Managed to sneak away some time to drop into one of my new fave food haunts in Chi-Town — the Purple Pig. The tagline “cheese, swine & wine” says it all and they execute on this flawlessly. Yes there was a wait, yes it was a little loud but the milk braised pork shoulder, lardo on toasted buttered baguette, eggplant parmesan balls, seared scallops and pork (bacon-infused) pate made it all worth it. Never mind the sidecar of tempranillo 😉 #nomnomnom

There’s just something about Thursday night. Maybe it’s the working from home the next day or being on the right side of the weekend. Either way I ❤ Thursday. That is all.

Whenever I’m having a particularly challenging day — maybe it’s work or family or BOTH — that I don’t want to manage by other means I turn to my new favorite distraction, the Dog Shaming blog. If you’re a dog owner this site will have you rolling because you know your four-legged friend has done some of the things on this site. For those of you who don’t own dogs, still funny, but it might also make you never want to get a dog!

At any rate, my gift to you today is a smile complements of the site. Who knows one day little Nalah may find her lovable mug on there 😉

Sometimes in all the hustle and bustle of our daily lives it can be easy to forget all that we have been through; all that we have overcome. On this special day, take a few moments to remember and to be thankful.

Labor Day to me is just another excuse to get the family together for BBQ, a few cocktails and some raucous conversation. My family is a trip — those of you will big, loud families know what I’m talkin’ about. That said, I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Hope you all are having as good a time as we are … Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Be willing to be uncomfortable. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it’s a small price to pay for living a dream.

– Peter McWilliams

The USA Women’s Olympic team is #killingit in these Olympics. First Gymnastics, then Tennis, then Beach Volleyball, then Soccer, then Track & Field, then Water Polo and most likely Basketball. I expect the Volleyball team to do me proud as well. Destinee Hooker & Logan Tom are my faves. Let’s Go USA!

So somehow I’ve managed to have back to back trips to San Francisco, San Diego, San Antonio and back to San Diego. I see a trend starting. It’s actually not such a bad thing as the San-cities are among my favorites. Whether its my favorite watering hole in SF (rickhouse) great tai fusion in SD (rama) or the riverwalk in SA I’m never at a loss to find something to occupy myself during my downtimes between meetings. Now if I could just get the some to come out (I thought it was always sunny here)!

Ah the joys of spring. Flowers blooming, birds chirping, wedding season, parties, people shedding their winter clothes for the comfort of lighter spring fare; all good things. This is also usually the time of year that my dog Nalah (5 year old Havanes and a bundle of energy) starts whining anytime she sees anything that resembles a suitcase.

What she knows is that for me spring means travel season. In fact I just looked at my United account and see that in the next 2 months I have 6 trips not including the one I’m currently on. I know what you’re thinking … poor thing. Don’t get me wrong — I love traveling — but business travel is a different animal. It all sounds very glamorous – San Diego, San Francisco, San Antonio, Denver, Atlanta – but typically it’s all convention centers, conference rooms, unhealthy late night dinners and a marked lack of sleep. But yes it has its perks that have been well documented by ‘Up In The Air’ (minus the seedy bits of course).

Regardless, for my part will be looking forward to late spring when things slow down and I can start planning the next vacation which, will likely mean another flight but those are different. I’m thinking Caribbean or Mediterranean. As long as it’s hot and the water is blue I will be happy. Until the next time, I’ll be up in the air …

Not much to say. That was an epic match. There won’t be another match in this #WWC that will live up the the one just played by the USA and Brazil. I can’t say it enough – they [USA] played with incredible heart. A great example to all athletes and soccer fans. They didn’t get down on themselves despite the poor officiating and played on. Congrats and here’s looking forward to the next opportunity to impress and put all the naysayers to bed. Go Team USA!