Today I move the last of my stuff out of the architectural office. It's good to leave something good and move on to something better. Or, at least, different. It's just that it's hard to remember that, when your stupid mammalian brain is thinking, but wait, it's great here. Where are you taking me? What if Sun's office isn't any fun at all? They won't have Friday Treats. Or Pivot bread. Or bagels or pastries left over from morning client meetings. Hmm. There'll be no Joe, popping his head around corners and making goo-goo eyes at me. Scott won't be there to say, "What's up Judy D.?" I won't be able to talk about sociology and science with Keith T. (I still haven't read the Elegant Universe.) or commisserate with Janie about men. And there definitely won't be any 23-year-old structural engineers to flirt with. (Frankly, these occur fairly rarely in nature.)
But there will be free rent, and easy access to Sun's intranet. And a steady paycheck and training and new skills and a budget. Job responsibility and benefits and a career path (ostensibly). These are all good things. And if I miss the folks at Huntsman too much, I can always go back and visit. Plan lunches. Attend treats. Set up drinking engagements. And if that's not enough, I can always move back in and pay for it myself. I mean, there's more than one way to skin a cat.
The bottom line is, I will be missed, and I will miss not being there. But, you gotta be somewhere. And Sun is a pretty good place. Maybe I'll go hang out with Jonathan Schwartz, or Kathy and Angie and Ed. Or, meet new folks who will brighten my days.
You just never know.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Love story
Michael turned 48 today. He doesn't look a day over 39. We won't mention here how he acts. Suffice it to say I bought him an easy-to-catch ball. Oona killed it in minutes.
Michaels' surfing buddy Peter came down to Santa Cruz for the big celebration, which was going to be a night out dancing but turned into an early night of sleeping. But I digress. Peter has a new girlfriend, Julia, and she is really great. They met -- get this -- at the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank. She is a nurse there and he donates fairly regularly. (Pete is a good guy that way.) So he's filling out the form and he has to disclose any injuries in the past 6 months, or whatever. And so he has to tell them about the shark attack.
Of course, this drew a great deal of attention, there at the blood bank, so his nurse had to take him into a private office. Julia's first line for him: "I'll show you my scar if you show me yours." (Apparently, she was not in fact bitten by a shark. However, she was once married, so perhaps that qualifies.) Anyway, they are adorable together and it was great fun to see P so happy.
Me? I'm pretty blissed out. I just bought an airline ticket to Kauai, where I've been wanting to visit for years. At the moment I'm going solo, but there's a good chance the New Guy will join me out there for a few days. Either way, I'm snorkeling, and getting a tan. (OK, disclaimer. I don't actually tan. But I toast up a bit before I crisp.)
Really, the only thing that would make me any happier is if, after my vacation, I came home to some new art. There are two pieces -- a woodcut and an intaglio -- that I have my eye on at the Tinhorn Gallery, which is apparently the only place I buy art. Perhaps that's because it's the only place I can afford to buy art.
It's raining softly and steadily here in SF tonight, as it has been for days. The skiing is, I'm sure, great. Friends are going to the Claire Tappan Lodge this weekend in the Sierras for some hut-to-hut cross-country skiing. I want to go, too, but I have to move my office and otherwise adjust to the changing circumstances of my life. It's going to be very sad to leave Huntsman. It's been a happy 3 years there, among the architects, and I have made some dear friends. At least I can try not to come in dead last in this year's Oscar contest.
My love affair with my new vaccuum clearner continues. Today I cleaned my baseboards. It was great. I also vaccuumed my couches, mattress, and pillows. I'm sure there is more to do. Too bad it doesn't have an auto-retract cord.
Finally, I am going to start reading the newspaper again. My 4 month hiatus is finally taking a toll. I have gotten stupid and self-centered. I suppose it was just a matter of time.
Chin up, and all my best,
Judy
Michaels' surfing buddy Peter came down to Santa Cruz for the big celebration, which was going to be a night out dancing but turned into an early night of sleeping. But I digress. Peter has a new girlfriend, Julia, and she is really great. They met -- get this -- at the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank. She is a nurse there and he donates fairly regularly. (Pete is a good guy that way.) So he's filling out the form and he has to disclose any injuries in the past 6 months, or whatever. And so he has to tell them about the shark attack.
Of course, this drew a great deal of attention, there at the blood bank, so his nurse had to take him into a private office. Julia's first line for him: "I'll show you my scar if you show me yours." (Apparently, she was not in fact bitten by a shark. However, she was once married, so perhaps that qualifies.) Anyway, they are adorable together and it was great fun to see P so happy.
Me? I'm pretty blissed out. I just bought an airline ticket to Kauai, where I've been wanting to visit for years. At the moment I'm going solo, but there's a good chance the New Guy will join me out there for a few days. Either way, I'm snorkeling, and getting a tan. (OK, disclaimer. I don't actually tan. But I toast up a bit before I crisp.)
Really, the only thing that would make me any happier is if, after my vacation, I came home to some new art. There are two pieces -- a woodcut and an intaglio -- that I have my eye on at the Tinhorn Gallery, which is apparently the only place I buy art. Perhaps that's because it's the only place I can afford to buy art.
It's raining softly and steadily here in SF tonight, as it has been for days. The skiing is, I'm sure, great. Friends are going to the Claire Tappan Lodge this weekend in the Sierras for some hut-to-hut cross-country skiing. I want to go, too, but I have to move my office and otherwise adjust to the changing circumstances of my life. It's going to be very sad to leave Huntsman. It's been a happy 3 years there, among the architects, and I have made some dear friends. At least I can try not to come in dead last in this year's Oscar contest.
My love affair with my new vaccuum clearner continues. Today I cleaned my baseboards. It was great. I also vaccuumed my couches, mattress, and pillows. I'm sure there is more to do. Too bad it doesn't have an auto-retract cord.
Finally, I am going to start reading the newspaper again. My 4 month hiatus is finally taking a toll. I have gotten stupid and self-centered. I suppose it was just a matter of time.
Chin up, and all my best,
Judy
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
gainfully employed
Well holy smokes I'm a Sun employee. Today I signed things and sent them places and starting March 7, I am something called a Managing Editor. (It was the best title I could come up with at the time.) Thinking of flying to Kauai to celebrate. "Stay in Hanalei Bay," my boss says.
("boss")
Saw "The Life Aquatic" last night. It took me halfway through before I thought, 'this is just like I Heart Huckabees.' Indeed, Wes Anderson was at it again, and I think he hired the same ding ding ding electronic musician for part of the score. Although the Portuguese renditions of Bowie's greatest hits were pretty awesome.
My friend Ginger and I had a delightful dinner at Mel's diner, and helped ourselves to a couple of Valentine's balloons on our way out. I painted her a Valentine on a red metal water bottle. (Trying to wean my friends and loved ones off plastic.) It was all rather romantic.
Off to Santa Cruz this weekend for M's birthday. Hoping for better weather! It's been rainy and gray for days, it seems. Big news: I've bought my first real vaccuum cleaner. It's very snazzy and even has an attachment that rotates. Talk about getting things together.
OO,
Judy
("boss")
Saw "The Life Aquatic" last night. It took me halfway through before I thought, 'this is just like I Heart Huckabees.' Indeed, Wes Anderson was at it again, and I think he hired the same ding ding ding electronic musician for part of the score. Although the Portuguese renditions of Bowie's greatest hits were pretty awesome.
My friend Ginger and I had a delightful dinner at Mel's diner, and helped ourselves to a couple of Valentine's balloons on our way out. I painted her a Valentine on a red metal water bottle. (Trying to wean my friends and loved ones off plastic.) It was all rather romantic.
Off to Santa Cruz this weekend for M's birthday. Hoping for better weather! It's been rainy and gray for days, it seems. Big news: I've bought my first real vaccuum cleaner. It's very snazzy and even has an attachment that rotates. Talk about getting things together.
OO,
Judy
Saturday, February 12, 2005
milestones of adulthood
Today was a red letter day. I put the last of my milk crates out on the sidewalk. These rectangular residues of my college years are the last vestige of a nomadic lifestyle. Stack them to make a dresser; pick 'em up and move them without ever touching the contents. They were brilliant and, if you hit the Safeway parking lot on the right night, free.
Yesterday I discovered the wonders of the Container Store. I replaced the crates with stackable wire shelving that neatly divides my sheets and blankets into small shelves. Awesome.
Valentine's Day is coming up, that most Hallmark of holidays. My mother is going to choir practice. (She sings in the Rochester Oratorio and once traveled to Rome to give a concert.) My dad is staying home. I guess after 54 years of marriage, you're entitled to rest on your romantic laurels.
Not me. I'm going to a Commonwealth Club lecture given by Andrew Sean Greer, author of best-selling love story The Adventures of Max Tivoli. I haven't read it yet but I hear it's great. So I get to go see what a real writer looks like, and hear stories of unbridled love and reverse aging.
Lots has happened since I last wrote. I've interviewed for a job at Sun -- my boss' job, actually -- and it looks like they're going to make me an offer on Monday. After much hemming and hawing, I've decided it's a great opportunity with people I already know I can work for. So that's cool.
I've started seeing one of them men I met online. Who knew the Internet could be so handy? My work buddy Ben has been transferred to Los Angeles, so a lot of the fun has left my cube neighborhood. Now, it's all engineers, and veeeery quiet. What else? Oh yeah. I've got a life coach. My friend Peggy and I share him to try to jumpstart our fiction writing. So far, so good. He's given us daily writing assignments and makes us telephone with a confirmation that we've completed it. It's pretty gruelling but it works. I've written every day in Feb. Just, ahem, not in my blog.
Talked to my dear friend Sarah in New Zealand. She, Andy, and the twins are digging it. They go see fumeroles and buy possum fur socks (they call it "possum wool" there) and generally have a nice time in their gorgeous house. Cost of living is cheap there -- except heat. First, it was hard to find a house with any heat at all. They found out why when they go ttheir first bill -- for $500. I guess that's what you get when you're an ocean away from an oil pipeline. Sarah and Andy return in August after three years of living abroad. It will be great to have them back.
My friend Ginger is finishing up massage school. I get to enjoy her training tomorrow during my FREE Training Massage tomorrow afternoon. She called with a reminder to not eat too much and drink plenty of water.
My aestetician is pregnant. She's in her 40s, and she and her husband had given up, when she heard about this acupuncture doctor in my neighborhood. A couple dozen needles, stinkbomb herbs, and a strict diet later, and she's with child. She's hella happy.
Me? The maternal tiemclock is ticking, although mostly fairly faintly. We'll see. I hear it all kicks in when you turn 38, like a blind raging influx of hormonal desperation that overrules concerns like, how will I live without sleep?
Off to some ragin' parties on a Saturday night. I'm gonna get wasted! (Which, at my age, means having a second beer.) Love to all, and congratulations to Mike, for a safe return and many excellent photos of the Iraqi election. It owuld be nice to have a Pulitzer in the family, eh?
Yesterday I discovered the wonders of the Container Store. I replaced the crates with stackable wire shelving that neatly divides my sheets and blankets into small shelves. Awesome.
Valentine's Day is coming up, that most Hallmark of holidays. My mother is going to choir practice. (She sings in the Rochester Oratorio and once traveled to Rome to give a concert.) My dad is staying home. I guess after 54 years of marriage, you're entitled to rest on your romantic laurels.
Not me. I'm going to a Commonwealth Club lecture given by Andrew Sean Greer, author of best-selling love story The Adventures of Max Tivoli. I haven't read it yet but I hear it's great. So I get to go see what a real writer looks like, and hear stories of unbridled love and reverse aging.
Lots has happened since I last wrote. I've interviewed for a job at Sun -- my boss' job, actually -- and it looks like they're going to make me an offer on Monday. After much hemming and hawing, I've decided it's a great opportunity with people I already know I can work for. So that's cool.
I've started seeing one of them men I met online. Who knew the Internet could be so handy? My work buddy Ben has been transferred to Los Angeles, so a lot of the fun has left my cube neighborhood. Now, it's all engineers, and veeeery quiet. What else? Oh yeah. I've got a life coach. My friend Peggy and I share him to try to jumpstart our fiction writing. So far, so good. He's given us daily writing assignments and makes us telephone with a confirmation that we've completed it. It's pretty gruelling but it works. I've written every day in Feb. Just, ahem, not in my blog.
Talked to my dear friend Sarah in New Zealand. She, Andy, and the twins are digging it. They go see fumeroles and buy possum fur socks (they call it "possum wool" there) and generally have a nice time in their gorgeous house. Cost of living is cheap there -- except heat. First, it was hard to find a house with any heat at all. They found out why when they go ttheir first bill -- for $500. I guess that's what you get when you're an ocean away from an oil pipeline. Sarah and Andy return in August after three years of living abroad. It will be great to have them back.
My friend Ginger is finishing up massage school. I get to enjoy her training tomorrow during my FREE Training Massage tomorrow afternoon. She called with a reminder to not eat too much and drink plenty of water.
My aestetician is pregnant. She's in her 40s, and she and her husband had given up, when she heard about this acupuncture doctor in my neighborhood. A couple dozen needles, stinkbomb herbs, and a strict diet later, and she's with child. She's hella happy.
Me? The maternal tiemclock is ticking, although mostly fairly faintly. We'll see. I hear it all kicks in when you turn 38, like a blind raging influx of hormonal desperation that overrules concerns like, how will I live without sleep?
Off to some ragin' parties on a Saturday night. I'm gonna get wasted! (Which, at my age, means having a second beer.) Love to all, and congratulations to Mike, for a safe return and many excellent photos of the Iraqi election. It owuld be nice to have a Pulitzer in the family, eh?
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Benjamin Loves to Cuddle!
As many of you know, I have been Internet dating. It's an interesting way to meet new people, although sometimes the degree of intimacy people presume with strangers is a bit, well, arresting. (See title.)
The upside is, amidst all these choices (I think I have 50 candidates in my eHarmony inbox), it makes you get really clear about what sort of partner you're looking for. For example, I'm of the school that absolute honesty is not always the best policy, at least up front. Sure, I want a guy who likes to cuddle, but do I want a guy who likes to talk about how much he enjoys that particular activity? Not really. The Brave New World of dating in frought with pitfalls. I can only feel a bit sorry for us all.
The weather is spectacular in SF. Warm, sunny, blue sky, and a light breeze.
I'm not working again today, due to a sudden dearth of projects and a persistent cough, but I'm planning to go in later and put in some hours on my volunteer project.
It's getting more fun, now that we're approaching a site architecture. The clients are starting to see what they can do, and also be realistic about what they don't want to take on. It's nice to be able to get a bit excited with them about the types of services they're delivering to handicapped children, and how they do outreach online and represent themselves in the best light.
It's even made me think that I might enjoy doing this: working on non-commercial Web sites, and pushing my own personal envelope by learning HTML, maybe get some design skills. I could become a one-woman band for getting non-profits online. I am inspired by my cousin, who's working to create a blogging utility for hundreds of Iraqi women. Its amazing to think that tech tools might assist in accelerating social change: putting peole in touch with each other and ideas in a way that wasn't possible a few years ago. Now, we just need to get the world wired for wireless Internet access. Especially my apartment.
New conundrum: is surfing on someone else's wireless DSL connection stealing? I'm leaning toward yes, even while I'm doing it. (Bad Judy.) Seems like it's getting harder and harder to resist the temptation to get something for nothing. My friend S just sent me a pirated CD. I mean, where am I going to draw the line here? Cable. I'll draw the line at cable. And wait, guiltily, for business models to change.
Happy February, everyone. My bro Mike is due home the 8th. My parents left yesterday to fly to New Orleans, and take in a little pre-Mardi Gras fun.
Birthdays this month: my sister Susan, nieces Lynn and Zannie, M in Santa Cruz, and my old friend Sarah in New Zealand. Good golly, where is the time going?
The upside is, amidst all these choices (I think I have 50 candidates in my eHarmony inbox), it makes you get really clear about what sort of partner you're looking for. For example, I'm of the school that absolute honesty is not always the best policy, at least up front. Sure, I want a guy who likes to cuddle, but do I want a guy who likes to talk about how much he enjoys that particular activity? Not really. The Brave New World of dating in frought with pitfalls. I can only feel a bit sorry for us all.
The weather is spectacular in SF. Warm, sunny, blue sky, and a light breeze.
I'm not working again today, due to a sudden dearth of projects and a persistent cough, but I'm planning to go in later and put in some hours on my volunteer project.
It's getting more fun, now that we're approaching a site architecture. The clients are starting to see what they can do, and also be realistic about what they don't want to take on. It's nice to be able to get a bit excited with them about the types of services they're delivering to handicapped children, and how they do outreach online and represent themselves in the best light.
It's even made me think that I might enjoy doing this: working on non-commercial Web sites, and pushing my own personal envelope by learning HTML, maybe get some design skills. I could become a one-woman band for getting non-profits online. I am inspired by my cousin, who's working to create a blogging utility for hundreds of Iraqi women. Its amazing to think that tech tools might assist in accelerating social change: putting peole in touch with each other and ideas in a way that wasn't possible a few years ago. Now, we just need to get the world wired for wireless Internet access. Especially my apartment.
New conundrum: is surfing on someone else's wireless DSL connection stealing? I'm leaning toward yes, even while I'm doing it. (Bad Judy.) Seems like it's getting harder and harder to resist the temptation to get something for nothing. My friend S just sent me a pirated CD. I mean, where am I going to draw the line here? Cable. I'll draw the line at cable. And wait, guiltily, for business models to change.
Happy February, everyone. My bro Mike is due home the 8th. My parents left yesterday to fly to New Orleans, and take in a little pre-Mardi Gras fun.
Birthdays this month: my sister Susan, nieces Lynn and Zannie, M in Santa Cruz, and my old friend Sarah in New Zealand. Good golly, where is the time going?
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