Finding Mu

So I was working away past dinner time at my office in downtown Seattle... and got hungry.

Anyone who lives in Seattle (no, Redmond does not count) knows that the downtown core gets DEAD at night. I mean, totally shut down. And it all happens between 7:30 and 8:00 it seems. Even the smaller convenience stores and coffee shops shut down. Sure, there's a few high-class restaurants, but where can you go to pick up some good quick food to go?

I did a lap of a few blocks, and even checked the Quizno's which I was sure would be open for dinner, but no.

All of a sudden, an oasis of late-night hunger relief: Rite-Aid. (As a side, note, their web site lists their slogan as "With us, it's personal". I'm not sure if that's an invite to do business with them, or a threat that I'm going to get my a*# kicked if I say the wrong thing to a cashier, but anyways.)

So, I was able to buy my dinner, a nice big bag of Nacho Cheese Combos. I figured, "hey, it's got carbs, it's got protein, what else do I need?" The Combos were pretty tasty and filling (if you ignore the effect on my life span).

The moral of the story? Downtown Seattle might not be big on late night eats, but I guess it has a one-up on New York, where the trans fats in those Combos probably would have had them banned.

Posted by at 11:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Starbucks just recently opened a location in my building, the Columbia Center, in downtown Seattle.

But, this isn't just any Starbucks. The thing is, they already had a location in the building. And, why settle for just one location per building? And, why only hang out with the rest of the ("less cool") food businesses in the cafeteria area?

So, Starbucks went ahead and opened a new location on the 40th floor. Yes, the 40TH floor! Right next to, oh, a couple likely-super-high-priced law firms up in the sky. This is quite simply the most amazing Starbucks I've ever seen. There's an excellent view of downtown Seattle, and you can even see downtown Bellevue and far into the Puget Sound. Beautiful. My $1.91 "Tall with room Americano" was overpriced, but the view was worth it.

I told the cashier, "You know, you work in the coolest Starbucks ever," to which she replied, "Yeah, it's not too shabby, is it?" No, this over-the-top Starbucks isn't too shabby at all. Not one bit.

Posted by at 9:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BusinessWeek had a great article about Jonathan Ive, Apple's lead design guy. Based largely on his work with Steve Jobs, Apple was able to make its incredible comeback over the past decade.

Remember when Windows 95 was cool? Now it's iBook, iMac, iPod, MacBook, etc. etc. etc. I don't own a Mac, but I've been a happy owner of a 2nd gen iPod for many years. It still works, and looks, great. Simply, a beautiful product.

Kudos to Apple and Mr. Ive for the excellent work.

Posted by at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This article, Vista RC1 Still Not Ready For Prime Time, Partners Say, from InformationWeek describes how Brian Valentine, SVP for Windows Vista at Microsoft, is taking a page from my own book and leaving the company to join Amazon.com.

This really is a great hire for Amazon. While working in the Windows Vista division at Microsoft, I was able to see several of the Windows leaders in action, and though I never had the chance to work with him directly, Brian Valentine always seemed to shine. He seemed to be one of the "cooler" (if that is possible for a senior exec), funniest, and down-to-earth leaders, who could really get a crowd going. He was clearly passionate about his product, getting down to the details and keeping a watchful eye on progress. As an engineer, I only once had a bug assigned to me which was opened by a VP/SVP, and it was opened by brianv.

I'm really excited to find out what Mr. Valentine will be focused on at Amazon, but in any case I think he'll make a great match with the Amazon culture of fun, hard work, and customer focus. Welcome to Amazon, Brian!

Posted by at 1:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My childhood best friend announced today he's engaged. Congrats Age! :)

This summer has been filled with weddings... so many my head is spinning. But, I think I'm one of the few guys in this world who really likes weddings. Good food, friends, and I'm lucky to go to the ones that have open bars. And of course, true love and the beauty of seeing two people joined together for a lifetime. Did I mention open bars?

Makes me wonder... will this streak of weddings go on forever? Maybe, but it's made me think about WHEN people get married. I think couples fall into a few categories:

1. Young Love. Married during high school, or around high school age if they're serious country people who learn from the fields or from the hard knock trailer park life.
2. High School Sweethearts. Meet during one of the best times, high school. Get married as soon as work life starts, whether it's after high school ends or after university. Basically, as soon as the babies can be made and cared for properly.
3. The Standard. These are the people who meet at school or at work while they're young, finish school, then go through 2 or 3 years together just for fun while in their working life, knowing they'll get married eventually, so why rush? These people take the middle road. Not too quick, not too slow... Just take it as it comes.
4. The Careerists. These are the people who meet their significant other during their working life. For these people, things can develop very quickly or very slowly, but one thing's for sure- these people have to work for it. Some of these people even struggle with the balance between their work and fitting someone new into their life. And ah, the wonderful dating game! At least, these people should have a better idea of what they really want in a partner.
5. The Long Shots. These are the people who (a) have a lot to offer but a massive ego to match- one that's so big it leaves no room for anyone else- then they wonder why they're still alone? (b) people who just don't have much to offer- 'nuff said.
6. The Anti-Marriage School. For one reason or another, these people just don't believe marriage brings anything positive to life at all. Some convert, some don't.

Missing any??

Posted by at 12:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Energizer Bunny better watch his back.

Seriously, did this guy invent the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" super-size gun? Or did the bunny eat a Mario Bros. mushroom?

Posted by at 12:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)