A suprise appearance?

What? A blog entry? By me? Are you kidding me? Wow. It's been a while. Justin has been crying that he has nothing to do at work, so I figured i'd do my part in making his job productive. So I was in Seattle last week for the first ever Microsoft Business Intelligence Conference! So I figure I'll spend most of this entry talking about everything BI. Ok, so it's not interesting stuff at all to most people, and nobody who reads this would give a rip, and I'm not one to talk much shop outside of work, let alone AT work. However, let's go over the fun things I got to do while in Seattle.

Pike Place Farmers Market: Yes, this is the location that includes the 'world famous' Pike Place Fish Market. I'm sure most have seen the 'Fish' video's on having fun in the workplace...well, that's the place. Guess what! It looks the same in person! Same people, same fish tossing. But pretty cool to see none-the-less. I did pick up some Salmon Jerky, which I really like, but others haven't been as fond as I am about it.

The Experience Music Project: Wow, this place is UGLY on the outside. It's basically a Music and Science Fiction museum. And no, I don't see why a museum would include both music and science fiction. Who gives a rip about science fiction? Anyway, the attendee evening event was held here, so we toured some of the music museum. The coolest part about it is being able to play instruments and record music. Otherwise, the best part of the night was the ton's of free food, free booze (open bar, dude!) (insanely huge, strong drinks...crazy), and a live band.

Safeco Field: So friday morning we got up and hopped on ebay. Found 4 tickets for the Mariners/Yankee game that night...good seats in left field. What a great place. I can't wait for outdoor baseball here. It got a little chilly by the end of the night, which should be expected, since I was wearing only a t-shirt...at night....in May....in Seattle. Long story short, Mariners shut out the Yanks 3-0.

Kell's: A small little irish pub a few blocks from our hotel, and a block or two off of the water. We drank at Kells on Wednesday night, thursday night and then again on friday before and after the game. So needless to say, we liked the place. Impossible to find if you didn't know it was there. Entrance is from an alley, no signs anywhere else but once you get there. Live music every night (same guy all 3 nights we were there). Good drinks..not too spendy. The food was good too...the little that we ate there. If in Seattle, check it out.

Sparging the Mash @ Red Hook Brewery: We headed out friday after the conference and before Kells out to some suburban area outside of seattle about 30 minutes to visit the Red Hook Brewery. One of Nick's buddy's played hooky from work and joined us. Had a pitcher before the tour, then for $1, you can take the brewery tour, get your own tasting glass to keep, and drink a few beers along the way. I can't think of a better way to spend the daytime that day...The bottling line wasn't running that day, so that was the only bummer.

We got to hang out with Nick quite a bit.....And met Anna! (for about 10 minutes). Great girl. Nick must have money or something, cause not sure what else she's hanging around a guy like Nick for ;)

Jim spent most mornings...no...all mornings...Hungover. To be expected, he's not very good at drinking, so he get's hungover just thinking about beer.

Brad bought a sweet new Twins hat...if you like really tall cornered baseball hats. You got hosed!

Was hard to be away from my two ladies for that long, so I'm happy to be home. Happy Mothers Day to you Mom's out there! If you complain like justin, I might write more tomorrow. Oh, and be sure to wish Justin good luck in getting Cristin pregnant. (If she's not already)