Friday, August 25, 2006

Hsinchu Science Based Technology Park

It is warm, already, as I set, off a little later than usual. Cloudy. No typhoons, or rain, fortunately, but Taiwan in August is tropical, humid.

I set off slowly on the familiar pavement. Broken brickwork, the weather ages the walls with mildew, green edges to the road, lush overgrowth, apartment buildings seem to droop, and wear an air of neglect. So like Bombay. Street dogs. A rush of scooters.

I am soon past the high school, and near the industrial park. I have often run there, past the hulking semiconductor fabs. TSMC and UMC. And AUO’s LCD facility – now the largest in the business. Together, these companies probably churn out more semiconductors than the rest of the world, combined. It is thrilling to run here. But strangely contradictory. Elsewhere, I choose nature trails, and seek out parks and trees. Here I think of the parry and thrust of the marketplace, design wins, and volume shipments. And failed start-ups that bite the dust.

I have always taken a left and run past the biggies. Know that path well. This time, perhaps because AUO dropped off the cliff, I see LiteOn away to the right, and follow the bike path – tiles monogrammed with a large wheel bike. LiteOn was the first Far East customer I worked with, many moons ago. Sprawling Taiwanese dinners with Jamie. Smoke and mirrors demos.

I pass Hwy 1 and turn into the industrial park. Familiar companies. SunPlus, WinBond. It is very hot, the sun now bright and strong. The humidity has me drenched with sweat. I make a few turns, and find myself in ChipMOS’s parking lot. Go thru and follow a curve in an inner road.

I should now be well on my way back, and begin to realize I have a problem. I am unsure of direction, and did not note the position of the sun, when I started. I am soon lost, and back track several times. The familiar names now confuse me further, and I realize some of these companies have multiple facilities here. I try to understand the maps at the bus stand, but they are impenetrable.

I am past my limit, tired and worn, running low on water. I ask for directions to AUO, and am not surprised I get pointed the way I was coming from. I back track to a major road, now very busy with scooters and cars heading to work. They do not respect pedestrians here! I dodge traffic to cross the road, and am on the bike path. Befuddled – cannot remember which way that large wheel pointed.

Regain posture, head up, lean, lift your feet, pick up some speed. I try to conjure up a cool breeze.

Bravo! I see the huge glass walled AUO building. I am hot, exhausted and thirsty running down the broken brick pavement. The stumbling Foreign Legionnaire lost in the swirling desert sand.

I stare at the large arrangement of flowers. Very symmetric. It is on a round table by the elevator. It takes time to realize I am standing in the lobby of my hotel, welcome air conditioning misting my spectacles. I am thirsty. I find I still have that last gulp of water I saved in the bottle.

Must be more careful about the bread crumbs!

Elevator Pitch: A weekend in Taiwan

I am so glad to be wheeling my bags out of my 21st floor room, this Saturday morning. I am surprised to see this very relaxed looking American, obviously not traveling today. He tells me he flew in on the Friday. Does this once a month. Visits the local office to plan the week ahead, and then spends the weekend catching up on jet lag and preparing for the week!

I’d never have dreamt of that one – I’d even consider heading home for a weekend, and returning on the Monday!

Elevator Pitch: Blue Diamond Almonds

We chat about having flown in the previous night, and he tells me the traffic out of Sacramento was bad. He looks like a well traveled Sales Guy, and I ask about hi-tech in Sacramento – turns out he is in the agriculture business. Sales guy for Blue Diamond Almonds.

Tells me there is a major market for California Almonds in the Far East. And that he visits India once every quarter, big sales around Diwali!

Elevator Pitch: Recruiting Korean kids for Schools in the UK

She is in a smart business suit and has an unmistakable British accent, asks which floor the breakfast restaurant is at. She lives in Hong Kong, and works for British Schools, helping to find Korean kids who go there to study a few years, and learn the language!

Just another Sales guy!!

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Pacific Coast Highway

We took a vacation week to drive down the California Coast on Hwy 1, from the Bay Area to San Diego. Made stops at several very nice spots on this scenic route, where the incredibly blue ocean stretches out forever, lovely, lazy beaches invite surfers and sand castle builders, and the sky seems to get bluer with every passing smile.

Here is the PCH, thru the eyes of a sweaty pedestrian.

Ponderosa

The Big Sur area has this wonderfully remote feel – a rugged coast line, the road snaking through hills, several hundred feet above the sea, Coastal Redwood forests, and picturesque streams, artistic homes perched on hillsides, and this history from the 60’s, of hippies and yoga, pot and TM, long haired bikers and Jim Morrison.

The Ponderosa campsite is 13 miles from the coast, some 3000’ up in the hills, extremely remote. The nearest store is at an Army Camp, 12 miles away. No showers – a nearby pool in the creek the only place to bathe, as was testified by the ‘bouquet’ from the delightfully quaint campground host.

I set off early, downhill, in a cool, crisp mountain morning, and am soon past the other campground. Spotted water taps there, and decided I could run far, and refill, later. It is quiet – I occasionally hear what sounds like distant trucks, but do not see a single vehicle the first 7 miles – or a human! The shade deepens as I climb. It feels intensely private, so alone, I am wrapped up in the run, the trees, and the mountain I realize I am climbing. I have run over two miles uphill, when I turn back to fill water – reached my time limit. One could just keep going with this perfect weather. And the quiet.

I had run the Big Sur Marathon in my mind, when driving the coastal road. A difficult course – so many hills, but rewarding. So very scenic. And some really interesting sidelights, like a fine gentleman, playing his Grand Yamaha at Bixby Bridge, dressed in tails. Doing it in a car, I was daunted by the hills, and decided to stop dreaming of Big Sur – but this long run up the mountain has me thinking - the ground here has good vibes!

The sun is out, now, and feels good. Warming. I pass three cars, and see some activity at the lower campsite. No water there! Rescued by mine campground host, who fills my bottle with water of some questionable origin and age.

Morro Bay

There’s this large rock jutting out of the ocean, off the coast of Central California. It’s pretty dumb, actually, but they’ve built a nice little touristy town around it, and the fine weather. The sunset at Montana Ore was spectacular.

I run early morning, the sun just coming up, along the shore. Nice homes with a great view. Piers with a variety of boats. I pause to ask directions. A clean cut guy, wearing a Stetson and an apron. Curious. Says he is a visitor too. I find my way to the State Park and run past a ridiculously crowded campground.

I pass my friend again. He has set up an easel, and is half way through a painting of the rock, and Morro Bay!

It’s Just Malibu

Santa Barbara turned out to be ever so nice. A cloudy morning, and then a pleasant, sunny afternoon. Very posh homes, and up market malls. A town that shows its wealth.

Malibu. Houses perched on hillsides, far apart. Endless beaches. Surfers riding swells. Young kids on surf boards, getting lessons, their instructor in the water, bellowing, mothers in bikinis taking in the sun.

I run a ‘back country’ trail. This rich, spoilt area has picnic tables and porta potties on a back country trail! Signs point to Reagan House and the site they filmed M.A.S.H at. Some stretches of the trail have concrete road. The creek is brackish and uninviting, but the hills are picturesque. It is hot, in the sun.

I see two burnt shells of jeeps – all that is left of M.A.S.H. A lady walking her dog points out where MediVacs took off in the opening scene of the movie. She says ‘when you watch the movie, you’ll know it is not Korea – it’s just Malibu’!

Carlsbad

We head down the coast to Southern California. Palm trees and endless beaches. Surfers. It is laid back, relaxing. There is a vacation atmosphere, even in the office complexes.

I run through silent streets in Oceanside. Such a lovely name for this little town. I take the Coast Highway through town – a mistake – no views of the ocean. I veer towards the beach as I enter Carlsbad. Low tide. The water is way out on the shallow beach. I run in the soft wet sand. Just pad along – could do this barefoot!

Groups of surfers, where the waves are high. They look so good, paddling out on their boards, in wet suits, riding the waves in. I see ocean kayaks in the water. Reflect on holidays, and the lifestyle one could have in this suburb of San Diego.

Off the beach and on the promenade to cross a finger of water snaking inland. I see a long distance runner on the beach. Recognize the gait, and tell tale supplies hanging off her belt. I keep pace with her, from up above, and am happy I am able to do this, 10 miles into my run. I have never looked for a running partner, or a group, preferring my thoughts, and the time to focus on posture and style, and to reflect.

The sun is warm on my face as I run bare chested, enjoying the sensation of the soft beach, listening to the gulls. It is wonderful to end this long run with a dip in the ocean. The cool water so pleasant on tired legs.

I could get used to this!

Islandia

It is the last day of this glorious holiday. The boat slips around this resort hotel are full in the early morning sun – just a few vacationers up for a walk, yet. I run over the bridge to the next stretch of sand. More sail boats.

San Diego seems to have more boats than cars, and more surf boards than people! I see a pony tailed man setting up his fishing rod. Beach bum or Qualcomm millionaire – who knows?

By evening, we are back in Bay Area traffic, reflecting on the intensity here, the drive, the passion. So different and so far removed from palm trees and beaches!

I vote for drive and passion.

Friday, August 04, 2006

Palo Alto

I have planned this run all week, 16 miles over two of my favourite local runs. This, my longest run since that injury, daunts me. I now use Google Maps to list milestones, and my new Timex watch to record the time every mile. I thought this would add a new dimension, a source of tension, but I am learning it is actually nice to break down a long run into individual ‘little’ miles. I have learned how much time I waste at rest stops, and have realized my timing can get a big boost simply by stopping less.

The weather report has failed me – I set off in bright sunshine – a cloudy cool morning would have helped. I stash spare Gatorade in the bushes as the first loop begins, crossing the pedestrian bridge over the freeway, the thrill of running a few feet above cars zipping by. I am soon on the trail by the Golf Course, a view of Dumbarton Bridge in the distance. My right knee suddenly hurts, and I stop, walk, and set off again. I have to repeat this again, worrying I will have to abandon the run, but I am sailing along again, as I get to the little airport. Marshlands on my left, the Bay in the distance, and the bright morning sun drenching me with sweat, as I watch the twin engine planes take off. The sun is well over the East Bay hills, golden brown in the summer heat. ‘There is gold in them thar hills’.

I see men fishing in the little lake in the marsh, one sadly with a near empty bottle of rye. Photographers with long lenses capturing migratory birds. What snobbery to have a ‘Palo Alto Duck Pond’, just for grandparents to take little girls with a bag of bread!

I’ve made good time – less than an hour to complete the 5 mile loop and retrieve my Gatorade, and I run on towards Stanford. Quiet, urbane Palo Alto streets. Old trees, and nice old people. I offer ‘Bokar Tov’ to a brightly dressed Jewish family heading for the train station.

I am soon running the length of Stanford Avenue. Each cross street is a famous college - Yale, Amherst and so on. Apartments give way to professorial bungalows, and then I am past the half way mark of my run, wishing learned toffs good morning, as I get to the olive trees at the end of the campus. The sun is getting hot, and I eat a snack, as I go on, energy flagging.

Several distance runners on Junipero Sierra head towards the Dish. I pull myself together, straighten up, and try to get form and speed together. I am nearing the thee quarter point of the run, it is hot, and the body craves rest. Sand hill Road is a welcome distraction. This one road has the offices of all of the best Venture Capitalists. Billions of Dollars both in investments, and in personal net worth, come to work in the plush offices here. Which attract incredibly good looking staff, as well, as if that helps the rejected entrepreneur! I reflect on the year I spend doing the rounds at Sand Hill Road. Learned so much, yes, but did not get funded.

I give myself a 3 minute break at Stanford Shopping Center to refill water, and freshen up. This tired state is not conducive to looking at mannequins wearing outlandish costume, or to the music tinkling from Brooks Brothers. The mall is not open yet, I run through empty corridors, and get back to El Camino Real - 'King's Way'! I had decided to treat myself with a very slow pace, the last 3 miles, but some last bit of determination spurs me to try harder than that through downtown Palo Alto. I use the cracks in the sidewalk to lengthen my stride, pushing myself. The body can go on - it's the mind that plays tricks, convincing oneself it is perfectly acceptable to give up, to slow down.

I run past the church on Channing, and know I can make it - beat my 3 hour 15 minute limit to be back by 10.00 am. I am running against myself - who else cares? There are times I come almost to a halt, barely moving along, but straightening up, getting focused, makes it possible to go on, and to pick up some speed again.

I have used my stopwatch to mark each mile long lap, and, later, I am amazed mile 14 went by in 11 minutes. The mind can be trained to do endurance running. The bag of bones just goes along for the ride!