Office Space

January 30, 2012

No desk for me anymore in Silicon Valley. Packing up my things. Who knew so many memories could fit in a book box?

Tacos and Horchata

January 29, 2012

Hitting up my favorite things. John at the taco window at the mercado in Mountain View. A true hole in the wall.

Looking at new rehab centers. Success is imminent.

"Dzai Jian"

January 28, 2012

Last week in SF. Saying goodbye to Angela at the dry cleaners. I will miss our banter.

I can't photograph the horror of Mom's rehab center. It is breaking my heart.

Robot Crossing

January 27, 2012

No one stirring yet but the occasional delivery robot.

Long day but rewarding. Hallucinations passed. Mind back. Now, it's hip time.

Wilted

January 26, 2012

At the hospital. Flowers from her 89th birthday brightening up the room. Learned about 'hospital dementia' and am experiencing it first hand. The future is uncertain.

Need for Speed

January 25, 2012

Adrenaline from a roller coaster ride. Neosporin for the soul. Worth staying for.

Where's Waldo?

January 24, 2012

Mickey is hidden everywhere. Lurking in the carpet weave of the cavernous hallways that stretch for miles.

Long days. Looking forward to reuniting with family.  Needed at home.

Map Men

Jan 23, 2012

Steeped in the plenary overviews of our business. Celebrating achievements.  Challenging the underachievers. Retirees roasted after 25 years of sacrifices. A throwback captured in a period TV series. Map Men.

Waiting for the news of Mom's surgery.

No Dancing Tonight

January 22, 2012

Looking for the beauty in this artificial oasis. A man made lake and boardwalk lie just behind the hotel and offer a show of glimmering lights on the water.

My SF life is bringing me sadness today. Mom has fallen and hurt herself. Feeling far away. The 49ers offer no consolation.

Florida

January 21, 2012

Fireworks. Disney World. Two corporate cultures. One sales conference.

Fahrrad Freida

January 20, 2012

Freida is down for the count. I carried her in for some serious repair. New rear wheel and 8 speed gear system are the cure. Expensive but compared to her half sister Ingrid she's a cheap date!

Feels good to get out and be social. Delightful home cooked dinner tonight with a Taiwanese-German couple. Perfect way to end my last week here as a visitor.

Processing Plant

January 19, 2012

Nestled between a strip mall and the German secret service is a cinder block complex that houses my gatekeeper. Biometric pictures, notarized proof of eduction and a passport were there to represent me. Access granted. "Go on. Off you go"

UFO sighting

January 18, 2012

New neighborhood. New Unidentified Falafel Outlet. Three doors down. Tasty!

Floral Oasis

January 17, 2012

An unexpected surprise. A florist has set out the outdoor display and illuminated it with candles. Makes me have a fleeting thought that maybe Spring is coming?? But a closer look shows these aren't crocus. No Spring. Just rain.

There's some spring in my steps today. The energy of the city is seeping into my being and giving me stamina.

Snow into Rain

January 16, 2012

Walking to work. Feeling the first snow crunch underfoot. Settling lightly and gone in a whiff as it turns to rain.

It feels good to walk to the office. Huge change from the hour long drive in California. I look forward to not having a car in Berlin. Simple life.

But stormy too. It's raining assignments.  

Life in Orange

January 15, 2012

Packed my life into two suitcases. Room and possessions are small but the city out there to explore is big.

Nice to arrive and unexpectedly find myself having dinner with friends. Looking forward to more of that and less overhead of living.

Warmth and Sunlight

January 14, 2012

Making room in the house for Dan. Running errands with the top down. Packing and organizing. Frozen Germany feels like a long way off.

Decisions

January 13. 2012

Sometimes change hits you at the strangest moments. I was looking into the tiny wine cellar deciding what one bottle I can bring when a wave of nostalgia hit. The excitement of the new has been drowning out the bittersweet of what is left behind. Tonight, the emotion behind my soon to be past is winning out. 

(In the end I decided that none of the wines should be singled out to accompany me. Their spot was lost to a newcomer. The High West 16 Year Rye Whiskey.)

People

January 12, 2012

There have been no people so far in my year in pictures. My picture moments seem to come at times of introspection or when the rest of life is done and I can finally catch my breath. Here's a moment captured in the moment. The people I work with working together to capitalize on our time together at CES. No helicopter tours, backstage concerts, or wild parties. Just pizza in the room and focus.

Shadow Man

January 11, 2011

Walking down the strip. Relating to the shadow. Involved in what's happening through the screen in his hand. CES buzzing all around.

Room with a View

January10, 2012

Beautiful hotel room in Las Vegas. However, the intensity of work today keeps me focused squarely on the laptop. The chair with a view provides interim respites.

Planes and Trains

January 9, 2012

Seems to be photos of transportation that dominate my mind. Maybe that's the only time I'm not glued to a screen working... Excited for the new Nokia Lumia launch at CES. It's going to change how people think about Nokia in the US.

A Good Vice

January 8, 2012

Taking advantage of the time in SF to spend time with Mom. Worked on cleaning the garage of some of Dad's things. This vise has been here since I was born. So many things could be fixed on his workbench. First thing I did when I bought my first home was go out and get a vise too. His vise is actually quite small. Yet it was so powerful and unwavering while I was growing up.

Splitting Lives

January 7, 2012

Heading to SF from Berlin. No sure which place feels more like home. Ready to put down roots here in my new city.

Note to self. Never sit in economy seats in by the bathroom no matter how extended the legroom.

Bear Economy

January 6, 2012

Establishing a new life in Berlin. Visa or Mastercard. Felt like "paper or plastic?". (Plastic or plastic?)  I was momentarily paralyzed. Bank accounts require a two week gestation period. I was warned that it's illegal here not to save your bank statements. New rules. Just like work. New rules there too.

2 x 2 Matrix

January 5, 2012

I have a new found respect for Jonathan Harris. How me managed to photograph something interesting outdoors everyday is a mystery.

Creation. Strategic frameworks and consumer stories has been the focus for the day. It's hard to make things simple. But so rewarding once it's achieved.

Berlin Swing

January 4, 2012

Swing dancing. It's what's happening while I'm at a business dinner. It's different than in SF. Less choreographed lindy-hop and east coast swing.  Mostly relaxed people casually dancing to Keely Smith and Sinatra.

My time in Berlin has resumed the life of double shifts. Work in the office in the day and work with the Sunnyvale team by night. Need help to instill some work-life balance. But appreciate the flexibility for fire drills.

The Apartment

January 3, 2012

Sitting at a cafe waiting to meet the relocation agent. She's found the perfect apartment for us. I can see being a regular here at the cafe if we get the apartment. The photos of the place look amazing. It has a gourmet kitchen and is in Prenzlaureberg which is where we were hoping to live. It's been more than 20 years since I've had a home outside of the SF area. Big changes ahead. Getting excited!

First flight

January 2, 2012

Off to Berlin. Feeling like I am about to enter another world. January is jam packed at work. The whole company has returned from vacation and want the answers to all the hard questions.... Now.  Excitement. Feels like starting a new semester in university. So many new 'term papers' to write!

Leaving Home

Jan 1, 2012

I am starting the year with a resolution to take a photo a day to chronicle my life this year. I have been inspired by Jonathan Harris and his very moving video.

This first shot is of my parents house. This is the house I grew up in. It's a bittersweet view today. Dad passed away a few weeks ago and I've been spending more time here than I have in a long time. So familiar. Hard to say goodbye to Mom, but the exciting opportunities for me at work require me in Berlin. Next 4 weeks are on the road and then packing suitcases for a year away. I am grateful for my sisters who are in the SF area and so involved in Mom's life. Exciting times are ahead for me and Marianna. But it's hard to leave tonight.