I’m working on a project that has an R&D engineer in Russia, a product manager in Germany, a software engineer in India and a quality assurance analyst in Ireland. One would think it is global collaboration at its best, but with team members in so many places, it takes longer to accomplish tasks given each person works the business hours of their home country. Moving jobs offshore may reduce payroll costs but I find I spend more time on projects when the team members are spread around the globe. However, that extra time is not tracked. It would weaken the business case for offshore workers.
Archive for August, 2016
Global Collaboration
Posted in my life, work on August 30, 2016| 3 Comments »
Finding An Adventure
Posted in art, my life on August 27, 2016| 4 Comments »
Paddy cancelled the dinner he arranged on Friday due to food poisoning from bad sushi he ate on Thursday night. I had no other plans for Friday night. I tried to coax Cindy out of her canyon to meet me in the Golden Triangle for art museum’s final Friday of the month program. She was busy painting in her studio and didn’t want to interrupt her creative process. She also didn’t want to shower and schlep into the city. I would be flying solo.
I hit the gym after work, took a nap and threw together a quick dinner. UPS finally delivered a new duvet cover and shams I had ordered on line. After dressing the bed, I got cleaned up and headed to the DAM a little after seven. I listened to a few lectures. A number of local drag queens were milling about the museum. I’m not sure what they had to do with the program but the crowd sure enjoyed their wise cracks and antics. The best part of museum were sculptures made out of chairs. They were stunning!
I walked over to Gallery 1261 after the museum to check out the International Guild of Realism opening. I ran into Rebekah. I toured the exhibit with Rebekah who is leaving for a painting trip in Tuscany in a few weeks. I was surprised to see a $200,000 painting in the show. I didn’t know the artist. The painting had Renaissance inspirations but was too big to photograph as a whole given the restraints of the gallery. Rebekah liked the painting but thought the gallery should have hung it in another area. I talked with Rebekah at length before bidding adieu.
It was a beautiful night so I walked around the Golden Triangle before heading over to South Broadway for a slice of pizza. I enjoyed a slice of pepperoni pizza while watching the eclectic crowd South Broadway attracts. I decided to head home rather than seek another adventure.
My favorite Goodwill on South Broaway:
The high-end mens clothier across from Goodwill.
Another new luxury apartment builing:
Who Are You?
Posted in my life on August 26, 2016| 8 Comments »
In recent weeks, a number of people have read through the archives of this blog. Not one has left a comment. It makes me wonder why they read the archives. What was so fascinating? I guess not getting any comments is better than getting negative feedback.
Help Is On The Way
Posted in friends on August 25, 2016| 2 Comments »
My neighbor, who is a psychiatrist, was dispatched to Louisiana by the Red Cross to oversee a program offering mental health services to those displaced by the recent flooding. The psychiatrist and his wife, who is a psychiatric nurse, did a stint in the Peace Corp a few years ago. They are a very giving couple. The psychiatrist is a take charge kind of guy so I hope he doesn’t get frustrated by the bureaucracy that often accompanies relief efforts.
The Front Desk Clerk
Posted in friends on August 24, 2016| 4 Comments »
Paddy’s has a new love interest. They guy is a front desk clerk at a Wyndham Hotel in the suburbs. At least this one is thirty. The new guy is tall, lean, hairy and well-endowed. Last week, Paddy had a different love interest but the twenty-four-year-old guy was deemed too effeminate. He got the boot when the well-endowed desk clerk came on the scene. I’m having dinner with Paddy on Friday night so I can meet the flavor of the week. Did I mention the desk clerk is well-endowed? Paddy told me three times in our five minute conversation. How long do you think this one will last? Remember, he’s well-endowed!
A Tale Of Two Men
Posted in friends, my life on August 22, 2016| 9 Comments »
I have two friends who are in their early fifties. Both are gay. One has a partner while the other is single. One man couldn’t read when he graduated from high school. He took reading courses at night school when he started a business so he could read contracts he was signing. The other man is highly educated and has worked for a number of companies in several western cities but never had much of a career. The educated man was laid off from his last firm and now works part-time for a retail store. The uneducated man has a successful sales career and is consistently the top producer at his company. He makes a lot of money while the educated man is broke, living paycheck to paycheck. The educated man and his mentally ill brother live in a run-down apartment with no air conditioning while the uneducated man is moving into a $2M house with his partner.
The uneducated man knew a lot about cars and developed a knack for profiting from buying and selling cars. He worked hard and put in long hours. He provided superior customer service and was always available for his clients. He was asked to join a larger firm because of his extensive and loyal customer base. He has made a great life for himself and his partner in spite of starting at a point where most people in the same situation only fail.
The educated man has moved from job to job. He’s has never really applied himself. He looks for jobs at companies where he thinks it will be fun to work. He’s held low-level positions and never tried to advance his career. He’s never been known for being on time and has been fired for tardiness. He’s had two long stints of unemployment causing him to blow throw his meager savings. His car has been repossessed so he takes the bus but often rides his bike because he doesn’t have bus fare. His future doesn’t look bright.
How did this happen? How did an uneducated man become successful against all odds while the educated man has floundered? I believe it has to do with ambition, drive, life choices and work ethics. The educated man ended up where you would expect the uneducated man to be, while the uneducated man is in a place in life where you would expect the educated man to be. Funny how that happened.
And The Winner Is….
Posted in art, friends, my life on August 21, 2016| 5 Comments »
Paddy couldn’t make up his mind on Friday night which painting he wanted. Mai Wyn is bringing four paintings to his house. I think the first painting is the winner. It’s a scene from Moab.
I liked this painting by Matthew Sesow, a Washington, D.C. artist showing at Access Gallery. I think his work is reminiscent of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
It was only $240 while the Mai Wyn’s are about $3,500. Do you have a favorite?
Spend, Spend, Spend
Posted in friends, my life on August 19, 2016| 1 Comment »
Paddy has had a prosperous week so far in the new salon. The cash is burning a hole in his pocket. He dropped many hundreds at the injectionist this morning. It’s art night so we’re headed to Mai Wynn’s after dinner to buy art. Paddy’s buying art. I’m just advising. I say that now but one never knows what one will find in the galleries. Stay tuned for a full report.
Over Ask
Posted in friends, my life on August 18, 2016| 2 Comments »
Nine showings in two days. Four offers received all over ask. House under contract seventy-two hours after listing. I guess our housing market is still booming. I knew better than to ask Mike the winning bid price.
Living With A Ghost
Posted in friends, my life on August 16, 2016| 7 Comments »
I hardly see my house guest, Miss V. She leaves early in the morning and returns after I go to bed. Like all of the Clinton campaign workers, she puts in a fifteen hour day. Miss V has yet to eat a meal here or even dirty a dish. She sleeps and showers and leaves.
Miss V said she has never stayed in a house so nice. She sent pictures of the house to her mother on Long Island. Her mother wanted to know if I hired a decorator. I find this all very amusing.
My neighbors, Sheila and Tom, are also housing a campaign worker. Their house guest, Mr. E, is a young gay Chinese American from San Francisco. He had similar comments about their house. Their house really is stunningly beautiful. Mr. E was surprised that Sheila and Tom use real silver cutlery every day along with cloth napkins.
Sheila sees her house guest less than I see mine. He leaves before she gets up and returns after she goes to bed. Sheila likened it to living with a ghost. I had to agree.
The Corporate Slave 