All Good Things...

Friends & Colleagues,

Forgive me, but I’m awful at goodbyes -- today is my last day with Alcatel-Lucent. (18-Sep)

It’s been a long journey from my first days at AT&T in Skokie, a stretch at Little Rock and finally here at Lisle-Naperville.

I appreciate your support and your friendship. The recent years have been unpleasant for all us who saw better days in our company – yet it has remained a pleasure for me working with each of you.

For those who remain, I hope there are better times for you with ALU, for everyone I trust you will find new and more rewarding opportunities in life after ALU.

If there’s one thing, I learned, we do live in a small world – perhaps our paths may yet cross again in the future, I would find fortune to be in your company again.

Please stay in touch.

Cheers & Warm Regards,
John Van Norman

Incoming...

Incoming..., originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

It occurred to me last night that my experience of losing my job, is not unlike my week in Jamaica for Hurricane Ivan. It’s not the best comparison in the sense one is a life threatening event but there are some similarities. It’s not something anyone in their right mind would volunteer for, but to go through this process you get an opportunity to see and experience things you would not normally encounter. Part of life is encountering the unknown.

Just some background -- our Corporate policy for job reductions is not to announce to anyone specifically when they have been identified for an “exit, stage left”. To me, this is an overkill reaction to the tiny handful of folks who may act unprofessionally or out of spite in their remaining days.

A lot of managers, most being human beings, have been known to “bend the rules” -- I am thankful that my manager treated me as a professional and I have acted as such not only in the best interest in the company but for myself. If I'm gonna go, I'm gonna do it with class.

I imagine there are some folks who prefer to not know in advance they may lose their job. Get the bad news all in one shot. I can see the Pro’s and Con’s of both positions, but for me I am grateful for the time to bear with the emotional churn of dealing with a career change.

As I am aware of my future, or lack of it -- I can appreciate the unintended humor of what I am doing this week.

Here I am cleaning my desk, packing so that I can be moved to my new office on Tuesday -- two days before being fired.

For three or so years I was in exile in my current office – in a damned near empty building, the only thing missing -- the cricket sounds, a hooting owl, and maybe a coyote yelp. It was rather unpleasant to come in, seeing the empty offices of friends and colleagues who were fired over the previous years.

So...in the grand tradition countless bone-headed decisions...the month they decide to do this corporate purge, and when I get tagged, I will finally get an office next to my remaining colleagues in the other building.

For two days!!! It’s funny and sad at the same time. Will someone please, just shoot me.

The office cleanup has been a bitter-sweet experience in itself, which I save for a future post (and a photo).

Colony Theatre-1

Colony Theatre-1, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

A nod to some of my family memories

While I was growing up I heard often about my friends families talking of their Irish heritage. Having a last name of Van Norman set me a little different from the Murphy’s, Sullivan’s and Devlin’s of the Irish neighborhood I grew up in. Of course my Irish credentials were validated by Mother’s side of the family and some Irish form the mutt mix on the Father’s side of the tree – as if I needed validation with the Irish beak in the middle of my face.

According to my Dad, discussions on details were often rebuffed as either irrelevant or more accurately not wishing to be discussed. I know little other than my Great-Grandfather hit the road, and left my Grandfather with his parents’ family to take care of and his own family. All this and the Great Depression – my granddad had a hard life. I tend to remind myself of this when I catch myself occasionally wallowing in self-pity over my own recent awkward circumstances.
One day my Dad told me of Granddad’s rum running days.

Dear lord…were like the Kennedy’s. A dark hidden past – who knew? Where are the yachts and our home(s) on Martha’s Vineyard?

Got to make ends meet and it was that simple.

Growing up it had occasionally occurred to me who were these Doherty’s that were at the occasional funerals/wakes. I knew who my cousins were, my aunts and uncles but I didn’t connect the dots to the Dohertys. Later I learned the details. The Doherty’s were my Grandfather’s cousins (note the italics). The bloodline may have simply their forefathers came off the same boat from Ireland.

The Doherty’s were part of the Westies O’Donnell gang. I’m sure a fun bunch you could invite to parties. There a wealth of books and stuff on the web on the gangland wars in Chicago. Walking through the material you can see how extensive it was. My Granddad helped run the rum (and beer etc.) during the years of prohibition. It was lucrative for the times but dangerous. As it turns out one of the Doherty brothers was killed by Capone’s gang, along with an assistant prosecutor at the time.

Shortly thereafter my Granddad was told he was working for them (Capone). My Granddad being a wise man, he knew enough you don’t refuse, but said OK but he expected to make the same amount of money he was making with the O’Donnell gang. Fortunately for all concerned his feigned greed got himself uninvited to the rum running business intact and unharmed.

Sometimes an exit, stage right can be a very good thing.

Catch me if you can...

Catch me if you can..., originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

I miss having a dog around.

I'm still embracing my denial having two cats...I'M A DOG PERSON who happens to share a home with two cats.

It's so tempting to peruse rescue sites, but I have to admit life is easier with cats. I still feel guilty when I am on vacation but less so when it's the cats at home entertaining each other.

I suppose I should say I am fortunate I don't live on a ranch or in a rural area. The constraints of the city have kept me from pulling in every stray that ever crossed my path.. Heck, I'd wind up with a pet goat, antelope, a horse whatever.

I know when I rescued Annie off the street, she must have read the words "sucker" clearly written on my forehead. Suddenly I was a dog and cat owner. Since my dog was up there in years, I brilliantly decided to get a playmate for Annie, then I was a 2 cat/dog owner.

All the problems involved, I do miss the joy of watching dog on a beach, or splashing in the water or simple joy when you get home from work.

Day at the Beach

Day at the Beach-1-1, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

Labor Day seems to have always been a day that was bitter sweet for me.

When I was younger it signaled to me the end of summer and the beginning of school year. Of course the anticipation was always worse than the reality. School was never really that bad and to be honest it served me well.

With the end of summer, Autumn is here which has been my favorite season at least when I got older and something I really adore about Chicago. The metaphors are apparent and are aching to be written in light of my current career circumstances but that's too predictable and I'll have more to say on that as that reality unfolds.

For now it's another opporunity for photography, for change and to move forward.

Treasure...

Treasure..., originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

Don't know how this year will end, on a good note or not...but this day made it for a good year. Don't need to add more words, it's already been said.

Why is it...

Summer Walk in Albany Park, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

Why is it that every apartment and condo that I've lived in, has a door and/or a gate with note, usually hand written, that says "Do Not Slam"?

I'm thinking invention opportunity must be here, No?

...as opposed to orthogonal

...as opposed to orthogonal, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

Strangely metaphorical

What a wonderful weekend.

It hadn't started out that way. My manager called me after work on Thursday as I had begun my extended weekend. He confirmed what he had told us Tuesday and hinted at over the previous weeks, that my number was up, along with a lot of other people. Sadly it may be the tip of the proverbial iceberg of more cuts to come in December as the organization is effectively gutted.

Things may change, though I expect for the worse and the slim possibly that I may find another job elsewhere within the company, but a strange sense of comfort that the "wait was over".

Coincidentally, and fortunately for me, my weekend was filled with aspects that matter more in life.

The weekend included a long overdue family gathering at my Aunt and Uncle's home. There's no substitute for the comfort of love of family members.

Serendipitously, planned as if by some hidden architect of The Fates, I had dinner with best friend from college and finally meeting his adorable wife along with another old college friend and his wife. If I wanted to plan a means to cheer myself up, I couldn't have I capped off the last night of my long weekend any better than this. Andy and Carol's visit planned months ago, it could not have been better timed.

While I'm still numb over being fired, it was a perfectly timed reminder that there are aspects of life beyond work, beyond a career.

My friends and family of the spiritual persuasion would be cheered that my agnostic tendencies were given some pause. Just a little.

I know I am going to encounter an roller coaster of stress over the coming months, hopefully when I have the down moments I have this weekend to look back on for my "reality check".

As I was composing this, I noted I had not mentioned the kind words the kind words of friends and family with whom I shared my angst. I ought to remember this journey is not as isolated as it seems and that it's up to me to reach out for support and that friends are what matter.

Well...it could be raining....

Goodbye Lucent, originally uploaded by jjvannorman



It's been an unhappy day at work.

While not unexpected it was still unpleasant. We learned today that not only will we have another corporate purge in December, we will have an immediate purge next month as well.

The hallway buzz is this one will cut deep again - 25%. Gallows humor purports the December purge will be the remaining 75%. May not be far from the truth.

I speculated as much with my friends after last weeks announcement of Pat Russo's exit. I pondered if it may be a window to do some heavy duty "housecleaning". Why not let the lame duck do the dirty work and the incoming CEO will have the task of rebuilding the company. Sort of good CEO v. bad CEO.

My friends and family have kindly endured my lamentations of expecting to lose my job over the last 6 or 7 years. My speculations were not without merit, our Lisle-Naperville site has gone from > 10,000 people to less then 2,000.

So it's update the resume, maybe post some resumes to the more interesting jobs in the area -- I had to at some point begin the process. The wrinkle is -- can I jump to another job when I am less than 3 years away from a full pension?

More good new on the home front. We had some aftermath issues after block incident. I'll save that for another post.

Spill

Spill, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

My first photo contest submission...woot!!!!

I didn't win, but I did. I'll explain shortly.

Flickr -- where I am posting my photos is a photographer enthusiasts Disneyland. To a novice like me, it's sometimes overwhelming. I've added more groups (virtual social places) than I could ever possibly participate in. There are easily 25 Groups with a Chicago connection.

One Group I joined was Less is More, which incidentally has been a personal philosophy that has served me well throughout the years. Better known as KISS (Keep it simple stupid). For an engineer -- that is a mantra you learn VERY quickly.

When I first came across Less is More, I was troubled that none of my photos made a good submission to the photo pool. i was intrigued with the Kitchen Contest -- to submit a photo that was related to The Kitchen. One moment it struck me what I wanted to try -- knock over a salt shaker on my cutting board.

I was delighted on the number of votes I received and also how it challenged me on how I think about photography. I received lots of good advice since I have re-embraced photography -- sometimes it's overwhelming, advice even seems occasionally conflicting, but I always can learn by listening and reading someone else's perspective.

Incidentally I've learned it's helpful to reexamine photos. I redid my salt shaker in B&W...



...I wonder if I might have won with this version ;)

My day at Jury Duty

My day at Jury Duty, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

I have a lifetime batting average of 1000. ...

Been called 5 times so far for Jury Duty and I have not even been in a courtroom yet. Maybe my sheer aura intimidates both side to plea bargain.

I had hoped to blog through the day via "mobile blogging" but the Jury Pool area prohibited phones being connected. I did capture some notes through the day....

Jury duty

The morning Report

I discovered that my cell phone had to be turned off in the jury pool area. I wanted to make some periodic Blog updates through the day to break up the tedium. Oh well.... .

So this is my mid-day report.

This is my fifth summons and if my streak holds I will spend another day catching up on my reading. five times called, zero times served on an actual jury. I can't help recalling my first time called, during summer. Then the law was different and you had to spend a whole week. We were told ahead time that it would be likely we wouldn't be called to court since during the summer lawyers and judges like to take their vacations.

Here I am the dead of summer..

So today I am reading Hard Times by Studs Terkel. Studs is one of my favorite authors, who isn't really an author. His oral history books are such an enjoyable read.

I'm kicking myself for not taking my camera. There are some memorable buildings here. Anyone who has seen the Blues Brothers or the Fugitive should find this place familiar. I guess my camera phone will have to do when get outside:..::...

Back from Lunch

They gave us an hour and a half for lunch - I'm thinking my guess this morning was dead on. This day will continue my successful streak of not serving on a jury.

I did have a tasty lunch. I went to an Italian Bistro. Can you ever go wrong with a Chicken ceaser saiad?

Got some pics from plaza. Gotta come back over a weekend to do some photos.

Jury pool is Very quiet -- no one seems To want to talk with each other, sad really.

2 hours to go.

Two Murders...

Down the block, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

I was going to title this Condo Life Part 2, but this blog and that theme in particular was mainly intended for light humored reading about moments of my life.

As this is -- "life interrupted" -- I pondered if I wanted to share the unhappy moments as well. There's a lot I want to say, but I'll keep it short for now.

Three nights ago, a 16-year old boy was shot and killed down the block from where I live. Newspaper reports suggest the kid was a gang banger in the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time. I shared this news with my friends, many of home live in places far removed from Chicago. Most responses were of shock and dismay. Some expectedly summed it up as that's city life spoken from the illusion of safety from the Burbs.

A second murder, this time not in the Dangerous Big City was in Knoxville, Tenn. -- in a church of all places. This hit closer to home than your typical media "latest killing" news item. An acquaintance I made through a forum I regularly peruse -- she was a sometimes attendee at this same church. The man obviously twisted, out of work, and desperate -- sought relief through the evils of his life by killing liberals. A regular listener of Rush, Hannity and Savage -- should we be surprised?

Neither killing was related other than it was senseless. They are also related because this time I'm not being a spectator. Maybe it was the coincidence of the moment, or I'm "mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore", or it was simply time to walk the talk. More later...

In other news, I go to Jury Duty tomorrow. Gonna try mobile blogging.

Don't chew gum there....

Arrival or Departure, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

Back in the day, when our company was doing well there was a considerable amount of business travel. Off times it was New Jersey, but now and then it was international travel.

My first trip "across the pond" was Paris of all places. I was sent there to facilitate developing a common way of doing CAD work across the company.

I received a lot of advice before my trip, including NEVER chew gum. This was further substantiated from books I either borrowed or purchased before the trip as I was trying to absorb every cultural detail I could (including my crash course on French). The origins of why the French abhor gum chewing remain elusive to me to this day.

I had a lot of folks who remarked about their experiences with the prickly French; whereas my experience was one of cordial folks, who were amicable with me. I thumbed my way through the phrase book often finding hand gestures, a smack of English with butchered French phrase and a smile was often good enough.

I stayed for two weeks, one week extended with a hope I might be able to see some of tennis from the French Open. The two weeks were filled with museums, wonderful meals, cheap good wine and culture immersion unlike anything I had previously experienced.

One evening offered me several odd and amusing memories. First let me preface something about Parisian restaurants.

Tables in restaurants in Paris are not meant for for those who have personal space issues. Most restaurants there are packed tightly next to one another. Not understanding much French, adjacent table conversations were fortunately for me, white noise. The smoking...well I wont go there.

If you read all those great culture books, i.e. the Idiots guide to Paris you learn that more often then not a restaurant might have an English menu on hand. I would usually ask, in my butchered French . If you're lucky your waitress/waiter will speak some English as well.

One evening I randomly chose this Bistro. After I ordered, a family next to me complemented me -- "You speak excellent English". I had never been complemented on my English before. Not even in high school English class. It might have been the wine, but this was a rare opportunity to have had some fun that I regrettably squandered.

I fessed up I was a Yank. The family was from Germany, the father was an American military officer based in Frankfurt. It was a wonderful evening speaking some English after weeks worth of business French. As this was my second week there I was able to pass along my trip tips.

Oddly enough, that same evening I saw what happens when one chews gum in France. A man walked in for what I assumed was for some carry out. He went to the bar, chewing gum in a manner a bovine would be envious. Well...he might as well have had the plague. No one walked anywhere near 10 feet of him as he chomped away. Then it crept into my head...I couldn't stop it...but it was there...that expression that makes me wince...ugly American.

I was both embarrassed for him and oddly amused. At some point in time, he got up and left.

Did I mention music?

Photographs, writing, I might as well talk about another passion of mine -- Music.

I like to put on music while I post-process my photographs. Maybe it's from those hours as a kid listening to music and pondering those wonderfully designed album covers.

I imagine my music choice depends largely upon my mood, which depends upon my photographs that I am working on, which...etc...

Genesis has gotten some recent airplay with me. I had stopped listening to them for years. It was well worn path back in college Someday I might be able to atone for my sins of listening to Duke very loudly and, dare I admit, Phil Collin's solo efforts. Fortunately my ex-roomie from college, Andy forgave me upon my visit to London and my giving him a CD of Joseph Arthur.

Of course now my Genesis play list is limited to up to and including Wind & Wutherling Nothing beyond the post Hackett era -- may I someday be forgiven by my fellow dormitory neighbors for my taste transgressions.

At the moment Nursery Cryme fits my mood exquisitely.

olden times

olden times, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

I recently started this Blog in part, because of the enjoyment I was having in Flickr. I'm taking more time now. Thinking not only the details of what makes for a good photograph, but sometimes what's behind the picture. Taking more time in seeing what my friends do in their photography.

Photography was something that had intrigued me since I was a child. My Dad gave me a Kodak Instamatic for Christmas.

I might have been 8 or 9 or so and one photo from that Christmas morning was my Dad coming from from working the night of Christmas Eve. I'm sure it wasn't my first photo that day, but it was my first GOOD photo.

Later, I remember the joy of seeing the photos after being developed a week later or so. The one of my Dad walking through the door, smiling seeing his son with his new toy. Like my Dad, I've never been keen being the photographed, but this was a real candid moment.

I'd sorely love to have that photo now, but in my mind I still can see it, and maybe that matters more.

Condo Life -- Chapter 1

I said Chapter 1, because I've been telling my friends for years that some of the happenings of condo life could make for some wonderful sitcom scripts. I won't jump into all the details in this post but mentions a few odds and ends to "set the table".

About seven years ago, I moved from my apartment near the lake (Edgewater) to Albany Park. I don't miss much about that building, I do miss having access to the lake (via walking distance) and some of my old neighbor friends.

My apartment then, just announced they were going to convert from apartments to condo's. Since the building (as well as the plumbing, heating, etc) was turn of the century, I decided to condo hunting. It was a gorgeous building, but all I could see was years and years of special assessments.

After looking around for weeks and weeks I eventually I happened on Albany Park. Our building was one of the first in this neighborhood to become a condo -- it was even featured in the Chicago Tribune. It's previous life was one of abandoned building / crack house -- now it had been gutted, new AC, heat, plumbing, and that 80 year old exterior, it was the best of both worlds.

The neighborhood had already considerably changed since I had been there previously, I was to learn later of some of the thuggishness of the 'hood still around, but overall I believe my choice was a good one. The value has increased nicely, even with the bubble burst it's one of my better decisions.

This year of condo life has several wonderful stories -- I have to ponder which ones to share first.

I have a weakness for Art Deco

I have a weakness for Art Deco, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

I had to show my latest contribution.
I decided to do some googling on the names on the plaque, and it was with some surprise reading about what life was like serving on the Board for the Sanitary District then. Click on the link or the pic to see what info I found.

Suddenly I'm reviving this blog...lord knows why

Well it's already a different kind of summer.

I've been an ongoing reader of the Cocteau Twins Forum for years now and it was a light diversion to talk about music and knick knacks about life as well as virtual access to friends from around the world.

One thread on Photography really got my interest revisited in a big way. I bought my first DSLR and along with my Power Shot A710, I've posted nearly 400 photos. Most are crap, but like the expression, when you have 10,000 monkeys typing on keyboards you eventually get Shakespeare. I expect the same with my 10,000 photos, hopefully I'll make a few gems. At worst I get to seem some wonderful photos from my more talented peers.

Anyway -- flickr is my new web addiction, with some folks from the Cocteau Twins Forum we've jumped into flickr with a lot of helpful, sometimes comical and light diversion I used to find on a daily basis in the Cocteau Twins Forum.

I'm hoping this place will make a nice companion place to my photographic expressions.