Binkomonster!

Memorandum #3 for the Incoming VP

Subject: This and That
From:     The Binkomonster CTO
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Hello again VP! (Or rather, Mr. VIP)
So I have a few moments to spare while waiting for the tile repair folks to clear out and thought I would just do a little bit of the 'touching base' with you. Your arrival date creeps closer and closer. And now that major castle renovations are drawing to a close, we are finally ready to get your office and digs into shape. I have been dragging my feet on pulling together the list, but have no fear, it will get done. Right now the immediate priority is to restore sanity and cleanliness to the bathroom which has undergone 2 weeks worth of ripping out tile, installation of new plumbing, and finally tomorrow, the finishing touch: new fixtures. You'll get to use these by the way. The past month or so has seen all sorts of interesting things with you. We now know your gender. Yay! Thanks for cooperating. And we also know another piece of your CV. Your name. We haven't finalized on the spelling yet, but it is the simple matter of an ie vs an ia. You've been quite active too. I'm guessing that you fluctuate between some kind of gymnastic workout, and yoga. I don't mind in the least bit, except when you decide that my bladder is some kind of trampoline. Just. No. This increased frequency of having to visit the loo is for the birds. The conventional wisdom keeps saying it's only temporary though, and for you? Well let's just say I'd deal with much more. As it is, I count myself lucky and happy with how the situation is progressing overall. Trying to make sure that you are well looked after on the food front, and trying to stick to the healthy. Gym trips are becoming an effort that takes a bit more, but again, the end result is all good. So no complaints from me. The tribe continue to be blissfully unaware of your arrival. Except for Booboo, who continues to want to exert some kind of 'ownership' of you already. You better be careful of that guy. He is soft, and fuzzy, and wickedly cute. And he will have you signed up for all sorts of nefarious causes (like stealing bread and fish products on his behalf). Just say no. He is evil.

The weather is slowly allowing us to see more sunshine, but not a great deal of warmth. It's been chilly the past week or two, but for you, not as much of a big deal since you have it nice and cozy (and constant). And I have to admit that Im enjoying the lower temperatures if only so I can snuggle more in the nice Pratesi sheets and blankets. That reminds me of an item I need to put on your list. You'll need some very nice, very soft bedding. It's a standard perk for all Binkomonster staff. As I continue to pluck away at the laptop, I hear a familiar sound. That of the Binkomonster CEO's transportation. Translation? I need to hop in the shower and get ready so we can go and get some very tasty grub. Keep growing kid. There'll be more memos and reminders. Promise.

xo
The CTO

Keeerrraaap! Better than our morning java...

                 

500kV switch opening in the Nevada desert.

Time to head back up to the hills

Lucky Binkomonster denizens we are. The CTO/CEO got a chance to have an 'offsite' (har har) a few weeks back and play in the Tahoe snow. We miss it. And we need another offsite to do some 'brainstorming' (yea, that's it). So. We're going back up this weekend. Much welcomed will be the chance to escape our newly painted lavender and bubblegum pink walls (we don't kid you about this). See here. So the plants will be watered, and our board members entrusted to caring hands, and off we'll speed with haste. Yippee!

What else have we done/seen/heard lately?

No we didn't go to SXSW (quit asking). Not our scene, schedules are stocked with enough travel, and we have work to do (you know, for the man).  A new cocktail book graces our shelves (imagine that!)  A Costco find at only $12 (whoo!), and bought frankly, to have the recipe for a Lychee and Pineapple Daiquiri. The pictures make us thirsty.  Consequently, there will be steam coming from the vents of the mixology lab tonight. And as much as we've gone 'round denouncing Nick Denton's latest project in stupidity, we do find ourselves reading it. An awful lot. Then there's been the new and interesting real estate corners of the web that we've found. Kind of funny considering the panic that todays SFgate story must be engendering among the local real estate hacks. No new food haunts this week (sticking strictly with the Binkomonster kitchens), as we've sort of been in a collective 'homebody' mood. That'll wear off soon. Promise. As soon as we've finished watching all of our Robin of Sherwood DVDs that came via Royal mail this week (thanks networkdvd, you have no idea how happy you've made us!)

The quiet finale, and a fresh new start!

2006. Already here with greater speed than anticipated.  The holiday season has been a relatively low key one here at Binkomonster. We've been sequestered from the public at large, still recuperating from the firm tentacles of an upper respiratory infection. Note to collective self: being sick around the holidays sucks major ass. Instead of being all excited and running around doing last minute Christmas-y things, the week of Noel was spent lying horizontal and contemplating what to do items really 'had' to get done. By the time Christmas rolled around, the ability to walk around without feeling as though lost in a complete fog was back, but only barely. The week between Christmas and New Years found us inhabiting the couch potato zone with fervor.  And this week brings us back to work, back to grinding away for 'the man'. But lest you should get the wrong idea, tasks were accomplished, to-do lists were shortened, and most importantly, good grub was had. The alcoholic consumption was a bit lower than expected, but we're trying to give the liver a break while the body deals with healing on other fronts.  That being said, our Pomegranate Martini seems to have been a confirmed hit. We are now in the process of trademarking the secret recipe so we can sell out to Con-Glom-O and get bottles onto store shelves near YOU! Just kidding. The recipe goes into the vault, only to be given out to those who have the secret code. In the meantime.....

Another year, Another birthday, learning to appreciate the little things.

Yes, it was inevitable. June 1st came and went, and with it, the passing of another anniversary of the Binkomonster CTO's birthday. Somehow though, the magic is diminished. We remember a time when the weeks before a birthday were counted down, anticipation growing, with the actual day itself feeling even better than Christmas. (Hey, Queen for a day, what could be better?)
Now, the celebration is marked by the quaffing of cocktails, enjoyment of good grub, phone calls from distant corners of the earth from all family members. It's nice. But it's also marred by the stress of work, dealing with deadlines instead of decisions on which tiara to wear. Catering to the screams of unruly and unreasonable customers instead of one's desires for a huge chocolate cake with billions of candles on it. Eh. Progress on some levels, regression on others.