Since the last update, we packed the kids and Zinsser into the car and sped down to Chicagoland for a long Thanksgiving holiday. You'd think that a long holiday weekend I might be able to update the blog or something, but no... I was actually a bit more unplugged than usual this time. Maybe it was because every time I turned around, my niece Lilli had absconded with my laptop and was working her arcane horse configuration and trading network game. But I'm ahead of myself.
I started the week working from home: My Jersey Client has finally knocked loose some decisions so I've been spending time wrangling cats: My project is to redesign the ID badge (for aesthetics AND to add a new id barcode for their patient care systems), and to do this I need to coordinate across HR, IT, Security, Facilities, Marketing, and of course Senior Leadership. There are a lot of technical moving parts to consider as well... so I'm actually pretty busy with them.
My work in Philly is winding down: I've been refining my final deliverables and will likely be completely done before Christmas. It's a bit disappointing to me: They're a hugely dysfunctional organization and I could provide value, but they're overcoming a pretty major "consulting hangover" from overspending the past 5 years, and they need some "personal space" while they get their house in order. What this means is I had hoped to help them outside of the carefully proscribed "box" they had put me into, but my attempts to break out have been stymied. So we're ending it, and I'm feeling good about the deliverables...
A similar organization exists in Minneapolis: I had done a lot of great work over 3 years for them, and they're currently in a complete "consulting shunning" mode, due to overspending a few years back. So it'll be a few years before they're ready to accept help again. I just ran into a few people from there last week, and had that view confirmed. Which means that places like Jersey and Cleveland are going to be my places of work for a while.
Back to Home: We packed into the car and drove to Schaumburg on Wednesday. My traveling life at least affords me the perks of points, and I was able to get two suites at the Residence Inn for us and PapaBam for 3 days away from the allergicness of Papabam's sweet cat. The hotel was also able to accommodate Zinsser, who was a GOOD BOY. Naturally, Portillos was the first meal of the day down there. We swam in the pool and had a general great time.
Thanksgiving was with the German side of the family, and Zinsser was invited! It was a starch fest - Sweet Potatoes with Apricots were my favorite. Bella ate a pound of mashed potatoes. Pamela went to town on the rutabagas. Isaac.... Isaac ate crackers. Crazy kid. They had a fenced in yard too, so we had some great running and chasing of Zinnie.
Alas, I think Zinsser got ahold of some rich table scraps, because at 2 in the morning, we awoke to a whimpering dog who had soiled his kennel and got it all over himself. He was so embarrassed. And we were so horrified.
Friday was a relaxing day - we went for a long walk in Elk Grove, got baked goods from Jarosch, and had a classic Johnnie's Beef. Bella and Lilli went to the stables and rode horses (well, Bella rode a Pony), and they were both beaming when they got back. Bella chilled out to the new Santa Buddies movie (where they "make" golden retriever puppies talk all hip like, and get this, THEY SAVE CHRISTMAS). Bella was all smiles, and Lilli was all rolling eyes at the cheesiness, but Bella let Lilli know SHE was enjoying it, and please don't ruin it. I thought that was pretty bold.
Saturday we packed the kids and Zinsser off to Bailey and Ty's house: We were going downtown for a wedding, and Kari volunteered to watch the little ones. With not a shed tear, the kids barely noticed us leaving (the humans were playing Wii upstairs, and Zinsser was wrestling with Dakota, an old 80 pound chocolate lab who became a good friend). Downtown we stayed on the Magnificent Mile (thanks again, Marriott Rewards points!) and ran off to the ceremony.
This was an Irish Catholic girl marrying an East Indian Catholic boy, and both families were well represented. The Mass was long, as they did both western and eastern traditions - I think they spoke 3 sets of vows! The reception was at a hip latin food nightspot, and they shoehorned all 680 of us in. The mojitos were flowing, the food was amazing, and the dancing was crazy. By 11, we were tuckered out and ready for bed.
Sunday we slept in, got some breakfast, drove back to Palatine, and got the kids: Bella, Isaac, and Zinsser were happy to see us, and according to Kari, they were perfect angels, all of them. Isaac didn't want to go! We were all tired, and I think we all could have gone to another hotel and napped, but no, I insisted that it was TIME TO GO HOME, so we drove home.
We got home around 9pm, and the kids zonked pretty quickly. Bella is sleeping on Isaac's floor, by the way, AND Isaac has his big boy bed, so you KNOW it's hard for them to stay focused and wind down.
Oh - why is Bella in Isaac's room? Well, for the past year, as Bella has been going to sleep, she's had a dry cough. We assumed it was some allergy that being horizontal sort of exacerbated. Maybe we just didn't want to think too hard abouut it, but a couple of weekends ago, we had Jenny staying over, and came to the conclusion that SOMETHING is in Bella's carpet, because Jenny was on an inflate-a-bed and had a runny nose every night. So we decided the carpet must go. We pulled a little up before we went on vacation, and were horrified by the stains and dust that were in there: We steam clean this carpet twice a year, and it was still completely filthy. So once we confirmed it, Bella moved to Isaac's room.
Now, Monday I left as a possible open day - you know how weather can get around the holidays. So I had it as a work from home day instead of a travel day (which was REALLY GOOD because Jersey, Philly, AND Cleveland had major things I needed to manage with them in the day). And in the evening, Pamela and I decided to finish the job of ripping up Bella's carpet.
Remind me to NEVER put carpeting in to a house. It is nasty. Also, those carpet tack boards are evil and I not only scratched my hand on them, but I also have sore palms and forearms from working the crowbar to pry them up. Just don't do it.
So now Bella has unfinished wood floors, which actually look pretty cool. We'll probably have them sanded in the spring, and will drop a rug on there in the meantime.
Today I'm back in Philly, and will be in Jersey Thursday. Cleveland next week for a day, then Jersey and Philly - I'll be a traveling fool. But things REALLY are slowing down on the travel: Philly will be done by Christmas, and the trips I make up to then will be 2 days max - it's all transition now. My trip to Cleveland next week will be the only one until January, and even then, they only want to see me out there 25% of the time - they trust I can do most of my work remotely. So I'll be up on the 3rd floor quite a bit in the months to come, and I couldn't be happier!
One final note before I close out this epic update: The Jimmy Tech Curse continues unabated: A poor decision on my part as to what pocket to store a power adaptor in has led to the crunching of the screen on my Kindle. It is Kaput, and the repair cost is the same as a new one (especially with the lower prices they go for nowadays). So I'm currently Kindle-less, and trying to decide what to do: Part of me wants to upgrade to the larger format edition they came out with. Part of me wants to wait forever for the new Apple Thing that nobody actually knows what it is or when it may come out. And part of me is saying "Jimmy, you're semi-off-the-road for a little while - maybe you don't need a Kindle".
I'll let you know what happens.... if the three people living in my head can come to consensus.
And now it's off to bed.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
It's getting big around here.
Getting ready for turkey day - we'll be packing the whole family (including Zinsser) into Mister Marshmallow and driving down to Chicagoland for the holiday. I'm looking forward to some time in a hotel room, finally. Wait, what? Isaac remains apparently deathly allergic to cats so we're holing up in a hotel instead of Papabam's house - and Papabam are joining us. And the whole thing will be paid for by points from my "regular" hotel stays. I'll take those perks!
Travel will be getting a bit less for a little while: I had "the Talk" and it went very well actually. We set a few extra deliverable targets and a hope that January will be it. And after the talk, the energy just changed - lots more friendliness, laughter, even a half hearted high five occurred. I think that the fact that I was willing to leave money on the table to do the right thing for the client really impressed him... perhaps he was dreading that I would just burrow in and work out my contract doing little. Anyway, it's good that we set these new expectations because....
I got the big gig: I'll be headed to Cleveland to help plan out a 5 year, $100m project, and if they like what we bring to the planning, we're in for the doing. The work is very strategic and high profile, and they're not expecting to see much of me - I'm budgeted for 5 visits from now through February... I have a coworker who will be my eyes and ears on the ground. And that means I'll be around a fair amount more in the next few months....
Assuming of course that I DON'T get the gig in Fort Myers: They're moving very slow, and they even had a good employee candidate who walked because they moved too slow... so I may go out there, or I may not. At this point, I have a job (3 actually) so if Fort Myers needs to not happen, I'd be ok with that. (See, now I've jinxed it - NOW they have no choice but to need my help).
So that's the work life: I finished the Allentown gig, and it was very fun - they were very receptive to our recommendations, and they are warm people, so it was rewarding to help them out.
Home Life: First off, I'm going to say I AM SORE: We joined a new club, and I went to an 8pm Kickboxing Cardio class, which totally kicked my tail across America. As I said on my Facebook page: 30 min on the hotel treadmill 3 times a week does nothing to prepare you for a non-stop one hour jumping and punching and kicking workout. By the end I was jello. I poured myself into the car and hit the GPS to take me home, as I fell asleep. (wouldn't that be great some days?). That I made it THROUGH is a testament to my not COMPLETELY losing my fitness level from when I had to stop teaching back in May...
By the way, my old club has stopped offering BodyAttack entirely: it was too high-impact for most of their people, and there were several injuries (with the instructors too). That's a total buff-kids class, but I did love it. Speaking of Buff - Pamela has been to 5 personal trainings sessions, and they're working her HARD. After TurkeyDay, I'll be scheduling my class too, so I can work on thickening my neck and increasing my eyebrow ridge. If possible I'd like to get one of those back-of-the-head creases that big guys get. Then I'm going to tattoo my name on my neck. BECAUSE THAT'S NOW HOW I ROLL. They'll love me in Cleveland.
BIG NEWS in the house: Isaac got a Big Boy Bed today. He's asleep in it right now - and he was incredibly happy about it. We got him Lightning McQueen sheets - that boy loves the Cars movie like nothing else. And last week he peed in the potty, but in his own way: He came downstairs from his nap completely naked, took Pamela by the hand, led her upstairs and showed her what he had done. No coaching, no "try!". He just decided to go for it. Didn't spill a drop either. So if that's not Big Boy behavior, I'm not sure what is.
We're 1/4 of the way through ripping up the carpet in Bella's room - we're taking a part-time pace on this. The floors underneath are gorgeous, and will sand up nicely. We're thinking about repainting too. Bella's leaning toward Yellow... But I seem to remember a short story where a woman was recuperating and went mad in a room with yellow wallpaper. I don't really fear for Bella, of course.
And finally, a shout out to Paulie and Melissa, the couple who asked me to perform their wedding ceremony last year: Their son Roman was born on Friday, and we're all so excited! As their Reverend, I had to let them know that I would NOT be performing a Bris, however.
That's enough for now: Can you tell that my mood is lighter?
Travel will be getting a bit less for a little while: I had "the Talk" and it went very well actually. We set a few extra deliverable targets and a hope that January will be it. And after the talk, the energy just changed - lots more friendliness, laughter, even a half hearted high five occurred. I think that the fact that I was willing to leave money on the table to do the right thing for the client really impressed him... perhaps he was dreading that I would just burrow in and work out my contract doing little. Anyway, it's good that we set these new expectations because....
I got the big gig: I'll be headed to Cleveland to help plan out a 5 year, $100m project, and if they like what we bring to the planning, we're in for the doing. The work is very strategic and high profile, and they're not expecting to see much of me - I'm budgeted for 5 visits from now through February... I have a coworker who will be my eyes and ears on the ground. And that means I'll be around a fair amount more in the next few months....
Assuming of course that I DON'T get the gig in Fort Myers: They're moving very slow, and they even had a good employee candidate who walked because they moved too slow... so I may go out there, or I may not. At this point, I have a job (3 actually) so if Fort Myers needs to not happen, I'd be ok with that. (See, now I've jinxed it - NOW they have no choice but to need my help).
So that's the work life: I finished the Allentown gig, and it was very fun - they were very receptive to our recommendations, and they are warm people, so it was rewarding to help them out.
Home Life: First off, I'm going to say I AM SORE: We joined a new club, and I went to an 8pm Kickboxing Cardio class, which totally kicked my tail across America. As I said on my Facebook page: 30 min on the hotel treadmill 3 times a week does nothing to prepare you for a non-stop one hour jumping and punching and kicking workout. By the end I was jello. I poured myself into the car and hit the GPS to take me home, as I fell asleep. (wouldn't that be great some days?). That I made it THROUGH is a testament to my not COMPLETELY losing my fitness level from when I had to stop teaching back in May...
By the way, my old club has stopped offering BodyAttack entirely: it was too high-impact for most of their people, and there were several injuries (with the instructors too). That's a total buff-kids class, but I did love it. Speaking of Buff - Pamela has been to 5 personal trainings sessions, and they're working her HARD. After TurkeyDay, I'll be scheduling my class too, so I can work on thickening my neck and increasing my eyebrow ridge. If possible I'd like to get one of those back-of-the-head creases that big guys get. Then I'm going to tattoo my name on my neck. BECAUSE THAT'S NOW HOW I ROLL. They'll love me in Cleveland.
BIG NEWS in the house: Isaac got a Big Boy Bed today. He's asleep in it right now - and he was incredibly happy about it. We got him Lightning McQueen sheets - that boy loves the Cars movie like nothing else. And last week he peed in the potty, but in his own way: He came downstairs from his nap completely naked, took Pamela by the hand, led her upstairs and showed her what he had done. No coaching, no "try!". He just decided to go for it. Didn't spill a drop either. So if that's not Big Boy behavior, I'm not sure what is.
We're 1/4 of the way through ripping up the carpet in Bella's room - we're taking a part-time pace on this. The floors underneath are gorgeous, and will sand up nicely. We're thinking about repainting too. Bella's leaning toward Yellow... But I seem to remember a short story where a woman was recuperating and went mad in a room with yellow wallpaper. I don't really fear for Bella, of course.
And finally, a shout out to Paulie and Melissa, the couple who asked me to perform their wedding ceremony last year: Their son Roman was born on Friday, and we're all so excited! As their Reverend, I had to let them know that I would NOT be performing a Bris, however.
That's enough for now: Can you tell that my mood is lighter?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Puh-Hilly
Man, I have all KINDS of irons in the fire these days. The Florida thing is possibly heating up, the Cleveland thing is getting closer, my Jersey work is on the move, I'm delivering the assessment in Allentown this Friday, and I'm definitely wrapping things up in Philly. I'm actually pulling for the Cleveland gig the hardest, because it'll be 50-75% remote work, which would keep me near the family for a few months... after which point the legalities that keep me from being a Minneapolis King will have expired. Plus the Cleveland gig would also be a HUGE resume builder...
I'm just not sure what to make of the Philly thing: I was not invited to two completely relevant-to-why-they-pay-me strategy things right outside my office... so I got to HEAR these plans being made 6 feet away from me. I even stood up and lingered in the doorway, perhaps to be invited in to join the discussion. I mean, maybe he's looking for that initiative - "oh good, join us!". But no invitation was given, and THAT'S a strange thing... to then go "well I was just getting a cup of coffee... so... um.... "
I have a meeting tomorrow to work on a graceful rampdown. It's ridiculous. I did check with my other contact inside, who said that my deliverables were easily the best thing he'd seen come out of that area... and he's pretty sure I'm not the problem here. At times like these, I'm REALLY happy I signed up with my company, because even if things ended tomorrow, there's more than full time work available to me across our clients, in addition to the opportunities above. We've got work. And I like busyness. If I had stayed independent, I'd be feeling a panic right now, wondering what financial nightmare I might be subjecting the family to.
It's all very worth it, but I'm feeling the travel this week - mostly because I was away for 3 nights into the weekend and only had a day at home. The days are busy, but the evenings have been maddeningly quiet. Time for more Mandarin lessons... and hitting the elliptical machine. And some comedy: Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis on "Funny or Die" has been keeping my spirits up. That bearded man is so uncomfortably hilarious...
I had more "Pizza by the CUT" today. I don't think they're going to make it. I went in at lunchtime and I was the only guy there. The owner came by and was asking me details about what I did and didn't like about the pizza, and was it "different" tasting from the last time I came in, because they made some changes. So now I either need to go in there every day, because now we're buddies, or I need to never go back again and not set foot on the block or he'll gaze with eyes that say "why are you wanting me to fail? I CHANGED THE CRUST!"
It's all very complicated in Philly, I guess.
I'm just not sure what to make of the Philly thing: I was not invited to two completely relevant-to-why-they-pay-me strategy things right outside my office... so I got to HEAR these plans being made 6 feet away from me. I even stood up and lingered in the doorway, perhaps to be invited in to join the discussion. I mean, maybe he's looking for that initiative - "oh good, join us!". But no invitation was given, and THAT'S a strange thing... to then go "well I was just getting a cup of coffee... so... um.... "
I have a meeting tomorrow to work on a graceful rampdown. It's ridiculous. I did check with my other contact inside, who said that my deliverables were easily the best thing he'd seen come out of that area... and he's pretty sure I'm not the problem here. At times like these, I'm REALLY happy I signed up with my company, because even if things ended tomorrow, there's more than full time work available to me across our clients, in addition to the opportunities above. We've got work. And I like busyness. If I had stayed independent, I'd be feeling a panic right now, wondering what financial nightmare I might be subjecting the family to.
It's all very worth it, but I'm feeling the travel this week - mostly because I was away for 3 nights into the weekend and only had a day at home. The days are busy, but the evenings have been maddeningly quiet. Time for more Mandarin lessons... and hitting the elliptical machine. And some comedy: Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis on "Funny or Die" has been keeping my spirits up. That bearded man is so uncomfortably hilarious...
I had more "Pizza by the CUT" today. I don't think they're going to make it. I went in at lunchtime and I was the only guy there. The owner came by and was asking me details about what I did and didn't like about the pizza, and was it "different" tasting from the last time I came in, because they made some changes. So now I either need to go in there every day, because now we're buddies, or I need to never go back again and not set foot on the block or he'll gaze with eyes that say "why are you wanting me to fail? I CHANGED THE CRUST!"
It's all very complicated in Philly, I guess.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Big Easy
Forgive me reader, for it has been more than a week since my last update. So much to share. I had a deliriously nice 4 day stay at home - Friday night I got home, and took off Wednesday afternoon. Things got very exciting with the Jersey client, and I put a lot of hours into the phone and email triage. But some key decisions were finally made, and I get to MOVE FORWARD with a few new things that I'd been spinning wheels on before. So, let's call it success!
On Tuesday evening, Pamela and I up and joined a healthclub again: The studio we had been going to just wasn't working for us: It's a 15 minute drive each way, and with scheduled classes we were having trouble meeting... so we joined up with a "chain club" that is just 3 minutes away AND offers child care too: We got signed up with a personal trainer, too, because we need someone to help us move forward and encourage us in our health. Pamela has been to the trainer twice already... my schedule won't allow for it until NEXT weekend, alas.
Speaking of healthy lifestyles, I'm in the airport coming home from New Orleans: My company has an annual retreat for employees to review the year and plan for next year. Lots of team building, but also a great exchange of ideas. Our hotel was on Toulouse Street a block off of Bourbon, so we were NEAR drunkDisneyland, but not so close that the whooping kept anyone awake. The first night, we had a big dinner at Mister B's and hit the strip. I had one of those Hand Grenade drinks that is basically sugar and denatured alcohol. One was enough, and as everyone was ordering their second or thirds, I sat it out and retired early. Even so, Thursday AM I had a flashing red warning sign in my skull that read "You are on alert: If you mess with that style of drink again, there will be HELL TO PAY". A few tiny bits of headache or woozy were offered up as proof, much like a ransomer might send along a piece of clothing or a finger to prove they're serious.
On Thursday, we had a 6 hour "relationship building" workshop, the intent of which was to let people know that IF they happen to hear about potential work in their network, it's not actually sleazy to follow up on it. The speaker was your standard cheezy guy, and he mostly "facilitated" us. In truth, he was up front with us saying "it's all common sense stuff, I just want you to examine what you're doing, and how you can do it a little better".
The guy probably didn't help his case, however, by coming out with us the night before, getting REALLY DRUNK, hugging everyone and giving everyone nicknames. I was Jimmy, there were two Dannys, a Craigger, a Gregger, Dawnie... Gigi became Gina all night... it was a bit embarrassing. The team bonded afterwards by doing impressions of the guy. So maybe it was money well spent.
Thursday night was a fancier dinner at TinFin, which had the distinction of being one of the slowest meals I've ever participated in. It was over 4 hours from sit down to stand up, and it was a standard "Apps, Salad, Entree, Dessert" sequence, not a coursing menu (which take 4 delightful hours). This was in a loud environment too, so our conversations were a bit tough. One of our team members had a childhood tracheotomy, and is a whisperer. I felt bad for her. We did all get up and switch seats frequently, though. 4 hours next to the same person? No.
Since we got out so late, and remembering my stern warning from my skull, I went straight to bed... but about half of the gang went out. LATE. Friday AM I was up at 6:30, walked around the quarter, got some Beignets and coffee, found espresso to finish the job, and was early to the morning session. This was a working session for 2010 strategy, and fully half of our team was SEVERELY hung over. One guy would leap up and run from the room occasionally. Others just held their heads in their hands. Two people simply didn't show up. NOT GOOD. I felt superior, but I didn't gloat.
Our sessions got done at 3, and we reconvened for another dinner at 6, so I had a couple of hours to wander around, so I went on my own walking tour, grabbing some chicory and beignets, watching the paddleboats, peering into the antique stores. Dinner was incredible - this was just the leadership team now, so a smaller place, which I cannot remember the name of.... I had roasted and flash fried quail, and then lamb loin with goat cheese... And we went out until 2am to a piano bar with an open courtyard... and we all stayed away from the Bourbon Street nightmare. On the way back I watched one of my co-workers get propositioned by a lady of the night as he walked WITH his girlfriend. Amazing.
Today I slept in a bit, then we went on a 2 hour walking tour of the French Quarter. It was very cool and I learned a lot, but it was also funny in that the guy started with high energy and lots of information, and by the end, the tips were petering out, and he was just waving at buildings saying "that's where they filmed Interview with a Vampire", "That's Nicolas Cage's place - it's being foreclosed right now". Great stuff. But it was some good exercise that the weather was beautiful.
New Orleans is a jealous mistress: when you're there, it wants your full attention. Things like "catching up on email" or "working on documentation" are not easy to achieve: Either the city is calling you to wander and explore, or you're in your room trying to rest up for the next thing the city throws at you. I actually have THINGS TO DO, and I wanted to update this blog, and tried all day to get to it, but the city kept calling. So I gave in, had a big catfish po'boy, waddled back to the hotel, checked out and headed to the airport a good 3 hours early in the hopes that this bland, sterile environment is more conducive to my productivity than the siren's call of history.
To wrap it up: It was a great trip, and unlike other "team building" I've done at other companies, I felt like this was very productive: We actually came up with some good strategies. And even though the trainer was a cheezeball, I picked up a couple of tips on how to be more productive with my networking which I'll be putting into action right away. The team building was great because the team is great - there are no clunkers or timewasters in this company, and everyone's respectful of eachother, so it was all just a good time.
Now, in the week to come it's going to get busy: It's a 5 day in Philly week, with one big presentation on Friday, a couple of visits to Jersey, and some hopefully some good talks with the big Philly client to get ourselves back in alignment. I may need to ramp it back too, because one of the things we may have done in the retreat is written me into a VERY strategic opportunity in Cleveland... only 3 months and not all onsite (YES) but enormous visibility and it would be quite the feather in the cap.
I wonder how my clone is coming along?
But this does mean that I'll be seeing the family for ONE day out of 8, which really really sucks. At least the following week is TGiving and I'm taking the whole week with the family... and we're driving to Chicagoland. I cannot wait!
On Tuesday evening, Pamela and I up and joined a healthclub again: The studio we had been going to just wasn't working for us: It's a 15 minute drive each way, and with scheduled classes we were having trouble meeting... so we joined up with a "chain club" that is just 3 minutes away AND offers child care too: We got signed up with a personal trainer, too, because we need someone to help us move forward and encourage us in our health. Pamela has been to the trainer twice already... my schedule won't allow for it until NEXT weekend, alas.
Speaking of healthy lifestyles, I'm in the airport coming home from New Orleans: My company has an annual retreat for employees to review the year and plan for next year. Lots of team building, but also a great exchange of ideas. Our hotel was on Toulouse Street a block off of Bourbon, so we were NEAR drunkDisneyland, but not so close that the whooping kept anyone awake. The first night, we had a big dinner at Mister B's and hit the strip. I had one of those Hand Grenade drinks that is basically sugar and denatured alcohol. One was enough, and as everyone was ordering their second or thirds, I sat it out and retired early. Even so, Thursday AM I had a flashing red warning sign in my skull that read "You are on alert: If you mess with that style of drink again, there will be HELL TO PAY". A few tiny bits of headache or woozy were offered up as proof, much like a ransomer might send along a piece of clothing or a finger to prove they're serious.
On Thursday, we had a 6 hour "relationship building" workshop, the intent of which was to let people know that IF they happen to hear about potential work in their network, it's not actually sleazy to follow up on it. The speaker was your standard cheezy guy, and he mostly "facilitated" us. In truth, he was up front with us saying "it's all common sense stuff, I just want you to examine what you're doing, and how you can do it a little better".
The guy probably didn't help his case, however, by coming out with us the night before, getting REALLY DRUNK, hugging everyone and giving everyone nicknames. I was Jimmy, there were two Dannys, a Craigger, a Gregger, Dawnie... Gigi became Gina all night... it was a bit embarrassing. The team bonded afterwards by doing impressions of the guy. So maybe it was money well spent.
Thursday night was a fancier dinner at TinFin, which had the distinction of being one of the slowest meals I've ever participated in. It was over 4 hours from sit down to stand up, and it was a standard "Apps, Salad, Entree, Dessert" sequence, not a coursing menu (which take 4 delightful hours). This was in a loud environment too, so our conversations were a bit tough. One of our team members had a childhood tracheotomy, and is a whisperer. I felt bad for her. We did all get up and switch seats frequently, though. 4 hours next to the same person? No.
Since we got out so late, and remembering my stern warning from my skull, I went straight to bed... but about half of the gang went out. LATE. Friday AM I was up at 6:30, walked around the quarter, got some Beignets and coffee, found espresso to finish the job, and was early to the morning session. This was a working session for 2010 strategy, and fully half of our team was SEVERELY hung over. One guy would leap up and run from the room occasionally. Others just held their heads in their hands. Two people simply didn't show up. NOT GOOD. I felt superior, but I didn't gloat.
Our sessions got done at 3, and we reconvened for another dinner at 6, so I had a couple of hours to wander around, so I went on my own walking tour, grabbing some chicory and beignets, watching the paddleboats, peering into the antique stores. Dinner was incredible - this was just the leadership team now, so a smaller place, which I cannot remember the name of.... I had roasted and flash fried quail, and then lamb loin with goat cheese... And we went out until 2am to a piano bar with an open courtyard... and we all stayed away from the Bourbon Street nightmare. On the way back I watched one of my co-workers get propositioned by a lady of the night as he walked WITH his girlfriend. Amazing.
Today I slept in a bit, then we went on a 2 hour walking tour of the French Quarter. It was very cool and I learned a lot, but it was also funny in that the guy started with high energy and lots of information, and by the end, the tips were petering out, and he was just waving at buildings saying "that's where they filmed Interview with a Vampire", "That's Nicolas Cage's place - it's being foreclosed right now". Great stuff. But it was some good exercise that the weather was beautiful.
New Orleans is a jealous mistress: when you're there, it wants your full attention. Things like "catching up on email" or "working on documentation" are not easy to achieve: Either the city is calling you to wander and explore, or you're in your room trying to rest up for the next thing the city throws at you. I actually have THINGS TO DO, and I wanted to update this blog, and tried all day to get to it, but the city kept calling. So I gave in, had a big catfish po'boy, waddled back to the hotel, checked out and headed to the airport a good 3 hours early in the hopes that this bland, sterile environment is more conducive to my productivity than the siren's call of history.
To wrap it up: It was a great trip, and unlike other "team building" I've done at other companies, I felt like this was very productive: We actually came up with some good strategies. And even though the trainer was a cheezeball, I picked up a couple of tips on how to be more productive with my networking which I'll be putting into action right away. The team building was great because the team is great - there are no clunkers or timewasters in this company, and everyone's respectful of eachother, so it was all just a good time.
Now, in the week to come it's going to get busy: It's a 5 day in Philly week, with one big presentation on Friday, a couple of visits to Jersey, and some hopefully some good talks with the big Philly client to get ourselves back in alignment. I may need to ramp it back too, because one of the things we may have done in the retreat is written me into a VERY strategic opportunity in Cleveland... only 3 months and not all onsite (YES) but enormous visibility and it would be quite the feather in the cap.
I wonder how my clone is coming along?
But this does mean that I'll be seeing the family for ONE day out of 8, which really really sucks. At least the following week is TGiving and I'm taking the whole week with the family... and we're driving to Chicagoland. I cannot wait!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
S'gonna be allright
So the last post had some frustration in it. No question I'm having some issues with the clients, but nothing I can't work through. Last night I took a break headed to an Irish Pub, had a great burger and fries and a tasty brew, and felt my frustration melt away. I got back to the room and watched the premiere of "V", which was just fine. I got some good work done after that, and went into work feeling pretty good.
Yes I crunched more data, and yes I walked a long long way in these loafers that aren't ideal for long walks... and now I'm at the airport getting ready to come home for a long weekend: I'm working from home for half of next week, and the other half will be in N'awlins at our annual company meeting.
Three nice things:
First was listening to a podcast of Ira Glass interviewing Joss Whedon in front of a live audience. It was nerd-vana, and I loved every minute of it.
Second was remembering about Dr Horrible's Singalong Blog. I may need to watch that with Pamela right away.
Third was watching V: See, we KNOW the V's are bad, because we remember it from last time... but Morena Baccarin is just so wonderful as Anna. She was great on Firefly as well (as was Alan Tudyk, who plays an FBI agent... it it too much to ask for a cameo by River Tam - I mean Summer Glau? ;-> ) It's not high art, but it's a good diversion.
One final thing before I board: I went to a pizza place for lunch today where their motto is "Pizza by the CUT!" Which makes no sense so I had to go in. Turns out they make pizza in giant rectangles cut into long strips, and as you go through the line, the guy picks up one end of the strip, the guy lifts the strip and takes a pair of scissors: How much you want? They cut the size piece you want. Pizza... BY THE CUT.
It's a ridiculous gimmick, but the pizza was delicious, so I'm willing to forgive it.
Yes I crunched more data, and yes I walked a long long way in these loafers that aren't ideal for long walks... and now I'm at the airport getting ready to come home for a long weekend: I'm working from home for half of next week, and the other half will be in N'awlins at our annual company meeting.
Three nice things:
First was listening to a podcast of Ira Glass interviewing Joss Whedon in front of a live audience. It was nerd-vana, and I loved every minute of it.
Second was remembering about Dr Horrible's Singalong Blog. I may need to watch that with Pamela right away.
Third was watching V: See, we KNOW the V's are bad, because we remember it from last time... but Morena Baccarin is just so wonderful as Anna. She was great on Firefly as well (as was Alan Tudyk, who plays an FBI agent... it it too much to ask for a cameo by River Tam - I mean Summer Glau? ;-> ) It's not high art, but it's a good diversion.
One final thing before I board: I went to a pizza place for lunch today where their motto is "Pizza by the CUT!" Which makes no sense so I had to go in. Turns out they make pizza in giant rectangles cut into long strips, and as you go through the line, the guy picks up one end of the strip, the guy lifts the strip and takes a pair of scissors: How much you want? They cut the size piece you want. Pizza... BY THE CUT.
It's a ridiculous gimmick, but the pizza was delicious, so I'm willing to forgive it.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Some Images
1) Waiting in line watching while the woman at the register slowly fishes out her money, then counts it out. The woman in front of me was shifting from leg to leg with impatience, practically snorting with annoyance. So naturally when it was her turn at the register, she handed the person her item, then set her bag down, started fishing for her purse...
PEOPLE: You are buying something. You are sitting in line with nothing to do. Why not get your money out in advance? Is everyone secretly thinking they'll get to the register and the cashier will say "aww honey, it's free day today for you!" And if THAT happened, what hassle it would be to put that money back in your purse.
And I assure you in the above examples, these people were not juggling kids, nor did they have their hands full. Nope - it is just pooooooor planning.
2) I'm finding myself in some "poor communication" situations: At my primary client, during a meeting with higher ups to discuss our strategic plan, I worked through a powerpoint that I believed represented our best work. And at the end of the meeting, my boss pulled from a manilla folder HIS version of the strategic plan, complete with images lifted from my earlier work, but with a direction I had never seen. I work 10 feet from this guy, we've known about this meeting for weeks, I put this thing together, and he was working on a shadow plan in secret? Very strange.
At my Jersey client, I have a problem: I'm managing two of the people working out there, both of whom report to one woman who has caused problems in the past. She has a malicious selective memory, and is over her head and is quick to deflect blame. My "emergency" project was cleaning up after another consultant who ran afoul of her... and I'm trying to keep a lid on things... but it's hard when I get emails that say "CALL ME IMMEDIATELY". So I call, and she wants me to know she's "concerned" about my person. She hasn't done anything wrong, no, it's all going well.... but there's something... something she can't put her finger on. And she wants me to look into it.
Seriously: I'm getting emergency calls about a "Vibe", even though all empirical evidence indicates that everything is going well on the project. Sigh.
PEOPLE: You are buying something. You are sitting in line with nothing to do. Why not get your money out in advance? Is everyone secretly thinking they'll get to the register and the cashier will say "aww honey, it's free day today for you!" And if THAT happened, what hassle it would be to put that money back in your purse.
And I assure you in the above examples, these people were not juggling kids, nor did they have their hands full. Nope - it is just pooooooor planning.
2) I'm finding myself in some "poor communication" situations: At my primary client, during a meeting with higher ups to discuss our strategic plan, I worked through a powerpoint that I believed represented our best work. And at the end of the meeting, my boss pulled from a manilla folder HIS version of the strategic plan, complete with images lifted from my earlier work, but with a direction I had never seen. I work 10 feet from this guy, we've known about this meeting for weeks, I put this thing together, and he was working on a shadow plan in secret? Very strange.
At my Jersey client, I have a problem: I'm managing two of the people working out there, both of whom report to one woman who has caused problems in the past. She has a malicious selective memory, and is over her head and is quick to deflect blame. My "emergency" project was cleaning up after another consultant who ran afoul of her... and I'm trying to keep a lid on things... but it's hard when I get emails that say "CALL ME IMMEDIATELY". So I call, and she wants me to know she's "concerned" about my person. She hasn't done anything wrong, no, it's all going well.... but there's something... something she can't put her finger on. And she wants me to look into it.
Seriously: I'm getting emergency calls about a "Vibe", even though all empirical evidence indicates that everything is going well on the project. Sigh.
Halloween and More
Another impossibly busy weekend, as usual. It was short, with me not getting back until Friday afternoon.
Now kids, I need to confess that I'm getting old. Not the spry thing I once was. And at some point in the last year, I acquired a "condition" - a mild hernia. It very well could have come during my fitness craze, or perhaps while hoisting my children over my head... but the fact remains that there's a bit poking through (not hideously - just a little bump), and decided to see a surgeon about it. So Friday afternoon I met with a guy who had been recommended by two neighbors. Dr Grubbs confirmed that yes, I have not just one, but TWO hernias. The fellow who was along with said "looks like a two-fer!". Dr Grubbs countered "I'd prefer a NO-fer".
He laid the facts out for me: Only 1 of a thousand hernias ever develop into something painful. But the surgery itself has an up to 10% chance of lasting soreness. So he invited me to do the math: .1% chance of pain, which could be operated on as needed, or 10% chance of pain if I pre-emptively operate. Given that the bulge is only cosmetic, and not painful in the least, I'm going for the "wait and see" option. So yay, a surgeon who isn't afraid to turn away business when it's not needed? That's heartening.
Halloween itself was a blast: Pamela was a fighting nun, Bella was a ghost (non-animal), Isaac was a robot, and I was a fancy french lobster. See?
I dare you not to sing "Lobster Face" to the tune of Lady Gaga's Poker Face. I DARE YOU. Anyway, we had a fine evening of candy gathering. Isaac, Zinsser, and I turned in early (8:15), and Pamela and Bella went on to party with the neighborhood until 11. It was very nice to be zonked out with my dog. I love my dog.
Sunday was a day of mostly sitting around recovering from the excitement. We had big plans, but they were for naught. Instead we enjoyed eachother's company. I headed back out to Philly Monday AM, and hightailed it right up to Allentown for some meetings which went into the evening. I got home and decided to veg out with a movie, and watched "The Hangover" which had been positioned as "incredibly funny" by several people. Maybe I was just too tired, but it didn't really do much for me - it felt like a greatest hits of other funnier movies... I was counting the references until I was exhausted.
it was mostly harmless (except in the parts where it was just offensive). Just not the belly laughs I was looking for.
This morning I got up early, ready to visit the client, and discovered the subway and trolley stations were locked. Silly me, I thought "hmm, this entrance is closed, let me find another". I wandered 3 blocks before figuring out: TRANSIT STRiKE. So I hoofed it to the client, who is about 25 city blocks away from my hotel (but very convenient when the metro is running!). I did a chinese lesson, and listened to This American Life.
I love This American Life, because I love imperfect voices telling stories. This week, it started with a woman who kept getting quieter and quieter, until her voice was rattling because she wasn't putting enough air to keep the vocal cords humming... It sent chills down my spine. Sometimes Melissa Block gets to that conspiratorial rattle too. Those are good days. But enough about the craziness of my voice fetish. The point is I walked to work on a beautiful morning, and I got a lot of work done.
Today I was a data wrangler - loading patient records from multiple systems and looking for mismatches. It's actually pretty fun, but it's definitely below my paygrade... but again, it's stuff that needs doing, and I'm glad to help. My boss was in the next room putting presentations together for a big meeting this afternoon. A meeting that got canceled at the last minute because one of the key participants was called into surgery, leaving the other 29 people who had found their way over in the middle of a transit strike without a meeting to attend.
I strolled back, with the growing realization the the loafers I was wearing were not intended for this long haul. I'm nursing some chafed ankles now, and am going to wear my running shoes on my hike tomorrow, and try not to think of 1980's career ladies hustling down the street with white tretorns.
No word on Fort Myers, by the way.
Allright, got a little more work to do tonight, so have a good one.
This afternoon we were supposed to have a couple of meetings...
Now kids, I need to confess that I'm getting old. Not the spry thing I once was. And at some point in the last year, I acquired a "condition" - a mild hernia. It very well could have come during my fitness craze, or perhaps while hoisting my children over my head... but the fact remains that there's a bit poking through (not hideously - just a little bump), and decided to see a surgeon about it. So Friday afternoon I met with a guy who had been recommended by two neighbors. Dr Grubbs confirmed that yes, I have not just one, but TWO hernias. The fellow who was along with said "looks like a two-fer!". Dr Grubbs countered "I'd prefer a NO-fer".
He laid the facts out for me: Only 1 of a thousand hernias ever develop into something painful. But the surgery itself has an up to 10% chance of lasting soreness. So he invited me to do the math: .1% chance of pain, which could be operated on as needed, or 10% chance of pain if I pre-emptively operate. Given that the bulge is only cosmetic, and not painful in the least, I'm going for the "wait and see" option. So yay, a surgeon who isn't afraid to turn away business when it's not needed? That's heartening.
Halloween itself was a blast: Pamela was a fighting nun, Bella was a ghost (non-animal), Isaac was a robot, and I was a fancy french lobster. See?
I dare you not to sing "Lobster Face" to the tune of Lady Gaga's Poker Face. I DARE YOU. Anyway, we had a fine evening of candy gathering. Isaac, Zinsser, and I turned in early (8:15), and Pamela and Bella went on to party with the neighborhood until 11. It was very nice to be zonked out with my dog. I love my dog.
Sunday was a day of mostly sitting around recovering from the excitement. We had big plans, but they were for naught. Instead we enjoyed eachother's company. I headed back out to Philly Monday AM, and hightailed it right up to Allentown for some meetings which went into the evening. I got home and decided to veg out with a movie, and watched "The Hangover" which had been positioned as "incredibly funny" by several people. Maybe I was just too tired, but it didn't really do much for me - it felt like a greatest hits of other funnier movies... I was counting the references until I was exhausted.
it was mostly harmless (except in the parts where it was just offensive). Just not the belly laughs I was looking for.
This morning I got up early, ready to visit the client, and discovered the subway and trolley stations were locked. Silly me, I thought "hmm, this entrance is closed, let me find another". I wandered 3 blocks before figuring out: TRANSIT STRiKE. So I hoofed it to the client, who is about 25 city blocks away from my hotel (but very convenient when the metro is running!). I did a chinese lesson, and listened to This American Life.
I love This American Life, because I love imperfect voices telling stories. This week, it started with a woman who kept getting quieter and quieter, until her voice was rattling because she wasn't putting enough air to keep the vocal cords humming... It sent chills down my spine. Sometimes Melissa Block gets to that conspiratorial rattle too. Those are good days. But enough about the craziness of my voice fetish. The point is I walked to work on a beautiful morning, and I got a lot of work done.
Today I was a data wrangler - loading patient records from multiple systems and looking for mismatches. It's actually pretty fun, but it's definitely below my paygrade... but again, it's stuff that needs doing, and I'm glad to help. My boss was in the next room putting presentations together for a big meeting this afternoon. A meeting that got canceled at the last minute because one of the key participants was called into surgery, leaving the other 29 people who had found their way over in the middle of a transit strike without a meeting to attend.
I strolled back, with the growing realization the the loafers I was wearing were not intended for this long haul. I'm nursing some chafed ankles now, and am going to wear my running shoes on my hike tomorrow, and try not to think of 1980's career ladies hustling down the street with white tretorns.
No word on Fort Myers, by the way.
Allright, got a little more work to do tonight, so have a good one.
This afternoon we were supposed to have a couple of meetings...
Monday, October 26, 2009
A grand adventure
First things first: Isaac's lip did heal. He's back in the game. I was seriously freaked out, but now am better. Thank you.
Sunday I decided to blow the kids minds and take them on an adventure... an adventure in public transportation. Isaac has been talking about busses and trains for a year - CAN WE GO ON A TRAIN? WHEN? WHEN? So this weekend, Pamela was out of pocket for most of Sunday doing an insane and extravagant flower arrangement to welcome the new pastor to her church... and I got to take the kids on an adventure with dad. Sunday morning, we piled onto the 6U bus headed downtown at around 10am.
Isaac was beside himself: We're on a BUS? WOW! Bella was much cooler about this, since she's been taking the yellow school bus for a while now, but she was fascinated by the differences - the seats, the advertising, the lighting, the paybox, the transfers... many many questions. I pointed out the city as it rolled past. Once downtown, we walked to the light rail stop and hopped on the train out to the Mall of America. Both Isaac and Bella commented that the train wasn't quite what they expected - it was so QUIET! And low to the ground! They have memories of the big clunky commuter train in Palatine, and the Light Rail is a different beast entirely. Once we got onto the rails and off the street they started to appreciate it more.
We got to the Mall in good time - the total transit was about an hour, so not really the BEST for the kids, but they were well entertained. A whole gang of people coming from an Eckankar meeting got on and were laughing uproariously at two in their part (who were German), eating bananas. Laughing a lot more than the situation indicated, really, but hey, let that light shine. A woman sat with me and chatted up the kids - she had been an 8th grade schoolteacher for 40 years, and knew how to engage them.
Once at the Mall, it was wallets open for fun and full steam ahead. We went through Underwater World, which blew all of our minds: What a great aquarium! They have Sawfish! SAWFISH! I assumed those only existed in Warner Brothers Cartoons. Bella loved the turtles - even the VW Bus sized one. After a quick lunch, we went into the amusement park, and blew through $20 in "points" on a number of rides: Isaac is now tall enough to go on rides with his big sister, and his big sister is now big enough to accept the savage thrills of the kiddie rides in good grace. I got to watch them sitting together on the Big Rigs, the Blues Clues airplane dogs... Though when it came time for the Merry Go Round, Bella insisted on finding an animal that did NOT go up and down. A sturdy camel did the trick, while next to her, Isaac whooped it up on a rabbit that DID go up and down.
We stopped at a cake decorating contest and decorated a pair of cupcakes for later, and then went back through the aquarium again. This time, we spent extra time "playing" with the starfish and crabs, who really didn't have time for us - being busy all inanimate-like. Helping with the Starfish petting area was a nice lady dressed as a zombie surgeon. I mean a surgeon who is also a zombie, not a surgeon who specializes in operating on zombies. We had to clear that up.
The hour of rides home was longer than the ride there, and Isaac was clearly tired. He had a 3 minute liedown with a didda, but then went right into flirting with an early 20-something girl who looked a bit like the kind of people I was hanging out with in my early 20s - punk-lite but with a smile. She was journaling or sketching or something, and having a great time peeking at Isaac. Bella and I had our own cuddle.
It was a wonderful day - and the kids were fantastic: Isaac stayed close and listened, Bella was a great helper, and she was obviously having fun. Apart from the food and experiences, we bought nothing (though I would have totally sprung for a plush Yo Gabba Gabba set if one existed).
Back home, we all relaxed and built up our reserves for the week ahead.
Sunday I decided to blow the kids minds and take them on an adventure... an adventure in public transportation. Isaac has been talking about busses and trains for a year - CAN WE GO ON A TRAIN? WHEN? WHEN? So this weekend, Pamela was out of pocket for most of Sunday doing an insane and extravagant flower arrangement to welcome the new pastor to her church... and I got to take the kids on an adventure with dad. Sunday morning, we piled onto the 6U bus headed downtown at around 10am.
Isaac was beside himself: We're on a BUS? WOW! Bella was much cooler about this, since she's been taking the yellow school bus for a while now, but she was fascinated by the differences - the seats, the advertising, the lighting, the paybox, the transfers... many many questions. I pointed out the city as it rolled past. Once downtown, we walked to the light rail stop and hopped on the train out to the Mall of America. Both Isaac and Bella commented that the train wasn't quite what they expected - it was so QUIET! And low to the ground! They have memories of the big clunky commuter train in Palatine, and the Light Rail is a different beast entirely. Once we got onto the rails and off the street they started to appreciate it more.
We got to the Mall in good time - the total transit was about an hour, so not really the BEST for the kids, but they were well entertained. A whole gang of people coming from an Eckankar meeting got on and were laughing uproariously at two in their part (who were German), eating bananas. Laughing a lot more than the situation indicated, really, but hey, let that light shine. A woman sat with me and chatted up the kids - she had been an 8th grade schoolteacher for 40 years, and knew how to engage them.
Once at the Mall, it was wallets open for fun and full steam ahead. We went through Underwater World, which blew all of our minds: What a great aquarium! They have Sawfish! SAWFISH! I assumed those only existed in Warner Brothers Cartoons. Bella loved the turtles - even the VW Bus sized one. After a quick lunch, we went into the amusement park, and blew through $20 in "points" on a number of rides: Isaac is now tall enough to go on rides with his big sister, and his big sister is now big enough to accept the savage thrills of the kiddie rides in good grace. I got to watch them sitting together on the Big Rigs, the Blues Clues airplane dogs... Though when it came time for the Merry Go Round, Bella insisted on finding an animal that did NOT go up and down. A sturdy camel did the trick, while next to her, Isaac whooped it up on a rabbit that DID go up and down.
We stopped at a cake decorating contest and decorated a pair of cupcakes for later, and then went back through the aquarium again. This time, we spent extra time "playing" with the starfish and crabs, who really didn't have time for us - being busy all inanimate-like. Helping with the Starfish petting area was a nice lady dressed as a zombie surgeon. I mean a surgeon who is also a zombie, not a surgeon who specializes in operating on zombies. We had to clear that up.
The hour of rides home was longer than the ride there, and Isaac was clearly tired. He had a 3 minute liedown with a didda, but then went right into flirting with an early 20-something girl who looked a bit like the kind of people I was hanging out with in my early 20s - punk-lite but with a smile. She was journaling or sketching or something, and having a great time peeking at Isaac. Bella and I had our own cuddle.
It was a wonderful day - and the kids were fantastic: Isaac stayed close and listened, Bella was a great helper, and she was obviously having fun. Apart from the food and experiences, we bought nothing (though I would have totally sprung for a plush Yo Gabba Gabba set if one existed).
Back home, we all relaxed and built up our reserves for the week ahead.
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