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August 18, 2006 :: Back In Atlanta

060818mattmamalizatwaterworks_1A long rewarding trip, and some vacation time to boot...
After two more weeks of fun and debauchery in good ole Upstate NY, I finally returned back to Atlanta on Monday, August 14, 2006 after being away for a whole month . 



Happy reunion in the most unlikely of places...
As a follow up to my midway post, I was able to go down to Danbury, CT and act as a reviewer for our junior IMLP Boot Camp class.  Because I can't turn down a good time, and hence was out until after 2a the night before, I took a nap that afternoon to recover a little.  In order to get to Danbury in time on Friday, I had to be up at 4a to get ready and drive down, so a bit of exhaustion I'm sure was expected :-)



With some shut eye obtained and now an empty stomach to satisfy, myself and three comrades went down to one of my favorite sushi places in the United States, Sushi Express (which just so happens to be located in Danbury).  It was a relaxing dinner with lots of food, plum wine, and laughs!  (PS: If you happen to make it there, try the Phoenix roll!)



DblsheratonDinner passed and we returned to the hotel to get ready for the rest of the night's activities.  Around 9p (EDT) my friend Joe and I went down to the lobby to await the arrival of my other good buddy, also named Joseph, who was in town for the conference the next day.  Joseph and I became close friends when we both worked together in Atlanta, but I hadn't seen him in over a year since he moved to Germany to take a role with the Company out there.  He came out of the elevators, smiling from ear to ear just a couple minutes after we got there.  With a shot of excitement in my belly I walked up to him and gave him a big hug.  We were catching up on happenings and planning the rest of the night in no time. 



A night of fun before a day of even more fun...
The rest of the night was spent with more friends from all over the world who happened to converge on Danbury for the IMLP Boot Camp and Senior Boot Camp classes, as well as for the IMLP Global Conference.  The conference took place on that Saturday and was a huge success.  Many Information Management leaders presented their ideas and experiences to the program members.  Many program members got to present their projects and businesses to the rest of the attendees.  After soaking it all in, and getting the opportunity to meet with my business's new program folks, I got back into the car and headed up to New York.



One more week and back to the south...
The next week went quickly.  We celebrated my father's birthday the day after the IMLP conference.  A couple more nights of visiting as many people as I could before leaving again, and before I knew it I was getting into the car at 1a on Monday, August 14 to drive back to Atlanta. 



CampBefore leaving, I got the chance to watch a movie that my friend Brent had at his place.  The movie's name is "Camp".  It's about a group of kids at a summer camp for acting.  It's a great story about living, loving, and coming into one's own, especially after being outcast by much of society.  It also has a killer soundtrack!  I suggest seeing it if you get the chance! 



My actual trip back down to Atlanta was smooth and relatively uneventful (thank goodness!).  I was able to take vacation for the rest of the week which really helped in getting settled back in.  I definitely needed a break from the madness of work. :-)  Just a couple more days until I return from my own personal little "summer camp" experience and rejoin my colleagues here.  It's been a great trip!  I'm definitely lucky to have been able to do it again.



Cheers!



M@

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