My Travels

I was suppose to go to San Diego this week; however, something about fires and smoke cancelled my business for going to SD. So I've enjoyed a light week of travel and a leisurely drive to San Luis Obispo today instead of a mad dash from SD to SLO. Am staying at a Hampton Inn & Suites in Paso Robles. Went to the Crooked Kilt in downtown Paso Robles. Suprisingly, a fairly large city. It doesn't look like it from the 101. My friend was leery of walking into the Crooked Kilt, there aren't alot of asians around here (I think) and everyone turned and looked at us when we walked in. As appealing as it may sound to turn heads, I'd rather not the ENTIRE pub to do it. :D On the up side, the food was really good for a pub. I'd certainly recommend going back. Had some down time before heading back to the fires in SoCal. Apparently, Paso Robles is a winery haven and was obligated to visit the local wineries. Mostly misses, I did find a couple of wines to bring bac...

Muggy, rainy, and overcast. Great combination for NYC. I think it is one of the few times in my life where I couldn't tell where the rain and my sweat began and ended. Stayed at the Hilton New York. I'm getting tired of this hotel. Don't get me wrong, nice facilities but there are other Hiltons I'd rather stay at. Unfortunately, the group conference rate can't be beat. Maybe next year I'll see a different view of the NYC skyline..... Had the usual NY style pizza my friend insists upon from Lombardi's Pizzeria. Had decent Italian an another night from Rino Trattoria in the Hell's Kitchen area. I always forget that "al dente" is too al dente for me but the food was good. Service was a little slow.

I'm in New Jersey, only for a day. Got priced out of Manhattan. Who pays $800/night??!!?!?!? Contrary to my beliefs, it was pretty nice. Very suburban with the most collection of Audis, BMWs, and Benzes I've ever seen. I thought Beverly Hills was bad. The only difference was people definitely were not blond and definitely had NJ accents. Is this where the Sopranos are?? Stayed at a Homewood Suites, I am constantly reminded how much I like this particular brand. They give you free booze and free light dinner. Ok, it was Bud Light and cheap wine, why complain? This was the cutest display of toiletries I've seen in awhile. The hotel was attached to an outdoor shopping plaza and right outside my window view lay a favorite store, Banana Republic.

Going to Hayward and am staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, across the street from last week's hotel. Although the view isn't much (880 traffic), the hotel offers complimentary local transportation. Infinitely helpful for someone like me who doesn't drive all the time! From my understanding, this is a revamped Holiday Inn hotel. Seems nicely done. Of course, the room comes with a LCD TV and I got Transformers DVD as a birthday gift. Hmmmmmm....... wonder what I'll be doing. Had dinner with a friend in downtown Oakland. Decided to try a random Vietnamese restaurant and actually found a decent pho shop in the Bay area. On the corner of Webster and 10th, the restaurant, Pho Hoa Lao II (I can't remember if this is exactly the name) is a little dingy looking from the outside but the pho was good.

I'm in Philly for a wedding. Staying at the Hampton Inn near the convention center. Am staying at alot of Hamptons lately.... Not much of a view despite being on the top floor. To be fair, Philly doesn't have much of a cityscape. The wedding is at the Sofitel, it was a nice affair. Me and the happy couple. Wasn't able to take pictures of the wedding cake which was a pile of profiteroles held together by spun sugar. The bride definitely hit my sweet tooth hard!!! Besides the wedding, there are benefits to being here. Cosis, Au Bon Pains, and no sales tax on clothes otherwise 7% on everything else.

Staying in the East Bay, Emeryville to be exact. Four Points by Sheraton in Emeryville, cute location. Decent view of the bridge into the city....

Am staying in the Hampton Inn in San Bernardino/Colton area. It's the Inland Empire, need I say more? One interesting thing to me is that there is a Bob's Big Boy next door. I use to llooovvee going there for Sunday brunch...all you can eat AND they had fried apple pies. My favorite extinct food!!! Nice enough room, one of those psuedo suites with the whirlpool tub looking into the living room.... Guess I can watch TV and wash myself. :D Went to Fontana to take a look at my totalled car....It doesn't look so bad from the passenger side. But gets progressively worse as you move towards the driver side.... And doesn't get any better towards the driver rear....