It's odd...

Here I am in my last few weeks at Duck U and I have found some sort of a balance. Oddly, I find myself doing the same things I did before starting grad school again: holding strictly to 9-5; doing my best to exercise and get on the tennis court as often as feasible; having a nice glass of wine or beer before reading a book and going to bed (ok, and tonight liver sausage and crackers too).

The house is clean (-ish). The wife seems satisfied. Dinners, with actual vegetables, have been put on the table. Time is being spent with friends. If only the backache would go away, life would seem completely satisfactory.

Why is it this happens only now that I am preparing to leave? Is it an indication that the correct decision was made? Or is it another symptom of short-timer's syndrome? Or has the exercise and wine and vegetables and 9-5 achieved an actual balance? Dammit! Too many variables and not enough empirical data. I'd have to change jobs 5 more times just to figure out the true cause!

Our National Scavenger?

The vote(s) are in. The cloud / hive mind thinks it's an eagle. I understand considerable time was spent. Perhaps later in the spring additional empirical data can be gathered.

Mystery beast

Since November, I've been starting each day with a brisk walk to the top of Skinner's Butte. Several times now, about half-way up, I am greeted by the warble or some creature. It seems like it's coming from high up in a conifer, but I wouldn't swear to it (those of you who have ever walked up the north face of that hill in semi-darkness would understand).

So: anybody have a clue what makes this sound? (250k .wav file)

#WAMLsp10

I hereby declare that our hashtag for the upcoming Western Association of Map Libraries spring meeting, the hosting of which will be one of my very last tasks at Duck U. Today I officially filled the program, announced registration, AND received my 100th email related to the meeting.

I also reconnoitered the fieldtrip by taking a long lunch out at King Estate Winery. This had been previously arranged, but the day turned out to be stunning: sunny and 60 degrees. This was foreshadowed last night by the appearance of crocusses in the front garden--I hadn't even noticed they had broken through the ground. I don't know why I'm surprised by this development, as there is precedent. I suppose my midwestern DNA continues to be morally outraged by flowers in January.

From WAML

Oh, the lunch: I'm still full. A bacon-foie gras cheeseburger and truffled French fries. I think the fired may have been made in duck fat. My gut is still a little stunned--it's a good thing I was only in the office for a couple hours today, I don't think I could have digested the meal if my stress hormones had been activated by a full day's work.

So register for WAML!

(ps: I did NOT put the burger on the fieldtrip lunch menu. I hope WAMLites reading this post don't consider that teasing.)

Where everybody knows your name.

It's starting to sink in a bit that we are actually leaving Eugene. Put more accurately: last week I had an experience that bummed me out about the move. I ran to the Red Barn for some Shanghai pork supplies (and yes, you can substitute anise seed for star anise), and because Facebook told me that the Dylan tribute band was playing, I stopped in Sam Bonds for a quick beer and listen. I got a head nod from the doorman (and no ID check); a New Year smooch from the bartender; and a hug from the guitar player's girlfriend; and a heyyyyyyy... from a couple neighbors (or maybe it was a smooch from the guitar player and a hug from the owner?). And the band was great! And I thought all the instruments in Brian's man-den were just for show.

It wasn't until I got back home that I realized that I had had an awesome neighborhood experience. And this sense of belonging has been steadily growing as we have set down roots here in Eugene. But now we're throwing them into a pot again and hauling them south. Does Santa Barbara have a Chicken Town?

Moving on.

Another New Year internal debate has been how frank to be with this blog and with social networking sites. As President Obama says, I'm someone who wants organizations to err on the side of openness. Does that mean that I also have a personal obligation to be as open as I want my institutions to be?

This morning I tested the waters by announcing, somewhat cryptically, that I am leaving my job at Duck University, although I failed to mention exactly where I'm heading. Indeed, I simply updated my status to say "Jon Jablonski just quit his job." Along with the expected congratulatory notes and comments, this generated quite a bit of confusion. Some folks were obviously in the know, others are still catching up.

It also prompted my mother to ask 'Isn't quit a strong statement'? In response I ask: can I not call a spade a spade?* I'd love to start my new job off by being the strongly opinionated, plainly stated person that I am. After all, if one's head is firmly planted up one's ass, should I not be able to tell him or her to remove it? (This assumes that my own head is in the fresh air. Perhaps that is not a fair assumption?)

The crux, of course, is that there is a big difference between being honest and being a jerk. If I'm aiming for breezy self-confidence, how do I avoid being labeled a cocky (and crude!) bastard. First impressions are hard to overcome, and I definitely don't want to go in tossing verbal hand grenades. That said, most future coworkers probably know about the Google, therefore they can easily see what I've been up to over the past few years.

So what approach should I take? As Jordan Jesse Go and a future colleague pointed out recently, new beginnings are also opportunities for reinvention of the self. On the other hand, this isn't the summer between 8th grade and freshman year of high school (see above comment about the Google). It's not like I can suddenly adopt a Manchester accent. Should I go with the Mork and Mindy suspenders or the utilikilt for my first day as the head of the University of California, Santa Barbara's Map and Imagery Laboratory?

*etymological note: the phrase comes Greek and has no racial connotation. Indeed, it refers to shovels.

New Year new blog?

I suppose the New Year always comes with a resolution to post more often (or more deeply), but this year it will take on special meaning as new opportunities are poised to be seized.

Tonight though, is cribbage at a local bar with friends. Part of the new regimen of early-morning exercise, not going in too early, and evening recreational activities. The goal, is to not take work too seriously. In other words: to have a personal life.

The possibilities are endless I suppose, and will perhaps be detailed on the blog. Or maybe not.

OH, Canada!

Just returned from a couple days at Whistler, and finished up a wander-around downtown Vancouver. My Vancouver companion agrees that two days of riding/skiing in a row is idea, and the second day sees a huge improvement in skill and comfort.

The resort itself was lovely, and our party included a lovely couple, one half of which is contemplating a move to Vancouver. The couple is affectionately known as the cocoon, as when they colocate in the same city, they tend to lay low and enjoy each other's company. It was the first ski for both of them, and they said they loved it. Dinner was excellent, even if the service was a bit slow. I couldn't tell you the last time I was in a restaurant where the owner's cookbook was on sale at the front desk (and yes, he does look just like his jacket photo). We were definitely lingering, but the wacky Quebecois waiter definitely forgot to put in our wine order. But he did regale us with a tale of a poutine made with fois gras. JBM had a carpaccio plate that he said was excellent (I totally should have tried it--but I was attempting to be careful with my 'delicate' stomach). I had squash tortellini with prawns, and it was EXCELLENT. Well worth the wait.

The cocoon stayed only one night, leaving JBM and I for a second day on the slopes and a second evening out in the village.

I don't do it nearly often enough, and likely will never be proficient. But it sure is a ton of fun.