Nicole, Redesigned

Well, her site is anyway. No reason to tamper with perfection.

After a long period of contemplation and the press of higher priorities nicolespiridakis.com has undergone a complete makeover (no way was I going to use that word in the headline.)

Gone is the iconic picture in the borrowed shirt, replaced with a graceful headshot (used here without permission, as usual).

Speaking of photos, the landing page is a nicely staged shot of one of Nicole's many SF Chron articles -- you know she has a monthly column there called "Common Walls?"

But our favorite page is "clips." There are lots and lots of them, and room for more. Get on it, girl!

Out of the Courtroom and into the Pit

anonymous source texting story to peepsNet

peepsNet is pleased (and our lawyers are relieved) to report that we were correct to go out on a limb and disclose, on the word of a single source, that Nicole was changing jobs. Her new gig is copy-editing for a cool-sounding financial reporting outfit that serves a list of private clients. Given her 5+ years at Reuters (another cool-sounding financial reporting outfit that serves a lisst of private clients) I guess this proves the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Nicole is halfway there: has accepted the new job, hasn't given notice. Awkward. Preparing to give notice at the old place has proved to be a bit anxiety provoking. But we are sure it will be accomplished with grace and aplomb. peepsNet had other ideas and offered up a number of below-the-belt parting shots and "yo mamma" jokes. You're welcome, anyway.

Not only is the new job better in every way but one (it, like, starts at a normal part of the business day instead of siesta time) but Nicole had the audacity to ask for more money than they were offering. Our tough-as-nails pal would have made The Donald quiver as she got them to pony up 14% than their original offer. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall ...

NicSpiriting Away?

Off the record, peepsNet hears that Nicole is on the verge of changing jobs. Something more suited to her career goals and a position which doesn't require pandering to a dim-witted, mercurial boss who is her intellectual inferior. She had enough of that at Reuters, for heaven's sake.

Details are sketchy, and we are loathe to name the prospective employer -- but believe us, peepsNet knows! Apparently all terms have not yet been agreed to, but peepsNet would be surprised if the bottom were to fall out of this move, especially after a 90-minute (carumba) interview.

One of the bennies, we hear, is that this new job is a mere five minute walk from Miss Katy, which just goes to show what a small world blah blah blah! Since Nicole is a marathoner what we're saying is that they can hook up before Katy hangs up the phone.

For the record, that picture is not of Nicole running to meet with Katy, but well on the way towards finishing the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon.

Second City Mike

No. This isn't Mike, even on a bad day. This is Mike.

Well, it looks like Mike has been doing some traveling, and the paparazzi of peepsNet were there to chronicle what we are sure he would have preferred to be an under-the-radar trip to the Windy City -- so difficult for today's celebrity authors.

OK, ok. He posted some pictures on Flickr and I am ignoring the copyright. So sue me. Actually, please sue me. peepsNeet could use the publicity.

Anyway, as soon as our sources determine the exact nature of Mike's trip and how many clubs he hopped with Paris, peepsNet will publish these facts without fear or favor.

And since Chicago is also known as "Beirut on Lake" peepsNet can't help but wonder when Samer will be going.

Miss Katy

Mike (L) and Katy (R). No relevance here (imagine the odds) -- I just love this shot. And the picture on "Second City Mike" isn't really Mike, so I felt he was being kinda cheated, you know?

peepsNet is going to have to find out what's happnin' with the first of the "Just Say No to Toronto" alum to re-enter decent society, who found work in San Francisco so fast it made us all wonder if she really was just a mole for MarketWatch the whole time, stealing our trade secrets.

That's right, that's right -- we had trade secrets.

peepsNet has been extremely remiss about keeping up with Miss Katy, and although our staff has heard many details of the single girl's life in the big city our code of conduct forbids us from printing hearsay, rumor or innuendo unless it is really, really cool stuff.

Outsource Me, Will You!

Mike, a victim -- or is that beneficiary? -- of outsourcing, is a very quick study.

peepsNet hears that the author/illustrator and force behind TYPE ILLY PRESS has found such success in publishing that he has to hire other artists to finish his work, the better to concentrate on marketing and creating and not sweat the details.

Of course regular peepsNet readers already know about his fantastic write up in the Raleigh News & Observer.