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!

Memorial Day and Don't Ask Don't Tell

Way back in the day I went through a phase of attending the dawn ceremony for ANZAC Day - Memorial Day is almost the equivalent of ANZAC Day but I don't feel quite the same about it (for obvious reasons).  When I briefly lived in San Fran I did attend one ANZAC Day Service, it wasn't at dawn so didn't have quite the same feel about it.  Still April 25 never passes me by without a thought, and neither does Memorial Day - take the girl outta the Army but not the Army outta the girl.
This year I have been privileged to have met someone who is not only an ex.service member but is a key figure in the fight against Don't Ask Don't Tell.  I have mentioned Zoe before.  In a huge victory for gay and lesbian service members, and as a testament to the hard work of people like Zoe, the House of Representatives voted, on Thursday May 27, to Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell.  In quite a remarkable turn of events for me it so happened that on the day I had my work laptop open and Zoe instant messaged me to tell me the House was about to vote, I got online and was able to watch the vote live.  I felt nervous as I watched the yay and nay votes tally......can't imagine how people like Zoe felt.  A chunk of the Museum is dedicated to gays and lesbians who have served and there are a number of biographical books in there as well.  While I am not yet a US citizen and have never served with the US forces I do support the right of gays and lesbians to serve openly (well jeeze, while in the early days I never really overtly had that right and went quietly about my business it was a compromise that was never sustainable and I quietly celebrated as the NZ Armed Services let go of a law that had no place being there in the first place!).  So while today is mainly about those who have fallen, I think it is also about those who have continued to fight, within their own ranks, for what is right (I am not going to argue the merits of whether or not there should be Armed Services at all, that is an entirely different debate).  The fight isn't over yet but it is, for me, quite startling to find myself sitting next to someone at the center of the debate and to hear first hand how passionate and committed people are to making things right.....

Memorial Weekend and new toys

It's Memorial Weekend, this is similar to ANZAC day.  Because I live in the equivalent of Nelson it's also the weekend where floods of tourists arrive to play on the boardwalk and lounge on the beach.  I have become as parochial as any Santa Cruzian, I don't mind that they come share the beach etc etc but road rules still apply as does common courtesy when walking down the street....just because you are filled up on junk food (gobsmacking amounts of junk food I might add) and on holeeeday doesn't mean you can't engage your brain every now and then....or does it?  Enuf said.
I've had three workouts since arriving back......arrrrrrrrgh.  Timely reminder that the body is a temple and temples get grumpy if you neglect them.  So I am back to creating my routines, eating right, not drinking and working with acupuncture boy to get everything back in balance.  And yes, I know, it's all relative and I can still run 16 miles, but but but.

I have also succumbed to the lure of the I-Pad.  I could justify the hell out of it but really it came down to realizing that when I start traveling for work it's not realistic to take my Mac AND my work computer and I like to play on the internet in the evenings (versus watching TV).......so not a good look to be playing on the work computer - I-Pad is the perfect thing.  Also prompted by my finally contacting my telco provider about having trouble texting.....long short story, need a new phone so have had to fork out for a new Blackberry Storm - made me a little grumpy so my reward for sucking it up was the I-Pad (see how my mind works).
This week I am going to spend time sorting out work stuff.  I've really got nothing to do on a daily basis as my backfill is being as outstanding at the job as I expected.  I really do care about this team and feel very happy that they have someone who will take them to the next level and look after their interests - it was/is a bloody tough job but hugely rewarding on those days you get it right.  I am hopeful my next job proves to be the same - it will be good for me to be thrown outside my comfort zone again, as long as I don't find myself arriving at the level of my incompetence.....
Off to Marcia's for dinner this evening (town is so clogged up I'm gonna walk - 30/45mins - over rather than drive as it took Michelle a ridiculous amount of time to do what should have been a 10 min drive).  It's a lovely evening and I've had a good work out so it will be nice to have the walk as well.....smell the roses and all that!

Had to be done......

Queenstown, The Ledge, May 2010

Home

Uneventful flight.......preceded the night before by a lovely dinner out with Rose, Jo and Pauline.....followed by a spa in the rain.  The spa has a long long history; Rose having it all those years ago when I flatted with her in New Windsor (affectionately known as "Heart Break Hotel" as a succession of us camped out there post girlie trauma of the moment) this in the early 2000s - so that pool has a lot of stories to tell, none of which I am going to share here and only a third of which I probably know about.  Rose and Jo have built this lovely garden setting that has the spa nicely tucked in behind a little wall of vegetation....grotto like.  Of course that didn't stop us needing to put up a big umbrella while the rain bucketed down.  Last brekkie with Helen on Wednesday then lounged around waiting for my flight.
Interesting now there is a second level of security at Auckland airport (maybe there was last time but I don't recall it working like this).  First round gets you into the international lounge then you do a second round before you go into the US flight lounge.  They were checking names against some list (I assume the no fly list) but I did think it odd that while we went through the x-ray machine again they still didn't make us take our shoes and belts off (which is standard in the US for all air travel......I found internal travel in NZ to be incredibly low stress comparatively - different atmosphere too, here it always seems so much tenser...for obvious reasons, so not so much a criticism as a comment).
I slept on the plane after watching Boy.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not, I did.  It is funny in a tragic way - unlike Once Were Warriors the underlying tragedy, neglect and violence is disguised in the humour.  It's definitely a kiwi story and worth watching.
Arrived back to a lovely sunny day and Michelle's shiny new (well almost new) car.  I love my little house, even if it won't be mine much longer, and very excited to start chatting to Irene about moving dates etc etc etc.
Work from home tomorrow....not thinking about it....not sure what I will be doing.....last week at Cisco, sending farewell emails maybe?

Last day in NZ

I fly out for San Fran at 7:30pm tonight.....it's been a great few weeks.  I've flown 8 times since I landed and have concluded Air NZ is a great, friendly airline - even if I've mostly sat down fallen asleep and woken as I've landed.
It's been great to catchup with so many people, some planned, some spontaneous and some "new" to my world.  Last year when I visited I had been more hesitant about getting out, less sure about seeing people, this year it's been totally different.  It's been fascinating to catchup on people's lives and realize how much mine has changed and what a different space I am in.  Interestingly I think everyone is hitting the same types of challenges and opportunities.  A lot of folk have hit career and personal moments focused on "what next" - recognizing that my friends (and family for that matter) are smart, go-get people who are driven to take on new and exciting challenges.  It's just not always clear what to do next but everyone is asking themselves similar questions.
I have a lockup here (it contains not much beyond the museum collection and a few personal items not sold a few years back).  I had thought it might be strange to visit (and I certainly didn't unpack anything so much as look in).  As it turned out the anticipation was far more stressful than the actual opening of the door (helped by the discovery that I have a huge credit as I'd overpaid on the rental for several months).  Everything was secure, dry and safe - not that I could have done much if it hadn't been.  I will have to think on what to do with the contents, but not today, for now I am content to know that the things are there when I am ready to decide.
I feel incredibly fortunate.  As much as I've loved visiting NZ California beckons.  I am ready to take on my new set of challenges.  In thinking about the new job I am more than awed by the possibilities but, more than that, realize that it's the share scale and scope of the US that works for me.  The idea that professionally opportunities abound and can take multiple forms.  Opportunities exist in NZ of course, but they are limited and more constrained in scope and scale.  It remains a beautiful country and having covered it very nearly from top to tail I am filled up with wonderful images.  But mostly it is the people.  I have had such warm, engaging and positive times with folk.  All of whom have reflected back lovely things to me.
It's been grand, now I have marathons to run; a new job to learn; a home to find and untold other adventures to create  - none of which detracts from how much I appreciate friends and family here and look forward to folk stopping by next time they are passing through!

Auckland and weather closing in

Landed in Auckland Sunday having enjoyed a fun evening at a birthday party on Saturday evening, nice company and, yet again, the inevitable casual meeting of old pals!
Landed in Auckland and Rose and Jo picked me up from Auckland airport (plane was delayed half an hour, worked for me I promptly fell asleep and was most happy to get the added sleep).  Girls whisked me off to a very cool new cafe/motorcycle seller located in an old warehouse.  It was a very cool surprise as there were some great old motorcycles.  Afterwards we went to Sales-St which is a very funky bar - there are some great venues in NZ and I am amazed at the size of them.
Today I visited with Tee and here little girl Milly.  Was lovely to see Tee again and, of course, enjoy her home cooking.  Quiet evening tonight then visiting with Gwenda tomorrow before she flys out to China then dinner with a Wellington pal who is in town (and I met at Saturday's party). I fly out Wednesday and I can feel myself shifting to thinking more about next steps in California - much helped by the weather here turning to crap....mostly the weather here has been great, if not cold....but the rain has me pining for a California summer I have to say.

Last day in Wellington

Today is my last day in Wellington.  Yesterday I flew to Nelson for the day (the weather here was crap but Nelson really turned it on, gorgeous sunny day).  I met up with an old school friend that I haven't since we were 18.  We didn't immediately recognize each other at the airport (although really she's hardly changed) so stood staring at one another for a while until we both clicked.....then it was off and chattering for the rest of the day.  Of course we each remembered different things from our teen years (although both vividly recall the amount of partying that was done).  Rebecca also had news of other school friends so it was interesting to hear what people have been doing.   Apart from sitting outside in the sun at this cute cottage in an old colonial home (eating lunch and drinking wine) we also went to the Wearable Art Museum.  This was very cool and cleverly set up so you sit down and watch the costumes/clothes roll past you....not unlike the actual show!
Landed back in Wellington and was picked up at the airport and headed out to drinks with a group of folk that informally come together every three weeks.  Great fun and met some old faces as well.  Andrea, Flis and I then went to diner and......karaoke.....this was hilarious.  Andrea can sing and belted out several songs.  Ended up being a very late night (or should I say early morning).
Mum and I are off adventuring today then I am off to a party this evening with another old friend.  Going to keep this evening quiet, in fact as of today back to the no drinking regime as I've been a little neglectful and will, undoubtedly, pay the price when I next see Case.
Auckland tomorrow, three days of adventuring then back to life as I round out my time at Cisco and launch myself into the next new thing.

Whirl wind of adventures

Queenstown was a blast.....the house was beautiful, in a lovely setting and a delight to stay in - made all the more fun as I brought the "cook" with me!
Of course adventures were at hand and this is me launching myself off the bungy at the top of the gondolas.  Dude told me to run at it and launch myself off the platform - seems I'm good at following instructions.  Can't fault the view, really is spectacular.

Also did this which is this very cool tour through the trees via a series of flying foxes.  Takes about two hours and along the way the guides give you a little eco lesson.  It was fun to do and grand to be up in the trees....bloody cold though, even though we were bundled up.
Did the Shotover Jet boats as well and soaked in the tubs overlooking the river.
It was interesting to be in Queenstown after all these years and amazing to note the number of non-kiwis working the tourist sites.

Travelled through to Arrowtown as well.  The Fall colours were lovely.  I can't say I really remember seeing Fall look like this as a child but it was definitely a gorgeous time of year to be visiting.
Back to Wellington and I felt so guilty about not having done any running that I took myself off around the bays and ran 16miles (nearly 26km).....the longest run I've done to date.  Had me feel so much better about myself!
Have continued to catch up with old friends and work colleagues., including a 7am breakfast this morning (what was I thinking?). Head to Nelson tomorrow for the day to see an old school friend....who I haven't seen since we were 18 years old.  She sent me an email a few weeks back and I figured since I was in Wellington I could swing a 35min flight for the day.
Got some other catchups between now and Sunday when I head back to Auckland.  Having a grand time and not yet thinking too hard about the new job!

Queenstown

So Wellington has been a whirl of catching up with folk and bumping into even more folk in the street that I am now planning lunches with......small town.  Out running met two people I know, even smaller town than I remember.  It was a lovely run, 22.5km so a big'un but all around the south coast and around Oriental Bay, really lovely.  Couple of hills to start but nothing unmanageable.  Heading out again for dinner tonight to a very nice restaurant that has been around for years and seems to survive the ups and downs of the economy.  Have drunk more wine since landing than I have in a VERY long time.
Fly to Queenstown on an early morning flight tomorrow (well 915 so not too early I guess).  Going to be roughing it of course!  There's a very cool video that takes you on a tour of the house as well.  The house is Karen and Brice's, they were building it when I was living with them in New Mexico.  Sweetly I look around and see all the furniture etc etc that I used to live with on the Ranch.....they shipped it all over when it came time to furnish.  Really looking forward to the trip.  In Queenstown for four days and will update on the adventures to be had in the next blog.
Started raining here today but weather is oddly warm.  Must get back to chores....stop avoiding packing!

Wellington

Arrived yesterday afternoon......almost had a bloody heart attack at the taxi fare from Grey Lyn to Auckland Airport.  Bloody hell!  Got on the plane, doors closed and so did my eyes, landed, doors opened and so did my eyes.  I love that flight Auckland Wellington, it's perfect cat nap time.
Mum and Kathy met me at the airport in the "truck" - seriously, K and J now have a truck that they can use to carry stuff (well the Saab isn't so practical for home renovation projects).  Quiet night in then up at 6am to go to the gym with Janine.  Cute little set up at the end of her street.  Of course was then challenged to modify my program to be kgs not lbs.....yikes I think Case got some of the conversions wrong because no way I could lift some of the weights he had written down (before I left we spent one of our sessions writing out a program for me to do while I am here, he is determined I don't go backwards and I know if I don't do it it will all just hurt when I get back!!!!).
Now I am lounging on the day bed at J & Ks, sunny streaming in the window, it's a long day when you get up at 6am.
Out for dinner tonight with a pal and been steadily filling the Calendar.
And wow, new job sent me a link this morning to a website that's for new hires to look around to prepare for the first few months with "the firm".  I'm quite impressed I have to say.  It seems like they do alot to give you the tools you need and set you up for success, then you just gotta do it.  It's also good to get some insight into how the next while will run.  I'm still amused that I've applied for a job, got it but then when folk so what will you be doing, where will you be working all I can say is "I'm not sure".  I definitely have a better sense of how the process works but won't know what my first job is for a while nor where it will be.  Just as well I deal well with uncertainty, it will all become clear, eventually!

Wellington bound

I head off to Wellington today having had a very pleasant time in Auckland.  Loved Yol and O's lil ranch, 10 acres I think with the biggest bull I have ever seen (which we herded into a new paddock....glad it was compliant as didn't fancy my odds if he decided he wasn't going to be happy).  Drinks out on Saturday were fun with many old faces there to chat too.  By 11 pm I was feeling shattered as it had been along day.
Sunday up early to head out for a trail run with Gwenda. This proved to be very lovely as we ran through bush (uphill and down) pausing mid-run to sit on the beach before turning around to head back to the cars. 10ks all up I think so a nice way to get the heart rate up without killing myself.  After that we went to a very lovely cafe on Takapuna beach, great views although very busy as it was mothers day.  The afternoon was spent watching a DVD and generally lounging around with Rose.....foot elevated, being waited on of course.  In the evening we headed out to Ingrid and Margaret's for dinner and interesting conversation.  They have bought a very sweet villa, very livable as it is but packed with potential and, of course, given it is NZ, plans are well underway around how to change things to make it even more livable!
Stayed up late with Rose chatting so having a leisurely morning with Poppy (Rose and Jo's dog) laying next to me on the bed.....she stayed in doors with me last night, special treat as usually she sleeps outside, and is continuing to indulge in sleeping on the big bed.

Landed!

Most uneventful trip although delighted to have had three seats to myself on the plane so that I could lay down and get some sleep.......most happy as I really could lay flat!
One notable moment was Rose arriving at the airport on crutches!!!! Apart from the fact it was 5:45am (now that's a pal) I hadn't registered that the sprained ankle has turned into a broken one.  Owwwww makes my joints ache to even think about it.
Anyhoo arrived back at Ms Peel (Rose and Jo's house) to have several cups of very strong coffee and Poppy (the dog) happily lounging in my lap (I hear you sobbing Michelle, she is as cute as ever btw).  Jo eventually surfaced and I chatted to her for a while before I headed off to the supermarket to spend outrageous amounts of money on.........not much.  Doesn't help that the nearest supermarket is at the pricer end of the spectrum, but wow either my tastes have got very expensive (yes yes I hear the laughter) or this town has - and that is saying something from someone who lives in California where the cost of living ain't exactly cheap. 
Pal Leah (who I haven't seen in maybe 7 years) came and picked me up and we headed over to "The Shore", chattering away before heading to lunch (yum sashimi).  Lovely to see her, not much changed and great to catch up on life.
Got home and headed out for a run.  Got lost of course, forgot cars DON'T have to stop for pedestrians except under very specific circumstances (i.e. traffic lights and ped crossings) AND look right then left before crossing the road.  Needless to say I got more than one adrenalin surge as I was reminded of these things.  I had to ask for directions twice (oh the bliss of only having to ask once and people knowing what the hell I was saying - never under estimate the ease of your native tongue).
Today (apart from clearly being awake at 5am - earlier truth be told but I stayed in bed as long as I could having stayed up as late as I could) off to breakfast with another pal then heading out to Odessa and Yolanta's lil "ranch" and then someones birthday drinks in the evening (I am the token "visitor from America".........I expect they will be most disappointed when they register I don't have an American accent and am not, at least for now, an American at all).  Tomrorrow, trail run.......followed by recovery I expect.

A fond farewell

Dear Santa Cruz

We are breaking up; it’s time for me to leave you.  We’ve had a strange relationship.  You with your beach town feel, surfing, hippy, tourist culture offset by that quirky university crowd and those very wealthy dotcomers (I am simply going to ignore the wasters…..there are more than a few of them, you really should think hard about who you hang out with).  I couldn’t fault your beautiful beaches, restaurants and some of the fab people I’ve met along the way.   Once I found it, I loved that gym too and my boys (Marc and Case), they might come with me, we will see.  But really, it is you; our time is done.  I was only ever visiting and need to head back into the big city.  You were very patient with me while I rebuilt my world, tried to figure out what to do next; finding me that little attic room tucked behind the hoarders house and with the most fantastic roomie.  Took care of me again when the little cottage arrived (well Michelle had a hand in that) and, of course that job, that unexpected job with the company I’d never heard of (Cisco wasn’t it?).  The cottage brought a new roomie too and the sweetest landlords.   Throughout it all I had my rideshare, I’ll miss her, but not the daily commute over the 17.  I’ve survived it all of course and the world looks entirely different than it did 3 years ago, yeah can you believe it, that’s how long it’s been. 

I do want to thank you though, I had no idea you were such a famous little town, everywhere I went people knew Santa Cruz (I hope you didn’t think me too mean always calling you Santa Crazy).

I am telling you this now because I want to give you time to adjust.  I am heading off for three weeks and when I come back there is going to be a lot of change.  I start my new job in June, I’ll stumble through the geography in the early weeks – yes I’ll be in the San Francisco office, too far to commute every day and then I might end up travelling four days a week, so I wouldn’t be seeing much of you anyway, even less than I do now.  I’ll have a new roomie so that changes too; brings new and different things into my world.  I’ll need to make more effort to catch up with the few pals that live here (well Michelle and Marcia, but things are changing for them too and that’s what social media is all about isn’t it?).

I guess you aren’t surprised but I’m glad we talked.  I at least wanted you to know that you’d been important in my life. I won’t forget you and might even come visit some time, the motorbike would enjoy the ride. I’ll never be able to visit nor think about you without feeling grateful you were here.  Life could have gone differently these past years.  Just goes to show sometimes all it takes is the right space and the will to keep moving forward One.Step.At.A.Time.

Nashville has been flooded out!

Country Music Hall of Fame pre. the flood.....

Country Music Hall of Fame post the flood.....

The angle isn't quite the same but you get the idea!  During the half marathon we ran down towards the museum then in front of it....so if we'd been running last weekend we would have needed waders!  Sadly too all the downtown honky tonk area is flooded too!   Glad I saw it when I did.

Nashville, new job and relocating

Been a busy few weeks.  Clearly I survived Nashville!  The run was tough, 

hot and hilly…….I really slogged it out.  Still came out in the top 25% for age and gender (these things matter……to me, at least) BUT took me over two hours.  Around mile two I knew it was going to be ugly and I never found the love.  That’s a lot of miles of feeling unloved I have to say.  Still I loved Nashville.  Around 34,000 people run in this race so the place was humming and the streets lined with spectators.  A pending thunderstorm meant organizers had to close the course earlier than anticipated so folks running the marathon who didn’t hit mile 11 within 2hrs 30mins got diverted to the half marathon.  Can’t imagine how devastating it would be to be running your first marathon and not be able to finish.  One very cool story……well two. The woman who won the half didn’t know it started 15 mins earlier than originally announced (once again trying to make sure folk weren’t on the course when the storm hit) – she was in the bathroom cue when the start gun went.  She raced out of the cue, jumped the fence onto the course (before the start line so her time was recorded) and sprinted to catch the lead runners…..she was just as shocked as everyone that she won!  Another woman who was running her first marathon got turned back to go to the finish line at a couple miles short of her being able to complete the full 26.2 miles so she crossed the finish line and found some guy with a Garmin gps watch and he ran around the race track with her until she had completed the full distance….way to go!

Saturday evening of the race I had dinner with the work pals family (having slept on her couch the night before we flew out of San Jose for Nashville……..6am 2hr flight to Denver then change planes for a further 2hr flight to Nashville).  Tried fried green tomatoes, yum and had several glasses of the most divine red wine (or maybe it’s just that I drink so seldom these days that all wine tastes good).

As well as the runners expo I went to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  This was really interesting……..got to see Elvis’s gold plated car……..ugly…..but gold nonetheless. 

I love this view on the right, the building in front was dated early 1800s, no prizes for guessing the date for the one in back.  This was very representative of Nashville architecture, a real mix.

On another note…….I have a new job.  Yuh it’s that time again.  I’m heading off into management consulting land going to work for Accenture as a manager.  Long story short it’s time for me to make a big career change, this is it!  Most likely I’ll travel 4 days a week and will, ultimately, be back to running teams.  Accenture is huge (170,000 employees globally) and has a fantastic learning culture.  They have their own training school just outside Chicago and and and – it’s a fantastic opportunity and if I can do a good job opens up many doors.  I almost can’t believe it, this is why I came to the US!  If I can do this well I will have the opportunity to work on a huge number of different projects, continue to work with fantastically capable, smart people and across a range of different organizations.  It’s exciting and scary.

Which also leads me to the other change – I am moving into San Fran.  Need to be closer to the home office and the airport.  I think I’ve found a very cool roomie who also has a dog!  She currently lives in Santa Cruz and is a lecturer at the University – she’s keen to move into San Fran so after my NZ visit we are going to start to look around for a place.  I think we will make a good team and it will be good to live with someone if I am travelling. 

In between all that I fly out for NZ on May 5 for 2.5 weeks......so as you can tell…….not much happening……..

Proof.....kind of

Santa Cruz half marathon, by Wilder Ranch......ummmm can't see my number, hidden, wrong colour, shouldn't be running with the big kids.....trainer made me do it, honest!

Hmmm not sure, mile 6 (9.6 km) maybe, not quite half way, windy but not unmanageable, well not a head wind at this point.  No rain, but a mighty stormy sea, rain and headwind came later!

Seriously....why would anyone do this?

Swine Smash - meat based cocktails

Santa Cruz Half, Nashville and Visiting NZ

Alright finally getting around to posting about the Santa Cruz Half.  Woke up to an overcast cold day with the promise of rain!  So no question that I would be wearing a jacket to run in, which was fortunate because as it turns out the colour of the numbers for the half versus the 10k was different and I wasn't actually registered for the half (registration was full but I ran it anyway).  Even though the weather was bad around 3.5 thousand people showed up on the day (pic on the left is the teeshirt logo, I thought it was kind of quirky and creative, I like it).  Cute at the start, they read out the places people were from (other than the US).  Turns out Australia, Sweden, Germany and New Zealand....couldn't tell if there were other folks there so might only have been me!  The course is really scenic taking you along the Coast and then out to Wilder Ranch (which I've mentioned before) - only this time we ran the coastal track, rather than the hill.  The weather being rough meant the sea was spectacular.  The last 4 miles were hellishly windy and the last mile it rained.  Somewhat meanly, I thought, we finished with a short beach run....very short but sand no less!  It really was a great race and I'd love to do it when the weather was fine too.  Of course now I realize if I ran that course from my house that would make for a very nice 15/16 mile run...between now and NY it's all about building miles.  
I was good and only looked at my watch for distance, not pace....unbelievably my chip time came in at 1hr 48mins....I find this very hard to believe but keep getting told "the chip don't lie".  So if it is true I would have been around 16th for my age group in a filed of 380ish.  Very credible but a little freakish.  Case, of course, was beside himself with it all.
Nashville is next weekend.  It will be very very different....hot for a start.  Around 20 degrees (please let it be at least that "cool"...my running buddy tells me temperatures have been around 26 for the last two weeks).  Oh and for the record I do live my life in fahrenheit and miles these days but translating to make it easier for the NZ folk.  Nashville will also have thousands more runners and, of course, bands every 2 miles or so.  They start the race in waves as well so this will be my first time doing something similar to the NY marathon.  Now I am staying the extra day I am even more excited to be able to do some additional sightseeing.  I am just going to focus on clocking the miles, enjoying the run and the music.  I am taking my i-pod just in case I don't like all the distraction - head off into my own country music concert.

Because I know just how dull all this running/marathon chatter can get for those that aren't interested I've attached a pick of my latest purchase.  If you pop it open you'll see the dude on the left is just yapping on marathon, marathon, marathon....guy on the right speaks for itself!  On the back it references the NY Marathon and I did get a running cap which mentions training for the marathon....going to wear that in Nashville as it is white so might offer some protection from the evil sun .... which is most welcome to be in attendance after the race, just not during!
NZ trip is all booked, including some catchups (although not all of them....I am starting to feel organized out).  Tripping into Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, back to Wellington then last few days in Auckland. 2.5 weeks all up, which is longer than last year so I am making the most of it.  Queenstown is on the list as I want to go and stay at Karen and Brice's house, they were building when I was living with them on the Ranch so I feel like I know it but have only seen pictures.  It will also be nice to have some downtime...not to mention the Ledge Bungy overlooking Queenstown (this has been on my bucket list for along time now, the last time I had the opportunity the darn thing was closed....better not be this time!).

Changing plans and expensive teeshirts

Tomorrow I had planned to run the Santa Cruz 10k - I'd enrolled months ago and with Nashville on the 24th it seemed like a good idea.  On Wednesday Case announces that he thinks I should just run the half........so it is.  Although registation is full for the half I am just going to keep running at the turnaround point.  Seems hillarious to me that I've gone from barely being able to run 3miles to running two half marathons in a month.  I'm not going to run it for a personal best (although some have their doubts given, what appears to be,  my deeply internalized competitive streak) but just clock the miles......honest, I'll really try to suppress the urge to look at my watch too often.  It's a beautiful run along the coast but weathers suddenly gone all sad again so it might be a wet one - that could be kind of fun too.
I've also had to add an additional day to my Nashville trip.  Airline called to say I either flew out at 5am on the Sunday after the race or next best time was 3pm Monday.....ummm let me think about that for two seconds!  Of course adding a day adds a days accommodation.....this race really has proven to be very expensive (and all I get is a teeshirt!).  But then it is all about country music and Nashville!!!  On the upside I do get extra time in Nashville to do things other than run.  Lila and her family have invited me to dinner on the Saturday night then I'll use Sunday/Monday to do the touristy things.  I also think the extra day off work will be refreshing so while I sound a little whiny this is going to be one of those memorable moments that make for good story telling, particularly as no one I know likes country music like I do.

As at noon Wednesday April 7 EST

It's real.......this is the official official last word....they drew the lottery today - charity runners have automatic entry but still freaky to actually see it here, made my stomach lurch a little.....entry number 548409/26.2 miles/42.1km/$2620 to raise - it's all just numbers, really, isn't it?

Way to market and not.....

I don't think this quite makes it into the factoid bucket but was most amused to get the latest promotional material in the mail for the NCLR (National Center for Lesbian Rights) annual fundraising Anniversary Party.  You can buy one ticket or lots of 2, 4 and 10.  Why was I amused? The pitch for:

• 10 tickets: Couldn't decide which one of your exes to invite? Invite them all...and before anyone decides to get smart arse about it, no this was not specifically designed for me!
• 4 tickets: Skip a threesome, have a foursome! 

2 and 1 tickets wasn't wildly interesting - in fact the one for a single ticket was so wildly dull I thought it was a missed opportunity: Buy a single ticket or treat your family and friends to a night out on the town. As a single girl nothing about that sounded wildly fun!!!!  At 90 bucks a ticket this isn't a cheap night btw.  I've been to these dances for the last two years, not sure if I'll go this time and the sales pitch (or lack there of) isn't helping sway me!

Thinking outloud

So I'm kind of bored - shouldn't be, it's quarter end so lots of busyness at work, couple of staff "challenges", personal trainer twice a week, acupuncture once a week, running running running AND organizing NZ adventures for May.....okay bored is an overstatement, but I have to justify my current little obsession - noticing random, largely irrelevant factoids.  This weeks batch:

• President Obama used 22 pens to sign the health care reform bill into law. They are being given as gifts to some special folks who helped get the bill passed
• Oscar winners live, on average, 4 years longer than nominees who don't win.  Must be true the NY Times said so
• Muscle is not heavier than fat, it's all about density and volume (well maybe everyone knew this but I had in my mind muscle weighs more than fat, nope, wrong and duh, when I think about it of course it's wrong a pound of fat = a pound of muscle, cos it's all a pound - I hate it when I am stupid)
• The September 2007 issue of Vogue weighed a record breaking 5+lbs and was 840 pages.  I know this because I watched The September Issue which documented the making of the magazine by following editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (also known as Nuclear Wintour, because she is so cold and distant with people.....my 5th factoid)

While I fear that sharing this doesn't make me more interesting to anyone else it does, in reality, keep me hugely entertained and The September Issue was worth watching!

My year of books....

This year I decided that if someone recommended a book and it sounded okay I would read it.....it's leading me down some very interesting pathes.  One of the joys of the Kindle is that you can download a sample chapter, so when someone recommends a book I can, if it's available electronically, at least check it out.
This has lead me to some interesting books.  The Professor and Other Writings is a series of essays from a Stanford University Professor described as a "cultural scholar and essayist".  Not at all sure what that means but the essays themselves are very entertaining.  Given they are written in biography form she's more than willing to share details of her life.  Best of all (and most necessary) the Kindle has a cool function where I can look up all those words I don't understand.....given she teaches 18th Century English Literature this function comes in handy every other page!
One of the best reads so far has to be Don't Stop the Carnival. Written in 1965  "It's the story of Norman Paperman, a New York press agent who, facing the onset of middle age, runs away to a Caribbean island to reinvetn himself as a hotel keeper".  It sounds awful doesn't it?  It wasn't it was a great read and very well written.
I succumbed to the Twilight Saga too. Vampires are not usually my thing but I have and am really enjoying it.  It's really a love story focused on human's, vampires and warewolves.  Nice easy, entertaining read.
Here's another one I really enjoyed - Long Way Down.  It's about two guys motorcycling from Scotland to South Africa (follows on from the movie Long Way Round).  It's a fab story about perservarance and getting outside your comfort zone.
My heaviest tombe to date has to be Cultural Amnesia it's written by Clive James.  It's a compendium of 110 biographical essays of a whole bunch of different people (artists, politicians and intellectuals). This one I dip in and out of - it's a fascinating read.
The next two I picked up last year but are so worth mentioning.
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise is a great read.  It's written by a woman who used to be the NY Times food critic.  It tells the story of how she used to dress in disguise and go out to various restaurants, with varying results, depending on how she looked.  I loved the way she describes some of the food as well.
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an all Night Runner - this, folks was the inspiration to run a marathon.  I'll say no more, check it out.
So there you have it, some proof that I do more than work, run and go to the gym!

Frog Fail

Not something you see everyday.

Old Friends and Visiting NZ

Rachel has been here for a week and it's been a lovely visit. In an unexpected turn of events it just so happened that while here she has had her 40th birthday! Low key affair with Rachel, Michelle and I having dinner at mine (ummm Rachel cooked, was that a bad thing?). Best of all Michelle organized the famous Princess Cake, which proved to be a hit. Over the week we have had lots of laughs and it's been a remarkably easy time. I've still had to go to work and did see Case and my acupuncturists (well crossing the finish line in NY won't happen just because I want it to.....and Rachel was very gracious about it, given we haven't had a lot of time together).

I did manage to, for the first time, schmack myself up in training. I missed the box when I went to do a box jump and gave myself a nasty shin scrap.....ow ow ow. Of course it was at the beginning of the session so I sucked it up and told Case we could keep going (it was my second jump and I had another three sets of 25 to go - no point dwelling on it, job to be done). Best of all was coming home and Rachel having some magic gel to put on it - my personal bathroom cabinet is a little light on these things!
Last week I decided I needed a break and, given how the work front is going, think that if I am going to visit in NZ it needs to be sooner rather than later. I'm heading back for 2.5 weeks in May. Auckland and Wellington of course and four days in Queenstown. Finally going to visit Karen and Brice's - really looking forward to that as I want to bungee off the platform at the top of the gondola. It would also be nice if it didn't rain the entire time I was in NZ (unlike last year) so May seems a good time. Honestly I am so tired I'd love to have a break in April but I have the Nashville half marathon on the 23rd. I really am looking forward to that!!!!
Despite our collective best efforts and the release having gone remarkably well, we are still in the final stages so I am co-ordinating daily messages.....and was a little startled to be reminded that the distribution includes a number of very senior executives, so the fact that I am over it shouldn't be confused with the visibility the messages have.
On another note, may have found a prospective room mate when/if I make the move to San Francisco. Waiting for a few other things to fall into place but think my time in Santa Cruz is done. Nothing to happen in the next two months but could move July/August....so will patiently wait to see how things fall.

Voice is back, release is done and visitors

My voice arrived back on Sunday so my near silent vigil lasted two days....much to the delight of my work colleagues. It really was the oddest thing. It's hard enough to be understood at the best of times (what accent?) without the added complication of being the horse whisperer. The room service guy told me he thought I was playing a joke on him, most embarrassed when he delivered to the room and realized I really couldn't speak. I gave him a tip anyway, he wasn't rude so much as giggly on the phone! The release has gone fine, with a few odd moments. I'm over it though, been there, done it, got the medal etc etc etc. I did get to watch movies in the hotel, which was nice - small compensation for only getting two hours sleep. Jill did arrive into the office at 2am with coffee and a Hershey bar - would I usually eat a Hershey bar at 2am (or any other time for that matter) or have a very strong black coffee at that hour???? No. Did I? Hell yes....it was soooooo boring I had to fill the time, it's not like I could chat to anyone - my voice didn't start to come back until later in the day. Hershey's bar....I had eaters remorse.
This weekend Rachel Rose comes to visit! I haven't seen Rachel (beyond Skype) for maybe 7 years!!!! We were at University together and, well, have a history (I know Rachel reads the blog so shall say no more). Rachel's now a buddhist nun and, frankly, looks fabulous in her robes. I think there is a certain irony in my now having long hair while Rachel has none.... It will be lovely to see her and she knows Michelle as well (well at one point we were all at University together) so going to be quite the kiwi reunion. I still have to work, which is a bummer, but might see if I can swing an "at home" day so we can hang out together some (even if she is reading a book while I'm on a call!).

Speechless....literally

No voice......reduced to a whisper, the "almost cold" has taken the words right out of my mouth. I am sure it's a pleasure for some but a little awkward given I am in communications and working this weekend. Oh well, lesson in patience I guess......other people's.

Almost colds and working life

All this healthy living has resulted in the "almost" cold! Everyone around me has been crushed by this hideous cold that's been going around (and at least two got stomach flu). I'm so full of vitamin C and whatever mysteries lurk in the chinese herbs that I seem to have some low level cold that doesn't amount to anything beyond being tired and having a gravelly voice. Oh well, not complaining so much as explaining.
Big release is this weekend ..... I'm so bored with it all. Spent the last few days "explaining", "repeating" and "revisiting" what we have been doing for two years! Off to stay in San Jose for Saturday night. One of my peeps is going to come onsite with me for the 11pm - 10am shift. Wants to see how it all runs - it will be a moment of disillusionment (and all my secrets revealed) but she has promised to bring "real" coffee, as I'm refusing to drink the coloured water that is usually available.
Michelle has a new job in LA (yay Michelle!!!) and we've just been out having a little celebration. I am also thinking about moving into San Fran. Santa Cruz feels a little over for me - need to move on to the next thing. It's been lovely living here but it's not really my town. Mostly I will miss my rideshare, we've been commuting four days a week for two years now - hard to believe. I will also have to give up Case, but he has finally got into his nursing course, although doesn't start until January next year. Really I just think somethings are going to change, seems inevitable given how my life runs.

Doin it for Charity - ING NYC Marathon 2010

I can't quite believe I've signed up for this, but I have. November 7, 2010 I'm hitting the road and running for charity in the NYC Marathon. Makes me feel nervous just typing this. I decided I wanted to run the marathon before my Marin race last year and, as it moved closer to putting in my entry, I found out more about options for entry. I started reading up about other people's experience of the marathon and realized that it would, indeed, be very cool to do it for a charity. The main charity is Team for Kids, which fights childhood obesity. You can read more about it if you check out my page, you can also make a donation if you want to. Basically I've pledged the full amount ($2.6k) and then I get to go and beg money from folks. I've never raised money for charity before - always having written cheques. Given I'm not much of a "joiner" it's novel for me to land into a community of folks all with the same goal in mind....running the marathon and raising money for TFKs. I figure it means I'll have some people to hangout with on the day too (unless I can lure some buddies to NY to hangout with the 2 million other folk who line the roads and watch!). I'm not sure exactly how many people TFKs aim to enroll but last year they got fully subscribed. It's early days and I think there are less than 100 of us at the moment. I am so freaky nervous/excited about it that I've already booked my accommodation! ING negotiated discounted rates but it's still ridiculously expensive to stay in NYC, but I figure if I'm going to run then where else would you want to stay but in Manhattan?

Groundhog day

It's quarterly release time, which means late nights and lots of grumping at people while we prepare for a Cisco wide IT release that sees all our systems go down globally. This time around we've added some new "tools" to our box of tricks so it's been beyond painful to get the information we need and we've had to engage with a whole new set of people. Best moment so far is when I contact someone who is funded to provide support to our project team and supposed to be my go-to guy when I have a problem:

Idiot boy to me: "okay well Jody if you can set up a meeting and invite ...."

Me to idiot boy: "I'm not your executive assistant, if you think you need a meeting you set it up, I'm escalating the issue to you to fix it and this is a courtesy call before I send the email letting everyone know that's what I've done. If you think it requires a meeting go and organize it yourself."

All this at midnight I might add and it didn't quite end there but enough to say HE did set up the meeting and I got a very conciliatory message from him. He also helped solve my problem (which was his job) - none of which excuses him from thinking I'm here to organize his meetings. I don't suppose he will ask again.
On a more "only in America" note. My landlords have replaced their very nearly new couch with a new couch and want to swap out my very old couch for the very nearly new one. All fine and dandy but in order to get the new couch through the front door they have to take off the door frame.....true story. They seem very happy to do it and I am very happy to have a new couch - nobody seemed at all phased at the logistics so I just nodded, smiled and said having a new couch would be nice, thanks. What are we doing with the old couch? Well putting it on the street of course, whatelse?

Chicago and life in general

Michelle and I had a great time in Chicago! While temperatures were below freezing, each day had clear blue skys and snow on the ground....quite a change from California. The Swissotel, where we stayed, was very near to downtown and not far from Millennium Park where we went to visit the bean. Delightfully when we went to use the hotel gym we discovered it had spectacular views both over Michigan Lake and downtown - making the whole treadmill thing way less tedious. Michelle's panel went very well and her presentation was a hit (pix below on the right is the post presso cocktail). It was interesting to hear the other presenters as well and I did manage to get in for free as nobody seemed to be checking! We were both pretty exhausted so spent the following day lounging around the hotel and generally lapping up the luxury.

Friday we went out for dinner and to a bar and Saturday we wandered around town.  I concluded I could very happily live in Chicago!  We stumbled across the Scuba Team as we were out walking (see pic below).  Given the temperatures my pick is you'd be long frozen to death before they dragged you out of the river, but then I guess that's not really the point is it.........
I am back into training with Case and have now extended my health regime to include not only acupuncture but chinese herbs.  Some special concoction he's put together to help with hydration etc etc etc.  Anyway, in my usual fashion I've happily said "sure, lets try that" and he's smart enough to know I really really don't need to know what each ingredient is, so much as enjoy the ride.  
Biggest change probably is that I have decided not to apply for my job at Cisco.  Had an epiphany and realized I'd done the job, why would I keep

doing it (for less money I might add) and I was aiming too low.....I need to be braver about the next role I go into - think bigger.  This has all been encouraged by people I've been talking to about what I should do next.  Boss at Cisco has been grand about it - she'd like to keep me as long as she can and is extending my role into a new area, although I think there are some better opportunities emerging elsewhere.  I guess nobody is surprised to read this.  It's been nearly three years at Cisco, about the time I always get itchy feet and look to make a change.  If I am really clever I will land a role that works to that timetable....they are out there, I just have to get one!

I did manage to watch Precious - now I get what people are raving about.  I had dreaded that it would be much like the usual hollywood/American tale - struggling kid in dire circumstances, heroic committed adult saves the day - it wasn't, it really is far grittier and deals with some very taboo subjects.

I'd recommend it, not when you are feeling down though, any sense of optimism you are left with is tenuous at best!

Done and dusted

Beautiful day, clear blue sky, cool and perfect.....if one feels the need to run 21ks!  It was lovely, 10000 people entered in the combined half marathon and 5km run (funny that they talk about the metric 5 and 10ks).  Looking at the results 6080 finished the half (7000 entered the half with 3372 women). Results: 1:59, overall placing 2457 and 863 among the women, age group placing 127 (but then I can't seem to figure how many women were in my age group!).  I'm well puffed up coming in under two hours. I gotta say the last mile hurt!!!  Official photos i.e. the sweaty shots posted sometime this week.  In the meantime.....me and Michelle the night before the race.

It's fair to say we had a different approach to
preparation but Michelle did get up to catch the shuttle with me at 630am for the 8am start....oh and she did know the most fab Korean restaurant we could go to for dinner.....we stayed in Japan Town so we were surrounded by the most devine eateries.  Second shot before

the start - I was cold so spent sometime draped in Michelle's very stylie jacket, trying to warm up, or at least not have my lips turn blue!  Michelle met me at the end (having gone on her own little marathon from the start line!).  Post the event we hailed a taxi (I so love that in America you can just raise your arm and not have to hike to some taxi stand and get in a que ......) headed back to the hotel where I got to have a long soak.  Along the way we had a vintage American moment.  The taxi driver was as startled as we were and took photos on his i-phone.  Never pays to question really, just to enjoy the moment.  Showered checked out we 

went out for a very lovely lunch. I'm not one for taking photos of food but I'd so earned this meal....and the beer was mine, all mine.

Then off to a local girlie bar to watch the Superbowl.  Home by 7pm, not a bad days work.

Countdown, tennis and Chicago

Less than 24hrs to go and I have that slightly sickly feeling....wondering why I am deciding that running 13.1 miles, possibly in the rain, is a good idea!  Then I imagine finishing at least close to my target time and feel all happy and excited again. Besides which, this is a warmup for Nashville!  Michelle and I head up to the city this afternoon, staying in a very nice hotel that offers a shuttle to the start line in the morning (cheap rates for racers so way better option that driving up from Santa Cruz at 5am in the morning).  Even so with 10000 people running this will most likely mean an early start...I'm not sure I told Michelle exactly  how early.  After the race Michelle and I are heading off to a bar to watch the Superbowl - at which point I will down a beer or a Bloodymary and most likely fall over (yes she is driving).
We fly to Chicago on Thursday.  On Wednesday night we are staying in San Jose and going to the SAP Open Tennis Tournament to watch a singles match with Andy Roddick and Fernando Verdasco.  Why?  Ummm well the University had courtside tickets and there is a small group going and, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time and and and......we are catching some god awful flight the next morning (like 615am) so staying in San Jose makes sense.  Michelle gives her paper  on Civilising Images: Violence and the Visual Interpellation of Maori Women" at the visual arts conference that afternoon (long day for her) then we get to play. If we can find interesting stuff we might go to some of the other presentations as well.  As geeky as it sounds the conference itself is actually quite a fun thing for me - this is all wildly outside my corporate life, so fascinating insight into other worlds.  Other than that we are planning to go dancing, see the sights and generally kick back and relax.

Don't Ask Don't Tell

I can't embed this and I'm not sure how long it will stay where it is but watch this: http://www.ktvu.com/video/22418151/index.html, put Alameda: Local Naval Commander Reflects on Senate Hearings in the search box and it will come up as the first item on the list, video will play from there (I hope!). Zoe is a key player in fighting Don't Ask Don't Tell and is the co-chair of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.  She is part of the change team I work in at Cisco (she is also a keen runner so we have become fast friends.....even if she can run faster than I can!).  Given my passion for all things military and interest in Don't Ask Don't Tell it's been amazing to meet her and hear about the work/lobbying she is doing for SLDN.  She's a frequent media commentator but these particular Hearings are unprecedented......it's not if they remove the ban, it's when.