we are so not stoned...

really.

pro wrestlers in quilted pants

San Rafael Crit

Rocko and Stormy got their first bike helmets now that they are old enough to hold their heads up for a ride in the trailer behind the bike. I took a test ride with them and they loved it. Pulling them back up the hill is no joke. I hope I maintain some level of fitness until they can ride their own bikes.

Meanwhile, we took them to their first bike race, the Carrera San Rafael. This is one of the biggest pro bike races in the US, offering one of the biggest purses, so racers from all over come to try to win some money. A lot of heavy hitters are here: racers who are National Champions, Grand Tour Riders- OK, you get it. It is a big deal. Well, last year I missed the race and my ex girlfriend won the women's Pro Race. This year, our friend Helena Drumm, Fairfax fire fighter, won in convincing fashion, and my good friend and Tuesday night riding buddy, Mike Foley, hung in there to finish in the top 30 in the men's Pro Race. These guys go fast. Try going 35 mph on a bike.  Now try averaging 35 mph for an hour and a half with over a hundred other guys inches away from your wheel on a dangerously tight mile long circuit of right hand turns. At night. Strong work, Mike.

ugly

We had a meeting today at work. Everyone in our office (about 100 people) assembled in the "creative room" where I meet with architects for design sessions. Our president gave us the message we had all been anticipating: some of us were going to lose our jobs. I had known this announcement was coming, and had been given assurances that I was not one of those who was going to be cut. However, you never know until you know. We were told that we had to cut roughly ten percent of the jobs at the regional office, and that there was an immediate wage and hiring freeze. I had been promised a raise for six months and had a new boss, with whom I was developing trust and him confidence in my abilities, but still these were still uncharted waters. I wasn't exactly sure where I stood.

OK. I know that I am among the top ten if not five percent of the "brain trust". I have a good relationship with everyone, am well respected and good at what I do. I have done a lot of different jobs over the years, and have no reason to believe that I will not "make the cut". But when you have this much on the line, it is scary to think about what would happen if you were to lose your job.

We are all told to go on doing our jobs while the President and VP's decide who goes and who stays. They will make an announcement next week. Meanwhile, my boss, who hasn't been around more than a few months, tells me we have to cut 2 people from our team of ten. And asks me who they should be.

We all wait for the day of the announcement. What comes is a message saying it is a hard decision and it won't be made for another week. I know I will not lose my job, but in the back of my mind I am updating my resume, wondering how long we can live on savings if we cut back- (what savings?) Looking for jobs on the internet, wondering if we had to sell our house now, how much we could get. Or if we could sell... I can't live like this. Even though I know I am not losing my job, and I know who is, it is too much to think about in the context of my current life. If it were just me- I know I could survive. I have skills. I am smart. I could support myself. But I have a family now. Not just a girlfriend, but a real family who depends on me. I do not want to minimize the importance of what Liz brings to the table financially or otherwise, however, I feel at this moment particularly, I am the gatekeeper.

Of course, I do not lose my job. The fact that I will not have a wage increase in the forseeable future is another matter altogether.

Lunch in Point Reyes Station

Nana, Grandpa and Kerrie

Almost as soon as we returned from Nonquitt, S&R got to see their other Grandparents again. As an added bonus Auntie Kerrie came along to see her niece and nephew for the first time.

Mom and Dad are as happy as clams giving the kids a bath. Well, maybe mom is happier.