Bringin Sexy Back...

Well, maybe not sexy, but Efes at least. And on Christmas Day. Now how can you beat that?

Tocqueville's Take

A quote from Alexis de Tocqueville in this week's Economist article "Economics discovers its feelings" :


"Americans cleave to the things of this world as if assured that they will never die,… They clutch everything but hold nothing fast, and so lose grip as they hurry after some new delight. An American will build a house in which to pass his old age and sell it before the roof is on; he will plant a garden and rent it just as the trees are coming into bearing; he will clear a field and leave others to reap the harvest; he will take up a profession and leave it, settle in one place and soon go off elsewhere with his changing desires. If his private business allows him a moment’s relaxation, he will plunge at once into the whirlpool of politics. Then, if at the end of a year crammed with work he has a little spare leisure, his restless curiosity goes with him traveling up and down the vast territories of the United States. Thus he will travel five hundred miles in a few days as a distraction from his happiness. Death steps in in the end and stops him before he has grown tired of this futile pursuit of that complete felicity which always escapes him. At first sight there is something astonishing in this spectacle of so many lucky men restless in the midst of abundance. But it is a spectacle as old as the world; all that is new is to see a whole people performing in it."

Not to say that this only applies to Americans, but it's amazing how things really haven't changed much.

Quote of the Season..

While waiting for a tram in the ATL airport a stranger turned to me and said, "I felt a lot safer when Martha Stewart was still in jail".

Tru Dat.

Oh, I Beg To Differ..

"There's nothing about the Midwest or crappy weather that forestalls growth.."

The Great Brain Drain of Michigan..

Learning Curves...

Got a case of the giggle-loop on that title (thanks, Saki;), I'm so immature. Ah, I can't believe it's been nearly been 2 weeks in the ATL. The time has been spent adjusting and acclimating to the little changes which, when compared to other moves, has been really minimal..It seems America has turned into one giant continent of "Linen N Things", "Targets", and "Burger Kings"..a bit depressing but the little twists here and there do spruce up things. Sitting in traffic I muse at my sadist tendencies towards living in cities with notoriously bad traffic and little public transport to boot. But, empty roads means empty towns, no people and boredom. Oddly enough it's when I'm the most lost, the most confused, the most frustrated, the most tired, that I feel the most alive. I like that I haven't settled into a "routine" and that everything still seems fresh and new.

As I said, the infrasture of the city seems the same, and it's a reality check realizing my social network is basically through a computer...but that is quickly calmed by the fact that in the back of my mind I've already accepted that this place will become home, and things just take time. Just enjoy it. I won't lie, life is easier here than in LA, parking spots galore, cheaper prices (although not where I live), and things generally moving a bit more slowly (save work) etc etc but what most strikes me is the people. I'm so impressed with the people and how warm everyone seems to be. Very friendly. That said, the scenary is not Southern Cal (even though the weather has been almost picture perfect-70s and abundent sunshine since I've arrived) and occasionally I find myself missing the ocean and palm trees, but I've found my Robeks and Trader Joes, so I'll survive.

The CDC office is a complete 180 turn-around from my LA office. The stress was like smog (brilliant LA analogy), so thick you could cut it with knife. In retrospect it was good, I learned not to take harsh and sometimes unwarranted criticism so personally. Sometimes you gotta take a bullet, choose your battles carefully, fight, and move on. Here the office is much more functional and you can always hear people laughing and teasing. I really think it all has to do with the mission and employee's motivation to meet the goals of that mission. The more clear the mission, the more direct the impact, the more satisifed and hard working employees will be. I'm excited to be working in the International division as an employee under the GAP (Global Aids Program), which is partned with the PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) which is the "largest commitment ever by any nation for an international health initiative dedicated to a single disease -- a five-year, $15 billion, multifaceted approach to combating the disease around the world." The GAP is but one of the program offices that we're dealing with, which are currently doing work in 25 countries that desperately need help. So far I've been assigned to about 10-15 projects. It's a lot to get your head around, TB/AIDs in Russia, Cameroon, Tanzania, Pakistan, etc etc...and other contracts that are sending scientists all over the world to help combat AIDs. There's so much to learn and get caught up on that I haven't even pushed the travel part, but our chief did say we'd be sending people to Botswana, Kenya, S. Africa, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Tanzania. Haiti and Guyana want some people to come down too but I guess one CDC employee woke up with guns pointed at his head in Guyana and another was kidnapped for awhile in Haiti, so they're trying to get it moved to Trinadad and Tobago. I told them I'll go anywhere but Iraq and Afghanistan:). We'll see how long it takes as I'm the "new guy" and I may have to switch careers/departments before I get to see some real action. I'm like a bloodhound. The Government is so secretive and convoluted in the way it functions..absolutely no transparency, but I smell blood...

Jam flies in tonight at 1130pm, we'll have dinner and be off to the airport by 7am, to spend Christmas with my family in Michigan. While blizzards are sweeping the country, it appears that the most Michigan will get is some rain. Damn global warming, I wanted some White Christmas action. That and seeing family are about the only things I really care about around this season. All the consumerism makes me sick quick frankly. At any rate, if you're celebrating, Merry Christmas!

Bye, Bye

Droves Say Goodbye to the Golden State

But not enough to change your sigalert from red to green:)

Congrats

Mike and Becky Hudson, the two that took me under their wing while I got settled in Southern California, are having a child! Congratulations guys! This is so big!


RocketFever breaks the Story!

Last Shot..

Shot overlooking Palos Verdes (and downtown LA in the background) as we were heading back East. I chuckled thinking back 24 hours, me in my Volvo in the middle of some good ole road rage. California love, baby.

Arrived.

Did too much. Frikkin' Freezin'. Sicker than a Dog.

bye bye, california

The volvo and I are officially leaving the state of California after over 2 years of "fun and sun". I spent the better part of yesterday nursing a hangover on the beach (in true SoCal style), and eating at all Jam and I's favorite joints. Free falling....