For the second time this year a trip to San Jose, California, was in order. All throughout the week, a coworker and I were taking a class on e-mail software.

As is usually the case when I get to visit somewhere for class, I tried to cram in some sightseeing. Because of hectic travel plans and long hours in class, we didn't have much free time during the daylight hours.

That's not to say we didn't try. A few new experiences for this trip included eating sushi and using chopsticks at Honba Sushi, tasting swordfish at the River Street Grill in Sausalito, and gazing at the Golden Gate Bridge in the dark. Paul and I got some nice snapshots of the bridge. And Paul got more than a few laughs as I fumbled with my chopsticks.

All in all, it was a decent trip. We had more than our share of airline, car rental, and luggage problems. And it's good to be home, even if it was a chilly fifteen degrees as I hopped out of the plane onto the Bismarck tarmac. But hey, we did get to visit California. Their weather alone is enough to make you smile.