And the Lord said: Let there be celebration!

I'm too tired to even think now, but check this out!



PS. My report is getting there, anyone interested in it should send me a notice.

Winter in California

Yesterday, it rained for the first time since I came here. That means 'winter' has arrived. There are only two distinguishable seasons here. 'Summer' is when it's hot and doesn't rain for months, and 'winter' when it's around 5-15 degrees Celsius during the day, and it showers on average at least once a day. By that definition, summer here is generally from early April to late October.

There is never any snow in this valley. If you want some you could go to Tahoe, a skiing resort in the mountains some hours drive from here, and try to learn how to ski. Then you might decide if you really miss the cold or not. YSC has a cabin up there for Scandinavians that grow restless with the subtropical clime in the valley.

This weekend I was in Gilroy, the garlic capital. Ever heard of garlic ice-cream?
It wasn't that bad actually, but there is certainly a reason for why you probably haven't heard of it.

I also of course want to congratulate Karl Oskar for his achievements and the opportunity he has accepted. I foresee that the journey he is about to embark on will be a very interesting one, and look forward to hear about the things that will happen along the road. I wish I could have been there for the party, but I know that when time is right, there will be another party, in Estonia, Sweden or maybe even in the US. I'm glad you picked the adventurous path. I know I would have :)

Meanwhile it looks like I'll be staying in California until next fall, and when I finish my last courses at Chalmers, I too will soon be looking for a startup company. I want to try that life at least once and I'm not quite ready to get stuck at a one of the big hierarchically organized colossus corporations in my industry. The one I am working for now is not such a company, but it's growing very fast and has needed to address some of the structural demands that come with maintaining an organization of a couple of thousand people. Tree years ago, they were about 200 and since then the market has all but exploded. The first 50 employees or so, probably never have to work again if they don't want to.

For me it's not so much about money, but about doing something I like, something that is challenging enough, and something that makes a difference to many people. If I could be in a position that makes me the light that inspires others to believe in and pursue their ideas, then there is where I want to be at.
I guess adventures teach you what's really important in your own world, and that is in the end, all that matters. I'd say that's the kind of selfishness everyone can afford.

Robert

"It's pulling together", as the girl said

Whooosh... the days are rushing by fast oh so fast. I haven't had the time to write about it, but sunday the 24th I got this:

"I am happy to tell you that our offer for you to work for CoolSecurity is still in full strength. We all, Stellan, Alexander, and myself, are quite convinced that you would fit into our start-up culture. You have demonstrated enough of your skills already. No further action on your side is needed. Of course, we would still need to decide about your contract no matter we have more or less gone over the terms of it already during your visit. So, please let us know about your decision regarding to our offer soon."

Which was of course super-cool, with some feedback I had from various directions I decided to opt for CoolSecurity, gave them my yes and FindYourself my (very sincere) "sorry, not this time". So, just waiting to arrange contract stuff with them there...

Then I held my thesis presentation in-house last thursday, it was very well received and everyone loved the fruit-cake I made. Tell me if you're curious to see my 1337 powerpoint skillz (or read about my thesis project for that matter).

Now I'm busy busy busy, working hard to finish the thesis report, have gotten started with my one-month employment and am finalizing the product I've been working on all along. Am cancelling apartment, electricity, phone... I feel like a car or something (not intended for the purpose) at a skijump hill which has just been pushed out of that little hut. It's now too late to go back, it's time to aim forward and push the throttle to make it a gracious jump.

Anyway, back to business, two things! :

- Thesis presentation, thursday 19/10 at the ungodly hour of 8:00, at Chalmers, room ES61. Be there if you feel like it.

- Thesis, graduation and emigration party!, I'm having some trouble deciding when and how, either it's gonna be now 20/10 if I find a good place to keep it, or saving it to 3/11. The first date is the only one when my baby can be there so friends have an opportunity to definitely see who I'm leaving them for... while I most probably should be finished with my entire degree only at the later date. Any opinions? :-)

Back to writing, busy, busy, busy...