Category Archives: Lifestyle

Father’s Day in Evanston

We headed to the airport this morning to fly (on Southwest Airlines) to Midway Airport. The flight was slightly delayed, but was very quick. In fact, because of some kind of traffic tie-up it took almost as long in the … Continue reading

Posted in Dani, Dining, Evanston | Comments Off on Father’s Day in Evanston

Harry Potter and Tchoup Chop

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened today at Universal Studios (although the ever-reliable CBS News reported it was Disney World). It uses our HD uncompressed video players for Forbidden Journey, what is now the world’s best theme park ride … Continue reading

Posted in Alcorn McBride, Dining, Linda | Comments Off on Harry Potter and Tchoup Chop

A Day of Wining and Dining

I spent eight and a half hours eating and drinking with Ron and Bev today! I really don’t know how they do it. The occasion was a visit by Allan from Hart Davis Hart, a wine auction house in Chicago. … Continue reading

Posted in Dani, Dining, Linda, Wine | Comments Off on A Day of Wining and Dining

Ryan at Bern’s

We drove to Tampa for dinner with Ryan and his family, who are visiting from the UK. Ryan will be here for two weeks of training, but I’ll be in Chicago then, so I wanted to meet him before I … Continue reading

Posted in Alcorn McBride, Dining | Comments Off on Ryan at Bern’s

Experimental AuGratins

Almost everyone was back in the office today. Linda is getting a cold, so I fixed dinner, including experimental potatoes au gratin, with the additions of cheese, bacon, onion, and smokey chili flakes. Not bad.

Posted in Dining, Linda | Comments Off on Experimental AuGratins

Victoria & Albert’s

Linda booked our transatlantic cruise on the Crown Princess, which completes arrangements for out September trip to London and back. Cabins B723 and D211. Tonight we try out the new Victoria Room at Victoria and Albert’s, which serves the Chef’s … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Travel | Comments Off on Victoria & Albert’s

Azteca

Dani is home! On the way to the airport, Linda and I stopped for lunch at Azteca, which has excellent seafood cojeta.

Posted in Dani, Dining | Comments Off on Azteca

Habibi

We received some good press today for our exhibits at the InfoComm show in Las Vegas, including a video that the press posted on YouTube featuring my LightingPad app. For lunch, Audrey and I went to a new Lebanese place … Continue reading

Posted in Alcorn McBride, Dining | Comments Off on Habibi

OLV

Audrey and I had lunch at OLV in SoDo. It’s a neat little sandwich shop and wine bistro with BLT sliders and chevre salads.

Posted in Dining, Orlando | Comments Off on OLV

Dominus

I packed up some things to ship to Evanston for the summer, including a couple of bottles of wine for Dani to save for her 21st birthday: a 1991 Echezeaux and a 1991 Dominus. Update: I ended up packing these … Continue reading

Posted in Wine | Comments Off on Dominus

Linda’s Yellow Dog Eats BBQ Short Ribs

Linda is making her special short ribs recipe, and it smells wonderful. The secret ingredient is BBQ sauce from Yellow Dog Eats. Ingredients 1 large sliced onion 3 – 4 lb. pot roast Beef rub olive oil 1/3 cup Beef … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Dining, Linda | Comments Off on Linda’s Yellow Dog Eats BBQ Short Ribs

Aji Sushi

Linda had to work tonight, so I went up to Aji Sushi in the Winter Garden Mall and sat at the sushi bar. It was busy for a Monday night. I’ve always gone at lunch on the weekend, and never … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Orlando | Comments Off on Aji Sushi

Wine Syndicate at Ocean Prime

Tonight is our Wine Syndicate group’s get together. This is the first time the group has met at Ocean Prime, and we have a private room booked. We’re having trouble scheduling times that don’t conflict with everyone’s (especially my) travel … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Wine | Comments Off on Wine Syndicate at Ocean Prime

Scotland & Ireland 2008

We scheduled this extended trip to the UK to coincide with Dani and her friends from Trinity Prep performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Dani departed ahead of us, on Tuesday, July 29th, with her school group. They spent a … Continue reading

Posted in Dani, Dining, Ireland, Linda, Scotland, Theatre | Comments Off on Scotland & Ireland 2008

Europe 2007

Rome, Switzerland, Paris, London Friday, June 29, 2007 Orlando to London For Dani’s 16th birthday she asked to take her friend Christina, to Europe. This is the journal of that trip. The only time Christina has been out of the … Continue reading

Posted in Dani, Dining, England, Florence, France, Italy, London, Paris, Rome, Switzerland, Venice, Wine | Comments Off on Europe 2007

Anniversaries at Victoria & Albert’s

March 16, 2007 Ron and Bev invited us to Victoria & Albert’s chef’s table in Disney’s Grand Floridian. We were joined by Philipe and Audrey. Chef Scott was in town (at last!) and provided an amazing meal, with several new … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Wine | Comments Off on Anniversaries at Victoria & Albert’s

Spur of the Moment Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s

October 7, 2006 A few months ago I tried to book Victoria & Albert’s chef’s table in Disney’s Grand Floridian for Linda’s birthday, but they had no openings. I asked Israel, the manager, to wait list us. Margaret from V&A … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Wine | Comments Off on Spur of the Moment Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s

Europe 2006

Monaco, Spain, Portugal, France, England Wednesday, June 7, 2006 Orlando to London It was an easy trip. We took off about half and hour late for unexplained reasons, so arrived about the same amount late, shortly after 7am London time. … Continue reading

Posted in Barcelona, Dani, Dining, England, France, London, Paris, Portugal, Spain, Wine | Comments Off on Europe 2006

Great Years, Great Wines at Victoria & Albert’s

December 16, 2005 Ron and Bev Siegel invited us to dinner and tasting at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian. Unfortunately my Dad was in town so we couldn’t both go. Linda drew the short straw. Joining us were … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Wine | Comments Off on Great Years, Great Wines at Victoria & Albert’s

Emeril’s

10-12-2005 On the spur of the moment Ron and Bev invited me to lunch at Emeril’s, where I joined several sommeliers form around town. Present were: JP from Emeril’s, John from Brio, David from Le Coq au Vin, and Rhett … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Wine | Comments Off on Emeril’s

New York 2005

Dani’s Broadway Journal Day 1, 7/9/05 Manhattan The day mercifully didn’t start out at the crack of dawn. We had an 11:35 direct flight to New York. The flight was rescheduled to 11:20 so we were a little worried about … Continue reading

Posted in Dani, Dining, Linda, New York, Theatre | Comments Off on New York 2005

Europe 2004

Rome, Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples, Pisa, Athens, Ephesus, Monte Carlo, Barcelona Tuesday, June 8, 2004 Orlando to Paris Last month Linda sold her Mitsubishi Eclipse to a friend and is driving a rental car until the 2005 RX8s are available, … Continue reading

Posted in Barcelona, Dani, Dining, Europe, Florence, France, Greece, Italy, Linda, Monaco, Naples, Paris, Rome, Spain, Theme Parks, Venice | Comments Off on Europe 2004

Baltic 2002

England, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, 2002 This summer we decided to explore a completely different part of the world. None of us had ever been to any of the ports on this 12 day cruise around the Baltic. … Continue reading

Posted in Dani, Denmark, Dining, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Linda, Norway, Russia, Sweden | Comments Off on Baltic 2002

Celebrations at Victoria & Albert’s

March 23, 2002 Ron and Bev Siegel invited us to dinner and tasting at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian. Andy and Libby Crocket accompanied us. The event was held in the kitchen at the Chef’s Table. We were … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Wine | Comments Off on Celebrations at Victoria & Albert’s

Tampa & B-21 2002

Tampa In the Spring of 2002 most of The Wine Syndicate group went to Tampa. Ron Siegel organized two wonderful dinners, and a luncheon and tasting in Tarpon Springs. Ken from Bern’s set up this dinner at Spartaco. The chef/owner was charming and … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Travel, Wine | Comments Off on Tampa & B-21 2002

The Dinner of the Century

Victoria & Albert’s 11-30-2001 In November, 2001 about half of the The Wine Syndicate put together a dinner and tasting at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian. The event, held in the kitchen at the Chef’s Table, was dubbed “The Dinner … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Wine | Comments Off on The Dinner of the Century

Australia 2001

I’ve always wanted to visit Australia, both to see a new  continent, and to better understand the market for audio, video, lighting and show control products, there. So when I heard that our Australian distributor, EAV Technology, would be exhibiting … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Dani, Dining, Family, Linda | Comments Off on Australia 2001

Las Vegas 2000

In the Fall of 2000 most of The Wine Syndicate group went to Las Vegas, where we stayed at the Venetian. We had some great lunches, dinners and tastings, and also found time for Star Trek The Experience, a tour of Caesar’s … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Las Vegas, Wine | Comments Off on Las Vegas 2000

Canadian Capitals 2000

Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto Monday On August 21st, 2000 we set out for a tour of Canadian Capitals. We selected Tauck Tours, because of their reputation for a hassle-free experience, with deluxe accommodations and no restrictions on dining choices. Departing … Continue reading

Posted in Canada, Dani, Dining, Linda | Comments Off on Canadian Capitals 2000

Charleston Wine Trip

In February, 2000 we went with three couples from our wine tasting group, The Wine Syndicate, to the Middleton Inn outside of Charleston, SC for a great weekend of wine tasting, recreation and sightseeing. I had only been “through” Charleston until … Continue reading

Posted in Dani, Dining, Linda, Travel, Wine | Comments Off on Charleston Wine Trip