Office Vista

No, this isn't about any Microsoft products. The best thing about my last job -- other than actually having a paycheck again -- was the view. Not so much from the office building itself, but from the parking garage. I'd often take breaks in the afternoon and go stand in one of the upper levels of the garage, looking out over the 360 Bridge and the river nestled in the foothills of the Hill Country. It was more or less the same view we had the first few years I was at NI way back when, but I guess I took it for granted back then.

My new job is a few miles farther west into these foothills. Sure, nothing impressive compared to real mountains, but hey, I grew up in Houston. The only hills we have there are called overpasses. This office building is only 3 stories high, but it rests right next to a dropoff into a mini-gorge and has a huge balcony overlooking this gorge (gorgette?). So even though it's only the 3rd floor, it feels much higher because much of the landscape is so much farther beneath you. Plus, it's spring, so you can stand out there and absorb the view while listening to a symphony of birds chirping away. Or you can watch the raptors gliding silently overhead, circling for prey.

So no, this isn't the view from my cube, but that's probably for the best, as I wouldn't get any work done if it were. But this relaxing vista is just a short 30-second walk away, and it sure beats staring out at a parking lot or corporate campus...

Click photo to enlarge


Click photo to enlarge