2008 was kind of a big year for me. I started this site, bought a house, bought a new car, got a girlfriend, and got involved in a upcoming project that is unannounced. I wanted to write a formal post about all that has gone on this year, and what I am planning for next year.

2008: Wrap Up

As I said earlier, 2008 was a big year for me. I started the year off pretty strong when I for the first time kept a New Year’s resolution. What was it, well it was to quit smoking. I smoked my last cigarette on New Years Eve, 2008. Quitting cold turkey was hard, but I am very glad I did it.

From then I decided it was time for a new car. My 2000 Nissan Maxima was approaching 100k miles and I wanted to sell it before it hit that mile stone. I ended up trading it in for a brand new straight of the truck 2008 Nissan Altima. So far, I love the card, it is a step down from the Maxima, but it get great gas mileage and handles like a race car. Having a car payment sucks, but you got to do what you got to do!

OK, so lots to update you on. First off, let me start by saying that my trip plans changed a bit. My grandmother passed away the weekend before I was suppose to leave, so I had to take an emergency trip to Gettysburg, PA for my grandmothers funeral on Monday 14th of July 2008.

As a result, I had to cancel the San Francisco portion on my trip. I was suppose to fly to San Francisco on Monday but I was in Gettysburg for the funeral. I did still take the second portion of my trip which was a trip to Las Vegas for a 3 bachelor party.

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas

I arrived in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 20th, 2008. I was the first of the group to arrive so I had some time to myself. I took a cab to the MGM Grand which was where I was staying. From there I dropped my bags and headed downstairs to the casino to drop $1 in a slot machine. I won $5 so I knew it was going to be a good trip. After my one play, I headed outside to do some exploring. It was about 105 degree’s outside, but it was equal to about a 95 degree day in ATL with 100% humidity! I started walking down the strip past New York New York, Planet Hollywood, Bellagio, and Caesars Palace. This was about as far as I could go because the heat and the fact that I had walked about 10 miles when you factor in exploring the inside of each of the hotels.

Each of these hotels was pretty unique and amazing in its own. New York, New York was visually stunning from the outside. Planet Hollywood was very trendy on the inside with lots of shops and restaurants. The Bellagio was amazing with the pools and the fountains out front. Caesars was pretty awesome in and out, it was very visual with a lot of stunning replica style architecture from the Roman days.

Photo Taken By Thomas Hawk

San Francisco and Las Vegas, here I come. I have booked my summer vacation. I will be arriving at SFO on Monday, July 14th. I am so incredibly excited to go to San Francisco, I have never been out west, so this is a big deal for me. I am staying in the Fisherman’s Warf area of town. I look forward to taking some great photo of the Golden Gate Bridge. I am also very excited to visit Alcatraz Island, which has been a interest of mine from when I was a little kid.

Photo Taken By Bob Townsend

I stay in San Francisco for 3 days, then I am taking a Virgin America jumper flight out to Las Vegas where I am meeting 6 other friends of mine for a Bachelor Party Vegas Style. I am not sure what I will get to see because this is most likely going to be a drunkfest. I am hoping to check out the different theme hotels, some of the lavish nightclubs, and of course a strip club, I mean come on it is a Bachelor Party!

I have some friends in San Francisco, so I am hoping I will get to visit some web 2.0 offices, but I don’t have any specific plans yet. If you live in SF and want to meet up with me, leave me a comment. I will be alone in SF so I would like to meet up with some of my West Coast friends. Have any suggestions of stuff I should see on my trip, please let me know. I only have 3 days in each city so I will be trying to fit a much in as I can.

Any comments, tips, recommendations, … would be very much appreciated.