John Furrier

Release on my new position

I am consulting and help a very small startup in the area of performance based ad network. 

What's interesting is that they've parlayed a small niche into building a network of targeted sites that provide excellent demographics for lead generation.  Think of Google AdSense for lead generation then combine e-marketing automation technology.

Violin Size for Kids...

My 4 kids are growing up and they are in music class in school.  We had to figure out what size violin to buy for the kids.  Below is I found out researching violin sizes

Take a yard stick or measuring tape, which I call my "fiddle stick," and I use this to measure my students for the appropriate violin size. I place end of the stick gently at their neck, then measure to the line where their wrist meets the hand. Here are the measurements:

13 1/4 inches or less: 1/16 size violin
14 1/4 inches: 1/10 size violin
15 1/4: 1/8 size violin
17 1/4 inches: 1/4 size violin
19 inches: 1/2 size violin
20 1/2 inches: 3/4 size violin
21 1/4 inches: full size violin

Note to interested violin folks:  If your interested in restoration, repair, and buying a Violin, Viola, or Cello you have to contact Palo Alto Violins at 650-327-8465 and ask for Lawrence Haussler.  Some of the best violin players have had their equipment repaired or restored with Lawrence.  He is one of the best in the world.

Tylers bitten by Dog - WoW

Just when we thought we were finished with overnight hospital stays at Lucile Packard Children Hospital after Alec had a successful kidney surgery....then the Tyler Dog Bite happened this past Saturday.

At Alec's first comeback from surgery baseball game (fall ball league) Tyler was playing on the bleachers when he dropped the keys that he was holding. To his and our surprise a yellow lab lying with his owner reach over and bit Tyler in the hand causing a punchure wound. Linda immediately took him to the clinic. After irrigation and band aid we went home and thought that was the end of it. The next day his hand was swollen twice the size of his other hand. I took Tyler to the clinic and they advised that we immediately take him to the Childrens Hospital for IV antibiotics. That was Sunday. After two days in the hospital Tyler is now home recovering. Hopefully there will be no long term damage.

What a weekend.

Fort Ross 4th-5th Grade Overnight

Last week Alec's 4th - 5th grade class took an overnight field trip to Fort Ross on the coast of California. The class role played as if they were Russians living in the 1800s. Sections of the class were broken up into Artisans, Cooks, Hunters, and Militia. Alec was part of the Militia and was responsible for the security and order of the community. It was a great trip for everyone. Great experience for the kids both in 'hands on' learning and class teambuilding. Of course the coastline was spectacular and the weather worked out great.

Here we took a cruise up and down the coast after the trip...

Alec's Surgery

Thank you for all the calls and emails regarding my son's recent surgery. Alec went into Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Thursday 9/9 for a kidney related surgery. The procedure was successful and Alec is doing fine. The doctor expects a full recovery and possibly baseball and skateboarding by next week.

We've lived in the Boston area and now in Palo Alto and between Childrens Hospital and Lucile Packard you couldn't ask for a better place to be for a surgery. The doctors have been fantastic. Dr. Kennedy was amazing. Two words: He's good! Alec will be back to school next week.

Thank you goes out to Joe and Margy, Erica and Rich, Joe and Lisa, Julie and Ken, and our friends and family for their warm prayers. Of course Linda has been a 'rock' staying at the hospital overnight advocating and caring for Alec.

Weekend in Sacramento Area

With my family in Massachusetts visiting family for two weeks, I had the opportunity to visit an old friend who lives in the suburbs of Sacramento (Shingle Springs / El Dorado Hills area). Played alot golf, lounged around drinking beer, eating t-bone steaks, and strategizing on how to kill gophers.

What a difference from Silicon Valley - it's night and day. First of all everyone is very laid back (they don't like fast talking bay area folks) and housing is cheap by Palo Alto standards. $700k gets you a nice large home on over an acre but you have to watch out for gophers. My friends property is being overrun with gophers - my friend reminded me of Carl from Caddyshack...he was obsessed with killing those gophers.