Ultimate Fights and Ultimate Plans Last Friday I was in Vegas for UFC 40. It was the best UFC event I've ever seen. The MGM Grand was sold out and the fans were really into. Even during the prelim matches the arena was around 80 percent full. All the matches, save one (the Matt Hughes match was a tad duller than the others), were exciting and conclusive. Best of all, my two favorite fighters -- Carlos Newton and Chuck Lidell -- won their matches. It's cool watching how much the sport has grown. I remember watching tapes of the first UFC in 1993; watching the sport progress has been fun since I've been a fan from the start. This was the smoothest and most successful event the organization has thrown. Perhaps it's a turning point as it seems to be becoming more mainstream. Over the weekend I chatted a bit with two EICs of two print magazines. It's interesting throwing around ideas and getting feedback. One of them told me that he thought I was frustrated because in print you can change things and see them through in the next issues; you basically need someone to design and someone to write. With online you need designers, programmers, quality assurance, and writers; the process can take months. So even though the Internet can be more dynamic, there's a layer of complexity that I'm struggling with. Oh well, I'm throwing around lots of ideas with Jon and should have a pitch for my CEO to peruse soon. I hope he goes for it.

Feeling Minnesota I'm in the Red Carpet Club at O'Hare Airport. I just spent a wonderfully lazy weekend with Kate and Justin. It was ridiculously cold in Minnesota, but the weekend really warmed my heart. It was so nice just to chill out with two people I love very much. We ate lots, saw a movie, and spent lots of time in the hot tub, pool, and sauna. It was really relaxing and I didn't think about work, impossible romances, insensitive women, etc. This week should be relatively stress free. I'm in Edmonton Monday to Wednesday afternoon. Thursday night I leave to Vegas. So that's only a day and a half in the office. That shouldn't be enough time to make me want to smack anyone. Oh, the coolest part about the Red Carpet Club in Chicago is that it has a smoking lounge. This place rocks.... Hmmmm, I want a cigarette.

Road Tripping I'm in San Francisco again. I'm here at the lovely W Hotel. The bed is so comfy...too bad I only got to use it for three hours last night. That's right, my life of ridiculous travel and work continues! Thankfully, I'm in a much better mood than last week. I recently had a long talk with...an amazing person. Somehow, she makes all my worries go away and makes everything feel better. Her timing couldn't have been better. I love her. Last night I hung out with Jarik. I saw him briefly at E3 this year, but aside from that I don't think I've seen him since '99. He's back in the biz and it's great that he's back -- he's one of the nicest people I've ever met. Of course no San Francisco trip would be complete without a pilgrimage to Farley's. Tobie was working. I forgot how beautiful she is. I wish that could have been different. I finally hired another editor for my staff. He won't start until the end of November. It will be SO nice to have more help. In the next two weeks I'll be hitting up Seattle, Minnesota, Edmonton, and Las Vegas. I better get some work done so I can enjoy the trips.