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Blogging from Billings
Thursday, September 11th, 2008 | Thoughts, Travel | 1 Comment
Incredibly creative subject line, I know.
So far, works been much the same as it is back home, except I’ve been putting real office clothes on and makeup. I’ve also been able to help with a couple of computer questions and walk into the other rooms to ask people things, so that’s been a nice change of pace.
Had I written yesterday, as I’d intended to, I’d have told you about the wonderful weather, the freshness, the smell of grass, the trees, and the whole town just having a clean, naturalness to it. It is amazing.
Today it was cold and rained ceaselessly. As I am driving one of ALA’s12 passenger vans around while I’m here, this is not the most comforting of weather changes. I went straight back to the hotel after work and ducked out only briefly for dinner at Carino’s (which happens to be in La Quinta’s parking lot).
I am engrossed in the book I am reading (Twilight series book 2). I read it before, throughout, and after dinner, pausing only now to check my email and update this blog. I’ll probably have it finished by tomorrow. Alas.
Well, I am going to read some more and hit the hay. I have to actually get up early and ‘prepare’ to be around people. Sheesh, crazy non-telecommuting types. Hope everything is going well where you cats are at! And I hope Val! is enjoying the wonderful city of Chicago. :)
How My Mind Processes Data and Some Movement Down Chicago Way
Friday, August 22nd, 2008 | Family, Seasonal, Thoughts | 2 Comments
On a side note, I am a little disappointed no one else commented on the last entry about cutting and self-injury. Some of you messaged me, some of you said nothing, but Justin was the only person to actually comment. His comment was thoughtful and heartfelt. I just hoped for more from you guys.
Crossing the street the other day, I noticed a main walking in the opposite direction. I glanced at him briefly and had the impression that his T-Shirt said “Bush” on it.
My Thought: Someone’s wearing a t-shirt that says Bush on it? Like the president? This has to be interesting.
My 2nd glance revealed the figure of person beneath the word with a fist raised triumphantly into the air and a sort of star behind it.
My Thought: Okay, that’s even weirder! Someone is wearing a shirt that says Bush on it that’s not derogatory, but instead is positive!? What’s going on here!?
You guessed it, I had to look at this poor fellow’s t-shirt a 3rd time to get the full gist of what was actually happening on his t-shirt! And then it all made sense. The shirt said “Rush” on it - not Bush (you can see the t-shirt here. I was a little off). The world was back to normal.
Justin and Ness in Chicago - January 2005*
So Wonderful Chicago
In other news, Val! had an interview in Chicago today for a freelance editing job. Not long after the interview, they called to offer her the gig. Wooohooo!!!! The job guarantees one month of solid editing work on a weekly series about gangs. I don’t know more than that, but I know it will allow her to be in Chicago which in itself is fabulous. It also allows her to be there when that glorious Midwestern city is welcoming Autumn in all it’s golden glory. Ahh… Lucky ducky.
And if everything goes as we hope, they’ll have more work for her after the first month. I’m not going to get into what she is getting paid for her hourly rate, but I will say it’s double what I make if I were to be paid hourly. That’s more than you can shake a stick at! Granted, it’s only guaranteed for one month, but who knows! Congratulations Val!!! Take that Windy City by storm!… and don’t be surprised when I come visit you for days at a time. ;)
*It would make more sense to use a photo of Val! and I from Chicago here, but upon checking Flickr and Picasa, I can’t seem to find one. :(
The Great Midwest
Saturday, June 14th, 2008 | Adventure, Travel | 2 Comments
Justin and I are taking of in the morning and won’t return for a week! We’ll spend one day in Denver, Colorado and the Rocky Mountains!! I am so psyched to see the Rockies. Justin has talked to me about them, and visiting Glenwood Springs specifically, ever since I have known him, so I am really glad we’ll get to snoop around a little bit.
The majority of our trip will be spent in Montana with three days in Billings and two full days in Yellowstone. It’s guide training time for Austin-Lehman, which is as good a reason as any for me to fly out and meet everyone, see our offices, and work on face-to-face projects.
Justin plans to set up a remote JetBlue camp for the first few days from our LaQuinta hotel room before heading out to Yellowstone with the ALA crew. I am sure we’ll keep you updated via Twitter (easy with my phone) and the blog for more thoughts, feelings, and photos.
Special thanks a mucho love to the Val! for watching our babies and inhabiting our apartment while we are gone. Happy birthday to Olivia!!!
Love you guys and I’ll miss you!
Ness
Photo Editor of Exotic Images
Thursday, June 5th, 2008 | Adventure, Photography | 3 Comments
One of my many job functions at ALA is photo editor… I do it mostly because, when I look at a picture, I automatically see how much more compelling it can be with just a little TLC. To the right is a photo of a river in Hawaii.
Much better, I think, on a sunny day.
Find out about Austin-Lehman’s Kauai Hawaii custom vacation - or just check out the page I built for it, sheesh! :) Tough crowd.
addendum: internet bookings are now up 3% over last year and I am pleased. they’d been down for a while. let’s hope they continue to grow.
Event at the Scandinavia House
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 | Adventure, Photography, Seasonal | No Comments
What a nice day! I accomplished a lot at work today - discussed SEO objectives with our analysts, communicated with our web team in India regarding their progress on our social networking site, added photos to a press release (ALA’s Favorite Top Ten Hikes), and changed all the maps from their previous, ugly Google Earth images to beautiful and colorful images created by our designer that truly evokes the ALA brand.
As I was about to hunker down into catching up on work email, my Outlook popped up a reminder. This afternoon was the ExOfficio PR event and mixer! Uh oh! Thank goodness for technology reminding me about things. I rushed to change out of my casual clothes to more appropriate attire, quickly fixed up my hair and makeup, and rushed Justin home from work (thanks for hurrying home, sweetie). We were on our way to Manhattan in record time.
I was so glad to be in the city during daylight hours. Well-dressed individuals were leaving work or heading out, arm in arm, for the evening. The best part was seeing the trees full of heavy buds. Some were already blossoming! Are they dogwoods? Magnolias? I am not sure. It was so lovely. The trees in Forest Hills haven’t gotten their flowers yet. Strange how the environment changes in 4 miles! :)
Justin and I had a nice time at the mixer. The ExOfficio (Chris and Rudy) people and their PR people were very nice. I really enjoy talking to Chris. She is such a vibrant, fun person. We both talked about engagements, traveling, work, marketing, etc. She is also going to Brazil for the Adventure Travel World Summit! Ahh!! I want to go! Isn’t that something I should be, like, required by LAW to attend??? Justin and Rudy talked about domain names and web stuff. Now it’s late - again. I am exhausted - again. At least it was all for a good reason.
I am looking forward to hearing all about Tizzle’s trip to Africa tomorrow! She is back and coming over for dinner. Yippy!!! :)
For those of you that haven’t checked out Follow Your Happiness yet - you’re missing out! We’ve just discusses Wellness Wednesday - don’t miss Tout your Talents Thursday for crying outloud.
Even More Photos!!!! SXSWi Photos
Thursday, March 13th, 2008 | Friends, Photography | 5 Comments
Check out our SXSW interactive photos thus far here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nowends/sets/72157604068476202/
Morgan’s beautiful photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhjohnston/sets/72157604109099946/
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