iResuscitation

Success - my iPod is alive for a while longer. I was directed to a site full of good iPod info (www.ipodlounge.com) - Thanks Deetz! :) where you can look on the forum to see discussions on just about anything with an 'i' in front of it. I didn't have to look hard because my problem is quite a common one (who knew) - When I turned on my iPod, it showed a folder icon with a big exclamation point on top of it and then you can hear the hard drive whirling madly without accomplishing what it really wanted to do....it had crashed. The suggested fixes sounded farfetched but I tried it anyways - jam a screwdriver in it to open it up then shake it a little and replace the top and Voila! You are on your way. I barely jammed the screwdriver into the seam to open it up and did do a bit of shaking as I was trying to get a good hold of it and open up the face. That amount was all it needed and it is fixed - the folder icon went away and I was able to get to my music!!!

iFuneral

My iPod died while on my trip to Germany. It was so sad, a 10 hour flight and no music to listen to other than what the airline piped in. The flight home on Saturday was uneventful. I did see 3 co-workers on my flight home and then about 4 more people when I landed (they took the Paris flight home) - All I could think was how much money we must've spent to send all of us to Europe. I guess that's the downside of working for a global company.

As soon as I landed, I headed to Jon & Kristi's house for a 1 year birthday party for Julia. It was fun, relaxing and I was ready to see everyone. When Owen first saw me, he gave me a look that said 'I think I know you, right?' It wasn't until I started talking to him a bit more that he was excited to see me and then clung to me the rest of the night and most of Sunday as well.

Mastering English

Yesterday, training ended early and most everyone darted out of the hotel relieved that it was Friday and the beginning of Octoberfest in Munich. There were a few of us, mainly me and people from Japan who would not be catching our flights until the following day or Sunday.

While we were taking in the sights and getting to know each other better, they eventually got to a comfortable point that they were willing to ask about some clarification on a concept we learned in our training. The concept was why be good when you can be great - how can you make something even bigger, do it better, faster, cheaper. The trainers termed it 'Being a Waterwalker' or 'Waterwalker Attributes'. For the Japanese, this phrase brought to mind images of old grandmas and grampas who do their daily exercise by walking laps in the pool. They could not understand why the trainers were asking them to be more like grandmas and grampas. One I explained to them it was not about being a grandpa/grandma but more like a kung-fu master, you saw the lightbulb go off it their head!

Always a Researcher!

Although I am here in Frankfurt, solely to focus on this training - I can't help but always observe things to help move my project. I am working on a global product do design products for the bathroom and of course we would love for one product that can fit both regions. I have been told and sent pictures of the western europe bathroom so I can understand the differences from the US bathrooms and it isn't until you are here living it, that you can say 'Ah, I know exactly what they mean!"

One product is a toilet product and so understanding how toilets are different and the mindset about appropriate behavior is needed. Well, it was quite eye opening when you see the true toilet design here as well as the fact that they keep a toilet brush next to the toilet (yes, I am talking about the public ones here in the hotel) so that if you make skid marks, you clean up after yourself! In my US mindset, I hate touching my own toilet brush, much less some public toilet brush that you don't know just how many other people might've used...I'll leave you with that thought.

Now, I'm off to my last day of training.

Willkommen Frankfurt

I arrived in Frankfurt today on time. My flight was pretty uneventful with the minor exception of an overbook flight and being on the same plane as our Mayor, Mark Mallory. The Frankfurt airport was quiet and still on an early Sunday morning and moving efficiently as I don't expect anything less from the Germans. I was a bit bummed because I forget that shops are closed on Sundays but nevertheless I did get to wander the center of town and have taken a few pics which I won't be able to post until I return home next weekend.

It was perfect outside - sunny and ~70F. There was a lot of street musicians out there but their talent is quite a few notches above anything you see in Cincinnati, including one guy who was out there with his piano! You thought you were at an outdoor performance.

It is only 4pm here but already, my eyes are feeling heavy - only a few more hours to stay awake before diving into my bed.

Ladies of Hunters Green

Right before labor day weekend, Tom found a flyer stuck to our mailbox which advertised creating a ladies group and listed the events going on for the coming year. I decided to join them for dinner last night and see what it was all about. I had hesitations as I guessed most were stay at home moms and I wasn't sure how well I would fit in with them. At the same time, I was intrigued by the idea of getting know more of my neighbors and seeing if any would have kids around Owen's age. It turned out to be quite a fun night. It was nice to meet new people from a range of ages and some who do have kids relatively close to Owen's age. It was still difficult to be one of the 2-3 people there that worked for any amount of time outside the home and my world doesn't revolve around the kids and looking forward to when Tom came home to give me relief. I found out that I probably had more in common with their husbands - as they seem ALL to work at P&G; I guess that's how they can stay home. I think I'll go back out with these ladies and give them another try next month before I decide whether or not I'll commit to joining the group.