WallaBlog - Adventures, Thoughts, and Observations
Charlie K. Wallace - The Channel Guy
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Courtright Lake
with Skot Davis
Bark-angel Michael
Grand Canyon
Lake Tahoe
May 2009
May has just arrived here in central California. Obama has just completed his first 100 days in office and the nation is still in the grips of one of the worst economic downturns
since the great depression. And, if that was not enough, a new influenza variant, dubbed the Swine Flu, has immigrated from Mexico where it took the lives of over 100 locals.
Closer to home, Seagate continues to struggle and recently announced the biggest quarterly loss that I can remember. The grapevine says that May 20th is the day that more
cuts will be announced and, as can be expected, everyone is a bit on edge. Personally, I have no worries and because my position and the shape of the channel have both
degraded, leaving might be a blessing! I'll post the verdict soon!
Just heard that Michael Williams, the pianist for the Unity Church choir - back in the 90's - left this planet a week or so ago. Michael was a gentle soul and a great pianist -
always patient and there when we needed him A memorial is being held at Unity on May 3rd. Happy travels Michael - see you in the next life!
Summer will be here soon and I'm looking forward to getting out of Dodge with my friends. Hope to have several outings to the mountains - maybe many outings if my job at
Seagate goes South!
Namaste . . .
since the great depression. And, if that was not enough, a new influenza variant, dubbed the Swine Flu, has immigrated from Mexico where it took the lives of over 100 locals.
Closer to home, Seagate continues to struggle and recently announced the biggest quarterly loss that I can remember. The grapevine says that May 20th is the day that more
cuts will be announced and, as can be expected, everyone is a bit on edge. Personally, I have no worries and because my position and the shape of the channel have both
degraded, leaving might be a blessing! I'll post the verdict soon!
Just heard that Michael Williams, the pianist for the Unity Church choir - back in the 90's - left this planet a week or so ago. Michael was a gentle soul and a great pianist -
always patient and there when we needed him A memorial is being held at Unity on May 3rd. Happy travels Michael - see you in the next life!
Summer will be here soon and I'm looking forward to getting out of Dodge with my friends. Hope to have several outings to the mountains - maybe many outings if my job at
Seagate goes South!
Namaste . . .
May 2009 - Update
March 2010
I am starting to discover that I may never be a full-time "blogger". Although there is never a lack of new information to post, I just never seem to have the
time! Of course, spending almost 6 weeks in the Sierra since the Seagate debacle might be part of the reason!
I have been doing a bit of research and consulting with my "EverythingChannel" friends and have put out a bunch of resumes. But, the unemployment
number here in Ca. has risen to 11% and the outlook for the tech industry still looks bleak. What a difference a year of two makes!
Just got back from two weeks on the east side of the Sierra near the town of Bridgeport. What a great area. First, the BLM and National Forests areas for
"camping" are phenomenal - I did not pay a penny to camp (i.e. park the RV) and the locations along rivers in majestic pine and aspen were amazing.
Likewise, the hiking is outstanding. My friend Skot came out for four days and we hiked the Virginia Lakes trail (12 miles to an elevation of 11,500 feet)
and the trail to Green Lake. Both were amazing although the Virgina Lakes trail, with over 8 lakes along the way, is one of my favorites.
Mike (the Lab) is now 18 months old and being out in the mountains and lakes with him is a joy. It is so much fun to see him loving everything - from
hiking to swimming to chasing grasshoppers. It really helps to open myself up to all the wonders that are out there.
I'm going to begin listing my reading list, as per some requests. This month I am reading three books. On the fiction side, Dean Koontz's "Lightening"
and "From the corner of his eye" are both great. I also liked his 2003 postscript to "Lightening" which is a wonderful rant about his rebellion against the
wisdom of publishers and their drive to make Dean repeat themes or to create serial type novels. Of course, this was written before he wrote his series
of "Odd Thomas" books, which I also loved. So . . .
I am also reading Adyshanti's book about silence. If you don't know him, he is a NorCal Zen teacher about my age who has some great insights. Just
asking the questions "Who am I" and "What is the Truth" are quite powerful things to meditate upon. Also re-reading the "Power of Now" by Tolle -
always looking at my relationship with "Now" - especially important in these challenging times.
I will try to write more but, now, it is time to walk Mike. I hope the remaining days of Summer bring love and joy!
time! Of course, spending almost 6 weeks in the Sierra since the Seagate debacle might be part of the reason!
I have been doing a bit of research and consulting with my "EverythingChannel" friends and have put out a bunch of resumes. But, the unemployment
number here in Ca. has risen to 11% and the outlook for the tech industry still looks bleak. What a difference a year of two makes!
Just got back from two weeks on the east side of the Sierra near the town of Bridgeport. What a great area. First, the BLM and National Forests areas for
"camping" are phenomenal - I did not pay a penny to camp (i.e. park the RV) and the locations along rivers in majestic pine and aspen were amazing.
Likewise, the hiking is outstanding. My friend Skot came out for four days and we hiked the Virginia Lakes trail (12 miles to an elevation of 11,500 feet)
and the trail to Green Lake. Both were amazing although the Virgina Lakes trail, with over 8 lakes along the way, is one of my favorites.
Mike (the Lab) is now 18 months old and being out in the mountains and lakes with him is a joy. It is so much fun to see him loving everything - from
hiking to swimming to chasing grasshoppers. It really helps to open myself up to all the wonders that are out there.
I'm going to begin listing my reading list, as per some requests. This month I am reading three books. On the fiction side, Dean Koontz's "Lightening"
and "From the corner of his eye" are both great. I also liked his 2003 postscript to "Lightening" which is a wonderful rant about his rebellion against the
wisdom of publishers and their drive to make Dean repeat themes or to create serial type novels. Of course, this was written before he wrote his series
of "Odd Thomas" books, which I also loved. So . . .
I am also reading Adyshanti's book about silence. If you don't know him, he is a NorCal Zen teacher about my age who has some great insights. Just
asking the questions "Who am I" and "What is the Truth" are quite powerful things to meditate upon. Also re-reading the "Power of Now" by Tolle -
always looking at my relationship with "Now" - especially important in these challenging times.
I will try to write more but, now, it is time to walk Mike. I hope the remaining days of Summer bring love and joy!
Dinky Creek
Happy March!
Well, after six months of consulting and doing research for Everything Channel's IPED, I began the search for a new opportunity just before the holidays. I
was amazed at the number of responses I received. From semiconductor's to storage and software, start-ups and well established companies. Either
the recession in the Silicon Valley is in full recovery or my resume is really great! I think that both are true and I am grateful that I've had such a nice
career with some top notch companies.
The most interesting opportunity was with Symantec and I joined them in February as their Senior Manager of Partner Programs in North America. I really
was impressed with everyone I spoke with and the opportunity was exactly what I was looking for. It is interesting how technology has truly changed the
workplace. My Director is based in the Boston area and my two employees are also out of state - one in Florida and one in Utah. All but three are remote
and I now have an office in the Symantec Cupertino office - although the WW HQ is in Mountain View - which seems to overflowing with folks. This is
great for me - only about 45 minute from home (Mountain View is 30 minutes farther with the terrible traffic to the South Bay.
So, life is fine and, although Mike was wondering where Dad was going so early, he is adapting well and has Mom and the other "kids" to keep him
company.
I am thrilled that Spring is almost here! It's been a rainy winter her in California. Ready for sunny days and warm nights.
Cheers!
Well, after six months of consulting and doing research for Everything Channel's IPED, I began the search for a new opportunity just before the holidays. I
was amazed at the number of responses I received. From semiconductor's to storage and software, start-ups and well established companies. Either
the recession in the Silicon Valley is in full recovery or my resume is really great! I think that both are true and I am grateful that I've had such a nice
career with some top notch companies.
The most interesting opportunity was with Symantec and I joined them in February as their Senior Manager of Partner Programs in North America. I really
was impressed with everyone I spoke with and the opportunity was exactly what I was looking for. It is interesting how technology has truly changed the
workplace. My Director is based in the Boston area and my two employees are also out of state - one in Florida and one in Utah. All but three are remote
and I now have an office in the Symantec Cupertino office - although the WW HQ is in Mountain View - which seems to overflowing with folks. This is
great for me - only about 45 minute from home (Mountain View is 30 minutes farther with the terrible traffic to the South Bay.
So, life is fine and, although Mike was wondering where Dad was going so early, he is adapting well and has Mom and the other "kids" to keep him
company.
I am thrilled that Spring is almost here! It's been a rainy winter her in California. Ready for sunny days and warm nights.
Cheers!