Power shopping

Irene and I have just arrived home from here where I've spent suitable amounts of cash buying the most gorgeous furniture for my bedroom......so happy, this place is my nirvana for shopping.  I have to share photos now because none of it actually gets delivered for two to six weeks....

Purchases:

Side table x 2 but the draw handles on mine will also be chrome.  Cute story behind this.  Each one is crafted in the factory by a single person....they choose the grain of the wood and build the item from beginning to end and then sign the back of it, just so you know they made it!

Lamp to go on the side table.....no backstory beyond Irene pointing out that it looks like one of those wands they use on CSI - you go fill in the gap about what they use it for!  Actually I had thought buying this was an over indulgence but Irene quite innocently asked if I thought I might get it as I was listing off the other things to the nice lady who was "happy to help".....Irene is also asking when I might be traveling next so she can move into my room!

Quirky bookcase....somewhere to put my 'lil nic nacs and the few books I own here.

This one does have a backstory.....it's for the lounge btw, not my bedroom; it was actually designed by a woman, Eileen Grey, it's cleverly done and is adjustable so you can lower the glass top.



Most happy about all the purchases and starting to feel quite grown up again.....all bodes well for the future home as I decided to buy based on how I might like my house to look (when I get around to buying it that is).  Oh and just for good measure here is a picture of the Butchers Block we are waiting to have delivered........seriously even I'm startled that it made it on to the "must have" list.....but it's kind of cool too.

Okay douche bag bragging over.......

Went and saw Wicked again on Saturday night....love that show.  It was great fun and the audience was so excited by the whole thing.  Sunday I tramped the streets looking for furniture (well that was how I found Room and Board) and, delightfully, found a little tiny shop that specializes in PJs; owned and run by a very eccentric woman who was entirely joyful that I was so enthusiastic about the PJ range and prepared to buy several pairs....it's the little things that make life happy don't ya think?

20 miler

Got up really early this morning (6am early) and road BART (train) out to Alameda to run a 20 miler with Zoe.  Alameda is on the other side of the bay - about 25mins by BART.....saved me battling the traffic coming home.  Run was grand, looping around "the Island".  If you look on the map you can see Alameda next to Oakland on the right side of San Francisco Bay (that's the East Bay I refer to).....looking left (West) from there the 101 marker furthest North is around about where I live.  BART actually goes under the Bay; too weird to think about when you are riding it I have to say.
The map isn't that clear but Alameda is actually an Island and there is an old Navy Base where Zoe used to serve.  For those who've visited SF you might know that the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier is moored here and is now a Museum.  When Zoe retired from the Navy they had her retirement ceremony on the Hornet.....these were the things I heard about as we ran around the Island, battling Wellington winds for the first three miles but still enjoying beautiful coastal views and a fine vista of the city.  It was a flat run and grand to get another 20 miler under my belt.  Although it's fair to say that for both Zoe and I an arthritic 90 year old could easily have walked past us as we completed the 20 and walked/hobbled the last half mile to Zoe's house.  20 miles is a long way and the legs really feel it (mine ache for about 20mins afterwards and feel fatigued for the rest of the day).  Still, a grand way to start the day and great company.
Just as an FYI if you go South from the 101 marker, down to Palo Alto about 14 miles South/South East from there is where I work (an 87 mile / 140 km round trip), mostly on the Freeway.  Distance here takes on a whole new meaning; this is like driving the equivalent of Wellington/Greytownish daily but on a Freeway, so not quite as stressful.....believe it or not!

The humble home

Couch arrived...yay, most happy and love it!  As promised some pics of the new abode.  From the outside.....non-descript, garage door is about as small as it looks, no hummers going in here BUT check out the inside of the garage - we can get four cars in here and my motorcycle.  Picture of the "gated" entranceway too, it's to the left of the garage (well I didn't say the photos would be exciting, just that I would post them.





Picture on the left shows you how big the place is, behind me is the lounge, to the right the dining room, going down the hall Irene's office under the stairs (very Harry Potteresk), bathroom then at the end two bedrooms, Irene's at the end of the hall mine to the right.

Here's the couch in place....lovely!  Shot of the working fireplace in the lounge as well.

Irene's office on the left is incredibly cute - she does film and digital arts media so has a mega IT set up.  Not sure if you can tell but she really is in the room under the stairs, she does have a little window though and she is allowed out to make coffee etc etc etc.



Below looking down the hallway from the bedrooms and on the right kitchen through to the dining room and lounge.

The place really does feel big and someone could be in the bedroom or lounge without you knowing.

Dining room above and final shots of the bedrooms below.  Irene's on the left mine on the right (not quite finished decorating yet.....).

So there you have it, in all it's glory.  Really is a fab place and feels very safe.  It's on the flat and about a mile from Bart.  It is opposite the Psych rehab ward of SF hospital.....frankly the people are no more strange nor disturbed than you see in any other part of town.  It's also a day clinic so at night there is nobody around - they don't bother us we don't bother them.  It's really like living near Wellington Hospital in Newtown although, weirdly, no sirens at night (beyond the usual inner city police sirens and even then not that often....now that surprised me!).
I'll wander around the Mission this weekend and get some "character" shots.  There's some fab artwork on walls and quite an eclectic crowd.  I think there is a very large mexican population as well so lots of diversity and interesting sights and sounds.

Brain drain....

Okay so this was interesting.  It's an article about NZ expats and what "we" cost NZ:
"....expatriates are costing the country US$10,000 ($14,000) apiece through foregone tax and costs of government services such as education, according to World Bank research."
Can't be a total net loss though - I wonder what it is we bring back into the country when we visit in terms of tourist dollars?  How many expats have property/investments in NZ?  Most American's who know or have been to NZ (and there are a startling number I have met) think I might be a little crazy wanting to live here as they all love NZ.  My current boss lives in Denver, Colorado.  Similar, although different to NZ, Colorado, as I've said before,  is beautiful with sweeping landscapes and lots of opportunities to play in the great outdoors.  At around 700,000 people Denver is the largest city with the next closest half the size....you can see where I am going with this?   I explained it like this: so you live in Denver and travel for your job; now imagine all your opportunities are in Denver and, more importantly, any other opportunities you may have are limited to Colorado.  Equally your social life is focused in Denver or wider Colorado (she is currently single btw) and  that's it.  Sure you can travel, but at a cost, but seriously that's it.  Light immediately went on "oh yeah, I hadn't thought of it that way, I can see why that might not be enough".  Eggzactly.  I think it's the difference between doing your OE and immigrating.  I feel like I've immigrated and have always felt that way from the day I left.
Side note:  I just re.read the Colorado entry....hmm phd....yikes, nope don't think so (although most certainly something else); cross country skiing and snowshoeing still to come; never ever thought at the time of writing that I would consider being one of those crazy marathoners....now I feel kind of chuffed to have driven through that valley and know where the elite train! That trip was awesome and I have some lovely pictures in my head!

New couch and date 2

Irene and I (because we are, after all, housemates) now have a new couch.....well we don't, yet, it gets delivered on Friday.  Yay, it's fab......here's a photo of us sitting on it in the showroom, doesn't it look just like we are at home?  Irene's pal was with us and took this shot; Irene did request a beer, several times, practicing for the real thing I suspect.

Date 2 - excellent, having a lot of fun.  It all seems remarkably easy, it's surprised me - it's not that I wasn't open to dating being easy so much as?? I don't know?  Regardless, we headed off to Golden Gate Park but it was an insanely gorgeous day so the place was beyond packed (so gorgeous and sunny we drove with the top down).  Change of plan, headed to the  beach instead and then ended up at this very cute cafe having a beer sitting in the sun and watching the world go by.  It's a rare SF day that you can actually walk along the beach and not be entirely bundled up against the cold!  Anyway, no complaints, this dating thing is proving to be fun.

Saturday I slogged out 16km.....well shouldn't say slogged, it was a flat run so kind of insanely fast but it does still take some mental energy to get through the whole thing.  Today I committed to a 20 miler next Saturday with Zoe.  Her marathon is in October and she promises me the course she has mapped out is flat....she also says she runs at a slower pace than I do so I won't entirely blow my arse doing it!

Back to the daily commute to San Jose.  I think the thing I'm learning the most about right now is I can still have a life,  work hard and be successful.....everywhere.....or I hope I can because I like the way the world is offering up multiple ways of being.....now it's up to me to make it work.

How I know I live in San Francisco

Here are all the things I see, hear and smell around me that remind me (when I notice) that I live in SF……..

• to get into my house you have to buzz me so I can open the gate to let you in my front door
• the Miata can barely fit through the garage door (seriously, houses in SF were built to garage the original Ford motorcar…….well my story, sticking to it)
•  as I wander around the neighborhood I am guaranteed to come across some crazy soul randomly yelling……that’s when I know I’m not a tourist, I barely notice and don’t for a single moment feel obliged to respond or think it’s really about me…..you know they are just mostly people doin their thing
•  running inevitably involves a hill…..it just does
• the smell of urine and rubbish is just part of an everyday stroll down the street
• at any moment I can come across the most amazing art work……this is graffiti by design
• my neighborhood is full of a colourful cast of characters, diversity rules……I add to the colour
• the fog rolls in and it rolls out, it's just like the wind in Wellington.....it belongs
• if I drive around long enough there is always a car park somewhere, I just have to be patient
• as I walk around I can spot some very cool cafes and restaurants that tourists would never see
• everyday I look out my bedroom window and watch "Twin Peaks" emerge from the mist

There's more, much more, but this is my first flush of feeling like I belong and this is where I should live, for now (because I just can't seem to focus on forever).  

-        

Random interesting read

I picked up on this article today.  It's all about how Obama is using a car driven into a ditch and having to be pulled out as a metaphor for the US economy and the difference between the Republicans and Democrats approach to fixing things.  In sum:

“And yet, after driving our economy into the ditch, they decided to stand on the side of the road and watch us while we pulled it out of the ditch,” Obama said at the Los Angeles event for Sen. Barbara Boxer of California. “They asked, ‘Why haven't you pulled it out fast enough?’ ‘I noticed there's, like, a little scratch there in the fender. Why didn't you do something about that?’”

I thought the analogy thing was clever and it reminded me that when working with Igor he was BIG on this. In one project we started with the equivalent of a virtual foot race (to encourage folks to adopt a new online tool - ummm which doesn't even come close to explaining just how big and painful that process was.....it was also the project where I cut my teeth and, honestly, secured my reputation at Cisco - no pain no gain).  Anyway every week we would gather in an open space and project a race track onto a wall and have guys and girls in suits running along the track while someone commentated the adoption numbers (not unlike a horse race).....it was seriously very funny to be part of, with people clapping and cheering, totally outside the box.  He/we then morphed that into a weighlifting event, again live, with folks representing different continents and pretending to lift weights as sales scores were read out.  These days he's "climbing mountains".  It's become the thing he is known for and we helped drive it.  It was all so non-corporate that you couldn't help but get caught up in the craziness of it all!

Current role doesn't offer up quite the same level of creativity (yet) but I have been involved in some very interesting business development work, coming up with new ideas to deliver services.  I really like being part of pitching for new business, thinking about how you can present an idea to get buy in and then actually selling it in.  This is new for me, I hadn't realized how much I like it and that there are parts of it I am quite good at.....and so much more I have to learn to be exceptional at it.  I think it's because it has an edge of unconventional and creative about it.....there's no precise process to be followed (it's still not my way to revel in process I have to say, even as I diligently execute against it I am forever driven to look for things outside the square).

Settling in and brave moves!

My bed arrived on Sunday....yay....it's lovely.  Here's a little snapshot.  I am loving the way my room is coming together!  Hung blinds on Sunday as well.  You can just see the corner of the day bed on the left and I have a big glass top desk in the room as well, so you can almost imagine how big the room is.  I might use the Flip Camera at some point to take folks on a guided tour of the house!
Also included a little snap shot of Lottie (Irene's dog). She's pretty much the same colour as the rug and has taken to lying on it.  Of course she has also discovered that the day bed (which has always been in her life after all) offers a lovely sunny place to lay down and she can sit up and look out the window at the neighbours....quite an excellent life she has.
Sunday Irene and I headed to the local 24hr Fitness.  It is a mile away, so an easy jog before doing a work out and I also ran up Bernal Heights; which offers a short sharp climb to a dog friendly walkway - 4 miles round trip so a good run for working out on the hills (startlingly for SF I don't live on the hills!).
More impressively (well for me at least) I went on a "date" and, even better, enjoyed myself.  We met online (because that's how most everyone seems to meet these days) and pretty quickly into chatting via email she suggested dumping all the techno conversation and meeting for coffee....nice.  I've meet up with folk like this before (well that's how I met Sharon way back when!), it is kind of nerve wrecking to meet a near stranger but also way easier to plan to meet them than rely on some random conversation at a bar or party!  Anyway, hit it off, laughed alot, ended up at the movies (Metropolis - which was crazy intense and very very entertaining) and have decided to go hiking (that would be day walking rather than tramping) next weekend.  It was also amusing to have the pals dropping texts to make sure I hadn't been mugged.....given a 1hr date turned into 4....oh well, rolling with it.
All up I'm liking living in the city!

Salt Lake City

Well no, not exactly - SLC Airport, delayed for three hours. Fog at SFO has delayed all the flights. Hmmm sending emails, surfing the net,reading and not drinking beer (keep thinking that would pass the time then think "I've done that once already this week and I got work tomorrow") so no beer drinking going on. Enjoyed St Charles and felt variously elated at the possibilities and variously overwhelmed. If you've been to university imagine this - all those overachieving adult students at the front of the lecture theater,asking clever, intelligent and,occasionally,irritating (especially for those of us thinking it was time for a drink......) questions - okay unfair, drinks rolled into the classroom promptly at 530 each day). Actually about everyone was smart, engaging, funny and interesting to talk to. It was very comforting to hear others challenges - this is a behemoth organization so we are all on big learning curves.
Working from home for the next few days so most happy about that. Irene and I going on a shopping spree Saturday (this is where I fill the gaps on anything we haven't got.....my first purchase being a very nice butchers block for the kitchen and a commitment to buy a microwave and sofa!).....oooooh tho as well as the bed I did by a cow hide rug (like it very much)....there is some logic going into all of this....I think.

St Charles

Arrived last night around 11pm. Mostly uneventful trip. Delayed by half an hour in Dallas -just as well as I had to monorail between terminals. Seems I've got quite good at negotiating the airport thing. Went down to the very lovely gym at 6am this morning....it was busy! Crazy people. Course is interesting, not as diverse as the last one as it is for North American hires. Listening to folks stories makes me feel even luckier to already have a network and someone who is getting me in front of the right people. In my mind I am thinking it will be 6 to 12 months before I really know if I see a career path.....well sooner if I fail early....not thinking about that of course.
Went on a shopping spree on Saturday so bedroom/house is coming together nicely. Irene, Lottie and I appear to be settling into an easy life together. I've scouted some good running routes so need to get back onto that when I get back.

How's this for cute

Team for Kids are really great about encouraging us to fundraise.  I got an email yesterday congratulating me for raising over $1000 but the cutest part was they attached a picture drawn by one of the kids that benefits from the fundraising!  On the day the kids will be along the route cheering us on.  The cutest thing about this pic is that it looks like my sister way back when we were growing up and she went through her Pippy Longstockings look!

Corporate Challenge

Last night I ran in the Corporate challenge.  It really was as cold as it looks – in the background is the Oakland Bay Bridge.  The Course was around the waterfront.  Nice flat route along the Embarcadero (part of which I ran for the SF half).  It was 3.5m/5.5km so not a huge distance for me these days.  My boss, Melissa (to my left in white hoodie) ran as well.  She hasn’t run in a long time so I offered to hang with her so she didn’t have to run alone and was very happy to do it.  Mostly I much prefer to run by myself (although was proven wrong when last in NZ having really enjoyed the trail run with Gwenda………well trail running is much more social able, runners much friendlier overall, so probably lends itself to company……..road runners, stoic, largely grumpy folk!).  That said the Challenge brought out all shapes, sizes and abilities (yes I did wear the teeshirt, but over my running jacket…it was seriously cold out there).  Our team was really supportive of one another, cheering each other on.  Melissa toughed it out and didn’t stop (although confessed she wanted to but didn’t as we were together).  She set a good pace and I really enjoyed the run without running myself raggard…….it’s not like I could have won the darn thing so being able to support someone else with no particular goal in mind was nice…..I think she did me a favour as I will still a little twingy from the weekend 20miler……and all that moving of boxes. Afterwards we headed off to a local restaurant/bar for snacks and nibbles.  Kind of surreal to find myself in running gear at quite a nice stylie restaurant!  It was a really fun evening and enjoyed getting to know some new folk.....this is why I have moved to San Fran, participating in things is so much easier.

House unpacking progresses.  Irene’s furniture and style suit the house perfectly.  My contribution will be a couch and maybe some storage units.  My room remains barren in terms of a bed…..this weekend I will choose it, no idea when it might be delivered but must make sure that they deliver it into the house, not onto the street which is, apparently, not unusual (good grief).  As I settle in I am feeling happier and happier about having made the move.  It’s nice to be back in the city (although SF weather not the greatest).  Where we are is a little microclimate but once you head downtown….brrrr, always a chill in the air.  SF weather wise is so like Wellington it’s spooky. 

Irene introduces Lottie (her dog) to the house today.  We have met Habeb (landlords dog living upstairs).  What a riot!  Tiny little dark grey poodle that was wearing a very She-She coat……quite startling really…..Irene is worried Lottie will eat him!

House move is done

……tired!  But house is lovely.  Irene has a very stylie eye (and let’s face it……..I don’t) so she has made it all very pleasant!  My bedroom is HUGE and very very sunny.  I can have a full size desk, day bed thing and my bed and still have room to roll around some.  Of course I don’t actually have a bed at the moment, sleeping on the day bed thing.  Also need some other things like draws, beside tables etc etc etc.  As much as I like living lean I am looking forward to getting a couple of these things (photos when I am set up!).

The neighborhood is as eclectic as we expected and I’ve already had some interesting conversations with neighbors and we’ve seen some sights.  All harmless enough.  I did manage to scratch my car though………shite, garage is a little tricky……tired and and and.  Oh well, only a car and all these things are fixable.  The bedrooms are on the opposite side to the main street so it was way quieter than I expected (oh no curtains yet, so very student like I have sheets hanging in the window).  I am feeling really good about the move (worked in the San Fran Office today……took me 10mins by car to get here…….nice, although I’ll be back out at Cisco/San Jose next week).

I’m feeling a little sore from the run and weary!  Wednesday I am running in a corporate challenge event – only 3.5miles so nothing too stressful.  I’m going to run with Melissa (my current boss).  She doesn’t run at all (and it was her idea that we do it!) but I’m happy to run with her and just enjoy the event, particularly as I am a little tired.  My next race isn’t until October (San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon).  SF Nike Women’s marathon is in October too – I’ll try for that next year, it’s a ballot but is meant to be great fun.  Apparently at the end of it everyone gets a little Tiffany gift……ummmm not sure what I will do with that but good to know!  I’ve entered into the New Orleans Mardi Gras marathon in February as well.  This might be a little soon after NY but it’s easier to go back to the half than bump up to the full if I don’t feel up to it.  It’s a flat course and I figure you can’t beat New Orleans!

I am off to St Charles on Sunday for three days – Experienced Hire Course.  I am looking forward to it as I will meet some more folks and, no doubt, get some more insight into the business.

nzalien on the move - 20m/32km and moving house

Taking a pause from packing and cleaning (any excuse!).  BIG running milestone today - I ran 20 miles, my longest run yet! This is a long way, a very long way, especially when at mile 10 my i-pod headphones decided they had had enough and were no longer willing to play nicely!  Run took me 3.5hrs which I guess is okay (no idea really, I wasn't running for time, just survival).  Before NY my training plan has my longest run at 22 miles.  I am well ahead of the plan though so maybe it just means I will do a faster time than I expect.  Hard to know, I haven't really looked hard at the course yet; although I always train hills if there are more or they are longer than I am used to, well, it's all just about survival in the end.
Michelle came over yesterday to help me pack and clean (yay Michelle who has a delightful foible of liking to clean things....like ovens and fridges).  Big move is tomorrow.  Given I left NZ with three suitcases and still have no furniture to speak of, it's a little startling to see just how much I've accumulated in the way of misc stuff.  Well sheets and towels and then a little bit of kitchen stuff....few more clothes, the motorcycle gear alone takes up one case.  Although I'm a little upset to realize that I bought these really fab leather motorcycle trousers last year ..... but they longer fit....hugely don't fit!  I haven't even worn them yet as I got them at the end of last summer.  I know on one level this is a good thing but, still, I really really liked them.  I will have to sell them on ebay or something and see if I can get another pair.
I am very ready to leave Santa Cruz, this chapter of my time here is done.  It's been a wonderful place to create a stable base but now I feel like I have to move on to whatever is next.  Once I hit SF I will start looking at the house buying thing.  My dilemma, of course, is do I actually buy what I would love to live in right here and now (knowing that it's not likely to appreciate in value much, but a very manageable mortgage so a renter longer term) or buy something that's livable, needs some work and is likely to appreciate in value.  Sensible self knows number two is right.......but I'm keeping the lotto dream alive, just in case I can have it all!