Driving in California

So I do a lot of driving in and around the Bay area and I've found it to be a very different experience than that of driving in Ontario.

The number 1 rule... expect traffic. Always expect traffic to add time to your trip. Then you can be pleasantly surprised if you show at your destination early. Often times I find myself increasing my speed as I exit the Highway. Yes... speeding up on the off ramps. I've also observed (and through a survey of sample size = 1 I have found it to be true) that there is a direct correlation to the time of day versus the quality of cars on the road. People who arrive at work at 9 or before in the morning tend to drive slightly older cars that are slightly more likely to be American brands. People who can arrive at work when they choose (err 10am) drive very nice cars that are always shiny. A super impressive car is always in sight... at least one. Often in the first few months you will get very distracted by the amazing cars everywhere you look. Eventually.. you get distracted by the crappy cars that clearly do not belong in California.

Most roads are a minimum of 4 lanes wide. (In fact I can only think of 2 that are 4 lanes) most are 6 lanes with a center divide. Which requires more U-turns and one ways. It also brings a whole new meaning to driving defensively. (Maybe not a new meaning but it enforces the old one) You have to assume like most people are out to get you and you must defend yourself first. Its quite interesting watching people weave in and out of lanes in and around people. Its very much like a dance with metal robots.

Finally when you are venturing any where in the bay area, if you go far enough you will run into mountain driving conditions. Which are either very steep or very twisted. The drive into big basin on this past Saturday was amazing... but very much like a video game... left then right then left then right... Very scary when the centerline goes away and the road narrows.... AND then you can't see around the corners.

In Other News: After lots of thought and discussion Sean made the very tough decision to leave his job. Everyone he's talked to thinks it a good idea that he did and I think it was overdue. He doesn't have a new job lined up yet, but he does have options. The tough part is getting a company to take him on under the condition that he will only be here till the end of the summer. I'm sure he could move back now if he really wanted... but I would rather spend summer with him.

In Other Other News: I always find it interesting when main-stream media tries to explain an online phenomenon.

Long Time without an Update

Where does the time go? I seem to be running somewhere all the time, which is normally a good thing for my social life. But unfortunately my online life and responsibilities seem to fall by the wayside. So a brief update from my desk at G.

Been exploring the bay area more this week, specifically the San Jose area. Found a few really cool places to eat and more that we will have to explore in deeper depth. I've really come to appreciate yelp.com . The reviews are usually pretty close and if you can take them all with a grain of salt you usually know what you are in for. Aside from food we also visited a nickel arcade and spent a few hours there playing classic arcade games at a fraction of the price. This weekend we are planning a photo taking excursion to Big Basin. A park that isn't too far away in the santa clara mountians. should be a good chance to take some really nice photos. I'm excited. (There is about 6 or 7 of us going)

Work is coming fast and hard now. My day to day work isn't overly stressing but thinking about all the various projects that I could/should be working on makes me fret a little. I'm totally enjoying all my time here tho. Sean is having a rough time at work the management of the place seem to be falling apart which is pretty sad and frustrating. I think he should really consider switching jobs soon, but thats just my opinion he has to make up his own mind.

Anywho.. back to work.

Point Form Stories

So I feel that I have too many stories about my pass weekend adventures and happenings to give them all justice so ... instead I will give none of them justice and write point form teasers of each and then IF you want to know more you have to let me know.

Symphony

• Got tickets to go to the Play! Symphony
• Miscommunication with the arrangements
• Wrong cell numbers
  
• Arrive at the wrong location
• Finally arrive only to miss the first 3 minutes of the symphony.
• Loved the rest of the show.
  
• Tried to buy the CD but it was of a totally different show (thumbs down)

Sunday at Six Flags

• Started to six flags at 8:00 (park opens at 10:30)
• People are late and lost... finally on the road to six flags at 9:30.
• Get about 2 miles from the park and join the line up that goes into parking.
  
• Frantic phone calls and indecisiveness ensues
  
• Changes lanes and heads towards Napa.
  
• Mmm(mumm) Wine and trolley cars.
  
• Close the Winery
• Heading home and hitting traffic on a road without a median!
• Hwy 29 to 37 to 580... no 980.... no 580... to 880.
• Lost in Oakland. Don't make eye contact with the drug dealers outside the elementary school that has the bars on the windows.
  
• 3 hours to get from Napa to San Jose.
  

Patrick Arrives!

• I was supposed to pick Patrick up at 6pm but I went to napa instead
• He missed his connection in LAX (a common occurrence for me)
• Get Home from Napa at 9. Patrick Lands at 9:15
• Break into his new apartment. (Nice place... not very secure tho)
• Visit a real English Pub

Memorial Day

• Sean, Patrick, Matt (Patrick's Roommate from MIT) and I give Pat an introduction to American/California Culture.
  
• Visit
• Chipotle
• GameStop
• Frys
• Target
• Safeway
• Eat Steak! (very tasty)
• Play Wii.
  

Google Happenings

• Google had a very busy week
  
• Streetview was released
• Gears was released
• FeedBurner was bought
• Panoramio was bought
• 1st Ever Global Developers Day
• The Food was to die for!
• Baby bay scallops by they bowlful. It was amazing.
  
• Had Dinner with Brian since he was in town (starts Monday)

Friday Night

• Date night!
• Getting Lost
  
• California Pizza Kitchen for dinner
• Shrimp Scampi Pizza (mmmm!)
• 2 for 1 by accident
• Pirates of the Caribbean 3
  
• LONG movie!
• SO much stuff happening on the screen
• Weird Ending

Santa Cruz Beach

• Saturday, Sean, Patrick and I head towards Santa Cruz to the Beach / Boardwalk
• Saw the Seals (you know ... ArpArpArp)
• Sean went Swimming! Found the water a bit Salty
  
• Spent (too much?) time in the Arcade
• Played Tetris
  
• Sean is awesome at Ms. PacMan!
• Nice Drive out and back on the 17.
  
• Lasagna for a Late dinner.
  
• Scrabble with Sean, two Apple Interns and a Google Intern
• Sean Kicked all of our asses. (Hes really smart)

Sigh... Thats all... Today I went shopping for a little and for a drive by myself. Then I ended the night at Panera were I like to blog and talk to people on the computer. Had a good conversation with my parents and Michelle. That was a really long post. I should go back and add links to things.... but I'm feeling Lazy right now and should be leaving soon. Yay!