A busy week…at home!\u00a0 That’s right — I turned down every invitation this week (except a very limited few) and loved every minute of it.\u00a0 I made progress on my book.\u00a0 I worked out.\u00a0 I didn’t drink.\u00a0 I pitched places.\u00a0 I might have possibly come up with a secret burger celebrating the UAE astronaut Hazzaa.\u00a0 Overall, I probably went a bit too far on the side of introversion, but that’s okay.\u00a0 As I said to someone on a call this week, my approach to the busy season<\/a> in Dubai right now is ‘mercenary.’\u00a0 I’m making choices fully motivated by a) is it paid? and b) what is the networking like?\u00a0 I feel fortunate to be at a point where I have invitations if I need them, but in evolving what I’m doing (copywriting\/looking beyond Dubai), there can’t be time for everyone.<\/p>\n This weekend sees us brunching at Boca (it’s been too long!) and looking for our new place for next year.\u00a0 Next week sees me presenting at the Travel Tech conference (as well as moderating a panel), I’ll also be interviewing and moderating at the Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars conference, on the radio, and of course, volunteering at K9 Friends.\u00a0 And somehow, I’m running a 5K next Friday.\u00a0 Busy times!!!<\/p>\n What are you up to this week?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A busy week…at home!\u00a0 That’s right — I turned down every invitation this week (except a very limited few) and loved every minute of it.\u00a0 I made progress on my book.\u00a0 I worked out.\u00a0 I didn’t drink.\u00a0 I pitched places.\u00a0 I might have possibly come up with a secret burger celebrating the UAE astronaut Hazzaa.\u00a0 Overall, I probably went a bit too far on the side of introversion, but that’s okay.\u00a0 As I said to someone on a call this week, my approach to the busy season in Dubai right now is ‘mercenary.’\u00a0 I’m making choices fully motivated by a) is it paid? and b) what is the networking like?\u00a0 I feel fortunate to be at a point where I have invitations if I need them, but in evolving what I’m doing (copywriting\/looking beyond Dubai), there can’t be time for everyone. Are your swizzle sticks worth something? As a window…<\/p>\n\n