someone at the cherry!

someone at the cherry!
Originally uploaded by happeehappeedeb

On Saturday, Robyn and I spent they day together at the Walker Art Center and MOA. Besides the shopping experience at MOA (Mall of America, the highlight was actually seeing the spoon with the missing cherry. They were doing some refurbishing on the art piece so i have a special opportunity to see it without the cherry. A bit funny to see... looks like someone got hungry and ate it. "D

Off to Minneapolis

I know i missed a few trips... but maybe this blog is just for domestic travel... yeah that's it!

Tonight i'm of to leave for Minneapolis, Minnesota. I'm going out to visit Robyn O and family! I'm armed with my new camera ready to see what the mid west... (i guess that is what it would be considered) is like! I tried to see if Hils (Trevor's sister) was going to be around, but she's back at home in Idaho. Scott Sharkey gave me a few places to check out so we'll see if we can make it there!

The flight is a red eye, so i'm going to try and do a little bit of Army work and get some rest on the flight. I take off at 12:25am and arrive at 5:50am. The flight isn't too long.

Work + Dive trip to Miami

So the newest journey/adventure + business trip was to Miami, FL. I was a bit excited for thi trip for:
1. first major adventure in the world of UX
2. fairly major business trip
3. I GET TO DIVE!!!

yes, i took it upon myself to dive on this trip. The dive shop was right across from my hotel, hotel clinton in south beach... I'll talk about south beach later.

So signed up for two dives on friday: reef dive, and then neptune memorial reef.
This was my first time really out without a guide, so it was a bit intimidating. I had a dive partner but was actually more experienced, but not quite so seasoned in the water. So, i felt like i had to take the lead. So, on the first dive Isaw a lot of fish that looked like candy corn (i really need to pull pictures). The fish and coral were less vibrant than thailand or hawaii, but large fan like coral which were beautiful. Some black and white angel fish.

Vegas: surprises need to be cherished

Went to Vegas for the CES show. Vegas is such a great experience. No only because it's Sin City. BUT you can always be surprised on what comes up when you turn the corner. We went to Body English to go dancing with our Sony Client... and guess who was spinning... Godskitchen. I can't recall if i've ever been that surprised in awhile. It was quite sad to realize nothing is too surprising anymore. I miss those times as a child when you would be in awe of that amazing Christmas gift that you never thought you were going to get. OR when that little "i like you" valentine's day card comes your way. Ahh... the small things of surprises should always be cherished

Delayed post: trip to Atlanta for GameTap

I know the last entry i logged was from my Oregon trip. I realized that i should be login in about the places that i've been and my experiences associated with them.

So, i'm on a plane back from Atlanta, GA. A team of us from Ignited had to meet our client, GameTap. We flew out on Tuesday morning, and part of our team is flying back tonight, Wednesday.

The client experience was a good one. We met up for drinks with our new RM clients. We went to a bar and had drinks and some munchies. I felt quite uncomfortable with the first time meeting this client. I think since i don't know them very well, i have hesitations on just blurting something out. Alot of this has to do with the comments people have about Amy. Seems like Amy is having some difficult challenges integrating into the culture of the team. That seems to be my fear. I feel like everyone is being judged on things, and people wont clearly come out and say if you are or are not doing your job.

I fear that people are saying that i'm not doing my job. Maybe i need to know what my job is? OR if people find value in what i do. i don't understand what i need to have someone else validated my existence when it comes to work. I want to be a contriubuter vs a body that is just there.

I do believe this team does need some help though. There seems to be some given that i seem to take for granted. Like everything with interactive starts with the users!!!! And what value does it bring to those people. AND who are those people that find what you have of value?

I realized that i don't do well with not knowing all the facts... maybe the fear of looking stupid. I'm not quite sure. I'm sure it's that. I don't want people to think im inatiquate.

Well, this is what i need to do is to do what i can do to help, and then see if that is effective. I can only do so much.

some a bit of catch up...

So, now that im back at home and have a bit of time, i will finally post the rest of my pix. i figured pictures are always better...


This was my view during my run. This is a a view from both sides of the river. I did 3 runs. I've actually increased my mileage!!! wooo hooo!!! There are miles and miles of trails. Such a running and bike friendly city... I LOVE IT!!!


This is the grotto. It a lil' outdoor theater area that has services and stuff outside with the lil' carved out area as the backdrop. Pretty big wall of rock. Make u want to just... climb on.... climbing.


Here are a few shots of the waterfalls. Multnomah falls is probably the most notable. There are a series of waterfalls one right after another. The one on the bottom right is horsetail i think. I was too lazy to get out of the car... man i was hungry didn't really eat that much for breakfast.


After the waterfalls i just decide to keep on driving. I ended up at the Bonneville Dam. Pretty neat place. They also count the fish there. This is to make sure that the ecological cycle isn't effect by the dam. So, i drove along... crossed the bridge of the gods and ended up in Skamania. That was a bit funny too. I worked on a project back at my old days of Curry... Skamania Lodge. (Mikey, any comments about this project?)

found alot of trails and INTERESTING things...

So it's my final full day here in Portland. Today i spent all my time in downtown. I went for a run today. There are endless trails here. I ran for an hour... i probably could have gone more, but i knew that i'd be trekin' it by foot everywhere.

So, went to the Saturday Market to check that whole scene out. A friend recommended it, so i decided to grab something to eat, and look around. Interesting group of people down there. It's like a combination of a little granola-ish, hippyish, with random artists, and ecletic mix of food. I ended up buying a cool messenger bag, tshirt and a replication of this pencil illustration work of these little bunnies.

I also went to the Chinese Gardens, and walked around Pearl again. That place is awesome. Really didn't buy anything, but great things to look at down there. Tons of art; probably why W+K is right smack in the middle of it.

Anyways, now im just debating to watch the i guess biggest event in Portland, The Rose Festival Parade. It's not quite as fancy as our Pasadena Rose Parade. I saw a few of the floats out in the Pearl where they were setting up. Umm... all i can say that it was INTERESTING. Maybe i'll take some pix outside of my window so you can see. So, it's either that or going back to Powell's City of Books. Man that place is awesome. I could be in there for days. I wanted to buy some more books, but that means i've gotta lug it all home. Damn.

Anyways, i'll try and get some photos up maybe later tonight if im just chillin'