You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring
Waiting for someone to tell you everything
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring
Maybe a diamond ring
Well it’s all right, even if they say you’re wrong
Well it’s all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
--TW, 1988
As loyal readers will remember, my phone has been ringing off the hook with job prospects for years. This comes in handy every time my employer circles the wagons and prefers to expose their customers to lousy user interfaces than pay my exorbitant salary. Consequently, it’s a refreshing break to be in demand rather than in supply.
Being on the good side of the supply/demand curve meant I did not have to go to extraordinary measures tracking down people who did not return phone calls or who were otherwise unreliable, unresponsive, or undependable. Also, I did not have to settle for geographical, financial or other conditions that were not to my liking, which was a welcome contrast. I know others who are not as fortunate in their pursuits as I am in mine.
If you don’t know where you’re going,
Any road will take you there.
--GH, 2003
I often try to travel when I am between jobs. Friends typically ask how I can travel when I am not working. As is often the case, I look at things differently than most. (Some find this trait endearing and refreshing. Others find it challenging and threatening.) I figure the most expensive part of traveling is the opportunity cost of not earning money; when I’m not working, I’m already paying that. The additional cost of airfare and other travel expenses is usually small in comparison.
I decided that this would be a good time to collect on last year’s birthday present of a trip to Vegas to see Love as I did not want my upcoming birthday to occur first and box out the arrival of additional presents. I had a great time with my folks exploring Vegas, dining in great restaurants, and seeing things we don’t see elsewhere. I wondered why we needed to strip to ride the monorail, but I figured when in Vegas, do as the Vegans do. Cirque du Soleil was great and Mom even got Sir Paul and Ringo to sing Happy Birthday to me!
Scan not a friend with a microscopic glass
You know his faults, now let the foibles pass
Life is one long enigma, my friend
So read on, read on, the answer's at the end
--GH, 1975
In between days with multiple interviews I took the opportunity to otherwise entertain myself. I rolled out of bed one way to play tennis, rolled out of bed the other way to go swimming, and caught up on months of Letterman and years of Smithsonian. One day, I biked over to one of only 11 7-Elevens in the country that were turned into KWIK-E-MARTs in preparation for The Simpsons Movie. I was very honored that they located one so close to where I live. Another day, I biked over to the largest collections of Rodins outside Paris.
Thinking about all of the great weather, restaurants, festivals, and other things that I have so close to home made me feel bad for my friends who live in San Francisco as they complain about the difficulty of getting a tennis court for any length of time, they complain about the weather, and they complain about the drunk bums and gun shots keeping them up at night outside their homes. They also have to deal with crime and dirty streets, and are forced to pay a premium to eat at crowded, noisy restaurants. I’m not sure why they complain so much. At least they have opera nearby, which would be very convenient if any of them enjoyed opera.
I’ve got too much on my mind
I think of everything to be discovered
I hope there’s something to find
Searching for the time that has gone so fast
The time that I thought would last
My ever present past
--JPMcC, 2007
After a few months of interviews and related employment investigations, I finally picked an employer and thanked the others for playing. Coincidentally, the company’s stock rocketed up over 12% the day I signed (and over 2% on my first day of work and over 4% my first week). I wish it would have waited until my options were priced as I don’t want to be at the heart of another options backdating scandal.
One of the appeals of this company is the presence of a local luminary who is consulting for them. He interviewed me for the job and is clearly looking forward to working with me as well; they would not have hired me had he not provided his endorsement. In fact, at a recent technical society meeting, he and another widely recognized expert made a point of considering my views of the current topic. This reminded me of my last presentation at NASA. Buzz Aldrin was in the audience and I was honored to present my work, which was related to his MIT work 30 years earlier, to him.
Another big appeal of my new job is the short commute. I have more interests than anyone I know, so my time is always at a premium. I remember when I was little I used to go to work with Dad on school breaks. We would have to awaken before the sun, the squirrels, and Mom to take a car, a train, and a subway to get from our home on Long Island to his office in Manhattan. Dad spent the commute working The Times crossword puzzle and beating his friends at Bridge while I looked forward to riding the elevators in the World Trade Center and plotted my adventures with the photocopier. The journey was quite a mission. Since I now live in the center of the universe for user experience design, I feel very fortunate that so many companies have interest in my talents that I am able to turn down opportunities with much shorter commutes than Dad survived.
For the benefit of Mr. Kite
There will be a show tonight on trampoline
--JWOL, 1967
Like El Al a few months ago, my new company was not ready when I was. This disappointed me as I was eager to get to work and get away from the ringing phone. Nevertheless, I know how to keep busy and my last week before working was particularly busy. One day I walked to an Obon Festival, whatever that is, and another I toured the Lawrence Berkeley Hall of Science.
I also took advantage of USTA member benefits to enjoy the Bank of the West tennis tournament, one of the largest women’s tournaments and the first in the US Open Series. Olympus had a photo contest and I had a great time snapping pictures in search of the perfect entry. They also had a professional photographer who was intrigued not only with the shots I took at the tournament, but with those I took at Pt. Reyes the next day. Mr. Olympus was particularly impressed with a shot I took of a barn. I hope I win the camera that was offered as a prize.
It don't come easy,
You know it don't come easy.
It don't come easy,
You know it don't come easy.
--RS, 1971
Now that I’ve returned to work I miss exchanging recipes and gossiping with the other ladies of leisure at the Club Adam pool. I also miss the smarter half of Club Adam Lunchtime Bridge Squad. I trust they can find a replacement dummy.
My new company would not let me start for ten days because they had to prepare for me. However, when I arrived, there were a bunch of things that I could not do because I lacked access to certain systems. So much for preparing for my arrival. That’s OK, though, I’m never bored and I know how to entertain myself.
You say it’s your birthday
It’s my birthday too--yeah
--JPMcC, 1968
My folks came out for my birthday fundraiser this year, which I held on Mom’s birthday, and Mom told me that taking me home from the hospital after giving birth to me was her best birthday present ever. A hundred years later, it’s good to know that we can still celebrate together.
Mahalo for playing.
©Adam Brody All rights reserved.
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