Superlative Customer Service - Runner's Roost

You know how I said the other day that I feel like I've been angry for a lot of the last year? Yeah. I'm going to try and turn over a new leaf, now that I have an awesome new job. And part of that is using this space to point out some good shit once in a while instead of bitching like a bitter old woman all the time.

So today's good shit comes from my experience over at Runner's Roost, a Colorado running store. I went over to the Aurora location yesterday to try and find some running shoes that would provide some support to my rickety knee.

And what do you know, I had a great experience!

The young man (whose name I can't remember, because I suck) was knowledgeable and conscientious as he guided me through the fitting process, and helped to identify the source of my right knee pain. Evidently I roll my foot to the inside when I'm pushing off. He recommended a pair of shoes that offered both additional support on the inside of the foot to force my foot to stay level with the ground and also significant arch support to address my plantar fasciitis. He didn't try to sell me the most expensive pair of shoes in the store in spite of my neophyte status - I bumped the shoe up to the next level by wanting additional gel support in the ball of the foot because I run on concrete.

Today was my first run with the new shoes, since Tuesday is my "long run" day. I ran for 60 minutes without stopping, and while my legs are tired, I have no dull ache in my knee. Hopefully that will be the case tomorrow, as well. 

So the fact that I'm apparently incapable of purchasing shoes that could even remotely be considered "reasonably priced" is going to be a big fat win with me if I can do this without pain.

I'm not one to wear athletic shoes while doing anything other than working out, but I'll be wearing these only while running, and I'll wear my cross trainers for my other fitness activities. In spite of that, I know I'll be replacing them on a regular basis - and I'll be doing so at Runner's Roost. Giving my business to local stores who take care of their customers is a Good Thing.

Miscellaneous Monday

Hey! I'm unemployed!

For the next two days, anyway. So today I went to the gym, came home and cleaned up, then went and got a mani, pedi and eyebrow wax. You know - chick stuff. And this afternoon I'm going to take the advice of some friends who actually run for realsies (as opposed to the weak shit I do) and get some running shoes in an effort to care for my joints. I could really get used to this. No, seriously - Publisher's Weekly TOTALLY needs to come see me to offer me $5,000.00 a week for LIFE! KNOCK, KNOCK, MOTHERFUCKER.

And so it begins

I'll be spending most of next week at the Global Dynamics headquarters, picking up my new laptop and dealing with other administrative matters. I expect I'll be traveling quite a lot in the next several months as I get my sea-legs under me. And that's okay, since it will hopefully lead to an outcome that will make me professionally happy and satisfied.

By popular demand

Many of you have been asking about the status of Boogie the Giant Schnauzer.* He continues to improve week over week, although some days are certainly better than others. The length of his daily walkies is not quite where it was before his anesthesia, but he's not falling as often. So - better. Yay!

WorldCon approaches

And my costumes are still in progress. I finally ordered my weapon for the Zoe costume this morning, but I still need to buy pants for both Zoe and my Steampunk outfit. I suspect that I'll have excellent luck in our many local equestrian shops, which leaves only finding a blouse to wear under this jacket. I thought I'd try and put up my costume elements over at Pinterest, but my "invite" still hasn't arrived, so fuck it. Also: The TSA is going to have a field day with my checked luggage. I wonder if I should leave them a note?

Edited 7/9/2012 4:38 p.m.: Costume elements may be seen here.


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*This warms my heart, by the way. Obviously I'm completely soft for the big goober, and the fact that others apparently care about his welfare is happy-making to me, since my own emotional well-being is tied up in his.

Going forth

After almost sixteen years, today is my last day with my current employer. I have a number of conflicting emotions, but mostly I'm just relieved. I feel like I've spent a lot of time being angry in the last year or so, and I'm ready to approach my work with something other than dread and disgust.

I'm taking Monday and Tuesday off in order to quiet my mind and get ready for my new venture, and I've scheduled myself for a massage, manicure and pedicure. Because I've decided that spa treatments are really the best way to prepare for a new job.

I suspect the first several quarters at my new gig will be hectic and demanding, but in a good way. I have a number of training milestones I need to achieve (including more of the dreaded certification exams); I need to learn new processes and get to know the people I'll be working with; and I want to start meeting with my new employer's customers and start to prove that I am in fact worth the trouble they went to in order to recruit me.

It's funny how things work out. I've been approached by head hunters two or three times a month for the last eight years or so, but there's only been two occasions when I've seriously considered their offers. The first time was when I thought my job would be off-shored, so I was trying to be proactive, but I didn't accept for financial reasons. And this time I was ready to entertain an offer because (as I noted before), the things that are important to me were no longer important to my company. And at that juncture, a solid, ethical company approached me to join their team to do work I find interesting with people I find exceptional.

I've been extraordinarily lucky in my professional life. I've never really been unemployed. I've had access to opportunities at times in my life when I was in a position to take advantage of them. And I've managed to maintain some semblance of work-life balance and make enough money to support myself and my family very comfortably. A good outcome, by any measure.

So today I'm going forth to the next stage of my professional life with the support of my family and friends. It's time, and I'm ready.

Why I will not discuss politics with you

You know, I like living in an adversarial political system. I think it works. I think it's the best available system. But it also means I don't always get my way. I didn't want George W. Bush to get a second term. But he did. And I survived. Just as conservatives will survive the Presidency of Barack Obama. I'm okay with both those things, although naturally I'd prefer my own point of view to prevail.

But I've come to a point where I just don't want to hear from people on political matters unless they've taken at least a modicum of interest in finding out the facts surrounding the policy under discussion. Even a small effort would be appreciated, because really - I don't want an aneurysm, and the willful ignorance out there is starting to push me over the edge. And let's make no mistake - it's a bipartisan problem. There are just as many dumbass liberals out there as dumbass conservatives, and I don't want to talk to any of them, although I have a natural tendency to be more tolerant of the dumbass liberals. I suppose that's only natural, in spite of my efforts to guard against confirmation bias.

So here are my rules for political discussion. If any of these apply to you, I would prefer to discuss something other than politics with you. Like shoes, or tasty recipes for mac-n-cheese, for example. But not politics.

1. You think that saying "Obama is DUMB!" is a cutting argument, worthy of consideration in a debate surrounding policy. Really? That's the insult you think clinches the argument when discussing a Columbia graduate, the former Editor of the Harvard Law Review, and a Constitutional Law Professor? Oh, honey, no.
2. You think that Fox News would only provide the most accurate and truthful interpretation of public policy. 
3. You think that MSNBC News would only provide the most accurate and truthful interpretation of public policy.
4. You think that Rachel Maddow, Anderson Cooper and the Log Cabin Republicans have nothing to offer to the public discourse because they are members of the LGBT community and don't give a good goddamn if you approve or not.
5. You make sweeping statements like "No liberals will criticize the President" or "All conservatives are racists." Aristotle is your friend. He will help you, if you let him.
6. Bigoted language or imagery - of any kind - doesn't bother you because you can count the number of people you know personally that could be considered members of a protected class on one hand. Privilege is a blinding bitch, you know?
7. The last book, newspaper, or news magazine you read was assigned by your high school teacher or your college professor. 
8. You think Sarah Palin is the epitome of critical thought in political discourse. Here's the thing. Conservatives are not stupid. They are not uneducated. There are many, many public figures who choose a conservative point of view who can only be described as stunningly intelligent. So why choose the one who has a demonstrable lack of understanding as it relates to the issues of the day as your hero?
9. You think the single biggest reason to oppose the candidacy of Mitt Romney is the fact that he's a member of the LDS Church. Really? If you're liberal, this is the "issue" that matters most to you?
10. You think the single biggest reason to oppose the candidacy of Barack Obama is the fact that he's black. Really? If you're conservative, this is the "issue" that matters most to you?

Thanks. I feel better now.

Independence Day

I've been a bit cynical as it relates to politics and such lately, so this Independence Day I was glad to read a post over at Popehat about the naturalization of Filipino WW2 veterans. Something to think about as we celebrate our nation's birth.

Happy Independence Day: A Story About Becoming American

Sooper Sekret Projekt - REVEALED!

Well, I'm finally in a position to announce my SOOPER SEKRET PROJEKT: I've decided to leave my employer of almost sixteen years because I've accepted a position in the Military Industrial Complex. The reasons for my decision are many and varied, but I think it's sufficient to say that the things that are important to me are no longer important to my leadership team. In cases like these, change is good. 

I know. Not as exciting as "I'm publishing a book," or "I'm starring in an episode of Leverage."

Sixteen years is a long time to stay with the same company, though, and I find my mind is careening between terror and manic excitement. I think the opportunity is a fabulous one - I wouldn't sacrifice my existing investment for anything less than spectacular. But I've been a top 10% performer at my current job for many, many years. Leaving for an unknown quantity is a scary proposition, yet I know in my heart I can succeed in this new venture. I just wish that bitch Drama-Me would stop telling me ugly stories about my abilities. You know how that goes. However, if she doesn't shut the hell up so I can proceed with my courageous life, I'm going to drown that bitch in the nearest pond. Which may be a good idea in any case.

I've decided to call my new employer Global Dynamics here at Hot Chicks Dig Smart Men, partly because I'm disappointed that Eureka was canceled, and partly because how mind-blowingly cool would it be to work THERE? Unfortunately, my new gig isn't nearly that exciting. I'll basically be doing the same thing I do now - presales system engineering for VoIP solutions in large organizations. Exciting to me, boring to you. Which is why I don't normally write about it much. Erlang theory and traffic shaping are vital and important to the successful execution of my work, but seriously - a complete and utter snooze-fest to the non-telephony engineer. So I'll do my best to spare you that dreadful experience, no matter how excited I become.

My last day at my current job is Friday, and I'll be starting at Global Dynamics on Wednesday the 11th. Wish me luck.

Miscellaneous Monday

A Mother-Daughter Experience

This weekend I went to the movies with my Hot Daughter. We went to see Brave, of course, which I highly recommend. Merida is my kind of hero, and my daughter and I both agree that her relationship with her mother Elinor bears a more than passing resemblance to our own relationship when she was a youngster. I think Pixar should be giving us some royalties, yo. Also: If a horrifying, gnarly bear was threatening my own curly-haired, non-traditional, self-rescuing princess, I would TOTALLY break my bonds and beat that motherfucker to the ground. Elinor's kind of the Bomb.

I Need to Hire Molly Maid for my Mind

You'd think that middle age would have brought me some level of wisdom, but alas, my mind still requires a quarterly house-cleaning. Like dust, there are certain ideas that keep coming back over and over again, in spite of the fact that I think I've learned my lesson. No, people aren't going to change just because I want them to. No, people won't suddenly gain the ability to think critically and logically just because I place value on those attributes. No, people aren't suddenly going to start looking at the world in a more compassionate way just because that's the outcome I desire. They're just not. Which means I need to look at people and make my own determination as to whether they enhance my life with their presence, or simply make me feel bad. I hate making that determination, but seeing (and accepting) people for who they are is part of living a courageous life. And just because I accept the truth doesn't mean I need to invite their egregious bullshit into my life. So there's that.

A Class Act

So Anderson Cooper finally decided to make a public declaration regarding his sexuality. I've always thought he was an incredibly ethical reporter, and I'm glad he's decided to live a transparent life. The money quote:

I've also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I believe there is value in making clear where I stand.

The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.

Just so.

Running, Redux

My knee is feeling better, so I've resumed my normal workout schedule. I'm back to running 20 minutes 4-6 days a week, on the track, not the treadmill. I'm pretty sure it was the treadmill that did me in, but we'll see - if my knee starts to ache again, I'll probably excise running from my regimen permanently. I'm getting too old to beat up my body for anything less than saving my life and protecting those I love. Priorities, people.