that the dreadfully crowded and developed Baltimore/DC/NoVA corridor has such beautiful scenery so close.  More verdant, lush, rolling farmlands.  It's tough to ever get tired of such landscapes -- at least when driving.

I hit Reston mid-afternoon and stopped before heading to Walt and Lynn's.  A quick run into Best Buy to pick up his birthday gift and a brief stop to check email at a nearby Starbucks were in order.  It's amazing how affordable most consumer electronics are these days.  It took me all of 3 minutes to pick out a nice multi-disc CD player for Walt.  As I wandered I looked at XM Satellite Radio systems.  Kristin has raved about hers and it seems like a great thing for a vagabond.  We'll see.

A short hop (so close there's no need to add either skip or jump) and I was at Walt and Lynn's. I unloaded my gear and spent several hours enjoying idle chat with Lynn.  Walt showed up eventually and we all enjoyed aperitifs (red wine for W, white wine for L, and the remnants of a bottle of sherry for me).  Dinner was, as usual, restaurant quality.  Tonight it was black angus NY strip steaks, asparagus, and twice baked potatoes.  All of it was as good as I've come to expect from Lynn's talented hands but the potatoes were mind-boggling good.  A hint of sour cream offset bit a bit of red onion and all of that surrounded by the creaminess of some parmesan reggiano melted in.  Simply divine.

Aunt Katy called to wish Walt a happy birthday so I got a chance to chat with her.  I was hoping to make it up to Maine in time to see them there, but that won't happen.  I might be able to see them later in the fall when they take a weekend trip up there.  I hope we can get together at some point regardless of where it is.

08/16/2003 Saturday morning found us setting up the new CD player.  That took all of 3 minutes of work.  The first to play was Phil Coulter's Lake of Shadows; it's piano based Celtic stuff.  While not my favorite form of Celtic music, it fit the mood nicely and was pretty good stuff.  Kudos to Dad for suggesting it to Walt.

Lunch was a wonderful do-it-yourself wrap with leftover steak and some great accompaniments.  I knew I like chipotle peppers, but I learned it's great to through a dash of cherry salsa in with it.  A niche contrast of hot and smoky to sweet and tart.

Lynn was anxious to see the new Kevin Costner flick, Open Range.  I haven't seen a movie in a while (without Karen nearby to suggest it, I rarely think of seeing a show...) so was very amenable.  The movie is a giant amalgamation of every cliché in the western genre.  But it actually works.  There's no great surprise with anything but the pace and action are just enough to keep one interested to see it through.  The cinematography and landscapes are stunning.  Costner almost managed to convince me he wasn't abducted by aliens after his fine work in Bull Durham and replaced by some silly automaton.  Almost.  Robert Duvall and Annette Benning (wow! she's gorgeous and aging ever so well) deliver performances well within the range of their usual outstanding work.  I'd give it 8 out of 10 and recommend you consider seeing it. 

Dinner was marinated pork chops (marinade: balsamic vinegar + country style mustard, wonderful), fresh local corn, and a salad.  As usual everything was top flight.

08/17/2003 I have forced W&L to let me buy them at least one meal per stay.  So we set off for lunch at a local Irish pub, The Old Brogue.  A nice place with good food and poor service.  Why can't I get good food and good service in the same placde when I eat out these days?

Walt and I spent the afternoon pottering about on the computers.  I managed to get my wireless router to work off his modem.  But we couldn't set up a network that would allow me to print.  Still, it was great fun in a very geeky way.

A quiet evening with a dram and the Sunday newspapers was the perfect way to wind down the weekend.

08/18/2003 Today I made the hop from DC to NYC (skip and jump included this time).  I started out on side roads from Reston but soon cheated over to I-70 and I-95.  The side roads were beautiful but I worried about getting north before NYC rush hour. 

I detoured to Philadelphia and an REI store.  Foolishly I had looked at tents on the web after buying the new one in Cleveland.  Of course I realized that there are much nicer ones than the perfectly good one I have.  So I had to go see them.  I ended up getting a larger 3 man tent (the REI Taj 3) that has great ventilation and storage.  I think it will be my default tent when camping from the car.  The other one (the Sierra Designs Jasper) will be for tight spaces and non-car trips.  If this Denver thing works out I can see myself becoming a real Jeremiah Johnson: hiking, paddling, skiing, camping.  Sheesh, could NYC wear off any faster?  I also stocked up on Dr. Bronner's Pure Castilian Peppermint Soap.  A finer soap can't be found, and it's environmentally friendly for when I camp or sail.

The rest of the trip was without incident.  I stopped to pick up wine for dinner and a few orchids.  Jennifer and the family are out running errands so I'm just killing time with this update on here back porch.  Amazingly, none of her neighbors seem to have wireless networks.

Jen showed up around 1900.  We were scheduled to have the whole Breakfast Bunch gang over for dinner tomorrow but there were some last minute changes and we were trying to move it to tonight.  Laura was sure she could make, Kate couldn't, Kristin would try. I had picked up 6 bottles of wine (3 for dinner, 3 for Jen to keep) and a bottle of Port, so we were a bit overstocked.  I opened the first bottle -- the same champagne I had bought in Sag Harbor but this time for one half the price!)  Jen started to make one of her famous Indian specialties, Chicken with Fried Onion Sauce.  I cubed the chicken while she prepped the onions and sauce.  About half way through the bottle Laura joined us.  We managed to get her to take a sip of the bubbly.  This is a far more challenging thing than you think.  She doesn't drink much booze and NEVER drinks carbonated beverages.  She didn't gag and said it was ok.  But a sip is all she would have.

Duncan, Jen's husband, and the kids showed up and the whole place was buzzing -- food prep, chat, lego demonstrations.  Quite a bit of fun.  Eventually the kids were put to bed and the food was ready.  The adults retired to the back porch and had a wonderful meal.  Jen is making great strides in opening my palate to Indian food.  Between her cooking and Michelle's curries I'm beginning to enjoy the stuff. 

As is prone to happening with us the discussion turned deep and silly at the same time.  The Buddhist, the Catholic, and the Athiest; throw in a second bottle of wine and you can imagine the fun. 

 I awoke to find that like Marty and Carol, Jen and Dunc have done a terrific job of raising kids that are quiet in the morning.  They were feed and prepped pretty much by the time I straggled to the table.  A stack of multi-grain pancakes started me off right.  Then Jen and I chatted a bit before I left.  I swung by Duncan's company, DigitalPrintery, where he was kind enough to put printing cards for me a the the top of his day's work.  After that I dashed into town to have lunch with Gil.  I got a phone call telling me the interview was going to happen a day earlier than originally thought so my plans for the day were going to change a bit.

Gil and I were introduced by a mutual friend, Lisa, in the late spring.  He has a boat that wintered in Trinidad.  Originally I was going to help him bring it up north, joining him in Sint Maarten.  But the boat was not going to be ready in time to be north of the hurricane belt in time so the trip was shelved.  Now the boat is almost ready and we met to talk about what type of help I could offer and when.  We had a great meal and I came away jazzed about the prospects for this winter.

After lunch I headed west rather than back to LI.  I'd have liked to have had more of Jen's cooking but that was not to be.  I raced through most of NJ but ran into a massive delay by the Delaware River.  I Went miles out of my way to avoid it but it was all wonderfully  scenic -- a drive along the river and the Delaware Canal.  I think it would be fun to do some kayaking along here.  There's no whitewater so it would be pretty relaxed.

A long slog through PA left me tired.  Around 2330 I found a motel in Wheeling and called it a day.

The cinnamon rolls at Holiday Inn Express at certainly palatable but they do not live up to the hype.  Cinnabon continues to rule the roost.  So after 1, just 1, cinnamon roll I hit the road.  A straightforward an easy drive with nice blue skies.  Definitely speeding and sunglasses time

I pulled into greater CVG by about 1.  I realized that Dan and I needed to buy a thank you gift so that Sheila would understand how much we valued her work on the party; it also dawned on me that our collective gift, a weekend at the Greenbriar Resort, was not suitably permanent.  So I wanted to get something for Mom and Dad too.  Sterling Cut Glass is a family favorite and Cincinnati tradition (founded here in 1903).  They have such good stuff that they once were the only place I could find a wedding gift for the couple who has everything.  So I knew where to go.  I picked out a nice bowl for Sheila and a bud vase for the folks.  All was well until the wrapping department saw a flaw in the vase; there were no replacements available.  So I picked out another bowl.  This meant I had two bowls.  One had a whimsical sun and hearts motif, the other an autumnal leafy look.  Which one for which gal?  When in doubt really on trickery...I called Sheila and said that they had two bowls I was considering for Mom, which did she think sounded like her?  She suggested the leafy one.  So it was simple: Mom gets leaves, Sheila gets smiles.

I made it the rest of the way home very easily.  Pulled in, unloaded, sat for a bit and headed out.  This weekend is the big picture.  Mom and the photographer have decreed that the men shall/must wear khakis, white button downs, and blue blazers.  So it was off to buy khakis and a blazer.  Men's Warehouse to the rescue.  Not the best stuff in the world, not the 1 day tailoring they promise, but good enough on all fronts.

Dinner at Rafferty's with the folks rounded out a long day.

08/21/2003 No rest for the weary, but there is great relief.  Mom had scheduled a massage and foot reflexology session for me at 1000.  So I dragged myself out of bed and got pampered.  Helen, the masseuse and reflexologist, rocks.  I was completely relaxed and refreshed by the end of our session.  Gentlemen, why do we let the ladies hog all the day spas?

The rest of the day I kicked around and flopped.  What else was I going to do after such as terrific start?

In the evening I joined dad for dinner on his campus (Northern Kentucky University).  It was the annual faculty and staff picnic.  We had dogs and such.  He's been involved in investigating a series of academic misconduct cases that are coming to a head.  The president, general counsel, and provost all wanted a bit of his time.  So I waited patiently for him to wrap things up.  Throughout the process everybody I ran into spoke glowingly of his work on this.  None of them were saying it within earshot of Dad so I'm sure every word was genuine and sincere.  Pretty impressive and it sure makes me proud of him.

Aunt Laurel, Mom's sister, arrived in the evening.  We all spent time chatting and catching up. It is so funny to see the sisters.  Suddenly each of them exacerbates the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of the other.  Dad and I started laughing early and probably won't stop until Laurel leaves!

08/22/2003  Another early start.  This time to chauffeur Laurel to her appointment with Helen.  Guests at Mom and Dad's sure get treated right.  Perhaps I should consider moving back home!  (Mom?!?, Mom!!!, Dad can resuscitate Mom and then tell her I'm just kidding.) Thanks.)  Upon picking up Laurel after her appointment we went to lunch.  Today marks the third consecutive day that I've had Skyline Chili for lunch.  Yummmmmmy!

I relaxed at home with Laurel for the afternoon.  We chatted about Denver and sailing.  It was nice to get a new perspective on things.  I'm still not sure that I understand what's best for me or even what it is I want to be doing.  So I'll interview aggressively and cross the bridge of decision when I get there.

Mom's pampering continued in the afternoon.  I had a 1630 appointment with her nail goddess, Sandy.  This was the best pedicure I've ever had - yes I've gotten pedicures before.  And the manicure was excellent to boot.  Usually the manicurist will spend maybe  40 to 45 minutes working on me.  Sandy put in 90 and was rushed at the end (because the shop was closing)!  Guys, you can snicker all you like, you just don't know what you're missing.  After sailing, kayaking, driving and hoofing it for weeks my feet were a mess and loved the TLC.

Pick ups at the dry cleaner and Men's Warehouse rounded out the day.

08/23/2003 The big day at last.  And I finally got to sleep in. 

Randy the photographer took about a million shots.  I'm sure that of those including me, there will be one or two where my eyes are open and my smile looks good.  At least I hope so. 

Being a fashion plate was just brutally difficult work.  So, of course, I followed up bytaking a nap.

Up just in time to primp, I chauffeured the gang to the big soiree.  If I appreciated Sheila's work before the party; I was absolutely amazed after the thing.  Everything was flawless.  The boat was perfect, the food was incredible, the flowers remarkable and fresh, the staff was friendly and prepared for us, even the weather was perfect.  Everybody had a great time.  Wow.

08/24/2003 Another day to sleep in, thankfully.  Breakfast (corned beef hash and poached eggs, does it get any better?), packing, and off to the airport.  Denver beckons.

I'd forgotten about the pocket knife in the accessories I keep handy for the laptop.  So inspired of taking off my shoes and belt, placing everything metal on my person save my gold crowns in my bags, and waiting politely in line, I got pulled aside and searched thoroughly.  We found the offending knife and I went back to the garage and left it in the car.  Welcome back to security Jim.

The flight was crowded and I sat next to a big jerk.  This guy had a lineman's shoulders and threw them all over the place.  His elbows used up the entire arm rest and more; somehow they found my ribs regularly.  To make matters worse he wore these tacky velcro-laced shoes.  Rude and a fashion violation, ugggh.

The Hotel Teatro in Denver is a great little hotel.  Small, but clean and exceptionally appointed rooms are but the start.  An incredibly friendly and attentive staff make the place sing.  The concierge recommended a little French bistro around the corner.  I had a spectacular meal: vichyssoise, steak frites, lemon tart and a half bottle of a great Chinon.

The bed was covered with the nicest linens I've yet encountered.  They had to be at least 400 thread count sheets.  Soft and smooth.  Plenty of pillows.  And a thermostat that controlled a very quiet air system (set to 60 - I like it chilly for sleep).  No sleep would have been nice.  Nerves in anticipation of the interview kept me tossing for a bit, but eventually I was visited by Morpheus.

08/25/2003 Today was the weirdest interview schedule I've ever faced. 

I was in early, 0800, to talk to an EVP.  Then an SVP, then another EVP.  Then an hour break where they had no plans for me.  So I sat and read in a conference room.  Wait it gets weirder.  The next guy is 25 minutes late for a half hour interview; so we take 20 minutes and call it a deal.  Then a two hour lunch break -- UNACCOMPANIED!  How does it happen that you fly somebody half way across the country and can't find anybody to take them to lunch?  That made no sense to me.  Did they really have an interest in me?  I sure would never expect a candidate to put up with such lack of attention.  It turned out OK.  During lunch I was able to find a tailor to re-do a pants cuff that was failing, get a birthday card and mail it to Paty, grab lunch, talk to Josh (so he could calm me down about this break!), walk back to hotel to rest, spend 30 minutes on the phone with Laura.  Strange but not unproductive. 

I headed back into the fray.  Another 1/2 hour chat with the new product devo guy and then the big one.  I spent an excellent hour plus talking to the hiring manager, Stephanie.  We hit it off well and I think things went great.  She apologized about the scheduling foul ups.  It then dawned on her that I had not met the guy who's job was being split (Everything get bifurcated into Biz, which he keeps, and Consumer, which is open).  So she arranged that he would meet me in the hotel bar for a drink.

While they finished their day, I headed off.  I bought a couple of casual shirts since I had not thought through my packing very well.  A change of clothes and I was off to do emails and have an espresso at a nearby Starbucks.

1700 found me in the bar and meeting Scott.  He's an interesting guy and I like him.  I see why they're cleaving the job in two; there is no way one person can keep track of the requisite details for both sides of the fence.  Stephanie eventually joined us for one quick drink.  Everything looks great.  I think the job is mine to lose and I can't imagine that I did.

I enjoyed another nice dinner.  this one was just a pair of appetizers: a cucumber salad, and a selection of heirloom tomatoes with various dressings.  Washed down with a nice Proseco and Riesling respectively it was a very good meal.

Back at the room I chatted with Mom.  I shared both my enthusiasm and confusion regarding the day.  Then off to sleep for a good night's rest.

08/26/2003 Back to CVG, but at least this flight was a bit more comfortable.  Just a lazy day when I arrived.  I love flying but it seems to leave me increasingly drained as I get older.  The dry air perhaps?

Paty had sent 2 months worth of (incorrectly) forwarded mail.  I gave her a ring to confirm my birthday wishes (I had left a voice mail on Sunday).  Then I slogged through the letters.  In a very frustrating and quixotic effort to straighten this out, I called the post office.  Don't ask for details...those guys piss me off!

A nice dinner of great BLTs with Mom and Dad was the highlight of the day.

No word from the headhunter yet, we'll see.

08/27/2003  Since I believe the old fashioned thank you note on real paper is still the right way to go, I decided I needed stationary.  My good stuff is in storage.  So I headed downtown and ordered some. 

I spent several hours enjoying the new Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center.  I don't understand much of it; but more of this stuff resonates with me than anything I ever saw in the MoMA.  Since institutions that are even the least bit radical suffer from constant harassment in Cincinnati, I made sure to do my art to support the museum; I became a member.

Another lunch of Skyline.  I'm gonna get fat again if I don't leave this town soon.

While messing with the new tent (best to learn to set it up before trying to do so in a storm) the USPS called again.  Those guys piss me off!  The allege that they have fixed the problem.  We'll see.

Still messing with the tent, the phone rang again.  The headhunter!  Qwest is taking a pass!?!?!!  Huh, how did this happen?  It seems they thought I was "too laid back" and lacked a "sense of urgency".  Suffice it to say this was a bit of a harsh disappointment.  But on reflection the hurt is just at not be chosen or accepted.  I'm still not sure I'm ready to return to the corporate world.  I know it sound likes sour grapes, but I think this saved me from having to make a painful decision.  I probably could get excited about Denver, perhaps about the people and the job itself, but Qwest had been causing me some uneasiness.  (AP: thanks for your candid advice - it was pertinent and helpful - I have a reply queued up but email sending problems prevail here.)  I was openly critical of Dick Notabaert's vision for years and now I found myself claiming enthusiasm for it. 

Dad and I had dinner.  His words were a terrific salve for my ego.  He suggested that my much greater passion for sailing and the whole interview schedule issue left him feeling neither surprised nor disappointed with the outcome.  As so frequently happens, when he chooses to offer advice, it's spot on and most valuable. 

After dinner we went back to campus.  The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra was performing on campus.  A nice cool breeze, pleasing music, and a nice sunset led me to forget all about Denver.  The fact that it could happen so quickly is probably a good sign I should sail.  Gybe ho!

08/28/2003 A rather ho-hum day.  So ho-hum I have no memory of almost anything I did.

I picked up the stationary and wrote a few thank you notes to key players at Qwest.  The hiring manager and her boss were both people I really like.  So I think I owe them each he courtesy of a thank you, albeit brief ones.

The rest of the day I don't really remember what I did.  Very strange .

08/29/2003 Dan and I had agreed to have lunch.  So I straggled out of bed at noon when he called to say he needed a bit more time.  Good, his call was my wake up call...

As I was getting ready I realized that Dan and Lelanya live near the Little Miami "National and State Scenic River".  I've been itching to get back on the water so I looked up the name of a canoe livery.  A few calls revealed that they were open, had decent water running, and would in fact rent kayaks as well as canoes.  As I drove I called Dan and suggested we grab a quick lunch and then paddle.  He agreed.

Skyline again.  Yes, I am re-gaining the pounds I left at sea....

Dan and I spent about an hour and a half making a very leisurely 3 mile float.  The river is running at May-like levels.  But it's still a slow, shallow river.  I think it qualifies as a river solely because of it's width.  The depth and current are barely what I would label a stream.  We goofed around, Dan managed to ground me on a shallow rock and splash me a bit.  Since he was foolish enough to be wearing jeans and a cotton shirt (sailing shorts with a wicking polyester shirt for yours truly) I didn't feel right in capsizing him.  Next time though!

We headed back to his place.  Lelanya was home (her mom, Sandy, babysat while Dan and I were out.)  She seems well and happy.  Sarah is as cute as a button.  A happier and more content baby I have never seen.  She cries rarely and when she does it's brief and without excessive volume or theatrics.  She much more prone to giggling, smiling and chortling.

I rolled home, stopping for dinner at Skyline.

A quick shower and I decided to head of to the casinos over in Indiana.  Not a great time, nor a bad one.  I left a hot craps table because the dealer was so inept it was distracting from the fun.  I played a bit of min-baccarat and more craps.  All-in-all I was down about $150 at night's end.  I should have quit when I was up $200....

I got home and stayed up reading.  Dad has turned me on to the books of KJ Erickson. There are but 3 so far.  I've read 2.  They are the best written murder mysteries I've encountered.  And the plots are great!  She has yet to produce the volume of Randy Wayne White but she has the substance and class to be even better than he is; that's saying a whole lot!

08/30/2003  When you stay up reading until 0400, you sleep until 1330.  At least I do.  And then I hung around in a comfy bathrobe, flopping on the couch, completely enthralled by the book.

Mom and Dad went off to Mass at 1700.  I kept reading.

We met for dinner and a movie.  Top flight Chinese -- Szechuan style green beans with pork -- and a good movie -- SWAT.  A solid action flick.  No real substance, but fun.

A nice, lazy, relaxing day.  Too much so; I need to get back on a boat, soon.

08/31/2003 A nice but rainy day spent with Dad at the ballpark.  The Reds lost to the Cards; but it was a good game to watch.  Especially the power performance of Abert Pujols.  Pujols hit two impressive HRs, the first of which was estimated to have traveled 477 feet.  He accounted for all five RBIs in a 5-0 game.

Dad and I chatted about sundry things: Denver, jobs, my future, sailing, etc.  it's nice to get his viewpoint - he adds a lot of insight for me to consider in my decisions. 

The bonus of the day was my catching my first ever foul ball.  Now I have been to almost 300 baseball games as an adult - I spent 3 summers as a vendor at the old Riverfront Stadium.  In all that time I have never caught a ball.  But today I was walking back to my seat late in the game.  I looked up and low and behold there was a ball coming at me.  Stuck out the old ham fist and SMACK the ball bounced off it, then rattled around the steps, in and out of my hands, in and out of the drunk across the aisle's hands, the guy in the row below us pushed the ball to me, in and out of my hands again, in fact each of these things was repeated several dozen times, finally the ball was in my hands.  Trust me it was every bit as goofy as it sounds.  I hope this doesn't ruin the image of me as a top flight, super-coordinated athlete that many of you have of me.

After the game we went to watch NKU's (Dad's school)mens soccer team.  In a long struggle of a game they fell 0-2 to Saginaw Valley State U.  There is nothing worse than watching a team lose to another that they are clearly better than.  But the final score is all that matters.

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