I leave today for Denver. How's that for an opening line? I continue to be busy and although I have worked on the site since my last update, I haven't published it because I couldn't decide if the changes I was making were ones that I wanted to make. I'm starting to work on the Soundtracks, Compilations, etc. for U2. I haven't made much headway on it, primarily because I haven't been able to put 3 or 4 hours together to do it. Meanwhile, I have so much to say and too little time to put it down here.
It's a cold clear morning in Albany, I've closed all but one of my windows in my apartment and I am looking forward to the warmer climate that awaits in Denver. Don't worry, I'll be back. I'm going on a "business trip", I'm not sure I thought I would ever say that, but in truth, this is my 3rd business trip since I've been with this company. I'm excited about it, but as usual, I've procrastinated and I don't have everything packed and accounted for. This time though, my procrastination isn't all my fault. I've been at work so often, that I haven't taken care of everything else in my own life. Yesterday, I got the ball moving on my imminent departure. I called my landlords and told them that I was moving out before November 1. I also talked to my sister in law and asked her to start looking for storage space for me. We discussed my living arrangements for the next couple of months. It was good to have that conversation sooner than later. My resume is now getting circulated by some of my ex co-workers who have gone on to other things. It's good to see the ball rolling. I'm already planning the goodbye tour of the area. I have many people to see before it's over, so I'm trying to fit in as many as possible, as early as possible.
Back to Denver. I'm going to see Moby live at Red Rocks! A friend of mine out there in Denver invited me to go last week, which makes the visit all the sweeter! In my travels, I will be seeing some old friends in Colorado Springs and my ex roommate. The rest will be work, work, work. I'm hoping this trip will be much more productive than the last one, which I believe it will be. Last time was more of an introduction. I've been working with them for the last 4 months and we've had the requisite laughs, and arguments as things have gone from bad, to silly, to relief. I have to stop myself from doing as much, and start teaching more. It's hard for me to do that, but I have to, otherwise I'll be doing a bad job. I'll try to keep that in mind while I'm out there.
Softball is officially over. We lost our playoff game. We were up early, but we had two really bad innings and we couldn't recover. It would have been over for me anyway, since the second round of the playoffs is tonight and I'll be on a plane. The season was a success though. I didn't accomplish all my goals, but we did have a much better record than last year. We won 3 more games and we had a great deal of fun. Not too bad for a team that was much older than the rest of the league. We had a knack for scoring runs without having a power hitter who could put it over the fence. One guy on our team had 6 inside the park home runs, and I had 4 of my own. Other than that, we had a boat load of singles and doubles. We nickel and dime teams. I'm going to miss this group. Even though I was the manager, I didn't realize until after the last game of the season, that this was my team. I've always thought of it as our team, and I didn't think of myself as a leader really. Here comes the segue... Growing up, I always thought I would be a great King's advisor. I never thought I would be the King. I figured that my greatest talents came from seeing a situation and adding detail to it. I didn't think that I was going to be one who would be the leading the charge. To a certain degree that is still true. In my personal and professional life, I don't dominate a situation when I arrive. I usually watch it develop and if I have something to say, I don't say it until I know that I belong to it. Once I belong, I become outspoken, and my role changes from silent follower, to vocal leader. It's leadership born of confidence, which I require prior to sticking my neck out. There's a side of me that wants the ball, but is not willing to take it blind. We'll see what happens next as I change jobs, location, friends etc.
Well, I have to go now, it's almost 8:00 AM here in the great northeast and I have to prepare for my trip. In the coming months, I have a whole lot of things to look forward to. Among them is my first house, a newer car, a new job, new friends, and being Uncle Tim for awhile. I'll try to open the door more often as these things develop. I imagine that I'll have a lot to say about the whole house buying ordeal.
Signing off for a few weeks. Thanks for reading. I'll catch you on the other side.
The countdown continues: 25 / 56
When last we left our hero... He was on his way to the location of his life changing corporation, into the fire if you will, will he make it out alive? Will he come back shaken not stirred? Or will he come back stronger than ever before? Stay tuned true believer.
Seriously, I can't possibly encapsulate the entire two weeks into one emotion or other. Suffice to say, it wasn't bad, much better than the last visit. Let's start from the top. I arrived at the airport and I stand in line to check my bags. I arrive at the counter and the woman says "You do know you're in first class.", I smile knowingly, yet I was surprised, I'm like "Yeah, first class". You have to understand something about me, I was wearing my leather jacket and I certainly didn't look first class. I've also never flown first class either, so this was a treat.
I check my bags and then wait until they call for boarding. As an elite member of first class flying, I was allowed to board before old ladies and children, what a treat. (tic) (*Quick sideline, Tic stands for Tongue in Cheek*) So, I sit down (in first class) and the attendant takes my jacket and hangs it up. She then asks me if I want something to drink, I ask for a coffee, I know coffee is free everywhere, and I don't want to look stupid if I order a drink and don't pay immediately, so I wait and watch the other patrons (in first class) Another gentleman orders an alcoholic beverage, but wait, he's concealed from view, did he pay her? or was it in fact free?
Meanwhile the passengers (who are not in first class) are boarding around the party we're having (in first class) They are looking at us with a mixture of envy and admiration, or was it indifference? I opt for the last one, since I would never pay for first class myself, and realize that it's not the worth the cost. I was on the dinner flight and soon after take off, the attendant gave us a menu and I chose something delicate yet filling. (tic) I honestly can't remember what I ate, but the drinking had begun. I had already said my prayers and made peace with God, so the rest of the flight was going to be cake. After the meal, they passed out hot towels, once again, I casually looked around at how everyone around me to see what is done (in first class). Well, I believe that is used to wipe your hands, but I saw many uses for those who were a little more creative. One gentleman spread it out and put it on his face as he leaned back in his chair. I opted to be a little bit more debonair and with a flare I cleaned every finger. Ok, that didn't happen, but it sounded funny when I thought of it. To make a long story, shorter. The best part of first class is the amount of space you get. Everything else, I can do without. Ok, toss in the peanuts and I require nothing more. I sort of spent the first flight getting used to the fact that I was (in first class). The novelty wore off on the way back.
I arrived in Denver and made sure that I got a reasonable sized car. I ended up with a Hyundai Sonata. Much better than the Excursion that I was stuck with last time. I then drove to the hotel, checked in and then went to go see my ex-roommate from when I was in the Air Force. Last time I saw him, I was a bit shocked at how long his hair was, by this time I was used to his look and got to see the new he just moved in to. He also showed me the work that was going on with his band. They have made significant improvements, and can break into the music scene if they continue along the path they are currently on. They have a gothic / industrial sound, laced with moody melodies. They're drummer is impressive and a hell of a nice guy to boot. Good luck brother man, I hope you find what you're looking for. I spent a great deal of my off time with him while I was there in Denver.
Right before I left I received an invitation from one of my U2 buds that happens to work for the same company that I do. He invited me to see Moby at Red Rocks. So on Friday night we went to see Moby with another one of our co-workers. It was a good show and my second trip to Red Rocks. Right before Body Rock, Moby starting in with U2's "I Will Follow" and then the drummer kicked in with the opening drum beats for "Sunday Bloody Sunday". Moby then remarked "That was my U2 tribute", as he began to strum his guitar, he quipped, "I could probably figure this out", as he played a few more notes from "I Will Follow." He then finished the tribute with saying "I should probably work on it in private". My friend and I were both pretty excited by that small U2 moment.
Other highlights include playing some touch football with some other co-workers, going dancing on a couple of occasions, Cd shopping for stuff I can't find in Albany and many good meals. One place of note was Rodizios. This was a Brazilian restaurant that had the waiters come around the table with meat and vegetables skewered by a sword. We were given tongs so we could pull the meat off the sword as it was being cut. They had three things of note that I really liked. there. The strawberry juice drink that they served, turkey wrapped in bacon and the coup de gras, sugar coated bananas with some funky sauce on it. It was mouth watering.
Well, it's getting late, so I have to close this chapter unfinished. I will try to finish my description of the rest of the trip. Goodnight. Oh yeah, last thing, I'm going to be working for another two weeks. The countdown changes, but only the first numeral.
The countdown continues: 19/35 is the new total.