Friday, June 15, 2001
Saw this on PBS last night. There was also a program on building a Roman bath in Turkey - did you know that the Romans built a 40-mile aqueduct underground? The whole concept of people building such amazing, lasting architectural structures without modern tools just blows me away. Humans are incredible!NOVA Online | Secrets of Lost Empires | China Bridge
Friday!!
Yay! The weekend is at hand, and there's the STC banquet tonight and my haircut tomorrow. The lady that came to see the place is really nice. She brought a roommate who is equally nice, I would be very happy if they took the place. My landlady will love them too. I hope that they decide to take it, I'm sure that they'd love it there. I got some more kitchen packing finished last night. It was hot last night, so I only got a couple of boxes done. It's supposed to cool down for the weekend, which will be great for getting stuff done.
Yay! The weekend is at hand, and there's the STC banquet tonight and my haircut tomorrow. The lady that came to see the place is really nice. She brought a roommate who is equally nice, I would be very happy if they took the place. My landlady will love them too. I hope that they decide to take it, I'm sure that they'd love it there. I got some more kitchen packing finished last night. It was hot last night, so I only got a couple of boxes done. It's supposed to cool down for the weekend, which will be great for getting stuff done.
Thursday, June 14, 2001
Dust bunnies the size of my head
I had a really nice supper at Maggie's last night and then rushed home and started cleaning. The woman who is coming to look at the apartment tonight really couldn't be subjected to that kind of treatment. There are still boxes everywhere, but now the kitchen floor is clean and the dust elephants have been safely contained in the vacuum. I hope to get some more packing done tonight. It's Thursday already, hard to believe. I've been so busy all week that it's zoomed by. Steve's returning from Maryland tonight, he seems to be having a good time. The employee training here was very useful and sparked more 'to dos' for the documentation. Tomorrow night is the STC banquet at a Spanish restaurant on Parc. Should be a hot night. The weather here is just crazy, it's going to be at least 32C here and tomorrow will be worse! There's a smog warning for the next 36 hours too. Yeesh!
Harley Dina is on my desk right now, vroom vroom!!
I had a really nice supper at Maggie's last night and then rushed home and started cleaning. The woman who is coming to look at the apartment tonight really couldn't be subjected to that kind of treatment. There are still boxes everywhere, but now the kitchen floor is clean and the dust elephants have been safely contained in the vacuum. I hope to get some more packing done tonight. It's Thursday already, hard to believe. I've been so busy all week that it's zoomed by. Steve's returning from Maryland tonight, he seems to be having a good time. The employee training here was very useful and sparked more 'to dos' for the documentation. Tomorrow night is the STC banquet at a Spanish restaurant on Parc. Should be a hot night. The weather here is just crazy, it's going to be at least 32C here and tomorrow will be worse! There's a smog warning for the next 36 hours too. Yeesh!
Harley Dina is on my desk right now, vroom vroom!!
Wednesday, June 13, 2001
What an Evening!
Your party was terrific fun, Dina. The food was yummy and served with impressive timing, given the size of the group (22!). It was nice to see so many friends and mingle with them all. If your party's any indication, your wedding reception should be a blast!
Bill's toys were fabulous. But the burning question of the day is: did Harley Dina make it to your office or did you leave her at home to wreak havoc on the dust bunnies with the cats?
Your party was terrific fun, Dina. The food was yummy and served with impressive timing, given the size of the group (22!). It was nice to see so many friends and mingle with them all. If your party's any indication, your wedding reception should be a blast!
Bill's toys were fabulous. But the burning question of the day is: did Harley Dina make it to your office or did you leave her at home to wreak havoc on the dust bunnies with the cats?
Older girl
Well, I had one heck of an evening! Steve planned a surprise party at out favorite Indian restaurant for me. Unfortunately, he really sucks at stalling, so we got there before most people had arrived (I was hungry and wanted to go!). Steve was dragging his heels a bit, he had to take a shower and then he was trying to get me to slow down. His last ditch attempt at a stall was when I had my hand on the door knob and he asked, "Want to have sex?". I knew that we must be meeting someone for dinner, but I figured that it was probably Maggie and Andrew because Maggie had her graduation ceremony in the morning. I had no idea that so many people would show up, I was thrilled to bits and I was surprised! It was so nice to be surrounded by a room of friends. Our quiet little restaurant was alive with activity. The owner and waiter were running around like crazy and made sure everyone got fed in a reasonable amount of time, they even threw in a cake gratis!
I got some very nice cards and gifts. Bill gave me a bag of dollar store toys and goodies that are now adorning my desk, I got booze and a book, and certificates to buy books and a bonsai and cafe-au-lait mugs. My best gift of the evening though was the sound of the entire restaurant ringing with "Happy Birthday to you" when the cake came out. What a great night!
Well, I had one heck of an evening! Steve planned a surprise party at out favorite Indian restaurant for me. Unfortunately, he really sucks at stalling, so we got there before most people had arrived (I was hungry and wanted to go!). Steve was dragging his heels a bit, he had to take a shower and then he was trying to get me to slow down. His last ditch attempt at a stall was when I had my hand on the door knob and he asked, "Want to have sex?". I knew that we must be meeting someone for dinner, but I figured that it was probably Maggie and Andrew because Maggie had her graduation ceremony in the morning. I had no idea that so many people would show up, I was thrilled to bits and I was surprised! It was so nice to be surrounded by a room of friends. Our quiet little restaurant was alive with activity. The owner and waiter were running around like crazy and made sure everyone got fed in a reasonable amount of time, they even threw in a cake gratis!
I got some very nice cards and gifts. Bill gave me a bag of dollar store toys and goodies that are now adorning my desk, I got booze and a book, and certificates to buy books and a bonsai and cafe-au-lait mugs. My best gift of the evening though was the sound of the entire restaurant ringing with "Happy Birthday to you" when the cake came out. What a great night!
Tuesday, June 12, 2001
Happy Birthday Dina! Best wishes again and hope you had a good dinner and...um...:-)
Interesting factoids: you are in good company, e.g.: http://www.chickcorea.com/, and http://www.annefrank.com/.
'later!
Interesting factoids: you are in good company, e.g.: http://www.chickcorea.com/, and http://www.annefrank.com/.
'later!
Happy birthday to me!
Yay! I haven't had the usual ramp-up festivities, but this birthday is starting off pretty good. Normally, it would start at the beginning of the month, but I've been kinda busy. Steve gave me A Star Called Henry (Roddy Doyle), a wind-up Nibbler, a cd, Notes from the Vinyl Cafe and a nice card. Steve's folks got me some gift certificates, a t-shirt, and nice blue placemats and plastic cutlery. We're going out for supper tonight, Indian food!!
I have a training session for the next two days, should be interesting. I'll be learning about the company products and stuff. I wish that I had the day off, a woman will be coming to look at the apartment Thursday night and it's really in bad shape right now. There's boxes and cat hair and piles of junk every where! Eep!
Yay! I haven't had the usual ramp-up festivities, but this birthday is starting off pretty good. Normally, it would start at the beginning of the month, but I've been kinda busy. Steve gave me A Star Called Henry (Roddy Doyle), a wind-up Nibbler, a cd, Notes from the Vinyl Cafe and a nice card. Steve's folks got me some gift certificates, a t-shirt, and nice blue placemats and plastic cutlery. We're going out for supper tonight, Indian food!!
I have a training session for the next two days, should be interesting. I'll be learning about the company products and stuff. I wish that I had the day off, a woman will be coming to look at the apartment Thursday night and it's really in bad shape right now. There's boxes and cat hair and piles of junk every where! Eep!
Monday, June 11, 2001
Monday...
I believe that eventually this other writer will see the light (or perhaps I will have to whack her with it) and I will be allowed to design the template and convince her to read a few other manuals to see what others are doing. My VP is very enthusiatic about improving the docs, so I think that it's only a matter of time and revamping. Many of the docs still haven't been converted from Word yet, I'm working on it. I think I can also safely assume that I will be able to design the WebWorks template, which will be a big project and let me be creative.
Steve now has a new bathroom floor! My folks came in on Saturday and we worked until 10:30pm getting the floor in, removing the toilet and replacing the seal, putting the taps and overflow vent back, and putting in new moldings. I caulked everything yesterday, so the bathroom is usable once again and very pretty!
Last Friday, we had a Margarita party here at work. I had a Smirnoff vodka/lemon drink that was really good! I recommend them! They're called Smirnoff Ice and they're essentially a Mike's hard lemonade. I went to the Smirnoff Web site and curiously enough, they're only available outside the U.S.. Inside the U.S., they're made with beer. Today's bar recipe is a Creamsicle-yum yum!
I believe that eventually this other writer will see the light (or perhaps I will have to whack her with it) and I will be allowed to design the template and convince her to read a few other manuals to see what others are doing. My VP is very enthusiatic about improving the docs, so I think that it's only a matter of time and revamping. Many of the docs still haven't been converted from Word yet, I'm working on it. I think I can also safely assume that I will be able to design the WebWorks template, which will be a big project and let me be creative.
Steve now has a new bathroom floor! My folks came in on Saturday and we worked until 10:30pm getting the floor in, removing the toilet and replacing the seal, putting the taps and overflow vent back, and putting in new moldings. I caulked everything yesterday, so the bathroom is usable once again and very pretty!
Last Friday, we had a Margarita party here at work. I had a Smirnoff vodka/lemon drink that was really good! I recommend them! They're called Smirnoff Ice and they're essentially a Mike's hard lemonade. I went to the Smirnoff Web site and curiously enough, they're only available outside the U.S.. Inside the U.S., they're made with beer. Today's bar recipe is a Creamsicle-yum yum!
Justify My Love (But Please Not My Text)
Oooh, I feel sorry for you, Dina. You're dealing with someone who's got decidedly old-fashioned views on writing and typography. Being the new kid on the block, you need to tread carefully here. But it is possible to show her the light. It's been my experience that people generally do things in a particular way because they don't know any better, and conversely, rarely argue at length with an objective source (better yet, several sources). It's all in how you show them. You could try offering to redo the Frame template, one of your areas of expertise. Or you could mention that you've noticed a few things that vary from standard practice in tech writing/typography/whatever field you want to mention. Then I'd get a copy of the Microsoft Manual of Style to deal with the "click on X" and "is displayed" problems, and get out Robin Williams' great book The Mac (or PC) Is Not a Typewriter or any other of her books (I have one I can lend you if you like), in which she talks about how justified text is harder to read. And be prepared to persevere if you don't win in this round. Keep gently pointing out good examples of published manuals (Oh look! What a nice manual! Looks as if they've used X font...). Good luck, and remember time and the crushing weight of overwhelming evidence are on your side...
Oooh, I feel sorry for you, Dina. You're dealing with someone who's got decidedly old-fashioned views on writing and typography. Being the new kid on the block, you need to tread carefully here. But it is possible to show her the light. It's been my experience that people generally do things in a particular way because they don't know any better, and conversely, rarely argue at length with an objective source (better yet, several sources). It's all in how you show them. You could try offering to redo the Frame template, one of your areas of expertise. Or you could mention that you've noticed a few things that vary from standard practice in tech writing/typography/whatever field you want to mention. Then I'd get a copy of the Microsoft Manual of Style to deal with the "click on X" and "is displayed" problems, and get out Robin Williams' great book The Mac (or PC) Is Not a Typewriter or any other of her books (I have one I can lend you if you like), in which she talks about how justified text is harder to read. And be prepared to persevere if you don't win in this round. Keep gently pointing out good examples of published manuals (Oh look! What a nice manual! Looks as if they've used X font...). Good luck, and remember time and the crushing weight of overwhelming evidence are on your side...
Friday, June 08, 2001
Friday!
Well, this week has zoomed by! I will be glad to get home tonight and be able to just relax for a few hours. All week we've been running here and there and I've been getting nothing done around the house. Perhaps I will have the time and energy to clean a bit and pack a few boxes? We shall see.
The other writer here, Pascale, has made some interesting style choices to the documents. The big one is that all of the text is justified. I'm not sure why she thinks this is a good idea. She also centres all the graphics and everything is in Times New Roman. I'm not sure that I am able to justify text................ The other thing is that she uses phrases like "Click on OK" and "the blah-blah window is displayed". Anybody have any ideas on how I can encourage her to adopt a more conventional style without her getting mad at me? I really don't want it to come to that, she's nice, but I believe a tad defensive.
Well, this week has zoomed by! I will be glad to get home tonight and be able to just relax for a few hours. All week we've been running here and there and I've been getting nothing done around the house. Perhaps I will have the time and energy to clean a bit and pack a few boxes? We shall see.
The other writer here, Pascale, has made some interesting style choices to the documents. The big one is that all of the text is justified. I'm not sure why she thinks this is a good idea. She also centres all the graphics and everything is in Times New Roman. I'm not sure that I am able to justify text...............
Thursday, June 07, 2001
Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hotmail!
Hey there! Well Dina, you'll be pleased to know I've joined the vast sea of Hotmail users (edundas@hotmail.com). Hopefully this connection will be better than the shakey one I've had for the past 2 weeks. I just find so many mailboxes--both virtual and physical--to be just a little overwhelming, as if I'm scattered all over the place. There must be a name for this condition; something like Virtual Homelessness Anxiety or Electronic Toilet-Paper Trail Panic Disorder. Anybody know of a good name for this?
Hey there! Well Dina, you'll be pleased to know I've joined the vast sea of Hotmail users (edundas@hotmail.com). Hopefully this connection will be better than the shakey one I've had for the past 2 weeks. I just find so many mailboxes--both virtual and physical--to be just a little overwhelming, as if I'm scattered all over the place. There must be a name for this condition; something like Virtual Homelessness Anxiety or Electronic Toilet-Paper Trail Panic Disorder. Anybody know of a good name for this?
What would Jesus drive?
I was listening to CBC radio yesterday afternoon while stuck in traffic (blech), and heard about a Boston minister who gave a sermon, perhaps last Sunday, on why Jesus wouldn't drive an SUV. I can't find the original story, but the radio program had invited listeners to call in with suggestions on what Jesus would drive. Some of the suggestions were: a Volswagon bus, a school bus, a Morris Minor, a bicycle and that he would have hitchhiked instead.
I was thinking that he would drive a chip wagon or an ice cream truck. What do you think?
Elizabeth, still no luck, your email bounces like a superball......
I was listening to CBC radio yesterday afternoon while stuck in traffic (blech), and heard about a Boston minister who gave a sermon, perhaps last Sunday, on why Jesus wouldn't drive an SUV. I can't find the original story, but the radio program had invited listeners to call in with suggestions on what Jesus would drive. Some of the suggestions were: a Volswagon bus, a school bus, a Morris Minor, a bicycle and that he would have hitchhiked instead.
I was thinking that he would drive a chip wagon or an ice cream truck. What do you think?
Elizabeth, still no luck, your email bounces like a superball......
Fourth day...
Still managing to get up and get to the office before 8am, I wonder how long that will last? I'm looking at the manuals and they really need an edit! That's good, lots to do! Steve and I have to go and pick up linoleum and other supplies to finally finish the bathroom this weekend. The folks are showing up to help. We have to remove the toilet, rip up the floor, put a new floor down, put the toilet back, caulk around the tub and fixtures, and then replace the molding near the floor. It will be a busy day/weekend......
Still managing to get up and get to the office before 8am, I wonder how long that will last? I'm looking at the manuals and they really need an edit! That's good, lots to do! Steve and I have to go and pick up linoleum and other supplies to finally finish the bathroom this weekend. The folks are showing up to help. We have to remove the toilet, rip up the floor, put a new floor down, put the toilet back, caulk around the tub and fixtures, and then replace the molding near the floor. It will be a busy day/weekend......
Wednesday, June 06, 2001
I'm back! It seems like eons, although it's more like a couple of weeks. After battling with constant interruptions of e-mail and Web access, and a brief hiatus on a course and doing a freelance contract, I've rejoined you all. Being cut off has made me realize how integral a part of my life the Net's become.
Anyhow, saw two interesting on-line magazines recently: one with fun graphics and quirky writing called Atlas, and another with writing by and for women called Chicklit. And today, Dina, Chicklit has an article on David Sedaris, author of Me Talk Pretty. Check it out!
Girl drinks, eh Dina? Haven't had those in long time. Save those little picks and umbrellas for a house-warming extravaganza at your new abode!
Anyhow, saw two interesting on-line magazines recently: one with fun graphics and quirky writing called Atlas, and another with writing by and for women called Chicklit. And today, Dina, Chicklit has an article on David Sedaris, author of Me Talk Pretty. Check it out!
Girl drinks, eh Dina? Haven't had those in long time. Save those little picks and umbrellas for a house-warming extravaganza at your new abode!
Third day
So far, so good. I went out and had some girl drinks with Bill last night and discussed moving and procrastinating and of course our jobs. I made good and clear that the relationship between myself and the other writer here would be equal members of a team, I was not about to go back and relive my last year. I'm assuming that the other writer is just trying to be helpful, but I sometimes get the feeling that I am trying to be managed by her. I figure that I'll give us some time to get aquainted and for me to settle in and learn all the stuff that I have to learn about the company, procedures and products and if it keeps up after that, we'll have to have a talk. For now, I'll consider her very helpful and leave it at that. To my great delight, the receptionist here has shown me where she stores empty boxes which can be taken, she is my moving goddess.
So far, so good. I went out and had some girl drinks with Bill last night and discussed moving and procrastinating and of course our jobs. I made good and clear that the relationship between myself and the other writer here would be equal members of a team, I was not about to go back and relive my last year. I'm assuming that the other writer is just trying to be helpful, but I sometimes get the feeling that I am trying to be managed by her. I figure that I'll give us some time to get aquainted and for me to settle in and learn all the stuff that I have to learn about the company, procedures and products and if it keeps up after that, we'll have to have a talk. For now, I'll consider her very helpful and leave it at that. To my great delight, the receptionist here has shown me where she stores empty boxes which can be taken, she is my moving goddess.
Tuesday, June 05, 2001
Second day
Hi everybody! My first day of work went pretty well! It only takes me about 20 minutes to get here if I leave home between 7:15-7:40. The office is designed to encourage collaboration between groups. The developers sit near the sales people, I sit near the marketing writers and QA. There are a number of small, open meeting areas called "knowledge collision centres" around the office. There are also floor-to-ceiling whiteboards mounted all over the place so that you can start impromptu discussions just about anywhere. When the developers finish a software version, they spend some time catching up on paperwork next to tech support so they can also find out what's going on with the customers. The philosophy is interesting and certainly different from where I was. The kitchen is very nice and has a dishwasher! So far, the gym has a couple of weight machines, two or three stairmasters, one of those kicking-punching things and some free weights. I'm going to push for an elliptical trainer, those things are way better than stairmasters. Based on my first day, I give this job an 8 so far.
How are they gonna do that?
Due to the Harry Potter craze. The publisher that owns the rights to the Narnia chronicles has plans to republish the series, but edit out the Christian references. Considering that the books are largely Christian allegory, I wish them much luck. While they're at it, they should probably remove all the mythological and fantasy stuff too, that's bound to offend someone.......
Hi everybody! My first day of work went pretty well! It only takes me about 20 minutes to get here if I leave home between 7:15-7:40. The office is designed to encourage collaboration between groups. The developers sit near the sales people, I sit near the marketing writers and QA. There are a number of small, open meeting areas called "knowledge collision centres" around the office. There are also floor-to-ceiling whiteboards mounted all over the place so that you can start impromptu discussions just about anywhere. When the developers finish a software version, they spend some time catching up on paperwork next to tech support so they can also find out what's going on with the customers. The philosophy is interesting and certainly different from where I was. The kitchen is very nice and has a dishwasher! So far, the gym has a couple of weight machines, two or three stairmasters, one of those kicking-punching things and some free weights. I'm going to push for an elliptical trainer, those things are way better than stairmasters. Based on my first day, I give this job an 8 so far.
How are they gonna do that?
Due to the Harry Potter craze. The publisher that owns the rights to the Narnia chronicles has plans to republish the series, but edit out the Christian references. Considering that the books are largely Christian allegory, I wish them much luck. While they're at it, they should probably remove all the mythological and fantasy stuff too, that's bound to offend someone.......
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