Update on Jim - Archive

Update On Jim

Archive

Oct 2006 Mar 2006 Nov 2005 Sep 2005 Jul 2005

Sun, 29 Oct 2006

Hey all,

Canyonlands

It's cold these October days, but I'm going to warm myself and update you by recalling the hikes of the past months. In April I camped with friends in Canyonlands National Park. We left behind snow in Colorado, but had perfect temperatures as we hiked about 25 miles over three days among ancient beauty and cryptobiotic soil in the Utah desert.

Another Colorado contrast came in June with a hike up Mt. Yale (a 14er), soaking in hot springs, and rafting the Arkansas (in a wet suit). From Yale you can see something like 30 14ers; Mark Johnson knew many of them by name, and I recognized Mt. Harvard which I had climbed with Dale a few years back; from Yale I could see most of the route we had taken.

Sammie, Rachel, and Jamie are all into the second half of their college semesters, spread to the winds at Azusa Pacific, Toccoa Falls, and Wheaton respectively. I got to help with the purchase and setup of their college laptops.

One non-hike event I'll mention is the Lord of the Rings Symphony I got to attend in May, at the Boettcher Concert Hall. Live symphony is such a rare experience. They even had a grand piano sans-top that they hit with chains as one of their LOTR specific percussion instruments.

By for now,
Jim

Sun, 5 Mar 2006

Hey all,

Since I last wrote the Incarnation Celebration has come and gone and this year's Lent season has begun. The manager who hired me at STMicroelectronics has moved back to France, and I have a new German manager. I've gone through a season of feeling like I didn't fit in and didn't matter at work, to feeling like I belong and like I'm blessed with a company, a manager, a position and coworkers I can enjoy for a long time to come.

Thanksgiving tasted great with a big crew of relatives on my mom's side, a rare occasion and so enjoyed. Christmas day found me flying with my sister Jenny Patrick and nieces Sammie, Rachel, and Jamie to WA state to visit Sturms, my only out of state sibling. We scored a perfect 100% for vacationers-- presents, Luke 2 skit, sleeping in, games, "The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge" (play), Space Needle, and other family expeditions. How many of you have been clam digging? They were ready for us this season so only the experts could spot 'em & dig 'em out fast enough. I got ahold of one but my fingers were so numb I couldn't grip hard enough to pull him out! Yes, it was cold & rainy. Speaking of cold, does this picture of a bunch of my friends up at our cabin in Red Feather (Three Sisters rocks) in February send a shiver down your back?

Warmly,
Jim

Tue, 1 Nov 2005

Hey all,

I've been at my new job almost two months and feel like I'm getting paid to play. Right now my task is to evaluate two alternative software packages to the one we currently use for chip design. I thrive on learning the nuts and bolts of such software, and squeezing the best from them, including by playing them off against each other. And that's what I'm paid to do for the next couple months!

I got a Prius a month ago, after less than a two week wait. The Toyota Prius is a gas-electric hybrid, and gets the second best gas mileage of any production vehicle (the best is the two seater Honda Insight). Mine's a four dour, five belt hatchback with absolutely no downsides compared to a regular car; just a 50+ MPG upside!

Sammie just got back from a CA trip to visit a friend and Biola and Azusa Pacific University. My other two Loveland nieces, Rachel & Jamie, head out tomorrow to visit Moody and Wheaton colleges. Reminders of coming change abound in their senior year.

A lot's new. But we consider those blessed who remain steadfast, eh?
Jim

Fri, 2 Sep 2005

Hey all,

Today is the one (& only) workday I am officially without a job. Yesterday was my last day at Flextronics, ending a nine-year-long stint at my first career job out of college (it was SIS Microelectronics when I started, literally a mom-and-pop company that got bought out). On Tuesday (after the Labor Day holiday) I start work at STMicroelectronics in Longmont. What a smooth transition has been provided for me!

My family imbibed the hues and heights of the Arizona southwest in August. That's me leaning on chimney rock. We followed the advice of a U.S. News and World report article on seeing the Grand Canyon with some solitude-- and were well rewarded. It inexorably makes one feel small and inconsequential, yet simultaneously to be lost in its grandeur is exhilarating! Reflecting on the trip, I'm thankful for a family that genuinely likes spending time together. We're not perfect, but we're growing, older of course, but hopefully Wiser as well. That makes sight-seeing exponentially more fun.

Thanks for your friendship.
Jim

Sat, 30 Jul 2005
Hey all,

After being held in limbo for quite a few weeks, on Wednesday I found out for certain that the group I've worked with for the last nine years (since college) will be disbanded. Also on Wednesday evening, when I got home from Tae Kwon Do class, an offer letter was waiting for me from a company in Longmont which I had interviewed with during the last few weeks. My current manager has been real good about initiating contact with other companies in the area, which is where that interview came from.

I have three companies I'm pursuing for job opportunities; the one offer I mentioned in Longmont, a second in Longmont, and one working from home. I will be staying on where I am now for the next month to finish up old business and wrap things up (as well as vacation-- Grand Canyon trip with the family), but by Sept. 1st I'll be starting a new job.

So my main purpose in today's update is to let you know of this change for me, so you can be thinking about my situation. As you all know, a job is a big part of who we are and where we "go" in life. Thanks for thinking of me, and rejoicing with me for the provision of continued employment!

Jim

About “Update On Jim”

“Update on Jim” is a short email I try to send out every month or two, as a way of keeping in touch with you. I try to keep the emails short, and I've archived them here.

I email it to a list of people, so if you think there's someone that might like to get my update, just let me know and I'll let you know if they're already on the list or not.

Thanks!
Jim