Alan Wizemann
Social Commerce Thought Leader, Internet Technologist, Innovator and Entrepreneur

Seeing my first bullfight was something I never thought would happen. The spectacle that builds to the actual fight was impressive to say the least. There was an honor in the presentation, with both ritual and traditions combined into a sport. The matadors are as bold and brazen as you would imagine, pleasing the crowd with flair and costume in a deadly pattern. The bull doesn’t know why he is there and the confusion of his expression adds to the crowds anticipation of the drama about to unfold. Two spears in and the blindfolded horses hold their executioners with pride and courage, other matadors stick the bull with barbs, tasseled with colorful flags while the main matador prepares. Continue reading “San Fermin Festival, Pamplona Spain – Bull Fight Finale” »

When traveling to a beach town, having paid an additional fee for a beach view, the last thing you want is a typhoon class storm blowing horizontal rain and 50º winds. Welcome to our first day in San Sebastian. Although the view was still impressive, looking out on the crescent shaped beach encircled with old walls that used to protect the city pointing to the large religious statue on the highest hill (assuming Saint Sebastian) it would be better in the sun. So, in the WIzemann way we found a bar. Continue reading “San Sebastian… Rain or Shine” »

If you know me by now, you know I race cars as a hobby / sport. I have been racing now for 4 years and plan to until I can’t anymore. Through the years of racing you come to an understanding that there are some quotes, people and situations that are distinctly “racing”. One of my favorites and most popular situations (I say situations because its a person, movie, event and a quote all rolled into one) is Steve McQueen in LeMans. Continue reading “Serendipity… Biarritz Hotel 7b” »

Ending the jet lagged, at the end of my rope, holding back a rant on annoyances first day in France we managed to get everything work related out of the way and ended up at a great street-side Brasserie for dinner. After enjoying a great meal we realized there was a old, faded painting of a cat over the side of the bar, under the normal sign for toilets / water closets. Scanning down, a very large cat was drinking or eating something at the bar. After observing his actions for about 15 minutes, it became quite apparent that the bar tender was serving him Champagne and the patrons were giving him everything from salmon to duck for dinner. Continue reading “The happiest cat in France…” »

Sitting in an airport waiting for the second leg of a flight to Paris after flying 10 hours to Amsterdam when it should be 11 pm but it’s 9 am is a challenge. My wife and I thought we would up the game with several glasses of red wine on the flight and a few crying kids made it pretty clear that sleep wasn’t an option. Continue reading “Jet. Lagged.” »

Sarah and I (with the help of diligent and awesome friends watching out for our house and animals) are about to take another European adventure. This time, we won’t be trying to cram in 16 cities throughout France and Italy like we did last year but we will try to see the bulls. Continue reading “About a week to Pamplona and the bulls…” »

One of my wife and I’s favorite things to do is a vacation within a vacation. An “incep-cation” if you will where you go deeper into relaxation. The goal of these is usually to find a great hotel that we couldn’t afford to stay at through our entire vacation and just stay there one or two nights (if we are lucky). Continue reading “At peace in Hana…” »