Miriam arrived today. I took the afternoon off (yes, I've already accrued enough overtime to do that) to pick her up at the airport and tour downtown St. Louis a bit. It was great fun. We went up the Gateway Arch at the perfect time. The sun was setting, the lights were beginning to come on, the neon from the riverboat casino across the Mississippi River was cheerful. It was a little bit nervewracking since neither of us is fond of heights, nor do we like thinking of the fragility of life when we're up higher than the top of the Washington Monument. But it was a huge success.

The main thing you would have observed if you were lurking was that we laughed almost constantly. I'm too tired tonight to tell the best story, but I will tell you one of them. The background information you need is that my primary strategy for getting to know my new surroundings was originally to ask different store clerks where to find yet other necessities like the locations of the nearest post office or Best Buy. However almost without exception, the reply has been "I don't know. I'm not from around here."

Well, after some floundering tonight I found myself in a not-so-great neighborhood with the six lanes of expressway I was trying to reach hovering several hundred feet above my head. Although I had told Miriam of my poor luck in getting information from the locals, I ate my pride, decided that I would take one of the steroptypical actions of my sex, and actually asked for directions at the next gas station. Of course the reply was -- wait for it -- "I don't know. I'm not from around here." We laughed so hard we were helpless. I find myself wondering how the clerk gets to work. Does she swim from the Illinois side? If you're not from around there, isn't it likely that you'll know how to get there by car? But there you are. Things happen for other reasons than for me to efficiently get what I want.

P.S. On my computer tonight, it looks like I've lost the Comment capability on this site. I'll consult with those who understand better than I and try to get it up and running again very soon.

Today has presented some cross-cultural learning. My friend Sue, who transferred from Melbourne, AU about 3 months ago to be Program Manager of one of the leadership programs, invited me to join her in a lunch meeting with a human resources manager from the Australian part of the company. It turns out that Ozzies (or Aussies, to the less initiated) tend to be much more blunt and direct than Americans - at least in this company. I certainly got a taste of that. I can see the appeal of a more direct approach, since I tend to surface issues for straightforward discussion more than many people. The contrast that I saw, however, gave me a renewed appreciation for the U.S. custom of testing the waters before jumping into them. Sue assures me that this guy was off the charts -- making the flat statement that "the entire leadership team is crap" apparently would be seen as an extreme statement even Down Under. I'm reassured.

I'm getting to know my way around the Leadership Center much better. I had to go to the Audio-Video room today to get a digital photo taken. It's one of the coolest places I've ever seen. They have video cameras set up in all the program classrooms and can record at a moment's notice. They can pipe what's happening in one venue into the others or even into the lodging rooms if appropriate. They have equipment that would make a rock recording studio look modest. It was the coolest thing I've ever seen, and I'm dying to show it to Julia, my techno-chick. Don't get too excited though, Julia. Around here, you never know if Security is going to put a speed-bump into your plans.

I'm excited about Miriam's visit. It will be such a treat to spend uninterrupted time together, and it will be my first chance to see much of the city. Gateway Arch, here we come.

Thanks to the goodwill and skill of a helpful friend, you may now offer (and read) comments, responses, feedback and/or witty repartee by clicking on the link at the bottom of any of the posts. Give it your best shot.

This is a long day. It started with the weekly 2-hour teleconference among the coaches (about 12 of us scattered among St. Louis, Seattle and Southern California). I had a coaching client (my first!) over lunch, have spent this afternoon in a combination of productive activities, self-indulgent conversations with some of 'my people' (that would be folks like y'all), and now writing an update to you. At 6:00, I'm meeting a client over dinner after which I'll sit in on the weekly "Coaches Forum" to which all training program participants are invited. This last activity is not just duty and contribution to my colleagues. Before long, I'll be expected to lead the thing, so it would be a good idea to find out ahead of time how it's done.

I've finally reached point of being unable to tolerate the state of having no music in my apartment. Last night, I ventured to a local Huge Outlet Mall which included a Circuit City where I did some research and, as is typical for me, put off the actual purchase until I have a chance to think it over and cruise prices on the Web. My big mistake was to grab dinner at the Johnny Rockets restaurant there. There's sentimental value to so doing (there are good memories of burgers and shakes at Johnny Rockets for our whole family), there was the gluttinous value of indulging in good onion rings, but the term "grab" turned out to be a serious error in judgment. Service was excruciatingly slow. Much as I enjoy jukebox music and watching the wait staff doing a disco dance to "Staying Alive", I left with an extraordinary desire to get away from noise and into quiet as soon as possible. I did so. I'm sure I'll be back to the mall, if only because my shopping-loving daughter Miriam is visiting for the weekend. No Johnny Rockets though dear, if you love me.

Often I am able to act in an adequately flexible and adaptable way, but in my heart I generally believe that I only will truly embrace a change if (1) it's what I would have picked anyway, (2) I had some hand in its design, and (3) there's something about it I can call "fun". Arrogant soul. However these days I observe myself dealing with SO many new things coming my way; I am startled that I'm not just tolerating this extremely fluid situation, but relishing it.

As I look at what I have just written, I see that (1) in many ways, this is exactly what I want, (2) the God who loves me enthusiastically had the primary hand in its design, and (3) well, yes, I am having huge fun. Having such dear friends family on my side is also a significant contribution to my well-being. Thank you.

Although I'm continuing to set up my corporate "stuff" (straightening out e-mail access, applying for a travel credit card, learning to avoid political faux pas), I'm beginning to participate in the training programs, set up coaching appointments with interested participants, etc. So it's not a dream after all -- I will eventually earn my salary. One would hope.

It's the first full day on the new job and I'm very keyed up. I haven't settled into sleeping well yet, I've indulged in caffeine so I wouldn't miss too many details, and 'being productive' today consists of a lot of random tasks to get myself established. No harm done, certainly, but it's scattered. "Has the Operations woman called back about setting up my voice mail? No. Have I entered important addresses into Outlook? Some of them. Have I signed up for medical coverage? No, but my password isn't valid yet. Has the Operations woman called back . . .?"

See what I mean? Your typical 3 year old's attention span, but only the energy of a middle-aged lady. Be glad you don't have to sit across a dinner table from me tonight.

I'm trying to use this transition to get some good habits started. This morning I walked on the treadmill, something I've resolved to do for at least the first week I'm here. I think I'll keep up with it, if only because there's an individuial TV/DVD player attached to each treadmill. I'm sure I'll walk myself breathless if I put on an action movie or Sister Act.

Well, my Coach "Buddy" will be stopping by after she gets some program materials I need to be familiar with. I'm thinking of you fondly. As Bartles said to James, "I thank you for your support."