609 posts categorized "Misc."

I kicked off the new year with a pre-dawn snowshoe hike up Tumalo Mountain. There’s something special about walking in the dark with just a headlamp and the promise of sunrise. I got to the trailhead near Mt. Bachelor at around 5:00 a.m. It was cold, maybe in the teens, and the forest was calm. My plan: climb 1,400 feet and catch the first sunrise of 2025. Read more →


It seems someone really really wanted the Delicate Arch model I created years ago that the National Park Service at Arches National Park recreated in a durable metal and installed near the trail head in the very popular national park. This tactile model helped people that were unable to see the arch or make the hike still understand the beauty of the natural arch. Hopefully the thief gets caught, but also a new one replaces it, and nobody steals that one as well. Read more →


Having been both a customer and user of Autodesk products, and as a member of product teams, I’ve had the unique experience of seeing things from both perspectives. I’ve been the voice of the customer, advocating for their needs, interpreting their sentiment, and translating real-world use cases into product strategy. Whether you’re a startup or scaling up, here are some lessons that might help you focus on what really matters. Read more →


Joining Be The Change Volunteers: Planning Our Journey to the Amazon Region of Peru

Stefanie and I are gearing up for an incredible adventure in June 2025 with Be The Change Volunteers, a nonprofit that’s all about making a difference through education. We were invited to be part of this project thanks to Stefanie’s business connections, and we’re both beyond excited to join this volunteer project as “Changers”. Read more →


While it might seem like an unlikely source of danger, bathroom and attic fans pose a significant fire risk if not properly managed. One simple yet often overlooked solution can help prevent such incidents: installing a timer for your bathroom fan. Many building codes require a timer on the fan in recent updates, but there are so many homes without it, and people may not be aware of the risk. Read more →


This past weekend was all about the outdoors. On Saturday, I kayaked 8 miles on a crystal-clear Cascade lake, where the water was as cold as it was stunning. Then, on Sunday, we hiked 7 miles with a 2,000-foot elevation gain into the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. With a wilderness day permit in hand, We made it to the glacier on Three Finger Jack. The hike was made even better by the intoxicatingly sweet scents and breathtaking views of wildflowers along Canyon Creek and spotting a rocky mountain goat. Read more →


A few years ago in 2015, I wrote on this blog about the changing of the carpet design in the Portland Oregon International Airport. PDX Carpet Designs in AutoCAD DWG The new design was confusing and not iconic and fun like the classic design. Wikipedia on the PDX carpet design Well, roll forward to 2024 and they have finally heard my complaint, or the many others and are now returning to installing the old classic design carpet.The classic design was based on the airport’s North and South runways as seen by air traffic controllers at night in a nerdy artistic way. Read more →


As the Christmas holiday lights twinkle, we find ourselves at the cusp of transition, leaving behind a vibrant and adventurous 2023, while eagerly awaiting the promises of 2024. This year, more than ever, the holiday season feels like a much-deserved... Read more →


In today's competitive business landscape, companies are constantly searching for that unique edge to differentiate themselves from the rest. While many strategies can lead to short-term gains, there's one tried and true approach that stands the test of time: being an authentic, customer-focused company. But what does that truly mean, and how can businesses achieve this? Read more →