So many of my blog posts are about change. Which is a wonder since I DO NOT LIKE change. Hate it actually. But I seem to gravitate towards it. Is it that I am never content in my current situation? Some people would think so, but really, I think I have been fortunate to find great opportunities so often in my life, and each opportunity is better than the last. I hope that change will be absent from my life for a bit (aside from a new career for Ken after graduation that is) as I have found a great place to work. If you have read my blog for any amount of time, you will see that I had a couple crazy changes in the past couple years, a time when I tried out marketing for a bank, which was NOT a fit, and when I ran screaming back to software marketing. I was blessed to be able to go back to a place I LOVED! However, with the state of my life, our age, etc., I could not turn down an opportunity to work for an up and coming software giant who is PreIPO and has all the perks that go with that. 

So I am on week three at this new place, and believe me when I tell you I am petrified. I am charged with International Marketing, and all that comes with it. It is new for the company so I am deep into figuring out what we should even do. I am petrified that when I show this plan to my manager I will be way off, but well, what can ya do? Just got to jump right? 

So, on Friday I propose this strawman plan, so we shall see. I love the company, the people, the perks, the commute, let’s just hope it is all mutual. 

Oh, and I ran a half marathon! How about that for some change. More on that later.

So, about a year ago I wrote a blog about the “changing of the suit” –  and I was truly excited to try a new industry, something totally unknown to me.  And as you can see, I really haven’t had time to update my blog. So, hopefully  this installment will be the first in a more regular series.

The last year has been educational to say the least. It has been exciting  at times, frustrating at others, but most of all, it has been awful. Software  marketing is what I do! And I realized that financial product marketing clearly  is not. It just doesn’t translate. And with over 15 years of marketing one way, I guess I am just unable to learn new tricks., or maybe I just don't want to learn this new trick So, the suit is coming off, and I  am heading back to software. 

The details are not all nailed down yet, but more to come.

I don’t know where else to even talk about this. So here I am using my blog that no one reads, but at least I am expressing this to myself if to no other. I will start with recapping the situation, which stings so terribly that I burst into tears just trying to explain it to my husband last night. I don’t know why this has affected me so, and I don’t know what I can do about it. Maybe just writing to myself will pose a resolution that will enable my heart to stop breaking, at least a bit.  

Yesterday I went into Michaels craft store to quickly grab a replacement frame that had broken. With it being November and the holidays approaching, anyone familiar with this store knows that there is no such things as a “quick” trip there until well past the new year. 

So, I got my frame and proceeded to get into the 20-person deep line. (a single line designed to delta into a pool of open cashiers) 

It moved fast, which was nice, and I was third from the front in very little time. At that point, I noticed an elderly man and his slightly less elderly friend walk past the line and try to go to a cashier that seemed open. The cashier’s light was not on, so she instructed the gentleman that she was closed and pointed to the line.  

He didn’t seem to understand, and so, he went to another line and tried there. Each cashier in turn curtly turned him away with a wave of their hand toward the long line. He just didn’t get it, so I mentioned to the patrons in line around me that he could go in front of me. And as the woman at the front of the line brushed past him without a glance towards a newly free cashier, the lady in front of me said the same that he could go in front of her.  

So we both gestured to the gentlemen that he could go in front of us. He didn’t really understand that getting in front of us in the line would facilitate things, so instead he just went behind another customer at a cashier. Once again, the cashier gestured.  

He was so confused and eventually just gave up, walked back and put his intended purchase (a small pack of stickers) back and left the store.  

When I got to a cashier, I went up to the lady who dismissed him the very first time and asked what he was trying to purchase. I was going to add it to my order and try to find the two in the parking lot. She dismissed me too – hah! as if she could be bothered to have even looked at what the man had wanted to buy. I was stunned. I didn’t know what to do.  

So I made my purchase, rushed to my car and back to work.  

In the car, I burst into tears. I should have done more. I should have set my purchases down and walked over to the gentleman and showed him how to get in line. I should have done something, and I am sick with myself that I was temporarily paralyzed by how the majority of people treat others. I was infected. I was just like everyone else, even though deep inside me was screaming that there had to be something I could do. Why didn’t I act!!!! 

All night last night I kept visualizing this sweet man thinking about his stickers. Maybe they reminded him of someone he misses. Maybe they were a gift. Maybe they just made him smile. No matter what they were for, he was without them. And I feel responsible.  

I will never let my paralysis or conformity to what everyone else does get in the way again. I don’t care what you think of me, I will never let anyone who obviously needs some help leave without getting what they want or need. Never!

4 – yes! 1, 2, 3, 4!!! Centimeters

So, many of my posts are about milestones. Many are just ramblings. This one I cannot seem to even think of a category for. Perhaps it is just a blog that allows me to “release” all the stress I have been holding. 

For the past couple months there has been a lot of stress in the house of Kaestner. Not all of it has been bad stress, there has been travel stress (to DisneyLand) and other things that most people don’t even consider in a day. But there has been one thing that has been hanging over Ken and me. And it was only 4 centimeters big. Sound small eh? Yeah, that is eeeeentsy! UNLESS you say that it is the size of a unidentified nodule on your thyroid. Yep, Ken has had to endure more tests, biopsies and the waiting that goes along with that.  

Even though we whooped it up in Disneyland, and have been enjoying the fall weather, he has not been sleeping and has something on his mind – no matter what!, for months. He never talks about these things, he internalizes. I do the same. So needless to say we have been a quiet bunch for a while. 

His biopsy test was scheduled for last week. And we were supposed to hear results on Wednesday this. However, come Tuesday morning and 4 days entirely without sleep, Ken gave in and called. AND, the results! NORMAL!  

So, long story short. Back on track for us. WE have a long life in front of both of us!

Never Tell Me The Odds

Well, I promised a couple months ago a post about the odds. I had thought that it would be more about the over/under on my finishing the Tough Mudder at Northstar this year. But sadly, that will have to wait a year. Unfortuinatly, due to school and a very important, cannot miss class, Ken cannot do the mudder this year, but we have happily rescheduled it for a year from now. Yay – 52 more weeks of crossfit *sarcasm* 

Anyway, the odds. How can I turn this post into odds. I could stretch, but instead, I think I will just write about something that has come up a couple times, just today. College. I guess that isn’t surprising, since Ken is in college. But it brought back many memories of my 4 years there.

Mom and I were chatting today after lunch, and for the first time ever, she admitted that when I left for college she cried. And if you know my mom, you know how rare that is. She isn’t the teary type – I assume from growing up with brothers and grandpa being such a tough cookie.  

But, it made me feel good – in a bad way. I never want to make my mom cry, NEVER! But it did make me feel good that it was hard to see me go. I missed her too. And am so blessed to have such a fantastic relationship with her. Every daughter should be so lucky.  

I digress I guess. Sorry about that.  

Anyway, back on track – college. During this conversation I recanted a conversation I had with my dad my sophomore year - 1992. I remember him saying that I should be enjoying this time, that these are the best years of my life. And I tried to explain to him that I didn’t agree. It was a very tough and stressful part of my life. I guess if I wasn’t my father’s daughter – aka OCD, than I may have been able to let loose a bit more and really just have fun.  

Don’t get me wrong, I did not NOT have fun. Oh, I had my fair share.  

But during the non fun times, I studied, HARD. I stressed, I fretted. I worried about the career path I was going for. I worried if I would be good at it. I worried about everything! I so longed to be deep in a career and have all that uncertainty behind me. I know, even after 20 years doing this, nothing is certain, but it certainly is more certain than it was way back then.  

So, “best years of your life.” The coincidental thing, and the reason that I am writing about this under “Never tell me the Odds” is that mom pointed out a blog post from a friend of ours. A good friend of mom’s daughter is currently in college. One "against odds" thing is that she is a fellow sister in Greek with me. Second "against odds" thing, her blog post today was just about that – “the best four years…”  

It was refreshing to read. I loved that her perspective is very different than mine was. It makes me happy that not everyone’s college years were full of angst. But it also gave me a new outlook. She says in the post that the big thing is answering the “why” behind that statement – “Why is it the best four years of your life?” 

Which is poignant enough, but my favorite part was at the end, the part where she is only half way through.. and it got me thinking. Why does it have to be four years? Why just college? I don’t know how far I am in answering the “why” in my life, but I like the thought that each day I can choose to add to the “why the best” statements, rather than stress or fret. So thank you P. Tabler, sometimes a single word can get you back on the right frame-of-mind track. 

So, I am going to make it a point to concentrate on that word, so when my time is almost over here, I am able to proudly say “why” these past 60, 70, 80, 90 years of my life have been the best!

A lot can happen in 20 years! People come and go. Jobs change. Minds change, sizes change – egads! There is sickness and health. There are good times and bad. But I have to say, that 20 years ago at this time, things could have not been more different.

You see, 20 years ago Ken had just received some of the most lethal treatment he had in his battle against cancer. Radiation didn’t do the trick and chemo wasn’t strong enough. So, in order to survive, the doctors said it was off to Stanford for a bone marrow transplant.

In that moment, one of the hadest moments of his life, he reports he quickly responded with “Ok, what do we do now?”

So, after that conversation he prepared for the procedure. He harvested marrow, platelets and was admitted to the hospital. He had surgery for a port that would be used to administer the treatment (aka poison) and then was placed in a room that was sealed and protected from the germs of the world. He was in the proverbial bubble.

But this post isn’t about that time. That time is over, and at one time it was something I recalled every day, but as the years have passed, those memories have faded. Which is strange, because it was such a momentous part of my/our life. I suppose if the treatment did not work, the memories would be sharper (in more ways than one).

Anyway, on June 20^th we celebrated the 20 year milestone after that terrible treatment. We celebrated the day that he received his bone marrow back and started his life cancer free. It was funny that up until the night before, Ken didn’t say much about it. But on the night of the 19^th, out of no where he simply said “Hmm, you know, this IS a big deal.” And I agreed!

It is a HUGE deal! There are so many people who lost their lives in that BMT ward (and many other places around the world). We saw family come visiting many others in the same situation as Ken, and some of them had to leave alone, or were even still there when we were able to go home.

But once again, this isn’t about that. This is about celebrating! Unfortunately, Ken had summer school on the weekend of the big day, so we have pushed out the party to the month after, and that is in just 8 days!!!! Our guest list is long, and the RSVPs are reaching well into the 80s. We have ordered more tables and are frantically getting the backyard in shape to entertain so many people who want to celebrate this milestone with Ken.  

So here’s to 20 years! Raise a glass for Ken, and for anyone you know who has fought cancer - win or lose. Each day is a milestone and this 20 year mark reminds me that we should recall our victories daily, they make us who we are. 

(next post – Never Tell Me the Odds – never had 5 words changed so much)

Cheers!

Yep, that is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… 23 weeks to get my @ss in shape for the tough mudder.  

Ken and I officially committed to it this weekend. We signed up, started our team and ate and drank everything in the house – we said goodbye to butter, pizza, candy and beer. Until October we toasted! 

So, now, today the training starts. I have committed to a mega sh-t ton of cardio for the next two weeks. I have to kick start losing some lbs. After the two weeks, well then I have 21 weeks to work on extending my distances and strength training. No matter how much I run, my body will not be able to get over some of those obsticals without some training. Heck, I cannot even do a pull up. So, looks like that has got to change, and fast!  

23 weeks will fly by, I am certain of it.

So, it has been three months since my last post. But no matter, no one is reading this J Perhaps someday I will look back on this fondly, or some future civilization will find e-tifacts from this blog and try to discern the woes of the decade. To be a fly on the wall for that!!!

I have had a dilemma the past couple days. I noticed on a social networking site that a past colleague of mine is now following a former employer of mine. So I reached out, just out of curiosity. This perhaps needs a bit of a back story, so here goes. 

Back 1995 as a very new marketer who had no idea what to do or how to do it, I landed a job that was a bit over my head. It was a great learning experience in that I was there for two years, flailed miserably and then was let go. I learned a hard lesson that everyone is expendable and to never get too complacent. I learned to keep an eye out on everyone around and that the working world is full of people who want your job and if you don’t produce, or prove that your work is affecting the bottom line, they will take it from you. 

So, back in my role of 1997 I did marketing and really wasn’t doing anything strategic – I didn’t even really know what that was yet. So one Tuesday I was let go, suddenly. I had no idea what to do! It was a shock because I simply did not know that I was not performing. I wasn’t even seasoned enough for that yet. 

Anyway, long story short, a colleague (and previous acquaintance from the 90s) of mine had been pointing out my shortcomings and after my “letting go” quickly moved into my position. I felt betrayed and hurt. I had not even known what “burning a bridge” was, let alone had I done it. But this person who did this to me certainly did burn that bridge - to the ground. 

Even so, 16 or so years later we have kept in touch. I have been cordial every time I hear from them about their recent job search or if I had any insight on this company or that. Between you and me? I loved these little communications as they always made me feel good since I was usually the one gainfully employed. However, I never once celebrated in the fact that I was better off! The lessons I learned in 1997 have made me the marketer and the business person I am today. And I am thankful. I always joke that I should have sent flowers to that manager who let me go, it was the best thing that happened to me. 

So, fast forward to today! 

I see that this old colleague is now following my previous employer. An employer who was, let’s say, less than optimal. And this person has asked for advice on the employer and how to pursue a job there. 

Did it cross my mind to give rave reviews of this company to this person who burnt me so badly long ago? Do they deserve each other? Yes, it did. 

But after just the briefest of evil thoughts, I am going to take the high road. I will be honest with both, as I truly wish them both well.

So, lessons learnt here? You decide.

So, with the changes recently in our household, why ever would I not decided to add another HUGE life changing event? Ken has retired, we now live with a rambunctious and bored retired service dog, my parents have moved closer, we are both now in our 40s, we have changed just about everything in our lives, so being the smart and balanced person I am, I have decided that this is the perfect time to change jobs. And not only that! I decided to change careers, and industries too… Maybe not career, but the change in industry is big enough that it feels like it. 

I have gone from the casual atmosphere of the very fast paced technology sector, to the navy blue suite and policy driven financial sector. First couple days? Interesting! And VERY different. At lunch on day 1 the team asked me if I had been able to access my email yet. I said yes, thinking they were just giving me a bad time.. but now that I think about it, I am not sure. They joked that sometimes it takes a week. Could they have been serious? 

Anyway, I am excited though. I am looking forward to the focus this new position and pace will lend. I will finally get to put very thought out and strategic campaigns into place, and then take the time to really analyze and evaluate. Something that I have been craving my whole career. 

And the best benefit, this is the VERY FIRST time in my career my husband can actually understand what I do, finally. 

More to come!

January 3, 2013

Well, isn't it great when the people you work with really know you? I certainly think so.

At my current job, we have a very small marketing department. Just two of us! He is a the creative type (Creative Director) and is a wiz at turning marketing messaging into imagery. My part is the messages and words behind it. I have to say, that my words would be nothing without his touch. I am very lucky to be partnered up with someone who has a knack for taking words and product/program/service messaging and dynamically and concisely communicating visually. 

But I digress, I think the best part is that he "gets" me... and that is a treat! For Christmas he gave me this (see picture)... I am hoping it means he is aware of my affinity for Alice and the Queen of Hearts? I hope it isn't because I yell "off with their heads" too often.

Cheers and Happy New Year to you all! All heads are safe for now!

SCARY! Exciting! 2-year anxiety attack. Hah!

No really, as of last Tuesday our lives changed. For the better, of course! But change none the less. And during the holidays! We really are signed up for the Crazy.

Anyway, as some of you know, my husband has been in Law Enforcement for over 7 years. This past May we made a huge decision when his health, both mental and physical, was being affected. 12 hour shifts, along with all the other stuff that comes along with working in that line of work (fights, suicides, cliques and more), was affecting his balance, his mind, his attitude, his life! Our life. So, with all he has been through to be breathing in and out today, we decided the “Life is TOO Short” decision and he left.

The last several months he has been in limbo. Well, we both have. He has been frantically trying to get all his prerequisites covered so he can enter a program for Occupational Therapy. A very elite and hard to transcend group of 30 are chosen each year (usually out of several hundred). I am happy to say that after harassing the mail man for 3 weeks, he finally received the news – and it was good! He starts in the fall and will graduate, cap, gown and all, in two years.

Many questioned this when we first told family and friends. And I certainly know why! In this economy who gives up a secure job, with fantastic benefits and a great pension? Who gives it up for the unknown and starts over again at 40? I guess we do! And I am pleased to say that Karma has been gracious so far. Ken has been able to add all the necessary classes, has spent his days studying nonstop to achieve a 4.0 GPA so far, and now is planning for the program.

Me, I am excited, and nervous. It is scary being the only one gainfully employed. It is scary having our entire household depend on me… But, well, I am finding that there is never enough time or money, and this decision will at least give us more time. Not only during the next coming years, but for the rest of our lives. We no longer have to think about the mortality rate of law enforcement (which averages about 52 in California) – we can look forward to many many years together, and Ken will be able to help people well into his 60s.

So, the next time you think it is too late to start over, or too scary. I say jump. This crazy thing we call life is not going to stop and sometimes you just have to trust in Karma and go for it. I have my husband back. In that one point it is all worth it already (even if we have to eat peanut butter and top ramen for two years!)



As some of you may know, Ken and I have been on a new adventure this past year. He has decided to "retire" a bit early from law enforcement and pursue a career in healthcare. Something that he has wanted to do for a very long time.

Many wonder how and why we do it. At our age, starting over seems scary. But come on! We are only 40! There is plenty of time, and life is simply too short....

Getting used to his new hours (he used to work from 7PM to 7AM giving us both a lot of "me" time) and his need to constantly study, has been surprisingly EASY! I have to say the transition was almost undetectable - like this is how it has been forever....

However, there is one thing that has been a challenge! You see, when Ken retired, his partner retired too! And she is no ordinary partner. She is a 70lb, black German Shepherd with a drive for working and an unreasonable fiction that he belongs to HER, and I am simply the other person in the house who doles out the food.

So, we have had some battles. She has had to learn to share the bed. Learn to share the couch. Learn to share him.

We have been semi successful so far.

The one thing we are having difficulty with? Her need to work! You see, she was a narco dog and her job was to search and find. Somehow, she thought that our pool equipment box was the perfect place to look (later Ken tells me that this was a common place that he would use to practice with her) - so, at least I get to look forward to new patio cushions next spring.



So, my husband sent me this image today because we are again going to sign up for the CRAZY!

The 2013 Tough Mudder is now open for registrations and we have decided to sign up. Funny because as we were driving home from the 2012 event, Ken said he would “Never do another at altitude” – and what are we doing, one at ALTITUDE!! (maybe it is like child birth and after a little while you forget – who knows?!?!)

So, back to the image. He sent this to me because if we don’t make drastic changes, this event will kill me. No, not the electricity (see post below to read about my #1 fear, even over death), but I bet the walls, the terrain, the ALTITUDE! and the hills will.

So, this post serves as a public commitment. Once it is on the interwebs, no take backs, right?

So, once a month I will update you all on my status. How the training is going, how the nutrition is going, and if I have punched Ken (he is serving as my trainer for the next 8 months) yet.

Tonight, off to the gym, it all begins!



Giving Back

A couple months ago I participated in an event (see Probably The Toughest Event on The Planet) – and it changed my life. The event made me think about how I can lend a hand more often. I realized that no matter what your situation there is always something you dream for, and something you can give. At the event, it was dreaming of making it over Everest, or sacrificing your finish time to hold the cargo net. In life, it can be just as simple.

So where can we start?

My advice: Get creative!

You can hold a door for someone, let someone merge in front of you in traffic, or just offer a smile.

Just last month my husband and I were left with some leftover Halloween candy. Instead of eating it, or taking it to work, we decided to take it to our local food bank. They usually request things that are more nutritious, but they were happy to be able to include a special treat in the bags that week. It got me thinking… Are there places where we all can open your heart, give back, or offer a helping hand?

We were reflecting recently on the year’s exciting growth and changes at Stone Cobra – a new office, new faces, our 11 year anniversary… So our Director of Operations, Teresa Curella, helped us get organized to give a little back. Our first effort is a food drive for the Placer County Food Bank. We all pitched in and were able to purchase ingredients for 20 Thanksgiving meals! And because the food bank is in much need of breakfast foods, many of us brought in boxes of cereal and more.

This is just our first effort, look for more from Stone Cobra, and we challenge you to do the same. Give back, even if its just a smile.



Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet

So, against my better judgment I participated in an event (even if it was only as a spectator) this past weekend.

Next year, I certainly will want to participate 100% – if I can just get over my fear of electricity. Anyone who knows me know that my # 1 fear – even over death –  is jelly fish. And simply because they can SHOCK you. #2? Being hit by lightning (which almost happened, but that is another story altogether.)

So when my husband suggested we do the 2012 Tough Mudder at NorthStar this year, I thought “Sure” – this will be muddy, but fun…. And then I did my research. I was not swayed by the ice baths, the fire, the walls or the 12 miles… (well maybe) – but the one thing that had me shaking, and unable to commit was that there was TWO – yes, not just one, but TWO – obstacles that had electric shocks. 10,000 VOLTS to be exact. Nope, that wasn’t for me.

However, I did do much of the course as a spectator – no easy task really. Being at 7,000 feet, hiking up ski slopes to take photos (and be the team “burro” – lugging cell phones, wallets, goo packs, water, extra shoes, etc) for miles has me wrecked today.

But I wouldn’t change it for the world. And next year, I may just have to store my fears and do it.

The reason I would undergo electric shock “therapy?”

I don’t have a word for it… It was a just feeling…

We all participate on teams; at work, with family, with kids, with friends. But this was different. Not only did I witness the many teams (of all different shapes, sizes, etc) pulling each other through “The toughest event on the planet…” I saw something even more awe inspiring. I saw a team of thousands – working together to defeat something that very few could ever do on their own.

There were teams in kilts, teams in tutus, teams in Mui Thai shorts, but as the day went on, it was clear… There were not teamS – there was a TEAM! Everyone working together to get to that 20-something^th obstacle, and that complimentary beer. It was amazing! Some people took over 6 hours, some under 3. But everyone was there, helping everyone.

So, not only did it make me want to commit to participating next year… To truly feel what the contestants felt as they crossed the finish line, and entered into that elite group. It also made me think about everyday life.

Why should that willingness to help stop at the Tough Mudder? If you see someone who needs help, shouldn’t you offer it – whether it is opening a door, or pulling someone over a 12 foot wall? I think so!

And I know that those contestants yesterday will be doing just that. They have entered a new mind set.

We all should participate in something like this. Wouldn’t it be a better workplace, city, country, world if we all shared that willingness to “lend a hand?”

I challenge you today. No, not to sign up for a Tough Mudder, but to lend a hand. Do it! It will bring you great joy, I promise.



Dream Job

After college graduation, I had grandiose, high falutin dreams of working for a big company like Coca Cola or Nike, putting together campaigns like “Just do It” or “ …buy the World a Coke.” But, as I started my job search, I found that at the time (1994) – tech was where it was at. So I jumped in with both feet and have been lucky to work in this sector ever since.

Aside from the “dot bomb” and other bubble bursts in the past couple decades, I have really enjoyed this type of work and have learned so very much. The downside? My campaigns have never run during a primetime show or a highly anticipated sports game. I have never had an ad in the Wall Street Journal or Time magazine.

But, I have to say, and with much excitement, my current company’s recent campaign (although it probably won’t find its way into a commercial slot of the super bowl) is sure to turn some heads and get increased attention!

As a marketer, I ask myself when have I ever been given this much creative  freedom? Have I ever really been able to just say something so outlandish and get a nod to go ahead with it? NO WAY! And it is AMAZING!

I am here, landed my dream job. Amongst all of the P&Ls, demand generation, SEO, branding, scripts, events, demos, webinars, strategies and success tracking of a normal marketing gig, I have been able to manage photo shoots, make-up sessions, and be a part of the most fun campaign I have ever been apart of!

So, in line with the blog posts of the past couple days, and the ones to come, this is just one more to give you another peek into what we will be unvelining at OpenWorld in just 24 days.

However will we come up with something to top this? I will just have to lean on the really creative people I work with here at Stone Cobra. Something will provide another spark!

But for now, keep an eye on our Facebook and LinkedIn as we slowly reveal what’s sure to be the talk of the show.

And make sure to visit us at Oracle’s OpenWorld –September 30-October 4, booth 3309!



Unconventional Much?

Well, we’ve all heard about Christmas in July, or at least the concept right?

Well, Stone Cobra has decided in honor of Friday the 13th tomorrow, we are doing Halloween in July!

And, everyone is getting into it and bringing scary dishes like “Mangled Flesh” (aka pulled pork), “Hitchcock’s BBQ Birds,” “Maggot Slaw,” and “Kitty Litter Cake!”

Additionally, we are being urged to dress up in something scary… So hopefully we see some pretty fun costumes.

Dressing up is always fun – brings out the kid in us, right?

But the only issue? The weather is NOT cooperating… Since many of us have our Halloween props stored away – understandably so since it is JULY people! – going into the garage or attic may be a bit uncomfy as we close in on the 110 degree mark.

Whose idea was this anyway? (insert menacing laugh here)



Dedication

That party came with a kick!

Hah, ok, I actually heard that audible sigh from the interwebs there. Too cheesy?

Ok, how about this: Now that is dedication!

Last Friday Stone Cobra opened its doors to customers, partners, neighbors and families to celebrate two great things:

1. Stone Cobra’s 11th anniversary!
and 2. Our brand new offices!

If you have visited us recently before the move, you would surely be aware that we had long ago outgrew our current space, so moving into a larger space with twice as many conference rooms has been a pleasure for all of us. More posts coming soon as our employees chime in on the changes!

However, I needed to give a little background on the topic for this post, and I digress a bit.

CONCENTRATE!!

Ok – So, we had this party, and as a theme we selected “Ninja.”

Anyone who knows us would not be surprised, but for those who are just getting to know us, we fondly refer to our engineers as “ninjaneers” – so the office is never absent of party style ninja stars, and other such ninja-paraphernalia.

So, as some entertainment for the party, our VP of Sales thought it would be a good idea to invite some trained martial arts professionals to show us how it is really done. We had two representatives – Dale and Holli from Kovars Satori academy-Roseville – who entertained us with nunchucks (or if you are truly educated in the art – “Nunchaku”), a big shiny sharp thing and some great flippy, jumpy moves.

But I jest a bit, even though I am not all too familiar with the art, or the tools used, these two representatives from Kovars truly were quite amazing and captivated the audience. Dale has dedicated over 3 years to his art, and Holli over 8! So, back to the topic of this blog – now that is dedication!

Thanks Kovars Satori Academy-Roseville!