Today was a unexpectedly rough 1/2 day with the kids--well 2/3's of them. For whatever reason, only MJ listened. CA and Nico were rough on me today. Everything started out great. Got home in time to change out of my work clothes and take a leisurely stroll to the bottom of our driveway to greet them with open arms. And each one ran to my open arms. But thereafter, it was a big wrestling match especially after the baseball and swimming lessons. OK, so I didn't let them get ice cream at the gym. There is a first time for everything!!!!! And that did cause a rebellion. But we have a somewhat new Carvel ice cream cake at home. I know--Carvel isn't that great--but still you can't waste food (though lots of people I know try!!!)
Anyhow, things got better after that. But as tiring as my workout was at the gym--it was nothing compared to the workout my two youngest gave me.
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That being said. Nico is JUST like me. Watch out world! I'm 5 again :)
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I really dislike plastic plates, cups and utensils. It's so bad for the environment. Plus, it cheapens the meal served. But it's ok if you have it at your home. Really! It is. Oh, you'll find it at our annual BBQ--and maybe a mid-sized party at Camp C. But you won't get it at a "small-for me" dinner party. And if you do--call me out.
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A few of my friends have been making fun of my advancing age. But between you and me--a few of them are pretty boring that do nothing if you ask me. That might come off badly--but it's the truth.
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My back is starting to get old. But maybe I should stop horsing around w/ the kids as fun as that is.
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I want to go to Africa and Antarctica. Anyone down?
You'd think that after a two week business trip, one would be tired. I was but when I found myself up at 3:30 in the morning with nothing to do until noon--that being MJ's soccer game, I figured why not try fishing in Fire Island. The fall run has been spectacular for me--bass, bass and more bass on clams, eels and especially jigs, morning, afternoon or night. It mattered little. When I was in Asia and Holland, I kept track of the bite, and though a few storms rolled in during my two week stay abroad, it was kind of easy to figure out where to go.
I thought about leaving MJ at home but then I just packed all his soccer gear into my car. "Just in case we get back late, we'll be prepared for his game." was my exact train of thought. And he was up for it, though a slight zombie at 4am when we finally departed Camp C. But we are used to doing fishing and an MLB baseball game in one day--so a 60 minute soccer game after some fishing is nothing.
We arrived at the boat with 15 minutes to spare. Precisely at 6am, the Captain Gilliam pulled off the dock and within 15 minutes we were clam chumming at the Fire Island Inlet. MJ doesn't like this kind of fishing that much--it can be tough on kids when we're anchored on a sand bar and getting tossed all over the place. But we were in fairly calm conditions and the boat anchored ahead of the bar. Even better was the outgoing tide: with the boat positioned uptide from the rip, we were able to fish in calm conditions.
I thought the bite would be fantastic. And it was for several guys who each pullled up several bass before I figured out what they were doing differently than me. They had light 2-3oz sinkers which enabled them to drift up and over the bar, while most others like yours truly had more than double that. That might not sound like much, but striped bass can be picky as they were that morning. I switched and before we knew it, we were on a quality fish. MJ didn't want to land it--he probably isn't used to catching such small fish :) so I took over. It wasn't the biggest fish we've caught this fall--but this one was bigger than that ole skunk.
The drive home was uneventful. There was no traffic and we made it with plenty of time for me to stuff our fish into the fridge. While MJ didn't score a goal, he more importantly finally figured out spacing and passing. He had the game winning assist and his team, the Chivas, won 3-2. As soon as the game was over, MJ asked what we're going to do next weekend. This was his last game of the season--and baseball season has been long done. But fishing and hockey or fishing and skiing in one day sounds pretty tempting doesn't it?
My current trip, which shall take me around the globe in 2 weeks via Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and Holland, has been a learning one. Though it's tough on my wife, this trip has EVERYTHING that a business trip should have: a mix of new (Australia and HK to be honest [the other times really can't count looking back]) and old places (Singapore and Holland), a mix of busy and somewhat more casual days, a mix of existing clients and potentials, and seeing old friends, family and solidifying fairly new relationships. The worst thing are the distances of course. Spending 15 hours (red eye Newark to HK), 10 (HK to Sydney), 8 (Sydney to Singapore) and 13 (red eye Singapore to Amsterdam) are tough, making the 8 hour ride home (Amsterdam to EWK) seem like R&R.
But those rides have given me lots of time to work, read and of course reflect on things. I do feel the pull of working internationally for my company more than ever. Even though I LOVE NY and my colleagues, and have such a wonderful set up, I just do.
I want my kids to see Asia and to speak a few other languages besides English. But more so, I would like it if they studied abroad or worked somewhere here before "settling" down wherever they end up.
At the same time I'm writing the above, I do have to say that the US is still the best place to live (and even NY), and while we have lots of issues, the places I've visited this trip have their own too. Does that make sense, or do I need some R&R?
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I've met some incredibly talented people on this trip--and not to begrudge this one 23 or so year old person, but my excact thought was, "Wow, I'm glad this person isn't my age, I'd never be able to compete against her." She's highly educated, lived in many awesome countries, speaks 5 major business languages among other things. "She IS all that!" as someone else commented upon meeting her.
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My other friend IS all that, though she doesn't know it...yet. I think she's an awesome individual that just going through some difficult times. Her ego seems to be bruised and she's going through a quarter-life crisis. She's also pretty religious, which has driven her. We had some good and deep converstations, some of which are unfinished. I want to continue them--even if they make her a bit uncomfortable.. But in the meantime, the only thing I can do I suppose, is pray for her.
I might have reviewed the HK's airport already but here it is again regardless...
If HK's airport, also known as Chek Lap Kok Airport, isn't one of the best airports in the world I've used, then I'm game to find a better one. Upon first glance, it looks intimidating because it is HUGE. But in a strange way, it is completely logical, easy to figure out and actually cozy.
Space to manuever around is found everywhere at HKIA, unlike in NY's airports, where cars, taxis, people and their rolling luggagues seem to bump into each other. It's chaos and it seems like everyday is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. But HKIA's space allows cars and people to organize themselves into logical traffic patterns even though half the signs are in Chinese--the other half is in Engrish :)
The business class lounges I've visited, Quantas and Cathay Pacific, are cozy and located AFTER the security check, unlike in certain JFK terminals. So you can totally relax and enjoy the lounges. One not so good thing however is--because they are located underground, cell phone coverage can be spotty. But maybe that's ok. Employees need a break when they're travelling and kind of working 24/7 anyhow.
Speaking of security, HKIA's is also quick, though if you have to make a transfer, as I did one time (at band camp), you'll have to go through one odd shaped walk way that does cause a people traffic jam.
If you somehow forgot to purchase something in Hong Kong, you probably could find it at the airport malls. OK, so their might not be roast ducking hanging by the dozen in the food court and you won't get to haggle, but you'll be able to find a snow globe and other hard to find items to use up your last HK dollars.
Finally, there are lots of seats right at the gates. You don't have to plop down on the floor, which may ok when you're travelling for pleasure, but not so much when you're in a suit. Doesn't it drive you crazy that Newark Airport has wide open spaces--hindered by 10 seats in some gates, which always seem to hold planes that hold hundreds of people?
I love that airport--and that is another reason why I can't wait to go back to HK again.
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In contrast unfortunately, Sydney's airport isn't as modern as the city itself (more about that later). It's very much like the airports we have in NY--old looking, not laid out great but generally clean, but there are some things about it that make you scratch your head and ask "Are we in Brazil?"
I was able to zip into the airport and change my flight to one that was leaving 30 minutes after I arrived. But I've been told by many residents that the airport too small for the number of people going in and out of there on weekends. And I can see that.
There is ample space to move around, but signs are lacking so you kind of meander around. Moreover, getting around is downright annoying. You're forced to snake through pretty long and metal barricaded lanes, which do NOT, I repeat do NOT have short cuts (like ropes with clips) that you can bypass if a particular line is not busy, if the airport is empty. I hope I'm explaining that right--but you can't duck under things.
The other area where this uber-tight metal barricaded lanes are found is in the taxi stand. And because there is one guy directing things in an illogical fashion and can't go "around" him, you're forced to wait even though the taxi stand itself actually has the capability to handle 8 taxis loading up at the same time.
The shops are fine but I think they promote kangaroo, snake and aligator jerky a bit too much--like at every cash register. Give us some Fosters--we need that to keep our sanity walking around your airport.
