On the road again

In Finland again this week. Should be the last business trip until some time in August. Since the end of January, I have made 3 trips to Finland, 1 to Asia, 1 to San Diego and 1 to Las Vegas. Getting really burned out. It used to be "cool" to travel a lot, but now, it's become a real grind. Too many sleepless nights followed by blurred days in meetings where I cannot seem to recall anything that was discussed even 10 minutes ago.
I am casually seeking some other roles that might require less travel. There are some options, but nothing I would classify as promising yet. Really want to stay with the User Guidance group, but if there are no alternatives, I may resort to looking outside the nurturing biosphere of Nokia . . . : (

Single parenthood

Am taking care of Nicole this week while Michele is away at church camp with Chelseay. So far, it has gone amazingly well. Nicole had her first "I want my mommy" meltdown this morning, but got over it fairly quickly. We spent a few hours at the water park yesterday (http://www.hawaiianfalls.com/colony.htm) and had a really good time. Took a nice nap afterward and watched the Mavs lose game 6 to the Heat. Today, she is with Nana and Papa and they will be swimming and dining at McDonalds. Not sure who is getting to do more, her or Chelseay. Only two more days until mommy gets home!

Happy Dad's Day

It's Father's Day. All over America, millions of cards are being exchanged with the familiar "Happy Father's Day" theme emblazoned on them. Today, I am offering a slight modification to this message.
The man that raised me, supported me, loved me and influenced my life for the last 38 years is not my biological father. He's much more -- he's my "Dad".
Any guy with functioning plumbing can be a "father." Being a Dad takes so much more I think. With two girls of "my own", it seems almost ingrained in me to love and care for them. It's easy. Much easier than loving on someone else's kids.
Not many guys are capable of raising someone else's biological child as if they were his own. But my Dad did. I never felt for a minute that I wasn't his son. His nickname for me growing up was "Champ."
Hopefully my words today convey who the real champ was, and is. Thanks Dad.

My trip to Asia

Had the pleasure of traveling to Singapore and Beijing recently for work. Learned a lot from my Nokia colleagues there, as well as a few things more cultural. Highlight of my trip was the last day when I traveled to the Great Wall. Cannot recall the exact name for the area/section that I visited. It was spectacula, beautiful, awesome -- add an adjective and I am sure it will apply. Here are a couple of my favorite shots from the trip. If you have the chance, go!

Now we're getting somewhere

I am gradually getting the hang of this tool. Not terribly user-friendly, but definitely workable. There are probably better tools out there that are a bit more WYSIWG, but they may not be free like this one.
If by some odd chance, someone happens to fly by here, please feel free to make some suggestions for additional content or blog topics. Right now, it appears I am only blogging to hear the sound of my own keys clacking.

Saying goodbye to a colleague

My friend Michael Edwards is leaving Nokia after today. He got caught up in a ridiculous reduction in force (in Dallas) and his slot was moved back to Finland. This will be a trememdous loss to our global User Guidance group. I just hate it when great people lose their jobs due to ignorant management decisions. So long Mikey, we will miss your boundless enthusiasm, talent and contagious laugh!

Somebody loves me!

My friend Patrick has become the first to add a link to my blog from his. If I reciprocate, does that mean we'll be hurled into some sort of endless feedback loop? Hope not, because he eats too many Chipotle burritos with the HOT! sauce. Well, here goes nothing! http://tenfive.blogspot.com

Holy cow, it worked!

So I am now officially a blogger. Don't expect anything like what Mark Cuban is throwing down at http://www.blogmaverick.com/. But I will try to keep this thing current. And no, I won't be encouraging comments from the haters like Mark. Just keep the love flowing!

DG