Thinking back, I have no idea what changed my mind. My fear of heights has remain unchanged, but my fear of flying has reduced dramatically with all the traveling Melissa and I have done. A few flight lessons in the last six months certainly doesn’t hurt, but I’d already long added skydiving to my Life List. If anything, the single greatest contributor is me realizing that life is about experiences and wanting to do as many cool things as I can before I die.

As I said, it’s been on my list for a few years. It was always something you half think about doing but doesn’t work out for one reason for another. The reason we did it when we did was really just a confluence of events. My mom had previously gotten me a gift certificate (for my birthday, I think [Thanks Mom!]) and we were going to be back in Virginia for a wedding, so it was probably the only opportunity we’d have to redeem it.

I really thought I was going to be MUCH more nervous than I was. I mean, I used to freak out just getting on a commercial airliner but for whatever reason, I was very ready to make it happen. We were really busy in the days leading up to it and I didn’t have much time to dwell, so that probably helped. My two pilot “lessons” have helped me to look my fears square in the eyes, so the idea of getting on a small plane didn’t bother me either. If I’m honest, I didn’t even really have what I would describe as nervousness until we were in the plane climbing past 3,000 feet. For the record, we would continue climbing and eventually jump out at around 14,000 feet.

The hardest part was the squat waddling to the edge of the plane door with a dude strapped VERY tightly to your back. I didn’t have trouble because I was scared of jumping out, but rather because I have bad knees, I’m very much out of shape and I am uncoordinated. I just physically had a hard time doing it (which you will see in the video). I did have a brief few seconds of panic when Melissa jumped out right before me, but I think that was more about worrying for her safety and not because I was about to do the same thing.

Then, we fell out of the plane. It was cold, it was windy, it was confusing and I was massively queasy from the flips we did as we exited. I have a long standing (genetic) history of vertigo and despite always having meds with me, I completely blanked on taking them beforehand. Unfortunately, this meant I spent most of the time in free fall trying to gain my bearings and all the time under canopy concentrating on not throwing up. We didn’t do any maneuvers because I wasn’t feeling well, which is a shame because I bet that stuff would be cool to experience. The best way to describe the whole experience is disorienting.

Would I do it again? The whole way down I couldn’t wait to be on the ground. I felt seriously ill, I just wanted it to be over and I was pretty certain it was going to be my first and only time skydiving. Once we landed and I gained my bearings, my opinion changed to “maybe.” Now that I’ve had time to process everything, I’d say there’s a decent chance I’ll do it again. I’d really like to experience the whole thing without feeling sick and concentrate on enjoying myself. I’m not gonna rush out and do it again tomorrow, but if someone is getting a group together or we’re somewhere cool and want to see it from the air, I’m probably there.

• Friday AM flight through Chicago to Richmond
• Pick up rental car and drive 100 miles to Orange, Virginia
• Check into our hotel around midnight and rush to sleep
• Wake up at 8:30 (very early when you’re on Pacific Time), eat breakfast and check out
• Drive 15 minutes to Skydive Orange, so I can use a gift certificate from my mom
• JUMP OUT OF A PLANE AT 14K FEET (and cross something off my Life List)
• Drive 100 miles back to Richmond and check into the second hotel
• Grab some lunch and a beer… and leave my credit card in the bill where it mysteriously disappears
• Head back to the hotel to get dressed up for a wedding
• Attend Mike and Heather’s wedding at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum
• Drink mojitos, Mexican beers and shots of tequila at the reception
• Wake up a smidge before 8, check out and drive 4.5 hours to New Jersey
• Attend my niece’s sixth birthday party
• Watch the Flyers beat the Penguins before going out to dinner with the fam
• Sleep in our third bed in as many nights
• Wake up after everyone left for the day and cook/eat the scrapple my sister was nice enough to buy (it’s not available in WA)
• Drive to Philly to visit with one of my fraternity brothers, meet his newborn son Abe and see the rowhome they remodeled
• Drop the rental off at the Philadelphia Airport
• Fly home Monday PM through Denver
• Climb into bed at 12:08 am Tuesday morning, after setting the alarm for work

Mike and Heather’s wedding was great, making perfect use (credit: Mike’s mom) of the sunny 75 degree weather. I think they’re perfect for one another (something I told Mike more than I probably should have before they got engaged) and was really happy to see them make it official. Much of their wedding was unconventional, or perhaps just atypical for weddings these days, but it fit them well. The reception seemed to be a continuation of the bachelor party we had for Mike in New Orleans last month, only with all our wives there. [I don't care what you say Mike, that was not music you could dance to.] I’m not gonna lie, I’m jealous of their honeymoon in France and a host of other countries. Anyway, congrats you two! We can’t wait to lobby you to move to Seattle. <grin>

The skydiving? It was definitely a life experience. I’ll write a separate post once I get the video online.

So, yeah… it was a nutso weekend. I felt a bit like the undead at times and I’m still recovering, but I regret nothing.

So, yeah… I flew a helicopter. I intended to do it years ago, when Melissa bought me an Xperience Days certificate, but I never got around to it for one reason or another. Actually, by the time I got around to it, Xperience had removed the Manassas, Virginia helicopter company from their list of providers and did not have a similar offering within a two hour drive for years after that. Fast forward a half decade, or there abouts, and I realize Xperience offers one in Seattle.

The mechanics of flight have always fascinated me, a fascination that survived a severe fear of flying after a dramatic childhood incident on a commercial jet liner. Through my travels and many flights, I’ve gradually overcome the fear and turned it into a minor obsession with piloting. I was instantly hooked on helicopters after my first ride, a glacier tour/landing in Alaska. My only other experience was a Big Island tour in Hawaii, but I knew I wanted to eventually get behind the wheel/stick/yolk/thingy.

Having done a fixed wing lesson a few months ago, I kinda knew what to expect. I would show up at some obscure location, hand over my certificate, have a brief conversation with some random guy, get a quick once over on the machine and then take off into the wild blue yonder. This experience really wasn’t any different. The location was the less-than-obscure Boeing Field but would you believe I didn’t and can’t remember my instructor’s name? I suck with names.

The experience itself was. just. plain. awesome. I’m not even sure how to describe it to someone that hasn’t done it, other than pure joy. That feeling when you lift off the ground, spin around, and zoom off over the land at 100 mph isn’t like anything else. Then there’s the piloting thing. The helicopter was super sensitive to inputs but with some coaching, I was able to control it relatively well despite the high winds. (The instructor asked if I played a lot of video games. Apparently people who play have a natural tendency for the multi-input, fine motor skills control. Ha!) There’s a lot of information to process, and I definitely wasn’t great at that part, but the feeling of power and freedom makes it worth the pure disorientation of it all. Flying around the Space Needle, at eye level with the people on the platform, was cool… but nothing compares to pitching the helicopter into a turn and looking straight down at the ground. Oh and a helicopter is a GREAT way to see a city you just moved to.

What’s next? Well, I have a voucher for another go ’round but after that who knows. A year or so ago I looked into getting a helicopter pilot’s license, but deemed it entirely too expensive and impractical unless I wanted to make a complete career change. In talking with the instructor about what it takes to be an EMT pilot, it sounds like I should expect to blow roughly $75,000 and 10 years of my life. Yeah. If I ever feel the need to get a doctorate, maybe I’ll just get a helicopter pilot’s license instead. Until then? Continue purchasing experience vouchers, I guess.

First and foremost, I believe in a woman’s right to work, make her own choices and follow whatever path makes her happy. This is absolutely not a “women should be barefoot in the kitchen” or women should be secretaries and stewardesses (my word choice is purposeful) post. I believe every individual has the right to work wherever, marry whomever and own whatever they choose, so long as it doesn’t harm others. A woman’s right to a long and fulfilling career in whatever field she chooses is no different.

That said, I recommend having a one income family if you can manage it. I’m not so old fashioned as to assume it has to be the woman, but with the eventuality of childbearing and earning potentials being what they are, it usually ends up being the woman. Regardless of who it is, it’s become clear to me there is much to be gained from one member of the household not working so they can tend the home.

Initially, I was excited at the prospect of having someone do the chores around the house. The thought of coming home to a clean house, a home cooked meal and not having to go to the grocery store was an attractive one. What I did not realize at the time was all those conveniences would not amount to much when compared to the freedom its provided both of us.

Freedom? Yeah, freedom. Dividing and conquering our responsibilities, her with keeping the home and me with keeping the bills paid, allows each of us to focus on one thing while apart and one thing while together. We no longer have to deal with the stresses of home after dealing with the stresses of work, but rather we spend our days handling one aspect of our life and the time after that making the best of our lives together. Yes, it’s very convenient to hand over matters that need handling on my way to work and know they’ll get done; the value is in not having to stress about handling it when I get home. This much is true, spending Sunday afternoon hiking around Discovery Park is a much better way to spend the time than trudging through the aisles of a mega mart. Besides, having someone plan meals (and pack my breakfast and lunch!), dig for coupons, take the time to compare prices and cook from scratch means we eat healthier, spend less money and generally live better.

It’s important to note that while keeping a home can be and generally is a full time job, some may find it’s not exactly fulfilling. I’m not exactly sure why [/sarcasm], but sitting at home and/or running errands all day can lead to boredom. So, if you’re going to make a go of it, consider the option of a part time job, a small stay at home business or even volunteering. This allows the person who’s going to stay home the ability to earn money, make friends and ultimately, pursue something that makes them happy. If you have kids? Well, it’s obviously a bit harder to find the time for these things, but I know families that have done it and enjoy the balance. (It’s certainly less of a time commitment than a full time job.)

I realize not everyone’s life allows for this. There are often circumstances or salaries that dictate there be two working adults in a household. For sure, we are privileged in that sense, but our choice has not come without sacrifice. We make less money, we have less disposable income and as a partial result, we live a bit “smaller” of a life. To continue that line of thought further, we’ve decided to sacrifice even more instead of having two working parents if we ever choose to have children. The irony of it all – less is, in fact, more.

House

We are completely unpacked and, for the most part, have finished decorating. Our guest room is ready to accept guests and our first visitor, my mom, is going to be here in 2.5 weeks. The house itself is… interesting. It’s 100 years old, has been partially restored and as they always say about houses this old, has “character.” We’re currently battling a ground water issue (hey, it’s Seattle) but are doing our best to settle into a house we don’t own. This is our first time renting since our college apartment, so it takes some getting used to. That’s both a good and bad thing.

Job

I no longer feel lost at work. I was completely and utterly befuddled just a month ago, but I’ve finally started to grasp the work and build a working relationship with those around me. There is A LOT of work to do, but it no longer seems like an impossible task. I’ve really had to (re)learn a lot of things, most notably how to truly multitask and be on my game pretty much all the time. I’m not exaggerating when I say that Amazon is very different than any other job I’ve had. Ever.

Social

We are expanding our social network, slowly but surely. The are a couple people I work with that have been very welcoming, going out of their way to make sure we feel included. We end up going out with a group one night a week, usually tagging along with whatever people throw out there as a way to see and do as much as possible. It’s hard to say where lasting friendships will come from, but I’m thankful for how easy it’s been to move beyond the “We don’t know anyone” phase.

Seattle

As you may have seen on Facebook, I’m really loving city living. We are close enough to everything that we can bus pretty much everywhere, but far enough away in a more secluded neighborhood that we can forget we’re living IN a city. Beyond that, I am reminded almost every day why I moved here. The people are amazingly pleasant, the geography and scenery are breathtaking and there is such a sense of honesty and culture that I can’t help but fall for it. At first glance, the city isn’t anything special… but the deeper you scratch, the more you realize what’s underneath is pretty damn cool. Oh, and I saw Mount Rainer on my way to work today. How cool is that? I am really looking forward to having visitors because I want to show them what I think makes this city great and have them love it as much as I do.

Marriage

Simply put, my wife is wonderful. Moving here has made me realize just how awesome we are together.  I love her as much now as ever.

The following is my experience over the course of the last two weeks. I’ve rounded the all of the hold times to 10 minutes because I wasn’t actually timing everything. I do know some holds were 7-8 minutes and some where 12-13, so you get the point. I’d originally typed this up as one big list, but I thought it a bit hard to read so I’ve broken it up based on interaction. Enjoy!

Scheduling Installation

• I try to set up a new account before we move, but they won’t until the existing account is cancelled
• I try to schedule installation on move in day, to avoid lapse in internet but they can’t until we have an account
• The previous tenant (homeowner) tries to transfer service to us, but is unsuccessful for several reasons
• The previous tenant agrees to leave account active and equipment set up for a few days so we can settle in

Ordering the Service

• Six days after we move in, Comcast shuts down the existing service as instructed by the previous tenant
• I call Comcast to set up new service and immediately get through (amazing)
• I inform the associate I want the promotional $30 rate on 15d/4u for new customers
• Associate puts me on hold for 10 minutes while she “looks for that plan”
• After telling me she’s still looking, I’m put on hold for another 10 minutes
• Associate says that plan is not available (even though it’s on their website for my address) and asks what I want to do
• I ask for any available promotions and am put on hold for another 10 minutes while she searches
• She informs me the ONLY special is a $40 25d/5u ($75 after a year) that includes cable television
• I say I don’t want TV and ask for an internet only special; I’m denied
• I resign myself to the bundle, since internet-only would be more expensive, and am put on hold for 10 minutes to set it up
• She comes back and asks if I want the $40 professional installation or to save the $40 with a Self-Activation Kit
• I choose the SAK and am told she “will be right back” after she finishes setting up my account
• 10 minutes later, she says my account has been set up I will be getting a SAK in the mail
• I explain I do need ANY equipment, that I can already get to the internet-based activation screen and just need my account number
• We argue for 10 minutes; me struggling to understand why they have to ship a 13 digit code to me in 5-7 business days to start service
• I ask to speak with her supervisor

The Escalation

• I am immediately connected to her “supervisor,” who is pleasant, knowledgeable and gives me my account number over the phone
• Upon reaffirming the bundle plan is the only one available to me, I reiterate I do not want any equipment – no cable box, NOTHING
• I try to activate the account while I have him on the phone, but am getting Comcast generated “problem connecting to us” error
• Since nothing had changed since the service was working the day prior, I ask to be transferred to technical support
• After a brief hold, I’m told I “managed to get a hold of a Maryland support center” and I’d need to speak with someone in Washington
• I’m transferred and after another brief hold, am told I need to speak with someone in internet support, not television
• I’m transferred again and asked to leave my number because the wait time is over an hour
• I refuse and remain on the line, but finally get activation to work after trying the 7th (?) time – YAY INTERNET!

The Box and Bill

• Three days later, a large box arrives from Comcast
• Inside the box is a cable modem (don’t need it) and a cable box (don’t want it) with instructions to self-install
• One day later, a bill arrives with two $15 charges for modem and receiver kits (a fee I was never informed of for equipment I didn’t want)
• Call them again and am asked to provide my number for a call back because the wait time in 45 minutes
• Receive my call back ~45 minutes later (amazingly) and within 5 minutes get return labels sent to me and a $30 credit on my bill

To be fair, my second interaction was very efficient and I wouldn’t have written this had my first interaction been like that. Unfortunately, my experience has been that dealing with Comcast is more like the first. You can’t necessarily blame a company for one bad experience, but at some tipping point the failing does become that of the employer. Are companies like Comcast just not incentivised to care? Are they in the dark about how to serve customers? Can they not attract enough people who are able to understand how to make customer service a priority? If some companies can get consistently awesome customer service ratings, there’s gotta be a reason Comcast isn’t one of them. Whatever it is, it makes me resent paying them for a service. </first world problem blog rant>

Today marks the 31st and last full day we’ll spend in temporary housing. I am extremely grateful Amazon provided us with the ability to settle in over time, but I am so very ready to get into something more permanent. I feel like we really haven’t been able to “get on with life” before now, mostly because it’s hard not to feel like you’re just on an extended business trip when living in a furnished corporate apartment. As much as I’ve been preaching a simpler life with less stuff lately, I am now keenly aware there are things I’m not ready to live without. Included below is a list of things I’m really looking forward to having back. Is this a bit materialistic? Probably, but it’s just not home without them.

• King size Sleep Number bed
• DirecTV hooked up to a big ass LED LCD TV and a proper universal remote
• Knife set, including the ridiculously sharp ceramic chef’s knife
• Drinking cups/glasses
• Proper cookware and cooking utensils
• HEPA air filter we use at night, mostly for white noise
• French press coffee maker
• Printer/Scanner (I rarely print, but it’s been VERY necessary with everything going on.)
• A “place” for everything; I’m obsessed with order, duh
• A routine

• I pulled my single greatest comeback in the league with my dad. My team got off to a very slow start and after six weeks I found myself at 1-5. I really have nothing to blame other than my poor draft, of which I had a bad feeling immediately after it completed. I managed to win the next 7 and climb my way into the playoffs against all odds. Unfortunately I lost the last three of the season, but I felt the season was a success considering my horrible start. Getting to the playoffs ensures you finish in the money, so I really can’t ask for anything more.
• My other league was more or less gangbusters from start to finish. I felt pretty good about my draft and after a 2-2 start, I went on an incredible 9 game win streak. I finished as the #1 seed with the most points and, despite dropping the last game of the season, won both my playoff games. The money is somewhat inconsequential; putting the Championship trophy on my desk at work will be way sweeter!
• I had another mediocre year in my family’s pick’em league. I was never really in the running and two of the people stopped playing with a few weeks to go, so I can’t say 3rd is that much of an accomplishment. On the bright side, Melissa crushed my always-wins-everything cousin by 17 points… and I bankrolled her entry. Ahh… glorious, glorious interest. I can’t wait to collect!

• I mark 5 years of blogging
• I realize a boyhood dream by purchasing a Ducati
• I go dry for a month
• I embark on the 100 Strangers project
• I profess my desire to move
• We lose a great racer and even better man in Jersey Joy Hrymack
• We go to the Dominican Republic with my family
• Melissa and I celebrate our eighth anniversary, the best yet
• We make the decision to move to Seattle

What’s in store for 2012? Honestly, beyond one or two givens, I have no freaking clue. I really want to get back to a normal exercise routine (hell, a routine in general) and I’d like commuting by bike to become a regularity.  Regardless, I think it’s going to prove an amazing, yet trying, year. ]]> http://chris.derecola.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-2/feed/ 0 http://chris.derecola.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cderecola/~3/yUSqDLfTsIU/ http://chris.derecola.com/2011/12/amazon-the-first-week/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 01:39:32 +0000 Chris http://chris.derecola.com/?p=1266 Well, I made it through my first week with Amazon. Suffice to say, it’s been a very interesting, eye-opening, tiring and refreshing experience. I spent much of this first week in meetings, sitting quietly, as a way to get exposed to as many things as possible. This also means I haven’t really produced anything, although I have managed to conquer a number of access/login issues and cross quite a few new hire tasks off my list.

A couple people have asked what it’s like or how I like it. Five days isn’t nearly enough to allow me to describe a new job (especially in a new city, in a new part of the country), so I’m not sure how much I can offer. Since much of my week was spent observing, what I can say is there are a number of things that have really struck me as “different” from other jobs I’ve had. Here are five things that have stood out this week.

• Dogs – They are everywhere. I’m really not sure what it is, but walking down the hall past someone with a dog is supremely cool. I love dogs and they are far from a distraction, which is sort of counter-intuitive. I can’t say I’ve heard a single bark this week, which allows them to easily become just another part of the work experience.
• Age – I’ve always felt like one of the younger people at the companies I’ve worked at. There are certainly people older than I at Amazon, but for the first time it seems as though I’m closer to the median (if not average [stat nerd!]) age of employees. This could be a threat to some people; I see it as a welcome sign the company can attract young minds.
• Food – A few things in our cafe: Elk Sliders, Grilled Salmon, Roasted Butternut Squash, Pho, Grilled Paneer Sandwich and Sashimi. Sweet.
• People – If you look lost, someone will ask you if they can help. If you sneeze, someone will say “bless you.” If you seem tired or otherwise in need of a pick-me-up, someone will buy you coffee. If you make eye-contact, the other person will smile and/or say hello instead of looking at their shoes.
• Growth – There are roughly 1000 companies in the US that have as many employees as Amazon has hired in 2011. For reference, the 2007 Census estimated the number of US businesses at roughly 28 million. This massive level of growth permeates everything.

The interesting thing about this list, is that it probably paints a picture reminiscent of the tech boom days. While it’s hard to buck that notion, I can tell you most everything I’ve experienced is one of a company that is very serious about getting work done and very serious about being successful. It’s much more “corporate” than one might expect, but more of a function of its size and less of bureaucracy. All in all, a welcomed new experience for me. I look forward to what the future may bring.

Merry Christmas everyone.