Woohoo, time for a big, fun-filled weekend.

On Friday, we got out of the office a little late (the usual wrapping up of work), dropped off the rental car, and headed over to the ticket counter.  Of course, our flight was delayed, but they said it was “negligible.”  Somehow, between the check-in counter and the gate, “neglible” turned into a 2 hour flight delay.  Say whaaaaaat, Continental?  And while we were collectively scowling at the departure screen, it changed to a 1 hour delay.  Uh, how long did we have to scowl at the screen before the flight was on time?

So we had time to eat lunch, then board the flight.  Of course, I appreciated how Continental split the original delay, because now we were delayed taking off and again as we circled around Newark Airport after that.  Somehow, we ended up only touching down in Newark 90 mins later than expected.  One of my coworkers and I shared his car service back to his place, and then I drove home from there.

Lakewood BlueClaws game at First Energy Park

As soon as I got home, it was time to get ready for some minor league baseball!  My wife’s company paid for tickets and dinner to see the Lakewood BlueClaws play the…. er…., you know, I have no idea who was playing, nor where we were exactly going.  I didn’t care, actually, because it was a Friday night.  I found out during the drive that we were heading to Lakewood NJ, which is down the shore halfway to Toms River.  Checking their website now, it was the Lake County Captains, so…… okay.

By the time we arrived at FirstEnergy Park , it was after 8pm, and they had stopped serving our free food.  Thankfully, my wife’s friends/coworkers saved us some plates.  Josh wasn’t all that interested in the game, but we were all surprised to learn that a nearby Toyota/Scion dealership was sponsoring fireworks, which was a welcome treat.

Late lunch today between meetings, we ran to a nearby Subway for quick sandwiches. Next door to Subway is a cycling store called InVita Sport. I had seen the store back in April, but it was closed at the time.  I didn’t want to go in, so I did one of those hovering-at-the-front-door-wanting-to-go-in-but-not-sure-if-I-should deals, but the store owner smiled and called out to me that I could come in. I smiled and checked out the store.

My goodness, she had the most beautiful bicycles that I have ever seen, but I’d never heard of the names.  Speaking to the the owner, she said she focused solely on Italian frames, such as Wilier, Pinarello, and Torpado, based on the quality.  In my limited view, Trek and Cannondale were the biggies.  In that store, the Pinarellos were absolutely gorgeous.  Top-to-bottom carbon frames, forks, stays — the whole shebang.  I lifted one, and it was light as a feather. 

The prices made me put them down gently.  The average for the road bicycles were around $3000, and the time-trial bicycle in the window was a cool $10,995.  For that kind of price, you’d have to get it insured.  High prices, but they were just beautiful.

I’m here.

I didn’t think I’d make the flight today.  Well, I kinda knew I would, but I started to have my doubts.  There were some family errands today — Josh’s haircut, grocery shopping, laundry.  My wife and I split the kids up and hit the county, running around.  For my 5:15pm flight, I was driving to Newark Airport and parking at the long-term economy parking lot to save money (instead of car service.)  There was traffic on the NJ Turnpike, and I had left late too. 

At least I checked in online. Somehow, I still made it to the gate with some time to spare.  Of course, the 5:15pm flight became 5:20pm, 5:30pm, and 5:50pm. I went to talk to the agent, and she said it was a mechanical issue, no time on the actual departure.  Simultaneously, I get an alert from Continental that the arriving flight was delayed.  Yeah, the arriving flight was delayed.  Total BS, since we watched the previous flight’s passengers arrive on time and disembark. 

We eventually arrived in Toronto about 35 mins late.  The thing is, it’s all okay.  It’s all in the life of being a traveller.  35 mins late?  Feh.  These days, that’s a good trip!

We’re driving an orange Ford Edge, which is actually a pretty nice mini SUV.  I like it. My coworker and I hit a nearby Applebee’s for a quick dinner.  As the server took our order, she asked what kind of gravy we wanted on our french fries.  Gravy on french fries?  Thanks, but no thanks. 

It’s good to be home.  We got back with with just a 45 min delay (late arriving aircraft) on Friday. It was a decent week overall.  I forgot to mention one tidbit from my flight last Sunday.  I normally sit in the aisle, because I like the legroom (and more access to the overhead storage bins and easy egress.)  Coincidentally, I was sitting next to one of my coworkers on the flight in.  As we were passing over the US/Canadian border, my coworker says, hey there are some waterfalls down there. I said, “Waterfalls?”  I look down, and it was this beautiful overhead view of Niagara Falls.  Man, it was one the neatest sights I’ve ever seen from an airplane.  It was just so cool to see the American and Horseshoe Falls from that angle.

I got home in the evening, and had enough time to chill out for 30 mins.  Then I got some of the supplies ready for the sitters, and my wife and I went out for a sushi dinner for two.  Afterwards, we took a drive over to this little cafe in town that we’ve never visited before, but figured why not, for dessert.  It’s one of those little corner cafes where they’ve hired high school kids to serve food, electic couches and chairs and tables, and live music.  We sat eating dessert, chilling on a couch, and listened to these three guys play instrumental 60’s music, such as songs from the Rolling Stones.

Beautiful weather today.  My parents came over to visit in the morning, and we cleaned up a bit outside and inside. After a few of us took a short nap, we drove over to Princeton to check out Communiversity. I’ve never attended, but the Arts Council of Princeton puts together this street fair in downtown Princeton.   One of those walk around, see what people are doing and selling types of street fairs.  The big highlight? I introduced Josh to fried dough / funnel cake.  Yes, he liked it.

I’m going to do laundry Sunday morning, then I’m back on the plane for Week 2 starting Sunday evening.

First off, thanks to everyone who called, texted, emailed, or FB’d me about my birthday yesterday.  It’s nice to be loved.  Biggest surprise of all?  My friend Paul in Detroit (and I am under the distinct suspicion that “The Hand of Namita” was involved) drove up to Toronto to hang out with me Wednesday night.  Four hour drive, boys and girls. 

Paul drove straight from work, and met me at the hotel.  We hit an Irish pub, chilled out, and ate dinner together.  He crashed in my hotel room, and was out the door at 5am to head straight back to work. Normally when I hang out with friends, we pull a long night, and stumble to work.  This time around, we had to admit we’re getting older.  11pm, after working all day, we were both ready to get some shut-eye.  Especially since we had work the next morning!

I want everyone to know that I’m having a good week, albeit it is a bit cold.  Again, what was I thinking to forget my jacket?  It was such beautiful weather last Sunday back in NJ, who would be thinking about the cold?  Maybe the folks who were travelling to cooler climates that day!

It’ll be nice to see my family again on Friday, and I’m naturally looking forward to seeing them again.

It’s been a year, but I have made my fateful return to the Toronto area this week.  I’m here on business, and it feels nice to be back.  I’m here on work, but I always enjoy Canada.  To be honest, I think Montreal is okay, but I like the city of Toronto.  It’s very metropolitan.  Lots of places to see, lots of great restaurants, and I think the people are nice.   I’m not actually staying in Toronto this trip – we’re in Mississauga, but maybe we’ll get to visit.  One of my wife’s cousins lives somewhere around here, so I should try to visit him and his family.

The trip itself was pretty uneventful.  No problems getting to Newark airport, flight was on time, no problems with bags, and the hotel is pretty nice.  Even better, they upgraded my car rental (at no cost) and I’m driving a Chevy Trailblazer.  What can I say?  So far, so good. 

This is also a good week, as it’s my birthday on Wednesday, which marks it the 2nd year in a row that I’ve spent my birthday in Canada.  Coincidence? I think not.  I think it’s a conspiracy involving the Canadian Prime Minister, and possibly the Queen of England?  Why the British Queen?  The question is why not?

I think I’m rambling.  Long story short: I’m north of the US border, everything is peachy. Don’t text or email me, because I’m roaming, and will cost me each and every time you write. Wait until I get back, but if you need to reach me, the cell phone works fine.  I love having a phone that works internationally.

UPDATED: Man, I have such a bad memory.  My wife was kind enough to remind me that I was home last year during my birthday, and not up north.  I was actually working in NYC that day.  I wonder why I thought I was in Canada during my birthday last year?  Blame the encroaching senility!

Wow, go Canada. We could learn something from them.

Guess which country, alone in the industrialized world, has not faced a single bank failure, calls for bailouts or government intervention in the financial or mortgage sectors. Yup, it’s Canada. In 2008, the World Economic Forum ranked Canada’s banking system the healthiest in the world. America’s ranked 40th, Britain’s 44th.

Zakaria: The Canadian Solution | Newsweek Voices – Fareed Zakaria | Newsweek.com.