Resetting the stage

Cafe Express is always a chillaxed environment for compassionate chats.

Some days are more tumultuous than others

The Day is What You Make It

I'm learning to realize just how much our attitude and perspective shape our days.

(While I didn't take this pic, I found it to be of inspiration today.)

Pieless Porch

Went to The Porch for dinner after service today with Matt, Jeph and his new lady friend, Casandra. Great enviro, cute company but the pecan pie ran out on MLB.

The Porch: http://dallas.citysearch.com/profile/45211952/dallas_tx/the_porch.html

Chopsticks and Costumes

Tonight we celebrated Halloweeen and Kalloor.com's one-year anniversary with the gang at Ken and Jeph's. Matt and I crafted a costume in honor of the Photoblog's birthday as a live and life-size Pic-of-the-Day. The costume quickly became a party photo opp ;o)

I also discovered a new favorite sushi joint in town, Little Katana (thanks Matty!). Check it out at: http://www.littlekatana.com/HomeLittle.htm

Life's Bigger Picture & Higher Purpose

Have you seen The Peaceful Warrior?

Beyond just being a really great film, it will truly affect you on an emotional and spiritual level.

(http://www.thepeacefulwarriormovie.com/)

Big Bright Light in the Sky

Why is it that the beauty and wonder of a full moon never shows up on camera the way it does as you see it in person? Maybe it's the camera, maybe the photographer's unsteady hand ;o), or just maybe its magic is meant to be experienced first-hand. Here's the best shot I could share of it from my patio tonight.

Sunny California

While the weather in Dallas maintained a high of ~60 degrees this week, I was grateful to enjoy a little warmer weather while in Hollywood for work. High 80s and not a cloud in sight made for a nice walk around the block today.

A View from High Above Hollywood Blvd

Have you ever felt the need to just, e-x-p-l-o-r-e?

Well, Amanda, Dan and I decided to set out for adventure tonight. Somewhere in the midst of playing on the town, we looked up at the bright lights of our hotel sign and made it our quest to see what Hollywood Blvd would look like from high above. Oh yes, we took the elevator as far as it would take us and then explored through a creepy utility room, past an air shaft, over a grated floor (where Amanda's little foot slipped through - loosing her golden slipper!), crawled through a window to reach our summit ... The rooftop of the Hollywood Roosevelt!

Here's Amanda and I on the rooftop (thanks for taking the shot, Dan) and the other is looking down on Hollywood Blvd (notice the sign's reflection in the bldg across?).

Hard day in the office ;o)

No complaints here ... working hard this week from the cabana at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel ;o)

Creativity on Hollywood Boulevard

In LA for Adweek's Creative Conference Mashup 2007! Staying in a pretty sweet poolside cabana at the Roosevelt Hollywood Hotel off Hollywood Boulevard and looking forward to the inspiration that will be shared over the next few days.

(http://www.adweekcreativeconference.com/)

(http://www.hollywoodroosevelt.com/)

Family Feast

I wish I would have taken better pics today! While this is an aerial pic of my flight back to Dallas from being home in Houston, the real action came in the kitchen at Casa Abshire ;o) My parents cooked an incredible Alaskan feast for the fam today from the fresh seafood I had shipped to them from Anchorage. Mom, dad, Nana, Aunt Cherie, Aunt Debbye, and Aunt Mary all came over to visit and enjoy quite the Sunday dinner at home. Thanks!

Home Is Where the Heart Is

I love my family! We have some pretty fun and unique traditions that I look forward to all year and this weekend just happens to be one of them. It was our annual "R.S. Weekend" where we spend it waking at the crack of dawn to shop in a secret location for some really fun treasures. Had lunch at Cafe Mezza, did a little Christmas gift shopping at Berring's, and then relaxed at home to chillax, visit, check out our treasures and Nana and I made cheesecake cupcakes! :o)

Feeling Bubbly Today

Let's give each other a Standing Ovation!

This is one of my favorite expressions of art ... and it happens to be in one of my most frequented places in Dallas. Yep, the DFW airport (new international terminal D) is the home of this incredible sculpture, consisting of a multitude of one-to-one scale cast human hands posed as various stages of applauding.

"When do we give one another a Standing Ovation? When do we celebrate just being who we are or even celebrate the smallest acomplishments?" artist, Anita Blayton asks. "My concept involves a salutation that will speak to anyone walking by. I propose a 3-D form composed of a dense multitude of life-sized hands paired and posed as clapping hands. Each pair is cast from the hands of different individuals from persons of all ages and backgrounds. Applause is both an uplifting greeting and farewell in all languages. "

Early To Rise

Whew ... our 4:00 a.m. wake-up call today in Baltimore is making for quite a long day. In St. Louis now continuing consumer research. Back home to the Big D tomorrow :o)

Working with strangers

In groups today to find out "why" busy people enjoy healthful frozen entrees ... particularly, I get to talk with several groups of strangers to find out how we can give them reasons to consider or buy more Nestle ones ;o).

On the road again

Delayed in DFW ... awaiting a flight to Baltimore tonight for groups tomorrow. Tick, tick, tick ...

I Heart Fall

Lions, Tigers & Drive-In Oh My ...

It's an amazing day outside today in Dallas! Matt and I spent this Saturday outside strolling around the Zoo and then headed out for a mini-road trip with windows down, radio up to Ennis for a double-feature at the Drive-In movie. (Heartbreak Kid and The Kingdom).

If you haven't been to this Drive-In, you've gotta check it out!

(http://www.galaxydriveintheatre.com/content/blogcategory/78/29/)

Friends' Fall Fest

Went to Ken and Jeph's tonight for a get-together to celebrate ... October (what better reason to hang with friends than the onset of cooler weather, Columbus Day, Halloween, a couple birthdays and to visit?). Nice evening.

Publicis Agency Party!

Inspiring and all-around fun! We took a break at work today to rally as an agency around our purpose, to celebrate many recent achievements, and to just let loose and play around Dallas. This year's celebrations were held between Hotel Palomar and the new Lift Lounge!

Dallas Ad League Eagle Awards

Attended the Dallas Ad League Awards this evening as a Finalist for Best Brand Planner of the year.

Superb visit in Alaska

Do you see the lady lying down? I love how this mountain range looks like a woman resting, hands clasped together and her hair flowing out behind her.

As we wrapped up our visit in Anchorage, we had lunch at Simon & Seaforts, Great Alaskan Dinnerhouse (http://www.r-u-i.com/sim/), shopped in a few boutiques downtown and took in a little more beauty as the seasons start to blend in Anchorage.

Sent fresh seafood gifts home to the fam from 10th & M Seafoods in Anchorage: http://www.10thandmseafoods.com/

Incredible Alaskan adventures! I had an amazing experience with some lovely friends. Thank you Robert, Soums, Crystal and Mel! :o)

Hiking, Shopping, Vino partying in Alaska

Took in a little nature hike this morning ... Along the walk, we came across this interesting little sculpture of a kiddo peeking behind himself through his legs. There were many pieces of art throughout the day that we found peculiar (I'll post them in an art album soon). After our hike, we had lunch at Moose's Tooth (http://www.moosestooth.net/index2.htm), shopped for gifts, and enjoyed a wine and cheese party with Robert's friends. I'll spare you the interpretive dance pics but had to throw in the matching socks! ;o)

A grand glacial experience

Amazing experiences today! We set out on an breathtakingly beautiful road trip from Anchorage to Seward to take a glacier and wildlife tour through Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park. Simply stunning panoramic views - pictures tell so much but they just don't do the expansiveness and beauty justice. You have to be there, gotta be able to turn your head and look all around in wonder and awe. You can experience God here.

Kenai Fjords Glacier and Wildlife tour: http://www.kenaifjords.com/