Party Week

This last weekend was the start of Northwestern Mutual's annual meeting which meant we have been focused on that for the last five days.  We have had one or two dinners/receptions to attend every night since Friday and so we are feeling like we ate too much, exercised too little, and - at least for me - talked way too much.  But it was a nice several days meeting new people from the field sales force along with people that Jo works with everyday at the home office.  Although, it is a struggle to remember that many new names and faces by the time I will see them again next year.  But it was another chance for me to understand a little bit more about what Jo's company does and how it works.

The annual meeting included the usual zoo party on Sunday where they have the zoo after-hours so it is a nice opportunity to see the zoo with few crowds and enjoy Sprecher Root Beer floats - I managed 1.5 this year only because Jo made me share the first one with her.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous for the party (especially compared to last year's torrential downpours) and it was very enjoyable listening to some local bands after seeing the animals.  We did stop by the new exhibit with stingrays that you can touch.  One interesting question for my readers - why do the stingrays circle their pool always in a counter clockwise direction?  The guide by the stingray pool didn't know - anyone else know?

Monday was the big opening session which is held in the Bradley Center which gives you some idea of the size and scope of this meeting.  And yesterday after our dinner with the top field agents we enjoyed a concert by the band "fun." with Kathy (Jo's sister), Drew and Amy. Great concert but I only knew about 4 of their songs, which I suppose shouldn't be a big surprise knowing my musical inclinations.  Needless to say Jo is exhausted after these last five days since while I least got some down time during the days she had meetings to attend before trekking out to our list of dinners and receptions.  We'll take it easy for the rest of the week and try to return our diet to a more appropriate level of calories.

The last picture is to show that we can dress up now and then along with showing the massive hole where Northwestern tore down one of the office buildings they had prior to erecting a brand new 30 plus story building.  Jo's group is in charge of this so she is privy to all the thousands of decisions that are needed to build a new office tower.