How Long Until Christmas?

This morning I awoke from a restless sleep at 3am, feeling sick to my stomach about work pressures and longing futilely for the days when I felt capable and on top of things. Some of the stress is probably self-imposed, based on my particular personality traits, but somehow this realization has failed to effect any significant change in my emotional state. Knowing that we're way behind before we even start, and that there's very little room in the schedule for learning or making mistakes, does not bring out the best in me as an engineer. In fact, not only is it completely discouraging and stressful -- it also saps my energy, confidence, and creative spirit. At first I was totally excited about the challenges and learning opportunities in my new job, but this isn't the way it was supposed to go.

Deciding that I was too wound up to fall back asleep immediately, I got up off the couch (where I have been sleeping the past few nights) and glanced out the window. To my surprise, large snowflakes were falling gently onto the wet pavement at the bottom of the hill. Unfortunately the temperature is still too warm for snow to really collect on the ground, but I felt a glimmer of joy at the sight. If only the night could last a little longer.

Musings on Management

I'm starting to appreciate that being an effective manager is hard. Figuring out how to motivate individual employees and stay on top of issues while still empowering your subordinates to use their own judgement and not getting in their way or impeding their progress through micromanagement must be an exhausting and tricky balance. I have been pondering this quite a bit recently, as a result of my interactions with a number of different managers who are all stressed out about functionality that I am responsible for implementing. It also reminds me once again that I have no interest whatsoever in becoming a people manager. There are plenty of problems to solve -- that much is clear -- but they're not the kind of problems that get me out of bed in the morning.

Random fact of the day: The average life span of a major league baseball is 7 pitches.

Although don't believe everything you read on a string cheese package...

Life in 83702!

I now officially reside in the North End.

My apartment is actually one of 12 condos in a three story building that is perched at the edge of the foothills, about 50' above the intersection of 15th and Hill Rd. A trail leading to Camel's Back Park winds upward from the east end of the parking lot.

This place is perfectly charming for both the location and the view. Last night I walked down to Hyde Park (about 15 minutes) in the evening for some ice cream at Goody's with the Roligs, and to my great joy there were quite a few other pedestrians out enjoying the brisk evening air as well. This evening I went for a run after work and felt quite safe among the old trees, parked cars, dogs on leashes, blinking bike lights, and drivers who actually stopped to let me cross the street. My street is just a few blocks from the beautiful Harrison Blvd, where the aging trees still cling to the final stages of their autumn glory. Sometimes I drive that way just to enjoy the canopy of color. And I have yet to ride my bike downtown, but I'm looking forward to that as well. Sooner rather than later I should probably invest in a bike light and some warm clothes that are not black. Oh yeah, and there are tons of restaurants to explore too!

But so far the best part is the view. My love for sunsets remains insatiable.



My new home also has plenty of personality. The stream of water coming from the shower head converges into a solid arrow after about 6", and I have to use two hands just to get the shower door open. There is no microwave (until I buy one) so this morning I thought I would heat up my chai latte on the stove. I tried one burner, then another, waiting a few minutes each time, but none of them seemed the least bit inclined to produce heat. Tonight I tried turning on the oven, which immediately started to emit odd-smelling smoke, and after it settled down I tried the burners again and they worked! Who knows...



This is actually only my third real day here, even though I slept on an air mattress in the bedroom for half of last week. On Saturday Mike, Eric, Sean, and the Bostons helped me move -- it took us about five hours with a Suburban, a truck, two smaller cars and two trips across town. Then Mike helped me unpack my kitchen and move the last few things back over here on Sunday, after Chrissy's baby shower (Asher is ready to be born any time!) I'm so blessed with wonderful coworkers and friends. Hopefully you have all realized that the hot tub downstairs is open for post-skiing relaxation all winter long!

Profound Thought of the Day...

Light travels faster than sound.
That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.