WDW and Back

Finally putting the polish on the end of the week -- busy one -- Sunday Katie and I took off for Disney World to attend the Cognos Forum conference at the Dolphin Hotel. It was a great chance to be 'rewarded' with a combo-work/play trip for all the work I've done putting together SOx strategies using our partners technologies and our services. Sunday night was an opening party that should have been by the pool, but due to the rain, they moved it inside the Dolphin's ball-room. Disney really put on a fantastic spread -- and super decoratons! It was a cajun/bayou theme, with camper trailers and bait shacks serving as the bars, boat houses and piers as buffet tables, and a pretty good band.

We headed to Downtown Disney that night to play at Disney Quest -- we did that until they closed at 11, then tried to grab a bit to eat at the House of Blues -- but they were closed. We ended up grabbing some Taco Bell (only thing open) and eating in the room.

Monday I worked the booth at the trade show in the morning and we went to Epcot that afternoon to do the World Showcase half of the park. That night were 2 happy hours, one at the trade show and one over at the Swan hotel in their Italian resturant. Travis and I put the final touch on the presentation for Tuesday, also. Later that night, Katie and I went over to Epcot again for the Illuminations fireworks show, which was SUPER!! Afterwards, we took the boat back to the Boardwalk and had dinner at the Big River brewpub.

Tuesday Travis and I did our presentation, which went over well -- very receptive audience. Hope we get some extended opportunities from that... Later Tuesday we went to the Hard Rock and shopped the City Walk area over at Universal. Tuesday night was a private party for everyone at the convention over at Universal -- they closed the park early and we had a party in one of the TV studios, then over to ride some rides they kept open for us. The Mummy ride was one of the best roller coasters I've ever been on!! Travis and I rode it 3 times in a row -- I could have done it all night!!

Wednesday we hit the parks again -- Epcot future world and MGM. Then home later that night. We picked the boys up around midnight.

Yesterday I spent catching up on all the stuff I needed to get done; spent some time in the Houston office, and caught up with folks on the phone. Today I'm putting together the final financial results from our Phase 1 project so that we can get sign off for Phase 2. I think we'll hang around the house today and get ready to go to Mom's for the weekend -- leave early in the morning.