Who we are

Check out this incredible presentation by a brain scientist on what it is like to go through a stroke.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

There's been a lot of talk recently about Obama having "great temperament", particularly with how he is able to rise above emotionalism in the face of tremendous challenges. Separately, I've also been thinking about musical tuning, after watching one of the artist lessons in Garageband '09 (Ben Folds). How do these relate? Well, reaching way back to my musical days, I recalled a musical definition of "temperament".

Here's how wikipedia describes it: In musical tuning, a temperament is a system of tuning which slightly compromises the pure intervals of intonation in order to meet other requirements of the system."

This really speaks to me - because it encapsulates our constant struggle to build some beautiful, while compromising each step of the way. Compromising is precisely what makes something beautiful. In a musical chord, each note can only be considered "in tune" after considering all other notes that are being played at the same time - it's all relative! As with our myriad of personal projects and initiatives, we must constantly "tune up" or "tune down" the individual objectives, as we consider the grander scheme of life.

Christmas

Niña takes a nap on my lap

The gang

Still bar hopping in the Haight

Hobson's Choice

Amex love

Cha Cha Cha

Cha Cha Cha, in the Haight

Bridge School Benefit concert at Shoreline

Apple London, Regent St

Au revoir Paris!

With four days of hard work, local sightseeing, and culinary bliss,
I'm sad to leave Paris. On the business side, we accomplished
everything we wanted and more. On the fun side, I had some of the
best meals in my life.

The highlight for me was dinner at Maison de la Truffe, my favorite
restaurant this side of the Atlantic. I first went there in July with
my classmates, and was instantly hooked. Thr second you walk in to the
restaurant, the rich aroma of truffles nearly knocks you off your
feet. The meal started with fresh baguette and white truffle-infused
olive oil. My starter was a beef carpaccio with greens and generous
shavings of Burgundy truffles. My main course was grilled lobster
with a truffle polenta. Dessert was a truffle cream creme brûlée.
And I was drinking champagne.

Alec was happy, Alec was very very happy.

I'm currently traveling through the French countryside aboard the
Eurostar, on route to London for more meetings, then back to the US
tomorrow!

View from Apple Paris office

On the road again

So, apparently my travel days aren't behind me. Through a bit of luck
and good fortune, Apple is sending me to Europe for a week, in style.
This is my first international business trip, so I am excited and a
little nervous, but I expect to have a great time.

Fiddler's Green

Susie making friends...

Poker Night

With the boys...

Night out

Temple after XYZ after John Collins

Hits

A map of visitors to this blog, sorted by city:

Photo time

I've finally settled back in the US, time zone change and all. My time in China surpassed my high expectations - I had an amazing time. With the Olympic events, late-night clubbing, 2-hour massages, new friends, old friends, new food, and familiar food - we had a superb two weeks in China.

From the 4,000+ photos, I've narrowed them down to two albums:

China: http://picasaweb.google.com/alecdet/China

Olympics: http://picasaweb.google.com/alecdet/Olympics

This marks the end of my incredible summer, which took me to nine countries throughout Europe and Asia. I had been planning for this summer ever since I knew I was going to business school three years ago, and it certainly exceeded everything I had hoped for. I am excited about the new friends that I made on my travels, and will always remember the fun times we had together. I'm not sure when/if I'll ever get to travel like this again, but perhaps I can try...