Sunday, August 5, 2007

Long time, no post....

Yes, it's been quite a while since my last post. I do apologize. However... (rationale to follow -- skip to the next paragraph if you wish)

I took the job offer from Consona CRM and have basically been training for the past month... reading, looking at old specs and re-implementing/engineering, trying to learn and get ramped up on the Onyx product... trying to get my name out there and get involved as much as I can... and getting to know everyone and the new town.

So, I need backup a bit to cover all the pictures that I've taken between accepting Consona's offer and now! So, grab some popcorn and a beer for this one.

So, after we got the boat back in the water we noticed that the mooring buoy to which Phil ties up had a bit of a 'growth' :) probably a 20' or more string of kelp attached!
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

I decided to spend the 4th (July) with Kat and Phil, my sister and brother in law and on the drive back from Kirkland, WA I saw a few hydroplanes.. turns out this is a pretty huge sport in the area. Seafair is a HUGE event... they actually close the I90 bridge that connects Seattle and Kirkland for nearly 3 hours so that the Blue Angels can do their thing feet over the water w/o endangering any travelers!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

We saw the fireworks from Boston Harbor on an old navy PT boat, converted into a work and dive boat...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

A shot showing the 'surface supply' lines... they provide the O2 for divers.
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

These guys are all over the sound in the summer -- make it kinda hard to just 'jump in' whenever you get too warm!
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The experience was something else... turns out that the PT boat we were on was hired out that night to help bring the fireworks barge into the harbor and get it positioned and moored! So, we got a first hand look at it before the show! (no pics unfortunately -- I was actually engaged most of that time trying to 'catch' the mooring buoy with a long spear!)

There was some pretty awesome looking sea sea anemone growth on the docks out there...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Well, lets see... moving to Kirkland. Unfortunately I didn't have much time between accepting the offer, and finding a place to live. Not that it would have mattered much, because I didn't really know what I wanted at the time... but I managed to find a decent little condo, just outside downtown and about 5 minutes drive from work with GREAT VIEWS of the sunset...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Kirkland also has some really sweet parks and houses along Lake Washington.

Here's a shot from Juanita Bay Park. I've never seen so many lilly pads!
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The places along the waterfront downtown are just immaculately landscaped...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

It's kinda hard to see from this angle, but the whole garden was lined by fountains (which were in service that day).
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

So, on to the condo! I truly thought that I was going to break my lease here. I got moved in and soon realized that the fella upstairs from me, while a great guy, walks with a purpose and is up EVERY MORNING at 4AM!!!!! So, I have been trying to get adjusted to waking up at 4am, getting back to sleep, then getting up at 7am... not the schedule I'd imagined.

But, Mom and Dad talked me out of it while they were here to visit last week... basically they were right. I need to get settled in this job first, then I can look for another place if I'm still waking up at 4am.

Other than that complaint, the place is really awesome! I mean it's got bloody everything! So, here's the tour.

Outside, my place is 2nd floor w/ the bay window :)
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

My bike finally has a decent home!!!
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Everything fits... bike, trailer (tied up vertically) and truck!
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

We'll start inside w/ the living room...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

A shot toward the eating area....
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The eating area (which will be a computer / music area since I almost never eat at home)
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

A shot from the eating area in the kitchen, which is huge btw... pantry, cabinets all 'round, bar.. all brand new appliances... waaaaaaaaaaay too much kitchen for me, but heh, it came w/ the place :)
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Bedroom -- bayview window (blinds closed b/c the folks were sleeping there during their visit... I'm not shy!
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Beautiful things to have in your place... everyone should have a set of these!
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Last but not least... the pic that everyone I rode w/ back east pitched in to get for me.. should be hung today, just above where it sits now on the mantlepiece!

That's all for now folks! I'll try to be more diligent about this blog thing.. I know I got slack for a while there!