Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Seveneves
San Francisco Trip
The location sent us by the company was wrong, so we thought we could walk about 30 minutes to the pier at a leisurely rate... but it took us 30 minutes in the wrong direction! We had to sprint to catch a rickshaw, and still made it to the right pier late. Luckily, they still let us on the next boat across.
Alcatraz was awesome. Spooky, epic, moody... full of history. It was a lot more fun than I expected, with beautiful views on the island of the bay, complete with fog rolling in over the Golden Gate bridge. Being able to go into the cells and get a view of how small and cramped they were... and seeing the holes some inmates dug out with spoons and escaped (these tiny little openings!) was amazing.
We caught the boat back, and headed back to the hotel for an amazing dinner. Lobster pot pie -- a full lobster in a pot, with veggies and covered in a pastry topping, was amazing. We didn't have reservations, so we ended up eating at the bar, which was fun.
Sunday we went to see the "painted ladies," which is a row of classical victorians popularized on the "full house" TV show. Lame. But the park was good, and we walked through some residential areas to get a feel for San Fran.
That night we went to Bourbon & Branch, a prohibition-style speakeasy that you needed to bang on a door and use a password to get in. Drinks were good, very dark inside, and when we exited, they let us out through a secret bookshelf door into an adjoining library! Very fun. We went back to the hotel for dinner (turned out to be one of the best restaurants in town) and crashed.
Monday morning we did some more shopping, and headed home! Missed the kids, and was happy to be home.
The good in San Fran: historic, good walking, good food.
The bad: downtown is a concrete jungle, poor service everywhere, very expensive.
The ugly: aggressive homeless everywhere, and the locals seemed to be very pissed off at tourists all the time.
Jupiter Ascending
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Three Kinds Of Days
After being promoted, I've realized that I have three kinds of days.
The first kind of day is the day I know from the start is going to be a shit show.
The second kind of day is the day I think is going to be good, and turns into a shit show.
The third kind of day is the one that I think is going to be a shit show, and turns out to be good.
Today's looking to be the third kind of day.
Regular morning. Up at 6AM, shower, shave, make my morning cappa, and off to work I go. I have an 8AM critical meeting, so I drove in.
Sometimes I'll drive half the way in and then jump on a little used bus I know about to avoid the parking fees and to give myself some email catchup time. But today, no time.
Well, into the meeting madness I go. Regular confusion with process going on, luckily I think I got it all out of the fire. Quick break for lunch, and then back at it for the afternoon meetings.
Important late afternoon meeting with my boss' boss, then home to see a buddy I haven't seen in a year, and then pack for San Fran - leaving tomorrow!
Whew.
Getting Ready for San Fran!
It should be a fun trip. Alcatraz, good food, and see the sights.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Monday, June 8, 2015
Productivity Update
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Building Gabe's Bedroom
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