Business in Huntington Beach


So. Cal.: a different kind of paradise
I was fortunate to attend a three-day, company-sponsored learning conference in Huntington Beach, California. The weather was perfect--mid-70's and sunny (at least by lunch time)--which was nice because I tried to spend every free second I had outside to maximize my time there. I was able to stay at the Hyatt Resort where the conference was, which made life simple.

Beautiful beaches abound Orange County
I arrived on a Monday afternoon and had a little bit of time to explore the city and do some pre-conference homework (scavenger hunt). After the evening get-together social, I stripped my clothes and shoes and ran nearly-naked on beach as the sun set over the Pacific, maybe five or six miles round trip. I ran a little earlier on Tuesday before attending an evening social with those in my division (ADP has two main divisions, and I'm apart of the smallest one, which accounts for only about 20% of the company's revenue). My calves where begging for mercy, but I yielded not and ran barefoot again Wednesday morning at sun rise, realizing that this opportunity was probably never going to happen again. The beach was quiet and peaceful, the only disturbance and noise coming from the tide. The conference concluded Wednesday afternoon, and I was back home in Portland in time to say goodnight to my children.

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