I’m going to meet with a client at our down town Portland office at the World Trade Center today. I’ve met with clients before, but usually at Starbucks or something as a freelance designer. This meeting just seams more official. I mean, its scheduled in my Outlook calendar. It doesn’t get much more official then that.

I know I’m a nerd, but its nice to not be doing entry level stuff for a change.

At work they wanted a way to review the topics that the new hire class has learned during their first 2 weeks. I spent several days working on a Family Feud style game. I learned a lot about JavaScript in the process. Last night Moe (she a trainer) and I worked out the details. We planed on dressing up like the hosts of Family Feud did. So, I went out a bought some gel/glue to paste down my hair, and dug my suit out of the closet. I got to work this morning, opened up my Outlook calendar, and saw that Electric Feud was rescheduled to an unknown date.

DAMN IT! I worked hard on my perfect “host hair” this morning. My hair is too sweet not to show people, so here you go. This is my official Game Show Hairdo!Good thing I didn’t shave off my goatee and side burns. I actually contemplated it for half second this morning.

Its that time again. The annual Team Day. Remember last year’s team day? This year should be slightly better… slightly. My old supervisor worked out a deal with my new supervisor in order to have me trade teams in such short notice. The deal was I still got to take part of the Team Day activities with my old team. I now also get to partake in my new team’s Team Day later this month as well. Pretty sweet, huh? Any time out of the office is good time.

The old team is going to the Oregon Zoo. I’ve been there once this year, so its nothing new for me. Although there is a new Dinosaur exhibit. I’m going to pay the extra $4 out of pocket to see that. Well, I should have some photos for you tomorrow of my lovely Team Day. I forgot my digital camera, but I have my trusty iPhone, so all is not lost.

See ya tomorrow.

One of the ladies here at work drove her new Smart Car to work today. We all went out for a closer look. She parked it next to a VW Bug to help show the contrast in size. I was quite a bit smaller then the old bug.

Soon the doors were open, people were poking and prodding, and the back hatch was opened to expose the engine compartment. Man was is cramped in there! I have no clue how a shade tree mechanic could ever work on it.

Soon everyone was jumping into the driver’s seat to see how it felt. After everyone had a turn they all looked at me to give it a try. I was a little reluctant to try it on because I knew it was going to be a tight fit, but after a little coxing I jumped in.


My shins were pressed against the dash board (I even had little indents in leg to prove it), and had to hold my head to the side so that I didn’t hit the roof. Thank god no one try to shut the door. Who knows what would have happened if my leg got trapped between the door and steering wheel. What would have gave first? The Steering wheel, my leg, or the door?

As I contorted my body to squeeze my way out of the car the only thing I could think of was the the clown song that plays at the circus when all of the clowns exit their clown car, but instead of 15 clowns it was just 1 ginormous Jimbo. Its all about quality not quantity, right?

I think if go car shopping anytime soon I should look into a monster truck. It would really add to my white trash persona, and I could REALLY be a asshole on freeway. You cut me off? I run your punk ass over!

Let me quote you “Just FYI , Captivate is Rapid E-learning authoring tool for non tech savvy users to churn out e-learning content quickly and Flash users use captivate created simulation in their projects.”

Well Suresh, just FYI, I already said that. Let me remind you of what my last blog said “I guess they use Craptivate because of it’s ease of use. Not all the trainers here know how to use Flash, and editing someone else’s flash can be difficult.”

Thanks for reiterating what I said in a more politically correct fashion. Sorry, but I wont be emailing you. I’m well aware of Craptivate’s limitations as well as the fact that Flash would be the best tool for me to use. You brought a lot of insight with you comment, and I fear my brain may explode if I digest anymore knowledge about your product.

Thanks for reading!
-jimbo

It’s been one week to the day that I started my new position. I’ve spent this week learning and working with Adobe Captivate, or what I have lovingly renamed, Craptivate. Its very limited and most things I’ve done so far would have been better to do in Flash. I guess they use Craptivate because of it’s ease of use. Not all the trainers here know how to use Flash, and editing someone else’s flash can be difficult. Think of Craptivate as PowerPoint on steriods. Who doesn’t know how to use PowerPoint, or who couldn’t pick it up and use PowerPoint within a few hours?

Today I’ll be doing a video shoot with my team. I don’t have any filming experience, so this should be fun.

Yesterday was my first day on my new position at work. Most of my day was spent teaching myself Adobe’s Captivate. I assume today will be more of the same. We did take a break to play some Bocce Ball. The whole team plays. It was a much needed break. By the time 2pm hit I was done with learning for the day. Day 1 in the books. Here comes day two.