I am Driving Excitement

I finally got a new car. This one feels good. I've been driving for nearly 13 years, and this is the first time I've purchased a new car just for myself. (Thank you to my parents, who handed me down several very groovy cars over the years, which were fast, well-equipped sedans.) It's not brand new, but considering the newest vehicle I'd ever owned was a 2000 model, my 2006 Grand Prix GT with 20K miles on it feels, like, way new. Not surprisingly, it's a fast, well-equipped sedan. White was not my first choice, but this thing was the perfect package and the best 'deal' on the lot. I'm still only partially employed, so 'deal' is relative. The fact is, I can't afford it. Which is why I flash a wicked grin every time I step on the gas.

Looking back, the oldest car I can remember our family having was a '78 Pontiac Bonneville, and it was white. I guess I've driven full circle now.

Familiar signs

There is a Michigan Ave. in Salt Lake. Not unique to this city, I realize, but I felt it photo worthy.

"If you're going to San Francisco..."

"...Be sure to overdress; the weather is not as warm as you might think..."

You'll recognize that as a classic song lyric. Either that, or my latest lesson in travel. Annie and I had a great time in SanFran last weekend. It was the first time in the city for both of us, and we got to celebrate her birthday while we were there. The weather was cloudy & foggy on Friday and Saturday, but we did the requisite trolly rides, pier tour, seafood eating, wine tasting, shopping in Union Square, and getting pedicures. WHAT?! Yes, it's true. My primary birthday gift to Annie was a simple concession: "Okay, I'll get a pedicure with you." She's convinced it's the greatest thing ever, and I have to admit, it was not awful.

It was also a chance for me to see some great friends, Brad and Megan, from Michigan. They recently moved to Foster City, south of SanFran, and it was their first time meeting Annie. Just 4 months ago, Brad and Megan lived above me at an apartment complex in Grand Rapids. Now look at us! They picked us up in the city Saturday around noon, and after taking a drive down Lombard Street (the winding, steep one), we headed out to HWY 1 and drove down through Half Moon Bay, and then over to their home in Foster City. It would have been a gorgeous drive if not for the fog and clouds, but fun nonetheless. Megan has provided her perspective on the weekend at her blog, here: http://www.xanga.com/theparisians

Annie and my pictures are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/sj.gingrich/SanFranTrip

THE END OF UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE #1: I have a 3rd interview on Monday with a notable cookie company based in SLC for an assistant brand manager position. It's a famous brand, the founder was on the Today Show this morning, and you may have seen their franchise in a mall near you. Wish me luck!

Amazing Moments

Nothing too topical here. Just some random thoughts from the past week.

I can't believe how quickly a 5 year old can make a mess. Of anything. At light-speed. Seriously, I can be looking right at her while she's eating some lunch, say a bowl of noodles. I look away for a nanosecond, and when I look back, there is Ramen on the chair, floor, and pink sticky stuff all over the counter. She's not even drinking anything! Where does the pink stuff come from? And why is it always pink?

Kids don't really care what they do yet. They just want to do what the other kid is doing. We had the kids' cousins over to Annie's (yes, I used her name, I'm so over the paranoia) house Saturday night, 2 boys. Ages 2 and 5 maybe. And 2 neighbor friends, maybe 6 and 8 or so. So 6 little monkeys of varying age. From the 2 yr old to the 8 yr old, it didn't matter. Someone grabs a piece of paper and a marker and starts drawing? They all want to draw. They're all drawing stuff within minutes. Someone wants to watch Flushed Away? They all want to watch. Within minutes, they're gazing in awe at the animated British rats. (This lasts for, oh, 18 seconds. Then they're back to drawing and spilling pink stuff, even the boys.)

Did you see Rasheed Wallace's 3/4-court shot last night? I didn't either. Until hours later on SportsCenter. The cable network "Altitude", presumably out of Denver, showed clearly on the cable menu "Denver Nuggets at Detroit Pistons, 5:30 PM (that's Mountain Time, yo)" - Hooray! Steve finally gets to see a game! Only what was being shown instead? COLLEGE HOCKEY. And get this little nugget of irony: It was coverage of the regional tournament games being played at Van Andel Arena... that's in Grand Rapids, MI for those who don't know. Which is near sea level. So why is it on Altitude anyway, hmmmmmm?

I'm working again. For Grabber, the same company, as a part-time "consultant". I used those "quotation" "marks" because I don't really consult, I just read emails and review files and look for spelling errors or misplaced logos. It's good work if you can get it. And the best part: I can wear anything I want. That's right baby, it's no pants necessary! A smart pair of khaki shorts does just fine. Sickos.

More Pics

I added some pics to the NYC trip photo album from A's camera.
http://picasaweb.google.com/sj.gingrich/NYCTrip

Additionally, I wanted those of you who've never been in Salt Lake to get an idea of the landscape, and the views I'm now familiar with, but still amazed by.

First, some general shots. I spend most of my time Southeast of the city, where my apartment and A's house is. If you go due East from her house, you climb the foothills of the mountains, and these shots are from that 'bench' area:

This picture is looking SW across the valley, in the early morning.







Here you can see downtown and the north ridge from the same viewpoint.




Here is part of the Wasatch range that borders the Eastern edge of the valley. In about 20 minutes, I can drive into the canyons of this range. After taking the pic of downtown, I just turned around and this is the view.



Here's my new apartment. That one with the door, way down there at the bottom. Yeah, it's pretty sweet. Since it's mostly underground, I don't have views from my apartment, but here's a shot from just out front.