SF Pride March and other entertaining things!

This weekend was SF Pride......so lots of good times and sights to be seen.  Saturday I drove up to SF to meet up with Marcia and Michelle.  Pride stretches over several days and is a huge event.  In the afternoon we headed off to Dolores Park in the city (we were staying in Auckland so on the other side of the Bay).  The place was heaving with people all celebrating Pride!  Among them Zoe and her ex.Navy pals who I tracked down and ended up going out to dinner with.  They were all here to march in the parade on Sunday where they were championing the campaign to End Don't Ask Don't Tell.  Zoe was also a Grand Marshal for the Parade.  It's a huge honour and recognizes her work to try and repeal DADT.  It also meant she got to ride in a very stylie old car and wave at the crowd..... In a lovely twist she invited me to march with them so Michelle and I ended up marching in the parade!  It was very cool to be part of it and I was amazed at how supportive people were.
As part of all the festivities Michelle, Marcia and I also ended up at Mango (dance bar) - it was great fun and lots of nice people to chat to.  After the parade on Sunday we found a very nice cafe that also happened to be showing the soccer so spent a pleasant hour chilling out eating some very yummy pasta and watching Argentina cream Mexico!
On Saturday I also checked out a possible place to rent and have started looking for possible places to buy as well.  Spoke to the mortgage broker on Thursday.....all good.  Assuming all the pre-approval goes through I can afford something "reasonable" to get myself in the market.  I have the names of a few real estate agents too so going to start that process.  Seems like it's been a very big two months, New Zealand, new job, Chicago, back to Cisco, Pride and now deciding to go house hunting and there's still six more months left in the year; my guess is this is going to be one of "those years" where pretty much nothing will look like it does now in 12 months time.  Not complaining, it's all a grand adventure.

Good times

It's been a big week.....and still one day to go.  Had a lovely arrival back into Cisco.  I was still in the system so had a less painful start up process than I might have (yay!) and as soon as I was able to log into the instant messaging system I got a couple of very funny messages including; "wtf?", "seriously?" and my personal favourite "Yay Jody's back".  Felt like coming home, although I am in a different business group and on the otherside of the campus, we are all just an IM away.  Lovely landing with the new team too.  Went out for dinner on Tuesday then had a wider team meeting/drinks on Wednesday.  So funny to walk in and know some of the folk already....great to meet others as well.  Also met a couple of the Partners, so bonus to be able to chat to them.  I really am liking it so far and, given I know Cisco, it is not as painful to ramp up on my project as it might be.
Well and here's something that's taken me by surprise.  I am kicking off a process to look at buying a house in San Fran.  Got a mortgage broker I am going to meet with and the name of a credible (I hope) real estate agent.  I just turned a corner in my mind about wanting to own/invest in property again.  It's a great time to buy given the sub-prime debacle - now all I need to know is how much I can borrow and what I can get for the money.
SF Gay Pride is this weekend so going to stay in the city and check out the town.  Honestly I'm a little too tired to really be enthusiastic but figured I should just suck it up and go live a life.....can't run 18 miles every weekend....well that's because my next big run should be 19 miles, that's how it works!
My I-Pad arrived while I was in St Charles so I've been happily playing with that.....toys!  Motorbike sits a little neglected so Sunday is "sort the bike out" day.  Weather is lovely these days so want to start riding again.

One foot in front of the other

Today I ran 18m/29km.....it's a loooooooong way!  It was also a trail run so not exactly on the training plan.  I went back out to Wilder Ranch.  My last run here was in November last year and was 7 miles all up.  At the time that was quite a feat and I started out along a similar path so was interested to see how I felt as I reached the turnaround point for the 7 miler.  The answer.....100% different; physically and psychologically.  I am really beginning to understand that the physical part is only half the battle (maybe even less), it's your mind that keeps you out there, negotiating every mile, bargaining with yourself about the rewards at the top of the next hill.  Really I should be out on the road doing this but I wanted to be in the country today, not having to negotiate traffic and people (excluding the mountain bikers....trail runners are also much more friendly than road runners for some reason, always smile or acknowledge, road runners don't, not sure why).  Regardless of whether or not it was the right type of training for me to do it is still the longest distance I have run.  The last two miles were the hardest, it's really just a little taste of what the marathon will bring.  Predictably I went off plan and ended up on quite a gnarly piece of track....I like to think of it as adventuring but it does come at a physical cost.  Views were lovely throughout though; it was sunny but with a delightfully cool breeze, so perfect running conditions.  Legs ached towards the end and were making themselves felt post the run.  I can't imagine how much harder this would all be if Case hadn't worked so hard to build by core strength.  The gap between 18m and 26.1m is big....everyone says it's the last 6-8m that have you cross the threshold of "something".....then it really is all psychological.
Ooooh I am not sure I have shared; Rose is coming to NY to support me while I run.....we are going to set up "meeting points".....I saw this on this doco I watched about people running the Chicago Marathon.  People transited around the course on the subway or bus system, leaping ahead of "their runner", having agreed meeting points.  Very cool and very inspiring I am thinking, particularly towards the end when it will be tough to keep focused.....very excited about having someone I know there with me as it's a big ask to think folk can just rock on over to NY to watch me slog out the run (yes, I know others would come too.....but like I said, my life being all about the marathon doesn't mean everyone else's is.....oh and if you really want to help don't forget you can donate to the charity, Team for Kids ......now that would be VERY cool!).

Totally awesome

As of midnight last night I'm back from St Charles.....wow, what a fantastic week!  Not only was the course a great introduction into the methods and tools of change management but the people were fabulous.  Folks from all over the world (Australia, Germany, Sweden, Canada and India) and across several US states.  I really did luck out on this course as it wasn't on my development program for this year.....although should have been - all new hires to the practice should do this course the second they hit the ground.  It started at a very civilized time in the morning (8:30am) and finished around 6 with no homework.  Lots of exercises where we presented as teams too. A big part of the whole experience is the networking/socializing side.  On the Wednesday they held a "Just Desserts" event, which was just desserts, beer and wine.  It was great fun with lots of laughs.  Afterwards a group of us headed across to the Clubhouse, which is a bar on the campus - place just hums as it brings together anyone on the campus attending a course (other companies as well).  You can imagine that over the years there are a lot of stories to tell.  I am amazed at the number of folks I've met who've spent their entire careers at the firm.  It's a little like joining the Army, there is a way we do business, strong loyalties, underlying competitive but (remarkable) willingness and ability to collaborate (and I mean it, seriously, there were a couple of team building exercises and, whereas in my previous organizations the competition would have been ruthless....people shared their answers with one another as they played).  The grounds were gorgeous and there was this lovely running track by the river that I took advantage of (as did dozens of others walking, biking and jogging) and the gym was fantastic (and full of crazy people at 6:30am in the morning!).
St Charles/Chicago in June is clearly an odd place to be, temperatures in the 80s/90s (30s for the kiwis) and really really humid.  Driving to the airport (in a stretch limo I might add - they use town cars (lincolns) and limos to ferry us too and from the airport, sounds glamours.....but isn't really. It is better than the bus and really quite practical given how many people you can get in a limo and cars are faster than buses at the best of times) there was a massive thunder and lightening storm, trees down etc etc.  Of course in a classic moment I met someone in the car working at Cisco - we all know the same folks and she knew the project I was working on.....nice!  Oh and even better, two of the instructors on the course are from the San Francisco Office and the Partner that came to talk to the group was the one that interviewed me and must have a mind like a steel trap....she remembered by name!
Start my new project on Monday, looking forward to it.
Today, long long run and chores.....nice to have gone, nice to be home!

Baywatch or a beached whale?

Yesterday I really knew I had arrived in California when I found myself on the beach, with Case, doing an actual workout, including sprinting between cones with the weight vest on (seriously), situps, lunges and planks.....all against the backdrop of not one, but two beach front hotels -complete with guests sitting on their various balcony's no doubt wondering if I was insane!  Cowells Beach is a very lovely stretch of sand just past the boardwalk in Santa Cruz - usually inhabited by long boarders and, on a less sunny day, very quiet and pleasant to walk along.  Case is "between gyms" so I am now working out with him outside of the gym environment pending his (hopefully) getting a new job..... alternatively beach workouts will become a way of life for me.  Actually the workout itself was excellent (although has introduced me to new levels of muscle ache....if that's at all possible!) but I did have to get over feeling like a bit of a plonker.  It's one thing to work out like crazy in the gym, quite another to find yourself doing it on the beach; I'm not really that girl and Santa Cruz isn't really that town.... although Case does do this stuff with some of his other clients.  All I can say is there were no swimsuits involved, barely a tan and nothing glamourous about all that sand sticking to a sweaty body!
Off to Chicago today, yay, quite happy to sit on a plane and feel justified doing nothing....okay not true, I will do something but right at this point I am not swamped with work so enjoying a tiny slice of downtime because I know what's coming!

Week 1 done

It's been a grand week.....meeting lots of new people, reconnecting with some I know, leaning new things and looking forward to the challenges ahead.  Next week I am flying here for a four day Change Management and Organization Effectiveness Workshop.  The Q-Center is about 45mins outside Chicago and where we go for most of our in-house core training.  Really I've been lucky, the manager who was going had to cancel and I happened to be the free body!  Come June 21 I start my "new" job.  I've started to get some email information so can read up a bit before then.  I know the manager I will be working for as we have worked together before (and on some very tough assignments).  It's fun, new and challenging.  I am feeling very optimistic about the whole thing and hungry to learn and grow.  I need to get back into a steady routine too as the last two weeks have seen the training suffer (not entirely neglected but suffer none-the-less).
I'm meeting up with the new roomie today to look at some housing options online.  I am more sure than ever that moving up to the city is the right thing to do - it would just be so much easier to attend both work and other events....prompt me to go to the theater more and generally seek out folks more easily.  This, of course, reinforced by it having taken me 3 bloody hours to drive home yesterday.  There was an accident on the 17 that basically ground everything to a halt.  I did manage to detour and was very lucky again as not long after I'd taken the alternate (and clearly longer) route a truck jack knifed closing the road.....felt for the folk stranded as it isn't really a road you can u-turn on and even if you could 17 was still a mess.  I've got a much higher tolerance for traffic congestion these days but yesterday pushed it!
This week was also the end of an era with Ruby as it's the end of the University year and I will be gone by August....so no more Ruby midweek visits.  She's been grand company and I've enjoyed these past two years hearing about her world and life working for a University (can't say it would be my first choice....it's an odd world!).  Lyn, my rideshare also dropped off this sweet little book she made about "What I learnt commuting with a kiwi" that she made, very funny......is it so odd that a biscuit is a biscuit and you just need to know there are people biscuits, cat biscuits and dog biscuits and cookies are about computers and Seaseme Street?  How hard can it be?
Good grief it's 11am and already 30 degrees.....no running until very late this afternoon then.

Changing it up

So after nearly four years I've changed the way the blog looks......I have to confess this follows a quiet, but persistent, background noise about how hard it was to read the "white on black".  It also seems timely.....I like it.  Let me know if you don't.
Great news, off to the course next week then my first job (yes back at Cisco.....but it's the right thing to do and very different from what I have been doing and working for someone I already know and like) starts June 21st......most happy!!!  Being staffed into San Jose is very helpful for the marathon training too; limited travel so I can get into a routine that doesn't involve airports and hotels - I'm very committed to that marathon on a whole lot of levels; the charity will get their money no matter what but I like feeling part of the team; I'm excited at the thought of crossing "that line" and the whole thing focuses me on something other than work.
I am still going to move to San Fran.  Being here this week has me feel ready to come back to the big city.  There is so much happening and it's just a drama to get here from Santa Cruz.

Day 2 and Santa Cruz Gay Pride

Day 2 is done and I'm having a great time. Lots to learn and lots of opportunities.  The people are great - uber smart.  I might be off to St Charles (near Chicago) next week for a four day course on Change Management (not sure yet, waiting to see if it is confirmed).  That will be an excellent way to learn "how we do business" and it's looking increasingly like I am going back to Silicon Valley.....not at all bad if the right opportunity emerges.  All good and makes me feel happy about having made the move.

Sunday was Santa Cruz Gay Pride.  Good grief this is my third one!!!  I met Michelle and Marcia in the park and we watched some of the performers, including the Cheerleaders.  These guys and gals are  awesome to watch!

There was the usual range of Santa Cruz randomness going on......although this year we found the beer "tent" (note the orange netting, designed to keep us in rather that other folks out!).  I am pretty sure this

was Michelle's idea.  She, of course, managed to score several "free" drinks and no, I didn't drink all of that beer.  Of course drinking in the sun simply prompts one to drink more so post park we headed into town to a bar that was playing host for the days events.  This inevitably lead to more beer drinking and even some dancing.....all of which took us to about 8pm at night when I walked home and consummed a considerable amount of water in anticipation of seeing Case at 1pm the following day.  It was fun though and will be the last time all three of us will be living in Santa Cruz for Gay Pride.  San Fran Gay Pride is coming up at the end of June so another excuse to hang out!

The day before the day

I am now in San Fran for the week. Drove through this afternoon and I am holed up in a less than glamourous hotel....one block from Union Square and on the edge of the Tenderloin.  Chose it because it was cheap and had a gym.....I think they use the word "gym" lightly.  Oh well, it is clean and safe so won't complain too much.
First day in the new job is tomorrow and I am a short walk away from the office.  I've reviewed all the info they have sent me and know that this week is all about learning the basic stuff; timesheets, filing, values etc etc etc.  Given the size of the company this is the basic induction 101 for new hires and also so a chance to meet some of my peers as there are a group of us all starting at the same time (although not necessarily in the same practice).  We will also get the "tools of the trade" i.e. laptop; my new best friend.  Next week I will start to learn about the actual practice I have joined (at this point I really only have the very lightest of insights into how Accenture actually does change management.....lots to learn I am thinking!).  At some point (sooner rather than later I expect) I will get my first actual job....now that's something to look forward to as I'll be back on the job work for a client, although no idea where that might be or for whom!
This evening, after I checked in, I got on BART (the commuter train) and headed over the Bay to have dinner with my pal Dee. Gotta love the public transport in this town (well as long as you are in the right areas).  So easy to cross the city and the Bay without drama or the stress of driving.  Yummy Japanese in Rockridge (reminiscent of the old days visiting Sharon in Walnut Creek).  The city is buzzing and giving me a taste of things to come when I am living her full time.

Contemplating my naval....or clearly between jobs

While I am between jobs I have been doing some self reflection (yes I do, occasionally, do this!).  Going back to NZ I was really quite startled to discover the number of folk that were in long term and (to all appearances - no cynicism intended, just being real) stable relationships.  Not to say that they are all perfect but it did strike me that at some point I fell off that relationship wagon (well, as you might recall, I was pushed and quite forcefully).  Picking up the pieces took some time and raised a whole lot of other things....but here I am nearly four years on and can report, with more than a little delight.....that I am over it - how it happened, what happened, why it happened and the woeful reasons provided no longer matter.  In the end what matters is that I am quite possibly in the best emotional (and physical for that matter) space I've been in for years.  It is entirely lovely to feel the baggage fall away.  Oh sure, am I still a little pissed off, you bet, could have done without THAT particular journey; 'lil bit of kindness/generosity from the other party goes along way in those moments, but not everyone can offer it up, so in the end you have to let that expectation go too. But we all survive and, at our best, survive it well.  It's a fab feeling and one I could only really have reflected on by virtue of going to NZ.
Of course this little revelation coincides with my making the career shift....the shift I've craved for a lot of years.  As much as I've loved working in comms and enjoyed feeling at least a little competent at what I do, I want and have always wanted more.  I think sometimes my job changes have appeared a little random; they weren't/aren't.  I never make a change without a lot of thought, not all of which I share externally.  It is true though that I am prepared to leap off the cliff (or take the risk) and make the choice relatively quickly (too quickly sometimes?).  I never feel complacent though, always wonder about reaching the level of my incompetence, never take anything for granted.  Kudos to my family; success isn't something we think we are entitled to but something you work hard for (and damn hard) and, more importantly, you're responsible for your choices; when they are good you get to celebrate and when they aren't so good you better fix it.  To my delight, and surprise, this week I discovered that no matter what happens next I really haven't burnt any professional bridges (which was, in fact, the biggest risk in this move).  Everyone has been more than affirming that should I change my mind or find it's not what I really want then there are open ended conversations available (timing and context is all, but nobody actually had to tell me that!).  It is all the more delightful because it attests to the quality of people I have been working for and with - professional, smart, emotionally intelligent and fun!
Tuesday, new job, new world, new logistics AND the big prize for the year to keep focused on.  Going forward in the blog, more photos (assuming I get to visit more places), more adventures and less naval gazing (once a year is enough don't ya think?).

Farewell Maxamillion George

Very sad news....Janine and Kathy's lovely shar pei Max, passed away yesterday.  He was a lovely chocolate coloured rolly dog with a sweet nature.  He had a long full life and brought a lot of happiness to Bidwill Street.  Although older and slower Max was happy and a warm presence during my recent stay - sad to think he is gone and I've shed a tear or two.  Glad though that Mum, Janine and Kathy are together - sad day for the family.

Camels in California!

Proof....it was a real camel!
I have mostly been faffing around this week....can you tell, lots of posts!
I've decided to go and stay in a hotel in San Fran next week as I have my first week in the new job at the San Fran office.  Funny thing was it prompted me to revisit the whole residential hotel thing again to see if that might be feasible until Irene and I move into the city (also a possibility of housesitting for July so maybe only need something for June).  As I contemplated options I was thrown back to the two or so months I did spend staying here.  That was quite a challenging time in lots of ways as I still had no idea what I was going to do, having spent 5/6 months living with Karen and Brice on the Ranch, San Fran really was the beginning of setting myself up in the US on my own.  Anyway when I thought about it the more I realized I just couldn't bare the thought of the craziness that comes with those places.....so I think I might check out what corporate rates Accenture might get for hotels and keep exploring options that are most likely more expensive but way more liveable!  Of course if I get a role quickly then all this thinking might be redundant, I'll either be working in the Silicon Valley somewhere or flying somewhere else.....will roll with it for now, most likely it will become clearer at the end of next week.

75 Reasons to Live: B. Ruby Rich on Edward Weston

75 Reasons to Live: B. Ruby Rich on Edward Weston

This is my current roomie, Ruby, talking about the photographer Edward Weston.  I've really posted it so you all can see her and listen to her great accent!  Although the talk itself is very interesting as well!!! She's been staying with me two nights a week for the past two years (this during the academic year).  She lives in San Fran with her girlfriend so won't be entirely lost to me once I move.

Camels in California!

Okay one camel in California and I got to pat him......stinky but a real....live.....camel!  Went to a work BBQ at Coyote Ranch in San Jose and the "special guest" was a camel.  Long story but the camel was this weirdly perfect thing for the VP (Vice President) hosting the event to choose as a guest.  I've never seen a camel up-close and personal (yes I know if I really wanted to see a camel I should have gone to Somalia, India, China, Egypt....to name but a few places you can find camels)....but instead, much to my amazement, one trotted out right in front of me in 'lil 'ole California!  Photos tomorrow.
As part of the days events my team also gave me my fare well (including a more than generous gift of a voucher for a meal at a very fine dining establishment....need a date).  Later in the evening a small group of us (including some TechProse folk) headed out for dinner.  All up, very lovely, low key and appropriate - I even relented and hugged everyone (I've always maintained a strict work rule of no hugs, no tears....although a few huggers have got through my defences).
Nice day to be me!