Kevin Sonney

Day two in Washington. I’d have updated sooner, but things have been a bit busy, what with the prep and the travel.

So, two days on the job, and it’s been the usual first days stuff – some time with HR filling out forms, getting my laptop and accounts set up, and starting to about learn the systems – and the people – I’m going to be supporting.

When I’m not at work, I’m exploring a little. I’m kicking around Downtown Park[1] and surrounding areas, since that’s close to where they’re putting me up.

And Ursula will be joining me next week, which will be awesome, because traveling? It’s just not the same without her…

[1] Which is really crowded on sunny days. Yes, the sun was out yesterday![2] If that’s the only sunny day this summer, I’m glad I got to see it. *grin*
[2] I was amazed. I understand this doesn’t happen often.

Recent reads from recent travels :
Mur Lafferty’s Afterlife Series: I have been remiss in being so slow to get to this one. Five Novellas detailing the after-death adventures of two friends Kate and Daniel, and what happens when the world(s) end. Originally done as a podcast, this was the only “major” work of Mur’s I hadn’t read yet, and I’m kicking myself for taking so long. It starts a little slow, but once it gets moving, it’s a roller-coaster ride to the end. I highly recommend it. Go check it out Now!

Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn: I had only seen the movie, and Ursula insisted that I read the novel before meeting him at AnthroCon this year. If all you’ve seen is the movie, you’re missing out a LOT, since Mr. Beagle’s writing is fantastic. Also, he’s a really nice guy and a class act, and I look forward to the next time we get to see him.

Janet Evanovitch’s Smokin’ Seventeen: OK, The Stephanie Plum novels are a guilty pleasure. I like a good mystery, and these are always a fun ride. After about book 6 or 7, they are also completely over the top. The 17th book in the series is no different, and I had to keep from laughing out loud on an airplane when I was finishing this one. Just be aware that it ends with a cliff-hanger, to be resolved in book 18, due out in November.

So today is my oldest son’s thirteenth birthday. I’m a tad gobsmacked at this, as it seem somewhat impossible that my little guy, who used to sleep on my chest while I watched “Behind the Music.”

I am now officially the parent of a teenager.

Happy Birthday, Ray.

Now please stop trying to grow up so damn fast, mmmm-kay?

I think I’m finally recovered from the last two weeks of hither, thither, and yon.

AnthroCon was a blast, as it always is. Of course, I did get myself into a bit of trouble, as you may have seen On Ursula’s post.[1]

Anyway.

After a brief stop home, I flew to Bellevue, WA for a job interview. The job itself is in NC, but the HQ for the company is out there, and it was easier to fly me there than to fly them here. This also had the happy side effect of being able to have dinner with our friends Tina and Bruce at their awesome home, and breakfast with Ursula’s friend Dave, who is pretty cool in his own right.

In general, I feel the interview went well. More details as I have them.

After the interview, I was on the red-eye home – which sucked, so I’ll do a different schedule next time I fly west – and by Thursday morning was back in the arms of my Ursula. I may not have been coherent (or hydrated), but I was HOME. And then I promptly passed out.

Thursday afternoon I did laundry, and we diagnosed an issue with the upstairs AC unit[2]. Friday I had an interview with another company, and that also seemed to go well. So it looks like things are picking up on the job front, which is NICE, let me tell you.

Yesterday we got back into the “normal routine” which is really, really nice and I REALLY, REALLY missed it. Farmer’s Market at the co-op in the morning, hanging out in the pool at Mom & Dad’s in the evening, and all is right with the world.

It’s good to be back home.

[1] There will be a SparkleKevin gallery, because you all deserve it. And as a penance for inflicting this on you all, I will wear all of the SparkleKevin badges on Sunday at AC2012.

[2] Clogged condensation drain, and the overflow cutoff WORKS, but we have bailed about 6 gallons of water now to keep it running. Hopefully I can get that thing unclogged today, so we can stop bailing.

Home just long enough to sleep, change suitcases, and unpack the car.

AnthroCon was, as usual, a lot of fun. Missed a lot of the regulars who couldn’t make it this year, but otherwise a lot of fun as always. Good to see Ursula’s fans, all our friends, and the general madness that is Pittsburgh when the Furrys invade.

Have to be on a plane to an interview at 6am, so going to try to pass out early. Next stop for me, Seattle….

The state of the Lumps

I met Raistlin last summer. He is a whole lot of awesome cat, and spent the evening sleeping on my brand new iPad.

I don’t ask for this sort of thing very often, but if you can toss a little bank their way, they would appreciate it.

DucKon 20 was a lot of fun. Love the people, love the scene, had a blast. I think we both wish it were closer so we could justify the expense of going back again.

We got back to the house around 1am, and we’re both a little spacy from con-brain and sleep-dep right now. But with AC approaching, we’re in prep mode so we can drive to Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Then it’s home Monday and back out Tuesday for a job interview in Bellevue, WA[1]. I suspect I’ll be fried after a long flight day, but if anyone wants to grab dinner next Tuesday out there, I’m game. I may be FRIED after driving home from AC and turning right around and flying cross-country, but it’s better than eating alone in my hotel room, right?

OK, back to con prep and travel schedules!

…also, if anyone has any advice on “Seattle vs. RTP interview cultural differences” I’d LOVE to hear them…

[1] The job is here, but it’s a new office and HQ is out there. It’s easier to fly me there for an interview than for them to fly here.