Our First Mets Game

We went to our first Mets game on Friday 8/24/07. I have to say that it was a fantastic game as the played the Los Angeles Dodgers (orginally from Brooklyn). It was a win! Carlos, I know you are loving this!

We sat in the Bear Stearns box seats right next to third base and had a great view. My daughter is a huge fan of David Wright while my son is a fan of Jose Reyes. Both kids got what they wanted which was a very close up view of their favorite player. It was such a great family experience compared to Yankee Stadium which we visited last year. I have to admit it.

Even though most of my family are still Seattle Mariner fans, I have to admit I am still a tried and true fan of Yankee baseball. I hope my team can make the playoffs this year. I will keep my fingers crossed.

M&A and Financial Shenanigans

There are all kinds of rumors swirling around possible financial transactions about my current company, Oxygen Media. This post on Dilbert.com reminded me about the kinds of games that can go on around such events.

While most of the company is swirling around gossiping about this potential transaction, I am very pleased to see that my team(s) are just "hunker'd down" and doing their jobs respectively to a very high level. It is such a breath of fresh air. As a matter of fact, we have released our best product to date on Ript.com™ and several other great ones under development -- stay tuned.

My hunch is that this is because all of them live in their own skin (I know I do). By that I mean, they are all very confident (and rightfully so) and understand that their individual skills and talents are so valuable no matter what the future holds at Oxygen or any other company for that matter.

It’s All About the People Stupid

I remember watching a talk news show after Bill Clinton defeated the first George Bush in 1992. It was James Carville a political pundit announcing to the media why George Bush had lost the 1992 election so badly to Bill Clinton. He said "It's the economy stupid".

That quote sticks with me on the eve of our team's launch of a great new purposeful and playful product that they have developed -- Ript™.

As with any great product, there have been several things that make it special -- the idea, our product owner, the process, etc. The most important to me though is the Team.

Not at my present company but at some places I have been that don't grok technology I have had to remind execs of a similar idea to what James Carville said to the media in 1992 -- that is -- "It's All About the People Stupid". This would seem obvious but to some its not.

I have found throughout my career in technology that it is one of the core truths about Software Development and Information Technology. It is truly all about the people.

Please check out my team members blogs listed here because they have some great stories to tell about this fantastic new product.

judykat hits Lake Couer D’Alene

Our good friends from New York (and Seattle) Ken, Kathie and Mia visited us at Lake Couer D'Alene on their way to Montana.

It was great to see all them. We had a great dinner with all of them (including Ken's mom and my mom and dad).

Phyllis and Kathie got some time on the wet bike while the kids, Ken and his mom got some serious dock time. We even enjoyed a few refreshing ice cold Moose Drool's.

Ken updated me on all the happenings at work as the following Sunday I had to fly back to New York City. It sounds like there are many changes in the wind at Oxygen. It should be interesting to see what happens there.


After a great evening, Ken and his family drove back into the city of Spokane for a nice stay at the Davenport Hotel. Maybe next year we can visit them in the great northwest for a longer period of time.

It’s Hot on the Lake

Wow temperatures hit 100 degrees at least three days in a row here on Lake Couer D'Alene. As they say "beautiful dry hot" but at 100 degrees it's just plain hot.

We are loving the lake. The lake water has warmed up to at least 70 degrees I would bet. The water is fantastic. If you are out of it for even 30 minutes on the dock its time to jump right back in.

Zachary has been catching a ton of fish this week and not just suckers and bottom feeders. Some of them our Rainbow Trout and Fresh Water Bass.

I love these long days on the lake with nothing that has to be planned, executed or completed (can if you want but its totally optional:). This is my kind of vacation!

Vashon Island reminded me once again that “big” is relative

On our way back from Portland to Lake Couer D'Alene, we were invited to visit some of our dear friends on Vashon Island.

 

It was a beautiful day as we drove from Portland up Interstate 5 toward Seattle. Peter had provided us with directions to his home on Vashon Island from the Point Defiance Ferry in Tacoma. As we were waiting for the ferry I took a few candid photos of the kids. From the dock there was a tremendous view of Mount Rainier.

When I lived in Seattle for many years Mount Rainier was a back drop that was so ordinary that one almost just forgot it (not to mention Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, etc.). Since moving to the east coast I have seen many of the great mountains and ranges -- Catskills, Poconos, Appalachians -- but there is truly no comparison.

"Big" is really relative to what your used to whether it be mountains, money or ideas (really anything at all).

We had a great time at Peter's estate on Vashon, walking, swimming, playing bocce ball, volleyball and a myriad of other activities. The compound is really beautiful and is great for entertaining. Peter as usual was an unbelievable host! Thanks.

He invited us back for another visit in the fall which we will consider. It would be great to see the whole family since Jill and kids were away on summer activities this time.

Nyssa’s Basketball Tournament in Portland

My niece Nyssa had a basketball tournament in Portland Oregon. So we all made our way down to the tournament which was held near the Clackamus Community College in Oregon City.

  

It was a great tournament to see. My sister Tami was telling us that in order to get into the NCAA and play first string at the high school level these days independent summer league action is actually required. I believe it for an amateur women's basketball game the skill level was amazing. Nyssa (yellow jersey -- look at that beautiful "D" ) and her team won! They took a commanding lead in the 2nd half and locked it away from the local Oregon team they were playing.

As you can see our official team mascot Ruthie accompanied us to the tournament. At our celebration dinner afterward with my family, my grand daughter Emma Jo tried to imitate Ruthie's Perfect Victory Cheer.