Ok, so it's been almost 2 weeks now since we've been back from Europe (I still miss being on vacation). I'm such a slacker.

I can't even blame work for keeping me busy - work has been pretty light since I've been back. While I haven't had to put in any "extra" time on some deadlines at work, it's been taking me forever to go through all 1500 photos from our trip.

After culling through all my damn shots, I think I chose about 480 photos to keep online. And since my parents hate going through my hundreds and hundreds of photos in each album, I slimmed down the number of photos in half and created a "Best Of" album.

Hopefully I'll have my wifey's trip journal posted as well soon.

Enjoy!

Labels: Amsterdam, Brussels, europe, Paris, photography, travel

posted by jame1030 at 12:39 AM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

We're still waiting and waiting and waiting!

Wait - they just said they fixed them, but we're still not going anywhere. I keep hearing the toilets flush over and over again.

And now the French guy next to me is hacking away like he's got the flu!

HE BETTER NOT GET ME SICK!!!

Labels: airplane, europe, travel

posted by jame1030 at 7:43 PM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

So after an interesting Christmas holiday we are now on our way to Europe.

Well, not really. We are sitting and waiting on the plane. First they needed to load a few more bags on to the plane, and now we are waiting to see if they can geet the restrooms working. Supposedly there and a few not working. So now it's a half an hour after our original flight departure time. Hopefully we get going soon!

Labels: airplane, christmas, europe, travel

posted by jame1030 at 7:13 PM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

The time is here! We finally made it through all our work and our busy calendar since Thanksgiving.

Every single weeekend has been filled with work parties and other social events.

So we were gonna leave my car at work, but we didn't think it would be good leaving it there for so long. So instead we got a hotel in tempe, and I parked the car at the airport this evening.

Good thing! I literally got the last spot in the the entire overflow east lot. I figured I'd rather figure out the parking situation tonight rather than tomorrow at 4:30 am.

Tomorrow head to NJ for 5 days and then to EUROPE FOR 8 DAYS!!!

We are really damn psyched!!!

Labels: europe, NJ, travel

posted by jame1030 at 9:57 PM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

As you can tell, we're pretty psyched about our trip in less than 2 weeks.

First to NJ for Christmas for 4 days and then Europe for 8 days!

Of course work has been crazy, and there's a ton of deadlines right before and after the holidays. This next week will be ridiculously busy!

But I just need to make it through the next week and half, and we're set for a great trip.

Labels: christmas, europe, travel

posted by jame1030 at 2:26 AM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

I haven't written about it at all (and I'm not sure why) but our trip to Europe is only 5 weeks away! At this moment we'll be waking up to our second day in Paris! We can't wait.

We'll only be in Europe for 8 days, but we'll be seeing three cities: 3 days in Paris, 3 days in Amsterdam (including New Years) , and 2 days in Brussels. We're even going to be able to see a friend from Jersey that I haven't seen in like 10 years!

I can't wait! I'm gonna have so many freakin photos!

I will be setting up a trip site very soon.

Labels: Amsterdam, Brussels, europe, New Years, Paris, travel

posted by jame1030 at 11:21 PM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

Tomorrow I leave on a work trip to Detroit. Yeah, Detroit.

On one hand . . .

It's a city I've never been to before. The office and hotel are in downtown Detroit. The hotel is about a 10 minute walk from the office and is located in Greektown. From what I've read, it seems like an interesting place. Seems like we'll get a good taste of Detroit.

On the other hand . . .

It's Detroit.
It's probably not on my list of places that I wanted to check out, and I'd imagine that this may be my one and only time ever in Detroit. Hopefully it's a good trip, and I come back with a new opinion . . . at least we get to catch up with the other offices. Everyone is pretty cool.

Labels: Detroit, Greek, travel, work

posted by jame1030 at 11:44 PM |   |  1 comments  |  links to this post

Check out some of the photos from our annual trip to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) Mexico:

http://jame1030.fotki.com/puerto-penasco-2007/

Labels: beach, Mexico, New Photos, photography, Rocky Point, travel

posted by jame1030 at 12:01 AM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

Tonight is our last night at Rocky Point (Aka Puerto Penasco). I couldn't believe it, but this was our fourth year coming to Rocky Point. It's become our August tradition. The time of year works out well, because the college partiers are back at school and the families are getting set to start the new year up again. So rates are usually pretty decent and there really aren't as many visitors.

This new place, Las Palomoas is fairly new. The first phase is complete and the second (of 3) is halfway done. Each phase has a lazy river with pools and hot tubs in between. There is an infinity edge pool that overlooks the sea and a swim-up bar for drinks and snacks. Overall not a bad way to spend a few days away from Phoenix's hot summer weather.

We're staying for the second year at a business friend's condo. It's a very nice 3 bed/2 bath condo on the 11th floor overlooking the pools and sea. We were the "discoverers" of this gem, so we claimed the master bedroom suite to our selves. The bathroom is nice with tiled dual sinks and a soaking tub and a large standup shower.

We were slightly nervous about the weather holding out. All week long the weathermen kept saying rain for the entire 4 days. It hasn't been too bad. Friday was gorgeous. Saturday was gorgeous. Both days were sunny and temperatures in the upper 80's or low 90's. Last night the winds began to kick up. Up on the 11th floor the winds were unbelieveable!

The winds kept up this morning and the entire day was filled with clouds and occasional rain drops. It was still warm, so I spent much of the day outside on the patio looking out and reading my book. The internet connection has been sporadic, but seemingly strongest out on the patio. This patio is huge and runs the width of the entire unit (from master bedroom wall across the living room and across the second bedroom... probably a good 40-50 feet).

We tried fishing today, but the currents were way too strong. Maybe next time we'll find a decent spot. The next time I want to check out Las Conchas and also Cholla Bay. Hmmm... maybe if I get my Jeep that will be our next mission.

So usually I would be reporting all this crap when I got back, but I've run out of my reading material and have nothing left to keep me occupied. I could be inside watching movies, but it's always a game of how long it takes for me to start nodding off. Last night three of us tried to make it through the second Lord of the Rings movie on tv. Oh my god... it seemed like the longest film ever.

Anyway... that's about it. We're back home tomorrow. Check out by noon and then we'll be home by like 4.

It's nice all these days are just comp days for me. At least I get to keep my vacation days building for our big trip at the end of the summer.

Work told me to take Tuesday off too. I told them I had a bunch to do at work, and they told me I had to take Tuesday off to make up for some extreme hours last week. Last week was the work week from hell: I had 2 proposals due on Monday at noon that I worked Saturday and all night Sunday on. Then on Thursday we had a proposal due that hadn't been started on until Tuesday afternoon. I worked on it Tuesday night and pulled another all nighter on Wednesday night to get it done and sent to our partnering firm on Thursday morning for a Thursday midday deadline.... talk about dedicated, dead-line driven work hours. We will not be doing any over-nighters for a long time!

So work is crazy like usual, but at least we were able to take a long weekend off at the beach.

... as usual, photos to come later this week.

Labels: condo, Mexico, proposals, Rocky Point, travel, vacations, work

posted by jame1030 at 11:58 PM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

You would think living in Arizona one would not have to worry about rain, but the mountains to the East and North are getting hit with a bunch of storms. Tomorrow a small group of us are going camping near Show Low (3hrs Northeast of Phoenix up in the mountains).

I've been watching the weather and it's looking better as time goes by. I'm just hoping for very minimal rain. At this point there may be some scattered thunderstorms.

Yeah, this should be interesting.

At least I may be able to get some cool photos.

... oh yeah, I guess I should pack my rain gear.

Labels: Arizona, camping, Show Low, travel, weather

posted by jame1030 at 1:12 AM |   |  0 comments  |  links to this post

Lately I've seen several travel shows about New Zealand.

That was an awesome trip. That was the last time I went on a vacation with all the guys...oh, no my bachelor party was the last trip with all the guys.

Ah, the days of being a bachelor!



I definitely want to go back someday. I guess for now I will have to resort to viewing our photos (Jamie / Seth).

Otherwise, I can divert my "long-lost" travel bug to future adventures in December (hopefully);n)

Labels: memories, new zealand, photos, travel

posted by jame1030 at 11:55 PM |   |  1 comments  |  links to this post