Day 44-48: Chill Daze

So, things have been pretty chill here in Sunnyvale since my last update. I've got a nice flow of work at Palm. Keeping busy with that. I haven't been bicycling to campus that much since I became best buds with one of the female interns who lives two floors below me. I typically ride with her in the mornings now. I haven't really been running either, but that's because more days than not, my entire body is sore. It took a while for me to recover from the whole Muscle Beach thing last weekend. This past Friday, I played soccer with some of the interns and I've been sore as hell all weekend. I honestly think my body's this way because I don't get enough protein in my diet and therefore my muscles can't rebuild itself fast enough. Because of this, I've been consciously trying to eat more eggs and garbanzo beans. Haha. But I don't think that's enough so I broke my vegetarian code of honor and ate seafood this weekend (seafood > chicken > beef > pork). It was done out of desperation!! In the end, I decided to take the most desperate action of all: I drank up a nice big glass of my roommate Evan's whey protein. It actually didn't taste that bad. In any case, I think it definitely helped out a lot. I mean, I definitely feel a lot better now.

Let's see. Recaps, recaps. I went to a Korean restaurant called Omogari in San Jose last night. I think this has been my favorite place to eat thus far. I ordered Bipimbop, but couldn't eat it because I forgot to order tofu instead of beef. So my friend Mai traded me her seafood pancake for it. Her friend Mindy gave me a little of her seafood bipimbop because I said I'd always wanted to try the dish since seeing it made by Mario Batali on Food Network's Iron Chef last summer. I think it's made it onto my 'favorite dishes' list. We also got free green tea ice cream at the end. That was a nice treat. My waiter gave me two scoops instead of one because he felt bad that I couldn't eat the beef bipimbop. So cute.

On Friday (oh god, this entry makes absolutely no chronological sense), I ate dinner at Mama Chen, a very very Chinese Restaurant in Santa Clara. There was some Chinglish going on in the menu items: prok chop... a dish called 'mix mix.' I couldn't find anything to eat there. Pig's feet? No thanks. I tried to order pomfret (misspelled 'promphet') but the fish dish took too long to prepare and they were closing up in an hour. So, I got boring chow mein.

I watched the final two world cup games on Saturday and Sunday with some folks, which included the (2) very hilarious Canadian interns from Waterloo. One of them, Kerryck, has this ridiculously goofy Canadian accent. He says "aboot" and "eh?" all the time.

Fun stuff. I think I'm going to profile some of my fellow interns in the next few blog entries. Hopefully they never see this blog. Hehehe. I also need to do a post on all the things I miss about Austin (not sure if I'd already done one) and also a post on all the slang words I've had to teach my fellow interns. These could probably be combined into one. Until then!

Day 39-43: BroCal

Surfer, dude., originally uploaded by edmarchedrick.

On July 1 (that's day 39 of my time here in Sunnyvale), HP and Palm officially merged. We celebrated with a company-wide party. Ruby cheerleaded, of course. There was also a Q&A with a panel of SVPs who were involved with the integration of the two companies. Lots of interesting talk during this meeting. I brought my macbook to take notes for a fellow coworker who couldn't attend. It was a little awkward.

On Friday (day 40), I went on some AT&T store visits and did a little secret shopping to get some first hand insight on how sales reps feel about our product. It was a good thing that I did this. That I also got to spend a day basically hanging out with my coworkers outside of the office was also nice.

This weekend (Fri-Sun, days 40-42), I went down to Los Angeles and did all of the touristy stuff: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kodak Theater, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard/Strip (well, we drove right through it), Santa Monica Beach/Pier, and Venice Beach.

It was an insanely fun trip. I mean, I haven't had a fourth of July weekend in many long years, so this was definitely a great way to spend the weekend. God, the beaches in SoCal were lovely. I've said it many times before and I'll say it again: Californians are so damn spoiled. Granted, they very much pay for it.

Venice Beach was a scene right out of a movie. There's a little skatepark, people surfing (photo above) and sailing, guys dancing on rollerblades/skates, vendors, shops, tourists tourists and more tourists. It all felt very 1990's sitcom. So much to take in!

And Muscle Beach was a blast. It's essentially an outdoor gym... but it seemed more like an adult's playground. There are rings that people swung on, ropes for people to climb up, uneven bars, parallel bars... it was awesome. I definitely tried to do some ropeclimbing. It's a lot more difficult than I imagined. My body has been trying to recover from that since Saturday. God, my muscles are still very sore.

Oh, you know how I like to namedrop people I meet? Well, I'm about to do that. It's the journalist in me.

Met a man at Muscle Beach called Jim. He was teaching me and Jeff, one of the people I went with, how to walk on those little tightrope things (I know there's a different name for them, but I can't figure it out right now). He had very nice teeth and very nice hair, but that's all besides the point. He told us that he was learning how to turn on the little rope and that he'd been practicing but hadn't been able to do it. By the time we left, we definitely saw him complete not one, but two turns. It was pretty cool. We applauded.

Also, you know how I have a thing for Scandinavians? Well, apparently, I have some sort of a Scadar™. I didn't talk to many of the vendors on Venice Beach, but the one that I did talk to - guess where he's from? FINLAND, baby. Tatu's his name (kinda like that gimmicky lesbian girl band from the early 2000s). He came to southern California to study photography and was selling some panorama prints.

I have photos from the trip that I can put up, but first I have to find a card reader. Hopefully, one of the Palm interns will let me borrow his soon.

In any case, we came back from LA at around 4:30pm on Sunday and by 6:30 pm we were on the train heading into the city as we wanted to check out the fireworks show they put on at Fisherman's Wharf. The show wasn't long or elaborate, but being out there in the cold with thousands of random strangers was a nice feeling. I mean, it always is. Over the bay, there was lots of fog, which obscured the fireworks. Though we could only see about half of it and though there were a few people who left in disappointment, I was okay with it. I mean, it's San Francisco. I can get any old fogless fireworks shows elsewhere.

That's really it. It was a great, long, wonderful weekend. Gotta get back to work tomorrow... such is life.

Day 36-38: So Long, Lonesome

This week has been super weird. But that's the way Silicon Valley works apparently. Changes happen, people come and go, and the world keeps spinning. Nothing's within my control.

Today, we had a little fiesta celebrating the end of Palm. I don't have any pictures from it, but I do have the images inside my head. Motivational speech by Palm CEO Jon Rubenstein, a short little movie made by the MarCom guys. One of those things. Got a little commemorative t-shirt from the event. I also got to pass out t-shirts... cause I'm a marketing intern.

Tomorrow is Day 1 of HP. We'll see how that goes. I don't expect to see any massive changes right away though...

Day 30-35: Interns, Roomie, Pride

Man in Costume - SF Pride 2010, originally uploaded by edmarchedrick.

Oh god, neglect neglect. I think the more I actually get out there, the more likely I am to neglect this. Which I think is a good thing.

Finally spending some time with the other interns. Although we have vastly different sensibilities, I find that I do get along with them. Scrabble, Taboo, dinner. I hope my competitive nature didn't scare some of them away.

Oh, my roommate Evan came in on Friday. Ask me about him some time and I'll be more than glad to talk. Did I mention that he's 6'6" and that I'm only 5'5"?

Pride this past weekend. Lots of fun. Lots of penises. Lots of drag queens. Lots of love. Saw the Backstreet Boys! But you all know this already because of my facebook/twitter updates. Took some photos; hope they turn out good. I need a card reader to upload them... and then I can make some sort of sound judgment.

Aw well, here's to another week of work. This Wednesday is supposedly the last day of Palm. Thursday, it's officially HP since the stockholder vote passed last week. That's going to be strange. We'll see what happens.

Day 28, 29: Toy Story 3 & The Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate, originally uploaded by edmarchedrick.

Yesterday, I went to see Toy Story 3 at the Cinemark Cinema theater in Mountain View. Saw the Google campuses on the way. Those buildings are pretty huge. I also saw giant cupcakes and the giant Android mascot on one of the lawns. I would like a photo there. One day...

Toy Story 3 is a wonderful movie. If I had feelings, I would've cried. Man, so good. The only thing is that I'm more of a character study kind of guy, so I could've done without all the rising conflict, plot turns, resolution, deus ex machina elements.


TODAY at work: My boss David asked if I wanted to go up to the city to attend a meeting at the agency we're using for a new marketing campaign we're launching. Of course, I SAID YES. I couldn't pass that up. I planned to go to Union Square while I was up there and then take the train back down, but my co-worker Terry also drove up for the meeting. She lives down in South Bay so she had to drive down and offered to give me a ride back.

We got dinner first and I mentioned that I hadn't gone to see the Golden Gate Bridge yet, so she took me! We went to the Vista Point scenic lookout. Such a tourist spot. But it's gorgeous. Like, it's one of those things where photos/pictures do no justice to the actual location. It was also freezing there. AH, so so cold.

Then we drove through the little town of Sausalito. God, it would be wonderful to live in a place like that.

Anyways, afterward, we drove back South, but on the way, we stopped by this other scenic lookout called... Vista Point. It's off 280 and overlooks the Crystal Springs Reservoir. But man, I did not like it at all. There were about 7 cars parked there. And in all 7 cars were men by themselves sitting at the drivers seat of their own respective cars. Seven men, seven cars. It was the creepiest thing. Like I have no idea what these guys were doing there. I was so uncomfortable.

Now my stomach is retaliating from the dinner I had eaten. We ate a Chinese restaurant and I got kung pao shrimp - "the spiciest you can make it." Burning from the inside out!

Day 25, 26, 27: Chinatown & North Beach

Lombard and Golden Gate from Coit, originally uploaded by edmarchedrick.

25 - Offers were sent out.

26 - More work. Nothing exciting.

27 - Went into the city, visited Chinatown & North Beach (aka Little Italy).

The Caltrain to SF was hella crowded. So ridiculous! It was a good thing I got on early when there were seats available because the aisles were full of standing people by the end. I got off at the SF Caltrain Station and got on the 30 towards Washington Square for the North Beach Festival. This small bus was even more crowded! Jeez Louis. I decided to get off midway and just walk the rest of the way because I could not stop laughing inside the bus. It was that crowded/ridiculous. People wanted to come in, but were turned down because there was no room. And there was one point in which the bus couldn't move for about 5 minutes because the driver couldn't close the back door. We were sardines. We really were. It was really quite comical.

So, I went up to SF today because of the North Beach Festival. Lots of people. Lots of booths, musicians, beer, good-looking people. It felt a lot like the Pecan Street Festival that takes place on 6th street in Austin, but a lot less weird.

Lots of pizza shops here. Oh ho ho. And lots of Italia supporters for the World Cup.

North Beach was decent. I didn't find anything too exciting except for City Lights Bookstore, where I spent a good hour reading Milan Kundera. Apparently, this place is pretty historic. It kind of reminded me of that bookstore in Denton, but less large and with new books.

Not too far from Little Italy is this scenic lookout called Coit Tower. Man, if anyone wants to see all of San Francisco from one spot, this is the place to do that. On one side, you can see the crazy zig-zaggy Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge (photo at the very top).

On the other side, you can see the bay, the Oakland Bay Bridge, and the Financial District.

And you can even see Alcatraz. I mean, I wasn't expecting this type of view. I always thought that when I first see the Bay or the bridge or whatever that it would be no big deal because I'd seen it all in films and in photos. But in real life - man, it was really pretty. I actually let out a gasp when I climbed up to the tower. So grand, so cold.

But I didn't actually go up the tower. The line was too darn long. Maybe next time!

Now, let's talk Chinatown. This place has a lot of character and a lot of tourists! I wanted to buy some bubble tea and various baked goods at this one shop, but they didn't take credit. Luckily, there was a Chase bank nearby where I could get change.

"Do you always carry large bills with you?"
"Um... no. Just today. A lot of these shops don't take credit."
"Oh. You're not from around here are you?" (I think my DSLR was a big giveaway)
"No."
"Where are you from?"
"Austin."
"Australia!???"
"No, Austin. Austin, Texas."
"I've never been there, but I want to go one day. Do you like it?"
"I love it. You should go."
"I want to. One day. Texas. Dallas, Austin, Houston."
"Ooh, I don't like Houston."
"I wanna go see the new Cowboy Stadium!"
"I haven't even been there yet."
"Are there a lot of Asians in Texas?"
"Uh... not as much as here."
"But still a lot, right? Lots of Asian girls in Houston?"
"Um... ya, I think so."
"How about Austin?"
"Well, it's a college town, so ya, lots of Asian girls at the university."
"That's it! Next time, I'll be over there!"

This guy -- my banker -- made me laugh.

After, I went to this shop called Golden Gate Bakery. The line was long! So naturally, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I asked a guy behind me if the line was always so long.

"Well, it's a local place that all the locals go to, you know?"

Ok dude, I know I'm a tourist... but you're a DOUCHE.

Saw a shop that sold fake Louis Vuitton clutches and Chanel sunglasses. Can't say I've been to Chinatown without seeing knockoffs. Also, just an observation, but a lot of the shops were slow to serve me. Actually, it's was less that they were slow and more that they would ignore me to help out the next person, usually someone who spoke Chinese. That was definitely a little aggravating.

Well, that's all! Tiring trip! I'm glad to be home and to finally have some food in my refrigerator.

If I remember anything else, I'll cover it in tomorrow's blog entry.

Tchau amigos!

Day 22, 23, 24: Week 3 Hump Day Update

Fruit Bowl, originally uploaded by edmarchedrick.

Can you tell how exciting my days have become? I can't think of anything to take photos of besides what I eat at work. Which is a whole lot of fruit and salad. Occasionally, I eat omelets or pancakes for breakfast, or veggie sandwiches or pizza at lunch.

HP, HP, HP, HP, HP. Lots of HP going on.

This week is Reach Out to Key Senior Marketing Employees Week.

Director of Advertising; Senior Product Marketing Manager; Director of Carrier Marketing; Director of Program Managment, Marketing; Director of Online Communications. No VPs or SVPs though. They ain't got time for no intern. These directors barely have time for me! Haha. I've had to reschedule about 63 times. But that don't get me down. No it don't.

Speaking of, I'm trying to reach out to my fellow interns! Remember when I thought they hated me before? I don't think that's the case. I think there's just a lot of shy going on.

Around the office, people are buzzing about the World Cup. No surprises there. No, but I mean literally too. There's a Vuvuzela app you can download on the Pre/Pixi. And you just touch it and it makes that buzzing sound. Very authentic. Very annoying.

Every now and then, I'm having bits of Texas Monthly flashbacks. But I won't get into that.

Finally got my first pay check today! Feels great. Now I just need to go deposit it before I overdraft. 26% of it went to taxes though. Welcome to life, Edmarc.

I think that's all for now. Seems like updating this blog every 3 days is a good idea, especially when things on my end have been largely uneventful.

I really appreciate you guys for your devout readership! The .17 average comments per entry means a lot to me! And it makes this experience infinitely more pleasant.