One more margarita? Maybe a mojito?

Chillin' at the Columbia, a restaurant specializing in its namesake, after a full day of classes, discussion and all-too-honest self-examination (See more photos from Poynter and Florida below). Nothing like a bunch of journalism nuts and a few extra drinks for a fun night out ...

Poynter wrap up

On the last day of the Poynter seminar we presented each other with diplomas. Here are some photos from that afternoon of fellow students and teachers. To those of you from the seminar who are reading this ... I had a great week and I hope our paths cross again.

Sunshine, shuffleboard and sealife

A couple of weeks ago I went to Florida for a (fabulous) conference at the Poynter Institute. Given the long journey and the exotic destination, I took a couple of extra days to explore St. Petersburg and soak in some rays. Jill and Chad, my gracious www.coachsurfing.com hosts, not only let me stay with them for a couple of nights, but also took me to the beach, taught me how to play shuffleboard and pointed the way to delicious Cuban, Southern and Mexican food.

Not pictured below: my encounter with dolphins. I was out running along the coast as the sun was setting ... when out of the corner of my eye I saw a fin bob out of the wake. I screeched to a halt, walked to the water's edge and then spent the next several minutes watching a couple of dolphins swim around only a stone throw away. In my fit of excitement, I promised myself to never again make fun of tourists who work themselves into a frenzy over a moose.

Day one in the sun

At the docks

The St. Petersburg skyline

The waterfront

Picturesque

Green galore

Silky sand

Jill and Chad

A bench in the courtyard of the Poynter Institute

Pretty bird