Planes, Trains & Automobiles! Well, Actually Planes, Limos & Trains

And this is ONLY DAY 2!!!! This is the big "4 cities in 4 days roadshow".

We missed our connection in Montreal due to snow. We knew before we took off in Vancouver we were going to miss the last flight out to Boston. We did make up time in the air only to find out when we landed that US Customs closed 10 minutes before we got there! ARGH!

Since we HAD no choice but to find alternative transportation (we had to be ready to work at 6.45 am the next day). It was decided to take a limo. An extra long stretch one. There were 6 of us.

We hit massive snow. We got stopped at the border. The rest stops were all closed. Even gas stations were closed. It's a six hour drive.

But now I can add two more states I've driven through. Saw nothing though so doesn't really count. (Vermont and New Hampshire are new to me - well so is MA).

We arrived at the hotel at 3.15 in the morning. By the time head hit the pillow it was 3.30. I spent a total of 3 hours in the room and spent 417$ US!!!!!! Yikes!!!!!! Good thing I'm being paid for this.

I've been suffering with a sore throat as of late and the plane ride took it over the edge. I had to do two presentations with absolutely no voice. I'm literally whispering into a wireless microphone. But everyone seemed to find it funny because I was introduced with hobbies like singing. It makde for a good ice-breaker.

Now, I'm literally on board a "limoliner". It's a bus with the amenities of a limo. Leather seats, plugs for laptops. Even 2 wireless satelite routers so I'm actually connected to the internet writing this as we blaze our way to New York City.

Tomorrow, we take a train to Washington DC. Halloween in the Capitol. That should be interesting. We're on Embassy Row apparently.

Well, I'm going to sign off and try to catch up on the half a dozen hours of missed sleep. And rest my voice.

Signing off from just outside Framingham MA. Under the half moon. Goodnight all.

No Longer Newlyweds!

Well, that's it. Rich and I have been married a year.

We decided to take a 4 day long weekend up in Osoyoos to celebrate and this time we didn't camp. We couldn't even if we wanted to. The Park was closed. Strange!

Anyway, we stayed at the brand new Spirit Ridge Resort at the Nk'Mip winery. It was great! Beautiful views!

If you are a chocolate lover like me, you absolutely MUST go to their restaurant "PassaTempo" and have their Chocolate Plate for dessert. I won't go into detail but you all know how much I love good chocolate. Well, this dessert has blown everything I've ever tried out of the water. It's simple and DEVINE and only 12$!!!!

Well, I'm working at the Business Objects offices today as I'm gearing up for my big roadtrip with them. I leave on Sunday. I present the same 2 presentations 4 times in 4 days in 4 different cities. Panel discussions, lunches while answering questions and other things too. Boston, NYC, Washington DC, and then finally Chicago.

I return Thursday night to get ready for the user conference that starts Sunday. Back to the office on Friday to deal with last minute details for the next conference. Then, presentations on sunday as well as panel discussions and manning the "campground" where I sit and wait for people to ask me questions and I also "blog" my adventures on their website.

Anyway, I've got to run and start my dry-run presentation. Cheers for now.

Back to The European Trip - ROMA!!!

Kathryn and Richard's Big Adventure in Europe continues.

We're talking about our day in Rome, Italy. After a 90 minute bus ride in from the coast (ugh!!!) we got down to business. Even though it was a Sunday we saw a whole bunch of interesting things. Did you know that the Vatican owns property ALL over Rome?!?!? All of the sites that underground contain catacombs. We got to go into some of those catacombs. Very interesting. Couldn't take any photos though. Pretty cold down there. We weren't dressed for that cuz everywhere else was nice and warm.

Did you know that is a pyramid right in the middle of Rome? It's the only one in Europe. Some guy was working in Egypt way back when and thought that "hey, I want to be buried like an Egyptian king when I get back home". So, he comissioned his only MINI pyramid to be built for his grave is marble (of course - we are in Italy after all). It's still standing. It's just so OBTUSE when it just pops out around a corner.

Off to the Colosseum (as in Colossus - REALLY BIG). It is actually 2 stadiums together. Did you know that originally, it was a Caesar's PERSONAL SWIMMING POOL. YEESH! Then it became a place to watch entertaining naval battles. Imagine mini boats like kids in a bathtub only bigger. Then the infamous use.

The movie makers that did Gladiator actually improved the stadium to bring it back to show what it looked like. Another use it had was a home for a large family. I don't quite understand that one but whatever. All the marble is now gone. To the churches (Vatican)....

St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. It is AMAZING. Can't do it justice. Pictures from inside just didn't turn out. Needed a better camera I guess.

Ah... The Swiss Guards in their "interesting" uniforms.

Well, that's it for now. Next day will probably be the windswept island of Mykonos, Greece

Ham Dinner for 13 adults and 2 kids - DONE!

And we had enough room around the dining room table and enough chairs to handle everyone (another three weren't even used). PHEW!

Ham, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, corn, salad, buns. Desserts were amazing. Brought by guests. Pumpkin pie, Mexican Milk Cake, Butter tarts (2 sizes) and my own made up recipe for Apple Maple Cranberry Crisp/Crumble.

Thank for for all coming. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves on Sunday.

1 year + 1 day and my laptop suffered a power surge

Literally 1 year and a day after I was laid off, my laptop hit a power surge and the power adapter blew out. I'm SO lucky that I took out a 3 year extended warranty on the machine. This is my second time I've had to use the warranty on this machine.

Extended warranties are REALLY useful for laptops since local companies are not allowed to open up and repair them. They are so specialized.

I'm now without a machine and having to use Rich's desktop. I'm supposed to be going on a trip in a few weeks. I hope that the new adapter (or fixed old one) is sent back to me SOON.

In the meantime, I'm doing LOTS of needlework. :)