I really love Pachelbel's Canon ... seriously, it was my favorite "diddy" to play when I took piano -- however, I have been on hold with expedia.com for nearly three hours (not an exageration) due to the fact that Aloha Airlines closed down shop and for some reason they believe that playing the freakin song over and over and over and over and over and over is the way to go. In short, I have had 3 phone calls, recieved incorrect information the first time, got dropped (after over an hour the second time) and am still on hold with an unresolved issue on my third attempt...
Just for the record, I still like Pachelbel's Canon, I am having second thoughts about Expedia.com and am wishing I dealt with the little roaming gnome guy.
Just when I thought it could not get any stranger, first thing this morning I get a phone call on my direct line (which I will have to look into) from an obviously new "Web Design/Dev" firm's owner asking me "if I knew where to hire any employees and if any of my staff would be interested in going to work for him." Obviously intrigued, I decided to continue with the conversation and responded: "I don't know, I would have to ask, what are you looking for?" to which he replied "well I have 12 websites to build and need designs and searches done, you see I am specializing in Real Estate websites and I have enough work to employ someone for two years!"
To Clarify, I had to be certain I understood what he was looking for.
"So you are looking for someone to design and build 12 websites, do the html and styling, aggregate mls data and program their searches" ... response "exactly, would you look through Whatcom Community College or WWU?"
So, being that by then I was at work and again fully reminded how the many years of study and experience in Web Design and Development can be totally minimalized by even one of my competitors, I told him I would pass the word around.
Obviously I have not posted in a while. I have been trying to come up with a sort of "year in review" post but have found myself sort of tongue tied.
For me, 2007 started with wonderful news that we were going to have our second child, progressed filled with nine months of anticipation of his birth and ended as a test of strength/perseverance to heal after baby Mark's death whilst still holding it somewhat together for my wife Kara, daughter Olivia and our extended family in general.
Overall, 2007 was not a year I am going to personally miss in its' entirety. However, Business is going well and I have been fortunate enough to meet and become friends with quite a few collegues such as Andrew Robinson, Wayne Berry and Will Asrari. The websites I help run, Aramco ExPats and the recently launched Neighborhood-Kids project are now both running in the same framework with great new designs.
And I would not give up the year watching Olivia grow for anything in the world...
Here are a few photos from over the holdays:
Olivia gets her first pair of skis for Christmas (thanks grandma)
Olivia tries them out!
Olivia puts every hair clip she owns in her hair
I am ready and optimistic to see what 2008 will bring!
Without going into detail ... I mentioned to Kara that she was a bit lacking in her Christmas spirit. Very promptly she replied, "That is because everyone is sold out!."
Just thought you should know...
Rusty and Olivia hiking, Thanksgiving day 2007
Olivia raids the Aramco ExPats logo wear