I love traveling! Last week I had the opportunity to go to Columbia, MD for a week of training for my job. Katie’s brother lives nearby so we got to spend the evenings and weekend together.
If you remember the last time I went to a training, I came back with 5 lessons learned. This time I added 2 more and a special bonus announcement that I’m sure will make you do a Michael Jackson leg kick.
1. Training Is A Lot Less Boring When It’s Interactive
I manage a technical helpdesk for ADT. My department supports IP-based (network) equipment remotely. It’s all very new to the retail world so I’m constantly learning new technologies and how to support them. That means I do training…a LOT.
Many times while sitting there listening to someone lecture for hours on the intricacies of hardware of software, I check out pretty quickly. This trainer finally got it right. It was the perfect mix of about 40/60 lecture to hands on.
I mean, I even stayed awake after lunch! This guy deserves a medal or a trophy…or maybe a pizza trophy.
My Training Setup
2. 3D is Overrated
We saw two movies last week. Thor and Priest. We were bummed that we couldn’t see Thor in 3D but we did see Priest in 3D. I have to tell you, it wasn’t impressive.
I realize this isn’t news to most people but Priest was only the second movie I’ve seen in 3D. The first was the latest Chronicles of Narnia. The only thing that the 3D did was give me a headache. I have yet to hear of a movie where it adds anything…except to the box office total.
Don’t waste your money.
3. Jenny Rain Is Awesome
Katie and I had the opportunity to meet up with Jenny Rain. She’s one of my faves so I was super stoked when we were able to sync up and grab dinner. She actually drove about an hour just to meet us. I was so glad she did because we had a great time. We talked for hours and probably could have hung out all night.
It was an honor to hear her story first hand and get to know her. She’s just an awesome person. I’m positive that it won’t be the last time we get to hang out!
Jenny is also a photographer and recently on her site, she’s been posting her latest shots. They are fantastic. Here’s a picture that she took of us at dinner.
Photography by Jenny Rain
This might be my favorite pic of me and Katie. Jenny even wrote a blog post about meeting up with us!
4. I’m The Smartest Man In The World
At least that’s what Katie tells me. She may be biased but I’m going with it.
I ended up passing the certification exam with a 96. I’m pretty sure it was the highest grade in the class. Now that I know all there is to know about IP video, I’m pretty sure that ranks me up there as the smartest man in the world (if not the most interesting).
5. Don’t Wander Off Too Far In Baltimore
Friday afternoon we drove into Baltimore. We walked around the Inner Harbor, saw a street performer juggle a torch, a huge dagger and a bowling ball and ate some delicious crab cake.
Katie @ the Inner Harbor
We decided to roam around the city and quickly learned that it probably was not the best idea. Once you get a few blocks out from the Inner Harbor, it gets pretty seedy pretty quickly. I clutched my purse (er, European carry-all), made a u’ey and high tailed it out of there.
Baltimore was cool but I can’t say that it’s my favorite city.
6. Annapolis Is Gorgeous
On Saturday, we spent the day in Annapolis. It’s a port city and home to all things Navy. I absolutely loved the feel of the city. The quaint shops and restaurants maintain that small town presence without being overrun with a touristy feel.
Middleton Tavern
While out there, I got a heads up to search for an underground Starbucks. My favorite saint is St. Arbucks so I HAD to check it out. It was tricky to find because my iPhone GPS led me to the wrong place. GUYS PROTIP: It’s always a benefit to have a beautiful and friendly lady with you. She makes you look good and you never have to ask for directions.
The window is right at street level
This was probably the coolest Starbucks I’ve been to. It’s so low-key that people aren’t even sure it’s open. Thrown in the fact that the door gets jammed easily and I could see how people turn away and leave without ever checking it out. I saved about 3 different people from walking away by opening the door for them.
7. I Really Need To Get Ahead On My Posts
I’m not sure how I thought I was going to be able to write while I was away, but I should have known better. If it wasn’t for Jason’s fantastic guest post last week, this place would have been a complete ghost town. I really need to get ahead on my writing. It’s time.
So I hope you were able to glean some of my wisdom from this trip. It was compelling and rich. I had an absolutely amazing time with Katie. It’s the longest number of consecutive days we’ve spent together and we didn’t even kill each other. As if! Seriously, I don’t know if there is anyone out there more perfect for me. We have so much fun together and it’s actually a little scary how well we get each other. She’s a keeper.
And on that note…
Bonus Announcement: Katie is moving to Florida! She accepted a job offer and she’ll be down here by early July! I’m so excited…I’m so excited…I’m so scared? Nope…no Jessie Spano here. I’m really thrilled! I can’t wait.
Heheee!!
So what did you guys do last week? Did I miss anything? I heard something about a rapt…ah, nevermind.
I learned number 7 as well last week. I thought I would be able to find time for a daily blog post while I was away on a family vacation last week. Boy was I ever wrong….
I hope to one day get ahead by 10 posts. I can do it, I just need to #dothework
Glad you had fun and thanks for sharing your learnings with us. Agree with you on training needing to be interactive. I’ve sat thru so many “training” sessions and ended up feeling like I knew less.
That IS so exciting! Bonus points for how you managed to insert a Saved by the Bell reference.
You like that, right? Saved by the Bell will always have a special place in my heart. Thanks Leigh!
Happy for you Tony! Great that she is moving close to you – your girlfriend, right? She’s very pretty
Yes, she is my girlfriend!
Thanks Cindy.
congrats. on all the above! so happy to see YOU so happy!
Whoa! I was, no joke, just thinking to myself “I wonder how Alece is doing” and here you pop up!
We were just talking about you last week when we met up with Jenny Rain. You’re a rock star, girl!
That’s great, Tony–on all accounts. But especially the moving thing.
Awesome!
Thanks Jason! And thanks for holding it down for me last week.
Annapolis is one of my favorite cities. St John’s College there is really different and innovative in education, too. It’s one of my top picks as a place to live.
I really loved it out there. I’ll definitely be going there again.
I’m pretty giddy with excitement that you and Katie will live much closer to each other! That is total awesomesauce.
Looking forward to some new posts from you!
Thanks Keri! It’s been like a dream how everything is falling so perfectly into place!
Humbled
You guys honor me… it was ME who had the incredible time meeting the two of you! Lord willing… this will be the start of a great friendship 
Love me some Katie-Kate and Tony-Tone!
Yes indeed! We’ll definitely be back around the area and you will be hunted down!
Hopefully Gumpee can come next time!
DOH, you were so close, about 9 miles from me when you hit the inner harbor. We will catch up next time you two are in town brother!
Glad you had a great time.
I know man! Next time for sure. I’ll bring my gun and you can show me around Baltimore!
We will need it!
I so skipped to the bonus announcement before I read the post. Lol! Yaaayyy! Happy for you guys.
Thanks Meeka! I really need to make it up to T-town soon. I’d love to catch up with you and meet your little munchkin!
Congrats on the news sir! And bravo for working in a Saved By The Bell reference!
It warms my belly that you caught the reference.
Any chance to revisit the “Hot Sundaes” is an excellent day… It is sad to think my son won’t grow up with the greatness that was Zach Morris…Time Out
Love your week re-cap there bro! I may have missed it… Is Katie your sweetie?
Yessir! I even had a cartoon made for her! http://www.tonyjalicea.com/2011/04/ive-got-this-friend/
Congrats you two! I’ll be sad that you’re not within driving distance, but so happy for you guys!
Personally, I like the new 3D, but I’ve only primarily seen it in kid’s movies. My biggest gripe with it is that some movies rely a whole lot more on 3D than on story-line and when that happens, that sucks. But in general, I’ve found that if the movie is already good, then I don’t mind the 3D enhancement. All that said, I don’t know if I’m going to pay extra to see the last Harry Potter in 3D.
Seriously, very excited for you guys! Love the pics!
Ah, I could see how it might be better in an animated film. Maybe I’ll try that as a last resort before I completely give up on 3D.
I’ve actually never seen (or read) any of the Harry Potter’s. Katie wants to have a marathon to catch me up on all of them.
I agree about the 3D thing. I saw… something…. (big, blue alien people… why can’t I remember the name of it?) in 3D and all it did was give me a headache.
That’s awesome that Katie is moving close to you. Congrats to you both.
I feel like the 3D movies way back in the day actually used 3D more. Maybe I just haven’t seen the right movie with the new technology. It just seems like a way to make more money without giving a much better experience.
I had an AMAZING time with you, Tony! …Even when I thought we were gonna be sold into sex slavery on the mean streets of Baltimore.
Can I post this here? Can I say, Katie Mae? I knew this. You people should learn not to tell me secrets, it almost KILLED me! and what would you do without me, people?
Yeah yeah…stop your bragging!
You were the first person I told, Herdy! Even before I told Tony. I owed it to you, seeing as how your blog got Tony and I together.
Awesome dude!! Stoked for u both!
Never been to Baltimore, just driven through. My bro-in-law is in the Navy, so I’m sure he’ll make it up to Annapolis at one point or another.
Glad you had a successful training and a solid “meet up” with Katie. So excited for whats in store for you guys. Really, I’m pumped.
I’ll have to bring my brass knuckles for my next visit.
Fantastic news, bro. I’m so happy for both of you!
As for my week last week, we celebrated Eli’s birthday.
Awesome! Happy belated to your little man.
Thank you, Jason! We’re smilin’ like idiots about it.
Happy birthday to Eli!!
I was going to tweet you to tell you to not leave the Inner Harbor when I saw you were there – not such a great to wander too far from because it can be scary. I used to go into the city to do minstry and it was a blessing but people worried about us while we were in there.
Then I need to say that I absolutely love Annapolis – my kids and wife loved walking the shops when we lived in Maryland.
Love the pictures and especially the one by Jenny Rain.
Sounds like a great time and such a cool thing with Kate moving to Florida.
Yeah we loved Annapolis. I’d definitely love to go back.
Dude, that’s great news. Congrats to you both.
BTW, I almost got jumped on Martin Luther King Blvd in Baltimore. I hid in a Motel 6 behind a prostitute who charged me to hide me. (don’t ask me where I hid). LOL.
Seriously Moe…. I can’t wait to hear your stories first hand.
You are out of control Moe Moe. Don’t worry, I won’t ask…in public.
Whaaaa…???!! *insert sound of record stopping here
I learned a long time ago never to hang out on MLK no matter where I am. Chris Rock taught me that. So far it’s served me well.
Dude that is huge that she gets to move down there. #yay
Seriously huge….smothered in stout sauce.
Tony + beaches = happy times
Tony + anything = yay
Touche
So happy for you and Miss Katie…and yay for her move!
Love your posts, T. And the pics. Kinda like you, too.
XO to you both!
You’re not too shabby yourself Mrs. C. Oh and hurry up with that post already! I’m anxious to see it.
Thank you, Cathy!!!