I'm sorry I haven't blogged in so long. Maybe it's just cause I don't have exciting tales to tell everyday like some people. Or perhaps it is just cause at times I get inspired and write extra long funny passages then the computer crashes and I have to break something to feed the temper. Or more likely maybe it's poor time management skills? Any case. I'm back with a number of things to report on from the past weekend.

A new hike
I was invited to a cocktail party by one of the VP's where I used to work. Before the party Beth and I decided there was time for a quick hike. She goes all the time, it's this little out of the way park and trail that winds through the woods, next to a salmon stream, and spits you out on this desolate beach. The only way to get to this beach is via the trail or by kayak. It was one of those warm spring afternoons when the sun is beating down, a cool chill off the sound, and the Olympics in the distance. Just amazing. There wasn't too much time to hang on the beach Beth reminded me, we had to haul ass back up the hill and hit the party.

A cocktail party
So after a quick shower and a quick hello to Tomaŝ the poodle, we headed back south for the party. I hadn't seen a lot of the people for two years or more. There were a number of somewhat awkward moments where names were forgotten. You can see it coming. First, there is the standard name omission: "Hey there! How are YOU?." Another obvious attempt is the half introduction. "Have you met Shelia? Let me introduce you, this is Shelia she likes to garden." Then it trails off and the introduction doesn't manage to come to fruition, until Shelia catchs on and says, "Oh and you are?" They are both pretty lame, but the refreshing point of this party is when i was approached by the college President, he sizes me up and says "Damn, I can not remember your name for the life of me." I totally respect that.
The other memorable event of the party is sitting around listening to professionals wax on about technology. People love to use words they've heard in meetings and pretend they know what they are talking about. I'm not saying I'm a guru, but I know when people are bullsh*tting me. What's the correct etiquette in this situtation? Tell them they are full of it or just smile and nod. This one guy, named David, was telling me about how hard it was to coordinate online registration. I said, yeah, I remember when we were getting online we had a hard time integrating our legacy systems. He says, oh you guys were using Legacy (like it's a brand name) no wonder you had problems, Legacy is a pretty old technology. David was also half crocked when he trying to commiserate with me. So maybe that is partially to blame.

More later.....