Lifeaholics Anonymous

I had a very interesting conversation tonight with a friend of mine about how to turn DOWN a job that until recently I would have honestly done almost anything to get.  I have an interview coming up with the CTO and Director of a major video game company.

The company is one of the best in the world and I’m sure the position they are looking to fill would set things up nicely for my career in gaming. But the catch is, I am very skeptical about a position with a large company offering what my current position does. I feel like there are goals that I need to accomplish over the next 6-12 months with my company and an enormous amount of opportunity.

How do you refuse something that you wanted for some 15+ years of your life? Its not easy thats for sure. But you have to maintain perspective. It may be great for right now but is it the best situation to enter for the next 3-5 years. No, its not.  Here’s hoping these executive types understand and respect my decision.  Maybe this is being presumptious, but if not now, it will happen in the future.

Funny how time changes perceived reality.  I’d appreciate any advice from those who’ve encountered a similar situation

Visiting the museum of Modern Art in SF today, I was compellingly inspired when  I saw some works of Clyfford Still, Jackson Pollack and Georgia O’Keefe. I wrote some words that captured the emotion of the moment on some scratch paper, but it comes across much better when orated.  

After the museum I went to the Weinstein GallerIES on Gerry in Union Sq. I did not realize it but they have some 5 different store fronts there displaying their wares. Donati and Komrowski are so talented its hard to describe in words. Their art is so inspiring it brings me out of my consciousness and into some auxillary state of mind where nothing exists but my thoughts and their expression. 

I was fortunate enough to get a private tour from the director of the gallery who works with Rowland Weinstein and Donati directly. How do you put a price on these one of a kind masterpieces? I’m not sure. I do know that these paintings mean a lot to me and not necessarily a majority of people who see them. How do they communicate? Its astounding. I suggest you check it out if possible.

 Support local arts, in all forms

The only sports I can really get into these days are NFL and NCAA Basketball. I like the college football but its too tough to get into since there is no real champion. In the NFL you never know who is going to win. The college hoops is the same way. Its such a team game and the coach has so much impact, lots of upsets are going to happen. Its hard to understand why the NCAA would host arguably the best event in all sports in March Madness (NCAA Tournament) and the preposterous bowl series.  Be that as it may I love watching a game between evenly matched opponents where either could win and the victor is usually decided by effort. I’m very much looking forward to the NCAA hoops tourny and NFL playoffs 2nd round as Memphis, UNC, Kansas and the Bruins look to steam roll through their division early.

I think the Jags have a legit shot at beating the Pats but Indy does not.  Repeating a championship is almost incalculably difficult as some element of complaceny is bound to detract from the team’s efforts. We’ll see what happens though, the Pats look invincible lately.   LETS GO BLUE! Saturday over the pats in E.Rutherford. Come on Eli, take a line from Shea (Citi) stadium and BELIEVE

This city is truly amazing. I cant say I’ve been anywhere quite like it. California is an amazing state and I’m greatful to be a resident. 

I was recently contacted by an old friend of mine who has spent the last 4 years in Japan.  Now given my affinity for sushi, asian women, video games and electronics, you can safely assume that I love Tokyo.  I went there with a good friend of mine in 2000 for a month. It was one of the best times of my life. As crazy as the Japanese are, I find that identify much better with their culture than American. I dont understand young americans at all.

So this email I received got me thinking. When I graduated Dartmouth I had considered going to Japan for the JET program and teaching english.  Looking back I have no clue why I did not go at the time. My only guess would be my depression. Anyway, now my career is established and I know I want to work in video games.  I am considering going to Japan for 6-12 months and learning the language. Then returning to LA fluent in Japanese with VP experience, I should be able to land an awesome job with a video game company. I could see myself working for Microsoft determining how to develop games that will be popular in the Japanese market.  Or working for Sony determining how to port hit Japanese games to the American market.

This would combine my passions described above, allow for plenty of travel and enable me to exercise what I think are my strengths, while living in southern cali.  Yes, this brings things together quite nicely. Now is it possible?

Its probably apparent from what goes on in this blog but I am a very emotional person. I don’t concern myself with many things in life.  Pretty much its just work, friends, having fun and adventuring.  When thats in order I’m on cloud 9. When something is lagging, it makes it seem like the world is ending. Over reactor.

Keep things in perspective.

I had some good news that really makes me feel better.  I learned today that I am going to be getting some additional resources in my department, to the tune of 5 new people.  My boss assessed my workload and the timelines projects needed to be completed on and came back with five additional people needed.  So basically admitting I had been doing the work of 7 people since he is promoting one of my guys to full time.

So don’t say your boy is afraid of hard work!  Expect a much less stressed out beau baby in 2008. wooo hooo

Im very interested to know how people see me. I am so confusing even to myself. I wonder what that leaves people to think. Curious!

While you east coast people are getting dumped on (in more ways than one), I will be watching the 99th Annual Boat Parade here in lovely Newport. G-d loves California and so should you!! Sunshine is freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Yea, not BH. I can’t live in a city. It makes me unhappy. When I step out my doors now it feels like im in the country. There is no traffic and lots of green trees. I need that feeling in the mornings.   I like to escape the madness of the city when I’m home.

That said the next stop on this train is Malibu. Or the ‘BOO’ as Jamie Kennedy puts it.  Resort style living and just 15 mins from santa monica. Dont mind if I do.  Its pretty expensive so I gotta get that raise tho.   See ya there!