Back in Boston

I'm back in Boston now, although I seem to still be on west coast time. I've been getting to bed around midnight, but sleeping till 10am. I guess my body needs the rest.

The last couple of days in SF were beautiful: clear skies, and perfect temperature. I have to admit that Boston is currently sporting the opposite: constant rain and 40 degrees! Apparently this should last through the weekend. Luckily Brian and I will be on a plane to FL on saturday. Hopefully we can encounter some nice weather there. Of course I have 2 predictions for how I handle Floridian weather.

1) I will sunburn within minutes regardless of the SPF of my sunscreen

2) I will not be able to stand the humidity, especially after a shower when I'll keep wiping myself with a towel but never feel dry!

I plan to back post pictures while in FL so there will be some from the SF trip and some from FL.

Currently I am trying to sketch out everything that needs to get done for school: fill otu loan papers, choose insurance, get together transcripts from my last class, etc. I wonder if there was this much paperwork for undergrad, or did mom just take care of things for me.

Kate and I

Kate and I
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Here is a picture of Kate and I at the Japanese tea garden in Golden Gate park. We walked around with the rest of the tourists on a busy Saturday. I wish I had known they served authentic tea in the center pavillion. I think it would have been great to be served it the garden... next time!

Hot Night in the City

Friday night was girls night in San Fran. Courtney offered up her place as crash space for Kate, Joanna and I and planned a fun outing for us and some of her classmates. It started out with multiple bottles of wine and yummy snacks complements of our amazing hostess. We then headed out in 2 cabs to the first bar.

I don't remember exactly who's idea it was to find a kareoke bar, but I do know that we ended up walking almost 10 blocks to one near the Castro. I suggested to Kate that we sing George Michael's Faith, her favorite song, and she rushed to put our names in as soon as we got there. (I think she was drunk at that point.)

We ended up chatting it up with some girls at the bar while listening to a group of guys circle through random country songs I'd never heard before. These girls were definitely fun and ordered a round of shots for Kate and I. Later in the night, Abby ( the girl who ordered the shots) pulled me aside and told me that her friend thought I was wonderful and she wanted my number. I had to inform her that although we were in a gay bar, I had a boyfriend and wasn't currently looking to date a woman. Although I do believe Brian said it wouldn't be cheating if it was with a woman... :-p

Kate and I got many applause for our rendition of Faith, and I accomplished 2 firsts that evening: I've now sung Kareoke in a bar full of strangers and been hit on by a woman!

Touring around SF

I spent the last 2 days walking around SF seeing the sights and trying to keep dry. Yup, the rain finally caught up with me :(

I introduced Josh to Dim Sum as we started our Wednesday out in Chinatown for lunch. We went to pier 39, checked out the Giradelli chocolate factory (more of a store now, I think they still produce everything in Oakland), and walked around North Beach area. Unfortunately I walked us through the ghetto trying to find the Asian Art Museum near the civic center. To make matters worse, we got there too late to go in. Basically I endangered our lives for nothing!

Yesterday I toured Alcatraz... fascinating! The audio tour was narrated by ex-cons and former guards. Having them explain conditions while your standing in their tiny cells makes you appreciate the fact that you've never had to live that way. I was amazed at how small the place was in general. I guess that made it more managable for top criminals. There was a former inmate there signing a book he had written about his time in Alcatraz. He was a bitter old man who didn't seem to want to ask a bunch of questions from tourists. I guess you can't blame him. I was impressed that he was able to marry, adopt kids, and have a normal life after 14 years in prison. I don't feel that is the case anymore. Perhaps you just don't her about the people who actually "rehabilitate" in prison these days.

I left Alcatraz after 2 hours, not because there wasn't enough to see, but because I was getting a bit bored be there by myself. So, I headed back to the mainland and then up to Berkeley to see Kate and Joanna. We hung out at a local Berkeley coffee shop and chatted before heading to a great wine shop and the most amazing pizza place: Cheese Board. The make one vegetarian pizza each day and it's sold by the slice. We had one with corn, onions, pesto and pinenuts... yum!

I'm heading up to Berkeley this morning to tour that area with them before headed to SF for a girls' night with Courtney. The plan is to head out after dinner to some local bars and spend the night at Courtney's in order to enjoy a tasting brunch together in the AM. I definitely miss hanging out with Kate, although it sounds like she is doing great in Seattle.

San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Here's a great picture of Kate, Joanna and I in front of the Bay Bridge in San Fran.

Bernardus Winery, Carmel Valley, CA

Bernardus Winery, Monterey, CA
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

This is my new favorite winery! Josh and I met an employee of this winery in Napa on Monday and he suggested we check this place out. Boy am I glad we ran into him! There wasn't a wine we didn't like at this place, and I added 2 more bottles to the collection I'm bringing home with me (shhhh... don't tell security at Logan. Actually, I think it is ok to bring wine back as a carryon just can't ship it there... yet)

The woman pouring for us suggested that we stay around and do a wine tasting dinner at a local wine store. There were doing a Chile vs. Argentina head to head competition with gourmet appetizers. We decided to check it out. The room was filled with abotu 30 wine enthusiasts and local winery employees. We were a bit out of our league. What is it they say, "fake it till you make it?" Well, Josh did just that. The Heller Estate employee thought Josh had great taste in wines since everytime her asked if Josh liked a certain wine, he said "yes. It's pretty good." I don't think he realized that that was all Josh ever said about the wine.

Regardless, we had a great time and I even have a nice list of wines to look for at local Boston wine stores... in case you are wondering: Argentina won the face off :)

Wine Barrels

Wine Barrels
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

I learned an interesting fact on our wine tour at Chateau Julien even though I didn't care for their wine. Apparently oak wine barrels that don't come from France are made in the USA, and the wood for the american barrels come mainly for Pennsylvania. :)

Perhaps some of the trees that Uncle Dave cuts down actually make their way into wine barrels. That would explain the massive amounts of money in the logging industry. A little home state pride there... too bad both PA and MA aren't too keen on receiving wine shipments from CA. Hopefully the redcent supreme court ruling on interstate wine shipment will change all that.

On the pier in Monterey

On the pier in Monterey
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Yesterday we headed down to Monterey to continue our wine tasting and to spend some time on a nice beach. Here Josh is watching the waves as we check out Cannery Row before heading over to Chateau Julien for a vineyard/ winery tour.

We also spend time on the beach in Carmel, which was beautiful and a little posh compared to Monterey.

Me tasting the fine wines at Cliff Lede

Me tasting the fine wines at Cliff Lede
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

I told Josh that I needed a picture of me at the wine tasting here at Cliff Lede, and he attempted to take the picture one-handed while still holding his wine (he has priorities). He didn't realize the zoom was on, but oddly enough I like how this picture turned out.

Today we are headed down to Monterey to taste the wines down there and to check out the coast. Hopefully the good weather holds out.

Walking around outside Peju

Walking around outside Peju
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Here's Josh walking around outside the 3rd winery we went to on our tour of Napa. The servers here sang, rapped and danced... it was quite humorous! The wine was good too, so we left with 3 bottles between the 2 of us :)

View from Sterling Vineyard

view from Sterling Vineyard
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Yesterday Josh and I went touring around wine country. This is a view from Stering Vineyard. We got to ride a gondola to the top of the hill where this winery resides. Although the view was spectacular, we didn't enjoy the wine here as much as other places we went.

Tallest Redwood in Big Basin

California Trip 2005 - 5
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Here is a view looking up towards the top of the tallest redwood in Big Basin. I couldn't see the top, but I think the picture gives a good idea of the crazy height of these trees!

Hiking in Big Basin State Park

California Trip 2005 - 7
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Of course I had to go outside and do something active my first day in California. It's actually supposed to rain at least 2 of the days next week ( I think I bring bad weather with me), so I decided today would be great for hiking. The waether turned out to be beautiful, and we did a nice 5 mile loop.

Here I am with the "father of the woods," the largest redwood in the area. I didn't realize they had redwoods south of San Fran!

I don't know what the plan is for tomorrow, but hopefully the rain stays away long enough for us to do sometihng active. Since I seem to be waking up early (time difference), Josh has suggested I use their gym here in the AM. I think my 6am energy can be put to some good use :)

My last day

So, yesterday was my last day at Sun. Everyone was great and most people from my team wished me good luck in my new career. It was hard to finally say goodbye and head out those big doors that locked immediately behind me. It was strange knowing that I left my badge inside and would not be able to return. I drove home in a bit of a daze and started packing for CA as soon as I walked in the door. I don't think it'll hit me that I've moved on till I get back from my trip and realize I don't have to go back into work.

My mom sent me the following email, and I must say that I'm always amazed at how well she knows me:

Thinking about you today. I know how hard it is for you to leave the
security of your first real job. I hope that you have been getting good
gifts and parties. As sad as this day can be, remember to look at the big
picture and your future. You have a new exciting life to enter and anyone
from this job is truly a good friend, you will keep in touch with them. Look
at Josh for example. He is a good friend that now lives across the continent
and you are going to spend 10 days with him starting tomorrow. SUN has
provided you with many cherishable things that will stay with you the rest
of your life, but you need to fulfill that void in your life. After all,
life is all about you!!! You need to do what is right and good for you. I'm
probably going through all of this don't feel guilty talk and you probably
have already moved on. If that is the case, forget the consoling and have a
great last day.

I do hope to stay in touch with the people I enjoyed working with. In fact, that's one of the reasons I resurrected this blog!

Sun Microsystems Yurt Building Team

Sun Microsytems Yurt Building Team
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

This was the most recent event I did with my team. John, the design team manager, was able to pick a great day to go volunteer up at a girl scout camp. We were commissioned to built yurts, basically they were circular huts that fit 3 bunk beds and were made out of really strong tent like material.

We divided up into teams to complete 5 yurts total. My team was quite proficient and managed to get almost one yurt completed by lunch.

I had a great time doing this and was able to spend some quality time with group members before leaving.

Group Fun Day

Group Fun Day
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Here I am with the group I was originally hired into: Advanced Development. I organized a group fun event at Kimball's Farm a couple of years ago and we all had a great time. Especially when we ganged up on our manager, Paul, with bumper boats and managed to soak him. I think Ben did most of the work, but Frank definitely helped him!

I'll miss working with this group. Frank, Kevin, Paul and I worked really well as a team and I hope to find another group like them when I actually start practicing (in 2008!)

Officemate gets married

Officemate gets married
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Here I am celebrating Kevin's wedding in Sept. 2004. He was the first predicted to get married out of our hiring group (excluding Marie who was engaged before we started the pool). I think next in line in Mattioli, me and then Josh... although I think Josh may beat me ;)

Leaving my group here @ Sun

Well, I have only a few days left here at Sun before I embark on a new adventure: 3 years of schooling in order to completely change fields. I'm excited and sad at the same time. I've been working with the same great group of people for almost 4 years now, and I know I will miss them the most... I have to admit that I won't miss the work much since I don't really think I was meant to be purely techincal.

I figured I'd post a few words and pictures of some of the interesting things I've done with my group.... let's see if I can figure out how to post pictures on this thing, all that computer knowledge can't go completely to waste :-p