I returned home from Mexico City on Friday to unpack, then repack. The next morning Scott and I headed into the Okanagan to celebrate our second anniversary, which was a perfect blend of wining, dining and hiking. Now we're back home in time for me to unpack, repack and head to Vancouver Island for a staff retreat... then home next weekend to unpack, repack and head out for a conference. It's a bit of a revolving door at the moment, which makes it all the more wonderful that Scott and I had such a perfect getaway.

With many hours spent this weekend talking over a bottle (or two) of wine, Scott and I have cooked up a plan to buy a vineyard and start a winery. We'll convince Dave and Nicola to do all the hard work: ie grow the grapes and make the wine, as they know all about that bio-slash-chemical gobbley-gook. We'll get them to put up the money, too. Scott and I, meanwhile, will take over the marketing side of the business, which we're pretty sure will involve a lot of tastings and business trips to Italy. In fact, we've already developed a name for the winery: "Three Sheets to the Wind." (trademark pending) It's gonna be great.

Main Street, not Mainstream

My 'hood made the travel pages of the New York Times this weekend - a clear indication that I'm not the only person who thinks it's cool. I think it's safe to say that if it's in the New York Times, it's a Really Big Deal. Really. (Take my word for it, I'm in PR)

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/travel/16dayout.html?ref=travel

Traffic

I'm headed back to Mexico next week for a quick work trip.

One thing I've learned as a business traveller is that you rarely have the time to see the sights of a destination in a traditional way. But sometimes that can lead to unique perspectives on a place or country. Mexico City is know for it's snarled traffic and street life, and I've spent plenty of time watching it from the passenger seat. It's some of those moments that have given me glimpses into the character of the city and it's rough and tumble attitude of the street is refreshing after too many boardroom meetings.

Here's a (very rough) video I compiled and posted to Youtube from photos and video I took last January's visit, to give you a taste of Mexico DF.

High Drama

My family is not normally known for melodramatic moments or panicky problems - on the whole, we're a pretty steady bunch. But the last few months have been - at least for us - a pretty wild ride, including a couple full-siren trips to emergency rooms and various other issues that have caused horrible stomach-aches and lit up the phone lines between us.

Which makes the time that we spend together in relaxation that much more precious. I've updated Flickr with recent pics of our time together: enjoy.