Long-Overdue in Laramie: Reconnecting with Corey Billington

Five years. That’s how long it had been since Katie and I moved to Colorado, and shamefully, how long it had taken us to make the mere 2½-hour drive north to visit one of my favorite IMD professors, Corey Billington, in Laramie, Wyoming. I blame COVID, then having a second baby, but really there’s noContinue reading “Long-Overdue in Laramie: Reconnecting with Corey Billington”

Oregon Coast Adventures: From Donuts to Dreams on the Pacific

There’s something magical about the intersection of mentorship, family, and new adventures. Last week, Katie, our two kids, and I experienced all three during our first Oregon Coast family travel, hosted by one of the most influential figures from my Rice University days. The Professor Who Changed Everything My host wasn’t just any professor—he wasContinue reading “Oregon Coast Adventures: From Donuts to Dreams on the Pacific”

Travel Recommendations for Toscana

A friend recently let me know that she would be traveling to Tuscany and was seeking recommendations both for tourist travel and wine travel. Having lived in Florence and spent much more time since then traveling around bella Toscana, I compiled the following recommendations for her: Firenze There are a million more things to doContinue reading “Travel Recommendations for Toscana”

Wine Cooler Problem Solving

In addition to our wine cellar in the basement, we maintain a medium-sized wine cooler in our kitchen for bottles that are ready to drink now. Although we keep that cooler set to 13 degrees C (55 F), recently it has been reporting temperatures several degrees higher. This was perplexing as the device is onlyContinue reading “Wine Cooler Problem Solving”

Paris and Buffett v6.0 – Day 2

We woke up [very late] Saturday morning and seized the day. Katie met her friend for some touring about and I decided to go for a run. Once again the weather was absolutely perfect and I figured I could see more of Paris running than walking. Instead of following a predetermined route, I decided justContinue reading “Paris and Buffett v6.0 – Day 2”

A Birthday Feast for the Ages

Last night capped off 36 hours of wonderful birthday celebration! Thursday evening my favorite wingman took me and a couple of other friends out to Experience Hendrix, a Jimi Hendrix tribute tour featuring several blues legend performers. It was a great show, covering the entire Hendrix canon. Some notable performers were Dweezil Zappa (son ofContinue reading “A Birthday Feast for the Ages”

1982 – What a vintage!

In honor of Katie’s 30th birthday, we hosted a small dinner last night featuring wines from her vintage, 1982. It was a fun chance to reminisce about what was happening in our lives and in the world 30 years ago. Top movie: Chariots of Fire. Top song: Eye of the Tiger. Top world event: Katie’sContinue reading “1982 – What a vintage!”

Sonoma Day 2

After sleeping off our wine of the day before, we woke up to a rainy Sonoma morning. Instead of running we did a weights-free workout inspired by the routine that The SHOP put together for me back when I was house-sitting in Switzerland. This included lots of push-ups, plyometrics, and other “grass-roots” exercises. During aContinue reading “Sonoma Day 2”