Mike Grehan

So, after two and a bit years, I’m back to my blog. It’s had a bit of a makeover as I switched out of Blogger and into WordPress.

The transition wasn’t too bad, but I lost all the comments from the old blog. Maybe that’s something I can go back and fix at a later date. Anyway, at least I have all of the blog posts from the old site.

I’ve been posting some pics and things at Facebook, but the problem is, I want somewhere easier to talk about travel and save some of the pics I love to take when I’m travelling. You can do some of that with Facebook but it’s not quite the same as a travelblog.

It may take a little while longer to get the site properly ship-shape and get myself back in the routine, but at least we have a good start.

There are just a couple of pics I want to post here right now to re launch the blog. We had such a great time at Matt & Bianca’s wedding. We only stayed for a (long) weekend, but what a great time.

I did post this pic on Facebook, but I love it so much it deserves a much better gallery to hang in. Does she look totally gorgeous and deliriously happy? I think so, yes!

Here’s one that you very rarely see – me in a suit and my wife in a dress. Very rarely see that – it’s usually the other way around… I’m kidding… I’m just totally not a suit kind of person and the wife is much happier in pants than a dress.

And on the subject of suits, here’s me in the one I was born in hanging out in the private pool of the villa we stayed in at the hotel.

Hmmmm… With all this Twitter stuff and Facebook stuff going on, it’s easy to forget about this blog. In fact, if I wasn’t so dependent on it being my nearest form of confessional, I think it would have gone by now.

Sticking with allegory for a moment, I was blessed by the whirlwind visit of two search buddies I rarely get to hang with these days. Shak and Jimmy called into the Empire State Building to say hi and have a catch up. These guys always have something interesting cooking. And they can demolish shampoo in lightening strikes just like me!

They were admiring the view from our south meeting room which looks down to the financial district. Of course, when we had the picture taken, you couldn’t see the view at all as we stood in front of the window!

So, here’s a pic without us blocking the view. If you look carefully up to the top right you can see Ellis Island and Liberty Island with the statue on it. Of course, you really have to… er… know it’s there in order to appreciate that, I guess

Soooo, it was Li Evans’ birthday a couple of weeks back, so I popped down to Philadelphia to hook up and have a little party. I didn’t know until the night of the party that Li actually sang at the local karaoke bar. And I have to tell you… She’s good!!!!

Sunday morning Li came downtown (or Center City, as it is in Philly) and picked me up to look at some of the sights. Believe it or not, after such extensive travel here in the US, this was my first time that I actually stopped over in Philly and not just passed through.

Of course, had to go see the Liberty Bell (crack and all). I have no idea why I look like I’m standing in dog poo or something in this shot. Must have been just steeped in the history of all. Not that history is dog poo, if you know what I mean.

Moving on…

Got a couple of nice shots of Liberty Hall.

And then we moved on to Betsy Ross’ house. Betsy is acclaimed with having sewed the very first American flag. Some people believe that to be perfectly true… And some believe it’s dog poo… Hmmm… A lot of dog stuff in this post. Moving on…

The tour ended with a quick peek at Benjamin Franklin’s final resting place…

After which it was time for my favourite poo… shampoo, that is.

So, I treated Li to a special Sunday brunch at one of Philly’s top restaurants, The Waterworks. This was to make up for not remembering to bring her a card or a birthday present. Doh! Much Mimosa was drunk as we relaxed by the river and gazed at the Boathouses. This is a place where people keep their boats. See, I have Philly’s history off to a T already…

Well another thrilling weekend goes by in the usual indistinguishable blur. Except for the fact that I realized my camera had been used on Friday. And I discovered I had been out playing in town with some of the boys and girls from the office.
How nice!!!!

Here’s Bre, Julian, Marios and Maureen…

In the Stone Rose Lounge Julian had a Saturday Night Fever moment.

And, no, I have no idea so don’t ask

Maureen and Julian look like a pair of shady criminals here…

And finally, it’s time to say goodnight…

Thank you Maureen

I am so homesick right now. Just want to go home and see my kids.

My eldest daughters, Louise and Lisa have never been mentioned on my blog. They are so grown up people (can’t tell their age or they will kill me). But needless to say, they’re still my babies.

Kids never grow up – actually – check inside yourself

Just like Dad!!!

I’ve been speaking at SES for a very long time now. And the New York show has always been a favourite (but they’re all great, of course). But this year was soooo different. First off, I walked to the event because I live about ten minutes away from the Hilton. And second… I didn’t get to pack a suitcase and go home to the UK. I’m so used to that ritual after the New York show. BooHoo! I miss my pub in the UK and it’s going to be a loooooong time before I can get back.

Anyhoo… Chin up and think of the fun lifestyle you have in New York, Grehan!

So, I moderated a few sessions. Didn’t do any panels this time.

My favourite session was the “SEO Where To Next” panel I moderated. Maybe that’s because I invented the session But it was very lively and lots and lots of great feedback. I shall be using my considerable influence to ensure that we have it again in San Jose. I think my pal Andrew Goodman is too far into his agenda to squeeze it in for the Toronto show.

Our booth was very nice again.

A little orange, with some orange effects and a little extra orange on the side.

My job on the booth is always a difficult one… As you can see

Our brave and fearless leader, Acronym CEO, Anton Konikoff supported the troops, as usual. Here he is with Global Account Director, Stephanie Hart.

Always nice to catch up with friends and colleagues at SES. And here’s my dear sweet friend Amy Labroo arriving at the booth with essential requirements… Yes, she brought the Merlot

OK got start cranking up for my annual pilgrimage to SES, Toronto.

But you west coast folks, don’t forget the fabulous eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit May 4-7 in San Jose this year. See you there!

Well, after a very long time, my old newsletter e-marketing-news has finally been revived. It has a brand new name, a brand new look and brand new content!

God bless all who sail in her!

Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/dzqxyx

Last Thursday I quickly moved all of my stuff from my old apartment in the west village to my new apartment on the upper west side in New York… And then headed straight to the airport.

I’m back in the UK for a short stay to take in my tenth wedding anniversary, my 108th birthday and SES, London.

So, I got into the UK Friday afternoon, tipped the suitcase out… And then packed it again to head off to Paris next day.

My little surprise for Tatiana was a weekend at the very swanky Ritz Hotel. And what a fabulous, fabulous location it is for a celebration. It’s only a short 90 minute flight from Newcastle to Paris, so we arrived just in time for lunch. After checking in, we settled into the Bar Vendome for a burger and a glass of pink shampoo (or two… or three… or four…)

The Ritz, of course, has so many echoes of Princess Diana and that final, fatal night. However, respectfully, there’s not a picture nor any reference anywhere on show.

I have to say, I get around a bit, but this was such a great experience. It’s not a cheap weekend, that’s for sure. But every now and again you just have to push the boat out

To give an idea of some costs involved during our weekend:

Room per night = $900.00

Pink shampoo (per glass) = $30.00

Dom Perignon Shampoo per bottle = $350.00

Orange juice (per glass) = $15.00

Cocktails in Hemingway’s Bar (per glass) = $30.00

Cheeseburger = $50.00

Dinner = $580.00

Sunday Brunch (per person) = $155.00

Good hard shag at regular intervals = Absolutely free!

Grand Total: Worth every cent

Yes, yes, yes… It’s an absolute must. I have no real love for Paris. But this was a truly wonderful, luxurious experience. I recommend it to anybody and everybody!

Ten years ago, in 1999 this is us just after we got married.

And then ten years later…

Yes, the ravages of time will do their dirty work. But even though I’m 108 years old, there’s always the same thing thing on my mind every morning… What kind of fun can I get up to next????

It was like scene from Diehard 1 – Rhea Drysdale comes to the Empire State Building, commandeers my office and takes over the building.

At one point, I had to do a Bruce Willis and strip to my undershirt, trousers and bare feet, then scale the outside of the building to get back into my office.

Only to find that, Ms Drysdale was taking orders from the evil Rae Hoffman!

OK – I could possibly have made that up entirely…

On their way to Long Island for a little jolly, Lisa, Rhea and Pat dropped into my office for tea and scones… And then Rhea threw me out and locked the door

Great to see you guys. And please, drop by anytime!!

Oh, and Rae, you’re always welcome too