howeird | Work apnea (Reply)

I was up by 7:30, got to work before 9, and was greeted by this email:

From: Bob Stanzione [mailto:mmhome1@motorola.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 7:25 AM
To: All ARRIS Employees & Home Employees Joining ARRIS
Subject: Congratulations, the Deal is Closed!

To: All ARRIS Employees & Home Employees Joining ARRIS

From: Bob Stanzione, Chairman and CEO, ARRIS

After many months of hard work, the day has finally arrived. Motorola Home is officially a part of ARRIS. I know I speak for everyone at ARRIS – we can’t wait to have you join the company.

Our organizations share a long history of pioneering industry technological breakthroughs, including revolutionizing the Digital TV experience, the introduction of telephony over cable, enabling service providers worldwide to deliver ever-faster broadband Internet, developing the first all-digital HDTV system and HD home devices, creating the first wireless broadband gateway to the industry – and many more.

By joining more than 7,000 talented people from these two organizations, we are building a new ARRIS and making our company even stronger as a leading global provider of video, voice, and data products and services. Together, we will transform how global cable operators, telcos, and broadband service providers deliver entertainment and communications without boundaries.

Now that the transaction has closed, we can begin executing on integration plans to ensure a smooth and effective transition. As we integrate, we will build a shared culture that continues to inspire innovation.

As you may already know, we will be taking a phased approach to bringing the Motorola Home employee population into ARRIS based on readiness in each country. Some entities will transition to ARRIS immediately, some in early May, and others in Q3. We will provide the information you need as you need it to make your Day 1 at ARRIS successful.

As always, our customers are our top priority; and nothing can disrupt the strong partnerships we have worked so hard to build. We must continue our winning momentum as we make this exciting transition.

I truly believe that for the new ARRIS – and for all of us – the possibilities are boundless.

Once again, thank you for all you have done to make this historic day a reality. I look forward to working with you as part of the new ARRIS.

Sort story long:
I joined Terayon in 2007
That week Motorola bought Terayon
Motorola laid me off in 2009
In a few months Motorola split into two companies: Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility. Terayon group went to Mobility
2011 Motorola Mobility re-hires me
The next week Google buys Motorola Mobility
After a few months, Google splits Mobility into two companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Home. Terayon group went to Home.
A month later, Home is bought by Arris
The DOJ gave its okay last Friday, the deal closed today. Tomorrow we get Arris badges.

So, in the same cubicle, I have worked for Terayon, Motorola, Motorola Mobility, Motorola Mobility/Google ,Motorola Home/Google and Arris.

After the flurry of email, I started falling asleep. I could not stay awake. Tried going outside, which helped a little. Needed sugar, but realized I had forgotten my insulin pen. Finally sent email that I was going to pick up a prescription and would be back after lunch. Went home, slept till 12:30. Back to work by way of UPS, I was fine. What saved me was there were a bunch of automated tests I had written which had failed, and I had to re-run them by hand, which took till almost the end of the day.

Straight from work, went to the Computer History Museum for a free memebrs buffet. It's supposed to last 45 minutes, but after 30 there was no food left. Good thing I got there early. After was a talk moderated by a NYT writer who just won a Pulitzer, with two of the top people at SRI. It had its moments.

Home by way of Amazon locker, opened the door, and saw Kaan, and then saw Kaan had pooped on the indoor welcome mat. :-(

UPS package was a pair of small bottles of Haig & Haig which I had wanted to give as gifts to two people in Brigadoon. Changed my mind about one of those guys, may still send one off to the music director.

Amazon package was a seltzer siphon to replace one which had started leaking.

Dinner was microwave spag&meatballs. Watched some Steve Harvey on Tivo. Nuked one because it was all Boston Bomb coverage. I am so glad I have never owned a pressure cooker.

Have I mentioned it here - May 11 is National Train Day, I have booked Amtrak to Santa Barbara, booked a room for Sat-Sun nights at a quaint and very nice motel I'd stayed in 4 years ago, and booked a whale watching trip for Sunday. The one I wanted was booked for a charter, so I had to take #2, which does not go out as far. I may also do the amphibious tour, which I did once before. Depends on the weather.

Plans for tomorrow:
8 am (OMG) meeting in the break room to hear plattitudes and info about Arris, and get my new badge, and some swag apparently.
May hang out at Starbucks after work. Or get a manicure. Or both.