I just got back from one of those wonderful quintessential summer nights out. It was one of those nice small intimate dinner parties celebrating a friends 40th. Gin and tonics and margaritas on the deck in the back yard catching up and getting the grill fired up. Darkness hits and we move inside for a proper sit down dinner party. Besides the ones I throw, there are not many sit down dinner parties I've been to over the years. Most often is the informal buffet/outdoor bbq. There's something so bonding of breaking bread around a table. We were under 10 which is a perfect size - you can still carry on a conversation with the full table.
We had some great conversations discussing everything from world politics to virtual worlds. The crowd was mainly architects and designers with a few engineers so you can get an idea of the conversations. Also, there were several who had hit the 40 mile marker awhile back and were commenting on the decades of oneslife. It was good to hear they thought you really came into your own in your 40s. I feel like that was the case for me in my 30s so nice to know there's another similar evolution ahead. The food was wonderful, which frankly means I didn't have to make it (I'm in a glut of not wanting to fix meals recently).
And the nice icing on the whole evening is that the birthday celebration was for my old boss who specifically invited only the most inner circle of dear friends... and there I was. It's nice to see how relationships can have their ups and downs and grow over time. And to know the respect is reciprocated.
Needless to say I left the night a little lighter basking in the happiness of a night surrounded by good company and friends and appreciating where I am in life. The best part... the party was only on the other side of town! I was home in 5 minutes, crawled into bed, did a quick blog and am lights out just as the bells chime midnight.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Alls Well
Wrapping up quite a weekend. I feel like I'm just getting back into the regular schedule after having it be turned upside down. Thursday night was a late night out with coworkers for farewell drinks for one that is heading on to greener pastures. So was happy to have friday off. Between the late night and an oncoming flu it was good to lay low and indulge in a mid-day nap.
Friday night I lost track of time at my neighbors bbq and ended up being late meeting up with my friend. But had a great night catching up - I was out so late I had to cab it home. Completely lost track of time. Today was definitely a day of laying low, recovering from the late nights and watching the strength of mother nature. It's still windy and wild out from the last bits of Irene coming through. All safe and sound on this end and from everyone I've spoken with. There's something about snuggling up during a big storm.
And the final bit of news - it's official - I can solve the rubik's cube. I've done it enough times I think it's stuck and it's no fluke. I'm still going to have to practice periodically otherwise I think I'll lose this magnificent skill. I've timed myself and the fastest is under 4 minutes. Not super fast but decent and way faster than I thought I ever would have. I think this may be my first new year's resolution I carried through. I guess the secret is to make the resolution in the summer!
Friday night I lost track of time at my neighbors bbq and ended up being late meeting up with my friend. But had a great night catching up - I was out so late I had to cab it home. Completely lost track of time. Today was definitely a day of laying low, recovering from the late nights and watching the strength of mother nature. It's still windy and wild out from the last bits of Irene coming through. All safe and sound on this end and from everyone I've spoken with. There's something about snuggling up during a big storm.
And the final bit of news - it's official - I can solve the rubik's cube. I've done it enough times I think it's stuck and it's no fluke. I'm still going to have to practice periodically otherwise I think I'll lose this magnificent skill. I've timed myself and the fastest is under 4 minutes. Not super fast but decent and way faster than I thought I ever would have. I think this may be my first new year's resolution I carried through. I guess the secret is to make the resolution in the summer!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Earth Shattering News - not really
It’s a good day. After a meeting this morning I was pulled aside by the president of the company. There was a solemn walk to his office and the first time he ever closed the door. He wanted to share that he and several of the other head honchos at the company had been talking and sharing notes about me and all agreed that they liked my work. I was doing a good job! Good to hear considering I still feel like I’m playing catch-up on so many levels. I'm still on a little high. Funny how the little things make a world of difference.
And then I’m curiously excited about my plans for Friday night. I have plans every night this week which is fun and rough at the same time. Friday I’m getting together with an old high school mate. He was one of the cool guys and I realize I can’t help but revert back to my youth and who I was back then, at least part of me. It’s like the current me is trying to make room for the old version of me that’s resurfaced - the shy, introverted, nerd. It’s one of those strange morphing things you see in the movies. Anyways I’m really looking forward to the night - we were both engineers back in the day and similar sense of humor and actually, thinking back I probably had a crush on him in school along with all the other girls (he’s not too shabby on the eyes). That would explain alot now that I think of it. Who knew blogging helped you figure these things out!
In response to these turns of events the earth literally shook this afternoon in excitement. We felt the earthquake that was down in Virginia! Interesting timing.
Special shout out to my more southern friends Emily, Joanne and Karin. I hope you and you're loved ones are safe and sound and the earthquake didn't cause too much damage.
And then I’m curiously excited about my plans for Friday night. I have plans every night this week which is fun and rough at the same time. Friday I’m getting together with an old high school mate. He was one of the cool guys and I realize I can’t help but revert back to my youth and who I was back then, at least part of me. It’s like the current me is trying to make room for the old version of me that’s resurfaced - the shy, introverted, nerd. It’s one of those strange morphing things you see in the movies. Anyways I’m really looking forward to the night - we were both engineers back in the day and similar sense of humor and actually, thinking back I probably had a crush on him in school along with all the other girls (he’s not too shabby on the eyes). That would explain alot now that I think of it. Who knew blogging helped you figure these things out!
In response to these turns of events the earth literally shook this afternoon in excitement. We felt the earthquake that was down in Virginia! Interesting timing.
Special shout out to my more southern friends Emily, Joanne and Karin. I hope you and you're loved ones are safe and sound and the earthquake didn't cause too much damage.
Friday, August 19, 2011
New England Weekends
Last weekend I made it up to Maine to visit my friends Maggie and David who live near Kennebunkport. It was a slow start as my energy level was near zero saturday morning. But made it in time for a fabulous feast and was able to meet and hang out with some of their friends - a bunch of them were from upper New York. Stayed up late chatting with Maggie. Next morning I had a leisurely PJ morning with Maggie and Dave. I was even able to get some blueberry picking in. It was overcast and threatening to rain but I was able to snag a few pints of fresh blueberries while eavesdropping on the conversations of this Russian extended family.
Blueberry picking was followed by a marvelous brunch that lasted into the evening. It was a wonderful little reunion. Maggie and I went to high school together. In attendance was Reegan and her family - every time the kids are getting taller and taller. I’m a little worried next year I might be eclipsed. Nima and his new family made it (his daughter just turned one). Sara made it up from DC, and new this year was Dawn and her family. I think they just moved up to Maine from Chicago recently, so nice to have them in our neck of the woods. And Charlie just moved to Boston from NYC and was able to make it too. So it was a full house with a ton of reminiscing, some of us not having seen each other since the reunion awhile back or even graduation. Strangely enough, although we all hung out and overlapped in school, there always are times when we’re talking and someone refers to a classmate and I’ve never heard of them. Over and over again - it’s become a running joke. I find myself often commenting I was a late bloomer and I think this applies here too. I’ve learned, especially for work, to be good with names (or at least better). But back in high school, unless I really needed to know you, I didn’t bother to learn your name. Why would I? I wasn’t into the gossip of who said what to whom. I knew a lot of people, but apparently not enough.
It was great seeing Dawn - we went to college together but while there we barely overlapped. And Dave, married to Maggie, went to the same college - a year ahead - crazy small world! Maggie and Dave met later in med school. Oh, and he’s from California, so it makes it all the more unusual. Anyways, last weekend was so much fun. Good food and good company both days. Nice and leisurely without a care in the world. Unfortunately the trip was bookmarked with horrendous traffic in NH both ways. The trip has about 5% of the miles in NH, but you end up spending over 50% of your time in the little bit of NH you need to pass through to get from MA to ME. Crazy!
Blueberry picking was followed by a marvelous brunch that lasted into the evening. It was a wonderful little reunion. Maggie and I went to high school together. In attendance was Reegan and her family - every time the kids are getting taller and taller. I’m a little worried next year I might be eclipsed. Nima and his new family made it (his daughter just turned one). Sara made it up from DC, and new this year was Dawn and her family. I think they just moved up to Maine from Chicago recently, so nice to have them in our neck of the woods. And Charlie just moved to Boston from NYC and was able to make it too. So it was a full house with a ton of reminiscing, some of us not having seen each other since the reunion awhile back or even graduation. Strangely enough, although we all hung out and overlapped in school, there always are times when we’re talking and someone refers to a classmate and I’ve never heard of them. Over and over again - it’s become a running joke. I find myself often commenting I was a late bloomer and I think this applies here too. I’ve learned, especially for work, to be good with names (or at least better). But back in high school, unless I really needed to know you, I didn’t bother to learn your name. Why would I? I wasn’t into the gossip of who said what to whom. I knew a lot of people, but apparently not enough.
It was great seeing Dawn - we went to college together but while there we barely overlapped. And Dave, married to Maggie, went to the same college - a year ahead - crazy small world! Maggie and Dave met later in med school. Oh, and he’s from California, so it makes it all the more unusual. Anyways, last weekend was so much fun. Good food and good company both days. Nice and leisurely without a care in the world. Unfortunately the trip was bookmarked with horrendous traffic in NH both ways. The trip has about 5% of the miles in NH, but you end up spending over 50% of your time in the little bit of NH you need to pass through to get from MA to ME. Crazy!
Rubik's Cube Part 3
I have to say I’m addicted! I can’t stop working on the cube - or writing about it. There’s basically 6 steps to solve the cube (at least the way I’m learning). Step 2 had some incorrect instructions which had me stuck for the longest time. But as I played with the cube and learned the other moves, I was able to figure out an alternative approach to Step 2. Now I’m in the simple process of practice practice practice to be able to do it on my own. At first I was trying to memorize the individual moves but without understanding the why I was doing it the really really long way. Some steps can have 10 repetitions of a move that is composed of 8 turns. That’s a lot of twisting and turning!
My approach has been to master each step. After step 1 I moved onto step 2 and did rote memorization of the moves. Then I just went over steps 1-2 over and over again until I understood why I was moving the way I was. Then I would move onto step 3 and memorize 3 going over steps 1-3 over and over again. I’m up to step 4 and have 1-4 mastered. Most of the time I can do each move without looking too! I still have to look after each reposition.
Of course steps 5 and 6 are super long. It takes more and more moves at the end to reposition one square without dislodging the others you’ve built up and positioned.
Ok, that’s the boring part probably for those not at all inclined about learning or knowing how I’m learning the cube. I just have to say that I’m now dreaming about solving the cube. Last night I fell asleep while working on the cube. One minute I was working on it in front of the TV after a late night out with friends at the terrace at the ICA (great summer setting btw - very European vibe). And next thing - I woke up with the cube in my hand and I don’t remember pausing.
I’m determined to master it to a point it’s a skill that stays with me for life. So close….(but have a sneaking suspicion I’m only half way through the process).
My approach has been to master each step. After step 1 I moved onto step 2 and did rote memorization of the moves. Then I just went over steps 1-2 over and over again until I understood why I was moving the way I was. Then I would move onto step 3 and memorize 3 going over steps 1-3 over and over again. I’m up to step 4 and have 1-4 mastered. Most of the time I can do each move without looking too! I still have to look after each reposition.
Of course steps 5 and 6 are super long. It takes more and more moves at the end to reposition one square without dislodging the others you’ve built up and positioned.
Ok, that’s the boring part probably for those not at all inclined about learning or knowing how I’m learning the cube. I just have to say that I’m now dreaming about solving the cube. Last night I fell asleep while working on the cube. One minute I was working on it in front of the TV after a late night out with friends at the terrace at the ICA (great summer setting btw - very European vibe). And next thing - I woke up with the cube in my hand and I don’t remember pausing.
I’m determined to master it to a point it’s a skill that stays with me for life. So close….(but have a sneaking suspicion I’m only half way through the process).
Monday, August 15, 2011
Rubik's Cube Part 2
I've been playing with the cube for days now and I can easily solve one face, on my own. I understand how the pieces interact for those moves. I've spent time going through websites and tried watching a youtube tutorial but my attention span was too short. I even looked into seeing if I could hire someone to teach me (the ones I've found on line basically send a youtube video). I've been asking around and figure I must be able to find someone in person - I do work with several hundred engineers. One of them is bound to be a cube master.
And then I took a break. And apparently that's all that was needed. I now consider myself half way there. I can officially solve a rubiks cube! I just finished and am so excited. Now, I'm not quite there because I finally found a website that did a great job of mapping out the various algorithims you face as you move through the steps of solving the puzzle. Here's the link in case you're interested. Next, all I have to do is understand the moves so I can do it without my crib sheet. It's kind of like when I started knitting. I remember the first project I was learning - a sock with a 2x2 rib and I hadn't learned how to read stitches yet, so I was so focused as I knit so as not to loose my position. The person who was teaching me, on the second lesson, taught be how to read knit and purl stitches. And from there I was freed and not chained to the instructions as much. Sounds similar, right? I should be a rubik's master in no time. My goal is to solve a cube on my own, preferably within 10-15 minutes. I think I should be able to achieve this by years end! Yay!
And then I took a break. And apparently that's all that was needed. I now consider myself half way there. I can officially solve a rubiks cube! I just finished and am so excited. Now, I'm not quite there because I finally found a website that did a great job of mapping out the various algorithims you face as you move through the steps of solving the puzzle. Here's the link in case you're interested. Next, all I have to do is understand the moves so I can do it without my crib sheet. It's kind of like when I started knitting. I remember the first project I was learning - a sock with a 2x2 rib and I hadn't learned how to read stitches yet, so I was so focused as I knit so as not to loose my position. The person who was teaching me, on the second lesson, taught be how to read knit and purl stitches. And from there I was freed and not chained to the instructions as much. Sounds similar, right? I should be a rubik's master in no time. My goal is to solve a cube on my own, preferably within 10-15 minutes. I think I should be able to achieve this by years end! Yay!
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Bottle Bill
So I don't know about you but I've always been stumped why it's only some bottled drinks that you can redeem for 5 cents. What's different between the plastic coke bottle and the plastic water bottle I drink (they're both distributed by coca cola btw)?
I did figure out that carbonated drinks are redeemable. Which made me think that back in the day we just didn't have alot of non-carbonated bottles and cans. Is that how you remember it? We sure didn't have the glutony of energy drinks and flavored waters and wide range of juices in individual servings.
Last year I stumbled upon a campaign that was pushing to expand the bottle bill (that was originally passed in 1982 and going strong ever since). And to my suprise it didn't go through! It made no sense - this was a common sense initiative.
Well, suprise suprise there are some big heavy weights behind the scenes trying to keep business the same as usual (to their benefit). The good thing is that here in Massachusetts (and in many other states), there are non-profits leading the effort to fight against this old approach. Leading the charge in my back yard is Masspirg (Mass Public Interest Group).
Join me in bringing the bottle bill into the 21st centruy and support the efforts of Masspirg (they're part of USpirg if you want to find something in your own back yard). Learn more here (including signing the petition and supporting the effort financially). We all have causes that are near and dear to us - this is one of mine. I'm happy to find that there are others that share in this and are already paving the way. Figured I'd share this with my vast readership (I think I'm up to 3 these days) so that you can also help make a difference.
I did figure out that carbonated drinks are redeemable. Which made me think that back in the day we just didn't have alot of non-carbonated bottles and cans. Is that how you remember it? We sure didn't have the glutony of energy drinks and flavored waters and wide range of juices in individual servings.
Well, suprise suprise there are some big heavy weights behind the scenes trying to keep business the same as usual (to their benefit). The good thing is that here in Massachusetts (and in many other states), there are non-profits leading the effort to fight against this old approach. Leading the charge in my back yard is Masspirg (Mass Public Interest Group).
Join me in bringing the bottle bill into the 21st centruy and support the efforts of Masspirg (they're part of USpirg if you want to find something in your own back yard). Learn more here (including signing the petition and supporting the effort financially). We all have causes that are near and dear to us - this is one of mine. I'm happy to find that there are others that share in this and are already paving the way. Figured I'd share this with my vast readership (I think I'm up to 3 these days) so that you can also help make a difference.
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Fire Station Movie
Strange day today. A rainstorm descended on us in the middle of the night and this morning it was heavy rain with dark skies. A perfect day to stay inside and lay low. Still recharging the batteries I ended up watching one of those movies where the main characters wake up to find most of the world wiped out. Everyone is just gone. In this case it was aliens. A good one to watch during the day. I've learned about watching scary movies at night.
It went a little long so was running late for my one o'clock meeting. I was meeting the fire captain to work on something for the new fire station that I'm on the building committee. They're temporarily housed in a trailer. I run up to the door, knock, while getting drenched and after a second I pop my head in. Small space and the TV is on. I call out, but no answer. It's like they just vanished. And I have to admit I hadn't fully transferred back into reality world from the movie I was just watching. With the rain, the TV still on, no one around and the smell of bacon still lingering in the air, I started worrying I was in my own crazy version of some sci-fi movie. I noticed a back door which led to the garage where there was an ambulance and empty spot where the firetruck goes.
Figuring they were out on a call I ended up running my errands. I picked up my rubik's cube and some zyrtec. The rubik's cube is for me and the zyrtec is for the boys. The crazy thing is that it has a cat on the package for the antihistamine! I swing back around and find they had returned. Ended up having a nice time chatting with the guys and learning more about the fire station crew, goings on and what life is like on a 24 hour shift.
In other news, I've learned some of the moves for solving the rubik's cube but think I'm still a long ways to the end goal. It's a bit harder then I remembered/hope. Maybe I should have picked this new years resolution at the beginning of the year to give me a full 12 months. Anybody have any luck mastering the secret of the cube?
It went a little long so was running late for my one o'clock meeting. I was meeting the fire captain to work on something for the new fire station that I'm on the building committee. They're temporarily housed in a trailer. I run up to the door, knock, while getting drenched and after a second I pop my head in. Small space and the TV is on. I call out, but no answer. It's like they just vanished. And I have to admit I hadn't fully transferred back into reality world from the movie I was just watching. With the rain, the TV still on, no one around and the smell of bacon still lingering in the air, I started worrying I was in my own crazy version of some sci-fi movie. I noticed a back door which led to the garage where there was an ambulance and empty spot where the firetruck goes.
Figuring they were out on a call I ended up running my errands. I picked up my rubik's cube and some zyrtec. The rubik's cube is for me and the zyrtec is for the boys. The crazy thing is that it has a cat on the package for the antihistamine! I swing back around and find they had returned. Ended up having a nice time chatting with the guys and learning more about the fire station crew, goings on and what life is like on a 24 hour shift.
In other news, I've learned some of the moves for solving the rubik's cube but think I'm still a long ways to the end goal. It's a bit harder then I remembered/hope. Maybe I should have picked this new years resolution at the beginning of the year to give me a full 12 months. Anybody have any luck mastering the secret of the cube?
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Rubik's Cube
The other day I had my nose in my book on my commute into work and was distracted by a conversation across from me. A young gentleman was trying to teach the woman next to him how to solve the rubik's cube he was playing with. I came into the conversation half way in but the gist of it was that there was a pattern to follow. To move the edge piece and move it over, you follow the algorithm, left, up, right, down - or something like that.
I was very tempted to ask the guy if he'd be up to teaching me. Having grown up in the 80s, I was given my very own rubik's cube. I love puzzles, but don't know if I was too young, too impatient, or what. In the end, I got the puzzle solved, by moving the stickers. So, to put it succinctly, I have some unfinished business.
Now that I'm older, wiser, and have access to the internet, I've picked my new year's resolution - learn how to solve a rubik's cube.... finally. Tomorrow, morning I'll run down to the local toy store and pick up a brand new rubik's cube (the old one just wasn't the same after my "solution" - apparently, once you move the stickers, they just start falling off).
Reading through some of the tutorials, while starting on a new cabled cardigan project, I realize the similarities of learning patterns - remembering long strings of code (i.e. K6 K1TBL P2 RT2 LT2 P2 is the beginning of the row I'm about to knit). How much different can the algorithms for the rubik's cube be? Plus, it's not about rote memorization (which I'm miserable at), it's about understanding the code and being able to read what you're working at. Here's hoping I'll be able to read the cube as well as I can a knitted object!
I was very tempted to ask the guy if he'd be up to teaching me. Having grown up in the 80s, I was given my very own rubik's cube. I love puzzles, but don't know if I was too young, too impatient, or what. In the end, I got the puzzle solved, by moving the stickers. So, to put it succinctly, I have some unfinished business.
Now that I'm older, wiser, and have access to the internet, I've picked my new year's resolution - learn how to solve a rubik's cube.... finally. Tomorrow, morning I'll run down to the local toy store and pick up a brand new rubik's cube (the old one just wasn't the same after my "solution" - apparently, once you move the stickers, they just start falling off).
Reading through some of the tutorials, while starting on a new cabled cardigan project, I realize the similarities of learning patterns - remembering long strings of code (i.e. K6 K1TBL P2 RT2 LT2 P2 is the beginning of the row I'm about to knit). How much different can the algorithms for the rubik's cube be? Plus, it's not about rote memorization (which I'm miserable at), it's about understanding the code and being able to read what you're working at. Here's hoping I'll be able to read the cube as well as I can a knitted object!
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Bruises and Rain
I don’t know why but I bruise very easily. So easily that at any given time not only do I have a bruise somewhere on my body, I also have no recollection of what incident caused the bruise. Generally they cluster on the mid-left thigh. I’ve determined I use my leg a bunch to push things and that’s also the height of tables and counters where I’ll cut a corner too tight. I’ve gotten used to it and it takes a rare super-duper black & purple major bruise to make me wonder what the dickens I was doing to cause such substantial damage.
But I’ve got one that tops all of them. Yesterday afternoon I was finding my right foot was hurting as I was running around the office, especially up and down the stairs. I figured it was a combination of wearing heels and flip flops (not at the same time of course - that would be challenging). Both take quite a lot of muscles in the foot that you don’t usually use when wearing sneakers. I was shutting down the computer and swapping shoes for my ‘run’ home and noticed something. Upon closer inspection, I found a bruise the size of a golf ball on the top of my foot - smack dab in the center. It was so unusual. And apparently happened earlier that day since the morning was pain free. I’ve been wracking my brain and cannot think of what it was that caused the . I’m stumped.
Of course, on my walk in this morning, all I could think about was this post and sharing my bruise. Once I got sucked up into work, sitting at my desk, it was completely forgotten. And I remembered all these strange photos I have from over the years where I’ve taken pictures of these minor strange injuries. A bruise on the tip of a finger from studio work abroad in Germany, a slashed finger from studio work back in the states, a bruise on my hand from my undergrad years… the list goes on (and apparently centers around schooling). No picture this time as I’ve learned they just come out blurry messes and can’t communicate the full scope of the damage. Instead, I record in writing this strange event.
On a completely different note, I discovered some rain math:
(1) bike
+
(5) days of hot and humid weather
+
(1) cold front
-
(1) umbrella left at home
=
Me in a summer dress drenched and shivering after only one block. Luckily it cleared up part way home and the jeans I couldn’t even look at a day ago, when it was hot and sticky, where so warm and comfortable. Did I mention I love wool sweaters!
But I’ve got one that tops all of them. Yesterday afternoon I was finding my right foot was hurting as I was running around the office, especially up and down the stairs. I figured it was a combination of wearing heels and flip flops (not at the same time of course - that would be challenging). Both take quite a lot of muscles in the foot that you don’t usually use when wearing sneakers. I was shutting down the computer and swapping shoes for my ‘run’ home and noticed something. Upon closer inspection, I found a bruise the size of a golf ball on the top of my foot - smack dab in the center. It was so unusual. And apparently happened earlier that day since the morning was pain free. I’ve been wracking my brain and cannot think of what it was that caused the . I’m stumped.
Of course, on my walk in this morning, all I could think about was this post and sharing my bruise. Once I got sucked up into work, sitting at my desk, it was completely forgotten. And I remembered all these strange photos I have from over the years where I’ve taken pictures of these minor strange injuries. A bruise on the tip of a finger from studio work abroad in Germany, a slashed finger from studio work back in the states, a bruise on my hand from my undergrad years… the list goes on (and apparently centers around schooling). No picture this time as I’ve learned they just come out blurry messes and can’t communicate the full scope of the damage. Instead, I record in writing this strange event.
On a completely different note, I discovered some rain math:
(1) bike
+
(5) days of hot and humid weather
+
(1) cold front
-
(1) umbrella left at home
=
Me in a summer dress drenched and shivering after only one block. Luckily it cleared up part way home and the jeans I couldn’t even look at a day ago, when it was hot and sticky, where so warm and comfortable. Did I mention I love wool sweaters!
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