Personal

Dodging Rain

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I worked from home today. The day could have gone either way. I could have had a few meetings (that was what my schedule said) so I could get some backlogged work done, or things would come up throughout the day that would distract me from what I was aiming to do. The latter happened as I expected but hoped wouldn’t. I didn’t even realize what time it was when I called it a day and aimed to meet up with friends.

I headed into the city to meet up with some friends at Blaggards. Turned out no one showed up. Stanley texted me saying he was taking off sine no one else showed up. I was in the subway so I didn’t see it until I got there. Everyone was last minute cancelations, except Luke who I hadn’t heard from. Since I was already in the area I went to Macy’s and did some shopping. From there I headed over to the Apple Store on 5th ave.

As I got out of the subway by the Apple Store I started raining. It looked like a major thunder storm was coming in. I ran to the store just in time. I bought a iPod Nano 8GB (silver if you are curious) and an arm band to use it when exercising. Yes, I bought a new nano so I could actually try to do that exercise thing people keep talking about. It is kind of redundant to have since I have an iPhone and a 160gb iPod but each device has its own uses. The 160gb pod is currently being used as a portable hard drive and like the phone is to big for use when working out.

Before buying the pod, I browsed around to kill time while it rained. By the time I got out of the store it was raining a bit but not as bad as it was. The sky was really dark for just after 6 on a Summer afternoon. I got home and it was still only raining a bit but it looked like it was going to pour again anytime. I got really lucky getting home without an umbrella. At one point in my trek home I could have bought one (those guys selling umbrella’s know exactly where to position themselves) but I rolled the dice and made it home only slightly damp.

I ordered in and just watched some shows I had on my Tivo. I wasn’t in the mood to head back out.

Travel Day

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Today was an in the office day for me. Unfortunately the office in question was in NJ. I typically have a full day of meetings when I goto the NJ office on Thursdays. It is my only time to meet face to face with some people so the day is packed. Today was a bit different. For starters the entire afternoon was set aside for a certification meeting i had face to face with some people. Can’t really go into too much more details besides we had to review a long list of standards and processes. I still had two hours of other meetings in the morning. I brought lunch since we were supposed to work from 12 through 5pm. Thankfully we finished the items on the agenda after only around two hours. That left me the remainder of the afternoon to take care of other outstanding items I had. It was good to be able to catch up stuff that was piling up.

I was able to head home normal time. It still took me about 2 hours to get home. I didn’t do anything memorable at night, unless you consider ordering in dinner memorable?

Uncle x3

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Yesterday I became an uncle again. This is my sisters 3rd. Alexis Zoe. I love the name! My sister and baby are doing great. I am not sure when I will get to see either of them. It is always hard to get to South Jersey. I am aiming for sometime next week.

I didn’t get to write about the new baby yesterday since I spent last night at my parents house. I had to goto the eye doctor for a checkup. Besides my eyes being really dry I am in good shape. My prescription hasn’t changed. It is now like 5 or 6 years since the last time I have changed it. According to my doctor at my age that is a great sign.

My parents were at my sisters during the day to take care of the other two kids while my brother in law and sister were in the hospital. I ended up taking the LIRR to their place and took a cab from the train station. Since they weren’t going to be home for dinner I walked to the outback down the block. I had lobster tails! They were yummy. I then went and got the customary present I have gotten for Morgan & Zachary. Thats a long story for another time. I now need to find the other present I get the kids, but unfortunately FAO does not sell the size stuffed dog I want to buy. They only have the small one, and the super big one that I don’t know who buys. The middle sized one that is actually really big is not for sale anymore. I am upset. I got Morgan that sized elephant, and Zachary the boy dog of the same size. I need to spend some time over the weekend finding something else. Gretchen is having a kid at the end of the week (or anytime at this point) so I need to find something for that little guy as well.

Alexis Zoe

Update: photo now added of the new little one resting.

Baby Watch 2009

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As odd luck would have it my sister and one of my best friends are both expecting new babies this week. My sister is off tomorrow morning to have the baby (its planned), and my friends wife is going to be induced by the end of the week if theirs doesn't show up. Hopefully if all goes well I will be an uncle again tomorrow by lunch time. All I had to do was not drive my sister crazy!

The big dilemma for me is what to get as a baby gift. The stuffed animal collection I liked to get from FAO apparently discontinued the middle sized option that I got for my Niece & Nephew. I don't want to risk going with the really huge one, but the small one is kinda small. What is an uncle to be to do? I will buy the customary bottle of liquor. Yes a baby needs a nice bottle of scotch. Well, the plan for that is to get one the day they are born and give it to them when they turn 21. I got the idea from my dad when the toast at my Bar Mitzvah was using the same bottle that my great uncle gave to my parents and they toasted at my Bris. Since that gift is not really functional for a two decades I need something more current. I am going to have to scour the internet tomorrow for something suitable. I am not sure when I can get out to see the new little one. Apparently most if not all family is banned for the first week so they can all settle in, but after that I am not sure.

As for my friend, I also await word when the time comes. As of this morning it the little guy can't come fast enough but he is taking his time.

Monday June 21, 2009

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Today was a work from home day for me. It was packed with meetings and going through my backlog of tasks. I ended up working late and am still stopping my relaxing this evening to kick out an email or two to clear up my backlog. At least today felt productive. I had a huge email backlog from traveling and being in meetings all day Friday.

I ran out after I wrapped up most of my work to grab a fillet to cook for dinner at the grocery store. It was good. Now I just need to wait for the George Forman to cool to clean it.

I need to order groceries, but I won’t be home tomorrow so I will wait till I am home on Wednesday. I am spending the night at my parents since I have a doctors appointment out on Long Island early in the morning. It is easier to go from their house than from mine. Also my mom giving me a ride really helps. My parents are at my sisters tonight and tomorrow to take care of the kids while she and Michael are off having another one, but will be back tomorrow night. Since I am going into the office, I need to pack a bag. That reminds me. I need to go and do that before I forget.

Baby Watch 2009

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As odd luck would have it my sister and one of my best friends are both expecting new babies this week. My sister is off tomorrow morning to have the baby (its planned), and my friends wife is going to be induced by the end of the week if theirs doesn’t show up. Hopefully if all goes well I will be an uncle again tomorrow by lunch time. All I had to do was not drive my sister crazy!

The big dilemma for me is what to get as a baby gift. The stuffed animal collection I liked to get from FAO apparently discontinued the middle sized option that I got for my Niece & Nephew. I don’t want to risk going with the really huge one, but the small one is kinda small. What is an uncle to be to do? I will buy the customary bottle of liquor. Yes a baby needs a nice bottle of scotch. Well, the plan for that is to get one the day they are born and give it to them when they turn 21. I got the idea from my dad when the toast at my Bar Mitzvah was using the same bottle that my great uncle gave to my parents and they toasted at my Bris. Since that gift is not really functional for a two decades I need something more current. I am going to have to scour the internet tomorrow for something suitable. I am not sure when I can get out to see the new little one. Apparently most if not all family is banned for the first week so they can all settle in, but after that I am not sure.

As for my friend, I also await word when the time comes. As of this morning it the little guy can’t come fast enough but he is taking his time.

Friday Travel Day

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Friday was a bit hectic for me. I went to the NJ office where most of my team is. I was going with a new Project Manager, and two other people from the mid town office who work on the same project. One guy was new, one never met the rest of the team and the other hadn’t seen everyone in almost a year so it was nice getting everyone together to talk. We spent over 3 hours going over stuff. It went really well. We all then went out for lunch after the visitors got a tour of the facility. Those tours never get old for me.

The downside of the travel day was I was only in front of my computer for about an hour and that was in a conference room for a meeting going over a spread sheet. I was only able to read and respond to a few of the many emails I received this week. Since I am going to my sisters tonight I won’t be able to try to catch up from my backlog until Monday!

Because of the tour and lunch we didn’t head back to the city till almost 3. By the time we got to mid town it was well after 4. I ended up going home and finished up some work there before going out to meet up with friends for drinks. I was delayed in getting out because I waited to sync up my new iPhone 3GS before I left. It arrived in the mail while I was out during the day.

Drinks were cool. Meet up with Luke, Stanley, & Danny to name a few. I didn’t stay out too late so I was happy! All in all a busy and productive day.

Lunch Out

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Today was a work in the office day.  I got lunch with a vendor.  We hadn't spoken in several months so it was good to catch up and get him up to speed with my current needs.  Some work lunches can be painful or painfully boring.  Thankfully this one wasn't.

I thought my meeting schedule was relatively light but enough stuff came up to make me think twice about that assessment by the time the day ended.  I don't know why I ever think that because when I do I always learn to regret it.

On the way home I grabbed a hair cut.  Then it was home for a quick dinner.  I was tired so nothing major went on this evening.

Puttering Around The House

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I got up early and couldn't go back to sleep. Thankfully I felt better than I did yesterday. I cleaned up my apartment. I also decided I didn't like my Desk Reorg and removed the extra Apple Display. I moved my Media Center iMac back to where it was last week and took my Dell monitor and plugged it into my bigger iMac. I am still using a dual display setup but I took apart my Laptop station setup. I just didn't use it.

The Apple Display I have is starting to show its age so I don't feel right selling it on eBay. As Kai likes to point out anything I sell generally is in top notch condition. I take pride in my reputation (and the added resale value good condition brings) so I won't sell it. I think it is still good enough to give to my parents. They have a 19" LCD I bought for my dad's birthday a few years ago. Maybe they will like the upgrade.