Well, it has happened. I have left Mountain View, presumably for good. Well almost... (more on that in minute). The last week at the office was full of hugs and tears, but it really was a nice send-off from everyone at Mountain View. Tuesday we had a mega pot luck in my honor. Special kudos go to Sabrina for arranging the party. Everyone made their special dishes and it was quite a feast, from lasagna and chicken enchiladas to shrimp salad, roasted chicken, chicken wings, mint rice pilaf, salad bar fixins', marshmallow pistachio jello salad (believe me it was great!), mint chip ice cream cake, and a special "GoodBye Jeff" cake. Not to mention all the chips, dips, cookies and sodas. Yes, it was quite a feast indeed. We had left-overs for days, which were extended when Cheryl brought in some Spinach dip to sop up with the left over bread.
Monday night was my last night working-out with the Stanford Judo Club. I didn't announce that I was leaving until the end of class. When I mentioned it to Raul (the head coach), he announced it to the class and there were some warm goodbyes. It was nice to feel appreciated by the students there.
But throughout all the festivities, I was dealing with getting the Subaru fixed. I was sure the insurance company was going to try to wiggle out of paying for the full damage - since the school maintains that they hit my car going "0 miles per hour." But... I must say the insurance company, State Farm, surprised me and actually accepted full responsibility. Their claims adjustor came out and wrote up an estimate that included more work than the body shops had originally quoted for me. Although there was some initial reticence and "coolness" on State Farm's part, once they had their adjustor's estimate and pictures, they accepted full liability and their customer service has been just great. They are paying for a rental car while the work is being done and when I explained that I play double bass and need to transport the instrument, they agreed to pay for an SUV. So far so good. The Subaru should be ready by next Saturday, so the plan is to pick up the rental in Sac today and use it for work during my first week at DMV HQ, then drive it down to Mountain View on Saturday to pick up the Subaru and give one last good bye to the old neighborhood.
The last day of work was generally uneventful, although Sabrina and Marie put together a really nice gift basket with a book of Crossword puzzles (lol), a nice framed picture of us four examiners, and various and sundry travel-sized toiletries (perfect for the RV!). And... Sandy made two peanut butter pies in my honor. For the original pot luck on Tuesday, she had asked me for suggestions on what to make or bring. I suggested the pie, but (as people often do) she steered the suggestion process towards what she already had in mind to bring: salad stuff. So I said, "Fine, salad sounds great!" But... in the end she did make the pies for the last day. It was a nice send-off. Hugs all around to all the staff.... It was (is) a really nice office.
Then 4:30 came around, and I hit the road, Jack. I had a few stops on the way to get out of town, and made Sacto by 8pm. Stopped by the Safeway and saw the same security guard (I think his name is Jim) and said, "Hi." Then to the Hallmark Spot (as my spot on Hallmark between Ethan and Howe shall hence forth be known). Once again, no incident. Strangely deserted, except for the one large RV that has been parked in the same spot for at least a month now. That's a good sign.
Today should bring the rental car, a trip down to Berkeley for Parents Weekend at Audrey's Co-op, and then I'll return to Hallmark.
Life on the road. TTFN.
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