Subject: Weekend Update: June 29-July 1
Date: Mon, 02 Jul 2001 12:43:09 -0400
From: Mark Metcalfe <metcalfe>
Organization: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Of the business trips I take, I rate them by how well I think they
will create productive outcomes. Although it is nothing more than
a gut-feel, because management is not nearly as quantifiable as
widget-making, I thought the money was well-spent in comparison to
other high-level staff meetings.

I started my trip by heading to Irvine in Southern California.
The spouse of someone who works in my group has cancer and much
of my interactions with my employee were less work-related and more
life-related.  We had opportunity to talk about the future - how his
focus has suddenly taken on more immediate goals. Among other things,
I told David that those of us who are aware find the Divine in the
ordinary.  That's the short story about taking home videos of ordinary
days and yet having a greater affinity for that footage than I do the
"special" occasions such as birthdays and Christmases.  I made it a
point to be clear that his wife and 3-year old son was his first
priority
and that I had every confidence that his work would get done and done
well.
The other business of the week went well, exceeding my expectations
and suprising me in some aspects, but those are boring (and
confidential)
details.

The passengers and I had an interesting experience in Chicago's
O'Hare airport on the way home.  The plane got to about 20 feet from
the runway and decided it needed to get back in line for another tour
of the Great Lake before touching down lightly on the second try.
The pilot informed us, after veering off and regaining altitude,
that the plane in front of us wasn't quite off the runway; we had
come into too fast behind him or the other plane was too slow in
getting off.  The passengers just kind of looked at each other funny
when we took off again.  I asked the VP traveling with us how many
touch-and-go's was that for him and he said, "three."  All's well
that ends well, I say.

I made my connection in Chicago and landed in Manchester, NH by
4:30. After a quick dinner, I took in a girl's softball game.  Liz
Rand was playing nearby so we took advantage of the time to spend with
the Rands. In the process, we lost Emily for much of the weekend.

I was able to finally complete the painting job on the spa room
Saturday morning leaving only touch-ups and stenciling to Joy.  I
can return my neighbors ladder (and borrow his sledge hammer). ;-)

Because of the weather forecast in New England (hazy, hot, and humid
in the 90's), I also got on the phone Saturday morning to see if there
were people around who'd enjoy the pool.  I found out that I had
forgotten
that the Gonzalez family was having a pig roast that day.  The fact
that I was double-booking our time didn't bother us none because we
simply excused ourselves from our guests and became guests ourselves
for a few hours.  When I say "pig roast" I mean Wilbur, or Arnold, or
Babe on a spit.  We delayed our arrival to miss the dismemberment of
the corpse by Rich's brother Frankie but the head on the platter was
evidence enough of the deed.  (My girls elected to stay at home.)

Unfortunately, when you get the three H's in New England, thunderstorms
are bound to happen.  I made sure of this by washing my car and van that
morning, not to mention Rich and Wendy planning a barbecue for 50
people;
you KNEW it had to rain.  And it did.  For a while, I was holding a
table
umbrella over Frankie as he hastily butchered the pork.  Thunder
rumbled in the distance and I wondered if I was holding a lightning
rod under some lightning-rod trees.  The worst of the storm came
after I made excuse to get something to eat inside for a while.  I
asked about the house address in case I needed to call 911.  No one
was electrocuted and the storm settled out.  We rejoined our guests
at home, leaving Rich and Wendy to parcel out pounds of pork to their
guests.  All's well that ends well, I say.

In case we missed it on Saturday, the thunderstorms made an encore
performance on Sunday and it was close enough for me to disconnect
all of my electronic valuables from the power outlets.  (I dislike
resetting
VCRs.)  The pool swimmers were chased indoors for the second day in
a row to the hot tub.  We made them get out of the spa on Sunday because
I didn't know if even that was safe with all the electricity in the air.

Everyone in the house (except Joy) has a job outside the home, which
is making it very difficult to find even a day where we can get away
as a family.  Joy has returned to 100% activity in the garden and
laps in the pool. She made this year's batch of strawberry jam
(not for sale).  She is fully functional and I may even see better
than 100% in the coming months if I compare it to "before."

Meanwhile, Miranda continues to add to her mural, pretty much completing
the April scenes with some surprises for people when you get to see it.
I'm shopping for a digital camera and if and when I take the plunge,
I'll get some photos.  Jessica is anticipating a guest on Friday,
who'll stay with us for a time; the same Young man who was hemmed in
at church by Paul Beausoleil and Rob Linton.  I tell you that eases
as father's burden when others look out for your kids. ;-)  (David
is a nice young man.  Okay, Jess?)

Last but certainly not least, Andrew must be walking barefoot through
the fertilized grass because he is almost as tall as Joy now and,
remarked
Joy when I returned from my trip, "he sleeping until 10AM when he
doesn't
have to get up for his paper route."  Andrew turns 13 next month; anyone
surprised?

On Saturday, Pepperell is putting on its fireworks show.  Good foresight
on their part because the forecast for the 4th is going to be the worst
of the week.  As in years past, come on over to the house and we'll all
head over to the town field together.  Bring blankets and whatever
snacks
you'd like.  We'll stake out a space on the lawn and enjoy each other's
company.  If you come early enough for dinner on Saturday, BYOM (bring
your own meal).  You can use the grill and stoves if you like.

Have a great week, folks!

Mark
--
+---_-----------+ Mark Metcalfe, metcalfe@cadence.com
| c a d e n c e | Cadence Design Systems, Inc.    Phone: (978) 446-6451
+---------------+ PCB Systems Division, Technical Communications Manager