Monkey Empress

I came home from DC on Friday. It was a very productive trip. We had an excellent conference. There were about 150 people there. We did not eat at Ruth Chris this time. We ate McCormick and Schmicks. It is always good. I had crab cakes. We were at Ruth Chris's and it was not open yet. We were about 5 minutes early. While we were standing there looking at the menu, the majority of our little group was not going to eat steak, but instead were going to have seafood. I thought that it would be silly to eat at this great steak restaurant and order seafood. So, I yielded my vote for M&S. I could have had a steak there, but the talk of seafood made me want crabcakes. I think our night out eatting is the highlight of our trip. The night before, three of our group ate at Gordan Biersch's. We usually always eat there as well. They have excellent garlic french fries.

I did not get a picture of the Mandarin Monkey Empress. I did however take a picture with my cell phone of the book in my room with the Empress on the cover. That is what is posted above. I have decided the picture is so disturbing to me because it combines several of my fears. I was always frightened by the monkeys on the Wizard of Oz and I am still frightened of wide open high spaces. The Empress is swinging above the city. You can't get more wide open than that. Anyway, look at it and decide if you think this is not the strangest picture you have ever seen hanging in a hotel lobby!!

I am glad to be home and am trying to catch up at my desk. I should be cleared up by Friday. I think Joe and George are happy to have me back home as well.