Maybe I am getting old BUT...

Sibling Rivalry

Our Life Story

I saw this a long time ago and held onto it. To give you an idea of how long, it is a .txt file. This is a family history outline developed by the Latter Day Saints, i.e. Mormons. It is adapted here. I think the blog will be a good format. I'll try a chapter per week.

CHAPTER 1
MY GRANDPARENTS: Tell what you remember, or what you've been told, about your grandparents. This should not be an overly long chapter. It is YOUR life story, not the life story of your Grandparents. Probably a few paragraphs or pages will suffice.

Some things that might be included:

• Where were they from?
• What were their occupations, educations, training?
• Were they members of a church?
• What are your childhood memories about them?
• Did they live with you?

I would divide this into two sections:
1. Grandparents on my Father's side.
2. Grandparents on my Mother's side.

Childhood Memories

What do you remember about your earlier childhood? Particular memories from your younger days. Just a list, off the top of your heads, not a lot of thought...

• First diaper change - Mike's and cloth diapers on Dartmouth street
• Getting in trouble with the kid's up the street
• Playing street hockey and baseball with the kid's up the street - by our Mémé's
• Sneaking in Mémé's and Pépé's house just to go pee
• Pool table on Dartmouth street
• First day's of school at Joslin and Chaffee
• Playing chase at school
• Flipping baseball cards at St. John's school at recess
• Walking to and from school
• Getting poison ivy
• Vague camping memories
• Later camping in Otter River State Park

Leaving NC soon

North Carolina is a nice place. It reminds me of Vermont a bit in geography. I am in the Research Triangle, a triangle with Chapel Hill (UNC), Durham (Duke), and Raleigh (NC State) at the points. It is very much "the country." It is southern well though most of my colleagues are transplants. Not much southern accent there.

But if you get out to a restaurant or store, the accent can get pretty thick. It hasn't been a big deal at all. I am here in spring and the weather isn't much different from Seattle. It isn't very warm. I've been told that it hasn't warmed up yet and that's a bit out of the ordinary.

I am now looking forward to going home.

Work has been good but not great. I am in the throes of hating my job. Supporting this team isn't working out well. They do not seem like a collaborative type of team. Out of site (in Redmond, WA), out of mind.

The issue for me is bigger than just that. Maybe I'm having a mid-life crisis. I can't see a future at Microsoft yet feel the so-called "golden handcuffs." I'm ready to try something new but not sure what.

Any input?

NF

North Carolina

I will be in North Carolina on a business trip Tuesday through Friday. Actually, I arrive late Monday. I'll be in the Eastern Time Zone for a change so perhaps we could chat or something, if any of you are interested.

I have no idea what the weather will be like because I haven't looked yet. I should do that before I pack.

Blog you later.

Nigel

Urban area

When I say urban area, I am playing fast and loose with the term. I mean more that you live in the central village of a town or city. I mean that sort of density in contrast with more of a rural density. In our area, those two distinctions are important because it influences the way property is developed. Laws were passed to limit growth in the out-lying areas to maintain habitat for animals.

It's a good idea, I think, in theory. However it is a bit weird in practice as density takes a while to gel. We'll see.

Here's where I have lived:
Issaquah - 14 years in July. Four different houses to date.
Reading - duplex near a park - 3 years
Wilmington - detached home near train station - 2 years
Lowell - Apartment in the 'triangle' 6-7 years
Oxford - 8-9 years (if you end at Freshman year)
Worcester - 9 years

It's hard to distinguish between the urban and rural in this list but much of the adult living was more urban. Wilmington was rather rural: big yard, not a lot of contact with the neighbors, but it was where I commuted from every day to Cambridge. For me, it was much more of a urban experience day-to-day.

I loved that place. It was a great time in our lives. Good people - Glenn, Adam, Owen (our exchange student). Nice kitchen (except for carpeting). Good band - that's when I started playing in the Angry Commuters. Drum set in the basement. Weight lifting in the basement. Tunes in the house. Piano in the living room. Bike riding in the town. Basketball court nearby. Video store nearby. Friends visiting the various housemates. Keg parties in the summer. Volleyball in the backyard. Those where the halcyon days.