A prison cell to myself

After a few months of sharing an office, I finally got myself one :). Its funny how I sat there and realized that its been more than ten years since I last had an office...and even that last time was when I worked as a department chair at the university (and later shared the office with another chair)...so if I were to count anything I've experienced from the industry alone...well, this would be my first :).

Hey, its gotta happen sometime, right?

Waterfront near UW

No, that's not the Liberty bell :). It's the 1890 Seattle Fire Department Bell that's right outside of the Maritime Museum at UW.

There was still sunlight, so I decided to go out for a walk and that's how I ended up at this place.

Walking further, I visited the waterfront and watched the traffic of boats of all sizes headed to and from Lake Washington (it was a busy as a city main street).

I just kept on going and enjoyed my walk. I think if I ever had the chance to go back in time and go to college again, I'd consider the UW. There are just so many places nearby for long walks, or where you can setup camp and read or something.

More pix....

Seward Park and the Ballard Locks

On the way to Seward Park, I discovered that a long stretch of Lake Washington blvd was closed to traffic on weekends so I had to take the detour...but eventually found a place to park near the park. It's a great place and I only wish I had my bike with me. I was at the southern tip of Lake Washington (where I took this photo).

After I finished my yoga and meditation session (kidding), I drove towards Ballard, stopped at Sunset Park (still early in the afternoon so no pix...sorry), then went to the Ballard Locks (or Hiram Chi-something locks...forgot the name :) ) . I initially thought the locks were some type of dock for boats. The locks actually function as a doorway to another dimension......kidding!....its actually a dam with a doorway on the side for boats....they go through the keyhole, so to speak....and thus why they call it the locks (I know, I know!....just laugh, ok?).

Anyway, to make a long story short, Lake Washington is higher than the Puget Sound, so the boats have to get in this compartment where they equalize the water levels (either they fill or drain water) , and then they pass through....see the pix below :).

(watch the mast of the sail boat as it goes down)

Sat Morning 051306

Ah yes, there's nothing like waking up on a Saturday morning and not knowing what to do :).
Living in a studio, you have such an easy view of everything...I look up...and there's the ceiling fan...kinda reminds me of Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now. Do you remember that scene in the beginning of the movie? He was drunk in bed and just watching the ceiling fan as post-traumatic stress syndrome kicked in. Some MP's eventually come in with an officer and they throw him in the shower to wake him up.....aaaaaaaaaaaaa!....always have that scene in my head of Martin Sheen screaming as the cold water hit him .......I do same thing everytime I rip a bandaid off a wound :).

Anyway, continuing on my Saturday morning.....I look to my right...and there's the kitchen... there is no pot on the stove, but I can imagine it there, boiling....and then a scream from Anne Archer and Michael Douglas running upstairs to find Glen Close about to stab her.....and he runs to save her....aaaaaaa!

My, my I've been screaming inside my head all morning :) . Time to think good thoughts for a change.......hmmm.... ..hmmmm......hmmm...well, nothing's coming to mind, sorry.

I do remember cooking chicken stock on that stove a couple of weeks back and the smoke triggered the fire alarm. I was in a panic inside my head, but outside I was just moving on normal speed. I calmly opened the window, walked towards the room to find out which smoke alarm was pissed, and then leapt once to switch it off. I then slowly walked over to the door, where the switch to the fan was...weird how calm my body was when my mind was frantic.

Not much left....so, hell, why not turn the camera to myself and...well, there's the radiator! :)


Anyway, I did make the most out of this sunny weekend...next entries to follow...

Seattle Japanese Garden

Ahhhh yes, this duck must be an old timer around here. He doesn't care who's watching...."tourists?....feast your eyes on this!"

The Seattle Japanese Garden is one of the attractions of the Arboretum. With the benefit of proximity and good weather, I decided to go pay a visit. The garden is a really small area compared to the one in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and just a little bigger (or less cramped) than the one in Hayward. But, nonetheless....its a nice place (I just wish I didn't have to pay five bucks to get in).

There is a well built Japanese house near the lake. However, it's closed to visitors. My guess is that it is used for the Tea cermonies and other events (so I will report on it the next time I get to attend something).

Stopover at Montlake

In the next couple of months, Montlake will be my home. This signals somewhat of a beginning for me trying to adapt to Seattle life.

Bare essentials (from left to right):
DVD player(look below), TV/VCR combo unit, storage boxes, Ikea Lycksele Form chair-bed (yes! it's a bed too!), Continental road tires (have to swap out my tires as most of the trails here are paved).

The studio is in great shape and I love all the scaled-down structures. I have most of my stuff in storage so I have the luxury of pulling out what I can use in the meantime.

One run lead with one out in the 9th inning

So far things have gone well for me over here. I'm on my way to getting settled in my new job and adapting to seattle life just kept getting better by the day. I still get lost most of the time around town but I've always got my mom's advice to back me up ("just have a map and a full tank of gas"). Well, I don't really have a map with me all the time. Unconsciously I just force myself to trust my instincts...and most of the time it does pull through just fine.

I haven't stood still here, either. For two weekends this month I was out of town, watching a WBC game in Arizona with my brother(our yearly ritual) and back in the bay area to visit friends and family.

In between, I did have to deal with a number of tough sluggers, mainly about my "residency" in the evergreen state. The place I had been waiting on was on hold indefinitely and couldn't get into contract and my temp housing benefit was nearing its end. I really stretched it to the limit. It didn't matter Whether I got the new place or not....if I did, it still needed at least ten weeks of work. So I needed an apartment either way...soon....and I mean really soon.

By week's end I've had to arrange for public storage and started looking for an apartment...were I really had a short list and just one good lead...and was somehow just relying on it to work out. Don't ask. I just didn't want to think beyond that...hell, if it doesn't work out, I think of something else...my psychology just didn't want to worry about it. It's like having plan A, then plan B, then plan C (where there really was no plan C until it happened). I'd be lying if I didn't say I felt uneasy about it, but I just couldn't bring myself to panic either...and I was trying....so I could produce plan C...but no go....my instincts just wouldn't allow it. I'd get started thinking about it and then this referee would pop out and yell "play ball!"...no time to plan any further...have to play the game...now.

Well, what can I tell you. Life turned. It's Saturday. I just got back from the apartment in the city and have a good chance (unless the devil sends a big bopper to the plate) at a place I really like...so that's settled. I have public storage setup and delivery on monday (check). I have a rental van to use, not just for moving stuff from my temp housing, but just for sorting things at the public storage (check)....and....wouldn't you know it, I got the call and can finally get into contract on my new place (I guess thats a check, too). Well, thank you very much, dear sir, everything worked out just fine.

It feels like a great defensive play...sinker ball to batter, ground ball to shortstop, quick throw to second, and lightning shot to first, amen.

Yes, that's right...Amen (thank You, sir) :)

Move to the Seattle Area

It's a typical day in Seattle...raining outside. I finally arrived and trying to get settled in my temporary housing unit in Kirkland, WA. Its a nice place. It's fully furnished, stocked (utensils, pans, plates, everything), and prepared like a hotel room (towels, shampoo, soap). If you walk outside the building, a Starbucks is right in front of you, there's a walgreens around the corner, and quite a number of restaurants (Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese). Its a good spot and I'm happy with it.

I think my laptop has jetlag or something.....taking a long time to boot, and when it does boot, hangs, and my dial-up connections are just too inconsistent. I hope to get a cable modem in the next few days. Anyway, I wanted to take this time to make a posting before I lose my connection. Its my Second day here....yesterday was my travel day. Friday was my going away dinner with family and friends. It's never easy leaving people behind and I feel that sadness creeping up on me as I lay in the sofa.

My place is actually in the Juanita community of Kirkland. I'm very close to Juanita beach...though this body of water is a lake (I think). I went for a walk on Sunday and just tried to not think about anything...just be a zombie and keep walking. Sometimes that helps when you feel disoriented or out of whack.

Bunkers, Bricks, and Trails

I feel that I owe this blog big time. I remember feeling upset whenever I go to Jonatha Brooke's site and not find any new journal entries....and now I am riding on guilt over how I have been treating this one...so I want to make ammends.

Today marks the first week of working for my new employer, and it was a busy one. I was in an offsite training for two days this week at Mountain View, and the other three days was getting plugged-in at the office, with projects, and just plain getting to know people. I've had to reorient myself with the Redwood Shores area again, and I have to admit it felt a little weird working in Oracle's backyard.

I was on the Mahjong table all week, too. My friends and I have all caught the bug on this game and we just love it (no, we don't play for money.....not yet anyway). My mom had also recently become really amused at this game lately, too, so I've played with her as well. Playing Mahjong is like playing Poker (which I also like....thanks to the Travel Channel's WPT tournament coverage) as you try play the players and your hand.

Yesterday we went on the bike trail at Lake Chabot. We really didn't know what to expect and had some rather funny surprises....yes, it was harder than we could manage so we had to turn back at some point. But it was fun and with other turns and possible paths, I don't see why we wouldn't come back again someday.

So finally I've reached Sunday and hopefully I'll get to do a lot of housekeeping....including my online ones....like this blog.....peace, ok?

Last Day of Work in the City

This is my last day work in the city.

I loved working in the city....riding BART and reading the San Francisco Chronicle cover to cover, I' discovered so much beyond the sports and business sections :)...read about wine, local news, and even home & garden :)

I will miss working in the city
I will miss the noise
I will miss the walks
I will miss the time that passes ever so differently

goodbye.

First Time at IRL

It sounded like a swarm of a thousand fold...it was my first time to witness a live open wheel racing event. The photo on the left is my brother, Jun, who went with me as my guest (two free tickets from our dear benefactor: Marlboro :) ).

One of the highlights of this race, of course, was to see Danica...and it was great...for all the few minites it was worth (she was involved in an accident in the early laps and had to retire early). A lot of people were heartbroken to see her depart the race...I could look in any direction and see people exclaiming to each other: "...so what do we do now?!..."....a quiet exodus of people followed (not massive, but noticable).

The lady who was sitting next to me immediately left. I can just remember each time Danica's car passed by, she would light up like a Christmas tree and clap her hands in triumph. I guess deep inside me I was clapping my hands, too. I like Danica. I like how she has been able to handle herself with all the attention. I like that she is able to compete. I like that she is the underdog at the moment and I can't wait to see her finally win a race

Departure Limbo

The news is out at the office that I'm leaving. I really wish I could just disappear....but it would be rude to just walk away. People have been calling and the appreciation has been nice.

I hate were I'm sitting....too much foot traffic....too vulnerable to stop overs....."why are you leaving?"...."where are you going?"...."what made you decide to go?"...."i see you have a nice inkjet printer?"..... :)

damn.

Making Tracks

Ah yes, I love the smell of plastic in the evening....well, no smell really. I finally got the chance to put together the Lego train set that my sister got for me during her trip to Legoland in San Diego.

I always dreamed about the train set when I was a kid and now that I can afford to get one, I intend to spoil my inner child :).

This is probably my first ever entry about Lego so I will make the following statements now:

1. Yes, I still love to play with Lego sets.
2. I still have all the Lego sets I've ever owned.
3. I have no immediate plans to stop ;).

Lego bricks are an engineering marvel. I have never had a set (knock on wood) that had a deffective part. Lego sets can equally be considered a manufacturing marvel. I have never, ever had a set with a missing piece.

My ultimate dream is to build a living city. One that has lights, moving vehicles, and effects. I guess that's why I finally bought the train.

Biomechanical

Biomechanical. Such is the term to describe a tattoo that resembles machinery of some sort, or in the case of my search, tattoo based on HR Giger's art. I am aching for a tattoo. I got my first one when I hit 30 and I had planned to get one each year. But finding true meaning for each tattoo can't be placed on a schedule. If it is to have meaning, the thought and emotion behind it should find you....and I feel that I am getting close.

I discovered Micah Parker's tattoo art and I'm considering coming to her studio in Utah someday to get my old tattoo reworked and add a new one as well.

WTF: where are our priorities?

On the way to work, I read this article in the San Francisco Chronicle about prison inmates raising money to help keep the Salinas Free Library open. It was heartwarming to hear prison inmates express their belief that libraries are important, and that it can easily be associated with education; most of them stating that they would have never been in prison if they had more opportunities for education; and that the prison library actually has helped them find more meaning in life, whether it be education to prepare them for life in the outside, or knowledge to help others who still have a chance. The article is here if you want to read it.

I just can't understand why schools and libraries are closing down. If the country can afford to rebuild war-torn countries, why can't it save our schools and libraries? Don't you think that when prison inmates start talking about the importance of spending more on libraries than prisons, that it's time to pause and reflect on this matter?

I had a really long walk from the terminal to the office. It was a sad way to start the day.

You Never Know

I bumped into an old classmate....well more like seminar attendee....at the train station today. I really didn't see him and if it were not for him calling me out twice, I probably would have never looked his way. It only took me a few seconds to remember who he was....though I have to admit I am juggling between a two to three names in my mind. I said hello and was very enthusiastic to see how he was doing and what he had been doing outside of "class".

He didn't say much and I found myself leading all the conversations. If I didn't say anything, there would be dead silence. So I tried to keep it going, but by the fourth station I was mentally exhausted and out of ideas so I just shut it down, and true to form, there was dead silence.

This did make me think about this situation. I remember that back in our seminar, I sat next to him, and though we did have a few laughs and shared stories, I always felt that this guy didn't like me and I just had to stop being friendly and just leave him alone, which is what I did. So it does surprise me that he actually called my attention at the station. Hell, he could have just completely ignored me (and I would have never known it), but he went out of his way to come over and say that I looked familiar and that he probably knew who I was...and so I probably stand corrected.

I should have turned things around the first time. I'm a loner myself and I'm not fond of socializing myself, and even though I think leaving him alone may have been the right thing to do, feeling negatively about was the wrong mindset.

I hope that the next time I see him I will feel better about it.

Drill Bit or Capuccino?

It started out as your typical quiet Friday morning here at work. Then this load grinding sound....was someone grinding coffee beans?....I wish...it's a drill....someone must be having their cube "ergonomically adjusted".

Smells a Kinda Like Teen Spirit

San Francisco 11:55am

While waiting for my friends, I sat on one of the granite steps around the water fountain at Rincon Center. There was a guy playing the Kimball grand piano. His hands were rather high or elevated as he played. I'm guessing he has some classical piano background, but not necessarily a strict classical piano repertoire...as he was playing tunes from Nirvana and Oasis :).

Morning Glory

It was the second day after the long weekend (4th of July Holiday). Everyone was expecting the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) strike to begin today. The deadline for negotiotiations was midnight July 5th. For some reason, I woke up around 3am, so I turned on the TV, flipped through the local stations, and finally found a "ticker tape" message on channel 2, stating that an agreement had been reached and the strike was averted. TV off. Adjust alarm clock. Back to Sleep.

I guess I was only half-awake because I could have sworn I switched the TV off. Still I could faintly hear news reporters talking....maybe it was all in my head. I opened one eye and saw that the TV was indeed on. But I was half-asleep so I couldn't move (or maybe I didn't want to) so I just left it on.

It's been a horrible couple of weeks. I haven't been able to get any more than 4 or 5 hours of straight sleep a day. I always end up waking up at 2 or 3am. More often than not, I'm on my way to sleep between 11:30pm - 1:30am...that's between Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien's shows. Jay's great but over the years I've come to like Conan more and It'd be nice to see him earlier so I can doze off when it gets to the next show. I may get my wish since Conan is replacing Jay when he retires. I wonder who will cover Conan's spot?

Anyway....

Back on the Road

Orlando, FL - I'm back on the road again...so to speak, or back in business travel, I guess. The last time I hit the road this way was back in my Oracle days. My most active time was between 1997 and 1999, when I was still working for Oracle's Support division (back then it was called Oracle Worldwide Support). Back then I was, on average, on the road about two weeks of each month. The first year it was really exciting being on a different place all the time. By the second year though I have to admit it began to take its toll and I burned out a bit. By the time I transferred to Oracle Education (later Oracle University) my travel was greatly reduced to attending conferences. It did make me sad to see my status go down the ranks in United Airlines' Mileage program, going from Premier Executive to Premier to Mileage Plus (standard). Oh well.

In my brief stint at PeopleSoft as a contractor I knew my chances of such travel was nil. Schwab, however, gave a little bit of promise. Unfortunately, I came at a bad time and there were budgetary constraints. Luckily my boss was very persistent and championed my request to attend the ASTD conference in Orlando...no, it's not a disease...ASTD stands for the American Society for Training and Development.

(Margarita photo)
(Hotel photo)