State of the Union...

Every time I start a new job I am always a little leery. You are never 100% sure you made the right decision to leave your old job. Even though LMB was my 2nd favorite place to work, when I started I remember not liking the job. I remember thinking everyone is from a different country and they all have accents. Now, I miss the days when we were all together, Antonio, Sunil, Stewart, Sascha, Oscar and Carlynn.

Knowing this, I wanted to be fair to UMG and give UMG a chance. The first 2-3 weeks were pretty bad. It was corporate culture shock. It is the exact opposite of LMB. The workplace is quiet, people are old, the team kind of sucks, the work is less, the stress is less, however the business users are NICE and smart.

However things turned around last week as I got a bunch of new work to do. It has been nice going back to developing and remembering how to really use the application. I think I touched upon every part of the suite last week, NC, Desktop, Web, Command Manager, License Manager and Object Manager.

I even got my PC after 2 month as well. That was good and bad. Good because it is new. Bad because I had to reinstall all my programs, remap all my network drives and configure the new PC.

Looks like things have turned around a bit and know I am growing to really like my job. Coworkers and stuff stink…not stink as in sucky workers…they just come in sit down, work all day and not say a word. No jokes. No talking. Nothing. I forgot that I actually like being anti-social but it would be nice to at least talk to one person on the team. (Luckily Sophia from WB works in the building so I can at least go to lunch with someone...thanks for the videos too.).

Well so far so good!

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LMB must have gotten the vibe that I was liking UMG because my 58" plasma went out last week. I had to send it in for repairs after 2 months. =(

L.A. Traffic...

I have been lucky that my past two jobs have been about 5 miles away from home. Directv did not even require I get on freeway. LMB I was on the 10 and the 405 but for only 2 off ramps each.

Now, I am driving out to Universal City, about 20 miles each way. I am now either stuck in traffic or driving behind lame LA drivers. I guess I never paid attention when driving local or short distances but I never noticed how many people talk on their cell phones and drive. If you are a good driver then I don't care, but it seems like people that talk on the cell phone drive slower.

For example, in the morning people leave 5-6 cars lengths in between each other and then they all drive 60-65 mph. In the morning, so many people drive exactly the same speed so it is hard to cut in and out to get around them. Sometimes I have to go over 5 lanes and then back over 5 lanes. Usually, I am driving about 90-95 mph with no problems. Yes, you heard right, 90-95 mph on the 405 freeway. Yes, it is possible when you actually DRIVE a car and not chit-chat on the phone…or if you aren't over 50. I think old people should be tested by the DMV annually!

The other crappy part is my car drives like a bus. Sure at 90-95 mph without changing lanes the car is great. When I have to start changing lanes, cutting people off it gets sketchy. The car is heavy and accelerates to slow and I have to brake so much harder to stop in time.

I guess I never got stressed driving before because it was so close that I didn't mind being in a luxury car and driving slow. Yes, I realized with a short commute that I was driving slow. Now, I am too impatient to drive slow…at times I wish I was in the Celica so I could just down shift two gears, swerve a little and cut in and out. Of course, the Boxster was also nice for cutting in and out.

I think I now realize that sports cars are built for my taste in driving. No SUVs, no luxury car, just a regular car that is a little zippy…and safe for JT to ride in.

You know the commute is long when I actually listen to the traffic report AND I even listen to sports radio in the morning. It got so bad, I even called in to talk about hockey…and how no one cares or watches hockey…basically to say hockey sucks!

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Does anyone still use a regular film camera? If so, how long does it take you to develop film? I have been telling Aya for almost 2 years to develop the film in her camera. Does she?? No. Finally, I take the roll out of her camera....ahh...the Porsche.

Aya was about 4-5 months pregnant in this picture.

Birthday Dinner…

Aya and I went out to dinner last night to celebrate her never ending birthday. We dropped JT off at my parent’s house and he spent the night over there while we got to enjoy a nice leisurely dinner.

Outside of business trips, Aya and I could not remember the last time just the two of us went out to dinner. It was a little strange at first because I started eating fast like JT was there and then I realized, I don’t have to hurry up and eat. I can take my time. Usually dinners are 10-15 minutes because we either feed JT while we eat or we feed JT first and then we eat. Thus, you usually have a small window of time before JT gets impatient.

During our 2.5 hour dinner Aya and I got a chance to walk about the pro’s and con’s of kid #2. So far, the jury is still deliberating. I think the jury is still leaning towards only one kid. We were thinking about cost, logistics, new house and if we have another kid then it will be about 3-4 years before Aya and I can go out to dinner again. We even went house hunting again but I think we are officially calling off our search. We have seen good and bad homes but not the perfect home for us…at least not perfect one at the perfect price.

The highlight was after dinner when we got home I realized that I will be able to sleep in and not get JT in the morning. Unfortunately, my body has been trained to wake up early, so even though JT wasn’t there I was still up early and couldn’t really go back to sleep. I guess it wasn’t so bad because I got to eat breakfast and watch ESPN before going to work.

15 Months...

JT got a pretty big 'oowie' over the weekend. He was running near some big rocks (like the one Aya is sitting on) and he tripped and fell and skidded his face along the rock and gravel. He actually didn't cry very much...tough little sucker.

JT had his 15 month checkup and he is totally...AVERAGE.

weight: 24 lbs 12 oz
height: 31 1/4 inches
heart murmur: hardly noticeable

Actually, he isn't totally average. He was a little on the plus side in weight...and a little on the slow side in number of words spoken. We think with all the sign language JT knows, it is easier for him to sign than speak. I suppose it doesn't help that we answer to his signing.

Happy Birthday Aya....

Can you believe I met Aya 11 years ago?? I remember meeting her just a few months after her 21st birthday.

Happy 32nd Birthday!!

Which would you choose??

I have been thinking about this post for a few weeks now but I wasn't quite sure how to put it into words.

Does anyone watch What About Brian on ABC? Aya and I watch the show. Basically one of the story lines has one guy...Brian who kind of likes all of these women:

This is who I call the 'HOT' girl...who Brian is currently dating. She is also a realtor that deals in selling luxury properties.

Then there was the smart and pretty girl that he lusted after but was his best friend's fiance. She is a doctor...I think pediatrician:

Now, there is the pretty neighbor who is the all-american girl next door. This girl is an upcoming actress:
Yes and you were wondering why I would watch a show like this? Hmm, like the 3 reasons above weren't good enough? Now, Tiffany Amber-Thiessen is on the show.

So back to the original topic. Not only do the 3 girls look good, but each one actually has a good personality (based on their characters on the show) and a job. So, if you had your choice which do you choose? Why?

Aya thinks I would pick the HOT girl. When she is on screen I think, damn she is hot, but I wish she wouldn't talk. Her voice bugs me. I kind of like the middle girl, but then I see the HOT girl and think how could you pass that up?? Now, the all-american girl is on the show...how can you go wrong with the all american girl?? It is like passing up apple pie?

I thought only a tv show would give you problems like this, but apparently Tom Brady has the same issue as he has to decide to get back together with his ex girlfriend Bridget who he dumped and is now pregnant:

Or stay with his current supermodel girlfriend Gisele:

Hmm...tough call...doesn't seem like he can lose either way. At least on this one, I know I would be picking Giselle!

Backups...

Phew! I had a close call this morning. I woke up and noticed some of the clocks were reset. Strange, we must have had a power failure in the middle of the night, but only 1/2 the house was affected.

I went to the computer to look something up and it was off. I *NEVER* turn my PC off. I boot it back up....Primary Disk Error. Crap. Hard Drive failure. That is the absolute worse for several reasons. One, I may not be able to recover my data. Two, it takes forever to reinstall everything and locating drivers and getting everything working just takes a long time. Three, we keep all of JT's pictures on the computer.

If I couldn't recover my photos then I would have JT looking like a big buck toothed rabbit! (Sadly, JT has my overbite)
Luckily, I back up files on a regular basis...but I would still lose some files. I know I wrote about backing up before. So easy, yet so lazy and I don't do it. I got this great backup program from Oscar that moves my personal files quick...and yet I don't schedule a regular backup. So, to everyone out there with pics, be sure to back up your files!!

I used my gaming machine this morning which Aya claims is a waste...but it totally helped me look up stuff trying to fix my PC. I then realized, it truly was ONLY a gaming machine. The only software I had loaded was firewall, anti-virus and games!

Good news...

Nope, this has nothing to do with Valentine's day. A totally made up commercialized day for women. I said good news!

Drumroll please.....Aya got a promotion at work and is now Vice President - Research. It is nice to see that all her hard work is recognized by the company and validates all the long hours and travel for work.

Maybe this means I can be a stay at home dad one day! =)

JT reading with Elmo...

It is hard to make up but JT is saying Elmo. JT started saying Elmo a few weeks ago. After seeing Elmo on Seasme Street twice he picked it up and starting yelling Elmo everytime he sees him on TV.

Aya and I even went out and got him and Elmo doll. JT got a Tickle Me Elmo for Christmas. He used to be afraid of Elmo but now just grabs him by the eyeballs and drags him around the house.

2Finity and BEYOND!!

This is currently and on going project but I am happy to announce that I am Partner and Founder of 2Finity.

What is 2Finity? 2Finity is a new business created by myself and several coworkers. We debuted our company in Las Vegas at MicroStrategy World this year. We are offering our consulting services to anyone interested in Data Warehousing. For now, it is specific to MicroStrategy Data Warehouse projects on the west coast.

Here is our corporate website: http://www.2finity.com/index.asp

No, this does not mean I am quitting my UMG job right now. 2Finity was being set up at the time I accepted a full time position at UMG.

Right now, the main focus is on Aya's career. If that means I need a more flexible and stable job to watch JT then I will remain a full time employee. If Aya gets a good grip on her sector this year than consulting will be in my future.

So, if anyone out there needs MicroStrategy consultants, let me know. Right now, all our contractors are currently fully staffed. Woo-Hoo!!

More Superbowl....

What a difference a year makes. I was looking back at some pictures and this was JT at the superbowl party in 2006. JT was just over 2 months at the time.

Now he still has a lot of hair....he went from 0 teeth to 10-12 teeth...he couldn't sit upright by himself to walking on his own. I suppose he has a little baby beer belly now as well. I think it is funny how his nose is still the same size but his face just got bigger. I thought JT had such a big honker when he was born!

My favorite "Unseen" Superbowl commercial:

Adventures of single dad...

Two weeks ago I was in Vegas and Aya had to watch JT for a week. This week it is my turn to be a single parent as Aya is in Miami for a week. Two years ago I was in Miami and called Aya from a 2 foot deep pool while sipping drinks. Last night, I call Aya after her stroll along the beach, wading through a foot deep pool while drinking mojito's. Talk about living the good life!

Tonight was an interesting night. 7:00 is bath time for JT. Just before bath time, I was cleaning up his room and JT walked out of the room with two toy cars. I hear the cars bounce down the stairs...then loud foot steps running back to the room...followed with "Uh-oh". Yeah, it isn't "Uh-oh" when you throw the cars down the stairs and make me go get them.

I oblige and go and get the cars and start JT's bath. Once again, I hear the cars roll down the stairs and "Uh-oh...Uh-oh". Sure it is cute the first or second time it happens but this is like the 1000th time now.

Now I have the bath running, cars down the stairs and I still have to get JT changed out of his clothes. What happens next...JT has a smelly surprise for me. Poor little guy has taken like 11-12 craps in the past 3 days and his butt is red like a baboon! I am cleaning up his mess and JT takes off naked towards the bath.

Naturally I have the security gate up so I am in no rush to chase JT. I make my way to the gate and as I step on the security latch to unlock the gate I see a puddle on the step and drops on the bar. Interesting. At least that is what my brain says while my body is moving. The next thing I hear is "Uh-Oh"...while JT is grabbing his pecker....and I step into the puddle of piss! JT was so anxious for the bath that he peed on the security gate waiting for me. YUCKO.

After bathtime JT and I head down stairs to get his two cars, a bottle of milk and get ready for bed. I couldn't carry JT, the cars and the milk so I put him down to grab the cars. I told JT to walk up the stairs with me. Does he listen? No. He decides to take a step BACKWARDS and proceeds to fall off the stair and take a header onto the floor. Don't worry...it wasn't far...just one or two steps.

I guess hitting his head did the trick because by the time we got upstairs he was so tired from crying he practically fell asleep. So that was my 1 hour adventure before bedtime tonight.

I guess it isn't all that bad. Last week this is what happened to Aya when she watched JT:

JT head butted Aya giving her a fat bloody lip. Good thing I was in Vegas or else people would think I assaulted Aya!

Aunty Dawn...

This is what happens when Aunty Dawn watches Jack:

Dawn's very own "Jack" in the Box:

Entertainment Unit...

Due to all the big screen tv rearranging, my dad, my sister and I all have 'extra' entertainment units that we are no longer using.

If anyone is interested, drop me an email...first come first serve. No cost...but you have to pick it up from either my house or my parents house.

Dads entertainment unit:

My sisters entertainment unit:

Miles entertainment unit:

TV is also included in mine if you want.

Super Bowl....

It is Super Bowl sunday time! Naturally, we have to instill in JT that Super Bowl Sunday is a 'mans day' for football watching. We got ready by practicing our football "mean" face:


After that we went to Grandpa and Grandma so we could eat all afternoon and watch Football.

It was even better because we were all rooting for the Colts and they won!! (Even better they won by more than 7 points!)