I've thoroughly enjoyed the last few days. At work, I'm driving forward a new initiative/project that should launch next week. It's a project of pretty big strategic importance, and one being led forward with some level of strategy and understanding of its purpose (quite unlike the launch of our other similar project - edited for clarification).
This project has largely been built outside of the engineering team and has really been the first one where we, as a company, stop trying to do everything ourselves. With the help of Pete, I'm working with two separate companies to help launch this project: the hosted company we partner very closely with is managing the technical infrastructure while a local development firm is helping me build out the shopping cart.
To get this project in on time, I've been working on-site at the latter company (their offices are two blocks from my loft - right in the middle of the Gaslamp).
I have to say, I've loved working out of this office. It really brings me me back to the earlier days of MindTouch, when things seemed to get done faster (but with the downside of less quality) - I remember quite fondly working with Pete during the second launch of Wik.is - we had a huge whiteboard of tasks, and we just trucked through them for launch. I love that feeling. When I left their offices yesterday, I was in such a good mood - a feeling that's been missing lately. I felt SO good that I actually ended up going out last night ... quite a change from my normal Fridays, where I'm so burned out I usually just stay in and watch a DVD and sleep.
So I'm back here today, working with these guys on the launch (and I don't feel resentful of working on a Saturday, although these guys may disagree... hehe). It's a beautiful day outside - the window is open, and there's a faint smell of charred wood (smells wonderful!) - every once in a while, you'll hear a horde of Eagles fans start a rowdy cheer at one of the local open-air bars. The only thing that would make this more perfect would be if we were making faster progress so I could go sailing today...
What makes me additionally happy is the professional services team at MindTouch really seems to be hitting the ground running as a self-contained unit with relatively little oversight from me. They kicked off two large projects this past week while wrapping up a huge one (I'm still running two more on the side). With just a few phone calls from my side on Friday, things kept moving forward. The best feeling for me is building a self-contained team and watching it succeed.
After this project launches, I'll be heading up discussions on Phase 2 - if this launch takes off, it really gives the product team a more defined roadmap to focus on - right now we're just floating around in many different directions. My attempts at a roadmap a few weeks back simply defined the boundaries of the float - it didn't actually give us a great direction.
And of course, there's some soul searching afterwards. Why is it that I enjoyed working out of these offices so much the past few days? Is it me? What needs to change? I need to find out...
Posted by roy at 03:26 AM on November 12, 2009 in San Diego.
Don't know what happened here - one moment I hear an engine roaring, second I hear piercing sirens. Justice is swift - within five minutes, I counted seven cop cars, 3 bicycle cops, and hordes of police. Don't fuck with the po-lice:
Posted by roy at 01:06 AM on November 12, 2009 in Finances.
I remember when the agg stocks were killing. Thanks to some awesome trend trading tips from Maoxian, I was lucky enough to catch CF on its way up a couple years back.
I found myself back in the wonderful world of agg stocks recently - seems there's a little acquisition dance going on between TRA, CF, and AGU.
Posted by roy at 12:23 AM on November 12, 2009 in Music.
I heard some amazing music in this trailer, so I was eager to find a MP3 version of it (I love movie music):
Unfortunately, when I discovered what the real song was, I was incredibly disappointed; there are whiny lyrics on top! Aah! Why couldn't there just be instrumentals?
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Posted by roy at 03:22 AM on November 11, 2009 in Music.
Listening to this song brings me so much joy. It's just got that infectious upbeatness.
While in NC, I got to celebrate my buddy Tim's 30th birthday; we picked this song on the jukebox as he "shed the disgusting 20s and blossomed into his 30s." Haha, right...
Edit: At the request of my readers, I have censored my ass out of the picture above. Apologies for any nausea caused. (And now I also know I need to buy some new dress pants)
This entry contained scripting, which has been removed for your safety. Click here to see the entry in its entirety.
Wow, and just like that, October is over! What a busy month it was - got my introductory sailing certification, got to go to SF and NC. Here are some NC pics from my crappy cell phone:
The wedding of Allen and Heidi:
Reception was held at the RDU General Aviation Terminal; a (surprisingly) beautiful venue!
. . .
I went sailing twice this weekend (for the first time since my lessons). I went by myself yesterday, but the cruddy winds didn't give me much - I floated around for an hour then headed back. Today, Damien and I both rented 16" and went out. The winds were a lot better than yesterday, but still not wonderful. I had a problem on the ride back - to get back from the bay, one has to cross a bridge. Unfortunately, the wind completely dies down, and you basically have to set your course and hope you have momentum to avoid crashing into the highway concrete supports.
I had a few failed tries and had to bail on the move a couple of times, but I eventually made it through. Boat didn't take a beating, but my pride did.
(That's Damien in the picture)
. . .
Hey, look what made its way online (Jennifer pranking me with some office flowers - glad she's always looking out for me and the ladies...)
