It was a big day today. We woke up early to get a little work done and then drove to BART in time for the 9:30 Google registration downtown at the Moscone Center. Lisa and I checked to see if we’d be able to get into the Flight of the Concords concert tonight and were told an emphatic “don’t even think about it”. With that, we said goodbye to BJ and Tim and went out into the city to seek out internet.
Finding an internet connection in the city is harder than connecting in the wilds of Southern Utah, despite Google’s supposed efforts for free wifi for all. Coffee houses don’t sell it, libraries are slow, everyone secures it, so you’ve got to be more creative. We chose hotels. I was meeting my friend Tatiana for lunch at the Westin at noon so we set up camp there. I finagled my way on for the morning and got a ton done. I met with Tat and had an incredible lunch at Ducca. It has been 3 years since we’ve seen each other and we talked new babies for Tat, jobs and life changes, all while I got my first taste of San Francisco fresh seafood. It was a great time.
After lunch, Lisa and I switched venues and went to the “W” to work. This is a trendy, very spiffy hotel. For the price of a cup of tea, you get the best free wireless in town. We tapped away on our computers as the lobby steadily filled up with more people. By 6 when the conference ended for Tim and BJ, the place was packed.
They joined us and we all chatted about their day. Google IO or Google Innovation in the Open was full of factoids, applications information and plenty of nerds. Girl to Guy ratio ranked about 1 to 250. But despite the excess of testorone, it was a valuable experience for them both. While they continued to chat, I left to meet Erik, my exhusband, for a drink.
I haven’t seen Erik since last December and I think we were both a little nervous, but it didn’t take long to relax. He invited his new girlfriend Katherine out with us and we all remet back up for dinner. Tim and BJ headed back to the conference for the Flight of the Concords concert, while Lisa, Katherine, Erik and I had dinner at the swankiest food court I’d ever seen. After a dinner of spicy tuna, we met up again and the 6 of us finished up the day with some pool. It was a huge day that ended with a BART ride and a safe trip back to Half Moon Bay complements of Lisa. Tomorrow is another early day in the city with the grand finale of the Google conference. Should be fun!
Damn, our timing is off… just this year I have stayed at the Westin you mentioned 3 times and the W once. I can’t attest to the bar in the W being a trendy see and be seen type of place. In fact I understand that is the case at all Ws. I’m sure after a few weeks in Frank you all fit right in. The restaurant at the St. Regis (between the Westin and W) is off the charts (very gourmet).
Have TIm check his Skype chat for tips on a great bike ride….
I wish i knew you all were going to be in SFO. Its like my 2nd home since VMware is based in Palo Alto. I’ve spent a few nights in the W and a few other hotels around the Moscone. There are some great sushi joints all within walking distance of Market Square. Damn, I could have squeezed a quick jaunt out to HQ and taken you two out to dinner. Oh well, see you in the OBX.