I work with engineers

... and here is proof. Behold what happens to a big bunch of promotional cardboard coasters in their inventive and restless hands:

Also delicious fun on the tech front - the new "security" Mac ad. CANCEL OR ALLOW???

My favorite of all time is the networking one.

Times, they are a-changin'...

I tried to get into Chester Arnold's class, but he was totally over-subscribed (over-booked?) Anyhow, his class was too full. He sent me over to a painting class, but I don't know that I like the teacher and the students were all about 18 years old.

So instead I signed myself up for a Thursday night "Figure Painting" class at California College of Art! yay! Teacher is someone named Sian Oblak . I find her work intriguing.

The teacher from College of Marin last night did show some fun slides before we started in on painting and I jotted down a couple of new names - artists I liked.

David Salle

Raymond Saunders (image in this post)

It looks like I may be able to keep my job in Berkeley, despite a recent acquisition of our company by a competitor. I like the new guys (from our new HQ) and also like their product, so it would be great to stay.

As it turns out also, my art-class friend Carmen just got a job in Kentfield and doesn't want to commute from Napa, so we may find a place down here together, ideally some loft-type space where we could leave our art projects out. Yippee!

Had a great meeting this morning with Molly. She is so perceptive and encouraging. It's a real gift to be a good teacher / coach and I just feel so lucky when I get hooked up with one.

Austin

The company that is acquiring us is based in Austin and I have raised my hand to say, "Yes! I'll go!"

Now, I also find that they have a Shakespeare Studies department at the university there. Man, oh man oh man. How great is that?

I hear nothing but good things about Austin, so my focus is shifting more in the direction of Texas. Who'd a thunk it? Heck, I can ride western and adore Shakespeare and create paintings and listen to the Dixie Chicks with the best of them. Ok, so I might get bucked off if I went up against the best of them western rider types, but still...

I like the "Keep Austin Weird" web site.

I just recalled that back in November, my sister and I both took a "what city are you?" test and my result was Austin! Actually, so was hers. Maybe she should ditch California too. There is only that pesky problem that she's able to practice her profession just in California. Does JetBlue fly to Austin? That would make things much happier.

I am grateful for my wonderful program friends and my family;
I am grateful that today I do have a roof over my head and a job;
I am grateful for my health and sobriety;
Today I ask God to give me some calm, some ability to be of service in a chaotic time at my work.

Yes, the vulnerability you have when you love to work at innovative, smaller tech companies is that "A" word - acquisition. Our company was acquired by a Texas company, announced to us just yesterday, so that whole loft thing is on hold while I assess.

My friends and family have been so great and also insightful. Most have reminded me that God has a plan and that things happen for good reason and to hang in there. I'm glad I surround myself with recovery people and people who do their best to connect with a higher power.

nice video from my company

This video might give you insight into why I like my work so much. Sickening, isn't it, to like one's work? But I do.

More on la Chenoweth + East Bay thoughts

This blog has some interesting reactions to the NY Times article about our darling Ms. Chenoweth. I'm finding that having a google news alert for her and getting the daily Sojourners email newsletter is giving me more sources for intelligent liberal Christian (and non-Christian) voices, which I enjoy.

Had a nice chat with my sponsor last night on my drive home. She is sending me contact info for our old 'homie' Molly, who is now living in Oakland. It'll be great to chat with her again and to hear about what's up housing-wise over here from someone I trust.

What I like about Berkeley and Oakland:

1. Close to this job. Was feeling like I might jump ship to the San Rafael company, but lately am getting a very positive vibe about staying right where I am. Got an excellent review from my boss and such genuine concern when I told people about my car accident. Also my boss is taking action on a personnel issue that I was worried would just be ignored, so that is also encouraging. So, it would be nice to have a small commute. It's a serious quality-of-life issue.

2. A new place to explore, paint, photograph, blog about.

3. Seems to have much more in the way of young people, single men, artists, book stores (Moe's is my all-time favorite!) , urban things in general than does Marin. (But what doesn't?)

4. Still close enough to Marin to see Camilla regularly, hang out with other Marin friends on weekends and such.

5. Way more affordable.

6. Isabel Point dog park is lovely. Also like the park at the Berkeley Marina.

7. Easy to take night art classes at CCA or Berkeley. Cheaper studio space.

Well and just this moment, my lovely coworker Cheryl dropped by my desk to offer me a personal tour of the Grand Lake area some weekend day. She grew up in Ross and said she was especially good at relating various Oakland areas to Marin areas I would know. How nice is that???

low art / high art

I have spent so much time being delighted with myself for knowing tacky from tasteful, kitschy from edgy, and am lately just finding it all kind of pointless and a bit mean-spirited and superior.

Lo and behold, I ran across Jon Carroll's column today and it fit in perfectly with that theme. Just brilliant, that man.

Do I sense a trend back toward sincerity and enthusiasm? Let me be among the first!

This afternoon at work, a gaggle of folks noticed big flames and smoke coming from a nearby building and we heard lots of sirens and then helicopters too. Shortly after that, we got an email from our IT guy:

Subject line: Please stop watching the live feed of the fire

Body: Unless you are using the proxy server, please stop watching the video of the fire so we don't keep spiking the T1.

Just go to the QA room and watch it live it you really gotta watch it.

Thank you

-Robin