The real reason - USA

The real reason I was in the State wasn't to go shopping, take photos or date models and actresses(surprisingly enough) it was to attend an International web and new media conference. But as you'd expect a room full of slightly nerdy marketing and IT types don't make great photos so here are some from around about:

The view from the hotel:


Sampling local beers:


World Vision International office


After the conference I had to head up to Seattle for some meetings at the WV US head office. Here are some shots from around seattle.

World Vision US office

Even got to see a baseball match while I was there - Seattle Mariners v Cleveland Indians


Random shots from around Seattle(mouse-over for description):

Beverly Hills 90210

EXT. HOLLYWOOD HILLS
Dark Blue Maserati, moving fast through the Hollywood Hills, passes large, beautiful homes... Driver shifts, grinding gears...

The Maserati comes to a red light and pulls up next to a Dodge Colt. The GIRL in the Colt looks at the Driver and his car admiringly. Feeling confident, he revs the engine. The light turns green. He takes off leaving the Colt in the dust.

EXT. A SIDE STREET IN HOLLYWOOD
A crumbling old apartment building. Dark alley ways, deserted parking lot. The Maserati -- blink and you miss it -- motors past the building.

PANNING UP A building facade of lit windows and metal fire escape. One window in particular. A GIRL stands there in a short kimono, looking down.

EXT. REGENT BEVERLY WILSHIRE HOTEL
The stone wall of the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel sparkle as if thousands of tiny white lights are embedded in each one. Bright flags are illuminated
by the daylight sun. The Maserati SCREAMS into the
driveway and comes to a jarring stop by the front door...

Well it didn't quite happen like that - artistic license - but there was a Maserati, the Regent Beverly Wilshire and me all in the same place at the one time. And here are some photos to prove it, and a couple of others from around LA too.

Meg in Birmingham

Caught up with Meg Deyell on the weekend. She's living up near Birmingham and working at the OM training camp. No pics of her but here's one of a church we went to visit!

The remainder of Nyon

Just some of the remaining shots from Nyon.