My Granola CEO

I work for a good sized software company based in San Francisco. The CEO of the company founded the business in 1983 when computers were first becoming used by small offices. I got to hear her speak today for an hour.

She comes off as a kind of aging hippy in a power suit. I would not be surprised if her hobbies included transcendental basket weaving and making her own organic granola.

When she speaks, you instantly know she is kind and innately good. She also exudes intelligence. She does the kinds of things leaders should do like crediting others for achievements and claiming responsibility for shortcomings. She created a culture that values work-life balance, employee morale and telecommuting.

I have to say, she really made an impression on me. I wish I could tell her how impressed I am at her achievements and the company she built without sounding like a suck up. It will just have to wait until I leave the company.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Stedman and I were drinking at dinner last night (shockingly). On our way back, he wanted to stop at the ice cream shop we walked past. Bi Rite Creamery is a San Francisco tradition that goes hand in hand with Dolores Park - meaning tourists don't know about it.

I didn't get ice cream as I was stuffed from dinner, but Jeff did. He was exactly three licks into Ice Cream Heaven when his scoops went all slow motion to the ground.

I thought I was going to see him cry.

What My New Years Resolution Should Have Been

I really should stop dating boys. I meet a guy. They get excited about me. I get bored with them. It's a vicious cycle. And the person at fault isn't them. It's TOTALLY me. I am a terrible judge of people. B y the time I've decided I'm not interested, they are super interested. I should have waited to get involved until I knew what I wanted. At least more than just seeing them naked.

Not that guys don't ever sour on me. They do. I've had my fair share of guys who just stop calling.

But yeah, I'm usually that guy.

Flaking Out

I'm supposed to march in the Chinese New Year's Parade today. It's raining. And I'm kind of over the drum and bugle corps, so I think I'm going to flake out.

Big Rob is celebrating his birthday during the parade. I think I'd rather get drunk with the boys than lug a 30lb contrabass for two miles in the rain.

Stedman 1, Liver 0

One of my BFF's from Detroit is coming out to visit. My liver is primed from drinking just about every day in December, so it should be a crazy week with him around.

I went on a date with another one of my neighbors. JJ has been trying to get my attention since November, but I've been oblivious as usual. I'm having a good time with him, but wow is he ever intense.

Valentine's Day

Apparently, celebrating love means coming home at 1am stumbling drunk. And then picking heart shaped stickers out of my chest hair before going to bed.

How To Find A Wii

I picked up my Wii on the first day they went on sale. It was a relatively painless process. The internets leaked how many units each Target store would have, so I knew my local Target would have 210 units. I showed up about 15 minutes before the store opened. There was already a massive line. They passed out numbered tickets (mine was #205). No overnight camp, no big whoop. Since that time, I have only seen a Wii on store shelves once.

So I knew what I was getting into when I volunteered to acquire one for the Robs. Little Rob needed a birthday gift for Big Rob, but had procrastinated until the last minute before they left on their two week vacation (Big Rob's birthday was during the trip).

I ended up buying a ridiculous bundle through Walmart.com for almost $800. I did a similar thing when it was hard to find Xbox 360s. You buy the stupid bundle, then return all the bundle crap you didn't want at your local Walmart.

God I love easy to screw retailers.

French Horn

I have been considering buying a bassoon, oboe or french horn. These are all instruments I love to play, but haven't played in years. These are also all relatively expensive instruments :( At a minimum, I was considering a $2,000 purchase. I know I will not spend a ton of time playing it, so it's been hard to even consider it seriously.

I've heard of people finding french horns at pawn shops, so I took a trip by my local ones after work. I found a really nice french horn tagged for $1,000. Luckily, no one on Sixth Street has shown any interest in it in years, so I got it for $250. This particular model goes for $1,500 - $2,000 on ebay, so yeah, it was a heck of a deal.