State of the Ziptie 2008-07-29
Forgive me FL, for it has been weeks since I last confided.
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Travel
FOO camp was amazing. Everyone was friendly, interesting and interested. I met some luminaries of my various fields, and a number of net celebrities. The atmosphere was really great, generative and fun. Excellent mixing of disciplines.
An elementary-school classmate of wasta's and mine was there. She's now half of the couple that created CandyFab. You should probably be sitting down before you click that link. The coolness is nearly unbearable. Sadly, there was not a candyfab machine at camp.
I also was introduced to my (potential) editor's boss, who's title is Associate Publisher. After talking with him a bit about my work and (potential) book, and telling him it'd been almost 3 months since I heard from my editor, he said "That's too long. Let's consider it a deal, and get started," and shook my hand.
A week later I got email from my editor apologizing, saying she'd been under the wrong impression that she was still waiting for me. So. That's moving again, and my revised proposal will be in front of the committee that chooses which books to publish soon.
--
After FOO I had a lovely visit to SF where I mostly hung out with Jer and my family, went shopping for knives in Japantown with my brother, and saw morleyroarly briefly. I love how SF has a unique urban flavor that FEELS like itself, and unlike any other place. I could probably live there, at least for a while.
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Work
My PT job came to a rather abrupt end while I was out of town, when the customer realized they weren't ready for us to do the rest of the project. I'll miss the income, but not the headache.
Had a 2nd round interview a week ago with the eastside company I met with before I left town. They seem to have a great work environment, pay well, have fantastic benefits, and are working on interesting problems. Unconfirmed word is that they're leaning towards bringing me in as a temp-to-hire. That's good in that it's try-before-you-buy for all parties, and also means more cash and fewer benefits up front. That's fine, as I can use the cash. Should hear back this week. I suspect I'll say yes if they offer me a position.
One of my favorite of the potential benefits of working there is a 9-mile bike ride to work that includes less than 2 miles on the road. The rest is all dedicated, separate bike path, including the charming east end of the I-90 bike path just east of 405, where you ride under the freeway in the marsh, on walkways with wooden rails and ambient frogs. Here's a very brief video of someone coming from the south, and then turning west onto the path.
Of course I have utterly failed at taking my stepmother's advice regarding taking a break from job hunting, especially since the PT gig ended. Can't afford to not work any longer.
--
Bike
Remember those sexy brake levers? I finally sold them on ebay for $145. Not bad.
I'm also researching steel frames to upgrade my road bike. Something more practical and comfortable than a road racing frame, but not as heavy as a touring bike or MTB. Need to get fitted first, but leaning towards Salsa, Surly, or Soma cross-ish frames.
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Personal
No longer dating Dr. S. Still on very good terms. I hope you get to meet her. She's pretty awesome.
Still dating the cute redhead. She's pretty awesome. Most of you have met her, but if you haven't yet, you should.
--
Blueberries!
On wednesday I'm going berry picking with a friend. Not sure where, or what I'll do with that many berries, but the very idea makes me giddy.
--
Travel
FOO camp was amazing. Everyone was friendly, interesting and interested. I met some luminaries of my various fields, and a number of net celebrities. The atmosphere was really great, generative and fun. Excellent mixing of disciplines.
An elementary-school classmate of wasta's and mine was there. She's now half of the couple that created CandyFab. You should probably be sitting down before you click that link. The coolness is nearly unbearable. Sadly, there was not a candyfab machine at camp.
I also was introduced to my (potential) editor's boss, who's title is Associate Publisher. After talking with him a bit about my work and (potential) book, and telling him it'd been almost 3 months since I heard from my editor, he said "That's too long. Let's consider it a deal, and get started," and shook my hand.
A week later I got email from my editor apologizing, saying she'd been under the wrong impression that she was still waiting for me. So. That's moving again, and my revised proposal will be in front of the committee that chooses which books to publish soon.
--
After FOO I had a lovely visit to SF where I mostly hung out with Jer and my family, went shopping for knives in Japantown with my brother, and saw morleyroarly briefly. I love how SF has a unique urban flavor that FEELS like itself, and unlike any other place. I could probably live there, at least for a while.
--
Work
My PT job came to a rather abrupt end while I was out of town, when the customer realized they weren't ready for us to do the rest of the project. I'll miss the income, but not the headache.
Had a 2nd round interview a week ago with the eastside company I met with before I left town. They seem to have a great work environment, pay well, have fantastic benefits, and are working on interesting problems. Unconfirmed word is that they're leaning towards bringing me in as a temp-to-hire. That's good in that it's try-before-you-buy for all parties, and also means more cash and fewer benefits up front. That's fine, as I can use the cash. Should hear back this week. I suspect I'll say yes if they offer me a position.
One of my favorite of the potential benefits of working there is a 9-mile bike ride to work that includes less than 2 miles on the road. The rest is all dedicated, separate bike path, including the charming east end of the I-90 bike path just east of 405, where you ride under the freeway in the marsh, on walkways with wooden rails and ambient frogs. Here's a very brief video of someone coming from the south, and then turning west onto the path.
Of course I have utterly failed at taking my stepmother's advice regarding taking a break from job hunting, especially since the PT gig ended. Can't afford to not work any longer.
--
Bike
Remember those sexy brake levers? I finally sold them on ebay for $145. Not bad.
I'm also researching steel frames to upgrade my road bike. Something more practical and comfortable than a road racing frame, but not as heavy as a touring bike or MTB. Need to get fitted first, but leaning towards Salsa, Surly, or Soma cross-ish frames.
--
Personal
No longer dating Dr. S. Still on very good terms. I hope you get to meet her. She's pretty awesome.
Still dating the cute redhead. She's pretty awesome. Most of you have met her, but if you haven't yet, you should.
--
Blueberries!
On wednesday I'm going berry picking with a friend. Not sure where, or what I'll do with that many berries, but the very idea makes me giddy.