Posted 3:11 AM by Andy
We're officially in winter season now, so here's an update of the last 6 weeks.

Work. I'm fighting the grind. There are days I'm moving data and massaging numbers with nauseating repetition that my mind seemed to be atrophying. There are other days where I am so free I scour all the news sources and read excerpts from Phil Jackson's latest book to fill the time void. There is another pending reorganization affecting my division that caused a few sleepless nights. There has been no official announcement but the CEO has already spoken about it as fact in front of a Taiwanese audience. What am I talking about? From multiple sources, all things point to my division executing a spinoff at the end of the year. There are various reasons to go independent, but primarily the move is intended to extract maximum value from the business instead of being hidden within a mammoth foundry. I have heard about this for a while now, but the consensus among the rank and file was we are not ready to enter the fray of the business jungle as a newborn. What upsets me about this is I had to hear about this through third party sources instead of from my direct management. After confirming management has been planning the spinoff for the last few months last Friday, my mind raced through various scenarios. When I asked him point blank this Monday, my director would not speak about details because apparently it is a sensitive topic. I think the biggest issue is who he will take with him in the new venture since he will be the de facto COO if not CEO. Part of the division will leave to join the new entity and a part will stay. But the question is what value will the remaining people offer since the division will be a fragment of its former self? What will the new compensation schemes look like for those who are chosen for the venture? Through backdoor surveys from HR, I know the pay scale is significantly higher for those hired into the new firm. This begs the question though of whether the firm will actually succeed. The model out there for us to emulate is Faraday, the preferred design service partner of UMC because UMC has a hefty investment stake in Faraday. Personally this news set off another round of assessing the current landscape of career opportunities, both here and in the US. I can always go to Microsoft's Beijing office because they are always hiring program managers. There are a few interesting startups with service offerings ranging from fabless networking equipment to anti-spam software to my old terrain location based services which have found mainstream application. There are other more established Western firms that are now making the foray into Asia. Then there is the occasional VC firm job opening that I always love to vie for but don¡¯t feel quite ready for since I don't have significant operating or deal-making experience.

Work relationships. On top of the uncertainty surrounding the spinoff, my friend and colleague Situ and the intern Qi have both expressed dissatisfaction with our project manager Wenjun. There are a melange of incidents to point to that have led up to their recent complaints, but suffice it to say they feel oppressed by an individual that clamors for credit when projects go well and shifts blame when projects go awry. Personally I feel when I am not impressed by someone's talent or ability, especially in a manager role, then my interactions with that person will be superficial because my growth potential is limited by his or her knowledge and cramped by his or her leadership style. Thankfully I have not had any major scuffles with management even in the face of bad attitudes. Combine Situ and Qi's discontent with the reality of the looming spinoff, I have no choice but to prepare early for any eventuality since my fate is tied closely to their actions. I think if it comes to that point, the three of us will resign together early next year in solidarity.

Social life. There was a period when I wanted to go to every famous bar and dance venue in town. I would go to Long Bar in the Portman Ritz-Carlton, reputedly the best bar for networking on a Tuesday night and watch the model show. I went to Park 97 on a Friday night finally and experienced the vibe. The dance floor was too small and crowded so I just chilled by the bar. I went to the zoo with friends from my English Corner. The most exciting part of the day occurred when the grizzly bears walked up to the bus and we fed them right through the windows with their paws on top of the panes. One weekend I was out in Xujiahui to support my friends¡¯ basketball team in a 3-on-3 tournament. Most of the players were 5'10" and above. My friend Rob stacked his team with the two best players from SMIC, a local gym teacher Revival (yup, what a great name. Imagine naming your kid Champion or Rock. Wait a minute, there IS someone named Rock here) who almost made it to the Chinese Basketball Association and a 6'6" Australian Ben who played Juco ball in the US. They lost in the elite 8 to a very physical team when Ben had an off-game and was shut out. I had two more blind dates, one introduced by Qi and one by a family friend. With both of them, I knew within a few seconds of meeting that it wouldn't work. But being the gentleman that I am, I chatted with them through the meals that we shared. It was excruciating though trying to make conversation when I wasn't into it all the while thinking up good excuses to cut the dates short. At least in the second case, the family friends treated me to a seafood banquet so I appreciate their gesture of goodwill. Situ recently introduced me to a latin dance group instructor so I may take a few drop-in lessons to venture out more. There is always the option of calling the producer of the local dating show. They tape weekly and there are six guys and six gals looking for matches while friends and supporters can help cast votes and vetoes from the studio audience. My friend Josh met his girlfriend this way.

Fellowship. We are now studying Genesis in small group. The oldest stories in the Bible are still relevant today. Chapters 1-3 cover the creation account, the first marriage, and sin. Genesis 3 this week got right to the core of the issue, namely, do you want to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because it looks pleasing to the eye and is good for food although it's expressly forbidden by God? This is the decision that Christians face every waking hour and every moment of their lives. I wish I can say I am immune from the allure of the forbidden fruit but as a descendant of Adam, I am afflicted with the sinful nature. The solution: Romans 8. I'm glad my friend Julie W is here and participating in my small group after spending some time in Tibet. On Wednesday nights, I go to a household for a potluck and hymn singing session. Jenny L invited me there. Last night an older man and recently converted brother shared how his marriage to a local woman dissolved over money issues. I've been warned repeatedly about being cheated for my earnings and material provisions, but it was still shocking to hear such a real case.

Upcoming events. This weekend the company is holding its first annual athletic competition. I am competing in the 200-meter race against guys from other divisions. I am also in a couple of relay races that are set up to be more fun. Sunday afternoon I will celebrate the beginning of the last year of my twenties. I will take a group out to Cashbox for some KTV action. It will be a good reprieve from the monotony of work and the research for the next venture.