Binkomonster!

Random Thoughts for a Tuesday Evening

See that? It's not in NYC, though it IS in NY state. Buffalo to be exact. The lovely corner of my beloved Kuni's sushi bar. Sigh. Am I missing the old haunts right now? Yep. I am. I'm missing the Saturday night date with our board member. I'm missing the Sunday afternoon date in NYC with the CEO for a leisurely lunch on 5th along with some stealth bargain shopping. And I'm most missing hanging on the beach and playpark in Long Island with the VeePee. In the hot sun, with ocean breezes to cut the heat. Funny that it was 7 days ago we arrived back on the doorstep. Weary and dirty with travel. Ready for showers and a good meal. And most of all, ready to sink back into the communal soft bed with even softer sheets, blankets and pillows. Oh and room to spread out. The week since then has been a blur and I'm catching moments this week where I question whether we even went on vacation at all so thorough has the immersion back into work been. The jet lag 'may' be easing up (hard to tell), but last night signaled a small step of progress. The VeePee didn't do his usual 2am wake up and wail. Yay. But I did indulge in the 1am wake up and toss/turn for a few hours. Which is getting annoying. Im all for ideas on how I get past this. The only thing that is coming to me is to go and workout for 2 hours straight (or until Im so tired I cannot see), and I'm not making huge progress on that plan. I did manage to drag myself and make friends with the pool today. Maybe I can commune with the weights tomorrow. After spending some quality time with the cleaning appliances. Yep, the castle is shambling towards being an unkempt mess. Thanks go in large part to the fuzzy four tribe members. Hairballs, tumbleweeds of cat hair, cat litter particles? Check. In every corner possible? Double check. I need laminated cats. Laminated cats that are toilet trained and versed in proper table manners. That might at least help 30% in reducing the cruft. That other 70%. Well, let's just say the CEO leaves..a trail. Paper. Clothing. Electronic gizmos. Wires. Mechanical What-see-whose-its. CDs. Boxes. Old envelopes. Heart monitors. Books. Sigh (again). But then, he also makes a mean dinner, and does a fabulous clean up job in the kitchen. And who is up at the 6 am every morning to give a cheery good morning to the VeePee? Yep, you guessed it. The loveable CEO. So I think it's somewhat of a fair trade. So I'm not going to level any huge complaints. It's just part of the catharsis. All started courtesy of NPR today. I've been helpfully reminded that I should permanently knock them off the presets at the risk of encouraging depression. Seriously, when was the last time you heard an encouraging public radio story? I can't remember. Every time I've tuned in for the past few months, it's just a mimicry of mainstream media's spin on the gloom and doom that lurks around all of our corners. The economy! In the toilet. The foreclosures! Unimagineable. Employment! Down and sinking further. Healthcare! Broken beyond recognition with a plan that is giving more to insurance, big Pharma, and getting gutted, gutted each day. Complex problems make for complex solutions. And with so many streams of (mis)information, who to trust, what to believe? Charting your own course of beliefs gets to be an exercise that becomes harder each year. But enough with the diatribe. It's still at least an hour before work beckons again. The stomach is full with a wonderful meal. Enjoying the last pull of our wine... and so I think Ill top it off with some jazz on the patio.

Feeling like Death warmed over...but the readiness drill continues

As you can see, the VeePee's office supplies have started to arrive and are being stockpiled.  If the CTO weren't trying to claw her way out of this horrific death-flu, there would be much more fanfare and excitement. As it stands, there is still happiness and joyful anticipation, it's just a bit muted.  Trying to keep an eye on the silver lining as much as possible. Flus don't last forever, ergo, this feeling like complete crap-o-la won't either. And at least some of the worst is on the path behind. Like the other evening. When much needed sleep eluded the CTO (even after multiple cups of hot tea and trying every position to be comfortable). The end result? Shuffling upstairs, and falling asleep *sitting upright*. And hey, this is a bonus, since we didn't know that this capability existed. Not that we want to exercise this talent frequently mind you. Another interesting (and in many ways very soothing) observation that evening (well more like 2am, 3am and 4am in the morning)? The upstairs level of the castle is truly beautiful at night. Even in the most uncomfortable of circumstances, it was unexpectedly relaxing to be able to see the interesting shadows cast on the wall, the flood of light coming in from the garden patio, the street lights as they illuminate the multimillion dollar fort across the street. Listening to the gentle hum of Tesla and Positron's bubbler in the fish tank helped. And of course, the tribe were all scattered on various surfaces napping.  The hope is that all of this will help provide the same relief (or distraction) once the arduous process of getting our little VP here starts, as we know that there will have to be some amount of time spent at the castle before we can actually go offsite and see our new staff member welcomed to Earth.
No pictures yet of the actual office furniture we've recieved in preparation for the new guy, but that's because we've just gotten 1 piece so far (the executive lounger). Transportation mediums have been ordered and should be here this week. A place to sleep and hang (commonly referred to as 'the crib') is on its way as well. Then there are the various other bits and pieces still left to chase down. *AFTER* we get over this stupid illness. Until then, there hasn't been much energy available to do more than just channel it into recovery.  The next milestone that is eagerly awaited? The fixing of the tastebuds and ability to smell again. On one hand, not having smell has had its advantages, but the lack of being able to taste has truly been a downer. There's been no use in either trying to cook up something tasty or go out and enjoy it since everything basically ends up with the flavor of cardboard. So why bother? We've been sticking to hot noodle soups (the flu cure-all) with garlic and onion.
As much as we harbor collective excitement, it is also strange to contemplate the fact that in another 2 months, there will be another staff member here at Binkomonster Inc. on a permanent basis.  Schedule coordination will take on a whole new dimension (and be forever altered). But we wouldn't have it any other way. It is after all, a new adventure.
On other fronts, not much to report except that Project Renovate continues to wind down. This past weekend saw the repainting of the last walls that were formerly adorned with the detested flat wall paint. So now, there is bright white satin providing beautiful contrast and pop to the other walls of our castle.  This weekend will see the final project in the master bathroom: replacement of the vanity counter top, new sink and fixture. And of course that will be followed by a repaint of the bathroom walls (same color as before, we love the electric lime). And then, other than just getting all of the VP's stuff situated, laundered, and ready, we're done. At least for a little while. Though the CEO has been making noises about  changing the backsplash to some beautiful white subway tile in the Binkomonster kitchens. A great idea, which frankly, is making the CTO tired just thinking about it.

Happy Wednesday Internets.

An Open Letter to the CTO

Hi there.
Ms.Type-A-With-A-Whip-and-About-to-Crack-Leave-Me-Alone.
It's the other half of your personality here (you know, the rational, objective half of your Gemini?) Both Fate and Karma were having a discussion about you the other day and are a bit concerned. They thought it might be appropriate that I put bits and bytes to info-superhighway and remind you of a few things before you take the wrong turn at the fork. And you know what I mean. You need a good rearrangement of your perspective, and given your proclivity to lists, let me put one together to help you drive for the rest of the year mmmkay?  The depression is bad, yes, but it's not going to get better unless you take steps to remedy.  The life-problem-solving fairy is not scheduled to show up at your door with her magic wand and make it all nice and neat, so get in there, roll up your sleeves/grab that broom and get to work:

Solution A. Liver destroying meds. (Not really an option but I'll put this out there for shits&giggles)
You'll be 'happy', but potentially foggy, not quite yourself, and well, if you like to play the cancer or other terminal disease roulette, go right ahead. But the 'easy way' has never been your style...

Task B. Get to the gym more.
You know it works, you're just lazy. Cut it out. One hour a day. Every day. No excuses.
This plus your usual daily cocktail can help the worst of the demons away. Proof exists.

Task C. Change the daily environment.
You know that much of this stems from being shackled to by the chains of 'the man' (no, not the CEO, the *other* one...) Get rid of those shackles. You are halfway there. Crawl out of that pool of inertia!  Here's a hint: Stay for the transition. The experience gained while painful, will be interesting.  Map out your exit strategy, and start to work that plan NOW. Not after. That means no more putting off the meeting to revamp up the CV. Get on it, get it done.

Task D. Finish the current education project
Stanford. 4 letters to add to your CV and an expansion of opportunities to help you with C(above). It's a few weeks, a chance to stimulate the grey matter, and a few dollars. In short, a win-win.

Task E. Make some time for the fun stuff.
Stop sitting around and pondering wistfully as you hear another tale from one of your previously overstressed colleagues about how they've taken up basket weaving and how much fun it is. You managed glass-blowing last year, and the artistic muscles haven't been exercised since then, what are you waiting for? Oh and while you're at it, there are a NUMBER of places to take windsurfing lessons here in the lovely Bay Area.

Task F. No more gossip sites for you!
Waste of bits, waste of brainwaves, contributing to the whole media frenzy feeding upon itself thang, and in the end, who gives a flying fig?

Task G. Finish up the castle.
You've made grrrreat strides, but it's not all done yet. Still a bedroom, bathroom and entry way to finish. You've got it all mapped out. Just make the time, get the quotes, get it scheduled, and get on the path to getting it wrapped up. Just think! Shoes in their proper places. A silver staircase. A nice glass door for the bathroom.

Task H. Go do the checkup rounds.
This is where your laziness is most evident. You need your fangs and fur checked (as well as some key internals). Stop procrastinating.

Task I. Get that tattoo.  
You talked about chopping off your mane, and you finally did that. You've talked about dying it platinum (still waiting), and you've talked about getting that tattoo on your ankle. Any day now?

As you are so fond of saying, 'it's not rocket science'. Nope. It's not. But maybe putting this down where you can see it and be reminded day to day will force your OCD-self to get checkmarks to all of the tasks except for the first in the list. Go to it Ms.Type-A!

Sincerely, Your Alter-Ego (aka Professor McG)

Long Weekend? Yep. Sick? Check.

After an overly packed week, all of the officers of Binkomonster are back at headquarters, and enjoying the first of the lovely weekend sunshine. Unfortunately, we are also enjoying the presence of cold germs as well. As luck would have it, we are all ridden with nasty chest colds (well the CEO and CTO at least). The other board members are trundling along in the usual evil fashion, sowing disruption everywhere in the office. On the bright side, today's post is brought to you courtesy of a new piece of equipment here at the castle. And ohhhhh how we love it! Our posting frequency may actually increase as a result (wouldn't that be novel?) Seriously though. We are huge fans of the built in camera and Photo Booth application (loving the filters!) The form factor works, the speed is delightful, and of course, having our usual iApps preloaded is always a nice plus. A grand total of 10 minutes from being out of the nice cardboard box and online. You just can't beat it.

We'd offer some new recipies for both drinks and food, but given that the collective tastebuds are rather on the deadened side right now, there hasn't been much experimentation. We're sticking to things that will help get us past this nastyness, like chicken soup, and rosehips tea (as much as we can get past the kidneys). We will however weigh in with our verdict on the grand finale episode of Top Chef. In one word? Perfect. Finally Bravo has concluded a reality arc on the note it should, with the best man getting top honors. Congrats Harold. We were rooting for you all the way. And we intend to come to NYC and eat at your restaurant when it opens!
And now, back to our regularly scheduled tea and rum...

Mondays. Suck a**.

They do. Well, most of them anyways. And sometimes it is not only Mondays, but Thursdays, and Fridays too. It all depends on the mood of 'the man'. You know. The corporate entity that enslaves at least one of our caped crusaders by day.  Although we must admit that Fridays, as bad as the potential is, can usually be somewhat mitigated by the bender that inevitably signals the close of the day. If it's an annoyance, we peg it at a one-two martini evening. For the true train-wreck, you are looking at either a 4 cocktail start, or 3 cocktail and variable amount of vino. 

And this month went where?

Jeepers. It seems like we had just gotten into March. And now here we are. April on the doorstep. Tax season looming. The normal cycle of depression setting in...

Back in SF, another work week underway

So we came back, in comfy seats again for 6 hours. To a house that had been ruled over by the tribe for 4 days. Vacation (and Chinese New Year) are over, back to the grind, back to improv in the kitchen (no more Nobu). Sigh. Ah well, vacations have to come to an end at some point. The week ended up rather nicely. Time spent mostly at home with family, with a few outings to the city. Saturday night = cocktails at swanky greek restaurant Thalassa (yes, very nice drinks they were too). Had some sort of apple martini that used green apple puree as a base.

GHFC or rather, Happy Chinese New Year! (and the tale of Babbo)

After a comfortable flight, and a very painless unloading (15 minutes total to get baggage and get to Hertz and into the car, in JFK, of all places... world record I think), today is the first official day of this mini-vacation. Yay, I think. At least we got off on the right foot with dinner at Babbo last night.

Observations from 37,000 feet

A first for the resident CTO of Binkomonster. Editing, and writing away while on a plane... speeding away from sunny CA to very cold NYC. Home of Gothamist, Gawker, Daily Candy, and all the other interesting NYC blogs that we read.

Ahhh, the evil called depression

Sometimes, even at all levels, the more you try, the more the end goal just seems elusive. And you find yourself feeling like a hamster on the little treadwheel. Squeak, squeak, squeak.