Sun is Shining Again.

Currently: Sitting on my balcony, sipping some hazelnut flavoured coffee, wirelessly using my computer. I got to say, its pretty nice here. The sun is out and shining again.

Yesterday we took a road trip to napa valley, which was pretty cool. But at the same time it was a long day. I did a lot of driving and got stuck in two traffic jams which is never fun. Also since I was driving I didn't taste all the wines like everyone else did. Most ended up tasting more than 25 wines. We visited 3 different wineries chosen by Brian this time. If we go again someone else gets to make up the internary which isn't easy I'm sure. The first winery, Domaine Carneros, very nice winery had a small tour and sampled their 6 best wines. They had an amazing rose wine that I liked. The second winery, Buena Vista, was a very old winery I didn't try anything here but it was cool to look around. The final winery we went to, Robert Mondavi, was much more commercial than the rest and next week was having a Air Supply Concert. I'd like to go again and not have to drive, even if I didn't drink a lot its nice to stare at the scenery.

Not doing to much today. Maybe going to find some fireworks tonight, we'll see. I kinda just feel like being lazy today.

Surfing USA

So the group of us went surfing yesterday (I get to be the first one to post about it on Gintern)
Surfing was harder than I expected. And wet suits probably by design don't let you breathe at all. But it was fun. I managed to body surf and knee surf on a few waves I wasn't actually able to get my feet under me but thats okay. The bigger problem was the area was WAY to crowed. Hundreds of people trying to catch the few waves that we had, so if you did get it you had to dodge people or bail.

I got a little bit too much sun yesterday, yes my nose and feet are burnt but thats not what I was refering too. I guess i would call it sun stroke... shaking, vomiting, dizzy, headache. all those good things. Thankfully Vince was heading home early so I was able to hitch a ride and get out of the sun for a while.

Meanwhile back in Ontario: Michelle's party went well I called/got called a few times to talk to everyone. I can't say why but it was ubruptly ended early. Happy Canada Day!

Note: The picture is of some 10 year old kid who can surf a whole lot better than me I don't actually know who it is. Some pictures are currently available on picasa web and will be on kodak when I get to it. enjoy!

Happy Canada Day

Today, in honour of Canada day, Google served poutine. It was just awesome, I never ever thought it would happen, mostly because 98% of the food there is healthy and organic. I wouldn't be surprised if the potatoes were organic and probably not deep fried.

Secondly, I got a new t-shirt today... which normally wouldn't be a big deal, cause they are giving them out all the time but this t-shirt is personalized! On the front: Google logo and User Experience Research On the back: Focus on the User the rest will follow, http://www.google.com/usability Its very cool and by far my favourite T so far.

Tomorrow, for Canada day, while Michelle throws a big party at home, I'm going to get up at the crack of dawn to go surfing. I have no idea if I can actually surf, (I'm going to guess not) but it will be fun and interesting.

I wish I could say more...

Today... at work... I had Arts and Crafts time...

Wow... That was a long Monday.

It's shortly after 8 and I just got home from work. Mondays are very long days. Mostly filled with meetings, and I spend a good chunk of my day observing studies. Really interesting stuff. I've learned a lot here so far, my old boss back home is going to be totally impressed when I get back I hope he'll not only give me a part time job, but that hes saving some cool projects for me.

I have some stuff that I really want to try to read through tonight, it was my goal to finish it today but it hasn't happened yet and since Sean is still at work for a few hours I might be able to do it and not get sucked into the video games.

We bought a Game Cube yesterday, and of course Super Smash Bros. So that's lots of entertainment. I'd like to note that I won the first game, of the first smash bros on the new system.

I also got my order from the Google store today. Fairly happy with everything. I love the sweater and workout towel. I haven't tried the laptop bag but it looks more than big enough. The laptop light however was broken, the lightbulb needs to be sodered back into place ... so I guess I have to return it. If anyone really wants something from the store let me know.

Finally Going to Start paying for Internet.

Boo...

I'm currently hanging out at Panera cause the internet actually works here. The internet I have been mooching for the past month and half has (I think) finally got wise, I haven't been able to connect to it for the past 3 days. So next wednesday Comcast is coming out to hook me up. The best part: When you place an order online they connect you to a support person in a live chat to set everything up properly and arrange a installation time, one way or another I found out that the live chat is based in Winnipeg. Apperently most of Comcast support is outsourced in Canada.

I got a decent price for internet for the next 3 months, then when it goes back to full price... BAM... I'm gone back to Canada.

Thursday, Google took all their Engineers and Engineer Ops (like me) to the Beach. Team Building exercise you know. I was totally expecting a beach... kinda like Grand Bend. but. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is nothing like Grand Bend. First of all ... it has Rollarcoasters and cotton candy and surfers and about a dozen pro volleyball courts and free beer (from Google). More pictures will follow. If anyone has ever seen the cartoon "The Weekenders" I think this is the beach they always visit.

Also... They tried to sell me a "Deep Fried Twinkie"

Free beer... Since starting my work here I've never been more tempted to start drinking beer. It's offered quite frequently and is very social at work to have one with friends. Everyone told me when I went to University I would want to start drinking beer .... but no... only when I started to work for google.

Weekend happenings: http://www.sfpride.org/

I can see my house from here!

Last week I guess I missed a very important product release. Google Earth has released their next version... WITH MORE IMAGES. Windsor has now become crystal clear, Bermuda is getting better, Grand Bend hasn't changed, And it can now find Little Britan in Ontario.

Can spend hours flying around and looking at all the cool stuff, I really suggest you try it for yourself. Get Google Earth

Other cool places.... Oakville is super high res now so I'm sure you can see Ava's house. Minneapolis is getting better in the suburbs so Sean's moms house is visable. A ton of stuff around here looks great. Enjoy!