Seattle

Windows Weekly with Paul Thurrott

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“A weekly look at all things Microsoft including Windows Vista, Office 2007, and Xbox from the foremost Windows expert in the world, Paul Thurrott of the Super Site for Windows.”

“Hosts: Paul Thurrott and Leo Laporte”

This podcast along with many other quality TWiT podcasts can be found on iTunes or on the TWiT Netcast Network website here: http://twit.tv

I have been listening to Leo and Paul for a few month now and it is by far my favorite podcast. The issues that they discuss coupled with their natural chemistry make this podcast quite special.

For me, it is the only way to get through the Monday commute between Seattle and Redmond.

First Two Weeks at Avanade

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Today was the mark of my first two weeks at Avanade and I have to say that each day gets better and better.

I was fortunate enough today to go out to lunch with one of our directors, a few of our recruiters, and some of my fellow new Seattle hires. It was an hour filled with good food and good conversation. If you are looking for a good place for a seafood meal check out Anthony’s. I recommend one of their amazing salmon or tuna bowls.

As far as orientation and training goes, Avanade has presented us with a very interesting, and I think very unique, training regiment. After our initial orientation to the company, which included a series of videos and documents outlining company vision and goals, we got right into training on how to be a consultant and work on projects in teams.

My next few weeks will be filled with virtual and in-person team meetings, technical training videos, and a whole lot of development as we work through a simulated .NET project. Stay tuned as I will be sure to give you an update on how the project ends up… if I survive it, that is.

First Day at Avanade

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Avanade

Today was my first day at Avanade in Seattle. The day started with a walk to work, which was just a bit over a mile down Elliott Ave and only took about 20 minutes. I arrived right on time and after a short greeting, was taken up stairs to get my badge and an office tour. The morning continued with a laptop and technology orientation. Being that a technology consulting firm, Avanade employees utilize the very latest from Microsoft. Then after lunch we continued on with the HR and Staffing orientations. And of course, being Seattle, the walk home was very wet. I learned that walking next to a busy street with fast moving cars in the rain with puddles on the road.. is not such a good idea. All in all it was a very overwhelming but exciting day and it looks like a very busy week ahead while I try to get acquainted with how Avanade operates and start in on some initial training. Stay tuned for more to come soon.

Pearl Django at Jazz Alley

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For all of you that even remotely enjoy jazz music or listen to KPLU, check out Jazz Alley (http://www.jazzalley.com/) in Seattle, Wa. I had the pleasure of listening to some of the most talented gypsy jazz musicians in the county tonight. For those not familiar with gypsy jazz check out Pearl Django on iTunes or Amazon. A typical gypsy jazz ensemble is comprised of a stand up bassist, a accordion player, a violin player, and some of the most talented guitar players you have ever heard, one playing rhythm, one playing melody. This is some of the most energetic and intricate music in existence and is truly amazing to listen to and even more amazing to see being played in front of you.

Seattle Living

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Well, after one crazy week I am finally moved into my condo in Seattle. My holiday week consisted of three trips from Seattle to Bellingham and back. For some reason I decided that Christmas day would be the day that I would unpack. So at 5:30 in the morning I finally threw my mattress on the floor and called it a night. Now that I have had a couple of days to situate everything and decorate I am feeling pretty good about my new place. So far I really like living where I am. Living in the city is definitely a big change from living in Snohomish or Bellingham. My only dilemma now will be what I am going to do to keep myself busy over the next three weeks until work starts. Today I went to the bank and the post office to change my address.. meaning.. I am almost out of things to do.

Apartment Finding and Durant Durant

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Well.. I am officially a Seattleite. This evening I meet with my landlord to sign the lease for my new place in Seattle. And to make the night even better, Kelly called me with an extra ticket to the Sonics game.

So after battling traffic and arriving half an hour late to meeting with my landlord, we were off to the Sonics game. But wait, about 5 minutes after leaving my condo, yeah, we get rear ended. Luckily there was no visible damage to my car. So he gave me his number and, after a “cheers”, he was off and we were back on our way to the Key.

Long story short, the Sonics suck.. I am sorry, but they do. And to make it even worse the best parts of the game were the 3 alley oops by the Hornets.

Apartment Hunting

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Today was my third and final day of apartment hunting in Seattle.

I started on Sunday with a tour of Belltown with my grandma where we looked at several apartment complexes around the area. Unfortunately, in Belltown, they were all either too small and ghetto or too expensive.

I was at it again on Monday where I focused in on one studio on 3rd and Blanchard. After inspecting the apartment I was almost sure that this was the one. That is until we discussed parking. This complex does not offer parking and it was going to be an additional $200 a month to park at the local garages. So I decided to sleep on it.

Today I decided to put in a call to a private condo owner who was looking to rent out his condo down on Elliott Ave W, about a mile and a half from work, down Elliott. Went down, took a look, and asked where to sign. This place is a bit on the higher end of my price range but since I will be doing some work from home, I figured that I better be in a place that I could actually enjoy living and working in.