http://blog.random-ether.net/ Personal & General Ramblings from the Captain en-us Nucleus CMS v3.64 � Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://blog.random-ether.net//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://blog.random-ether.net/ http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=288
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[Full Sized]

1990 - My first "mobile" - a Motorola car phone.
1992 - I had a Motorola "brick" phone (I may have had two? later getting a slimline model?)
1994 - The Moto flip phone - precursor to....
1997 - The StarTAC! Best phone EVER!
2002 - Thanks to my buddy Mark, I went to a Nextel i880
2003 - Ah, the Sidekick 2! It held such promise :( (I stood in line for this on release day!)
2005 - The Sidekick 3 - time for an upgrade
2007 - Thanks to Zac, I went to a "candybar" type phone - the Nokia was great in its day
2010 - My first Android - the HTC Legend! Small, unibody construction. Still have it today.
2010 - Time for something bigger/badder - my HTC Sensation for TMOUS]]> Techie Stuff http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=288 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:15:40 -0600 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=284
I've not done much with my blog. It used to be incredibly personal. Then it became something people read. Huh? :) So now I moderate what I say, don't get overly personal. Which is too bad, that's exactly what it started out as 17 years ago (yes, I started "blogging" before "blogging" was a word, back in 1994, when Mosaic and Navigator were the only two browers, and gopher was still alive (tho just barely)). You can still go back & find entries from the 90's. I think the first couple years got lost when I had a server crash and lost everything (not fun).

I will say the last two years, having been promoted to IT Director, and then Sr Global IT Director, have been very interesting. It's been a LOT to handle, to get my arms around. I certainly feel up for it. I remember being at Insomniac, when I was IT Director there, and feeling like I was completely on my own; one reason I wanted to get into a larger company (doesn't get much larger than Sony, eh? :) was to get more "enterprise" experience - and to be able to draw on experiences of other people. I've been able to do that, and it's been valuable. I really enjoy sitting down reading, researching, and discussing with others the challenges of "IT Management."

It's interesting stepping in and creating a global organization out of a collection of regional groups. It's great when everyone believes in the cause & supports it; it's challenging when there are hold-outs who feel threatened by it and resist it. But all-in-all it's very exciting times! We really have some great opportunities before us, a chance to grow beyond ourselves. We may not be as "cutting edge" as Google, but we have a chance to make a difference at Sony - and as a result, to millions upon millions of people around the world. It's ironic that we, this relatively small group of people from different regions of the world, can have that big an impact. It just goes to show ya I guess, eh?

Work really has consumed me this last year. My personal life suffered. I suppose the nice thing about not being married-with-kids is that I *can* devote so much time to work. The down-side is I've been neglecting myself. I've taken two weeks off for Christmas & New Years, a time to relax, recoup, and re-charge. It's vital I do so. And I must commit to taking more time off next year, more time for myself.

I was thinking of getting myself a treadmill for Christmas; I've decided to delay that. When the guys move out, I'm going to move my home-office upstairs and then turn my current downstairs office into the "work out" room - that's where I'll put the treadmill. My other option was putting it in the garage - but since the idea is that I could go jogging/running when the weather's too cold - well, it's then still cold in the garage, too! :)

I've been glad to have been able to help out Jon and Clay this year. Jon really needed the "reboot." While he's suffered some issues since moving down & starting his new job - it reminds me of what I went through after the Dark Years. I'd fix one thing, only to have someone else pop up. It goes on for a little while, until it's all done. I'm doing my best to keep him in good spirits. I'm proud of how Clay has really jumped into his game-tester job and just committed himself to being the best he could be - and apparently his review reflected it. It speaks really well of how far he's come, and what he's capable of.

At the end of Oct I started chatting with Tommie online. We started talking a lot. While I spent 2 weeks in Tokyo, we made a point to talk twice a day (when timezones allowed for overlap). Over Thanksgiving weekend we finally met in person and that's when we started officially "dating." He's been a real breath of fresh air. He makes me smile. He thinks about me a lot. And vice versa. I'm doing my best not to totally obsess about him and "ruin it." It seems to get harder and harder to deal with dating the older I get. :) But this is nice - there's no drama, no stress, just good, gentle, kind, time together. It's ironic, as I'd made a very direct decision to NOT date anyone for a while, especially in light of all my travels - then Tommie comes along. It's just strange how when you decide not to date, that's when someone good shows up. So I'm just taking it a day at a time with Tommie. We like each other. Really enjoy being around each other.

Looking into 2012...the year the Mayans predicted to be the end of the world...who knows what will happen. Change, perhaps. Lots of learning. I don't want to be some prophetic CIO to try to make predictions. No desire to be some "hipster" who can make great sound bites. I've been behind enough press stories, directly or indirectly, to know the truth about what goes on below the surface is never as pretty as the article makes it look. That's why I'm so focused on making sure we keep an eye on what IS important, both as individuals and as part of the PlayStation group. ]]> General http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=284 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:41:00 -0600 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=282 - Blog.random-ether.net :: this :)
- gallery.random-ether.net :: photos I've taken
- www.random-ether.net :: a generic landing page

In waiting for SWTOR servers to be restored, I started reviewing stats/facts on my server.
Mail stats look fine - I'm still filtering out loads of spam - great :)
Then I looked at web stats for R-E.net - and ended up glancing at all the "404" pages for the year. So below, just for fun (and if it ever is useful to someone who finds this post) here are a list of "common"(?) URL's that script-kiddies/hackers will look for on a site. Enjoy :)404'd pages from my "www" landing page (which is literally a static page, nothing else underneath) - a very low-tech honeypot as it were...


/umbraco/css/umbracoGui.css
/sitecore/login
/misc/tabledrag.js
/CHANGELOG.txt
/plugins/editors/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/tinybrowser/upload.php
/mysql//scripts/setup.php
/dbadmin//scripts/setup.php
/scripts/setup.php
/pma//scripts/setup.php
/forum
/wp-login.php
//lists/admin/index.php
//newsletter/admin/index.php
//news/admin/index.php
//phplist/lsts/admin/index.php
//phplist/admin/index.php
/mysqladmin//scripts/setup.php
/spaw2/spacer.gif
//list/index.php
/myadmin//scripts/setup.php
//phplists/admin/index.php
//phpList/admin/index.php
/dbase//scripts/setup.php
//jmx-console/
/index.php
//admin/index.php
/sitemap.xml
/admin/file_manager.php/login.php
//wp-includes/images/blank.gif
/amember/docs/changelog.txt
//phpscheduleit/
/blog/wp-includes/images/blank.gif
//mysql/README
/blog
//phpadmin/README
/phpadmin//scripts/setup.php
//phpScheduleIt/
/admin/spaw/spacer.gif
//schedule/
//scheduleit/
/store//admin/file_manager.php/login.php
/administrator/
/blog/wp-login.php
/wordpress/wp-includes/images/blank.gif
//mysqladmin/README
/spaw/spacer.gif
//phpMyAdmin/README
/mobile
//Scheduler/
//pma/README
/admin/banner_manager.php/login.php
//sched/
/phpBB3/
/shop//admin/file_manager.php/login.php
/admin/fckeditor/editor/images/anchor.gif
/catalog//admin/file_manager.php/login.php
//scheduler/
/phpBB/
/forumindex.php
//myadmin/README
/phpBB2/
/phpmyadmin//scripts/setup.php
/wp/wp-includes/images/blank.gif
//pma2O11/README
]]> Techie Stuff http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=282 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:34:00 -0600 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=280
Otherwise the trip was about work. I was in London all the first week. St. Austell (Cornwall) the weekend, and then the second week I visited Runcorn (Evolution Studio) and Liverpool on Wednesday. Thursday afternoon I traveled down to Guildford to see MediaMolecule for the first time. Amazing studio. Great people! Had dinner and drinks with Paul and Jay (the IT guys) - brilliant couple of chaps. Nothing but respect for them. As with any of our studios, be they the internal groups which my teams look after, or these acquired studios who have their own IT, I am never disappointed in the stamina and creativity all these folks have. While each studio certainly had its own culture and personality, I would venture to say the US and European studios have more in common than not.
]]> General http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=280 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:41:00 -0500 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=279
The last few months have been kind of rough - doing double-duty at work (both as Direct of PDIT-America (old role) and Sr. Director of Global IT (new role)) - as well as personally - since I got dumped and just not really having much personal time to recover, reflect, and be at peace in my personal life. I've focused almost completely on work. I recognize the need to re-focus now.

I've had a few moments in the last two weeks... where things came together. It was like I was standing in a bubble, things going on around me, but I was still, at peace, and able to see things clearly - the vortex of a tornado as it were. Those are good moments. Clarity is within. Even today, I was explaining some things about work to someone and she said "wow, you REALLY enjoy working at this level, don't you?" - and that comment pulled me into the Center a bit.

I've had a couple of other moments - personal moments - which reminded me of my impact on others. For me, this is just "me" - it's just the "right thing" to do. Things I really don't give much of a second thought to. But I think they're worth memorializing.

I'd dropped a couple bucks over to a friend. I didn't know what was going on other than having a feeling he needed some help.
"now Im actually in tears. I just lost [all my] cash i had left... you just saved my ass, I fucking love you man."

From someone else (a few edits for brevity):
"Seriously, thank you. May not be able to show it [...] but I really do appreciate your help throughout the years and especially now since I'm trying to start all over in life. What you seem to pass off as nothing means more to me than I think you realize, despite your stories and "play it down" statements. [...} you've been the only one in my life to stick with me; no questions asked. [...] I guess I just want to thank you for your help [...] and let you know you're truly affecting someone's life here. "

I don't post that for others to read or stroke my own ego - It really is more so to the point that I know I'll come back & read this in 5 years, and maybe at the right time, need to be reminded not to let others get to me. Perhaps I am exactly who I need to be, right where I should be, and doing exactly what I should be doing. Sometimes the small things we do have much greater meaning and value to others.

I get value out of the impact I have. Even the person I was talking to today recognized I don't do what I do at work for power or personal gain - I do it because I like helping others, and at my level it's helping the business. It has impact. I've always been a behind-the-scenes kind of guy - not looking for credit, to be in the spot light, to be praised - I do it so others can enjoy the output of my work.

I need to spend more time enjoying myself, though, too. Enjoying the fruits of my own labors. Perhaps next week, when the hot tub arrives and is ready, I can find a fine bottle of red wine to celebrate my birthday (alone, mind you haha), relax, watch the stars, and let the whirlwind fade away for a while. ]]> General http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=279 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:36:44 -0500 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=272
Here I sit, enjoying morning tea in the Virgin Atlantic clubhouse (upper-class lounge) at London Heathrow Airport. Glancing around I see a variety of people, all flying upper class to various destinations around the world. Here I sit with them. Thinking about the economy folks downstairs, sitting in crowded, loud areas just waiting for time to pass. Meanwhile I came in, got a haircut & beard-trim, had breakfast, and finishing my tea. I have a car picking me up at LAX taking me home. I have a boyfriend who I care a great deal for who I'll see shortly after getting home. I have a new job which gives me repsonsibility for services across the globe.

Who ever thought *I* would be in this position? I'm not trying to toot my own horn or sound "snobbish" about any of it - I'm really just realizing "wow, I ended up here!" It reminds me a few years back, I looked around at my career, finding myself managing people & projects, thinking back "I never thought I would end up doing this; in fact, didn't say I say I would never be a manager?" Funny how you sometimes take advantage of your talents, and it results in a change in your life somehow, somewhere you maybe fantastized about, but never thought it would ever be you in that position. Then, suddenly, it is.

I've had several people comment about how I get to do all these cool things - and admittedly, it is. But there's always work to go with it, a lot of it. I welcome the challenege that I've been given with great gusto. I'm spending a lot of time wondering how I will deal with both the challenges and the opportunities which are put in front of me. There is not necessarily a simple answer, and I'll be seeking counsel and advise from my trusted advisors. I always appreciate perspective.]]> General http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=272 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 04:43:31 -0500 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=271 moments in time
strung together
phrases of temporal energies
rooted in emotion
Some so deep they control you
upon springing forth out of memory

sometimes it is the moments that keep you alive
remind us of what's possible
"this has all happpened before, and will all happen again"
and it will only be better
]]> General http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=271 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:10:57 -0600 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=270 Happy Binary Day (010111)!
Some people consider it the start of a new decade

Certainly 2010 had some good things for me professionally (promotion, additional responsibility, first trip to Tokyo) and I continue to struggle socially - San Diego remains a barren place full of people whose personality have the depth of a kiddie pool. There have been so many disappointments and struggles in that area this year, my heart broken more times than I even want to remember.

Today affords the opportunity to stop looking back and take a step forward. Just one. That's where it begins.

Things I want to work on this year ("resolutions" would be too strong a word haha):
1) Increase focus on financial savings (last year was investments)
2) Meet the challenges at work - managing different types of depts under one umbrella (do well by Charles, Arthur, and, of course, Shu)
3) Work out more. Get away from the computer. Running, and some weight lifting would be good. I want to get rid of some of this belly.

Socially? Not sure. I'm really not. I was reflecting recently about how I made friends when I've moved around, since high-school.

In college it wasn't hard - the dorms created a "forced" social situation. I didn't really make any lasting college(specific) friends. My real friends ended up coming from MultiComm BBS (yes, I'm that old). Many of whom I still keep in touch with. So it was done "online" tho actually had a focus on hanging out in real-life.

Then I moved to Texas. It was IRC. I helped found #gayaustin back in the day. We did Thursday night coffee night. We could go out to the bars & clubs in downtown, but also hang out, go shopping, go to movies, go hiking, do lots of things. I would throw LockFest parties as a way to bring everyone together & have a good time. I was incredibly social.

Then I moved to LA. I had AVeryBadPerson(tm) tagging along. Got rid of him in the first year. But this time, the Internet was polluted. IRC was a clique. I made a couple friends at work, but everyone worked so much it as hard to get out & do anything. I met Jason - tried to mix with his friends, but I just ended up being "the computer guy." Jason was a jealous-type, so the opportunities for me to go out & do stuff were limited. Outside of work, I really only made two friends in LA - Jesse & Greg (and he wasn't even in LA haha) - both from IRC.

That relationship ended the night the opportunity to go work for Sony came up. Moving to San Diego I've tried many online venues. It's challenging really making friends at work since I'm "the boss" - that's a tricky line to traverse. I've perhaps made two friends since I've been here, thru various venues - Sean & Jorge. Sean I haven't seen in-person in a year & a half. Jorge & I chatted for probably a year before we finally met & went on a bike ride a month or so ago. I went out on/off for 2 years with Cuate - and while we keep in touch, a major reason we broke up was the lack of things in common we shared.

My biggest circle of friends remains around DefCon - and even there I feel like I'm falling away a bit. Many there remain highly immersed in the tech and security - while I've moved away a bit more into business management. I do have to admit the friends I've made here originated in real life at DefCon, not "online".

So while "online" becomes more socially accepted (to the masses) as ways to meet people - I've found it's become terribly polluted with low-lifes, jerks, users, abusers, cheats, and liars. I've run across more than my share the last 4 years here in San Diego.

I'm standing in front of this question: if I'm going to try to meet people, be social, in real life -- how? where? when? Perhaps not questions other people actually have to ask - perhaps they never had to ask them. Couple that to me with a terrible shyness and it's actually hard for me to get out.

Oh, and it's worth mentioning, all my life I've been told I "intimidate" people. Granted, once someone gets to know me they realize that I'm not - but it's a very common assessment. It's a side-effect of being shy, I believe.

So is there something to "work on" in terms of my social growth this year? Probably. What it is, I do not have a firm grip on yet. At present, perhaps if I work on other aspects of my life, achieve some goals, accomplishments, that will shore up the self-confidence and encourage me a bit more.

Meanwhile the first 6 or 8 months of 2011 are already looking to be busy - travel hither & thither across the globe. I want to plan an "East Coast Tour" - visit Tom/Rob (possibly others in the area), see Trevor in Boston, maybe see if I can get up to see Jesse (time-permitting - not sure how much time I can take to make this happen yet). Trips to London & Tokyo (I'd like to get over to Germany for a couple days if I can). DefCon in there as well. A "family" trip to Las Vegas (to see the Ann's).

Going to be a busy year!]]> General http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=270 Sat, 1 Jan 2011 10:27:36 -0600 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=268
In fact, it's sometimes "odd" knowing that your boss is your friend on Facebook (or even his boss!). Back in the days of IRC, I remember we all used to say "you can't take 'online' seriously or personally." And yet, that's exactly what it is now. The online world has always been one of various "outlets" for me, a form of expression. So now, with so many people as an "audience" - friends of the family, co-workers, etc - I sometimes I wonder if I say too much from a "personal" perspective, will they judge me differently at work, for example. Will I be more-repsected or less-respective because of something I say or do online?

Well, today, I am setting that aside. Today it does not matter. Social-networks are inherently personal - so if you follow me on Facebook, or directly via my blog, you're going to find out "personal" things about me. Today I say what's on my mind - and what's on my mind are friends, far away and near, no matter how I know them.

This has been an especially hard year on me. The first few months saw a relationship of 2 years (on/off) end. Never an easy situation. The second half of the year work became especially challenging. I had some other situations which really wrecked havok on my heart - combined with strong stress at work, really lead to a devestating finale to the year. Yet, thanks to a few close friends and God's help, I pulled through. I took an extra week off work for the holidays. Here, at the close of the first week (which has been busy itself) I am just barely starting to feel the tendrils of stress relax by a few PSI. I leave this year behind me reflecting and studying to improve my self-respect. "Respect" has always been a button-pushing issue for me. I've let it slide far too long, and it's certainly contributed to the events of this year. With a renewed vigor to improve and strengthen this trait, I am hopeful next year will make me stronger all around.

I know too many people who have been faced with break-ups & divorces this year - and my heart and prayers are with you who are still dealing with that.

For others, I think of Vernon & Richard who exchanged vows this year. Even though a challenging situation for me personally, I was honored to be invited to be part of it. It was beautiful and I will remember it for years to come!

I think of Jon & Sondra who had their first child recently. I can only imagine the joy of your first Christmas as a family!

Jeff & Cayce got married - and I'm so happy for them both. I'm sorry I was not able to make it to the wedding (and your wedding gift is still here, I'm so sorry!). I wish you both the best of your first year as husband & wife. You two are an awesome couple!

Abram & Kelly seem to make the best testament as a gay-couple. Together for over 10 years now - and with adopted children as well. I'm so happy that you two have such a strong marriage (legal status aside). Seeing you two happy & together raising a family gives myself and others hope!

I got to see Trevor again this year as yet another work of his was performed brilliantly at UCSD. You never fail to inspire me, to touch very emotional places inside me (whether you do this on purpose or not, I do not know). You're absolutely genius in all that you do and I treasure every time we get to see each other.

Ripshy & I got to hang out & have some great nights drinking this year. I often forget how young you are, as you can hang with people far older than you, often far better than they can :) You have much potential in you, padowan, and I look forward to our every occasion to drink & converse!

Sparky - There's so much more to you than you let through the surface. You are epic. You make me smile, and while we "work" at DefCon you have never done anything less than give me full faith & confidence in getting things done. THANK YOU! And we do have to find time to hang outside of Vegas.

Great Scott - You make me smile. Plain & Simple. Watching you spin at 2am - I'll remember that for a long time. Thank you sir for all your efforts. Stay young, always. You are a master at demonstrating the most successful blending of left-brain and right-brain at work.

Seth - You know as well as I that words cannot say what you mean to me. Frankly because you know me so well you tend to know what I'm going to say before I say it! May God grant you the best Christmas and best Sethmas you've ever had! I miss you & love you!

Jason of the Trently-variety - I'm so glad I was able to find you again this year. The late-night talks we've had, it's like we just went back instantly to 10 years ago, as if no time had passed. I pleases me greatly that you're back around in my life again :)

Christophe - I know you've had it rough down on Oz this year, my friend, but you always bring joy to my heart with our very long email exchanges. You get through your situations with strength and beauty. I look forward you to visiting the US one day and we can sit down & chat over a bottle of red wine (not French, tho! HAHA) :)

Derek & Helen - I love you guys! I can't say that enough. Derek makes me feel stupid some days (I love it!) and then turns around & does something incredibly goofy (I love it!) Helen, you have a strength and grace which I've rarely known. I miss you lots!

Paul Proctor - We really have to make a point to hang out more locally this year than we do out-of-town. You're a good man and I always appreciate your point of view on things. And the fact that we can just shoot the breeze about pretty much anything without working about being "PC" makes everything better. Don't ever lose the Hawaiian shirts! :)

Debby - I love you :) You're one of the best people I met during my days at Dell - and ever since as well. I'm so happy to have you as a friend!!

"Meh" - While sad to see you leave the "family" this year, I'm proud that you took the step to do it. It can be frightening, but when it's right, it's right. I have a lot of faith in your future success! Don't lose touch, ok?

Tyler - few people who I barely know have ever brought me to tears the way you did at the kick-off event. I'm sure I'm not the first to say it, nor probably the last, but I'm really proud of your story and your strength to share yourself so personally on such a scale. Thank you for getting me involved in the Equality Alliance!

Zane - inviting me to your holiday party, while perhaps simple, was very kind - and I appreciate it very much. I am sad to see you move upstairs as it means a friend will be less accessible. Nonetheless you've often made times for me at work much easier to deal with, whether you know it or not. Thank you for everything!

HighWiz - I know you don't care for the long sappy stuff, so maybe I should just say "Thank you" and trust you know the full force of the thought behind it. :)



To my work-peeps at PlayStation:
To my staff: You are all an incredibly strong group of people and I'm so pleased and proud to have you in PDIT. Each of you brings something strong and unique to our group - never lose sight of that. In fact, I challenge you to grow in the things that make you strong - and also develop something new this year. Even when things are tough, remember I ask nothing of you I do not ask of myself (it's only fair, right?). Even today, on Christmas Eve, I saw a note from one of our groups praising PDIT for their work & support. It never ends. :) Very well done!

Albert - thank you for stepping up, taking on more work-load and responsibility this year! You have a way of helping me feel secure in following-through with any item I give you, and that's so important to me!

Vinh - WOW! I'm really very impressed with how you've taken over in Santa Monica this year. I thought as a "new manager" I'd have to do some hand-holding - but you just stepped right into the captain's chair (no pun intended) and took over very naturally and smoothly. I really could not be more pleased!

Rick - get a bike, dude! :) I know it's been a hard year on many fronts - thank you for being strong and coming through!

Michael - In so many ways I could not think of anyone more perfect to run Engineering! Thank you for all your efforts, keeping things running, and really staying on top of all the balls in the air. I'm always so proud when I come to talk to you & your team about a challenge, and it's like you've already got a solution designed, even before the question was asked.

To the studio folks: (in no particular order) Caley, Sam, Greg, Frank, Connie, Ken, Harvard, Barbara, Dave, Kyle, Elizabeth, Gene, and of course Shu!
You know, I got into computers as a hobby in 1980 with my first personal computer. It very quickly turned out to be all about the video games. While primative in the day, playing quickly turned into writing. Even as I moved into the technology & hardware side of things, so much was focused on gaming. Now, working at PlayStation, I'm very proud to be where I am - to be able to see how all the games are developed by your groups - such brilliant souls and talented minds. I am ever awe-struck by everyone's efforts. I sometimes think, "If other people could see the work that Worldwide Studios produces from the perspective I do - WOW!" These aren't just discs to be sold on a shelf at Best Buy, these are works of art, these are peoples' lives & souls poured forth in a combination of art and technology. We'll never quite lead 8a-5p jobs - and thank God! I know the types of people you hire for your teams, and I apply that same scrutiny and evaluation to my own groups -- for the are, by extention, a part of your teams. Thank you for YOUR efforts this past year. Thank you for being patient with IT when you're under a deadline and it feels like we're not moving fast enough. And thank you for treating the local PDIT teams as part of your staff. Having been in other IT groups, it's easy for IT to be "outsiders" - your inclusion is important from a business perspective, certainly, but also means so much to the PDIT staff personally. I look forward to doing MY best to make sure you have what you need to do everything you need in 2011!

Hotta-san & Maru-san - I have to say it can be sometimes intimidating for us to interact with "Japan" ("the Mothership") - you both have made it so each to work across groups, across cultures, and across languages. Your support is unequaled and I feel so blessed to be able to work with you! Thank you for all your efforts, answering emails at 3am (JST), being so thorough and prompt with every issue and question.


Please take no offense if I did not call anyone out specifically. I could go on for hours - and perhaps I'll add more later (perhaps after some sleep :). But to each & every person I know, I hope God blesses you, your families, and your friends with a joyous & wondeful Christmas, and the very best wishes for you all in 2011!
]]> General http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=268 Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:51:42 -0600 http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=267
I sit here and send out 50-70 cards a year.
I get back maybe 15-20.
Granted it's not a tit-for-tat game.

However...
There are some cards I send out...
to people I never hear from
I never get cards from
...?
As I sign their card - unsure what to say other than "Merry Christmas" - I actually wonder...as I sign this "Steve" - do they know who I am?

I think perhaps next year I shall trim the list. I did a little trimming this year, but only 4 or 5 names. But next year...! Hey, if someone is too cool to keep in touch (over the years!)... then why bother making the effort on my side? Why waste the time, honestly? Clearly they have no actual desire to stay in touch.

In spite of that - I do really enjoy sending out the cards. A personal thing from me to my friends, the people I know, a simple Christmas wish for a happy season full of love & joy.

Someone recently told me they still have my Snoopy card I sent out last year - it was their favorite and they still have it. That, I dare say, is awesome :) ]]> General http://blog.random-ether.net/index.php?itemid=267 Mon, 6 Dec 2010 08:34:29 -0600