Califoolya!

The long overdue photos of my long overdue trip out to the West Coast.

Got to drink a ton of great wine, eat 2 tons of great food, hang out with my girl's family (amazing people, always a good time) and got to meet one of my social media heroes, Shel Israel.

So here are a few pics that hold a special place in my heart from my latest journey out west:

The Pier in Santa Barbara:


Baked Brie @ The Los Olivos Cafe (as seen in Sideways)


Roasted Veggies @ Los Olivos - it was only vegetables, but you have no idea how good this was!


Sea Bass with baby spinach @ Los Olivos


Drive home from Solvang - I wish it were summer, this New Yorker would've been laying in the middle of those vineyards downing a bottle of vino.


Jumbo Prawns @ McCormick & Schmick's


Blackened Fish Tacos @ McCormick's - 10 out of 10!


My love and I at McCormick's - amazing place, I highly recommend it. Looking out over the bay during a nice lunch...nothing beats it.


Yeah, now we're about to get New York Beast-Status on this Ghirardelli Hot fudge Brownie Sunday...you know how we do.


That was gone in about 37.5 seconds...


And now I'm paying for it dearly - it's a terrible feeling when you have to drop a notch on your belt because it's too tight. But oh well, the pictures have certainly made me feel much better.

California - see you soon!

Back in the Building!

So I'm finally back and feeling great!

Had an amazing time out on the West Coast - I definitely spent way too much money and time drinking wine, but what the hell, it's not everyday I get to sit in the middle of wine country and sip a glass of vino while the sun is going down.

But now I'm back and ready to get down to business.

My "tech" new year's resolution was to begin blogging more often...once or twice a month just isn't cutting it. The main problem has been lack of time. I've been blogging a lot over at the corporate blog: http://blog.tickerhound.com.

That really eats up a ton of time each week.

But I'm in the process of hiring 1 - 2 interns, which will hopefully leave me with more time do other things.

Actually, that reminds me, if you know anybody looking for some part-time internship work please send them my way. I'd prefer a college student with some experience in finance/investing. They can e-mail me at HireMe at TickerHound dot com.

I'll be posting pics from my trip soon - along with a few posts about some of the crazy thoughts that have been racking my brain as of late.

Good to be back!

California Here I Come!

I can't wait to get out of this New York weather for a little bit. Don't get me wrong, I love my city but I could really do without 30 degree days and 20 degree nights for a little while. I know it's not 80 degrees and sunny in the Bay Area right now either, but I'm just in the mood for a change in atmosphere.

The sun's a little brighter, the streets are a little calmer and the smell of the Pacific just puts me in the right frame of mind.

Last year was my first trip to San Fran for the holidays and I'm thinking of making it a tradition. I feel like my year just starts off on the right note.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll make the move out there. My Dad was born and raised in San Mateo - he moved out here when he met my mother. Now I've met a woman whose family is from - believe it or not - San Mateo! So I guess I'd just be coming full circle if a ditched the East Coast and moved (back) out West.

I'm also pretty psyched because I get to meet some friends who I've only had the opportunity to communicate with over the phone.

So I'm leaving Sunday - farewell New York City (take care of her while I'm gone people!).