Not quite small enough...

Today is one of those days when I wish that the world wasn't so big. Where I wish that there wasn't so many time zones or long distance charges or visas. I never realized before that 3am on a Friday night in New York is not a good time to call anyone. Its late to call Vancouver (midnight), too early to call continental Europe/UK (9/8am) , India is 10.5 hours away (1:30pm - lunch), Toronto is out of the question (also 3am) and the only reason to place a local call after 2 is for booty which is not what I'm looking for right now. This is the one thing globalization/Skype/msn/etc just can't fix.

New York has this crazy way of making you feel alone surrounded by millions of people. I think its because its so easy to disappear. Days, weeks and months go by between seeing people and we all act as though its completely normal. If someone isn't around for a few weeks its rationalized as 'busy at work' or 'broke' or maybe they've just found other people to hang out with. Seeing someone once a month is frequent. I'm already cringing at the tightness of my spring schedule and I haven't even started working yet. However somehow I know these 'unoriginal' thoughts won't change my behaviour and I have to keep reminding myself that I've choosen this life.

Sigh, somebody please tell me when can I expect teleporting to commercialize.

For all of us who still believe ;)

NORAD relies on many volunteers to help make Santa tracking possible. Many people at Cheyenne Mountain and Peterson Air Force Base spend part of their Christmas Eve with their families and friends at NORAD's Santa Tracking Operations Center in order to answer phones and provide Santa updates to the many thousands of children who call in.

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/default.php

I love this stuff!

They do WHAT in Europe!

Estonia 2003, I learned alot at that conference. Especially about the true 'differences' between the Americas and Europe. Time well spent in that little smokey room by the lobby, drinking cider and beer while making rankings and teaching eachother the ways of worlds.

December 2005. NYC. Three of us are together again. We're older, but nothing has changed and the differences between Europe and the Americas still exist (as proven by the reactions of one Ms Dorota). Missing @ conferences isn't something I do often, but today I do.

Then and now (Sorry Bea, I could find a pic of us 3 from IPM):

Its like a dream come true ;)

Quote from a guy on the PATH train on the way home "Could you explain to me why there were so many Vancouver fans at the game?"

My response: Dude its f-in Vancouver vs the RANGERS! Of course we're respresenting.

I ran into 10 people I knew, even one of ANDREW's best friends from 1996. Weird. Vancouver fans were EVERYWHERE....it was awesome!

Word. January 13th NJ vs Vancouver, one month more...

Its all about being there!

Dorota's christmas gift to me was tickets to the Duke vs Texas game. Redick was amazing, I didn't want to fall into his fan trap but he gave me 41 reasons to jump on the bandwagon :)

I used to worship College Ball - I knew every name on the rosters...remember my NBA draft books? There were no surprises at draft time for me. After Saturday's blow out...I'm now back - Go Huskies!

Smells like Team Spirit

Zog Holiday Party. We won the team spirit award. Was there really ever really any doubt?

Your generous heart -- in addition to your desire to look like you're keeping it all together -- has you going the extra mile in all areas right now. Home, work, relationships, not to mention extracurricular activities, are all more demanding than usual, and you're getting close to running yourself ragged by trying to keep up. Could the mighty lion actually take a breather -- or even ask for a little help?

My horoscope for today. Its dead on. My head is just not in it. I don't even know where to start or who to ask...

And so it is...

I've put off posting about this for awhile, I wasn't really ready to put this out there. All you New Yorkers (and some others) know..as for the rest, read on...

I don't work for Cadbury anymore. Its a long story and I don't want to get into it. I've spent the past 6 weeks looking for something to wake up for. Something that will allow me to do work I enjoy surrounded by people I like. Something somewhere small, new and comfortable. Something challenging and rewarding. Something sales oriented. Something in Manhattan.

Thanks to some good people (in particular one Mr Rickesh) and some sweet talking and smiling to the right people, I got this letter last Monday and after a some minor changes/negotiations I received the final, updated offer yesterday. Done. Accepted. In the (e)mail.

"We are very pleased to offer you an employment opportunity with Vault.com Inc. (“Vault”) on the following terms... (enter all the juicy details here) ...On behalf of everyone at Vault, we are looking forward to having you on the Vault.com team. Welcome!"

More details to come. Its Friday night and I'm not in the mood.

I start January 3rd. I'll be in Vancouver for New Years, double yay!

Major Learnings: I have amazing friends here. I had no idea how lucky I was until I felt my world was closing in around me. Always having someone to call, somewhere to crash, a shoulder to cry on, people to toast with. Even if I wanted to, I haven't had the time to feel sorry for myself. Now that I'm not as needy I hope they'll still all be around ;)

Hockey, hockey, hockey, hockey!!!

Last night kicked off my hockey season. 30+ friends watching a Rangers game. If you call that watching. I remember alot of beer but not too much hockey. It was a blast, even though we didn't get to see one of those conveted shootouts. Oh well next time. Who's up for a Knicks game in Jan/Feb?

Only 11 more days until the Canucks/Rangers! I can't wait!!!!