Spent the weekend at a work meeting in Phoenix - stayed at the Royal Palms Resort. I wasn’t excited about going to AZ in July when it was 108 at 8am last Friday while it was 72 in Omaha, but I’m glad I went. The place wasn’t huge and somewhat quaint, but with so many paved paths, desert flowers, palms, hidden buildings and rooms and pools - I knew it was something special. The food may have been the most incredible part (after the service). My first buffett dinner I was speaking with Fred and a staff-member caught my eye briefly and pointed toward two dishes and made a “don’t eat” shake of her hands. She just warned me which items had seafood and we never spoke about it or introduced ourselves - it was perfect! That night while others were drinking coffee, I asked for a Coke Zero. They got one from the back and mentioned they’d supply some for the next day’s meeting for me. The next day, with completely different staff, a guy asked if I’d like a Coke Zero. Yes, I know, they were told to look for the guy with “Kaleb” on his name tag, but still, I was impressed!

The restaurant was incredible. It’s hard to comment enough on how amazing it was. My meal was $54 without tip, but easily one of the best meals. I’m salivating thinking about it. I had half a duck, prepared with morrel mushrooms, and... ok, I’m doing a horrible job describing it! The dessert... I didn’t think a white-chocolate cheesecake & creme brule hybrid could taste and look so good!

I took a swim around 12:30am on Sunday morning to unwind. The pools were open 24 hours. With Camelback mountain behind me, and a starry sky (clouds came in later), it was breathtaking.

OK, I’m done with the adjectives - a mostly good trip! I highly recommend them!

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Back when I was a kid, I learned that there were a few ways of communication, in order of effectiveness: writing (typed and then handwriting), speaking, seeing and touching. That may not be intuitive, but for those moments when you see someone’s reaction, or the effect of a simple touch on the shoulder - there can be a lot communicated very quickly. Why bring this up? Just a bit of concern about maintaining friendships over instant messaging/email/telephone/distance. I’m trying hard to make sure human contact is made when possible, but it definitely isn’t easy (even with those who live nearby). Seems that time is the most valuable commodity of all.

On that theme, my father’s cousin (and also the interior design consultant to my new basement room) is nearing her death this week with kidney failure and cancer. My amazing second cousin is doing her best to take care of her mother at home until that day arrives. I wanted to see her while she was here at the hospital, but got the feeling that they’re keeping it someone low key with the close family though I know so many of us are thinking of her. While, for now, we all have this one thing in common (an end date), it acts as a reminder to enjoy fully every day we do have. Celebrating others at weddings or just bumping into them in the hallway, finding shapes in the clouds while floating on a pool or lying on the ground or on the roof of a building, trimming the plants and petting the cat (all things I’ve done this past month) - sounds so corny, but I don’t take any of it for granted.

A lot of profound things have happened lately and I don’t share too much private happenings on this blog, but if you were here, you’d know that besides being crazy with work and travel (and I really am), I have been moved so much by others and feeling incredibly fortunate to have some great folks in my life (likely you if you’re reading this!). Thanks for you!

(Ok, no thanks to you, Mr. Loony Stalker, just in case you got your hopes up. )