My two week trip has been cut short by about a week. Dalian is a much nicer place than Xian with little to no visible pollution. Anyone that has friended me on facebook can see the clear view to the mountains. I attended a dinner last night with the Applied Materials Intel Account Team. I have never been made to feel so welcome by a group outside the United States. They are a very close group and treat their guests like one of their own. The beer and sea food were abundant. That is the first time in I don't remember how long, I have walked away from a restaurant buzzing like a bumble bee. I get on a plane at 21:15 central US time on Friday, fly to Shanghai, then Chicago, and touch down in Austin at 20:35 on Saturday. At least I don't have to see the Alabama / Tennessee slaughter live. Our only hope is that Brey is ready to come back in and we play the game of our lives.