Work sometimes has some good perks. Among the most recent was the opportunity to attend the facebook f8 developers conference in San Francisco. It involved two extremely early mornings (at least for me) but I actually learned a lot (a rarity for a conference) and had fun meeting people and watching my boss give a presentation. Unfortunately I didn’t get to take much “me” time because of the shortness of the trip, but all in all it was good.
- Workin’ and a Travellin’, Eric Small
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* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 4344 * It’s Friday night. I’m sitting in bed having just enjoyed the latest episode of Doctor Who. And as I do many a weekend, I’m now wondering what I should do next. Issue is, I will still be wondering what to do next tomorrow and Sunday too. That, pretty much sums up why I decided I needed a hobby.
Since that magic moment, I’ve started blogging here again, I’ve begun contributing to Wikipedia, I’ve set up and and am growing my LinkedIn group for GBLT’s. And I’ve taken the helicopter piloting intro lessons.
And now, I really really want to take more, but it requires a bit of an initial payment – $2000.00. I know I’m pretty well off, but even I don’t have two grand lying around, so I’m saving up. I’m hoping to have enough to get started in a few months. So, anyway…that’s the deal. Yes, I’ve started, but for now I’m on a break. Unfortunately.
- Currently ground-bound, Eric Small
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The ongoing series of photo archive commentary
* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 1592 * Back around Labor Day of 1999 was my vacation up and down the coast of California. I was in my late 20s then. The trip involved a couple days in Los Angeles at the beginning and end of the trip. And in that short time I managed to find myself at a number of parties, some in the hills, some just around town, including this pool party at some house of a guy I’d never met, in a neighborhood I’d never been to, and with a friend I’d only met in the most casual of ways back home some years before. I remember the pool was huge and the guys were all crazy hot. And I recall thinking how wonderful LA was. So wonderful that I decided in some small way that I was going to move here.
And in time I did.
Of course, that was then. These days I don’t even know about pool parties, and I barely even go out. No one I met at that party could I even say I see out casually these days. LA has grown on me and worn on me too. But no matter what, I do think I had some good life experiences here. But I feel the call of NYC. Partially for the same false reasons I felt the call to LA, though this time I know it. Regardless, the time is nearing I think.
I’m just wondering when.
- Yours, both sleepy and nostalgic, Eric Small
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I wish I knew why, but I’ve been having a horrible time sleeping lately. I took 2 Advil PM about 2 hours ago, tried to lay down shortly after that, and just tossed and turned until I couldn’t stand it any more. I even turned the A/C on, because that sometimes helps. But here I am, 1:40am, and struggling through the night. I even cleaned up some of my work email, read some blogs, checked on my Wikipedia watchlist, looked around LinkedIn Answers, etc. Even my cats are both napping quietly.
*sigh*
- Insomniac for another night, Eric Small
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The ongoing series of photo archive commentary
* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 3583 * On my most recent world exploring trip this winter, the pinnacle of which was 3 nights at the Ice Hotel in Sweden, I made a few stops with my best friend forever Kim in Italy. Keep in mind, it was winter, so what you’ll see here is a rather dreary scene. But even so, I think Florence, of all the cities I went to on the trip, was probably the most “old Europe” of all of them. We walked and walked and walked. And walked some more. But I think I enjoyed every moment of it. It was the first time Kim and I got to spend some quality time and settle into the vacation. See, she lives and works in Milan, so it wasn’t a get-away yet for her. But in Florence, she could relax.
This picture is just a general riverfront scene. The town was quiet for the most part, except for the Christmas shopping…always the shopping in Florence I suppose, whatever the time of year.
- World Traveler extraordinaire, Eric Small
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I just went through the arduous process of updating my iPhone with the new OS version. The download is massive and the process involves a full backup and restore, but despite it taking about an hour, I think I’m blown away. I downloaded a bunch of the first generation apps
So far, I’m amazed. The iPhone is really just hard to simply call a phone any more. The platform is going to change the way mobile is thought of. I tried Yelp…good job. Where seems good but their servers are obviously over-taxed. Facebook, great job. I think my favorite thing is how they’ll let me take pics and upload immediate to my profiles. News…so convenient.
Just loving this! I can’t wait to see what kind of killer apps come out of this.
- Tech nerd forever, Eric Small
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The ongoing series of photo archive commentary
* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 2689 * This photo was taken by my good friend and former manager Drew back some time in the late 90s (I’d guess). After my experience with Adbot (see the Wikipedia article mentioned in the last few posts), I found myself working at what was at the time named Diamond Technology Partners. By the time I left I had made some great friends in the small group I worked in. You can see Drew, Kim, Tom, and myself in the picture on the computer.
In front you can see Webtiki, Web goddess. She was a hilarious gift during the White Elephant Christmas gift exchange, which Drew ended up with in the end. She ultimately became our symbol of hope during large projects. To have Webtiki at your desk was an honor.
- Former Diamond web-mate, Eric Small
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Have I mentioned that I began a new group on the LinkedIn web site? No, no…of course I haven’t. It’s named GLBT Professionals (and Friends) and its specifically for, well, anyone. Anyone that has stepped out of the 1940’s and embraced that gays and their kin are welcome members in society. Here’s the description:
This group is for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) community and anyone who supports non-discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation. Or support hiring of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons for workplace diversity and community unity.
If you’re interested, just make sure you have a LinkedIn profile (a good idea anyway), and go to the link http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/136406/707BE82B3560 to find the group. If you want, you can give me a heads up so that I can pre-approve you, but I’ve been checking for new member requests daily anyway.
So, I’d love to have you! Please come on in and join the group.
- Your GLBT friend and group leader, Eric Small
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* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 4340 * My first article, mentioned just a few days ago, got promoted to the Main Page on the Wikipedia site! You can find it in the archives or just go straight to the article
I’m now working on the Business.com article which I’m attempting to improve upon. If you’re looking for me on Wikipedia, you can find visit me at my User:Gych profile
- Your Wikipedia newbie, Eric Small
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The ongoing series of photo archive commentary
* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 408 * When I decided to move to Los Angeles I decided the way to go was by car. I wanted to see the country! So I got myself a Jeep and found a buddy that wanted to see the country too. Here is a photo of Bill and me just moments from the start of the trip. That was 7 years ago, almost to the day. This was the starting point of our journey west — my Mom’s apartment building. We went from here to Kansas City in what was one of the longest days of the drive. We were exhausted! But the trip is one of my life highlights for sure and the days (and years) to follow were great.
It’s hard to believe it was really 7 years ago.
- Nostalgic and contemplative for the night, Eric Small
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