The Responsibilities of Nice
In March I decided to try "nice".
For almost three years, I had come into my office complex, flashed my access badge to the security guards and trundled up to my floor. Maybe a nod, maybe a hello, but no real personal connection between me and the guards. Nothing mean, nothing nasty, pleasant enough even. Just not nice.
Beginning on March 1 I introduced myself to the guards. "Hi, I've walked by you for the last 30 months and I don't know your name or anything about you. My name is Brent". In that manner, I met Steven, Charles, Jody and Martin and now every time I see them, we exchange more than just a hello. Sure, we probably talk about the weather or "hey, its Friday!" but that's something.
A small step, but a nice one.
Except when it isn't. Sometimes, I just don't want to talk to anyone (especially before coffee). But now, commitments exist (explicit or implied): I must exchange pleasantries with Steven, Charles, Jody or Martin. Not that I would be mean, not that I would be nasty. Just non-communicative. And that is the Responsibility of Nice: making or maintaining a connection, no matter how superficial, even when I'd rather do something else.
Posted at 08:13AM Apr 02, 2010 by schnee in General |
A Good Week
I had a good week.
Jack's YMCA Youth-league basketball team needed a coach and I volunteered. "Coach Schneeman" has echoes to my youth and I feel a bit of a connection there. More importantly, the connection between Jack and I strengthens at every practice, every game. Two Saturdays ago saw the first game and we play weekly for the next several weeks. I find coaching 6-8 year olds closer to herding cats than playing basketball. Still, I enjoy it and endeavor to teach the value of passing and team work.
On Wednesday, I attended the inaugural Ignite Austin event downtown at The Phoenix. The Ignite series of speaker events sit under the larger O'Reilly Media umbrella. The tagline alternates between "20 slides, 5 minutes, what would you say?" and "Entertain us. Enlighten Us. But Make it Snappy". Speakers are given five minutes and 20 slides that auto advance. The topics ranged broadly: "How to Open a Beer with Almost Anything", "Style, not Rules", "The Etymology of Curse Words" and "Is the Smart Grid the next Internet?" and several others. I actually submitted a proposal ("Funny Money: Strange Currencies through the Ages") but Ignite had a full dance card by the time I screwed up the courage to submit.
I found the topics fun, interesting and mostly entertaining. Running unexpectedly into my good friends (Frank and Adam R) formed the highlight of my evening, but winning the paper airplane contest came a close 2nd:
(mildly dismayed at seeing my graying hair and realizing that the camera really does add 10 pounds that I can't afford)
Winning gained me a pass to the South by Southwest Interactive conference in Austin in March. Should be fun.
And I'm working on my submission for the next Ignite Austin event. "Funny Money" is likely a good presentation, but I think "How to start a babysitting co-op and take over the world" will work better.
Downside to Ignite? I'm now using Twitter. Sigh. I thought I could remain blissfully clueless, but the Ignite people use Twitter to keep people informed. I now have to determine a strategy to balance Facebook and Twitter. Upside? A germ of an idea to marry Sitegeister technology with Twitter. Stay tuned.
Friday saw me presenting (via video conference) to the CEO of where I work. Five of us in Austin, one of him in San Jose, me doing the bulk of the speaking. The CEO came to Austin in November and through down a challenge. Interested, I answered the challenge and sort of took a leadership position. This meeting presented the initial efforts. Turns out we sort of missed the mark from the CEO's perspective, but we can hit it soon and hopefully turn the Austin office into a nice little innovation engine.
A new week begins. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Posted at 10:02AM Jan 18, 2010 by schnee in General | Comments[1]
The Week That Won
This past week won. It started with larger responsibility at work and ended with me losing something close to me.
Dev Mgr -> Bug Czar -> Scrum Master
I possess the title of Development Manager at my place of employment. A low-level role, I've cooled my heals for a while, waiting for projects to break free. In that time, I assumed the role of Bug Czar - shepherding defects through the defect resolution process. On Tuesday, my Director asked me to become "Scrum Master" - running the technical side of a project. Sounds good, but it is more responsibility without more pay. Furthermore, looking at the progression of titles, I fear the next one. I can only imagine I'll go from "Dev Manager" to "Bug Czar" to "Scrum Master" to ... "Tidybowl Man".
Ice From Above
On Wednesday, I had a later meeting and in a lapse of judgment, decided to stay at the office for it (with both Texas and California attendees, the meeting was via teleconference - a common occurrence). As the meeting ended, I looked out and saw darkening skies that threatened a terrible commute due to rain and Texas drivers. I called home and let them know that I'll likely arrive later than I had earlier anticipated. As I made my way, rain started and soon worsened to hail. Not just any hail, but hail that surely must have originated in the 9th Circle of Dante's Hell - frozen, spikey and as large as a golf ball. The Subaru took the brunt of it. I was unable to locate a covered place to wait out the storm and had to make due in the weather shadow of a building. Tomorrow, I see the adjuster to determine how much the damage will cost. A co-worker's car received dents every three inches or so and many vehicles got their windshield's blown out. Driving by the Audi, Saab and BMW dealerships was cathartic in a schadenfreude sense - many high end cars were damaged and the lots were empty as the dealers delt with their inventory.
Unpossible
I signed up to attend a retreat of sorts the weekend that ended this week. The organizers canceled it on Tuesday. Bummed, I turned my thought towards "what shall I do with this unexpectedly free weekend?". Kathleen already made plans and let me know that I was free to do whatever (and she even provided "encouragement" to get out of her hair). I chose to go to Washington County, about two hours away from Austin. The Bluebonnets are out and Washington County has a significant showing. I managed to image a few good shots:
(clickable)
But, in the course of the day, I lost my wedding band. I know exactly where I dropped it, but after spending two hours and the remains of the day searching for it, I had to give up. Very frustrating. I have a metal detector on order (no one in Austin stocks them, apparently) and will head back out. I'm actually pretty hopeful that I'll find it (I have a three meter circular error probability defined and I should be able to relocate it).
All and all, I'd rather get a do-over for this week.
Posted at 08:26PM Mar 29, 2009 by schnee in General |
Jelly in Austin
I got tired of my 18 mile commute FROM work. TO work isn't too bad, but coming home is always a pain in the patootie - moving south on MOPAC during rush hour abuses both "moving" and "rush". I takes me 40 minutes and I know all the tricks. So, I decided to do something else.
With three children, difficulties exist working from home - they are always underneath and it is generally not super conducive to effective work. It can be done, but takes supreme effort. I read an article in our local newspaper a few months ago about casual co-working at various venues throughout the country. An organization of sorts manages these venues - Jelly - and they have a Jelly in Austin. On Fridays, Jelly takes over Cafe Caffeine, which is conveniently located less than two miles from me, and is on an official bike route (which goes almost from my house to the Cafe).
I've only been here twice. 1st time, it was pretty uninteresting - just a bunch of people with laptops hanging out. This time, someone from Sun And Ski is filming some promotional video, trying to convince people to follow SunAndSki on Twitter. Should be available on YouTube shortly.
Distracting? Yep. More so than working in the office on a typical Friday? Nope. Net gain for me.
Posted at 12:00AM Aug 30, 2008 by schnee in General |
