Sep 07 2007
Business Trip to Philly
On Wednesday evening of this week, I drove up to Philly because I was slated to attend some hands on training for Microsoft’s Expression Design and Expression Blend software.
If you don’t know (as I didn’t), basically Microsoft Expression Design is M$’s answer to Adobe Illustrator, and Microsoft Expression Blend is basically their answer to Adobe Flash. Now after attending the conference, I don’t think the products are currently the Adobe Killers M$ had hoped for but maybe with a little work they’ll get there.
(I’ll probably be writing more about this software in a future post so stay tuned true believers).
Other Philly Stuff
Outside of the conference, this is also the first time I can remember that I’ve had to chance to kind of check out a little bit of Philly. Unfortunately, I’m only here for another 3 hours so last night was really my only chance to get out. Me and two co-workers ended up going to this place called Continental and it was a lot of fun. It was more or less like a diner setup with outside seating and some serious food. And of course, you know what the best part about a business trip is right?
Your company picks up the tab.
And that meant the first order of business was grabbing a beer and ordering something lobster related. I ended up getting the lobster potatoes. And they were fantastic. Of course being the fatness that I am today, I had to get dessert too. The waitress ended up bringing out a platter with big shot glasses on it that were filled with (in her words) “yummy stuff”. Obviously, I had to go with the Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberries. It was awesome.
Random Weirdness
So last night while we were walking around, my co-worker Curtis noticed this one dude with two girls that looked really familiar. After a second, it donned on him who they were. I didn’t really believe him so we left our third co-worker for a second and tracked this people down so that I could get a good look. Turns out we believe we saw three of last year’s American Idol contestants, Chris Richardson, Haley Scarnato and Sanjaya’s sister. We didn’t say anything to confirm but I will say that Haley’s legs are pretty much pretty what Simon made of them on TV.
All in All
It was a good time. It’s too bad that my wife and kid aren’t here but I guess I’m glad I got the chance to come up. The “interactive” part of things at the conference isn’t bad, and from the little part of Philly that I got to see, it seems like a really diverse and chill place to be (which is very much the opposite of where I’m living now).
P.S. I’m hoping that soon I’ll be able to write some 360 posts…maybe for next week if I get myself together. I’ll “see” you all soon!
The wristband the wife gave me was for #192. As I was trying to find my place in line, this rabid fan was quick to grab my hand and put me right in front of her. She was #193. In a related note, she told us that when are numbers were called (150-200), that we “HAD TO” scream as loud as we could. Of course I was only too happy to comply. 
I saw this guy right before I actually purchased the book. I think he’s wondering how his plan to put on a cape, painted freckles and a red pom pom on his head didn’t land him a girlfriend…Or friends in general. 
Of course, this event could not go quietly into the night. In this picture, it looks like Bill Nye the Science Guy put on a wizard’s hat and joined up with one of the forgotten czars of Russia. In Bill Nye’s defense, at least he wasn’t sporting a beard made out of cotton balls (saw like 5 of those), or engaged in a “wizard’s duel” (saw WAY too many of those too).