Wednesday was a day fraught with thinking. 2 hours of high-level design strategizing and brainstorming, and 50 minutes of 1:1 conversation with my GM. 3 hours of new information dumped into my head, before lunch, which all at once causes things to go a bit random in my mind. So much to process!

As I [...]

There comes a point in life when our mortality is called into sharp relief. For some, it is a harsh and sudden awakening. But more often, it’s the growing realization that the people around you are more frequently falling ill or otherwise requiring significant medical care.

Mine was one of the harsh and sudden awakenings [...]

(Well, a mix CD, but that didn’t sound as good.)

Over the years I’ve developed a strong belief that the “universe” sometimes takes a heavier hand in our lives. I’ve seen evidence that the universe can send us signs when we’re on the right path, and try to slow us down if we’re skipping down [...]

There are many valid ways to pursue one’s career aspirations, but most tend to fall into two categories:

Those who choose to run their own company Those who choose to work for someone else

I most definitely fall into the latter category. I have tremendous respect for those who can weather the storms of uncertainty [...]

The Pacific Northwest got a little bit of national buzz this week for the “historic” snowfall that didn’t turn out to be. Still, we’re getting 3 inches in the urban core and more like 6 out here in the Burbs. Which is far more than the basic level required for our standard Northwest Snow Freakout [...]

Before coming to Microsoft and working on server software, I shipped quite a few video games during my time with Electronic Arts and Griptonite Games. Game development is a fickle mistress. Yes, you’re working on the things that you love, but slowly working on them begins to make you hate them. Also, the hours.

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I live 3 miles from work. Strangely, I also lived 3 miles from my previous employer in the Seattle area and I didn’t have to move when switching to Microsoft; that was just serendipity. But I’ve learned via experience that it is extremely important to my quality of life to have a minimal commute.

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Looking back at 2011 as it can be quantified into neat little bulleted lists…

Cities visited:

Boulder, CO (first time) Las Vegas Atlanta, GA (first time) Burbank, CA (twice) Orlando, FL New York City Yardley, PA (twice)

Conferences/Conventions:

2012 started well: fresh off a winning performance in our TheatreSports NYE extravaganza, my love and I headed outside and watched the (impressive) Space Needle fireworks from the grounds of the Seattle Center. Then a night of dancing and general merriment in the foyer of the Intiman Playhouse. My kind of night, and hopefully an [...]

Every time I watch Grey’s Anatomy, I think to myself, “Hospitals aren’t like that.” I’ve seen more hospitals than is reasonable for someone my age, and not once did I see even a hint of delightful banter or sexual tension between the doctors.

Since I’m in a medical mood, I’ll share another of my [...]