This was the incredible view outside our window at Explora, the hotel we stayed at in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia during our honeymoon. The wind in this part of the world is legendary and a topic of conversation daily, like the fog in San Francisco. One at least a couple of the…
Archives for 2016
Breakfast Included
There’s little better than waking up without an alarm clock on vacation and wandering down from your hotel room to breakfast, when breakfast is included and readily available. In my mind, a buffet is best. Not all breakfast buffets are inspired. Many are quite terrible, but when they’re good they’re really good. Their pace is leisurely, and…
Daily Rituals by Mason Currey
WHEN: December 2016 & October 2015 VERDICT: The first time I read this book in October of 2015 I devoured it. I’ve come back to it again now more than a year later, and I’ve loved it just as much the second time. In between, I’d find myself thinking about some quirky habit I’d read…
Buzzing Around the House on Espresso
“Why do we bother with the rest of the day, the swale of the afternoon, the sudden dip into evening, then night with his notorious perfumes, his many-pointed stars? This is the best— throwing off the light covers, feet on the cold floor, and buzzing around the house on espresso—” A few stanzas from Morning,…
We’re Getting Married (And Soon)!
We got engaged a few months ago on a cloudless Sunday afternoon. Cesar was in cahoots with some of our good friends — the ones whose wedding we met at — and they suggested and planned a picnic to Kirby Cove. I’d never been, but it’s well known as one of the most incredible spots from which to see the Golden Gate Bridge and an expansive view of San Francisco.
Task Rabbit for Travel
Flying from San Francisco to New York City can be a beat down. So whenever I can, I do my best to stay for a weekend or to spend an extra day by adding another meeting. There’s never a shortage of things to do in NYC. However, on one rushed trip to the city, I had limited time between meetings near the end of the day to wander and appreciate being in NYC. I’d also promised to bring home a few delicious, big-as-your-face cookies from Levain Bakery on the Upper West Side, but getting there from my Midtown hotel would eat up every last bit of my free time, maybe more. Thankfully, I found any easy way to have both.
Surprised at Rothko Chapel in Houston
Mark Rothko is a favorite artist of mine. I love his large canvases covered in wide swaths of color and the way emotion washes over you in their presence. When I recently discovered that he had designed a chapel in Houston, I had every intention of visiting on my next trip, and that opportunity came much sooner than expected.
An Unexpectedly Busy Reality
It all started right after I got back from a trip to Houston. I found myself drastically overbooked for weeks to come and in the midst of one of the most exciting times in my personal life. As a result, I didn’t really want to be on the move, but the flights were booked, unavoidable work travel had arisen, and deposits were paid. Instead of resisting, I chose to dive in ride the waves, to give myself over to the busyness for a time.
Fixing Our Polarized Political Discourse
In the past, I’ve been drawn to elections and politics, democracy in action. But I’ve already had more than enough of this election cycle, and it’s just getting started. I think it’s safe to say that our political discourse is in a state of disaster, too many people shouting and not nearly enough listening or quality conversation. I have some hopeful thoughts inspired by a quote from Mr. Rogers about what each of us can do to make it better.
A Taste of Cuba on My Layover in Miami
On the way back from a recent business trip, I connected through Miami International, a busy and chaotic airport, but one I loving associate with trips to both South Beach and South America. I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to leave the airport for mango juice and arroz con leche at nearby El Palacio de los…