Happy New Year!

Happy 2009 to everyone!

Boston for the Holidays was fun. We had about as much snow - OK, maybe less - than in WI and the temperatures were pretty low - OK, not as low as in WI. I can't complain.

I think some things you'd like to hear about Bostonians in the snow are that first, they don't drive as well as WI drivers. You'd think that being from New England and used to the snow would make them good drivers. Wrong! And they admit it too. They say here that you don't know how to drive in the snow unless you're from Vermont. Second, they don't clean the streets as well as in Milwaukee - main roads are OK. Small residential roads and sidewalks are pretty bad. It makes it hard to walk around. And third, they think it's really cold when it's 24 degrees.

Enjoy!

Boston warmth

So I made it in one piece to Massachusetts! The trip took 20 hours total (18 hours in the car and 2 hours worth of stops). Here are some of the memorable events from the trip:

- beating the snow storm falling on Milwaukee by 1 hour - it followed me until Chicago but it never snowed on the road.
- paying $5 to enter Indiana and paying $6.75 to leave Indiana - expensive State!
- being surrounded by trucks all the way to MA with only a few handful of cars here and there.
- 40 to 45 degree weather the entire time (no snow - a little rain sometimes).
- 3 letters... GPS!
- 2 adorable cats who did not say 1 word in the car for 20 hours - walking freely back and forth from the front to the back of the car and sleeping on my lap.
- driving at night from mid-Indiana to the end of NY State.
-arriving in MA as the sun rises in front of me - beautiful hills in the sunrise (who knew MA had hills!)

I live in the area of Boston called the South End. It is a vibrant area filled with restaurants, shops, bars and people. It is known for its brownstone homes and red bricks - it is very pretty, especially with Christmas lights.

The weather has been very nice compared to what I see in the news about Wisconsin. As I am writing, it is 62 degrees outside. I did not know the winters were so mild on the East Coast. I wonder if it is an exceptional year. Massachusetts has been under a state of emergency since last week due to 2 or 3 inches of ice falling overnight. Those of you in WI will laugh at this but it is a serious matter here and people are not used to it.

Here are some pictures of my neighborhood and those traveling cats.

From sun to snow in 3 hours or less

I'm back from ATA and had a great and exhausting 4 days! I learned so much my head is still spinning and I was able to meet so many wonderful translators from all over the world. I'll have pictures (mainly of my ATA partner-in-crime Andris) soon!

I never was able to leave the hotel much, but it was delightful to see people outside in shorts and short sleeve shirts! I have to say that it was a bit of a shock to go from 81 degrees at 5 pm and be greeted by flurries and 34 just a few hours later :-) But, I figured the best way to become acclimated to November in Wisconsin was to get on my trusty bike...and I did the very next morning.

To my surprise the temperature was....

prepare yourselves

'cause I never thought I'd see it

28!

You know, it wasn't that bad. Please stop looking at me like I'm crazy.

Since then, I bought better gloves and something to put over my mouth and nose (it's the wind more than anything). Who knows how far this will go!

We're a very scary bunch

Iverson's very own Mistress of Halloween (aka Jordan) orchestrated one heckuva a Halloween bash on Wednesday replete with treat boxes and staff in costumes!

From l to r:

A very military Andris, Perfect Cheer Terra, Clara Palin, Jordan the Post-It Note, Childlike Empress Megan, and the winner of the costume contest...

Lydia (from Beetlejuice), aka Amy

Jordan went above and beyond the call of duty by whipping up most of the ghoulish treats. Thanks for a wickedly good sugar buzz!

I've hit a new low!

37 this morning and, you know what? it wasn't that bad. Well, compared to yesterday's 39 but a stiff wind, it seemed pretty ok...relatively speaking!

My fingers are still a bit cold and I can't type too well yet so off I go to make some good, hot tea! Oh, but what I wouldn't do for a roaring fire in the fireplace right about now - I guess my desk light will have to do :-)

Like grim death...

Well, now, this morning's weather certainly got my blood moving! According to my trusty bike odo-/thermometer, it was 40 degrees this morning. Hélène's car thermometer read 38...I'm clinging to those 2 measely degrees like grim death!

Even though she looked like I was stark raving, I told her it really wasn't that bad. The wind (out of the NW) was chilly for sure, but it was at our backs this morning (you really don't want to know how early) and, by the time I was headed north, the sun had risen and warming me up nicely. Plus, I had on my handknits to keep me warm: Anne-created socks, mittens, and sweater!

I tell you, I've never watched the Weather Channel more intently in my life! I'm trying very hard to make it to November...maybe if I stop watching the weather and cycle in blissful ignorance, I may make it!

New Digs!

Megan, Sarah, Dave and I moved into our new spots last Thursday and just loving it!

With the natives:

I'm going to have to host a Cube Warming Party so watch for the date soon! In the meantime, be sure to stop by and check out the Resource Group's new home!

Plays well with others

So far, Mother Nature has been quite cooperative and I'm holding steady with 42 as the low temperature. I was even able to dodge the rain this morning, cruising in at a balmy 54.

Next week looks promising, too - I'm just going to keep my eye on Monday morning's forecasted low of 38! Brr!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

For those of you who haven't been to the office lately, I thought I'd share with you some photos of the construction!

There are holes in the walls:

Sounds rather ominous, don't you think?

As of the end of the week, this is where Sarah, Dave, Megan and I will have a new home.

Last week:

Today:

Look, there's new carpeting (with letters all over it, isn't that neat?!) and non-off white/eggshell/cream/ivory/light beige paint on the walls:

We'll be where Hélène's office once was. She'll be right next to us in these new digs:















I think Resource might have to have a Cube Warming Party next week! And, speaking of parties, be sure to check your email from a message from Jordan regarding a spooktacular event on the 29th!

Oh, one more random synaptic firing I wanted to share with you - another gem from Troy Aikman -
"He continuously continues..."

Egad, man, take advantage of a teleprompter.

Vote absentee. It's fun in a lazy way.

Just a friendly reminder that the lines at the polls might be really long on Tuesday November 4. To avoid missing several hours of work in order to vote, I’m requesting an absentee ballot.

If you’re already registered at your current address, it’s easy to vote by mail. Details are here: http://elections.state.wi.us/faq_detail.asp?faqid=120&fid=27&locid=47

Mail in your application for a ballot before Tuesday the 28^th.

If you want to check and see if/where you are registered, this site can help: http://elections.state.wi.us/category.asp?linkcatid=1773&linkid=270&locid=47

So no excuses! Make sure to vote on or before November 4.

Sketch comedy!

Come see my sketch comedy show or you'll cry yourself to sleep for the rest of the year.
That's not a threat- it's just a fact.
















broadminded announces their latest show, Rewind: A "best of" Sketch Comedy show.

The show will run at the Alchemist Theatre, 2569 S Kinnickinnic in Bay View with shows on:
Thursday Oct 23 - 7:30pm
Friday Oct 24 - 7:30pm
Saturday Oct 25 - 7:30pm
Sunday Oct 26 - 5pm

Broadminded is bringing back your favorite sketches for their first ever "best of" show. You won't want to miss this fine selection of vintage broadminded sketches aged to perfection!

Tickets are available for $8 at www.alchemisttheatre.com. The show is appropriate for ages 15 and up.

For more information on broadminded, visit our website, www.broadmindedcomedy.com.

Temperature update

Well, for those of you who voted for 45, I'm sorry to say that you are now out of the running! So far, the lowest is 42...heck, this morning's 56 felt tropical! Felt just like I was hanging with Aurora in P.R (just kidding...)

How low will she go?

Many of you may know that I'm an avid cyclist. My dear hubby and I log in some serious miles on weekends (usually 35-50) and I commute on my trusty steed whenever possible and I passed the 2,000 mile mark for the season (late May on) a few weeks ago. To be honest, I really don't remember the last time I was in the car. I'll bike through rain. I'll bike through wind.

I won't bike through snow. I'm not that nuts...

In the past, I didn't bike if it was below 55. Well, with some proper new gear, I've already gone well below that! (heck, lately that feels downright balmy) Today was a slightly different story - with 47 degrees, my husband and I didn't take our customary pre-work 25 miler but I did commute to Iverson from Shorewood (round trip is about 11 miles).

So, I ask you, "How low do you think I'll go?" Cast your vote below -

In Denial

I do not want to talk about the Wisconsin - Michigan game. Please do not ask me about it. If you do, I may either:

a. weep bitterly
b. stomp my feet and walk away
c. fume, with optional steam escaping from my ears
d. all of the above

So, let me stay in denial for a bit longer, k?

In the meantime, let me introduce you to the wee beasties that run Chez Dickens. Here are Washington and Madison:












They came to us almost a year ago...quite unexpectedly. Last July, we had to say a very bitter farewell to little Elmo.

He was only 7, a true spitfire, and most dear to my husband. Elmo burned very brightly and my DH always feared that Elmo would burn out quickly. Unfortunately that came true last summer when Elmo contracted an acute kidney infection. During the course of the initial treatment at the Emergency Animal Hospital, we learned that Elmo's other kidney never developed properly and was completely unable to handle the overload. Within a few days, he was gone and our hearts were quite broken.

This is a picture of him about 2 weeks before he died, doing one of the things he loved best - cuddling in a cardboard box.

Just a few months later, our best pals who live in Chicago were sent to Seattle in conjunction with their jobs. They had been extremely active in providing foster homes to cats while living in Chicago and during the course of this very laudable activity, had permanently adopted four of them...Washington and Madison were two of them. Their new home in Seattle only allowed for 2 cats and so our friends asked us to watch Washie and Maddie for a year. Having this request fall so shortly after we lost Elmo, we just couldn't see getting attached...which was an absolutely guarantee...and then having to say good-bye, again (even though we knew that the beasties would be back home safely). We hated having to disappoint our friends, but we were still mourning the loss of one very special feline.

After a week, our friends came back with another option: keep 'em for a year. If you love them, keep 'em for good. That way, they could start fostering again. How could we say no? Everyone wins...including some cats who will be in need sometime in the future.

Suffice it to say, we adore these two - brother and sister they are. Part of a litter found in a dumpster behind a restaurant somewhere in downtown Chicago in the dead of winter three years ago. All named after presidents (must be hard coming up with names when you foster so many animals) and these two are the only ones who survived that very harsh welcome to the world.

Within a few weeks, Washington and Madison had enriched our lives so much and it's hard to imagine each day without them!

Compliant?

Within the last few weeks, a number of you with long hair have shorn their locks! First there was Harmony, then Ana and most recently Miles! You all look great...but did some of us not get the memo? Watch out Megan, Sarah, Kerrie and even Nic - there's a definite trend starting here. If there was a memo, did you make it ISO compliant? Do I need to initiate a CPAR?

:-)

music

Just wanted to let you know about www.pandora.com, a cool music site that Aurora introduced me to. You can type in a name of a musician or song and they create a song list. You can mark which songs you like, and they'll suggest other things that you might like as well.

I have a cool Spanish rock station that I've made- if you want, let me know and I'll share it. Julieta Venegas, Aterciopelados, Soda Stereo, Cafe Tacuba, etc.

Also- if anyone has recommendations for interesting indy rock in other languages, let me know. Oddly enough, although I really dislike pop music in English, I'll listen to pop music in other languages- like Juanes, Alizee, etc.

Bemused and bewildered

Let's face it, we are all - to some extent - language nerds. True? Well, I know I am and I'm a rather prescriptive one at that! (next time you're in, stop by and read the comic I have on the outside of my cube. My DH clipped it for me...he knows me so well!)

So, being an avid football fan I do watch ahem...some football television over the weekend (heck, it really is the only TV I do watch so cut me some slack! :-) It never ceases to perturb/amaze me what comes from commentators' mouths. Troy Aikmam should be the posterchild. Other than doing his best to make elliding the "g" a national pasttime (e.g. goin', runnin', tryin'), he comes up with some real lu-lus! But, last weekend, whilst taking in the Notre Dame rout of Michigan, I heard this:

"It seems like déjà vu all over again."

CLASSIC!

Late night ramblings of a Quality Reviewer

My name is Kelly and I'm an Iverson Quality reviewer. Is there a 12 step program for that? I used to work in the office a lot but lately it's more at home. This is a good way to connect.

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I'm too busy to have a real hobby. Between 2 part-time jobs, 2 kids, a husband, a sick cat and a Sister-in-Law who's in the hospital since April, I really don't have a lot of free time.
My husband has a hobby though: he built a Hydrogen generator. He's trying to power the lawn mower with it.

I do have diverse interests though. Currently the things I'm involved in are:
-sharing books on tape with my kids (latest "read" was "Because of Winn-Dixie")
-walking: we discovered the "Monarch trail" in Wauwatosa. Located on 97th and Watertown Plank, Monarch butterflies stop there in the last weeks of Sept on their migratory path to Mexico. We wanted to see it before Scott Walker decides to develop the County grounds!!!
-volunteering at church: I'm a member of the Missions Committee. If you ever want to feed the hungery, I can hook you up. I'll keep you posted about the Fair Trade Expo at the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church in November.

-volunteering for the PTSA at Bruno's school. I'm chairperson for the Reflections Program (statewide art competition) and Spirit Wear.

On the horizon:

- Bruno and I are going to Daytona Beach in October for his birthday. I plan on taking up watercolors again while there.
- I'm having fantasies about getting a moped. If you know someone selling one cheap, I may be interested!

Well, that's probably more than you wanted to know. I'll stop now.

Hola

Hola to all!

My name is Aurora Sambolín and I work remotely from the beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico. I wish...;-) . As some of you may know I use to be a PM at Iverson until I recently moved back to PR . Right now I'm just enjoying my family and friends and getting ready to start my PhD in Translation Studies in September 2009. In the meantime I am teaching a translation class at the Universidad de Puerto Rico and working as a Quality Reviewer at Iverson as well.

Nice to meet you all!

Aurora

What Saturdays were made for...

Hi all,

Let me just start off saying how much I enjoyed meeting so many of you at our QR meetings this past week. I hope you found the meeting helpful and fun...I know I did. Your feedback and ideas are so important. Btw: there haven't been any new volunteers to be the QR rep at our group meetings. Can I bribe you with coffee and treats?

Ok, enough work talk!

When I was first hired, you may have read that I am a knitter and an avid one at that. In fact, I worked and taught at a yarn store before coming to Iverson. In addition to cycling (the manual kind...no Harleys for me, right Miles?! :-) and music, knitting is my prime passion. As we approach sweater weather, be sure to stop by...chances are I'll be wearing some Anne Creation or another.

I just wanted to share with you my latest completed project. Behold, knitted socks!

If anyone is interested in learning to knit, I'm more than happy to get you started and to share my yarnie love.

Do any of you have hobbies that you'd like to mention?

Well, my friends, back to what Saturdays are made for: knitting and watching college football. I LOVE college football, especially Big 10. I went to school at Wisconsin (B.A.) and Michigan for my graduate degrees (Historical Germanic Linguistics, of all things). Since I have to wait 'til tonight to watch my beloved Badgers and the big Ohio State/USC game, I'm going to settle in shortly with my new knitting project and watch the Notre Dame/Michigan game. Go Irish! Being a Badger fan since childhood and an alumna, I must always root for the Wolverine's opposing team. Let me tell you, I wasn't always the most popular person in Ann Arbor on Saturdays!