So many things happening at once. No need to talk about work more than to say this is the do-or-die period and it could not be more hectic than right now.
The girls continue to grow rapidly. They are nearly 20 months old now and changed into bigger size shoes today. They can also do so many new things. For example, last night they took off their own jackets after school. They have been eating hotter and hotter food (temperature-wise) for a couple months now. At this point the really want food almost the same temperature as me and Hirono. Or when its too hot they say so and then blow on it themselves.
We need to get Leia to a gym. She can jump up into the air and do so many physical things beyond her age that it would be a waste not to encourage her in gymnastics or some other athletics. She’s even pretty good at climbing up the slippery end of the slide now, or stopping halfway down the slide and walking down the rest of the way. The trick is to find one that both is fun and can stretch her abilities.
For Alisa, its all about language and books. Her pronunciation has improved dramatically over the last two weeks. She can now clearly articulate staccato consonants. For example, the ‘k’ in ‘book’ or the ‘t’ in ‘hot’ are surprisingly clear (at least to a parent’s ear.) And her vocabulary is larger than I would expect. Many times she repeats the important words of a sentence that I say to her. From that moment on she’ll remember those words and can use them (usually) appropriately. Leia is similar but not nearly as advanced linguistically. Leia seems a little more inclined toward Japanese than English. They really are sponges at this age.
28 January 2010
22 January 2010
Absent
I've been heads-down at work lately. We're at the time in our product cycle where every minute counts. With 10-12 million dollars at stake per day, I'm literally running down the halls and working like mad.
The girls are doing well. I have a backlog of pictures to upload at Flickr. The big news is that they are both taking baths in the big tub with us and that they are consistently able to go to sleep together. These are both major wins with respect to ease of doing chores. We also regularly get bouts of 10-15 minutes a couple of times a day where the girls are occupying each other instead of us. Lastly, three nights in a row the girls have slept so soundly that I didn't wake up even for a few minutes -- heaven!
The girls are doing well. I have a backlog of pictures to upload at Flickr. The big news is that they are both taking baths in the big tub with us and that they are consistently able to go to sleep together. These are both major wins with respect to ease of doing chores. We also regularly get bouts of 10-15 minutes a couple of times a day where the girls are occupying each other instead of us. Lastly, three nights in a row the girls have slept so soundly that I didn't wake up even for a few minutes -- heaven!
07 January 2010
Another Meme
Tracy clued me into the year end meme over at Toast's place. Its another meme, which is easier than coming up with my own post right now.
1a. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Pulled a piece of cabbage out of someone's throat with my bare hands. Just reached in, grabbed it and brought it out. Kids...
1b. What did you do in the aughts that you'd never done before?
Had kids.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn't have one, as I recall. I do for 2010.
3a. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2009?
No.
3b. Did anyone close to you give birth in the aughts?
Hirono and Teri.
4a. Did anyone close to you die in 2009?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die in the aughts?
That depends on what you mean by close. I had an employee (direct report) die at work.
5a. What places did you visit in 2009?
Outside the US: Japan, India. Inside the US and relatively far: Reno, Seattle.
5. What places did you visit in the aughts?
A ton of places: India, China, Japan, various European countries, Canada, Mexico, a number of places across the US.
6. What would you like to have in the next decade that you lacked in 2009?
No major wars.
7a. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
As Toast says, January 20th when Obama was sworn in. All the other dates are a blur of milestones and sleeplessness.
7b. What dates from the aughts will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 3rd, 2008 when the twins were born. August 6th, 2005 when Hirono and I were married. May 12th, 2006 when I finally felt I was a successful manager. Of course, September 11th, 2001.
8a. What was your biggest achievement(s) of 2009?
Achieving SCF milestone on Christmas Day for The Project from Hell (tm).
8b. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the aughts?
Living well and surviving the first year of the twins (albeit without my sanity intact.)
9a. What was your biggest failure of 2009?
Smoking too much.
9b. What was your biggest failure of the aughts?
Stupid shit I've done while drunk.
10a. Did you suffer illness or injury in 2009?
Early in the year I had a wicked sinus infection that put me out for nearly a month.
10b. Did you suffer illness or injury in the aughts?
Lots of broken fingers, a couple of times.
11. What was the best thing you bought in 2009?
Day care for the girls.
11. What was the best thing you bought in the aughts?
Fertility treatment.
12a. Whose behavior merited celebration in 2009?
The girls. They're growing up generous and kind to each other (mostly.)
12b. Whose behavior merited celebration in the aughts?
Hirono for being a trooper for the past nineteen months.
13a. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed in 2009?
What Toast said: The American right wing. For eight years their team ran the show, and they fucked up everything. Absolutely everything. So what do they do in 2009 when it's all over and we're in charge again? Do they back off, admit they were wrong, quiet down and take an introspective time-out? No, they triple-down on the Crazy. Fucking asshats.
13b. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed in the aughts?
Americans in general as they fell for the propaganda of the Bush administration and called for war against innocents.
14a. Where did most of your money go in 2009?
Mortgage.
14b. Where did most of your money go in the aughts?
Mortgage.
15a. What did you get really, really, really excited about in 2009?
An occasional good night's sleep.
15b. What did you get really, really, really excited about in the aughts?
The birth of the twins.
16a. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"
16b. What song will always remind you of the aughts?
17a. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder?
I'm heartbroken about work right now. Definitely more sad.
b) thinner or fatter?
Definitely fatter. I gotta get back on the exercise routine and eating well. I feel like crap.
c) richer or poorer?
Much poorer, for the second year in a row. Damn the economy and damn corporate executives.
17b. Compared to this time ten years ago, are you:
a) Happier or sadder?
Infinitely happier.
b) thinner or fatter?
Much fatter. See above. I was pretty slim and muscular until the girls were born.
c) richer or poorer?
Much poorer. Divorce and economy flushed down the toilet.
18a. What do you wish you'd done more of in 2009?
Slept.
18b. What do you wish you'd done more of in the aughts?
Table-top RPGs.
19a. What do you wish you'd done less of in 2009?
Hash.
19b. What do you wish you'd done less of in the aughts?
Nothing, really. I'm pretty satisfied with my behavior overall.
20. How did you spend Christmas this year?
First, opened gifts with nephews and daughters. Then did some work (we made our SCF milestone on Christmas day!) Then pigged out on ham and potatoes. Then kicked my brother's ass at strategy games. Then drank. All of this was done up in Reno at my parents' house.
21. Did you fall in love in the aughts?
Absolutely. Three times with my three favorite babes.
22a. How was work in 2009?
Work suffered from my inability to put 100% into it. I was too tired from raising the twins. Its getting better as far as that is concerned; but, there are other things that just plain suck.
22b. How was work in the aughts?
Overall really good. I accomplished lots of great stuff and my career went well. My teams are truly awesome.
23a. What was your favorite TV program in 2009?
n/a
23b. What was your favorite TV program in the aughts?
n/a
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2009?
I don't remember. Probably worked and changed diapers.
25a. What was the best book you read in 2009?
What To Expect: The Toddler Years
25b. What was the best book you read in the aughts?
The Goal, by Eli Goldratt
26a. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2009?
Raga Bop genre
26b. What was your greatest musical discovery of the aughts?
R&B genre, focus on the bass for full appreciation
27a. What did you want and get in 2009?
A long vacation, two months that were tacked onto another month at the end of 2008!
27b. What did you want and get in the aughts?
Children
28a. What did you want and not get in 2009?
Enough rest to feel like I can go exercise again.
28b. What did you want and not get in the aughts?
Peace.
29a. What was your favorite film of 2009?
n/a
29b. What was your favorite film of the aughts?
n/a
30a. Did you make some new friends in 2009?
Yeah, mostly online. A few at work.
30b. Did you make some new friends in the aughts?
Definitely. Mostly online or at work.
31a. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep.
31b. What one thing would have made your decade immeasurably more satisfying?
As Toast said: President Al Gore sworn in in 2001.
32a. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
If its only been worn once, its clean enough to wear again. Who has time to shower or do the laundry?
32b. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in the aughts?
Until the girls were born, metrosexual with a focus on leather and denim.
33a. What kept you sane in 2009?
Hash.
33b. What kept you sane in the aughts?
Hirono; particularly after the nasty end to my first marriage at the beginning of the aughts.
34a. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most in 2009?
n/a
34b. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most in the aughts?
n/a
35a-1. What political issue stirred you the most in 2009?
Fallout from the banking bailout (which technically started in 2008.) What a waste, and it ain't fixed yet. Its a shame so many people panicked and we ended up with such a stupid solution.
35a-2. What political issue stirred you the least in 2009?
Just about anything coming out of the mouths of the tea baggers. What a bunch of knuckleheads!
35b-1. What political issue stirred you the most in the aughts?
Iraq invasion.
35b-2. What political issue stirred you the least in the aughts?
Just about any scandal that involved sex.
36. Who did you miss in 2009?
My wife.
37a. Who was the best new person you met in 2009?
I'm not all that fond of anyone new I met in 2009.
37b. Who was the best new person you met in the aughts?
Hirono.
38a. Burn any bridges in 2009?
Yeah, work stuff. I set fire to a couple of personal bridges but they didn't burn down completely.
38b. Burn any bridges in the aughts?
Divorced. Thank the gods!
39a. Best new restaurant you went to in 2009?
Hah! Restaurants?!?! Who has time to eat out?
39b. Best new restaurant you went to in the aughts?
Irata in Barcelona.
40. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in the aughts.
Make sure your partner in life is sane.
1a. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Pulled a piece of cabbage out of someone's throat with my bare hands. Just reached in, grabbed it and brought it out. Kids...
1b. What did you do in the aughts that you'd never done before?
Had kids.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn't have one, as I recall. I do for 2010.
3a. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2009?
No.
3b. Did anyone close to you give birth in the aughts?
Hirono and Teri.
4a. Did anyone close to you die in 2009?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die in the aughts?
That depends on what you mean by close. I had an employee (direct report) die at work.
5a. What places did you visit in 2009?
Outside the US: Japan, India. Inside the US and relatively far: Reno, Seattle.
5. What places did you visit in the aughts?
A ton of places: India, China, Japan, various European countries, Canada, Mexico, a number of places across the US.
6. What would you like to have in the next decade that you lacked in 2009?
No major wars.
7a. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
As Toast says, January 20th when Obama was sworn in. All the other dates are a blur of milestones and sleeplessness.
7b. What dates from the aughts will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 3rd, 2008 when the twins were born. August 6th, 2005 when Hirono and I were married. May 12th, 2006 when I finally felt I was a successful manager. Of course, September 11th, 2001.
8a. What was your biggest achievement(s) of 2009?
Achieving SCF milestone on Christmas Day for The Project from Hell (tm).
8b. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the aughts?
Living well and surviving the first year of the twins (albeit without my sanity intact.)
9a. What was your biggest failure of 2009?
Smoking too much.
9b. What was your biggest failure of the aughts?
Stupid shit I've done while drunk.
10a. Did you suffer illness or injury in 2009?
Early in the year I had a wicked sinus infection that put me out for nearly a month.
10b. Did you suffer illness or injury in the aughts?
Lots of broken fingers, a couple of times.
11. What was the best thing you bought in 2009?
Day care for the girls.
11. What was the best thing you bought in the aughts?
Fertility treatment.
12a. Whose behavior merited celebration in 2009?
The girls. They're growing up generous and kind to each other (mostly.)
12b. Whose behavior merited celebration in the aughts?
Hirono for being a trooper for the past nineteen months.
13a. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed in 2009?
What Toast said: The American right wing. For eight years their team ran the show, and they fucked up everything. Absolutely everything. So what do they do in 2009 when it's all over and we're in charge again? Do they back off, admit they were wrong, quiet down and take an introspective time-out? No, they triple-down on the Crazy. Fucking asshats.
13b. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed in the aughts?
Americans in general as they fell for the propaganda of the Bush administration and called for war against innocents.
14a. Where did most of your money go in 2009?
Mortgage.
14b. Where did most of your money go in the aughts?
Mortgage.
15a. What did you get really, really, really excited about in 2009?
An occasional good night's sleep.
15b. What did you get really, really, really excited about in the aughts?
The birth of the twins.
16a. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"
16b. What song will always remind you of the aughts?
17a. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder?
I'm heartbroken about work right now. Definitely more sad.
b) thinner or fatter?
Definitely fatter. I gotta get back on the exercise routine and eating well. I feel like crap.
c) richer or poorer?
Much poorer, for the second year in a row. Damn the economy and damn corporate executives.
17b. Compared to this time ten years ago, are you:
a) Happier or sadder?
Infinitely happier.
b) thinner or fatter?
Much fatter. See above. I was pretty slim and muscular until the girls were born.
c) richer or poorer?
Much poorer. Divorce and economy flushed down the toilet.
18a. What do you wish you'd done more of in 2009?
Slept.
18b. What do you wish you'd done more of in the aughts?
Table-top RPGs.
19a. What do you wish you'd done less of in 2009?
Hash.
19b. What do you wish you'd done less of in the aughts?
Nothing, really. I'm pretty satisfied with my behavior overall.
20. How did you spend Christmas this year?
First, opened gifts with nephews and daughters. Then did some work (we made our SCF milestone on Christmas day!) Then pigged out on ham and potatoes. Then kicked my brother's ass at strategy games. Then drank. All of this was done up in Reno at my parents' house.
21. Did you fall in love in the aughts?
Absolutely. Three times with my three favorite babes.
22a. How was work in 2009?
Work suffered from my inability to put 100% into it. I was too tired from raising the twins. Its getting better as far as that is concerned; but, there are other things that just plain suck.
22b. How was work in the aughts?
Overall really good. I accomplished lots of great stuff and my career went well. My teams are truly awesome.
23a. What was your favorite TV program in 2009?
n/a
23b. What was your favorite TV program in the aughts?
n/a
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2009?
I don't remember. Probably worked and changed diapers.
25a. What was the best book you read in 2009?
What To Expect: The Toddler Years
25b. What was the best book you read in the aughts?
The Goal, by Eli Goldratt
26a. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2009?
Raga Bop genre
26b. What was your greatest musical discovery of the aughts?
R&B genre, focus on the bass for full appreciation
27a. What did you want and get in 2009?
A long vacation, two months that were tacked onto another month at the end of 2008!
27b. What did you want and get in the aughts?
Children
28a. What did you want and not get in 2009?
Enough rest to feel like I can go exercise again.
28b. What did you want and not get in the aughts?
Peace.
29a. What was your favorite film of 2009?
n/a
29b. What was your favorite film of the aughts?
n/a
30a. Did you make some new friends in 2009?
Yeah, mostly online. A few at work.
30b. Did you make some new friends in the aughts?
Definitely. Mostly online or at work.
31a. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep.
31b. What one thing would have made your decade immeasurably more satisfying?
As Toast said: President Al Gore sworn in in 2001.
32a. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
If its only been worn once, its clean enough to wear again. Who has time to shower or do the laundry?
32b. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in the aughts?
Until the girls were born, metrosexual with a focus on leather and denim.
33a. What kept you sane in 2009?
Hash.
33b. What kept you sane in the aughts?
Hirono; particularly after the nasty end to my first marriage at the beginning of the aughts.
34a. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most in 2009?
n/a
34b. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most in the aughts?
n/a
35a-1. What political issue stirred you the most in 2009?
Fallout from the banking bailout (which technically started in 2008.) What a waste, and it ain't fixed yet. Its a shame so many people panicked and we ended up with such a stupid solution.
35a-2. What political issue stirred you the least in 2009?
Just about anything coming out of the mouths of the tea baggers. What a bunch of knuckleheads!
35b-1. What political issue stirred you the most in the aughts?
Iraq invasion.
35b-2. What political issue stirred you the least in the aughts?
Just about any scandal that involved sex.
36. Who did you miss in 2009?
My wife.
37a. Who was the best new person you met in 2009?
I'm not all that fond of anyone new I met in 2009.
37b. Who was the best new person you met in the aughts?
Hirono.
38a. Burn any bridges in 2009?
Yeah, work stuff. I set fire to a couple of personal bridges but they didn't burn down completely.
38b. Burn any bridges in the aughts?
Divorced. Thank the gods!
39a. Best new restaurant you went to in 2009?
Hah! Restaurants?!?! Who has time to eat out?
39b. Best new restaurant you went to in the aughts?
Irata in Barcelona.
40. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in the aughts.
Make sure your partner in life is sane.
Easing My Way Back In
I've been out of touch for a while. I've been dragged into the undertow at work.
There hasn't been any posts here in a while. Happy New Year all. Here's an easy meme to get started in the new year. h/t Soan.
1. Where is your cell phone: Charging.
2. Your hair: was just styled today, thank you. Hirono and I pampered ourselves with a hair appointment today. I'm short and much more blond.
3. Your mother: knows how to have fun.
4. Your father: is Papa.
5. Your favorite food: Greens fried in salt pork.
6. Your dream last night: was promptly forgotten. I'm exhausted.
7. Your favorite drink: Rioja
8. Your dream/goal: is that both Alisa and Leia graduate from college.
9. What room are you in: Office at home.
10. Your hobby: is geeky. I'm about to dip my toe back into the FRPG subculture. I'm really a Dungeons and Dragons geek in my very soul. Dylan and Josh, my nephews, are interested in trying it out. I immediately went into high gear prepping and came out with a fantastic campaign in mind that will work for little kids. After a couple of sessions, if they like it, I've lined up another friend who loves to play and wants to slowly bring his daughter into the fun. I'm so stoked.
11. Your fear: Just like Soan, horror movies. Especially any graphic finger injuries. I've broken a bunch of fingers on each hand and know the pain.
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years: Kyoto on vacation
13. Where were you last night: In this office doing work.
14. Something you aren’t: coldhearted
15. Muffins: bleh. Give me a ham and cheese croissant, please.
16. Wish list item: Find a new job without having to go through the interview process.
17. Where did you grow up: Dover, Florida
18. Last thing you did: pack an empty diaper box full of books
19. What are you wearing: Helvetica T-Shirt. The font on the T-Shirt is, of course, Helvetica.
20. Your TV: Off
21. Your pets: None
22. Your friends: are missed.
23. Your life: tiring physically and emotionally.
24. Your mood: heartache
25. Missing someone: Hirono
26. Vehicle: is Hirono's. I got rid of my motorcycle when she was pregnant with the twins. So all we have left is her old Golf.
27. Something you’re not wearing: shoes and socks
28. Your favorite store: Farmer's Market. We have a good one here.
29. Your favorite color (s): Orange, no yellow.
30. When was the last time you laughed: Every minute with the girls.
31. Last time you cried: today, walking out of the office building
32. Your best friend:Hirono
33. One place that I go over and over: Peet's
34. One person who emails me regularly: a ton of folks at work
35. Favorite place to eat: Kiosk Universal, a kiosk in an open market in Barcelona. Fantastic food.
Kiosk Universal
There hasn't been any posts here in a while. Happy New Year all. Here's an easy meme to get started in the new year. h/t Soan.
1. Where is your cell phone: Charging.
2. Your hair: was just styled today, thank you. Hirono and I pampered ourselves with a hair appointment today. I'm short and much more blond.
3. Your mother: knows how to have fun.
4. Your father: is Papa.
5. Your favorite food: Greens fried in salt pork.
6. Your dream last night: was promptly forgotten. I'm exhausted.
7. Your favorite drink: Rioja
8. Your dream/goal: is that both Alisa and Leia graduate from college.
9. What room are you in: Office at home.
10. Your hobby: is geeky. I'm about to dip my toe back into the FRPG subculture. I'm really a Dungeons and Dragons geek in my very soul. Dylan and Josh, my nephews, are interested in trying it out. I immediately went into high gear prepping and came out with a fantastic campaign in mind that will work for little kids. After a couple of sessions, if they like it, I've lined up another friend who loves to play and wants to slowly bring his daughter into the fun. I'm so stoked.
11. Your fear: Just like Soan, horror movies. Especially any graphic finger injuries. I've broken a bunch of fingers on each hand and know the pain.
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years: Kyoto on vacation
13. Where were you last night: In this office doing work.
14. Something you aren’t: coldhearted
15. Muffins: bleh. Give me a ham and cheese croissant, please.
16. Wish list item: Find a new job without having to go through the interview process.
17. Where did you grow up: Dover, Florida
18. Last thing you did: pack an empty diaper box full of books
19. What are you wearing: Helvetica T-Shirt. The font on the T-Shirt is, of course, Helvetica.
20. Your TV: Off
21. Your pets: None
22. Your friends: are missed.
23. Your life: tiring physically and emotionally.
24. Your mood: heartache
25. Missing someone: Hirono
26. Vehicle: is Hirono's. I got rid of my motorcycle when she was pregnant with the twins. So all we have left is her old Golf.
27. Something you’re not wearing: shoes and socks
28. Your favorite store: Farmer's Market. We have a good one here.
29. Your favorite color (s): Orange, no yellow.
30. When was the last time you laughed: Every minute with the girls.
31. Last time you cried: today, walking out of the office building
32. Your best friend:Hirono
33. One place that I go over and over: Peet's
34. One person who emails me regularly: a ton of folks at work
35. Favorite place to eat: Kiosk Universal, a kiosk in an open market in Barcelona. Fantastic food.
Kiosk Universal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
