Inspirational people

TED has so many, and I listened to this one again this morning.

Recent Reads

1. Three Cups of Tea
This is my book club's selection for July. It has gotten rave reviews, and I did enjoy it. An inspirational story about one man's journey and how he has made such a difference for many thousands of children in some of the poorest parts of the Muslim world. I do have a gripe with the editing of the book - there are numerous errors throughout the book that I found extremely annoying, but if you can get past that, this is an interesting account.

2. Chez Moi
Delightful little book I stumbled upon recently. Translated from French, this is the story of a woman who has lost everything and re-creates her world one piece at a time. I was constantly hungry as I read, and would love to have her restaurant in my neighborhood. Philosophy mixed in with food, friendship and life.

Fashion Alert

Ooh the critics have been harsh - too harsh in my opinion. I for am delighted. I cannot wait to see men wear clothes like these.

Pacts

There are so many issues that can be discussed about this story, but what is uppermost in my mind is that we as a society have failed these girls. At 16, they have no idea of what is in store for them.

Who cares whether they made a pact or not? The fact remains that these girls did not get the guidance they needed. Fingers can be pointed at parents, at school administrators, at movies (what a joke that is), but all that pointing is sure easier than looking at our collective responsibility in this matter. Have we not proved time and time again that the "abstinence program" does not work? How is that we continue to refuse to see how education about options, risks and contraceptives can only help our kids?

Dexter

As you might know, I'm not a big TV fan, and tend to watch shows on DVD that get highly recommended. Recently watched a couple of episodes of this show, and cannot tell you how much it disturbed me. There is something creepy about the protagonist being a serial killer - am I supposed to relate to him in some way? Does killing "bad" people make it ok? I am fascinated by how crimes are solved, and think there are some really interesting ideas - but cannot get past how creeped out I got watching the show.

Okay, and here's another pet peeve - what is with how women are portrayed? Could they be any less ridiculous? Where are the shows with interesting women roles?

Do you watch it? What do you think?

Do you Roomba?

I've been excited ever since the iRobot launched their first versions of the Roomba. I have wonderful memories of a house cleaned daily, freshly laundered and ironed sheets, etc. I assume that it's obvious that I had little to do with achieving this Shangri-La, though I did wallow in it. So when iRobot started up, I figured this could be my way of re-creating paradise (did you know that my version of heaven is a wonderful library with a large fireplace, huge windows, leather couches and a cat - but that's another story). The Roomba cleans while I'm gone; goes back to it's docking station, maybe it is only a matter of time before it makes dinner!

I have yet to buy one - but think so often about getting one that I might as well do it. So, here's my question. Do you Roomba? What do you like or not like about it?

Public Art

Loved exploring the Santa Monica pier. Here are pics of a cool art wall.

Summer Solstice

Hope you get to spend some time outside to celebrate the summer solstice. This is a special day at our house. Happy versary Babes. 82

Star Sighting

You know the stories about how people see actors everywhere in LA?

We were walking along Santa Monica beach early one morning, and this guy looks really familiar. As the walked by (about a foot away) I realized who he was (though I had the wrong name). John was walking really fast, followed by a boy (maybe his son?).

I know there are websites where people call in and track the location of famous people every moment. Not sure I understand why you'd want to do that, but it's fun to have someone you recognize from the movies stroll by. Such an LA experience!

Tiger Rocks

It's a thing of beauty to watch this man play golf. Mediate gave him a run for the title this year - they tied and had to go another 18 holes - also tied, so sudden death on the 7th hole at Torrey Pines. Some really incredible golf.

Home again

Back from sunny SoCal - and as always, I wonder why I do not live there? Love the beaches and mountains, and the weather is simply delicious. Then I open up the local paper and see a house on sale for $24M - that's a lot of zeros! After browsing through several pages, a little house for $800K seems like a deal! Ouch.

Show update

DAC is going well so far. It's lovely weather out here, and I hope to spend some time on the beach this weekend.

I was on a panel yesterday entitled "Networking, Negotiation and Nonsense" - part of the Women In Design Automation workshop. It was fun, and I got to meet some really great women from around the world. It was wonderful to be surrounded by women - so much of my career, I have been the only woman in the room.

Here are some of my lessons learned that I shared:

1. Say YES to things that make you nervous.
2. Have a vision - what is you want? Success means different things to different people, and it changes over time, so get clear on what you really want, and check in with yourself regularly.
   
3. Ask for what you want. Once you really internalize that the worst case scenario is that someone says no, you 'll find yourself daring to ask for things important to you - and often getting it.
4. Charge your batteries. Find things that interest you and make time to pursue them.
5. Careers do not have to be linear - they can be elliptical or even convoluted.
6. Never, ever burn a bridge.
7. Be your own best advocate.
8. Follow the 80/20 rule - let go of being a perfectionist.
   

What advice would you give to your younger self knowing what you now know?

On the road

On tap for today is to pack and get ready for my week in sunny LA. I'm headed out for a trade show, and hope to spend some time wandering aimlessly on the beach. Not ready yet for a panel discussion I'm signed up for on Monday, but other than that, all the work items have been crossed off my to-do list. Next on my list is to start packing - the good news, have picked my reading material for the trip.

Night at the movies

Recently watched There Will be Blood, and actually feel asleep about 2 hours in. Had to finish watching the last 20 mins or so the next night. Not sure what all the hype was about. Certainly Daniel Day Lewis is a good actor, but did not enjoy the movie at all. Does not make me want to rush out and read the Upton Sinclair book it was based on either. Very disappointing.

Random Items

• Kitty has now been gone for over a week. Still getting calls from kind neighbors
• Rainy day - would rather be home with a good book and a fire right now
• Getting ready for a trade show next week - a thousand little details to keep track of
• I'm on a panel Monday at the show and have not given it a moment's thought
• Love my local library - picked up stacks of books yesterday
  
• Having bad dreams and a constant feeling that I'm forgetting something
• Really miss Niks
  

Senator Kennedy

I was saddened to hear about the Senator's brain cancer diagnosis, and am glad that his operation yesterday was a success. Our state is world renowned as having the best medical facilities in the world - people come from here from all over the globe for treatment. Am I the only one who wondered at the fact that the senior senator from Massachusetts went to Duke for his surgery?

Recent Reads

1. Idyll Banter
A quick and fun read - with some real gems. It felt like reading letters from a friend.

2. The Passion
My book club is reading this book for June. A quick and delicious read and I's sure that I read the book when it was first released. The author is quite a poet, and I loved so many of the passages in this book. Here is an example: "We gamble with the hope of winning, but it's the thought of what we might lose that excites us".

3. The Decorated Page
Have read this book over a dozen times - simply looking at the pictures makes me happy.

4. The Decorated Journal
Another book that makes me happy to simply browse through.

5. Living the Creative Life
The book interviews various artists and I really enjoyed seeing some of the art created and learning more about how people play.

Visual Journal

Some recent pages. You can see the 2008 collection here.