mktg@msft

Summing Up the Past Week

I took this picture on my drive home last week.  Perfectly summed up the week I had. 

Not all s**t storms are caused by nature... 

More on Liquid Manure Application Methods from the Colorado State University Agriculture Extension.

Fanboys cry w00t!

"Fanboy" was just added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (along with a personal favorite, "Mental Health Day"). 

w00t!

Happy Fiscal New Year!

We live our lives around Fiscal Years, here at Microsoft.  Hard to believe it's FY09!!! 

w00t!!

...so, anyway...

I'm not exactly sure why it's been so dang hard for me to jump back into updating my blog.  It's not that there's not enough to talk about.  Trust me, that'll never be a problem around here. 

Maybe it's that there's just too much to talk about, all while there's too much to do at work, and there's too much to do at home. 

All-in-all, things are good.  No complaints.  Except that there is NO PARKING available on our campus.  Mail just went out chastising someone for parking in the "employee of the month" site.  I have visions of Melissa breaking from her congenial demeanor and smashing the headlights out of the pickup truck in her spot. 

Adding Insult to Injury

...so I'm back at work after a few weeks off, after recovering from my little accident, and catching up on my soaps.  A few days go by, and my knee starts to hurt.  I wake up Saturday morning with a swollen knee and a bright red leg.  And it hurts worst than the burns did!

After driving myself to the Emergency Room at 6AM, I learn I contracted the "flesh-eating superbug" called MRSA, and I end up back at the hospital for three days while they treat me for an infection I got during my hospital stay three weeks earlier.  I'll spare you the pictures this time around!)  Talk about kicking someone when they're down...

After another few weeks, I'm pretty much all healed up, and with the burns 99% healed, I think I'm "back to normal."  I'm left with what some consider a healthy-looking tan. 

Thanks to everyone who offered help, support, prayers, and kind thoughts.  It made a difference! 

Speaking of Kids...

A photo of my boss, shortly before I arrived at Microsoft. 

Okay, actually my boss's boss's boss's boss's boss, and maybe not so shortly, since I've only been here 15 years, and this picture was taken in 1983 1985 (thanks Tommy Williams).  Via MonkeyMethods (click for some amusing caption suggestions!) from Snopes.

I remember the days before Windows (gasp!), and my first PC looked just like the one on Bill's desk.  You'll all notice the Mac Plus next to the IBM PC.  And just the other day, I had to tell my kids what the round dial was for on a phone...

Where was I in 1983? More than a little resemblance (proud to be a geek).

 

Bill Gates, 1983 1985

John Porcaro, about the same time...

Happy New Year!

Has it really been three months!  Wow. 

Thanks to all you who sent notes wondering where I've been.  It's been a bit refreshing to take a break.  To be honest, it's overwhelming to think about jumping back in.  But it's a new year, and if I can average more than one post every three months, I'll be happy.  Nothing like setting expectations high! 

What I miss?

• Halloween with the kids
• Thanksgiving with the In-Laws
• Christmas with the kids
• Alex, Alyssa and Stephen take skiing and snowboarding lessons
• My first (disastrous) time on a snowboard
• Emily's official adoption (on National Adoption Day)
• The arrival of foster child and family member number five, Zach. 
• Launch of Halo 2!
• Trips to the UK and Hong Kong to do planning for 2005.
• New Truck (Explorer Sport Trac).
• New SmartPhone (Audiovox 5600)
• My second Rio Carbon (that I tore apart to fix the thumbwheel)
• New camera (Canon EOS Rebel Digital)
• Broadband at home (yea!), via some kind of RF radio
• Teaching at Seattle University
• Volunteering for Cub Scouts (Wolf denleader)
• A few new members of our team blogging.
• A brief mention in Worthwhile magazine!
• Preparations for mid-year discussions and mid-year reviews
• More and more and more with SharePoint (with Amanda's help, I'm quite the wiz)
• Building a 4' x 40' rock wall in my yard
• A month off of work

Seems I have a lot to write about! 

Happy Fiscal New Year!

For all my Microsoftee Readers (and anyone else with a July 1 fiscal year begin), Happy New Year!

Budgets are done, plans are set, and we all get to start over with a fresh set of objectives.

Anyone Home?

Hello? Anyone home?

I almost hesitate to jump back in, since it's been a nice month off. It's not that I've not had anything to write about (my "blog this" folder in Outlook is full!). I've just been incredibly busy, and I've had to prioritize just a bit.

Budgets. Reviews. Annual planning. Interviews. Family Vacations. Yard work. Reorgs. Work. More work.

But then, you didn't miss me much anyway, eh?

What a Week!

Blogging's taken a back seat to:

Hiking with the kids at Wallace Falls

Preparing for and interviewing for a Marketing Training position

Having lunch with Jennifer Rice

Completing our Foster Care licensing, CPR certification, and home study

Having lunch with Jeff Maurone

Attending my son's last day of school Field Day

Working with my wife on some business planning

Finishing up budget planning for our next fiscal year

Meeting and chatting with "Major Nelson"

Being deathly sick for about a week (nasty spring cold!)

Working on firming up requirements for our FY05 plans

Getting a little spring fever, not holing up in front of the computer