My friend, mentor and hero , Nick D was in town today to give a talk at UVM about his book “If nothing Changes” . Nick always quotes his Italiean father who said “If nothing changes, nothing changes”>>
Nick is a long time friend from IBM. I’ve known him for more than 30 years… He was once the site manager of our facility here in Vermont. He rose to being a Senior VP at IBM, the number 2 guy in IBM and leader of the 100K person technical community. He was essentially the godfather of all the technical leaders in IBM. I work with Nick pretty regularly as part of the National Academy of Engineering .. he acts as the de facto head of the IBM diaspora members of the NAE… .. Her’s also been a good mentor and freind.. I remember one time in 2009 , I was in NYC with Gabe at a snowboarding event. Nick called to encourage me to do the reality show… .. He’s been there for me and for so many other in the IBM community.
So.. when I say I was exctied to see him.. it’s a rteal understatement 🙂 I’ve seen Nick speak 100’s of times all over the world.. and it always feels fresh new and authentic.. todays talk was just that way. the packed audience of UVM students and faculty got a rare treat to see Nick speak.. he’s a great story teller.. ..
Fterwards, A bunch of us went out to eat at Waterworks in winooski. It’s where Diane and I had our rehearsa;l dinner. Nick’s son Mike was there too. Mike is a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of VT.. We’d never met, but it was amazing how many people we both new.. Classic VT small world story. I really enjoyed gettign to know him
It was a fun croud with folks from UVM and Global FGOundaries.. Many freinds havign a good time over good food..
I guess if nothing changes……. it can soemtimes be a good thing 🙂
Busy monday at work.. build soem things for an overseas show.. As much as I love the science part of my job, I still enjoy making models that help explain the stuff we do..
Hilight of today was a fun dinner with freind mike, judy, brian and brook. Interesting meeting Brian again.. we know so many of the same people .. and yet have only recently met..
חג שמח (Chag Sameach .. ) .. its Peasach.. I didnt do much this year.,., did eart some matzah and gefilte fish.. does that count ?
Diane and I began the day with a quick hike up duxbury widnwo.. Still a little wintery
Ice is now gone underneath our ‘floating rock’.. we’d put a smastone on the ice.. wonder when it fell through.. a little like joes pond !
Later in the day my freinds mike and tessa came by beta for a quick tour.. was fun to show them around. Tessa is actually a natural pilot !
One fund thing that happened this weekedn was the Houston art car parade. My brother Billy had rigged up an old 1984 BMW by remote control. I helped him with the electronics… He made all the 3-D printed control interfaces. The idea was that he could put his old English sheepdog and in the car and drive it remotely. It was a huge hit. Here’s a piece of it off of the TV that evening !
First a shoutotu to my leeeeetle seeeester Mary..whos ebirthday it is today. Hapy birthday SPG !
We left Boston early and headed west. We decided to drop in on our nephew Vincent and hs family in Longmeadow MA.. it’s only about 30 minutes further to go that way..
Trisha and vince moved into a new house last fall. this is our first time visiting.. it’s layed out perfectly for kids.. there are tons of toys for gabrieal and his sister viviene.. and the rest of us.. to play..
Heres on of my favorite.. it’s like jenga on a time bomb.
NIce visit.. drive home was nice too.. political podcasts for the win !
