Adventures in Int’l Flying

{ February 8, 2010 @ 3:19 am } · { Uncategorized }
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For the first time in my many journeys, my plane landed one gate away from my connecting flight. Miracle! That never happens. I breathed a sigh of relief… No running breakneck speed with passport in hand, rollaboard gliding behind me, backpack jostling along. No getting to my seat with moments to spare, dripping in sweat, parched like a nomad in the Sahara. Just a nice saunter over from one gate to another. I might actually get to enjoy the 60 minutes between flights. But that was not to be.

Instead, I am required to walk two flights down stairs with rollaboard that all of a sudden weighs a ton (no escalator available as this was not supposed to be a normal transit path), jacket and scarf wrapped around me creating an increasingly elevated body temperature. I have to jump on a shuttle to not one but two terminals over. Time check: 50 minutes til flight.

Up two flights (no escalators, then merge with a crowd of hundreds who are just realizingvsame craziness is happening to them as well, and get in an immigration passport control line. In my case, it gets even squierrellier. Right before I step up to have my passport stamped, they change my lane to EU only. I have to start the queue again. And all American passports now get the once-over very thoroughly. Time check: 30 minutes til flight.

Stamped passport in hand, back down another two flights (escalators this time. Yippee!!) Then walk down the longest corridor ending up in another baggage check. My luck, I get behind the travellers who apparently have never stepped foot in an airport, must have stock in a steel factory if you count the number of magnetometer-hating devices, and work with Batman given the number of things hanging on their belts and across their bodies. Time check: 12 minutes til flight.

Finally thru security, down another never ending hallway (moveable floors on this one. Make running go even faster… Unless a wheel on your bag gets caught, causing you to fly forward, proppelled by the too-heavy backpack you are carrying, landing Superman style into grandma and grandpa who are seemingly on a romantic journey down the moveable floor. Pick myself up, dignity out the window, journey continues.) Time check: 7 minutes til flight.

Another two floors up (I am so lost at this point… How can I keep going up and down by two floors? Those close to me know I am not a math guy!!) Big improvement this time — an elevator!!! And the biggest miracle, it opens up right next to my gate. Time check: 0 minutes!!!

But guess what??? They announce a 20 minute delay right as I walk up. Unbelievable. Time to down a gallon of water, find a towel to wipe down the sweat bath, deep breaths to calm the alarmingly elevated heart rhythmn and prayers if thanks that I at least made my flight.

Beginners Welcome

{ January 11, 2010 @ 3:20 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Like most people, I made some promises to myself at the beginning of the year. Some folks call those resolutions. I must admit, I make some every year. Actually, I’m one of those guys that likes to measure milestones. So, I make “resolutions” often. Like… “at the beginning of next month I will stop eating sweets,” or “starting on Monday I will make sure to be in bed by midnight in order to get more sleep” (yeah right!).

Among my resolutions this year aresome about health (more exercise, better eating habits), deeper interactions with my friends and family, less TV (don’t fall off your chair on that one… we are all evolving!)

Another one of my resolutions was to once again get in a more regular habit of praying. Sounds simple, right? Not so much all the time. You see, I’m also one of those guys that likes to leave the spigot on when it comes to prayer… always kind of talking with God throughout the day — while I’m driving, when I am walking in between meetings, while I am in an elevator. I sneak little prayers in. Kind of try to connect whenever possible. But as a pastor I heard this weekend pointed out, it takes dedicated, focused time to really help a relationship grow. I may be spending time doing prayer, but not really being engaged with the one I am praying too. So… this is one my resolutions this year.

I’ve been on my faith journey for nearly 25 years. God is definitely a strong part of who I am and what I am. But I am by no means an expert yet at this faith thing. There is no real mastery… it’s an ongoing pursuit. And that’s what’s cool. It’s not about me hitting one of those milestones, or checking off an accomplishment on my resolutions list. It’s about a daily attempt to pursue greater things, to pursue the Giver of those dreams and inspirations. In many ways, despite of these years of working at it, I am still a beginner. Every day is a new adventure. Every day requires my dedication and commitment. Every day God is by my side… because beginners are always welcome!

Deuteronomy 4:35; 1 Timothy4:7b

The 10 Behind Me

{ January 4, 2010 @ 3:22 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Those closest to me know that I have always wanted to be a journalists and a story-teller. Ever since I was 8 or 9 years old. In 1995 my dreams came true when I joined NBC Network News. I figured the rest of my life was set now that I had found a home at the Peacock. Boy was I wrong. The end of the 90s ushered in the biggest season of change ever in my life.

The first decade of the new century – the decade of my 30’s – has seen me living in three different cities, changing jobs four or five times, meeting and being inspired by countless people, and continuing to learn who I am and what I want to accomplish in this life. Put simply… I want to be an influential change agent in the world. I want to be able to use my gifts and talents to make a difference, to honor God and benefit man!

It’s been a topsy-turvy ride at times. So many lessons learned. So many experiences that have shaped (are shaping) who I am:

2000 – After leaving NBC, entered into world of corporate communications (joined Moody Bible Institute and then the American Heart Association) & higher education (began as a Columbia College adjunct professor)

2001 – September 11. Still remember being at my office, right across the street from the Sears Tower. The scene was chaos as we all streamed out of buildings thinking this landmark would be the next one hit. As a media junky, I was watching the Today Show when the attack happened. Those moments are indelibly etched in my mind.

2002 – Travelled to France and Philippines with my pastor and his wife. This was my first time ever overseas. And man did I love it! The yearning to go back and explore the rest of the world began immediately upon returning to the U.S.

2003 – Travelled to Italy for the first time to partake in an intensive Italian cooking school (and reconnect with old college friends who have now become a regular part of my European adventures and my life!) Returned home to be laid off – bummer – and thus began a wilderness adventure in unemployment.

2004 – Worked as freelance journalist and a freelance PR person with my own company (Major fail. Always forgot to bill folks.) But mostly, I was really, really broke! Learned some huge lessons in humility, on relying on God and on the goodness of friends and family.

2005 – Just when I thought I couldn’t get any poorer, an unexpected job offer came my way. I ended up moving away from Chicago for the first time in my life as I headed to Philadelphia where I joined AstraZeneca. Heart-wrenching, but ultimately an experience that has made me more globally aware and better able to adapt and engage with others.

2006 – Welcomed my first nephew ever, Theloneus. Began to do a lot more travelling with work, almost all in the US, but enough that I had miles to head back to Italy.

2007 – Started teaching communications and social media at West Virginia University. Travelled to the UK, Greece, and my favorite trip this year: Moscow, Russia… all thanks to work (also snuck in another Italy trip too for fun!) Tons more US travel too! Reached 100k miles of travel for the first time ever. Took on an extended assignment for AstraZeneca, living in London during the fall. Best. Time. Ever. Also got to see Scotland and Ireland. But ended up leaving the company at end of this year. Welcomed my beautiful niece Nila into the world.

2008 – Became a Martian as I moved to DC to join Mars, Inc. Pioneering new types of communications. Saw a bunch of amazing places, including cities in Germany, UK, Switzerland, France, Italy, Indonesia, Singapore, and my favorite trip of the year: Ghana! Crossed 150k miles of travel this year. Took on my first role in a short film as an EP on Grande Drip. Finding my true story-telling love again!

2009 – Continued working hard and travelling the world. (Over 200k miles this year!) Enjoyed a horseback-riding cowboy adventure in the Colorado mountains. Welcomed my newest nephew Nicholas. Spent more time in cities across UK, Germany, France, Italy and Indonesia; also saw Tokyo, Japan, Monte Carlo, Bangkok, Thailand and my favorite trip this year: Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. Started work as EP on a new short film… looking forward to exploring this side of my communications skill much more in 2010!

As I get set to enter my 39th year of life (ugh!) I can truly say it’s been an amazing ride so far. God has been so good. Throughout the many positive times, and several very hard times, He has been faithful. I learn so much every day. I enjoy so much. I feel blessed beyond words.

People often ask me to share some key learning’s from my adventures. Although there are many that could fill a book, here are six lessons I have been learning along the way:

1 – Be a good communicator: This requires being up to speed on world events, on the things going on around you, and then being able to share with others clearly (either in writing or in person – or in today’s environment, via social media). Major key to success.

2- Be good on paper and then in real life: Diverse experiences make for the most prepared people. Do lots of different stuff, try out lots of different things, experience all sorts of opportunities. Learn to tell others about these experiences and use them to help you get to the places you want to go and the work you want to do.

3 – Be diligent: Opportunity requires personal gumption. Pulling yourself up on your own boot straps. You will only be able to accomplish what you pursue and prepare yourself to accomplish. If you feel led to do something, then go after it with passion and gusto.

4 – Be willing to try anything: My hand goes up first whenever a volunteer is needed. Diversity of experiences is one of the spices of life. You never know unless you try. And when you try, what you know is so much richer, and deeper, and meaningful. Take an unexpected risk, read, write, dance, laugh, drink, enjoy!

5 – Be all about people: If your focus isn’t on relationships, on connecting with people, on getting to know individuals and letting them know you… then life is truly shallow and bereft of joy. It’s all about people. Learn to love. Learn to tell others how you feel about them. Don’t pass up opportunities to engage. Build memories. A time of sharing a cup of coffee with someone means so much more than any adventure I could ever be on.

6 – Be in a good relationship with God: Goes back to relationship. And ultimately, without a good, growing relationship with God, I have found life to be meaningless. I’ve enjoyed this life thus far because I have learned to enjoy who God is in my life. And to rely on Him. And to draw inspiration from Him. And to try to be obedient and worthy of His love. It’s the number one driving force behind it all.

So… there you have it. Just a couple of thoughts as we close out the last decade and enter the next one.

5th Annual Movie Ranking

{ December 30, 2009 @ 3:28 am } · { Uncategorized }
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My film addiction continues, although my travel schedule made it both hard and easier to catch up on flicks. I saw almost half the films on my list this year on long flights. Some of them I would not have normally shelled dollars to see. But on a flight, you have to pass the time somehow. I managed to see the same amount of films this year as last year too!

As always, still have a handful of films I am still hoping to catch. And the following 2008 movies would have made my Top 20 last year had I watched them when they came out late in the year, but I actually saw them in early January 09, so they get honorable Top 20 on this year’s list:

The Wrestler

Revolutionary Road

The Reader

Defiance

The Indie Film continues to be my favorite genre! My two favorite actors this year were Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jessie Eisenberg who both starred in Indie Films. And my taste continues to be eclectic: indy, romance, drama, sci-fi, adventure, mystery… all found a place in my film watching adventures.

My Bottom Five are always ones I look back on and wonder, “what was that all about?!” This year is no different. I am most disappointed that I saw Bruno in the UK and paid almost double what I normally would pay in the US. And Matthew McConoughey continues to land at the bottom. Brother is making crappy, crappy movies. (Saw this one on a flight. Nothing else to do. Really!)

As always, these are my choices. I’m sure you have yours… I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

1. (500) Days of Summer – Sweet, out-of-the ordinary, beautifully acted

2. District 9 – Powerful, nuanced, original

3. The Hangover  - OK, I almost peed my pants. ‘Nuff said.

4. Star Trek – I am such a sci-fi geek… and this reboot delivered

5. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – Have not been disappointed yet

6. Zombieland – Dang, who can get made at zombies?

7. Sherlock Holmes – Clever, intelligent, fun, good pacing

8. Sunshine Cleaning – Heartbreaking and touching

9. Precious – Realistic and heart-wrenching!

10. Avatar – Political messages aside, amazing approach to film-making

11. The Hurt Locker

12. Inglourious Basterds

13. The Proposal

14. Adventureland

15. Brothers

16. I Love You Man

17. Up

18. The Twilight Saga: New Moon

19. Julie & Julia

20. Michael Jackson’s This Is It!

21. My Sister’s Keeper

22. The Great Buck Howard

23. The Blind Side

24. Duplicity

25. Obsessed

26. The Soloist

27. 17 Again

28. Bride Wars

29. X-Men Origins: Wolverine

30. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

31. Public Enemies

32. Taken

33. Push

34. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

35. Angels & Demons

36. Terminator Salvation

37. Imagine That

38. He’s Just Not That Into You

39. Confessions of a Shopholic

40. Easy Virtue

41. The Taking of Pelham 123

42. Inkheart

43. Fighting

44. Watchmen

45. The Time Traveler’s Wife

46. The International

47. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

48. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

49. The Brothers Bloom

50. Fast & Furious

51. Notorious

52. 12 Rounds

53. Paul Blart: Mall Cop

54. The Final Destination

55. The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

56. Orphan

57. The Ugly Truth

58. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

59. Bruno

Respect for the Office of President of the US, the American people, and our place in the world.

{ February 11, 2009 @ 3:46 am } · { Uncategorized }
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January 2009: 
Outgoing President George W. Bush quietly boards his helicopter and leaves for Texas, commenting only: “Today is not about me. Today is a historical day for our nation and people.” 

Eight years ago January: 
Outgoing President Bill Clinton schedules two separate radio addresses to the nation, and organizes a public farewell speech/ rally in downtown Washington D.C. scheduled to directly conflict with incoming President Bush’s inauguration ceremony. 

January 2009: 
President Bush leaves office without issuing a single Presidential pardon, only granting a commutation of sentence to two former border patrol agents convicted of shooting a convicted drug smuggler. He does not grant any type of clemency to Scooter Libby or any other former political aide, ally, or business partner. 

Eight years ago January: 
President Clinton issues 140 pardons and several commutations of sentence on his final day in office. Included in these are: billionaire financier, convicted tax evader, and leading Democratic campaign contributor Marc Rich; Whitwater scandal figure Susan McDougal; Congressional Post Office Scandal figure and former Democratic Congressman Dan Rostenkowski; convicted bank fraud, sexual assault and child porn perpetrator and former Democratic Congressman Melvin Reynolds; and convicted drug felon Roger Clinton, the President’s half-brother. 

January 2009:
The Bush daughters leave gift baskets in the White House bedrooms for the Obama daughters, containing flowers, candy, stuffed animals, DVD’s and CD’s, and heartfelt notes of encouragement and advice for the young girls on how to prepare for their new lives in the White House. 

Eight years ago January: 
Clinton and Gore staffers rip computer wires and electrical outlets from the White House walls, stuff piles of notebook papers into the White House toilets, systematically remove the letter “W” from every computer key-pad in the entire White House, and damage several thousand dollars worth of furniture in the White House master bedroom.

Headlines January 4 Years Ago: 
“Republicans spending $42 million on inauguration while troops Die in unarmored Humvees” 
“Bush extravagance exceeds any reason during tough economic times” 
“Fat cats get their $42 million inauguration party, Ordinary Americans get the shaft” 

Headlines January 2009: 
“Historic Obama Inauguration will cost only $170 million” 
“Obama Spends $170 million on inauguration; America Needs A Big Party” 
“Everyman Obama shows America how to celebrate” 
“Citibank executives contribute $8 million to Obama Inauguration”

My Inspiration to Become a Journalist

{ January 21, 2009 @ 12:40 am } · { Uncategorized }
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President Reagan at debate

President Reagan at debate

Back in 1979, I was 8 years old, we received an assignment at school to see and write a story about the first presidential debate happening that year featuring soon-to-be-elected President Reagan. Little did I know the impact watching that debate had on me. I was mesmerized by the coverage. Sure, the message was important — as much as it can be to an 8 year old — but more so I was caught up by how the message was being covered. Tom Brokaw was as masterful then as he is today. I decided then that I wanted to be a journalist.

 

Tom Brokaw, dean of NBC News

Tom Brokaw, dean of NBC News

The years that followed, those formation years, were filled with all sorts of stuff, but always making sure I was able to take opportunities to feed my budding journalistic soul. I wrote all the time… stories, for the school papers, much longer school assignments than I should have… all for the love of storytelling!

During college I solidified this passion — expanding my love of storytelling to images and sound too! I wrote for the school paper then too, and love every minute of it.

The day I graduated, I thought I would just call up NBC the following Monday, tell them I was finally ready to go, and away we would go. Uhm… not so much. Actually took about three years of constant applications before I got the nod. And when it came… talk about emotion.

I was driving through my neighborhood when the call came in. NBC wanted me! I started the next Monday (see… I knew that Monday thing would happen.) Instant tears down my face. I had to pull over to avoid crashing. It was such a satisfying moment. It was a blessing and an answer to many, many prayers.

I loved every bit of my nearly 5 years at NBC. And no doubt, covering the 96 presidential campaign was probably the pinnacle in the midst of many cool assignments.

On a day like today, when we usher in a new president and reflect on another’s time in office, I am remembering those days on the campaign trail. And am remembering how it was the presidential process that first inspired me to become a journalist.

Cool stuff.

On the Inauguration

{ January 20, 2009 @ 10:48 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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I am struck today by the enormity of what is happening about 15 blocks from my house. The changing of the guard, the inauguration of a new American president is an amazing event. Democracy at work. It’s simply beautiful. I’ve had the privilege of traveling around the world to many countries over the last handful of years… and nowhere can I find a process that matches the awesomeness of how America handles its leadership. To think that we the people have made this event happen is awe-inspiring. And the fact that a man of color is stepping in for the first time in our history hadn’t really hit me till today. To see the faces in the crowd of people who are truly inspired by this is so cool. A change is definitely at hand… not easy days ahead, but a new beginning for sure.

3rd Annual Movie Ranking

{ January 7, 2009 @ 12:47 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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As anyone close to me knows, I am addicted to films! I can be found most weekends at a movie theater. And all the travelling I did this past year didn’t hinder that much. I watched 15 more movies this year than last. (I still missed a handful that I hope to catch up with soon.) My top ten has two comic book movies, one fantasy/drama combo, two dramas (including a foreign film), one dramedy, one comedy, three action flicks. As for the rest of the flicks, several cool indies in there (you have to give these a shot when they come out!), lots of drama, lots of romantic comedies and surprisingly, a handful of animated flicks. Definitely some clunkers. And my bottom five make me wish I could go back in time and reclaim the hours I wasted. Geesh! Talk about crappy! Oh well, there’s always this year! I’m two movies in already!

As always, these are my choices. I’m sure you have yours… feel free to share!

1. “The Dark Knight” — Sure, Heath Ledger was amazing. Agreed. But overall, this was the comic book movie that transcended comics and became a purely good drama/action/adventure flick. Awesome!
2. “Iron Man” — I think I forgot I was watching a superhero movie with this one. Just a good story all around with good acting.
3. “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” — Funny, endearing, engaging, good times!
4. “Slumdog Millionaire” — Thought provoking, inspiring, sad, good acting, an amazing story.
5. “Quantum of Solace” — You mean someone else played Bond before Daniel Craig?
6. “Eagle Eye” — Fun, fun, fun!
7. “Wanted” — Dude! I’ve watched it like ten times now on various plane flights. My dude-flick of the year!
8. “Twilight” — Love fantasy. Love vampire flicks. Not as girlie as expected.
9. “The Pineapple Express” — Split a gut on this one. Hi-la-ri-ous!!!
10. “21″ — Good plot, intricate twists, interesting throughout.

11. “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button”
12. “Son Of Rambow”
13. “Hancock”
14. “Valkyrie”
15. “The Wackness”
16. “Baby Mama”
17. “27 Dresses”
18. “Definitely Maybe”
19. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”
20. “Made Of Honor”
21. “Jumper”
22. “Stop Loss”
23. “Tropic Thunder”
24. “WALLE”
25. “Milk”
26. “Role Models”
27. “What Happens In Vegas”
28. “Kung Fu Panda”
29. “Chronicles of Narnia 2: Prince Caspian”
30. “Incredible Hulk 2008″
31. “Leatherheads”
32. “The Other Boleyn Girl”
33. “Forbidden Kingdom”
34. “Penelope”
35. “The Spiderwick Chronicles”
36. “Yes Man”
37. “Nothing Like The Holidays”
38. “Four Christmases”
39. “Indiana Jones 4″
40. “Mamma Mia The Movie”
41. “Mad Money”
42. “Vantage Point”
43. “Journey To The Center of the Earth 3D”
44. “Get Smart”
45. “Nim’s Island”
46. “You Don’t Mess With The Zohan”
47. “X Files 2 The Movie”
48. “Lakeview Terrace”
49. “The Happening”
50. “Cloverfield”
51. “Swing Vote”
52. “Step Brothers”
53. “Zack and Miri Make a Porno”
54. “Love Guru”
55. “College”
56. “10,000 BC”
57. “88 Minutes”
58. “Fool’s Gold”

Fish out of water

{ August 21, 2005 @ 10:08 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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So… It’s week five of this “grafting” experiment. So far, the verdict… IT’S OK.

You see, I moved here from Chi-town at the end of July. The idea was to kind of do a “re-set”… To move somewhere to start over with a new job, new place to live, new outlook. Mind you, there was nothing to run from… life in the Chi was great. It just seemed like there was a need for one of those “stop the world I want to get off” moments in life. After a year of unemployment, a first ever experience in my life, and deepening commitments with no financial pay-offs… it seemd like the right thing to do. So, when I was recruited by an East Coast company that offered me more than anyone else had ever offered — financial, opportunity, etc. — I jumped. I decided to “graft” myself into a new life. Give it a whirl.

After five weeks of this new life… I go back to what I said earlier… it’s OK. Not great, not amazing, but not bad or sucky either. Just OK. I can make this work for a while, for a time, for a season. Not sure how long this season will last… but for now, it will be fine.

A couple of things that really suck though about Philly (that’s where I ended up):


1- Traffic. Not only are people madmen here, it seems like no one obeys speed limits — average speed on the highways (and everywhere else for that matter) is about 75mph. And when they aren’t speeding, they’re rubber-necking. I have been in about 10 traffic jams caused by rubberneckers in the last week… and none for anything of significance. One time it was all caused by one dude who had his blinkers on at the side of the road. That was it! Their nuts, I tell you, nuts!

 

 

2 – Layout. This city is historic, and has its beauty and all, but who the heck laid it out? Did they forget that people need some basic services to survive — like a grocery store or a gas station. I swear to you I can drive in concentric circles from my place for about a good mile and not run into a gas station or grocery store. THIS SUCKS!!!!! 

The biggest thing I hate though, is being away from my friends and family. Who knew that moving would be so hard emotionally… incredibly hard… dramatically hard! I miss just being able to hang at the drop of a hat with my peeps. I miss that so much.

I do feel like a fish out of water here. Not because I can’t make it work out… but more like because I really like what I had in Chi. We’ll have to see what turns out… how soon before I can make that work out again. For now, I’m grafted… a fish out of water… making it work out.

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