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Saturday, May 31, 2014

Cheese, Wine, and Frank

Things always happen for a reason...
-Unknown

My blonde hates that saying, and I never understood why until the day I finally asked him.  As it turns out, I agree with his thinking on the subject.  Basically he said that people use the statement as an excuse for things in life that they don't want to take responsibility for but ultimately should.  His ex had used this statement on more than one occasion while they were dating.  Clearly it brought back bad memories for Chris.  Regardless, Chris' explanation made perfect sense to me and I agreed.  As of lately I am beginning to rethink things though.

A directive was given to me today.  I was told to explore the beach, not the beach that I have been exploring, but the real beach.  The real beach isn't exactly close to my location so I never agreed to see this directive through.  In fact, I knew from the word go that I wasn't about to take on such a task. This wasn't my first brush with disobedience, but it was the first time since arriving in OZ that I willfully decided to ignore a request from Chris.  It just wasn't happening.  He doesn't get how far the real beach is and I wasn't about to try to explain.  

The fact of the matter is that I didn't have a clue what I was going to do today.  I searched Google for "things to do in Melbourne, Australia today" and a bunch of stuff came up that I didn't find inspiring. It was already 5pm and still I hadn't left the hotel.  I didn't mind though.  It wasn't one of those days where I felt like I had to get out and do something.  I was content and didn't feel the need to go anywhere.  Yet there was still something tugging at me and telling me to get out.  But where was I to go?  I searched my tram map for someplace new so that I could shoot some video to post to the blog.  The last thing I wanted was to end up in one of my usual places.   Where did I end up?  St. Kilda of course, just like the four weeks prior.  

I settled into a small restaurant that was about four blocks off of the main street.  The restaurant was as new as it was going to get tonight.  It was a small but cozy little place attempting to be a wine and cheese joint.  I say "attempting" only because their selection of wine and cheese didn't compare to other places I had visited in the past.  The crowd was sparse but there was a good vibe in the air.  I ordered a glass of wine and a small sampling of cheeses.  Oddly enough, I am getting used to being alone all of the time.  I have never done so many things alone in my entire life until now.  Whenever I eat out, I always face the window so that I can watch the people walk down the sidewalk.   That's how I noticed Frank walk through the door.

Frank entered the cafe wearing a long trench like coat and a skull cap.  When he approached the counter to place his order he removed his hat to expose an aged and bald head.  For some reason I was watching his every move.  He was a tall and lanky man who looked to be in his mid to late 70's but in good shape all things considered.  After placing his order, Franks sat down at a table and waited just like I did.  Chris always used to scold me for watching people so closely, so in my head I could hear him say, "Tonka, quit staring!"  It didn't matter anymore now than it did then.  I continued to watch him for some reason.  

When Frank's order finally arrived I was shocked to find that he had waited so long for only a glass of wine.  He sat at his table and drank his glass of red, and for reasons unknown I kept watching.  It was strange, because we were both alone at our own tables but I kept waiting for someone to join him at his table.  It just seemed like he was waiting on someone.  I don't know, but it looked that way.  

It was time for me to leave so I went to the counter to pay my bill.  Before the clerk could hand it to me I asked him to add another glass of wine for the old man sitting alone.  The clerk responded, "Who, Frank?"  I gave  the clerk one of my famous looks.  How the hell was I supposed to know!?!  I responded, "I don't know his name, but just send him a glass of wine after I leave."

My mistake was going to the bathroom prior to leaving the restaurant.  The clerk didn't follow my request,  and Frank had already received the glass of wine I bought him before I could escape with my anonymity.  Naturally he stopped me on my way out, and the first thing he asked me was why I sent over the glass of wine.  Awkward!!!   For once in my life I was speechless.  When I did finally respond it was mostly jibber jabber.  The reality is that I didn't know why I sent over the glass.  I kind of felt sorry for him sitting there all alone.  In hindsight, I think I saw myself in him.  

After introducing himself, Frank told me how he and his wife frequented this restaurant on a weekly basis.  They have been married for 57 years and every Saturday they took a walk that ended with a glass of wine together at this place.  I asked Frank where his wife was tonight, and then I braced myself for the answer.  My track record is not very good after all!  As it turns out, frank's wife is still alive (thank god), but she suffered a fall a couple days back and was in the hospital recovering.  The prognosis was good, and there didn't seem to be anything to worry about in terms of her recovery.  I couldn't help but ask him why he was at the restaurant and not by her side.  Yes, I went there...  He chuckled at me and I thought for sure I was in trouble!  It turns out that his wife insisted that Frank leave the hospital to walk their usual route and to stop for their usual glass of wine.  The only thing unusual about this particular Saturday was that fact that she wasn't there to join him in the ritual.  He was reluctant to accept her directive, but eventually he caved and there he was at the same restaurant as always.  I cracked a small smile, shook Frank's hand, and wished his wife a speedy recovery before leaving the restaurant. 

Maybe on occasion things do actually happen for a reason?

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Worlds Fastest, Tallest, Longest (hopefully) Roller Coaster!

The fastest, tallest, and longest (with a bit of luck) roller coaster in the world is life!  There are tons of twists and turns and on occasion it gets a bit bumpy.  One thing to keep in mind is that there is no such thing as a second ride.  Make the best out of the first ride, because when the ride stops the park closes-permanently.  

The things in life that I pick and choose to get worked up over, or even those that I get excited about, often make me laugh when I stop to think.  In the end they are really just things, and I either put importance behind them or I don't.  I get to choose if I am happy, angry, etc.  Some people reading this might be wondering why I am writing about this today.  I started writing about "the roller coaster" a few weeks back but decided to leave the entry unfinished in my drafts folder.  Once I stopped thinking about the why, and instead just let life unfold normally it became clear.  

On a moment by moment basis things either make me happy, sad, mad, excited, and well you get my drift.   How I deal with those feelings could impact the rest of my day if I allow them to run unchecked.  Most of the time I am pretty good at not allowing that to happen.  Sometimes I fail, and usually I regret it afterwards.   When I do catch myself, and prevent anything negative from taking hold, the result is always positive.  Seriously, the results are always positive.  I will either make a new friend, gain a new insight, or overcome an obstacle.   Here is a stupid but true example...  There is one particular bartender in the hotel lounge that has bothered me since my arrival.  He is slow to serve, forgetful, and just not good.  That's what I told myself about him anyway, but yet I kept waiting for him to do something right to prove me wrong.  The guy didn't have a chance though.  I had already determined who he was for me, and that was the context that he was stuck in until I told myself otherwise.  Unfortunately it took me until yesterday to understand that the problem wasn't him at all, rather it was me.  As long as I had him packaged and labeled as horrible there was no other way for him to occur.  It didn't matter what he did or didn't do.  Everything shifted the moment I admitted to myself that it was me who was a jerk and not him.  I left his bar that night feeling like I received great service.  Nothing changed except my unreasonable way of thinking.  

Whenever I give up that there is something wrong with someone or someplace I experience a sense of relief and freedom.  The idiocy is thinking that something was wrong in the first place.  I mean, who am I to say what is right or wrong with people or a place?  Really??   The context that I create, anyone creates, is always decisive.  When I started with Electronic Arts I was on a six month contract.  Nobody ever guaranteed a permanent position after the six months ended, nor was it ever implied that my contract would be extended.   I took the position nonetheless, and I took it knowing that it was going to be an extraordinary experience no matter what the future brought.  Several people asked me, "Aren't you worried about giving up a permanent job for a contract position?"  I wasn't worried one bit.  My response was always the same.  I was accepting the position with the mindset that it was a permanent role.  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't pretending, rather I was treating it as a perm role so that I would do the best job possible.  Had I treated it as temporary there is a good chance that I wouldn't be in a perm role today.  

Still you ask, "Where is this going?"   Let me just say this... I won the game I created for the month of May.  Context is decisive.   

Look out June, here I come!

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Dora Who?

The weather was beautiful today!  A bright sunny sky and 70 degrees was enough to lure me out of the hotel and onto the streets.  Last night during my penguin hunt I noticed what looked like a lit up Ferris Wheel in the distance.  It appeared to be on the beach and a few miles down the road, but then again it was very dark outside and the only thing I saw were lights in the distance.  I decided to go find the source of the mysterious lights.

Tram #16 and #3a both head in the direction that I needed to travel.  For the life of me I can’t figure out the difference between the two trams.  Something must set them apart.  Being the expert tram rider that I am, my plan of action is always the same.  I jump on the first tram that arrives!  The lucky winner today was #16, but it was packed with people.  There is something weird about stepping onto a packed tram.  The doors slide open and the first thing I do is quickly survey the car to determine the number of people.  Step two involves locating a place to park my rear end.   At the same time, opening doors serve as a signal to all of the other passengers to stop whatever it is they are doing and stare.  Its just an awkward feeling all around, but I managed my way through the crowd of staring onlookers and found myself a perch to call home.

Fifteen minutes into my tram ride we pulled up to the St. Kindle Beach pier.  I thought I heard a penguin call my name, but I was determined to stay onboard the tram headed into uncharted territory.  What an adventurer I have become. LOL!   The tram closed its doors and continued down the tracks.  By now my palms were sweaty and I was getting worried.  What have I just gotten myself into?  At this point the tram had already travelled four stops past my furthest point on record.  Maybe I was pushing this a bit too far.  You know, baby steps.  I pulled the chord signaling the driver to stop at the next stop.

Disembarking the tram is pretty much the same feeling as boarding the tram.  Conversations stop, people stop what they are doing, and babies stop crying just to watch me disembark.  Not really, but I am a dramatic guy according to that blonde I know, so…  Okay, back to my spine tingling adventure.  I jumped off the tram a few stops beyond the pier and paused for a moment to collect myself before determining which direction I would travel.  That whole process by itself was kind of stupid because I really only had two logical choices.  I could either continue straight ahead in the same direction of the tram that I just departed, or I could turn to the left and travel in that direction.  Why only those two choices?  Well, if I travelled to my right I would end up swimming in Melbourne Bay within a minute or two.  If went the opposite direction of the tram it would make me a likely candidate for psychiatric evaluation since I would be back tracking towards home.  It was a pressing moment and a decision needed to be made quickly because I was just standing there looking like a moron.  At that moment a little kid walked by and said to his father, “Daddy, what is wrong with that guy?”   Not really, but it makes for a good line in my story.  :)

I decided to press forward in the same direction as the tram that I just departed.  Let me say that again… I decided to head in the same direction that the tram I just departed was going.  Do you get the irony?  Really???  Sometimes I amaze myself with my own brilliance.  As it turns out, it wasn't such a bad idea after all.  Hoofing it the rest of the way allowed me to fully take in my surroundings.  Seriously, there was a lot going on.  I spent so much time in my own head trying to figure out what direction to travel that I didn't even notice that there were vendors set up along the entire sidewalk peddling their wares.  LOL… “Peddling their wares.”   


The sidewalk vendors were pretty cool.  Nothing they were selling appealed to me, but it was fun to browse and pretend that I was a prospective buyer.  Mean and cruel, right?  I know… Its taken years of practice to become this good.  Hehehehhe   The last vendor was coming into sight when suddenly I saw a huge open mouth in the distance.  Seriously, I am not joking this time!  It was a gaping “mouth” and closing in on me quickly.  There is no need to worry though.  The “mouth” was part of a mural that served as the entrance to an amusement park.  You see, I wasn't going crazy!  I did see a Ferris wheel last night! (It was actually a roller coaster and not a FW)  Move over James Cook, Matt is in town and I’m a fearless explorer.  Did I stop at the amusement park?  No way!  I pressed forward and uncovered a new neighborhood.  Given the mobs of people everywhere, the neighborhood was clearly only new to me.  I stumbled upon St. Kilda, but I claimed it as mine and renamed it St. Matthew.  


St. Kilda is a bustling little neighborhood, and like many of the other areas that I conquered in the past, its streets are dotted with shops and restaurants.  The primary difference is that St. Kilda is in close proximity to the bay, so it is kind of on the water-kinda.   I explored each and every little nook and cranny of the main boulevard.  Eventually I settled into a small cafe and ordered lunch.  After lunch I paused long enough to rename the neighborhood in my honor, and then I boarded the tram headed for home.  Another successful adventure behind me 


Here are a few pics…


















PENGUINS!

Okay, okay… So I was absent for a couple of days.  This past week was extraordinarily busy!  No joke, it has been back to back interviews, meetings, and everything else.  The good news is that I am on track to exceed my placement goals for May!  Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself.  The key to success is having a great team, structure, and support.  As an Electronic Arts employee I have them all, so if I fail it is all on me.  No worries mate!  It’s the weekend, so enough work talk!

Friday, after leaving Firemonkeys, I came back to the hotel and settled in for the night.  I was happy as a lark just sitting here and watching television.  Actually that is only half true. I did a whole bunch of sourcing while watching television.  For some reason I still can't sleep though.  It has been nearly two months (can you believe it) since I arrived in OZ so it surely cant be jet lag anymore!  Yes, Chris… I know… Melatonin.  Not going to happen.  It's not like I feel tired all day or anything.  In fact I get less sleep now than ever, and still I feel no different.  Everybody always told me that the older I got the less sleep I would need.  At this rate by the time I am fifty I will require 30 minutes a day.  

Today (Saturday) I had two things on my mind.  One of those items has been on my "to do" list for three weeks!  The first item on my list was a haircut.  I am still trying to get used to paying nearly $50 for a haircut. For 15 years I have been going to the same barber and I never paid more than $20 (pre-tip). Sheesh… I am starting to feel like one of those people!  You know the type… “I remember when I paid a nickel for a pack of gum”.  Yes, one of those!  The stylist shared a valuable piece of information while cutting my hair.  During our small talk he mentioned that there is a 10% national sales tax on everything in OZ.  No wonder everything is so expensive!  After my enlightening conversation with the barber it was back to the hotel before tackling the second item on my list-PENGUINS!

I may or may not have mentioned this (I probably did), but there is a colony of blue penguins that live among the rocks of the St. Kilda Beach pier.  The UK bartenders from a few weeks back told me about them when I visited St. Kilda Beach and the weather was crap.  Since that day it has become my mission to see the penguins for myself!  The first attempt was two weeks ago.  I charged up my GoPro and headed to the pier ready to film.  Unfortunately I arrived too early in the afternoon.  As it turns out, the penguins do not emerge from the rocks until dusk.   UGH!  No way in hell was I waiting around that long.  It would have to wait another week. 

My second attempt to see the penguins was almost a success.  The arrival time was perfect and the penguins were already out of their burrows and dancing on the rocks.  I wrestled my way through the people and managed to get some great video too!  That's what I thought anyway.  Did you see any penguin video last week?  NO!  I couldn't use any of the video that I took because it was too dark.  Outsmarted by penguins!  Can you believe this shit?  People say that the third time is a charm, or something like that, and I was certainly determined to win this battle of the penguin.

Today was the big day.  The final round of my battle of the penguin.  I outlined my plans carefully and kept them locked in my hotel safe.  God knows who might be working for those damn penguins!  It was going to be a sneak attack at dusk.  

I arrived at the pier just as the sun was setting on the horizon.  If I calculated everything correctly there should be just enough light left in the day to film.  The only thing I had to do was wait.  And wait... and wait...  Was this really happening to me?  Did somebody tip the penguins off?  No way was I leaving without filming a penguin!  Then, almost like it was on queue, the penguins started to call out to one another from under their rocks.  They are loud too!  Shortly after the penguin chorus began they started to emerge.  First one, then two, and then they were popping up everywhere!  They are the cutest little things that you will ever see!  

All of the waiting and watching finally paid off!  Watching them emerge from their sleep was incredible.  They popped their little heads out and then waddled up onto the rocks.  Yes, Chris, they walk like me.  Several emerged in pairs, so I can only imagine what all that noise was prior to their grand entrance.  The entire experience was really cool.  When I was a kid I used to go out at dusk to hunt frogs.  Tonight brought me back to those childhood memories.  I have always been fascinated with wildlife.  Mom and Dad always said that I would be a biologist one day.  Well, they were close… :)  

I hope you enjoy the video!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Pointless Rants

The last couple of days have been jam packed with activity!  In terms of recruiting, Monday was nonstop from 10 AM until 6 PM.  I literally had a screening call scheduled every 45 minutes, and only deviated from that regiment long enough to attend a Skype interview previously scheduled between team leads and a candidate.  Unfortunately the call didn't go too well.   Today was nearly a carbon copy of yesterday except I only had one candidate screening per hour.  The good news is that today’s candidates offset the lackluster from yesterday.  As a result of the past two days I have several people to move forward in the recruitment process.  I am still hoping for three additional placements in May!

What I need to do is find a balance between work and my running schedule.  It seems that whenever I'm busy at work I use it as an excuse not to run.  As a result, I get angry at myself for not running and I continue to grow large!  It's already hard enough to keep the weight off at my age and I certainly have the time to run.  Excuses, excuses…When will I learn?  I’m averaging four runs weekly, but my neither my overall time nor my distance is improving.  

There really isn't much to report other than my traction at work and failing running regiment.  Sad, but true.  I spend most of my free time counting the days left before Chris comes to visit.  For the life of me I can’t figure out why people advocate distance in a relationship.  Seriously, more than one person has told me that its best to spend time apart from the person you love just to ensure that the relationship is real.  Why would someone want to be distant from someone they love?  If it's not the two people in the relationship determining the validity of their feelings,  then who is, and why is proof required?  Who determines what is real and what isn't real?  I have tons of questions around this subject but in all honesty the answers won't impact me a bit.   Nobody will ever have the right to define my relationship or determine its validity based upon their own set of rules.  Furthermore, I don't care to know other's rules on relationships.  Did you ever notice that it is normally those people with failed relationships giving all of the advice?  Pure ignorance if you ask me…

The time people spend looking for inclusion, recognition, and validation is better spent enjoying life and the company of those they love.  Does it really matter what other people say or think?  When I am put to my final rest, I want people to know that I lived my life for me, and that I did my best to better not only myself but also my fellow man.  Look, I have enough failures and mistakes in my life to fill page after page of blog entries.  The best I can do is learn from my mistakes, ask for forgiveness, and set off on a fresh course in hopes of doing less harm to myself and others.  My primary flaw is being human.  On that premise alone we are all fundamentally the same..flawed.  

So why the rant?  Hell if I know, but it sure felt good.  Now, if the idea of getting off of my ass to go run only felt the same way!  Until tomorrow…

  

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Food, Friends, and Wine! What more is there? Well...

"How can I take it seriously? Even my best work turns into poop the next day.”
-Chef Mario Batali

This weekend was all about friends and food!  What better combination is there in life?  Well, I can think of one, but I won’t go down that path.  Looking back, I find it kind of strange that my Friday evening consisted of going to the grocery store and then back home.  There was a hint of foreshadowing in terms of what the rest of the weekend would bring.  Plans were already in place to meet up with Denise Christie-Caputo and Joe Caputo, both EA/Firemonkeys staff members, on Saturday.  We were set to have lunch together at the Island Bar/Restaurant (thats what I call it) that you’ve seen in many of my videos.  Plans changed last minute, but for the better.
I really don't know where to start!  Do I start with the food, or do I start with how great it was to hang out with Denise and Joe?  Instead of meeting at the Island bar, I met Joe and Denise at our office building and hopped in the car.  Our first stop was breakfast.  The restaurant was amazing!  It was a good 20 minute wait just to get in the place and the clientele was an eclectic mix of interesting people.  I could literally spend the entire day just watching the people walk in and out.  When we finally sat for breakfast I could understand what the wait and the fuss was about.  Every dish came out looking like a piece of artwork.  Honestly, I really didn't know whether I should stare at it or begin eating.  My stomach won the contest in the end.  Each bite was better than the last.  After breakfast it was off to Melbourne’s version of Little Italy.  Sorry Joe, but I don't remember the name of the street or area! :)
The street was lined with little shops, cafés, and neat little nooks.  Each shop or cafe more interesting than the one before it.  If my memory serves me correctly, the first place we stopped was the worlds largest café/bakery.  I mean really, it was huge!  The walls were refrigerated units lined with row after row of assorted baked goods. Display cases stretched the length of the shop and they were completely packed with the most savory looking deserts that you will ever see in your life.  Smack in the middle was a gigantic coffee bar.  I told you before how Melbournians (is that a word?) LOVE their coffee.  Joe had an espresso, Denise copped out, and Tonka went straight to the sweets!  I just had to try a cannoli, but then I saw the rum soaked whatever it was called, and I had to try that too!  Yes, two deserts… Color me FAT!  But wait, there is more!  Much, much, much, more!  I swear that Joe and Denise could work for the state of Victoria, or at the very least the city of Melbourne, because they are the best guides ever!

Our next stop was a little Italian wine and cheese shop.  This was no ordinary wine cheese shop though.  The place was packed with every single kind of cheese you can imagine plus more!  Do you have the mental picture yet?  Okay, now add meats of every variety!  The worlds best prosciutto available in ways that I never knew existed.  Oh yes, there's more.  Now for the coup de grace…  wine, wine, wine!  We sat outside at one of the tables facing the street and ordered a tray of cheese and meats along with a bottle of red wine.  It was an amazing way to enjoy food, good drink, people watch, and of course forge new friendships.  That is exactly what happened too!  Words can’t begin to describe the experience.  It's amazing the way good food can bring people together in ways that life alone cannot.  We had not one bottle of wine, but THREE between us!  I think we sat at that table for nearly four hours enjoying each others company and talking about stuff.  Happy stuff, sad stuff, you name it!  I feel like I have known Denise and Joe for years, and I am so blessed to have shared the day with them both.  It's not over yet though!  Before we move on, I need to mention this…  While we sat at our table eating and drinking for several hours, a worker from the cheese shop brought the BIGGEST platter of prosciutto and cheeses around for everybody to sample.  Not once, but TWICE!  You'll see a picture of it in my video.  This was the biggest tray of prosciutto that I have ever seen in my entire life.  It was incredible!  The staff at this restaurant was insanely friendly and also entertaining. I hope you aren't full yet, because it is time to move on to the next restaurant.

Yes, just when you thought you were full and couldn't eat anymore, there is more and you could eat more!  Joe and Denise took me to an amazing pizza joint.  Look, for years there's been arguments about who has the best pizza in the United States.  Several places in New York claim to have the best, several Chicago places, and god knows who else.  The fact of the matter is that they all lose!  I can't remember the name of the place we visited last night, but truth be known THEY have the best pizza.  How can I describe the taste?  I can’t, but I can tell you that it was a thin crunchy crust with absolutely NO oily/grease taste or feel.  The sauce was the perfect sweetness and so fresh that you could taste the tomatoes.  It was topped with large spheres of fresh mozzarella cheese and thinly sliced prosciutto.  Each bite was like listening to a choir of angels sing in heaven.  You get my point?  Then came the desert pizza.  Sounds gross, right?  WRONG!  Imagine that same crust but drizzled in white chocolate along with other sweet delights and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Now imagine the first time you had sex, and multiply that feeling by ten.  That is how good the desert pizza tastes!  There was a line of people waiting to get in this pizza place that stretched the entire building!  Now I know why.  Again, words just can't give justice.  The flavors were insanely delicious.  By this time we had lost track of time, but we all knew that is was time to call it quits. There was still one more stop to make though…back to the first cafe!  Joe wanted another espresso (smart man) and I was ready to give it a try myself.  I had my two equal ready to go for the espresso, but relented when Joe said that it wouldn't taste the same unless I used raw sugar.  Believe it or not, I handed over my espresso and let him prepare it for me.  The result?  Outstanding!  I literally licked the bottom of the cup.  Espresso and I are now great friends. :)

Saturday was an incredible day.  The day started with three people getting to know one another but ended with three people bonded in friendship that will last the test of time.  We shared stories of life and love, enjoyed many laughs, and all over great food and wine.  It was so much fun that I never guessed several hours had passed.  I can’t thank Denise and Joe enough for showing me yet another amazing piece of Melbourne that I never knew existed.  The food, fun, and conversation made this weekend one of the best yet!  I just can't wait for Chris to arrive.  It will truly be Christmas in July! 


HERE is a video that combines last week’s visit to St. Kilda Beach and last night’s adventure with Denise and Joe.  Random pics taken from yesterday’s adventure are below.  






















Friday, May 16, 2014

Random Thoughts

A hectic work week is behind me, but what a great week it was.  It ended on a great note too.  My last interview of the week is certainly a hire, which means that I am on target for May’s goal in terms of hires.  He is an incredible engineering candidate and I expect to extend him an offer by Wednesday.  Next week is still days away and my calendar is nearly full already on both Monday and Tuesday.  While this is a great sign, it also means that next week is going to be off the hook!


I have a bunch of random thoughts to share today so don't expect smooth reading. The day began on a great note.  I had an early call with my two leads who gave me my very first performance review.  Naturally I was nervous, I mean who wouldn't be nervous.  Technically I have only been an Electronic Arts employee for less than one year because the year of contract doesn't count.  I would have been more than happy to receive a “Meets Expectations” during my review.  It is more than satisfactory and in actuality is quite good to receive.  The bad news is that I didn't receive “meets expectations”.  I know, I was a bit disappointed, that is until I heard the news.  My review was “exceeds expectations”!  Right on!  I’m happy as a lark about this news but that means I have to do the same the next time around.  You get what I am saying?


Believe it or not, I actually came home early today.  I left the studio at 5:30pm.  Don't give me any grief, its Friday!  Guess what I did?  I came home, hit the bed, and zonked right out!  Honestly, I didn't even feel like waking up but I forced myself to get up at 7:30pm.  A run was on my agenda, but it didn't happen tonight because I just wasn't feeling it.  Instead, I meandered downstairs to the bar/restaurant for a Mojito and steak salad.  It’s my favorite dinner at the cafe, and I thought I would treat myself.  Treating myself is getting a bit too easy by the way.  Actually I enjoy going to the cafe because I never know who I might meet.  Sitting at the cafe bar is how I met Tanja and a few others.  Secretly I like butting up against the bar and sitting next to a complete stranger.  I am pretty good at reading people, and normally when someone is sitting alone at a bar they are also open to conversation.  No such luck today though.  It was just me and another guy at the opposite ends of the bar.  Yes, he was alone, but he was also tied into his iPad via earphones and didn't look like someone looking to engage in conversation.  To make matters worse, he was playing the bar as if it were his drums.  I was annoyed.


So I will admit it… I was feeling lonely today.  Do you have any idea how stupid that is?  Lonely?  Really?  There are more than 7 billion people on this planet and I am feeling lonely.  I actually started to make myself ill just admitting that I felt this way.  People go their entire lives feeling lonely, yet they just don't reach out to talk to the person sitting next to them.  I was that person tonight and I didn't like it.  So what did I do?  Mostly nothing!  LOL!  I engaged the bartender in meaningless conversation and then decided to jump on the tram and go grocery shopping.  Yes, Friday night at 8:30pm and I am going grocery shopping.  Look, it got me out of the hotel room and put me smack in the middle of lots of people on Chapel Street, which is the street with all the shops and bars off of Commercial.  This time around I didn't panic inside Coles.  Maybe I am becoming a local?


I did my shopping (spent nearly $200 & came home with two bags) and headed back to the hotel.  That’s when it came over me.  Don't ask me what it is though, because I still don't know exactly.  I just know that something is coming.  Maybe it is going to be another life lesson or maybe not, but yesterday’s trip to the movies alone and today’s feeling of loneliness has me feel that something is coming.  Who knows, maybe I am just crazy (not a word out of you Chris), but at least I am thinking about what is possible, and I am looking outside of myself.  That in itself is a step in the right direction.  Now to deal with my own self-loathing for not running today.



Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but whatever it brings will be fine with me.  I have learned that every day is a blessing.  When you can share the day with someone you love it is even better.  I cannot share the day with Chris, but I will enjoy it myself.  Maybe one day soon I will learn to love myself.  Maybe one day soon everyone will learn to become comfortable with themselves and extend that love to others.  Maybe….

Pics from my walk home from work & my shopping trip. The "black" building is my hotel.  I am still in awe over the sky here.




Thursday, May 15, 2014

GODZILLA!

What a week it has been!  Each day packed to the gills with things going on at work.  I mentioned that I have a few artist roles to fill, yes?  Well I need these filled like yesterday.  Between interviews, screening and meetings I was still able to source roughly 80 artists.  If half of them are good I will be happy.  That'll leave me with 40 artists, and if 1/2 of those respond then I just might end up with two hires.  It is a numbers game to a degree.  Its a good thing that I love a chase!  How do you think I ended up with Chris?

I did something tonight that I have never done before... I went to a movie alone.  It was different, not bad, but different.  When I was a youngster I used to LOVE Godzilla and apparently nothing has changed.  The special effects were pretty good, but I was a little disappointed.   What did I expect though, right?  It delivered what it promised, which is an extra large lizard tearing apart the landscape as it battled the modern version of Rodan.  There was also the obligatory side story involving the man separated from wife and son who despite all odds never gets killed even though he is under each reptiles foot the entire time.  Yes, I know that was a run-on sentence.  I confess, I liked it. :)

Tomorrow is another early day.  Unfortunately I won't be able to FaceTime my blonde because he is off to the Carolina's for his brother's wedding.  In fact, I probably won't be able to FT him for a few days.  I'm not sure that I like this arrangement.  This is the first time since being here that I can honestly say that I am ready for the weekend!  Its time to recharge and give it another go next week.  

I leave you with a great picture of the night sky taken from my balcony.  Wonder what my weekend will bring?


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Autumn in OZ

Recruiting is clearly in full-swing!  The next few days are back to back interviews while at the same time I am searching for artists, my Achilles heal!  Art is just so subjective.  Even when there is a defined style that I am searching for it is still difficult.  I think I missed that gene somewhere along the line.  The bottom line is that I have six art positions to fill.  They are polar opposites in terms of style requirements so hopefully if I cast a large enough net I will land a few good artists.  

The days are literally flying by at this point.  It seems like the week just started but in reality its Thursday already.  Tonight will be a late night again.  I have reports to submit and emails to clear from my inbox.  Sure, it sounds like nothing, but I have 87 emails to go through and records to update  BEFORE I can submit an accurate report.  Before I do any of that I need to go for my run.  Thankfully I don't require (nor like) much sleep.  Truthfully, I enjoy my job; therefore, it doesn't even feel like work.  Since I am a guy, I like it to occur overwhelming to everyone else for the pity effect.  :) 

Moving on to other things...  The weather today (and all week) was incredible and reminiscent of the typical fall day from my youth.  Growing up everyone always told me, "Enjoy these days because someday you will miss them."  Naturally I didn't believe those people, but mostly because they were adults.  What could they possibly know that I didn't!?!   Well, as it turns out, they were right...adults or not!  Look (Australianism), I am more than happy in my adult years but lets face the facts, and the fact is that my childhood was great.  Deadlines equated to buying the right halloween costume before the store ran out of the good picks.  As I matured, deadlines equated to homework and studying.  BIG DEAL!  Now I worry about mortgage payments, bills, utilities, health, and the list goes on.  As the saying goes, "Youth is wasted on the young".  When I was growing up autumn meant constructing a haunted forest in the vacant lot across the street.  We, my neighborhood friends and I, would spend every available minute assembling makeshift forts and nooks that would eventually become our version of a haunted forest.  The funny thing is that we actually put a lot of work into it year after year.  We constructed it as if people were actually coming to visit our creation.  People never did come, and yet we didn't even notice or care.  It was the same process every year.  The memories...  This week's weather brings me back to those days.

Each day I create a new memory, and if I make it to old age I am sure that I will reflect back to my 40's and reminisce.  The great thing about memories is that we can paint over the bad ones and cover them with the good.  I am lucky to have more good than bad.  Tomorrow's goal?  Same as today's and yesterday's, which is to make it the best day possible so that I have something to recall in the future.  Try it out, you might just like it!

Some pictures of autumn in OZ below.








Amazing Women!

Since Mother's Day just came and went, I decided that this blog entry would be about some of the amazing women in my life.  Granted, I have known too many to mention, but here is a short list of those that I will never forget.   

The first woman who comes to mind is someone who endured tragic loss and hardship while raising four young children.  She lost the love of her life suddenly and without warning.  It was up to her to cope with the sadness and raise her children as best she could.  I cannot imagine overcoming such loss, dealing with the grief, and yet being responsible for four young lives.  She is the most important woman in my life-my mother.  Words cannot express the love and admiration that I have for her.  She is a strong and loving mother who raised us in a loving family.  Thanks to her there are two other women to mention.  My sisters Cheryl and Mary who both did their part to help my mother cope, and now have families and careers of their own.

Chris's mother, Mary Ann, comes to mind next.  She did an extraordinary job raising four children who have all become successful.  Mary Ann is one of the most loving, caring, and welcoming people that anyone will ever meet.  She gives 100% of her heart and soul to her children and the people in her children's lives.  Her heart goes into her family, and her career.  She will talk to everyone around her and make them feel welcome.  Quick to hug and quicker to say the words I love you, that’s Mary Ann.  She is one in 1 million!

Each of my brothers are married to women who excel in their careers and still manage to raise kids that are smothered in love.  I can't help but acknowledge my older brother’s wife Pam for standing by his side through some very tough times.  She embodied dedication and commitment.  Also Ashley Hakaim, my niece and the youngest out of everyone that I will mention, but with the  skills and personality to reach beyond her wildest dreams!

I have been lucky enough to work with many brilliant women.  Powerful because they overcome the odds that society places against them.  My CST team at EA is teeming with examples, but Carrie Fowler, Cristina Kerekes, Sandy Beardsley, and Christine Cicchi never cease to impress.  Each have mastered their profession and stand in support of their teammates ensuring that the entire team and company wins.  What makes this group so special is that I have only met one of them in person, yet they have all impacted my life!  While I am on the topic of Electronic Arts, I have to mention Denise Christie-Caputo!  Before coming on site at Firemonkeys our only interaction was over the phone and via e-mail.  I knew then that she was a powerhouse, but now that I work with her on a daily basis and witness her in action I am in awe!  She's passionate, extremely intelligent, and yet the first one to mentor and share her knowledge.  You just have to see her in action!  In all seriousness, the entirety of EA is one hell of a team.  I can write pages upon pages that just speaks to the sense of team.  Its incredible!

Liz Smiley, Dana Weldon, and Vivien Young, whom I worked with at Landmark Education, saw to it that I realized my own potential and completed each task that I started.  Back in the day that was no easy task!  Without Jodi Schwartz, who cheered me on and helped me overcome my fears, I might have never completed the training necessary to become a staff member at Landmark.  When it comes to recruiting,  I owe Marilyn Rebman, Maria Barton, and again Christine Cicchi, for their patience and mentoring while I was just learning the industry.  Their training and ongoing support allowed me to learn the necessary skills that eventually led to my job at Electronic Arts.  

I can’t finish this blog entry without mentioning Deirdre Bowdish who never ceases to amaze me with her business savvy and warm smile.  She knows more about me (good and bad) than I care to admit!  Last, but certainly not least, are my two newest friends Tanja and Cynthia.  Your stories of strength and perseverance changed my life forever.  


The moral of my story here is that the women of our world, or at least my world, deserve more than just a day’s worth of recognition.  This is my attempt to acknowledge just a few of the women who impacted my life, and its my way of saying THANK YOU!    

Whoever it was that coined the phrase, "Its a man's world", surely never knew any of you!

PS-  Deirdre, I didn't spell check or grammar check, so lay off! :)