So, as I promised...

Here is some more info on the new location. Alameda is a city (in Alameda County) that is basically two distinct areas. One is an island (ZIP code 94501), and one is adjacent to Oakland (ZIP code 91502). I live in 01 and work in 02...and can hear planes fly by my office regularly. I think almost all of you are friends with me on Facebook, so you can get to the complete album there, but for those of you who aren't for some reason, here are the photos.


























Welcome to Benton Street. As you notice, trees are big here in Alameda.



























Really big. And in driveways. (Yes, I really do have to slalom around it at least twice every day.)



























Come in the door and up the stairs and take a look at the USC baseball schedule posters.



























To the left, you will see a hallway that leads to, among other places, my room. Lined with baseball pictures ('06 Crespi freshmen, '04 USC in Cuba, '04 Duluth Huskies)



























Nothing fancy here. Bed, nightstand and dresser. That's it.



























Here is the futon in the guest room. You know you want to come visit now!



























You can sleep under the Led Zeppelin poster!



























Here is a closer look at said poster.



























And here is what's across the room.



























Got all the guitars (that remain outside the closet) in this pic.



























And here is what is between my room and the guest room...it is actually nice to the point of being incongruous with the rest of the apartment. As pops noted, legit ceramic tile.



























Here's the living room. TV is now up and running, but I still need something to put it on.



























Page may have gotten the spot above the futon in the guest room, but Hendrix gets the spot above the couch in the living room.



























And I have a kitchen. Yes, that is a rice paddle you see to the left. Yes, I am that Asian.

So there you have it, kids. Come on up to NorCal and check into The DL Domain on foursquare...you know you want to! Bonus pics...here's my cubicle. Here's my "personalized" corner of my cubicle. Try not to be jealous!

Apparently even Blogger wonders where I've been

Seriously...they went and changed the site, and added some widgets that will enable my armies hordes couple of readers to easily post and share. Mostly, though, I think it will just make it easy for me to post it to my Facebook page.

So it's been a while, and the reason it has been a while is that I have been without Internet for the last week. The reason I have been without Internet is that my new apartment doesn't have it yet. The reason I have a new apartment is that I moved for a new job. This new job is in Alameda. Yes, Alameda is a city. It is in the bay area--directly across the bay from San Francisco. It is adjacent to Oakland. (Yes, I know. No, it's not scary...at least Alameda isn't.)

That's right, kids. I'm an official NorCal resident. I have a BART card and everything. I never thought I would see the day either, but after four fantastic years learning the field of tech PR at the DJA down south, I've made the transition to the bay. I'm a senior account executive at Engage PR, here in Alameda. Bay area traffic sucks. I don't want to deal with it. It takes me 10 minutes to get to work in the morning if (when) I hit every red light on this island. (Yes, I live on an island.)

Other than the fact that moving into my second-floor apartment was a horrific experience that began with me dropping a box down my pretty, hardwood stairs (and shattering the hell out of everything that was in it) and the fact that it's apparently the coldest winter in the history of the bay area, it's been a great transition. Alameda is a cool little place, and you should come visit. I have a two bedroom apartment that is walking distance from a handful of bars. It's a little longer walk to the main drag in town, Park Street, but it's definitely walkable. As drunk as we will get if/when any of you come visit, it'll be a piece of cake.

Pictures and more updates to come soon...when I don't have to come to the coffee shop down the street to get Wi-Fi. Send me a text or drop me an e-mail if you want my address.

This is SO TRUE

For all of you who wonder why I hate mac products and people who use them, this (NSFW) video explains it.



This is what mac people do. They are sheep. Thank God I will not have to use one at my new job.

The David James Agency

The mission of The David James Agency is to "know technology and know the business of technology." While this is 100% accurate, it could just as easily be "know the people associated with technology."

While this obviously applies to clients and partners in the professional arena, that's not what I'm talking about right now.

I just finished four of the most critical years of my life--the beginning of my career--learning technology and the business of technology. When I came out of school with my (very expensive) degree, I had always envisioned that I would cruise into the workforce, handling consumer accounts and having a great time doing it. Then reality struck, and I couldn't find a job, so I worked at Crespi for a year while continuing to look. Then I caught a break.

David James Rodewald (and Erin) had worked at a large agency with Jennifer Floto, one of my professors (who became one of my references), before splitting off to start their own agency. As they grew from a simple partnership with a handful of clients, they built their business, and in the spring of 2006, they were looking to bring someone on board.

They could have held out for someone with more of that tech-focused experience, but because of that connection, they opted to bring me in for an interview. After a couple meetings and a writing test, they offered me the account executive position--their first hire and my first real PR job.

For the last four years, I have had the privilege of learning the field from Dave, a true professional and a faith-driven family man. He's taught me everything from the proper way to deal with clients and difficult media to the tricks you can use to rearrange your schedule to give yourself more time for work-life balance--that latter of which I am still working on :)

In short, the DJA has been my family for the last four years. I've grown as a professional and an individual under its watch, and I am forever indebted to Dave and Erin.

But new challenges await.

I've lived in southern California my entire life. That is about to change. I've accepted a senior account executive position at Engage PR in Alameda and will be moving to the bay in a week and a half. At Engage, I will start off working with telecommunications and wireless solutions providers--building from the experience I've gotten the last four years.

While it was difficult to pack up and leave the DJA for the last time today, I was reminded of encouragement I'd received about three years ago. "When you have an opportunity, you have to take it." True to his word to his still relatively new employee, Dave has been behind me 100% of the way--a consummate professional and dedicated mentor to the end.

Updates Coming Soon...BIG BIG Updates

But this is all you get for now...sorry. At work and trying not to get fired. I'm still alive, though! Love you guys!

DL