154. Zip Zoom Vroom

Now all we have to do is sell the '74 BMW.

Welcome our new baby. I'm pretty psyched. We both are, because now no matter which car is ready to pull out of the driveway is OK to go to work in and no fighting for the car that actually works. And I got the exact colour combo I wanted :-)

The Prius and Mini seem like the perfect combo for our needs. Didn't I say that a few months ago?

I won't say it.

But I'll write it: I was right. And that's the truth.

153. Orange is cool

Today is national orange day...my birthday!

At 5:30a I got my first present--my mac back from the shop. Ross had picked it up. And as my special treat he had purchased an orange case for it, so now it looks like an orange laptop instead of a white one. It is the coolest thing EVER.

Except for possibly the ginger-whipped cream-filled pumpkin cupcakes with chocolate icing they had at work today. One of my teammates runs a desert club and he baked these himself. I had two, because...it was my birthday.

Later, we went to the Christmas wonderland in San Jose and got crepes on the street followed by Mexican Hot Chocolate while we walked to my surprise outing which was a play that was absolutely HILARIOUS! We were right in front row center in a small theatre. It was a two-man show where each man played several zany characters living in a place called Tuna, Texas. They did such an amazing job!

I didn't even forget my lunch or my underwear. And I got to eat lunch outside (how many of you can say that in December?). All in all, it was a pretty good day.

152. Day Four and Back for More

At eBay, all the buildings are named after categories on the site. I work in the Toys building. This is our ground floor elevator, surrounded with blocks. We also have water-gun and pogo stick collections mounted in the hallways, and conference rooms named play-doh and hot wheels. Fun stuff.

151. Getting from Point A to Point B

Tonight I took my last drive in my BMW. Many of you have born hours of discussion about Evil Tra and the love of this car. I have spent hours wishing I didn't care. After all, it is just a way to get from Point A to Point B.

Never in my life did I think I could own a BMW. Certainly it was not the kind of thing I ever thought about, really. I just figured that was for really rich, successful people. Anyway, it didn't matter. It was just a way to get from Point A to Point B.

When I was young, on Sundays my father would take me to church and on the way home, we would stop at the car dealership. No pressure when they are closed, and he would look in the windows of all the shiny new cars. He just dreamed about those shiny new cars. He was from the age of real cars--back in the 50s and 60s when they all looked different and were recognizable. He could name any car you saw on the road.

My dad always waxed poetic about Cadillacs and Lincolns. But he always sang this song about a Mercedes Benz, "Oh Lord" he would sort of screech out, oblivious to the extent of his tone-deafness, "won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?" My dad loved cars.

I have worked hard and was gifted with reasonable amounts of intelligence and good luck. Some would call me rich. I know I am blessed. I managed to get myself free from credit card debt, from school loans. I bought property before I thought I could. I had a great husband, a great job, and a lovely house in the suburbs on a tree-lined street near two big lakes! But it was the car--when we got the BMW I felt like it was the one thing that made me feel like, "Hey, I made it." And I couldn't wait to tell my dad. I figured he would understand, and maybe even be a little proud. I had moved from Point A to Point B.

It was the day after my birthday when we got it, and we went straight from the dealership to Chicago with dear friends having a grand old time and a sleepover complete with a good brunch and lots of discussions. When my mom called we didn't hear the phone. It was the worst kind of message she left, and by that afternoon it was too late to tell my dad. I needed to get home, and all I could think about was getting from Point A to Point B.

I know it is not having a BMW that is my problem. It's THIS BMW. It's the car that made me feel successful and grown up. I've been waiting to tell my dad.

But I tell you what: for well over 30 years, my dad kept a little log in the car so he could track his MPG. I think he'd be tickled by the Prius too. However, I have to say I'm sure God offered him the Mercedes and he negotiated for the Caddy. And he's moving on, unfettered by earthy pursuits and comforted by the knowledge that he empowered people, and he was loved. Because after all, on this open road all that matters is the JOURNEY from Point A to Point B.

150. Day Two - Docs out the Wazoo

Day Two was long and I am in a sea of acronyms and strange stuff that I suppose any new person deals with. Everyone is great so far. And I have this MASS of documents to review already - my emails are flying in at break neck (break eyeball?) pace, and I'm not sure whether I'll catch up or not...

Tonight went to the BayCHI (That's the Bay area Computer Human Interaction) meeting which was all about Mass Interpersonal Persuasion and Facebook -- truly fascinating with BJ Fogg, an (the?) industry leader in persuasive technology, his co-teacher, and their students presenting their research projects.

I have to say: search facebook.com applications for "save the rainforest". For every 6 words you get right, you will save 1 foot of rainforest. It's a game that helps you learn vocab AND helps secure monies for the rain forest. This was developed by some students at Stanford...and was a highlight of the presentation tonight.

Ah, work.

149. First Day of School

Got the jitters like it was anyway... Ross wanted to take this photo of me on my way out the door.  It was the first day. What can I say? Lots to learn. Lots to do. And I got a cartoon Vespa on my badge. 

148. Oh Christmas Tree

Walked the "Grand Fir" home from around the corner. I was basically the seeing-eye-person for this walking tree.

And the house smells like Holiday now, and memory, and family, and Santa.

147. And then there were three

Well, we're Californians now -- and you can tell because...

We have a Prius.  

I have to say, I went into the whole thing figuring that it was purely intellectual decision -- with no visceral attraction to the car. I was won over by the smart interior design.

I may drive my BMW to my first day of work, just to savour it's bimmer-ness, but then she gets handed over to our buyer who came through at the last minute before we had to trade her in. 

Next up...the sale of the tragedy that is the 2002tii and the purchase of a used mini or some kind of electric car or the smart car... And we'll be fully revolutionized and living in the 21st century (you know, like, with cars that start).

146. A Googley Christmas

The theme of this year's holiday part was SpaceTime. There were three tents that were larger than your college graduation tent, no matter where you went to school. There were all manner of food, just like at the summer family picnic -- Spanish tapas, Indian samosa-inspiread, Chinese dumpling-inspired, potatoes...who let the Irish in?  Loud music, rides, and the Jetsons. What can I say?  There's just nothing like being part of it, I suppose.

And here we are. Space Station Google. Happy Holidays!

145. It's Shake-n-Bake and I helped!

OK it wasn't shake-n-bake, actually. Most of you will appreciate that I cooked three courses all by myself tonight! From scratch!

1. Salad of spring greens with avocado, onion & tomato.
2. Tamale pie from Moosewood cookbook.
3. Oranges with honey-orange sauce & slivered almonds.

Not too shabby! We had our neighbours over. And I think we're going to meet up every two weeks, and alternate whose house we cook at.

Now, that seems like a normal and settled kind of thing to do right?

PS If you don't remember that Shake-n-Bake commercial, I can't help it.

144. Floss

Dear fans, today I had my second dentist appointment in two weeks. Turns out I had cavities as well as a filling loosened and the same tooth cracked by my clenching my teeth (so really, for my health, people, don't stress me out!).

My dentist has scared the bejesus out of me. I have to say, I hadn't known really, exactly how this whole things works. And apparently I wasn't up to date on brushing techniques.

There is something you have heard before and if you're already on the bandwagon, good for you. If not: Floss. And also brush your teeth side to side, not up and down. It could save your heart, your baby, as well as your teeth and gums. Lordy. You don't want to have to get the full lecture with photos. Just do it.

143. Confirmed Disaster

for Tuesday 4 December


It's hard to say, "I told you so," when the person you told calls you up and says, "you can say, 'I told you so' because you told me so." It just kills all the joy of out it.

By the title and the first paragraph, you can tell things are going well with Ross's classic. Apparently the condition of the mechanics was slightly mis-represented, if not truly and neglectfully mis-represented. He took it to the shop where they fixed the starting problem but recommended that in order to function properly he lob another 5K toward the thing. And that's in addition to the dough he was already planning on shelling out for the new interior.

There is nothing worse than just having this whole situation plod on and on and on ad infinitum. We are still in (can you say 'back to square one') discussions about what the next steps are, but one of them will be selling this car in late winter or spring. I'm not anti-bmw2002tii at all. I'm really not. But I am anti-strange guy that I just know hasn't taken proper care of his car. There is no test for that. There is no equation. No logical explanation. But when you get the ditch-this-guy feeling...well, you should listen. And I told him so.

142. By the Grace of God

Someone has been calling the house every morning at 7am. They call and then they aren't there when I answer. Today, there was a call at 6:45a which was particularly annoying because I had tears streaming down my face because Philo had been missing for 24 hours.

When we decided over a year ago to let Philo be an outdoor/indoor cat, the funny thing was, we never got the courage to let him out. Too many dangers in the people world. But he longs to be free, to roam, to chase, and to do whatever it is that felines do beneath all the bushes and along all the fence-rows. In an effort to satiate his curiosity and expend his energy (read: detract him from busting up ever more of my stuff), we decided we'd go ahead and let him out.

Armed with an orange safety collar and nametag, and some flea meds, he quickly warmed up and set off about his adventure on Saturday and stayed out for three or four hours before returning home. Actually, he returned home three times, but just wouldn't stop playing.

Sunday morning, he was begging me to go out, and out of respect for Sunday-Morning-The-Way-You-Like-It (which is how I live MY Sunday mornings), I obliged. Off like a bullet he went.

He stayed away all morning, all afternoon, all evening, and by then we started getting worried. There are some busy streets and a train nearby--all hazards we'd considered before, but in the silence of a Philo-free home, the danger in our minds mounted and we were sad. We cried. We hoped that at feeding time he'd come home. He didn't. We checked outside about every hour last night with very little sleep and very, very heavy hearts.

So at 6:45a the phone rings. Cheeks wet and stomach in knots, I answer. Nothing at first. Same damn 7am caller! But suddenly then a woman says, "I have a cat here named Philo." I was so overjoyed! It was one of the sisters at the convent next door. He had apparently been roaming their grounds and fell into one of their window wells. Sometime in the middle of the night one of the nuns was awakened by none other than the very screams that wake us each night--for once his big mouth was useful.

And so it was that we lost our cat, and the Holy Sisters returned him. We have our baby back--thank God and Philo's big mouth.

141. Return of the blog (i'm a blob)

It's been 3.5 weeks since my last blog. Loads has happened. Here are some high(and low)lights:

* Surprised Ross with a trip to Vegas where we saw Penn & Teller, hiked in the Ring of Fire State Park, and played with slot machines, particularly a Frog Prince-themed one we liked for some reason.
* Hit RDU for my last trip to GSK which was bittersweet.
* Worked till the last minute (what!?), drank too many calories all week celebrating with friends, and had a nice big dinner party at Kath's on my last day.
* spent the day with Mom in Dulles before heading north.
* Saw Kristin & Luke & Jordan, and Kendra, Charles, Hannah, Alex & Owen up in VT where the time went too quickly and the weather was tres froid. Bought two treasures at Grannis Gallery -- yippee kayay. Some people gamble, I go goo-goo for gold.
* Did this dance with Ross where we had a car, didn't have a car, we had to have a car, then the car got sold from under us. So that car we said was ours isn't. But then he did buy one on eBay (which made me happy). We are still struggling to get it fixed up.
* Now we're selling my car, which was practically sold and then started making a click sound WHILE OUR CUSTOMER WAS TEST-DRIVING! What is up with our car karma??? Anyway, off to the shop this week so that maybe we can sell it -- count down to my work starting...
* Went for massage, dentist, physical therapy, etc. all week last week and also tried to read books, get organized etc...a real quest.
* Got a haircut. It is disturbing when you get your hair cut in a place where neither the staff nor clientele is young or beautiful. Except for me of course :-) But my cool guy stylist did a great job.
* Chores. Lots of chores this weekend.
* Let the cat out. Been fighting with him 'cause he wants to go out. And because his alternative is knocking everything down from everywhere. But today he didn't come home yet. He's MIA. We are getting pretty darn worried. Some tears have been shed. Keep your fingers crossed for Philo to come home...instead of say, hanging out on the 101 under a gazillion tires.

117. Welcome our New Baby!

Ross and I are notoriously bad at making difficult decisions. In our work over the last decade, requirements definition is something we're both really good at--and we seem to have a talent for coming up with infinitely more complex requirements scenarios each time we face a life decision. But after much deliberation, we did decide what Ross will be driving to work - a 1970s BMW 2002.

So we returned to the garage tonight to check out his options. There were several 2002s that we drove (and I also insisted that we drive the 3.0 coupes too since I want that to be my car--very sweet ride). We kept poor Evan Esterman of BimmerBrothers.net there for quite a while as we debated and test drove a series of cars, and he shared the histories and intricate workings of each of them.

Alas! We will take this orange 1976 (what a good year!) 2002; it is perfect. All original, Cali car so sweet you could eat it up! So we pay the man and we'll get her sometime next week all fixed up and raring to go.

Strike that. Ross left his driver's license with Evan, so now has to go back and get it. So I get a call that he wants to take the green 1974 (the year Ross was born) 2002tii euro that's sitting right now in L.A. Ok, I say. (Good Grief).

So, welcome our new baby. But don't welcome it like you would an orange one, welcome it like the green-haired, one-european-owner step-child with perfect maintenance records that it is. Ross's new green driving machine.

115. It's Official

About a week and a half ago, I resigned from HFI. That was pretty scary. I've been there most of the last 8 years (took a brief stint off to hike on the AT and another stint when I was at IDX), and it's been a great run. I love consulting. I am close with my colleagues. I love my independence and working in my PJs.

But, the time has come to forge a new path for myself elsewhere. And I'm going off to ebay -- I signed the paperwork today. So it's official. I'm joining a cube-farm, becoming a commuter, and we're a really dorky silicon valley family now.

114. Leggo my... Mini

I'll spare the crowd the gorey details but I'd decided to get a mini cooper--used, reasonable miles--for my commuter car. Yesterday we went to see one, a good deal. There were still two others we were hoping to look at that were comparable. Today, the guy calls and asks do we want it b/c he has other folks interested but he felt committed to us. When Ross called and asked if he was flexible on price, he simply said, "It's OK. I am then going to sell to the people who are here with the money." Ross tried to offer the asking price, but it was "Sorry, it's OK. I am going to sell it to them."

When we went to look at the next one, it was really not in as good of shape, and I walked away. I was so disappointed tho...because I really wanted to get this settled. Somebody is out there driving my mini. Darn them!

So do I take the $5K 1993 Saab? I only ever cared about one other car besides my BMW 325 - and that was my 1990 Saab turbo--that was a great car!

113. City Outing

Sunday brunch in the Castro...

We hit one of the recommended restaurants in the special food book Erin & Bryan gave us--Chow in the Castro.

I had the special: it was benedict-inspired, but rather than bacon, it had spinach & potato gnocchi--fried, with the spinach, muffin, and poached egg, and tarragon in the hollandaise...It was DREAMY!!

After that, we took advantage on this exceptionally sunny, warm day for November in SF. Very enjoyable--I even found jeans! The day could only be better if I'd ended up with several extra hours to read books.

112. Scones & Devonshire Clotted Cream

For Saturday 3 Nov

This is just news unto itself: I baked. If you know me pretty well, you'll find this a little shocking. I was inspired to do it. My scones were golden and delicious. It was quite fun. I'll have to do this more often. (Except...maybe I will have to find things that you bake that take calories OFF instead of add them ON).

100!

It doesn't seem possible that we could have been here 100 days. I suppose technically we have only been gone from Chicago for 100 days and here for 97 or something...

We celebrated by going out to Redwood City to this little mexican place with a romantic patio lit by those great patio lights I like so much. We'd been eying it for weeks.

What we didn't do for our 100th day anniversary was go to see Matchbox 20. They were on site at the googleplex today, if you can believe it. And we couldn't go. Why? Because Ross had a damn meeting--what kind of travesty is that? WORK?! Ross had to WORK!?!

100 days and only 2-3 have been rainy. We are settled in and loving the perks of living in the sunshine state: farmer's market, pomegranates, dates, walking to everything, etc. My pink tub has become my beloved tub. And I enjoy the hummingbird who visits outside my office window each morning.

No regrets. (please visit!)

97-99 Bunny Ears

We walk to town a lot for stuff when we can. Yesterday we went in for a craft fair, and today again for the market. And you all know how I just love this whole commuting without the car thing.

But my shoes are always coming untied. And Ross is always making fun of me. He gave me some advice about wrapping something twice and I thought I'd try it, but it didn't really translate to how I tie my shoes.

During our last walk as I tied my shoes for the millionth time, he started to give that same advice again when he stopped mid-sentence to exclaim accusingly, "YOU STILL TIE BUNNY EARS?!?!"

So this is my confession. I tie bunny ears. I had a mom who tied the grown-up way and a dad who tied bunny ears. I tie bunny ears. I never learned the other way. I've tried now that I'm grown up to tie that other way but it always ends up floppy and loose and awkward. I don't think there is anything fundamentally wrong with bunny ears, although it is starting to seem like they just don't work with these particular laces. Since it's been 35 years, I think I'll just get different shoes (maybe some slip-ons?) rather than re-learn. But let's hope my kid gets the grown-up-shoe-tying gene.

93-96 Swamped

What can I say but welcome home? My team has a big part of our project starting on Monday and we're trying to get ready. Life has been sun-almost-up to sundown at the laptop.

But I did go to dinner at a place in Redwood City called Maldoun on Tuesday with an old college friend. We shared a smoked salmon, some beets, and -- the adventurous choice -- sardines. Everything was presented most elegantly. The sardines were...not for me :-)

Other than that it's cheese & peanut butter.

92. Reunited...

For Sunday 14 Oct

...and it feels so...overwhelming!

When I left for vacation I decided to go sans laptop. I felt I needed some time away. I needed some analog interactions with the world. I left for the airport with a book and a journal.

In the first hours, I was veritably anxious. In the security line, though clearly it was EASIER to get on without the unloading of at least one if not two laptops, I just kept feeling I was missing something. I felt uneasy.

In the next phase, on the flight, I was reading and was getting agitated every time a question or reference came up, because I wasn't sure how I'd look up the answer or connect to the details. What was I supposed to do--write it down and remember to look later? in FOUR DAYS!?

That night, I was having phantom pains of my laptop. Could I really sleep without checking email or surfing for the answers to that day's questions?

Day 2 I woke and was busy from the start: breakfast with the ladies and then getting ready for competition. But between heavy foundation and dark eye-shadow there was a break...I couldn't help it: I decided to try the TV Email. Then another rush of folk for the eyeshadow. Then only 15 minutes for email. When I got in, it was $12.99 so I bailed. Restrained. Deep breath and I figured it was for the best.

Day 5 and I'm on the way home. Totally relaxed and doing just fine in analog life. Having a nice conversation with the gentleman on the plane, attending a block party in the neighbourhood, having a nice dinner out with our new neighbour friends Sapna and Pankaj. And then it hits. What is waiting for me in the inbox? What will I have to do? How will I keep up?

And I'm back online.

88-91 Sweet Harmony

For 10-13 October

Dear Friends, one of the reasons I was working so hard pre-10 Oct is so that I could fly on up to Calgary to be with my mom (the one with white hair at left) who was competing in the Sweet Adeline's International competition with her Region 14 champion chorus, Potomac Harmony.

Choruses and quartets competed for the international championship over four solid days of entertaining competition in four-part barbershop harmony. What a blast it was!

Glitter, sequins, heavy theatrical makeup, all-in-one girdle affairs that keep your...affairs...tightly wound under the costume--all trademark Sweet Adeline fare. But the singular most amazing thing about the Sweet Adelines is the Sweet Harmony--not just in their music but in their hearts. These women are sisters in song and will welcome you into their circle in an instant, surrounding you with literal and musical hugs.

The average age of a Sweet Adeline is reputedly about 58, but can I just say I got no sleep? These wild women kept me busy and awake. What a production! What a party! They sang for four days and were fine. I sang for four hours at the back of a karaoke bar and I lost my voice!

Having lost my voice and stayed up all night Friday night, we went to music education class on Saturday morning where one of the best directors gave a really engaging and interactive class, but I couldn't sing--and that made me cry. There is simply nothing like singing along! Later that night after the final dinner, everyone got in a circle and just started singing because...well, that is what you DO if you're a Sweet Adeline! And there I was, once again surrounded by that special sound, chords ringing through my body, music lifting me up.

Congratulations, PHC! You ROCK! Thanks so much for lifting us up!

Join & Make Music! www.sweetadelineintl.org
Check out PHC! www.potomacharmony.orghat a party! They sang for four days and were fine. I sang for four hours at the back of a karaoke bar and I lost my voice!

84-87 Missing

For 6-9 Oct

I don't know, really.
Work was busy.

I chased dates. Yes, the lovely fruit kind. I'm so in love with them, I wanted them so desperately, that we went to two farmer's markets. But the date lady was missing.
And I got one of the best burritos in the area, over in Mountain View in a strange little store; you had to walk through the oddly empty store area to get to the burrito line. It was a wait, but well worth it.

And oh yeah, the Blue Angels. Death-defying show!

83. Into the Wild

While I highly recommend this movie, some things are just sad--sad enough to pull a bubble of grief up from somewhere you thought neatly tucked away. The movie was good on its own, sad on its own. Triumphant too, for the human spirit. It will stay with me a while. I am deeply touched by the story itself, by the story of a man who heals himself through his communion with nature. I know this is a place I go, like my father before me for solace, for inspiration, for the proof we need that faith is not undeserved. The characters he meets on his journey remind me of a million oddballs my father mentioned from New York to Nashville--stories I can't hear again.

In one scene, the soundtrack pulls up Roger Miller's "King of the Road." Like the smell of paste conjures up a kindergarten sweetheart, a song can bring on a tidal wave of another time's magic dust. This song brought a kaleidescope of memories: the million times my dad sang this song in the car or in the workshop--badly out of tune but with incredible enthusiasm. I hadn't realized fond memories might force out a current of tears.

If the movie was about a man who felt he was alone, it's resolution was his recognition that he was loved and that happiness must be shared. Grief is more private, but it is healed through sharing.

There is wilderness. But there is no "alone". This blog's for you, Pop, out there in the Wild.

82. Happy Anniversary

to me...

Four Years have flown by (actual wedding dance photo above). Of course, when I arrived home last night it was past midnight so I beat Ross to the "Happy Anniversary" punch by wishing him well and leaving a card in the bathroom where he'd find it first thing.

This morning when I arose, he made me tea and "egg in a hole" because he always used to do that for me in the early days. AND I got presents. I was wondering what object under 3K he could give that might excite me, but he nailed it. Year 4 is Linen & Silk. He got me a silk throw for the living room. PERFECT and oh-so-thoughtful. The Bamboo PJs were just such too much.

My surprise is yet to come. Theatre tickets to "Triumph of Love" and am hoping to hit a highly rated Ethiopian place beforehand.

Bottom line: No regrets. How could I ever ask for more?

79-81. Smelly

Monday-Wednesday 1-3 October

I love travel. I like to see new (and old) places, connect with people, etc. This week, traveling for business was fairly good. I worked all day on the plane Monday till my battery died, at which point I caught up on some business reading. There was an interesting twist to my business travel this week--Ross went too. Ross's work was recruiting at Duke's Fuqua School of Business and he went to do meetings and an information session. So we stayed together.

And I'm sorry to report I stayed in a place I don't normally stay. And our room smelled like a third-world market--all B.O. It was horrid. Two nights of B.O. What else can I say?

As I found my seat on the 5+hour flight home (all this after a war-room session at work and a flight from RDU to IAD), I found a pocket of some of the most raunchy B.O. ever. In my row. I guess it was the guy next to me. Thankfully there was no one in the middle seat, but I spent a lot of the time trying to be "smooth" while I covered my nose and mouth with my sweater or put my hands to my nose hoping my perfume or hand cream would negate the impact of the intensely smelly smell that was someone's B.O.

The hazards of travel are sometimes hidden. Home is safe.

...or so I thought. Till I entered the front door, where I encountered the pungent fragrance of cat poo. The litter box happens to be in the foyer corner and low and behold, in that one instance it did not serve me one bit.

Entering the kitchen, I STILL smell remnants of fish odour from the ONE NIGHT we cooked fish OUTSIDE last weekend.

Does smell mean something? Because if so, I'm getting strong messages I cannot interpret.

78. Oh Viggo!

As it turns out there is one bad thing about Cali so far--the days are all so good that spending a lazy day makes me feel guilty as rot. But today we just laid around, packed for our business trips, and went to see "Eastern Promises" which was really good.

Of course, you know, it was an interesting movie. I won't give any of that away. The acting by Viggo was great. Maybe everyone else did OK too.

But what I really want to say is...well, I can't say what I REALLY want to say. So I'll say this: Viggo is hot. Even as a tattooed tough-guy with funny mobster hair, Viggo is hot. And such a tremendous talent.

That is all I have to say about that.

77. Cat Cat Cat

Today was a first for Cameron Trichel--he spent the afternoon in the presence of a CAT. Cameron was enamoured; he just kept saying, "Cat. Cat. Cat." with perfect little 'T' sounds. If the cat went away, he'd say, "Again!" If the cat went to the top of the cat tree, he'd say, "Down!" He chased after Philo round and round saying, "Pet. Pet." and "Cat. Cat." It was The Best. Not just because Cameron knows the word Cat and the meaning of Up, Down, and Pet, but because here you had someone who was truly amazed, totally uncertain, but still completely in love. If he was separated from his cat hunt, he was distraught, and with furrowed brow he would say, "Cat. Cat." in such a way that we could only understand him to be saying, "Oh no! Woe is me!"

We have all been so small.

As for Philo, I'm sure he felt a bit annoyed and tormented. Here was this uncontrollable and not-too-steady attacker. Smaller than his people, but larger than life just the same, always coming after him yelling repeatedly. So he would say to Cameron, in that endearing and very loud way that he has of asserting his presence and needs, "Mrrwauw!" To which Cameron would reply, "Meow."

It's hard to say whether they understood one another, but one thing is for certain--Cameron did not relent. It seems apparent that as one chases one's dreams, one could benefit from such a fresh perspective: to see obstacles as if never seen before, to chase happiness with such persistence as one would kick and scream if removed from the hunt. One's pursuit is not always easy; as one gets nearer the soft warm pet of one's soul, things move, change, collide, run...and sometimes screech and howl.

What the heart must do is to look things in the face, reach out, and roar back.

76. Pomegranate

For Friday 29 September

Juicy ripe pomegranates are just about to be in season. I had my first pomegranate eating experience ever and it was lovely. It tasted so fresh -- that slightly cranberry, slightly cherry, slighty who-knows-what-but-pomegranate taste. It's a bit awkward to eat and the seeds make a weird crunchy sensation in the midst of all the sweetness, but it was so wonderful.
I love California. Because I got my Pomegranate at the farmer's market; because the farmer gave me tips on how to eat it; because it is a little bit of sunshine in my mouth.

75. The Air Out There

California is great. It's fall and we're getting new flowers. These daisy-like creatures popped up, the lavender is still going, the hydrangeas, and we have other things that are just starting to flower that I can't name so can't tell you about.

It's been in the 80s the last few days and sunny, of course. And that helps me go out and ride my bike. I'm so out of shape, but it felt so good to take a break after 6 hours of work and just go for a ride in the sun.

74. You Can't Microwave Steel Cut Oats

Dear Readers, I know I suck; I know I have been absent. It's not that I haven't been thinking of you. I had many columns planned, such as my breakfast outing to Stacks, my new daisies, and my first mountain biking trip. But alas, it is too late to talk about those days gone by. Today - Super Oatmeal.

In my routine physical checkup, it came to light that my cholesterol is "great"; that is to say GREAT!! complete with multiple exclamation points and a smiley face from my doctor who personally sent my results via snail mail. While this was good news, it was also shocking considering my genetic predisposition to high cholesterol, other crappy heart stuff, near diabetic stuff, and--if I may admit without harassment--a genetic predisposition to the junk food. Anyway, turns out my GOOD Cholesterol is exceptionally HIGH! Higher than anyone else she's seen!

And pretty much, this is my only recent accomplishment, so I seek to take credit (albeit totally inexplicable and accidental). So I asked my Doc what might be the thing I am doing so right? She said it was probably genes. Since this seemed laughable, I asked Ross, "What is the thing I am doing so right?" And he said:

IT MUST BE THE SUPER OATMEAL

At which point I realized I hadn't even made super oatmeal in forever. So when mid-day rolled around and I was hankering for a hunk of snack, super oatmeal was on the menu. Problem is, last time Ross got me oatmeal, he got me steel cut instead of rolled. Now, the taste of super oatmeal is really awesome and I'm so glad I invented it, but the other super-ocity of super oatmeal is it's speed. I always microwave the oats, which means super oatmeal is ready in about 3.5 minutes (including commuting to the kitchen and all other prep time).

Steel cut oats will not be microwaved. They will not stand for it. I tried it. They were drowning in water. I put them in for a second round, and still...nothing but drowning little oats under a pool of bubbling water. And finally their foreman shouted out for the directions and for mercy. I sent them rolling down the drain only to put their cousins in the pot on the stove-top. This too was a bit of a disaster as boiling something, stirring it for 5 minutes then simmering it for 30 is a bit...much to ask of a distracted worker in mid-afternoon. I scraped what I could from the pot and made super oatmeal anyway, but...

Maybe tomorrow I'll get it right. Super Oatmeal is a thing of beauty.

65. Workin' Hard & Hardly Workin'

Today I worked 12 hour day, catching up, documenting, meeting, you know the drill. And Philo, as usual, when not screaming in the background to embarrass me in meetings was alternating between laying on my office bed, climbing to the top of my bed in the bedroom, or hanging out under a bush in the patio. Could this be a little more equitable? Can I teach him skills?

My cat does this: So we got him this: And all he does is this:

64. Home Sweet Home

For Sunday 16 September

Dear Readers,
Keeping up the blog while on the road was too tricky and I apologize. I had many an adventure including: L'il Dinos subs in Pinehurst NC, Ring and dress shopping and centerpiece planning with Lora, Bad-ass cupcakes for Marc's birthday, and starting a batch of sea-monkeys. I saw Darcy's new baby and Marla's big belly (baby inside). I ate more ice cream than I'd care to admit.

And I was so glad to get home. I got up early and watched Six Feet Under DVD that Ross hadn't been able to wait to see. We went for brunch at Hobee's in Palo Alto which is rated #2 for Breakfast/Brunch on the peninsula. I know, why not #1 for our reunion? Well, that's Stack's and we'd already been there! Hobee's had great food--I had a south of the border omelette complete with fresh salsa and guac, along with a blueberry coffee cake we couldn't finish, and the most delicious Iced-Tea I've had in a long time--orange cinnamon, all natural flavoured...

It's good to be home!

54. Bye Bye Tucson

Tucson's been good to me. Been deep in my project work. Been deep into working out again--and learning how to do strength training with bands instead of a gym. Been focusing on my health and am ready to keep going.

On to NC for Wedding Planning with Lora (yes, it's capitalized...) which will be fun if not a bit prickly, just like this cactus with it's tender flower.

51-53. Working in Tucson

When I work in Tuc with Kath, time morphs and there's no regular work day. The energy in AZ is inherently relaxing and nothing feels pressing (even when it is).

Friend Suzanne is here too and we've been working, eating, working, working out, eating. Today's breakfast & lunch (one meal...we're being starved!) was up at Gus Balon's, which was a real old time diner, such a treat.

It wouldn't have been complete without a car chick on the lincoln...

50. Marine Adventure-Life is so cool

After a leisurely Sunday morning, we headed out to Half Moon Bay where we managed to hit low tide. The seals floated and flipped out in the water while we explored the tide pools. Funny seaweed in the brightest greens, dark reds. Pink coral. Barnacles, muscles and hermit crabs. Patchworks of anemonies appeared on the rocks. And then we found huge blossom-like ones in green with light purple, and some that were closed up and looked like giant slugs. If you touch the petal-like bits, they catch you with suction.

The Sea Stars (Starfish) were a major highlight in red, orange and brown. Then...Helmut spotted something different, a sea star with 21 legs. It was blue and it was moving fast--and it was BIG. After we called a family with young children over to check out the sea star, we realized it was on the hunt. It chased down a regular old star fish and ate it right in front of us. We'd none of us seen anything like it, that beautiful blue monster--a Sunflower Starfish.

Sun set on a clear day, and it was gorgeous, complete with Seals laying out on the rocks just off shore. As Helmut said as we all sat in wonder looking at the sea creatures, "Life is so cool."

49. SAN FRANCISCO!

Golden Gate Park, The Japanese Tea Room, The Presidio, Dinner in the marina...

Helmut and Laura are up from L.A. and we're having a blast! Helmut grew up in the city and spent about four years in Menlo Park (about two blocks from where we live now), so he toured us around. We had a leisurely day, and it was a beauty in San Francisco--sunny and warm. We got great views of the city from high on the hill and had a lovely italian dinner in the Marina (Gnocchi with yellow and green zucchini, corn, romano cheese, and pea puree...DELISH!)

48. (Grate)Full Friday

Friday 31 August


Today was one of those busy days that aren't stressful busy but fulfilling and content busy. I started the day with a 6am meeting and a little work, then had an overdue chat with Kendra and did the house-cleaning.


I headed to a salon that was 4 miles away because, well, because it got the best reviews of anywhere near here on Yelp.com which is apparently THE place that we Bay Area folk go to find the scoop. I really didn't know any way to get there besides El Camino which is a very busy 3 & 4- lane thoroughfare with no bike lane. I was so nervous about the traffic and so worried about being late that I got there in 20 minutes. Which for someone who hasn't done anything in 1.5 years and who had to wait for several traffic lights is...amazing. The way home was much more peaceful. This photo was taken on a bridge between Menlo Park and Palo Alto. I managed to find a bike shop on the way home where I bought a map and got directions home. What a lovely ride!
Feeling that if I could make an 8-mile RT commute on my bike I could do ANYTHING, I started the bathroom decal project when I got home. For a pepto-pink bathroom, I'm really pretty pleased with how it's come out.


And with company arriving tomorrow, the house cleaned up real nice. We are officially all settled. All the art is hung, everything is put away save a few boxes of art supplies in the garage.
So, what better way to kick off a holiday weekend and the official end to the unpacking, than to meet up with friends for dinner. Gargi and Jason (Jason and Ross above) hosted us at their place and we kept them up WAY too late. It's so nice to have friends already here.

And so, I am full. I can think, work, be creative, connect with friends, do projects with the Fred, and ride my bicycle. How lucky am I?

47. My Bike, Ike.

Today, I commuted on my bike. So apparently I have become a Californian...and a biker! Which is what I wanted!

I am actually afraid of riding in traffic which is why this was significant. The commute was just one mile each way to the doctor here in Menlo Park, but it was so great! I felt so free not to be locked in my car, and out in the sun! So I had an embarrassing grease mark on my leg when I got there, so what?!

And if I'm going to bike, the bike needs a name...

46. Dinner anyone?

I worked 12 hours today so not much to report really. I walked to the post office to send Erin the book I finished, and I bought stamps. Do you guys realize it costs 80cents to mail a square envelope?

Ross brought home the grill today. After researching his head off. He had to take it out of the box to get it home in the sedan and then he put it together -- isn't he proud?

Me, I'm trying to start the bathroom decal project and realizing that is going to take HOURS.

Send me emails, eh?

45. What's in a Name?

Some people have a signature perfume. I may be adopting a signature wine. I've been off the drink (mostly) lately, but after a long day of work and dealing with the remnants of boxes, etc., when Ross pointed out this bottle of Redhead Red, I couldn't resist.

I'm having it out of my goddess goblet, for good juju. Fruity. Light-to-medium bodied. A little tanic twirl. Not embarrassing to serve to others. Yes, it just may have to be my signature wine. Redhead Red.

44. Productive

I have to love a day when I have to be in the office by 7a (tomorrow I have to start meetings at 6:30a). Yogurt & Granola, decaf, water and pretty consistent activity till 2:30p or so when my work day was "done" (I decided) and then I went off to find and sign up at the gym.

I followed the directions that I got on an un-named but today very aggrevating map service... to a residential neighbourhood I will never be able to afford. Obviously NOT the location of the East Palo Alto YMCA.

Then I walked up to the hardware store, got keys made and got a plug for the bathtub. And stopped at the bookstore. And finally rewarded myself with the ice cream I'd been craving. Hey, I TRIED to work out, didn't I?! I managed to save half my ice cream from melting and watched the last disc of Grey's Season 2--only one episode (are they trying to kill me?).

All in all, things are shaping up to normal here. But one word of advice: just get the full fat ice cream. The fake sans fat stuff is bad for you too and really, it just doesn't taste as good.

42. & 43 Stuff

Book boxes unpacked - check (complete with tears, complaining, and much struggle to find homes).
Office gear put away - check (let's hope we don't need that dresser for clothes or something crazy like that).
Water disaster created and survived - check, check (yeah, Ross doesn't really want to remember this so I don't have photos but as he was organizing the garage, the last screw of the last shelf to go up found its way into a water pipe...oops).
Dinner ordered from Su Hong's upon recommendation from friends - check (complete for two nights since we over-ordered!).
Complain about having too much stuff - check.
Discover some stuff was left behind at San mateo - check.
Go get the random stuff left in San Mateo - check.
Buy more stuff at BBB, Target, Ulta, and the pet store - check.
Kitchen and bathroom mopped - check.
First load of laundry done - check.

Best Weekend highlights:

• Fixed plumbing leak and went to bed...
• Rode the tandem bike to the farmer's market (but they were out of sugar snap peas!!! NOOOOOOOO!)
• Ate delicious grilled cheese sammy w/ artisan bread, meunster, organic heirloom tom, and fresh organic basil all from the farmer market. Yummmy.
  
• Visited the Palo Alto Art festival -- gorgeous. Successfully diverted purchase of more stuff! Yeay!

41. TGIF, I guess.

Some days are just not that exciting. I rode the train from Menlo Park which was a shorter walk but much longer ride to the city. I limped to work because my foot is really wrecked up since doing yoga the other day--apparently, it just wasn't the physical therapy I needed. I had an awesome burrito at Maya today (as usual) and debated the organization of a particular object/action set within the client system for 4 straight hours. I took the train back South from the city, headed to our apartment in San Mateo to clear out--but I was on the wrong train. So I had to have Ross pick me up in Redwood City (yes, this is your primer to the silicon valley). We got the rest of our things, cleaned the apartment and checked out. Then we went to the movies in San Mateo, but they were sold out. So we went to dinner and a movie in Redwood City. But the only movie we were in time for was Nanny Diaries which (I'm forced to admit) would have been OK to leave for a desperate night's entertainment while on the road for work.

It's Friday. So now we have the whole weekend to...unpack more.

Or, you know, become arsonists so we don't have to deal with this stuff any more.

40. The Law

Some of you know how I have this irrational fear of police and priests. So being that today's schedule started with an appearance in court and ended at the DMV, I wasn't looking forward to it.

Standing in line to register for court (if you've been reading you'll remember I was busted for forgetting to stamp my multi-ride ticket my second day in SF), I started to have major anxiety while considering how I was supposed to act in the courtroom and what I would possibly say to the judge. I decided if they gave me the chance, I'd rather pay the maximum fine right that second than go into that courtroom and face him.

My ticket wasn't registered in the system yet, so I got to put off the entire gig. I got a procrastinate about court card from God.

I went to a cafe in Burlingame, and spent the rest of the morning studying my driver guide. Very, very diligently. It was as if I was possessed by little police men and nuns in my head drilling me on the distance you can park from a train track and when to turn on the turning signal. (Lora, in CA it's legal to turn left at red at a left-running one-way street). I learned in NC that it is very traumatizing and humiliating to fail the written test. So I was pleased when I managed to pass IL on the first go, and...ladies & gentlemen (drum roll), the CA test on the first go as well. Talk about relief!

So I am the proud owner of a CA - registered auto and am the knowledgeable carrier of a CA class C license. Aren't you impressed beyond words?!

39. Fuquan Sighting

For Wednesday 22 August

Tonight it was off to Burlingame to meet up with our friends from Fuqua, Christine & Ryan Moore .

I had pizza again, and some good stout. Mostly, good conversation and good news -- Christine & Ryan are expecting! In NOVEMBER!

CONGRATS RYAN & CHRISTINE!

38. Out of the House

One of the best things about this place is that I can walk to the train, to town, and to yoga!
Today I took my first vinyasa class at Devi Yoga on el Camino just a 3.5 block walk away.

It felt so good to do it. And the walk there and back with the warm sun on my shoulders was an extra treat on a day when otherwise I was chained to my laptop. Namaste.

37. A Day at the (home) Office

Today I started back working for an old client at the new home office--incidentally the last room that is a disaster. I was successful in concentrating on work for several hours after waking up at 4:30 thinking about work, not being able to return to sleep, dealing with a screaming freak of a cat, and then spending 3 hours solving my own DSL problem (since 2 of the 3 calls to ATT were useless).

And this is what my cat does to torture me while I work--he curls up and naps right beside me. Sweet little devil.

I accomplished nothing much around the house today (although I did both make coffee and drink it out of my favourite mug AND make a chocolate strawberry smoothie, both of which made me feel very homey), but we did tick one thing off the exploring list--we ate at Applewood Gourmet Pizza which is just down the street. Their ratings say best pizza in Palo Alto, which was a good sign. And the crust was crunchy at the bottom but chewy in the thick parts--pretty darn good. It's no replacement for Piero's Chicago Style pizza (best on the North Shore!!!), but it's a good thing to have around the corner.