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I was really amazed today just how many people reached out to me to express their sadness…sympathy…outrage…something…at the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech. Frankly, I didn’t know some of these people knew I ever went to Tech. After all…I am living on the opposite coast and it has been a while since I was there. Just a short while. Let me put it this way…I had quite the full head of hair back then (check out my ‘do below). Nevertheless, I was touched by the outpouring of concern.

Of course, I also had this horrible feeling as I watched the video footage splashed across every news site. I knew that this small, simple place where I had spent five amazing years was no longer a secret just between me and my friends. Horrific things aren’t supposed to happen at OUR Virginia Tech.

I hope that this media frenzy dies down quickly, so that we can pray for our fellow Hokies…and simpler times.

I thought I would share some old photos that I took during my freshman year…1986. This is truly the most beautiful campus anywhere.

Today is a garden day…time to peel away some of the rainy-season’s overgrowth to let the plants soak up the sun.

I returned home late last night from a few days in DC attending a conference. The trip certainly had its highlights–a fantastic conference, an all-too-short visit with James and Ginger, a delicious tapas recommendation (Jaleo in DC) from fellow-traveler and co-worker Anders, and fun conversations with my Virginia coworkers who I don’t see often.

But there are hard truths of business travel as well. One is that no matter how much you fly, you will still occasionally end up in the back of a full plane. (This plane was FULL of young teenagers heading to or from Spring Break.) Another truth is that the world can look pretty darn similar through your hotel window…no matter the city. (Below, you can check out DC and Atlanta from an “executive level” room. Don’t get me wrong…it could be much worse…I know.)

Regardless…I returned home to my loving partner, a comfy bed with just-right pillows, and a refreshing light rain.

Today was a beautiful Easter Sunday in San Francisco. We indulged in some chocolate Easter candies, decorated some colorful eggs, and prepared a delicious pot roast for dinner. Before those festivities, we drove south along the coast to Año Nuevo State Park, which is famous as a breeding ground for Elephant Seals. This time of year, this adults have left the young pups on their own. The adult males head north to Alaska, and the females south towards Hawaii. The pups (pictured here) eat, grow, and practice swimming in the protected rocky shoreline.

I flew to Atlanta today for a client meeting tomorrow. This evening, with a few hours to kill, I walked from my hotel over to the Olympic Centennial Park. I didn’t notice much going on, but I did snap a few photos along the way.

First is this shot of two downtown buildings with no fewer than six or seven connecting skyways between them. Clearly, these people do NOT want to go outside!

I had read about the Postal Service’s promotional mail box coverings to promote their new Star Wars stamps, but I had not seen one of the R2-D2 mailboxes in SF. I spotted this one by the CNN center. (James, this shot is for you, since you had mentioned the stamps.)

Finally, I just had to snap this photo of the local PTA (yes…the Parent Teacher Association) and their odd neighbor, the Goose Bumps Adult Fantasy Bar.