advance '08

As part of Microsoft's Strategic Account Summit, senior leaders of online agencies and advertisers descended on Seattle this week to hear updates and to be entertained by Microsoft. We didn't disappoint!

Instead, we hosted a number of Dine-Arounds as well as a private concert with Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds at Seattle's Showbox Theater. I joined a group of colleagues, including Paul McClinton and Lindsey Baker... at the front of the stage!

Disneyland Delay!

Avid Reader, I'm still working on the Disneyland Tokyo posting. My apologies for not having that one updated as yet. There's quite a story to tell; I'm trying to ensure I don't miss a detail.

It's coming along -- I will be sure to provide the news when it's finally ready to publish!

San Juan Saturday

After arriving home in Seattle at midnight Friday night, I was picked up bright and early Saturday morning at 5:35AM to head up to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. It was Engagement Party Weekend for my dear friends Amy McKenna & John Weaver at Amy's father's home on Dream Lake.

And what a dream it was to be oh so welcomed back to the beautiful NW by an 80 degree day, a ferry ride in one can arguably be on of the most incredible land/seascapes in the world, and dear friends who I'd been longing to see for weeks.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the sun, a hot pancake breakfast, Kubb -- an awesome Swedish lawn bowling/chess/horseshoes game, adult beverages, Amy's extended family, John's family, an oyster/clam/salmon bake, and many old & new friends.

It was an awesome day that saw us race to last Seattle-bound ferry. Jace and I slept like babies on the ride home from an exhaustingly wonderful day. It was the perfect welcome back to the NW altogether.

I'm ho-ome!

London in a Nutshell

As you may know, Avid Reader, I spent the final five days of my four-week overseas adventure in London. I ultimately went for a conference at the end of the week, but also spent a couple of days in the DRIVE UK/EMEA office. Instead of a play-by-play of adventures there, I thought I'd capture a few...

Brian Hennigan & The Volunteers
I was able to get more time with Brian before he headed to his brother's college gradulation at Tulane in New Orleans. We hit The Volunteer Pub near Regent's Park (and my conference site) for a couple of pints and more time to catch up. Definitely another London highlight... and another awesome sounding band name.

Work Crew
I got to spend some quality time with colleagues from DRIVE US and Australia while there, including Casey (my A-one travel buddy!), Shanthi, Stephen, Sarah and Liam. Interestingly, after having beer with BHennigan @ The Volunteer, then dinner with the work gang, we ended up at The Volunteer again for a "pub experience". And I have to tell you, Avid Reader, I do love a good pub experience!

Harrod's
On Thursday evening, Casey, Shanthi & I ventured to Harrod's for The Harrod's shopping experience. And did I ever! I left the store with a new suitcase with which to consolidate my duffel bag and those goodies I picked up aloing my four-week trip. Turns out, I was given the serious 3rd degree at U.S. Customs... who buys an empty suitcase and returns to country with it full?! Avid Reader, I almost didn't make it through! I'm convinced that the look in my eye of wanting to be on U.S. soil so badly passed me the muster.

Shepherd Market
That night, we also ventured around the neighborhood in order to find dinner and to have a low-key evening. Casey "had a moment" and suggested we walk down an alley. Note that it was dark (as opposed to the daylight of this photo). Upon turning the corner, we happened upon Shepherd Market and a hot spot of pubs and restaurants. We enjoyed cold beer, fish & chips, and making new British friends at The King's Arms, before picking Mayfair Tandoori for Indian. Turns out, our Australian friends just happened to be there as well. We joined them for a final dinner together in London.

Buckingham Palace
With a bit of time before racing to the airport -- and home -- I quickly crossed Green Park to see Buckingham Palace. I thought to myself, "Self, you're so close, why not?". It's not everyday one gets to stroll to Buckingham Palace afterall! Interestingly, there was something happening that morning as horse-drawn carraiges were bringing folks into the palace, dressed to the nines. Yes, at 8AM in the morning; it was brilliant!

That's my trip to London in a nutshell. It was a busy week altogether and a welcome break from having few folks to talk to for the previous three weeks!

Admiral Codrington & the Hennigans

Sounds like a great band name, right? Well, it is no band, but it was the adventure I got to experience last night!

I arrived in London from Tokyo yesterday afternoon and tubed to the hotel near Green Park. After meeting my colleague Casey at the front desk while I was checking in, we headed to South Kensington and met good friends Brian & Kirsten Hennigan for an outstanding dinner at The Admiral Codrington.

'The Cod' is an awesome Gastro Restaurant Pub with a tradtional English pub up front with an awesome restaurant in back. We sat in the heart of the photo above -- interestingly below a fully open rooftop! Given that yesterday was 80 degrees in London, it was amazing to be sitting "outside" on such a beautiful night.

Speaking of beautiful, we also scored a Celebrity Sighting. Courtesy of suave BHennigan, who quietly said, "Isn't that the actress who played the Star Wars Queen?". While he was thinking of a Natalie Portman role, Keira Knightly was just behind us! And kudos to Brian for thinking they look alike -- I think so too and no one seems to believe me!

Brian Hennigan, no wonder we are friends. That, and that you're a total stud.

Konichiwa Mickey!

Greetings from Tokyo Disneyland!

I'm full of stories, but empty on energy as I went full-force today in one of the most magical places on earth. More to come!

Sayonara Shinuku!

Hello Avid Reader! I'm enjoying my last night in downtown Tokyo by... packing! I'm about to say farewell to the hotel room I've called home for the past 1.5 weeks. I will miss you, 2025!

It's been a fairly uneventful week as I've tried to embrace a bit of the normal life, pretending I fit in to this amazing city and culture. I enjoyed a couple nights of walking around Shinjuku and various neighborhoods around work. The Microsoft Rich media team was in town Thursday, so I was able to enjoy dinner and dialogue with fellow Seattle-ites.

I will either have an adventure of a lifetime to report tomorrow else I'll be off-blog until I safely land in the UK. Tomorrow, Avid Reader, tomorrow I am off to Disneyland Tokyo!

Sadly, the day calls for rain (and lots of it), but I'm itching for some Disney magic and look forward to a little Japanese Americana!