Get out and Vote!

Tomorrow is one of the most important days in our National Calendar, I don't need to tell you that. The hours upon hours of coverage and talking heads have hopefully told you everything you need to know to make an informed and proper decision. If you are still part of the 7% undecided, then you are either A) A Complete Idiot or B) A Complete Idiot!

I'm not going make any political arguments on this blog, that's never been my place. And honestly, I want everyone to get out and and vote regardless of party. To be the most "powerful" country in the world and have less than 60% of the population deciding the direction is ridiculous. So whatever your viewpoint, please get out and vote.

Now as for the results, almost every poll, pundit, and prediction says that it will be an Obama victory if not landslide. While I think this may very well be the outcome (and am hopeful of such...damn did I just let that slip), let me just remind of the one poll that has been correct 93% of the time. Yes that's right, I am talking about the Kobe/Laker Presidential Poll. History is on the side of Johnny Mac, but just as Kobe went home crying this year, so too may the the Republican brand be waking up Wednesday to a new changed world of hope, optimism, and possibility.

So please, get out and vote, and let's hope that nothing goes wrong......blog with you soon.

-Nice Guy SMA-

November Rain

For the first time since I moved into the new apartment (February 25th), today looks to be set for a full day of rain. Now in full disclosure, we did have an evening of rain about a month ago, and yesterday did drizzle for about an hour, but in 8+ months, we have not yet had a full rainy day out here. Waking up and seeing the pouring rain, knowing that my run for the morning was ruined, I knew exactly what I had to do. The title of the post may have given it away, but I cranked up my stereo, dropped in some G n' R and rocked out like it was 1992. Now I must alter some plans and figure out what to do for the first rainy day since the start of my Bay Life.

Some Quick Hits

Wow! Has it really been almost a month since my last post? Time has been flying and work/life has been keeping me very very busy. Most bits for better...some for worse. So without further adieu, here are some quick hits from the past month.

• It is official!! In three weks from Monday, Mrs. Nice Gal will be coming back to the Bay and this time will be permanent. After over eight months of being apart, we will finally be reunited out west. I am going home for a cousin's wedding, seeing her and then flying back together. I could not be hapier and I am counting down the days. It's been a long road, but it is almost over.
  
• Work has been crazy busy recently. It is really interesting because I am nowhere near as stressed as I was in New York, yet my minute-by-minute schedule is so much busier, or at the very least more consistent than it has ever been. I find myself at the end of the day and then at the end of the week before I even realize. That's why I think the blogging has slowed down. I almost never get a chance to do anything personal online while at The Company, so by the time I get home, I have to prioritize my internet time.
  
• Speaking of work: The full length trailer for Bedtime Stories is available online and you should definitely check it out. You can find it here. Isn't the Guinea Pig cute....geez!
  
• Also speaking about work, even the worst clients in the film industry are nowhere near as bad as the average advertising client. Phew!
  
• And speaking about lack of free time. I think this has led to the worse fantasy football season I have ever played. I am currently in three leagues, and my combined record is 5-12. In the league where I put the majority of my focus and interest, I am 2-4! Ugh!
  
• The free time I have had, really has been directed to focusing on the Presidential Election. I try not to make this too much of a political blog, but I am clearly decided and the debates and recent news have only gone to further confirm that fact. If you are interested in politics, I highly highly recommend this site. It is updated everyday with the current electoral count based on all of the pols and his prediction is pretty darn accurate. You can also link back to this specific day in 2004 and see where it was for Kerry/Bush.
  
• On some other hits: My sister-in-law got a place of her own a couple of weeks ago and after over a month of living on my floor in my small apartment, I have the place to myself again! Yay!
• Lastly, this weekend, I am taking a personal sojourn down south to Big Sur. This is one of those weekends when I just can't be by myself and needed to do something to get out. A little bit of hiking, a hotel right on the ocean for the night and Hearst Castle on Sunday. A good way to clear my mind and recenter.
  

This trip of course means I should have some good material to write about next week. So hopefully you will see me back soon. Till then, keep on rocking, get registered to vote if you haven't yet and please root against the Red Sox.....it would make me very happy! Blog with you later.

-Nice Guy SMA-

Well it's been awhile (Some Good Company News)

Hey all my loyal readers---

The much anticipated next post is here and boy has it been awhile. I haven't been writing that much because I have actually been very busy with work. About a month ago I wrote how work had slowed up and things at The Company were somewhat questionable. My hours had been cut back and I was worried about my financial situation and the overall scope of work. While time off is nice, a 25-hour work week does not pay all that well.

That reduced work period however lasted all of about a week and with the start of September I was back and running to a full 45-50 hour work week (+5 since lunch is unpaid). I can also say that I am now working on my first ever feature. For the next month I will be working on Disney's Christmas film staring Adam Sandler, Bedtime Stories. Here's a quick little preview. It actually looks like it could be quite good and I am exited to finally be able to go to the theater and see something I worked on be brought to life.

So that's where I've been and where I will be for the next weeks. Add that to the impending Presidential Debates beginning on Friday and it may be a little before I blog again. So till then, rock on and I will blog with you later!

-Nice Guy SMA-

Ode to West Coast Football!

I like to consider myself a morning person. I will admit that I have trouble waking up (which my former roommates and friends can attest to) but once I am awake I am fully cognizant, focused, and ready to go. I love the vibe in the morning hours, I love the morning breeze, I love listening to the calls of the morning birds, and my ideal is to be rested enough so I could pop out of bed at around 6:00 AM or so.

So it is with great joy that I experienced my first West Coast Football weekend. I went to bed around the usual 11:00 time last night and popped awake more or less around 6:30. Quickly showered, went to a super early church mass and was home in time to Tivo my way through the 8:00 Pre-Game.

Now back East, I would make my way to church, back home, run the laundry, watch Pre-Game and by that time it was already 1:00. I say already because anyone who really knows me, knows that I get a major case of the bummers on Sundays at around 3:00/4:00. So back East, by the time the first game was over it was 4:00 and if I decided to go for the double-header, the games would finish at 7:00 and there goes my Sunday.

This morning after Pre-Game, it was only 10:00, and I watched the "early" early game while chowing down on Waffles and drinking coffee. Now as I type, the "late" game is playing (the local 49ers in a tight match against the Cardinals) and it's only 3:00. By the time the game is over, it will only be 4:00 and I will still have a good chunk of the day to enjoy, watch the sunset, go for a walk, or whatever else I choose.

So yes, it may not be the typical Sunday routine, especially to an Eastie. But Breakfast and football at 10:00 AM is pretty darn good to me and another reason why the West Coast is quickly winning me over. Rock on....and get ready for some Football!

-Nice Guy-

Just Because

This has to be one of the greatest and most suggestive Cartoon Openings of All Time! Enjoy and Happy Labor Day!

Six Months!

This post was supposed to be made on Monday and then it was going to be Tuesday....well now it's Wednesday and I'm finally getting this up. (Actually I saved a draft on Wednesday and am actually posting on Thursday) But then again, I don't really think anyone reads this blog anymore so does it really matter when I post. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Monday marked six months to the day that I truly started off my Bay Life and one year to the day that I made the decision to roll the dice, leave my New York job and take a chance on coming out to the Bay. (I made this huge decision while waiting in horrific New York/New jersey Traffic a week after visiting the Bay to meet with a producer at the unsaid company and realizing how much happier I could be from where I was in my current life and job. Thank you New York Traffic!!)

Reflecting back on those 6-12 months, I can definitively say that I made the right decision. While things are still up in the air with the final arrival of Mrs. Nice Gal and while it may have taken me longer to lock down a job down than initially expected, I am very confident and happy with the decision made.

I feel that over the past six months I have been able to re-center and return to the "person" that I want to be and that I look to be over the course of the next years. Now I can make things seem all fluffy and bountiful, but as with as life situation there are going to be things that I wish would be better. I of course without a fraction of doubt in my being, wish that Mel was out here and am counting down the days till we are reunited finally and permanently. I can also say that I wish I had some closer friends out here. While I one of my best friends from high school is out here and I do see him every other weekend or so, I am still looking forward to building a larger group of friends and acquaintances. I could say that I look forward to the apartment to be fully set-up as it sits in partial disarray as I wait to make decisions that require Mrs. Nice Gal's presence. I could say all this and it would be true, but it still wouldn't change the fact that I took a huge risk and it can undoubtedly be said that the risk paid off and I am happier now than I was before.

So there you go after six months, I am in a pretty darn good place and ready for the next six. In conclusion, I will point out a few things that I have learned over the course of these past months:

• New Yorkers yell a heck of a lot more than in the SF/Bay Area
• There is not nearly as many horn honkers out here. For better and FOR WORSE. You can be sitting at a green light for 5-15 seconds, and people will just twiddle their thumbs waiting for you to go.
  
• People out west do however complain a heck of lot more. (If perhaps not as loudly and with as many colorful explicatives)
  People out here need to totally toughen up and stop all of this whining. (Guess it is true what they say when it is suggested to live in New York, but leave before you get too hard, and to live in Northern California, but leave before you get too soft. A lot of people out here are very soft.)
  
• I can't tell whether I like the drivers better or not out here.
  
• On one hand, New York drivers are far superior drivers than California drivers. Their skills are better.
• However this knowledge of their skills and their aggression causes them to cut more defensive people off, and just be obnoxiously rude and idiotic.
  
• California drivers are nice calm, peaceful drivers, but they also make moves on a dime totally oblivious of other drivers. For a defensive driver, this isn't so bad because I am prepared, but other California drivers are just as oblivious as a car is about to hit them! UGH!
• The weather out here is perfect with the exception of the lack of rain
• Since moving in by myself, it has not rained a single day. 6 months -- No Rain. CRAZY!
  
• Working in film (even with talking Chihuahuas) is so much more rewarding than spinning cell phones. Though from what I hear from my producers, the film clients are just as indecisive, whiny, and nasty as advertising clients. (And I tended to have good advertising clients...ACK!)

So there it is. If I had to give a grade for the six months, a resounding A (A+ will be once Mel gets out here). For the past month itself maybe a A-/B+ (The individual month grades always seem harsher in more immediate retrospect.) So everyone have a great long weekend, Happy Labor Day, enjoy the political conventions, and most importantly start getting ready for FOOTBALL! Blog with you soon!

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

-Nice Guy SMA-

The Return

This evening, my sister-in-law returns from her month and a half long trek in Guatemala. As her life is full of uncertainty at this point, she will be crashing with me again (indefinitely) until things are settled on her end. I am gearing up for her return and trying to look at it from the most positive aspect possible. I will have company and someone to talk with.......right, right.......oh boy!

So in the words of one of the most memorable film characters from this summer: "I'm a Dude playing a dude, disguised as another dude!" Wait no...that's not right. We were talking about my sister-in-law's return visit and me getting prepared for her stay, right? Trying to gear myself up as she gets back in just about five hours? Ah yes.....the quote:

"And.....here....we......GO!"

-Nice Guy-

The Power of the Perfect Song

This was a week! I can't say it was a tough week because nothing really bad happened and I definitely can't say it was a hard week because I only actually worked maybe a 1/4 of my scheduled hours, but man was it a week. One of those emotionally draining, life questioning weeks. It was so for reasons I don't really feel like writing about here (see the previous post and you get the idea), but it definitely took its toll when I got home this evening.

So I did what you do when you live out here in the Bay Area and need a revived spirit. Grab the iPod, and head out for a walk along the shoreline. I can't tell you how refreshing it was and how the combination of soundtrack with nature's absolute beauty was just the exact uplift needed. It always amazes me how that one song or combination of songs at the right moment can just bring back the spirit like the much needed irrigation of the dried soul. I'm not sure which song it was precisely, but it was definitely something from The Boss. (Bruce Springsteen for all the not so muches reading the blog)

Plus how can you not feel better when you have the Bay right outside your door and a beautiful walk to take your mind off of things. It was nature, life, and music in perfect alignment and its uplifting power was imense. I did also see one of the most sureal sights I have witnessed since the move out here. The East Bay is always known to be sunnier than the city itself, which usually is engulfed in a blanket of fog, but this evening as I walked back to my apartment, and looked across the Bay to view the normally shining city I was stunned by what I didn't see. The fog was so thick covering San Francisco that the city practically vanished from the horizon. As I looked out across the Bay, I saw a clouded abyss expanding to the depths of infinite unknown. Truly an amazing sight and the power that nature has in affecting our own known perception. An added treat for a lovely walk and a much needed uplift in spirit. So now I feel a lot better and have a sly smile on my face, a good beat in my head, a an extra little thump in my heart. Till next time, I will blog with you later.

-Nice Guy SMA-

Feeling Displaced

For probably the first time since moving and definitely for the first time since starting my job, I have begun to feel a bit displaced. In the wake of the much anticipated visit by my family and Mrs. Nice Gal, I am finding myself a little out of place and lacking the "settled roots" that I had on the East Coast. I don't want to call it homesickness by any means because I do prefer being out here than living/working in NYC, but I feel like I have yet to establish the new "persona" that I would like to have out here.

I know that this is most hampered by the distance separating me and Mrs. Nice Gal. I'm holding out on a lot of different opportunities till she get out here, but as the months continue to pass, I feel even more removed from the family structure that I had back East.

Also adding to this is my not fully sure work situation. As you may know, my project with The Company came to a close a few weeks ago. I took a couple of days off to spend time with the family and for the past few days have been on some busy work stretching a three-day project to four days. Now it's a waiting game until my next project kicks off. I am feeling pretty secure in my position within The Company, but until I am officially signed to a new project, I find myself slightly on edge. Until that day, I will keep coming into work each day hoping to make myself as busy and necessary as possible and I look forward to some new updates to report.

So hopefully soon, I'll be reunited permanently and able to finally plant some roots out west; making new friends, experiencing new adventures, and feeling fully in the moment. Till then, I'll keep the smile and move forward with each beautiful day, if feeling slightly displaced from the immediate moment.

-SMA-

Dr. Horrible

I am weeks late in posting this blog, so many of you have probably already seen this. But if not, I highly recommend you guys check out Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. It's a short film, musical, super-hero, love story. That pretty much sums it up. It's written and directed by Joss Whedon, who did the Buffy series. Plus it stars Neil Patrick Harris, who is quickly jumping up on my list of favorite "random" actors. So give it a watch and let me know what you think. Blog more soon.

-SMA-

Five and a Half Month in Review

It's August, I only posted six times in the past month, and one post was about the X-Men, boy do I suck. This has gotten me to think about the nature of this blog and what I intend to reflect on. Clearly this review is late(r) than usual and over the past 6+ posting I haven't really reflected on anything overtly exciting. (Other than the Viva Chihuahua!) So where does that leave me.....

Well to start off, things are going great and the job is wonderful. I am shipping my final spot on this "show" for The Company today and then have a few days off with Mrs. Nice Gal and the visiting family. I am still very much enjoying getting up each day and heading to work and the routine has been something I no longer dread. And this I believe is leading to the lack of postings...Everything is going well, but nothing is overtly exciting and after my unfortunate experience blogging about The Company, I have been hesitant to write about much work related material. Since I'm not writing about work and I haven't been doing too much else other than working and watching a bunch of movies, this seems to lead to a lack in subject matter. I have thought about writing about a list of random musings that I have been building, but after a day (be it long or not) my first gut reaction is to chill out instead of spending the time to compose. Yes it is true, I may be choosing my own activity over my love for you, dear blog reader. I just ask that you understand and not hate! =)

I think that once things get settled with Mrs. Nice Gal and I have more excitement to write about, perhaps the frequency will increase. So in this month's review, the only negatives that I can state are that Mrs. Nice Gal is still far away (though having her here for the next week is the most wonderful thing in the world) and that my blog postings aren't as frequent as I would like.

So that leads me to give a solid A for the past month. A month that has seen the release of my first project with The Company and has brought many enjoyable moments from great movies on the screen to some beautiful weather outside. There is a lot more that I still look forward to, but that is for the months down the road. So till then, I shall rush off and finish this last day of work on my current show, gear up for the next potential project I may be working on, and anxiously look forward to a four-day weekend with my beautiful and wonderful wife. Alright, all my best till the next post and I will blog with you later.

-SMA-

Manifest Destiny

Since this week is Comic-Con, I thought that this would be the appropriate time for this post. It is official my friends, big changes are affecting everyone. In this week's X-Men #500, the X-Men have relocated from New York to San Francisco.

I feel that if Wolverine, Cyclops, and the whole gang feel that San Francisco and the West Coast is the place to be then that has to give some validity to my decision. Alright Rock On! Blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-

The Countdown Begins

In just a week I will be once again reunited with Mrs. Nice Gal and have my parents visit for the first time. It is definitely a week that I am anxiously looking for. For awhile I have been counting down the days till seeing Mrs. Nice Gal, and now it just around the corner. In the meantime until the visit some big moments are coming up. Within this next week I will be finishing up on the show that I am working on for The Company and will hopefully soon be learning what is next for me. I am still unsure as to whether I will be continuing on at The Company or will be needing to get back to the job search. A little bit of uncertainty, but I weathered more uncertain conditions in the past few months. We will see and I of course will keep you updated.

Just a short blog for today. More to come that I promise. Blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-

When Funny Dies

It is such a sad thing to see a childhood fave go from being so good to being washed up. It's like watching Eddie Murphy try to put out a good film and just end up making a disappointment or watching Michael Jordan un-retire for the third time to see him flame out against younger players.

Well this happened for me just the other night. I was watching HBO On Demand and chose to watch the newest Dana Carvey special. Man did I use to love Dana Carvey. Garth from Wayne's World, The Church Lady, Hans and Frans, and most especially George H. W. Bush. (Whom I used to do a hell of an impression of. Not George Bush per se, but Dana Carvey doing George Bush) So it was with great sadness that I watched this horrendous special and barely managed to raise a slight smile. It was truly depressing as I witnessed a man who was once funny repeat jokes that were original 15 years ago and seem like a middle age man trying to relive the glory days which have faded into a malaise of routine.

So sad and so very unfunny!

Ups and Downs

The past week has come and gone in blogsville and there's some new and a whole lot less. On Thursday, I dropped my sister-in-law off at the Oakland Airport for her month-and-a-half venture to Central America. (Good news: She made it there safely and is happy. Better news: The apartment is mine again and my sanity has returned -- ok it wasn't thaaat bad.)

This week also had its share of embarrassment and learned lessons. I learned that either A) My blog is a top hitter on Google searches or more likely B) I now work for a major player and I need to think a little bit more before I write on this blog. So from now on, my employer will now be known as "The Company". It's like when Prince was known as The Artist formerly known as Prince, well now I work for The Company formerly known as .......

So yeah, a little talking to, a lesson learned, and a bit of embarrassment as a new worker. I don't think it will be too big of a deal as I changed some things (hence the editor's note), but I don't want to do anything that would seem disrespectful to the company. Especially because I am totally loving the gig. I may just be eight weeks in, but I really look forward to going to work each day and the work that we are doing is phenomenal. Some of the most recent stuff put out is just awesome. I also finally feel like I connecting with he different artists and making some friends. The first few weeks were definitely overwhelming, but now I am feeling a lot more locked in and know what is going on, what needs to happen, and feel like I can speak with authority. I'm hoping they feel the same way because the project that I'm on right now is just for a few more weeks and then.....well I don't know what right now. That is to be seen in the upcoming weeks.

It's also the start of the countdown to the visit by the parents. At the end of this month in just two weeks, I will have my parents out here for the first time. With my above situation, I hope I will be working, but should things change at least it will be timed well. That week will also be the next visit from Mrs. Nice Gal, so I have indeed been counting down the moments till I see her again. Hopefully at that time I will have something more long term work wise to talk about and then we can be reunited on a more permanent basis.

And that's about it. Still checking out a bunch of films and am totally amped for The Dark Knight this weekend. Also looking forward to the MLB All Star Game at Yankee Stadium tomorrow. It may actually be the best baseball played at the stadium all season....which is very very sad, and I am still hurting with Sox on top and the Yanks in the third. Ugh.....still have half a season, still have half a season.

Alright. Rock on, keep cool, and I will blog with you later. See ya.

-Nice Guy-

Viva Chihuahuas! I'm Back!

Editor's Note: Rules are rules and non-disclosure is non-disclosure, so the video has been removed from my site. That being said, I would highly recommend this website.

And there you have it.....the reason I moved to California and the start of a crazy revolution .....Talking Chihuahuas!

Well you've got to start somewhere, and the work is actually quite good and it does crack me up each time I watch it. I think the work put in was phenomenal. As for what's next, well that's to be seen.

And that sums up my past four weeks....ok blog with you lat......ok ok. I'll stick around for a bit longer. The past few weeks have been very good and as you can see my work has finally made it to air and I can now say that I am selling movie magic as opposed to selling Cell Phones.

Over the past few weeks I have begun to really get into a rhythm at work and am feeling my confidence level and knowledge level growing exponentially. I still don't know what happens after this project is over, but I am taking it day by day and am confident that something will work its way out. But until that time, I have been enjoying each work day and man is it great to be able to focus on one project and really put your heart into it. Maybe it is still a novelty to me, but going to work each day is actually something I really look forward to. That is definitely a rare feeling.

In the meantime during my off hours, I have been continuing my exercise regiment though not always succeeding as I would like. After consecutive weeks of 4 out of 6 exercise days, I made my first 6 for 6 week, since beginning the job, last week. Of course I started this week by oversleeping both on Monday and today. UGH! I guess it' to the gym tomorrow morning!

I've also been watching a ton of movies be it via Netflix, HBO On Demand, or in the wonderful theater near the house. While I love catching as many movies as possible, (a good week is about 3-4 films) not much has been outstanding. That being said, you must check out Wall-E. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of animation I have ever seen. Truly animation as art. And the story is quite enjoyable as well. It was also nice on a personal level because I have a few friends who worked on the film, and am also in constant networking contact with the producer of the film. Of course I'm still a little upset with the company that made the film....not that I am specifically naming them, or mentioning the reason I'm upset, just that I cheered for my friends and booed the people in HR, not that that means anything.....but it is an amazing and beautiful film nonetheless.

I've also really been enjoying the town of Alameda. While working has led me to many less hours spent walking around the down-town, I feel I am able to take in the surroundings and enjoy the experience a little more. It is very nice, as mentioned before, that there is a new theater in town and I am trying to get there each weekend to see a show. It is a perfect Saturday when I can stroll down the main street, stop for a cup of coffee and then go see a matinée. Not too shabby.

The other big news in my life is that for the past week and up through this upcoming Thursday, my sister-in-law has been living with me as she prepares for the next move in her life. Man.....has this been a loooong and difficult week. We get along fine...or at least well enough, but the experience has taught me two very important things: 1) I don't live well with others and 2) I must really really really be in love with Mrs. Nice Gal since she is the only person I feel I could ever live with. (Good thing that's true....otherwise the marriage thing would be a bit tricky). But the good news is that this has got to earn me some Good Husband Points for a few years to come. Or so I am led to believe......

But that's about it.....just trying to live the dream. Making Chihuahuas talk and bringing smiles to faces across the intraweb. I think this upcoming weekend will find me in the city with a pint in hand, so good times to come most definitely. Hope all is well with everyone and I look forward to blogging again soon. Take care!

VIVA CHIHUAHUAS!!!!
-Nice Guy-

Where the Hell is Scott?

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo


No.....I'm not there, there, or there. I may be dancing, but...wait was that San Fran...ok I guess I'm there! Anyhow I have obviously been away from posting for a bit. While all the new things going on in my life give me so much more to talk about, the time that said things take up sure is taking a toll on my blogging. But I will be back soon, I hope tomorrow with some updates and perhaps a rumination or two. So until then, enjoy this fantastic video which is quite inspiring and just start dancing! Blog with you soon....I promise!

-Nice Guy-

Fourth Month in Review (Just a Tad Late)

Wow! What a stark contrast this month has been since last. I sit here now at 9:00 or so in the evening, tired and preparing to go to bed, because tomorrow I will will once again get up and go to work. And thus with that actuality, this is the first month in review that can be truly colored by a normalistic routine of work, life, weekends, and friends. While not 100% reflective since Mel has yet to move out here, things are beginning to lock down into some sense of normalcy. So with that in mind, let's quickly reflect:

The Good:
-Not much more that I need to write other than landing a job at an amazing company after three and a half months searching. But yet there is more to add on top of that. The job is great: good company, good people and I am so happy to be telling stories and not selling products. I still have so much more that I can learn, but it is going well and I am finding my place within the company and the role.
-The area is beautiful, both here in Alameda and up in Berkeley. Just a wonderful place to be and it makes waking up each morning quite delightful. (If you can imagine me saying that in a haughty-taughty accent)
-This past month included my Memorial Day 10-miler and some of my fastest runs of all time.
-I have been getting out a bit more on weekends, and I have been meeting up with some of my friends either out here in Alameda or in San Fran proper. Best night so far was a few Fridays ago when I met up with my friend Dinesh, on a Friday, saw the Incredible Hulk, at then drank till 1:00 or so at the San Francisco Brewing Company. Good times indeed.
-Over the past month, I went to a Giants game, but more importantly saw my Yankees and watched them beat up on the A's!

The Bad:
-As with all the positive of getting back into the routine of work, come a few of the negatives, the majority of which is readjusting my life schedule to the new set of hours. Gone are the days of working out when I feel like it and here are the days of trying to get up at 6:00 so I can make it to the gym before work. This is not terrible at all, it's just an adjustment that I still need to fully make.
-And thus along with that is the fact that my workout regiment has taken a major hit. I am still getting to the gym, but my workouts are much shorter and at times missed. I am working towards readjusting my body, but I have never been one to jump right out of bed in the morning.
-The other negative is of of course the most major and that is the lack of Mel. When we first planned this move, it was thought that I would get a job quickly and she would be here right away. Obviously it took me a bit longer to lock things down, and now that I have, I hope soon that she will be able to get out here. It's been tough, but as I wrote before, we both know that these four or five months apart will be but a mere fraction of our overall life together.

Missing Mel and not having her around to share in my days has been rough, but knowing that things will definitely work out, I try to look at all the good things in the past month. Now you will have to excuse me as this review is heavily colored by the rose-colored glasses of having landed a job. In the upcoming months, I believe that I will be able to reflect more accurately because my routine will be just that. But as this was the first month of work, and because of so many other great things, I would have to say this was definitely an A- month with the negatives coming almost solely from my missing of Mel.

So there it is. The highest month yet, and a stark improvement from last month's C+. Now I must sign off and get ready for bed because I do have work tomorrow and actually have a very important day as we have a presentation with our client. So all my best to everyone and I will blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-

Guest Blogging for a Day

Hey all,
Tomorrow my very good friend Jared will be taking part in the Coeur d'Alene Iron Man and will attempt the ever so simple task of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. (Or what I like to call my before breakfast workout---yeah right!)

Throughout the day I will be live blogging as a guest blogger on his blog, Adventures of a Tri Guy. So if you can't get enough Nice Guy and want some more, swing on by as I keep track of a monumental athletic feat. Ok all....have a good night.

-Nice Guy-

P.S. Also coming tomorrow, a month in review and early next week, a reflection on the 10th anniversary of my HS graduation. See you then!

Whatever don't kill me, can only make me stronger.

There are a number of things that I want to blog about and will be over the next few days, but for tonight I just wanted to take a few minutes and recommend a film that is an absolute must. As you can guess from the image above, the film is a documentary that is currently in theaters called Bigger, Stronger, Faster*. This film is fantastic and one the I highly recommend to anyone interested in sports, politics, self-reflection, or the sociology of the American male.

The film in short is about steroids. But as opposed to looking at the subject of steroids and screaming "They're bad.....they're bad.....they're bad!" The filmmaker goes out to ask questions and understand the reason for steroids within the culture, the true physiological and psychological side effects (or lack thereof) and the hypocrisies in the world of performance enhancement. The film succeeds because it asks thorough, thoughtful, and at times controversial questions without leading the viewer towards an answer. (Or at least trying not to lead as all documentaries ultimately have an agenda.) The filmmaker is the voice and the main character of the film and he is one of three brothers who grew up in an middle/upper-middle class family on the East Coast. Now what is interesting to start with is that the director is the only brother in the family that is not a steroid user. This is put forth early as he comes from the belief that steroid use is cheating and unethical. This is the grounded basis of the film, but it works on a much deeper level once the director moves away from his family history and looks at steroids in society.

Without going too deeply into the film because I really do want you all to see it, I am intrigued by the questions that the filmmaker asks. For example, why are steroids thought of as an illegal performance enhancer when a lasik eye-surgery that Tiger Woods had (thus improving his vision to 20/15) is perfectly fine. Why is HGH ok if prescribed by so-called anti-aging doctors, but not ok if simply purchased and used for sport? The film then takes the step further by looking at the American condition and the ideal that as Americans, we are bred and taught to succeed at no expense. We are encouraged to strive for the top and let nothing get in our way. When this is viewed from a physical aspect, are performance enhancers cheating or just a resource to use. As is asked in the movie, if risking the potential side effects of enhancers were the difference between security for your family vs, financial failure and ruin, would you take the chance? In addition, there is a self-image issue that is brought forth by those that we idolize. In the director's case, it is Arnold, Sly Stallone, and Hulk Hogan. (All steroid users). But ignoring that fact, it is suggested that the ideal of be super strong is a self-ideal as prevalent in men as being thin and beautiful is within the female sociological culture.

This is something I couldn't agree with more. While I go to the gym for health reasons mainly, there is of course the desire to build muscle and look great so that I can be cut and built rather than scrawny as I have tended to be for most of my life. After all, I drink Muscle Milk after every workout for Pete's sake! Which ironically enough he addresses in the film when discussing the prevalence of legal stimulants especially those that are advertised by individuals who also used steroids to achieve their results.

So all in all, the film was very well thought out and makes you wonder whether we as a society are attacking a minuscule element of the much larger problem instead of focusing of the overall issue of self-image, and American destiny. As I write this, I don't want you to think that I would even for a moment consider using illegal steroids (I do consider them a cheat and a way to get ahead in an unnatural way), but that being said, recently I did receive a cortisone shot (legal steroid) for my foot-injury allowing me to keep running, and tomorrow before I go out and run, I will take a couple of puffs from my asthma inhaler (steroid). The inhaler by the way will give me a boost and help me to run slightly faster. Why is this ok, and not another type of steroid? Many questions asked, answers from all sides given, and in the end, a very thoughtful and intriguing film. So a high recommend, you won't be disappointed.

Work, Sports, and Being on the Team

Last Monday, New York Giants defensive great Michael Strahan announced his retirement from football after an illustrious fourteen year career. Driving to work on Tuesday and while listening to the morning sports talk radio, another former New York Giant spoke about the difficulty of retiring and what Strahan would most likely feel in the upcoming months. Just to preface though it is of only minor importance, Strahan retired after winning the Super Bowl and while still very physically capable of playing. Thus he left the game not because his body could no longer hold up, but rather because he wanted to leave on top.

This former New York Giant that was on the radio said that the most difficult part of retiring from the game, especially when still physically able to play, was leaving the feeling of team and the camaraderie amongst teammates. He said that Strahan may have days in the upcoming months where he will consider calling off the retirement to return to the team. He also went on to explain that while the public views football as just sport, to the athlete playing the game, it truly is a job that one commits to and forms a ritual around. Granted, I think this only slightly valid as even the most hardworking players still get about three-four months off a year not to mention the league minimum salary of 285,000. (for a rookie, it goes up based on experience.) The point he was making however is that to the retiring player it is difficult to leave that sense of team and the daily routine of meetings, workouts, film study, and preparation. Once outside of the game, a player can find himself lacking the structure that was once a defining part of their daily life and miss the team that was like a band of brothers.

After hearing this and while on my way to work it made me wonder about how I view my own job and fellow co-workers. Though distinctly different, I'm not sure if I see work as this great team that I am part of. (And I try to think back to my previous employer as well, as it can be argued that it is unfair to make that assessment after only three weeks at the new job.) I don't know if I long for the daily rituals and I wonder if most people feel like this too. Do we work because it is our love and our passion? I'm sure some do, maybe even a decent percentage, but I doubt the majority. Do we work because we are told to and it is socially ingrained into us? Or do we work solely for financial reasons? The former player mentioned how some football retireries, have the urge to come back to the game and play again. These are players that are making millions of dollars, who never have to worry about money ever again, and they still want to go back to work.

If I was super rich, I'm not sure if I would have this extreme urge to go back to work. Maybe in my current state of career as there is a lot more I would like to accomplish, but again I'm not sure if the majority of people would feel this way.

During my three months of job searching, I did feel a lack of structure and missed being around people, but I wonder if that was because I often remained in the apartment due to a lack of funds. In addition my missing of company had a great deal to do with Mel still being on the East Coast. If Mel was here and if I had no worries about money, would I really want to jump back into work or would I enjoy my time and do what ever leisure activities I desired? Like I said before, I most likely would want to achieve something more with my career. But I've only been working for four years and I'm already wondering this. Double that amount and I'm still six years shy of the worked years by Mr. Strahan. Now take the full fourteen years and I'm healthy, still young at 36 and in a place where I have achieved something with my career. Would I really feel myself screaming to go back to work and call off my retirement if I was wealthy enough? Would most people?

So, I guess in conclusion to this pondering and slightly whiny blog, I wonder how the majority of people view their jobs and career. Is it viewed as institution much like Mike Judge's Office Space or do we view our jobs as a team that we are part of, one in which we are bound by camaraderie, ritual, and structure. I would think that the majority of people would unfortunately feel like the former and that then brings up a even better question; how does society change the perception of work and employment so that in retirement instead of feeling freed from the shackles, we long to go back to those glory days and the teammates we once shared. Have a pleasant working week! Blog with you later.

-SMA-

Editor's Note: After some quick research, assuming NFL salaries don't increase (which of course they will) a fourteen year player on the league minimum will earn $8,815,000. Just think about that and wonder if you would really want to come back to work on Monday.

Phase 2

Two and a Half weeks into the job, routine starting to become a little more locked down, (Still not having as much success as I would like with the morning workouts. I really need to work on getting up and getting up on time. We'll call this a working goal.), and fully settled into the apartment.

A week ago, a friend of mine wrote an email asking how the Grand Western Experiment was going. The way she phrased it as the "grand experiment" caused me to look at the move in this sense. At the very beginning, I think this was exactly what I was going for. Trying something completely foreign and taking a chance to see if it would work. Over the months of job searching, I may have lost a little bit of that sense as my focus directed towards finding work and securing a future. But riding above everything was the "experiment" and the chance that was being taken. So in looking at the move in this way, I would say that it is a must to break down this new direction into phases that can be analyzed, observed, and reflected on at a later date. My "Brand New Day" will come to an end at some point, but for now it is just entering into the next phase. If phase one was coming out and establishing myself with a home and employment than it is clear to say that phase one is finished.

As is pretty clear, the majority of my blog posts for the past months have been about the job search and my frustrations or joys depending on the process. Well since I am locked into the job, I can no longer write about the search. And while I plan to still write about the transition to the film world, my non-disclosure agreement kind of limits me as to how detailed I can be in my writing. Thus it is time that I move on to a next phase of this blog, and the newest phase of my move.

When I first started blogging, I aimed to reflect more about how the move affected my personality and spirit. I saw lofty goals in leaving the crowds of New York and entering into the expansiveness of the west coast. I think now as phase 1 comes to a close, this is the next step of the "grand experiment". I feel as if this next phase will focus my writing more on some ruminations of life and reflecting on the way that this move is affecting the person that I am and the person I aim to be. So with the hope that my writing will not become too dry or drab in the coming weeks, I start Phase 2 of my Brand New Day and set out to discover a little bit more of myself on this crazy journey of manifest destiny. Blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-

A Harbinger of Things to Come?

Today is Game 1 of a rivalry renewed. This evening, the Los Angeles Lakers will storm into Boston to face the Boston Celtics. While I am actually a Chicago Bulls, I will be rooting for the Celtics if for no other reason than the fact that I hate Kobe Byrant.

But I include his picture today, and write this blog not about the NBA finals, but oddly enough about the Presidential Election. As is now finally clear, this November Barack Obama will face John McCain for the presidency, and if history has anything to say about it, John McCain will win and it will be all Kobe's fault!! Yeah I can hear the laughs, but believe me it is true. I love little weird factoids and this is one that defies logic. If you go back to 1948 when Truman beat Dewey, everytime the Lakers have been in the NBA finals, a Republican has won. And for all but one time that the Lakers were not in the finals, the Democrat has won. Yes it falls down to the fact that the Lakers are the second most stories franchise in NBA history (Behind the Celtics) and the Republicans have won quite a few elections for the last half-century. But if you break it out election by election, it is quite scary.

Years that the Lakers were in the Finals During a Presidential Election (8 for 8 actuality):

1952: Dwight Eisenhower (R) wins
1968: Richard Nixon (R) wins
1972: Richard Nixon (R) wins
1980: Ronald Reagan (R) wins
1984: Ronald Reagan (R) wins
1988: George Bush (R) wins
2000: George W. Bush (R) sort-of-wins
2004: George W. Bush (R) wins
2008: ??? wins

Years that the Lakers were not in the Finals During a Presidential Election (6 for 7 actuality):

1948: Harry Truman (D) wins
1956 Dwight Eisenhower (R) wins
1960: John F. Kennedy (D) wins
1964: Lyndon B. Johnson (D) wins
1976: Jimmy Carter (D) wins
1992: Bill Clinton (D) wins
1996: Bill Clinton (D) wins

So from 1948 - 2004, the Lakers standard was accurate 14 out of 15 times or correct 93% of the time. I'm not saying it means anything, but if you are betting man and not someone who cares about the fate of our country (boy, did I just let that slip) then you should bet on John McCain this fall.

Go Celtics and Go........ (Well, you know where I lean, I don't need to write it on the blog)

Blog with you later!

-SMA-

Working and Working Out

Well a full week is in the books and I can without a doubt make one of the most obvious statements ever to be uttered on this blog: Holding down a job and working each day makes it a heck of a lot harder to get up and work out each morning.

Wow! Stunning, isn't it. But alas, it is true and in adjusting my schedule to the rigors of the 9-7 job (yes even in CA, I am still on a 9-7 schedule) I have realized the difficulties in getting up each morning amped up to workout. Looking back at my first day last Tuesday through yesterday, I made it for only 4 out of my 6 workouts. (I take Sunday's off for a rest).

As for this morning, I did oversleep, but pulled myself out of bed to get out to gym, though my workout had to be cut short due to my late start. I will begin to have to make a decision as to whether to cut my workouts shorter, get up earlier, or push working out until after work. I did go for my Monday run afterwork yesterday, but man did it suck. Though I did actually run one of my fastest runs, after a long day of standing, walking, and moving around, my muscles were so sore and it was just not very enjoyable.

So we will see what happens as the days continue but as I mentioned months ago, it is my goal to keep up the workout regiment and that's what I intend to do. So now I best wrap this up and head to bed otherwise Wednesday's workout will not be met and then it all starts going downhill. But before I do, I will leave you with a great story from this weekend's run.

On Saturday morning, I awoke, geared up and went out for my morning run. I wasn't planning on running a huge distance in part because I was sill sore from the 10 miles on Monday and also because I had some errands to run once I got back. But I began my run and had a specific route in mind. After a quick turn, I noticed that I was now running in the middle of a large group of women. It turns out that I had run right into the middle of the "See Jane Run" Women's Half-Marathon. My thought was that after a little bit, I should be able to break off from the pack and continue my run. Well after another turn, I found that my run took me right into the winner's circle of the Half Marathon! As I was nearing the finish line, I saw a camera man taking pictures of all the racers. Not wanting to waste his film and also wanting to avoid a picture of this embarrassing moment, I dodged off the trail and around the photographer. As I was about to cross the finish line, I noticed that the path I intended to continue upon was blocked off and only a small gap in the barrier existed. I again veered off the course and onto the grass in order to slip through the gap in the barrier and continue my run as I desired. As I slipped away from the finish line and ran through the barrier gap, I heard a voice scream out, "You're supposed to Stop! Oh well, I guess he wants to keep running! I think he wants to keep running!"

Yeah..... that was a first and quite a unique way to start run. Ok....I will blog with you later!

-Nice Guy-

The First Week

Alright, I promised a more in depth update by week's end and here we are with about 4 hours till I go to bed and I am doing my best to keep my promise.

So this was it. After 108 days unemployed (AH! Freaky coincidental Lost connection!), I went back to work ready, motivated, and excited to be working in film and delighted to be at a great company, close to home and in a nice neighborhood. By week's end my expectations were met.

It is still very early, and the project that I am on does not really kick off till tomorrow, so I don't want to start sounding all glib by saying how everything is great and wonderful. That being said, the situation does seem ideal and while it will get busy very quickly, I think it will be an enjoyable situation. The biggest and most immediate change that I have noticed and been delighted about is that a production team is, for the most part, assigned to one project. While these are features and not commercial spots and thus have many more shots per project (or as it's know in-house per show), the team that is established and assigned is working on (again for the most part) that single show. Previously, I was juggling about 4-6 projects at a time and the more senior members of the production staff were juggling anywhere from 5-8 projects at any given time. This also meant that the artistic crew was split over multiple projects and on many days had to switch from project to project depending on the time of the day and the needs of the client. I'm not here to argue that it was a bad situation or run poorly. In fact it was quite the opposite. The person who managed the scheduling of the crews is so amazingly skilled and talented and she helped the studio to achieve a level of efficiency that I don't think can be topped. (Yes -- you know who you are, and yes you are that great!) It is the reason why clients would take their work there and the reason that the company was one of the most successful in New York. That being said, the sheer volume of work is definitely stressful and the split focus from 4-6 projects at a time makes it tough to really gear towards a directed focus and observe the path of the process from start to finish. Now with the single production that the team and I are assigned to, I feel that I can have a more hands-on, observant, and detail oriented approach since I will be able to focus near 100% of my attention towards the show for which I have been assigned.

As for the week itself, as mentioned, it was slower because the show does not officially kick off till tomorrow. This was good and bad, though definitely more positive than anything. The negative was that the first week was very slow and as I am just getting into the groove of the way this studio operates, there were many moments when I was not doing much and feeling unable to help. The positive though exceeded this negative, as the slowness allowed me the opportunity to be trained pretty hands on and allowed the person who will be supervising me to spend a great deal of time showing me different procedures and commands. Had I come in during the heat of the production, this would almost definitely not be possible and would force me to learn on the run perhaps leading to some problems down the line. Thus I am happy that I came in during this pre-production phase and excited that I will be there from day 1 of the kickoff.

In terms of the job itself, the skills of production carry over from house to house. I would like to believe that I am skilled at production/management and that the ideals of organization, prioritization, and communication are my strongest assets. Thus what will eventually be needed from a perspective of skill set is the same as with any other house. What differs from house to house is the nomenclature of the lexicon and the pipeline of the production. This is what I am finding to be drastically different from my previous experience and the area where the majority of my focus will need to go during these initial weeks. The pipeline is essentially the path that individual shots must follow from department to department. As I am now dealing with many more shots, I am finding that this pipeline is consequently much larger than I was previously dealing with. As for the nomenclature, I am now using many different programs and procedures than before (some for better, and yes some that I don't think work as well). It will take a bit before I fully pick everything up, but I have always been good at learning different programs and finding the best way to utilize the program for the task at hand so I am not too worried. Thus, this upcoming week will be a good test as it should remain moderately paced, but as the show will have officially kicked off there will be daily rounds and procedures that I will need to learn and take a active part in producing/coordinating.

So there you have it. The first week in the books and a good one at that. I guess I can conclude with a little bit of the trivial aspects of the job. The commute is fantastic and I am that finding the longest I have had to sit through at this point is about 30-35 minutes. On Friday in fact, I got to work with very little traffic and made it in about 20 minutes. To some, I'm sure it seems like a lot (though most readers are New Yorkers, I believe) but after the 80-90 minute commutes I was doing daily in New York, it is a joy.

The neighborhood is fantastic and that is exactly what it is, a neighborhood. There is definitely something wonderful about working in New York, and in every other city I have been to I have yet to see the same working environment. (Though I will admit, I have yet to visit Chicago). There is a great feeling to walking out of the subway, hearing the taxis and traffic and fighting the crowds to your building. It is exciting, fast-paced, hectic and yes, at least for me, a bit draining. The New York City environment is like nothing else, but alas it ultimately was not for me. Now I drive into what can essentially be described as a suburban block. The studio has five buildings, none of which is more that two-stories tall, and they are scattered by a four block by two block area. Walking from building to building there is very little traffic, and there are trees and bushes scattered along the way as well as houses, a school, and many neighborhood people. It is a stark contrast, but one that jives better with my spirit.

The other huge difference that I have noticed is the full lunch hour. At my previous house, lunch was on some days a hopeful possibility. And when it did happen, lunch lasted no longer than 20-25 minutes. The goal was always to watch a 1/2 hour show of the lunch room DVR and get the whole 24-minute show (no commercials) in before you needed to get back to work. A full hour is almost absurd to me at this point. The first day, I kept checking my watch until my co-worker told me not to worry because we still had 20 minutes. In addition, I also get to actually leave the building and the phone. There is of course an inherent negative to this which is of course, the cost of lunch. Previously while not given much of a lunch break, I was having lunch brought in by the company. Now I am seeing myself spending anywhere from $40-50 a week. I believe I will be brown-bagging it soon, but at least it is nice to be able to get out and enjoy the area for awhile.

So I guess that is it. A bit long, but hopefully enjoyable to read. I will post more as this week goes on and I look forward to updating you more as the project kicks off. So till then, have a good one and I will blog with you later.

-SMA-

Job Search By The Numbers

A few years ago when a good friend of mine was in the midst of his long and difficult job search, he put together a breakdown of the search once he was finally hired. I felt it would be appropriate to reinterpret (aka steal) this breakdown for my specific search. So without further adieu here is my Job Search by the Numbers:

• Total length of job hunt: 102 days (Feb 11th - May 22nd)
  
• The job search began before the 11th, but this was my first day unemployed and very "actively" searching. May 22nd is the day when I signed my contract.

• Resumes sent out: 19

• Total Informational Interviews/Calls: 7
  

• Total number of "Real" 1st round interviews: 3
  
• Total number of 2nd round interviews: 1
• Total number of 3rd round interviews: 1
  

• Rejections 2 (I never heard back from one company, though I wasn't too interested either, so I guess it was a rejection.)

• Offers 1

So there you have it. Not too shabby and I am now very happy with the situation I have. At the end of the day, I will write about the new gig a little more in depth. Till then have a good night and I will blog with you later!

-SMA-

Against the Wind (Memorial Day 10 Mile)

With Back Seeger's Against the Wind to kick me off and a great temperature outside, I inaugurated the first annual Scott M. Adams Memorial Day 10 Miler! I will be accepting applications for next year's event starting tomorrow. Checks can be made out to me. (Registration fee still to be determined, so just pay me what you think is appropriate for now!) =)

Wow! What a run! A conistent pace throughout and in the end I ran my longest run to date. While the Nike Plus clocked it at just over 11 miles, its calculations aren't always 100% accurate. As per Google Pedometer the run was about 10 1/2 miles or so. Either way it was over 10 miles and that was my goal. That also means that in having run a 10 mile distance, there is no reason I can't run a half marathon in the nearby future, which is my ultimate running goal. Not sure about a full marathon yet, but definitely the half. As for the running breakdown:



Now I'm going to hop in the shower and enjoy a Memorial Day caloric treat at Ole's Famous Waffle House. Best Breakfast joint in town, and who doesn't love waffles. I sure do!


So to everyone, have a wonderful Memorial Day! I hope it finds you at a BBQ or a party or at a locale of great enjoyment. And now for me, it is time to enjoy my last day of freedom and get back to the working world. Till next time!

-Nice Guy-

Fastest Run Yet! (Under 6:40 Min/Mile Boo Yeah!)

This morning I ran my fastest run yet! It was a short 3.5 mile run and the conditions were just perfect. It had rained slightly in the early morning, so the temperature was very cool with a slight chill in the air. The humidity was non-existent and there was a slight breeze, but not a wind. Add this to the fact that I was running my weekly short run (in anticipation of the 10-miler I am planning for Monday) I hit the after burners and just flew. I cannot believe I was able to keep the pace for the whole time. Though I felt my body crying out for me to slow down, I kept pushing through it. (Editor's Note: Again I must add that it really helps that Alameda is about as flat as you can get and my biggest uphill would be considered a relaxed grade anywhere else) I have also mentioned in a previous blog how much I love the Nike Plus system. Well through the website I can share with you a breakdown of the run.




So there you go! It probably doesn't make too much sense, but I think it's pretty cool. Anyhow, just super pumped about the run and thought I would share. Blog with you later.

-SMA-

Tippett Studios (Back to Work Boo Ya!)

Yesterday Morning at approximately 11:30 AM, I signed an offer letter to begin work at Tippett Studios. Yes my friends, I am going back to work!!

After three months of crazy networking and searching, I will be joining Tippett Studios on Tuesday. (First week and it's a 4-day week, Boo Yeah!). Tippett Studios is one of the premier FX houses in the country and was founded by Phil Tippett who was the head of the creature shop on Return of the Jedi and later won an academy award for Jurassic Park. I will be joining as a production coordinator, which is a good start and Tippett has a great track record of promoting internally and quickly. It's a two-month (and a bit) project to begin with that I will be working on, and then we will take it from there depending on future needs, etc. But the company is great, it is right in Berkeley so it's only about a 20 minute drive for me (so no more hour and a half commutes like I had in New York), and everyone on the team seems really positive and enjoys what they are doing. I'm also really happy because with Tippett I didn't have a contact to start with. I was trying to get hooked up with them, but couldn't find any leads, so I just wrote a "feeler" email out of the blue, which they responded really positively towards, had a informational interview about two months ago and then kept in touch as they were trying to bring in more work. I am really excited, and I think it will be a great fit for my skill set and allow me the possibility for future advancement and movement.

Yeah forgive me if you've read that before. (There is only so many times I could type it out before I had to cut and paste) But I honestly couldn't be more excited about the opportunity. The company is fantastic, the people are great and it is in such a convenient area for me that I look forward to the short commute each day. I know that I will really be able to make an impact in the company and as mentioned, Tippett has an amazing track record of long standing employees who have been constantly and quickly promoted from within. Give it a bit and I'll be producing again. Plus I'm working on films now which I can't tell you how happy it makes me!!

I also believe that Karma played its own role in everything. The first time I met with Tippett (just about two months ago), there were no positions available, but I could get the sense that the people I met with really liked me, and I got just a great vibe from the company. The X-Factor out there was the job at the other company (still to remain nameless, though I'm sure you can figure it out) that I was being considered for. If said company offered me the job, I would have of course taken it, but would wonder if I would feel more comfortable at Tippett and visa-versa, had Tippett come through with an offer before the other company was ready to make a decision, I would have had a very tough time knowing what to do. As it was, two weeks ago I did receive the rejection from the other company, and low and behold a day after that rejection, I got the call from Tippett that something might have opened up. It allowed me the mentality to clear myself of the other opportunity and focus solely of what is now my new job.

Add that to the prophetic dream that my sister-in-law had and you have some crazy Karma working. She had a dream a month ago that I would receive some amazing job news upon my return from a New York flight. When I received the call two-weeks ago, it was right before I was flying home for my friend Mike's wedding, and because of such, I scheduled the follow-up interview for the day after my return flight from New York. Kinda scary, in a good way.

So there you go, now Stage 2 of this crazy California life is about to begin and I am totally ready and excited for the opportunity at hand. I am going to end this blog post now, because I have in front of me the golden opportunity to enjoy a few last days of freedom without having to worry about what will be the other side. It shall be a weekend of sunshine, movies (Indiana Jones), and good times! Thank you to all for you constant support throughout and I look forward to the next stage that this blog shall take. I will blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-

P.S. The great news has also resonated physically. This morning I had a fantastic 5-Mile run. While nowhere near my longest (I will be going for a good 10-miler on Monday), it was a great run and I could have run quite some more by the end of it!

Ode to my Running Shoes (A different sort of anniversary)

Today marks a different sort of anniversary for me. While nowhere near as special, important, or wonderful as yesterday's anniversary, it is one that I feel much more comfortable waxing poetic about without getting gooey responses from all y'all.

Today is the year anniversary that I broke in my Nike Air Zoom Running Shoes and officially kicked off my transition towards becoming a serious runner. I love my shoes for multiple reasons including the fact that they are comfortable and run great, that they are custom designed and allow me to show my Syracuse Pride, but most important because they are part of the Nike Plus system. Nike Plus, for those who are not familiar is a partnership that Nike formed with Apple to bring running to the web. The partnership turned my regular running shoes into a glorified pedometer. Inside the shoe is a transmitter, which talks to my iPod and allows me to keep track of the distance that I have run. The iPod keeps track of the time run, the miles accumulated, and the pace that I am currently running. In addition, as I'm running a motivating voice tells me what I have I accomplished and what my current pace is or if I choose to run for a specific mile/time/calorie marker, the voice will let me know key milestones along the run. ("Half-Way There! 2.5 miles to go!") After the run, I can then upload my digitized runs to my personal Nike Plus website and keep track of my overall pace, set goals for the future, or compare runs with other runners in the Nike Plus system. This I think above all has most helped my transition to a serious runner because it allowed me to visualize progress and distance.

Looking back at the past year, it is clear how much I have improved in both speed and stamina. My first run was just about 3.5 miles and I can remember just being whipped at the end of it. Now a 3.5 mile run is my minimum and what I do for an easy workout. In the past year, I have run just over 250 miles, but am especially happy that in the past three months, I have run almost 115 miles. My goal for 2008 is to run 300 miles, which I think will be very doable.

So there you go. Oh running shoes, how I love you! While I don't lace up again until Friday, I will spend today remembering all the wonderful runs we have had in the past and the runs we will continue to have in the future. (At least until you are worn down, and I need to buy a replacement)

In other things: Some big news is on its way, so be prepared for that. But first I will enjoy the anniversaries, then announce the big news. I will blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-

Two Wonderful Years!

Just a short post today, for today is a very special and important day in my life. Today I celebrate two wonderful and happy years with Mrs. Nice Gal. (Her newly crowned blogger name.) Thank you to all for your well wishes and I will post more again soon.

-Nice Guy SMA-

Three Month Review (Libra Style)

Melanie and I are your stereotypical Libras in the sense that it takes us forever to make a decision. We have found that what works best for us is a very simple Pro/Con format allowing us (like Libras) to weigh each side. I bring this up because in reviewing this past month, I found myself having a difficult time in making an assessment. Thus I will utilize the pro/con structure for the basis of this blog.

When Reviewing the Past Month:

Pro: I am in California and happy to be here.
Con: Melanie is still East and it may be awhile till the next time we see each other.

Pro: I have an apartment full of furniture, a Wii, and my coffee maker.
Con: There are still a bunch of boxes that I really don't feel like opening until either Mel is here or I have the security of a job in the area.

Con: I am far away from my New York Yankees
Pro: I have a subscription to MLB.TV and can watch them whenever I want.
Con: The Yankees are terrible this year and not the most fun to watch right now.

Pro: In the past month, my deck was finally painted
Con: Since I am not working, I was home to actually watch them paint the deck.

Pro: My running and gym training has been great and I am really improving in strength, speed, and stamina
Con: Since I am not working, I can sleep in and go to the gym/run at 9:00 10:00, 11:00, or whenever I would like.
Pro: Since I am not working, I can sleep in and go to the gym/run at 9:00 10:00, 11:00, or whenever I would like.

Con: The job search moved into May and I am still unemployed
Pro: Mel and I received a healthy Stimulus check on Friday that definitely helped.

Pro: No matter what happens, I can say that I took a chance and achieved a life defining moment
Con: That life defining moment while very nice, doesn't help to pay the bills at the end of the day

Con: The job search through May 7th had really started to stall out and seemed very unpromising.
Pro: On May 7th, I received a call from one of my top companies for a call back interview and had said interview this past Tuesday.

Con: While I may hear something this upcoming week, as of this blog entry I am still unemployed.

So that's really what it ultimately comes down to. I love being out here, but being out of work for this long (Three months and ten days) has been really trying. I enjoy having the free time to do what I want, but it is time to get back to work and be a productive member of society. Add that to the fact that my attaining a job will be the enabling factor to allow Mel to move out here and this past month has been very tough. It is amazing to me that it is May already. When working the crazy hours that I did in New York, I would often mention how time would fly by so quickly and comment that I never had a concept of time. Now I find myself in this unique situation where time isn't flying by, yet I still find myself unable to grasp the concept of date relevance since I have no frame of reference. Every day seems just like the previous and I feel I am missing the social connectors which at times helps a person to ground themselves in a specific time and date. This was most prevalent when I was up at the SU graduation and blown away that it was May and college students were done for the year. I for most part am still in the same state of mind as I was on February 25th when I started my life alone in California.

As you can see from my past entries, the past two weeks were exceptionally difficult and were leading me towards a very negative review of this month. The promising interview that I had this past week has forced me to reassess slightly, though as there is still more networking to be done in order to lock down the position, the overall grade doesn't rise that much. I held back on writing this review from Friday in the event that I would hear something. I did in fact get a call, but missed the call and no message was left. So perhaps tomorrow, the start of month four will begin with a bang. That's my plan and the reason why I write this today. So in conclusion, here are the past monthly assessments and the newest grade for month three.

One Month Review: B+
Two Month Review: B+/A-
Three Month Review:
(Before May 7th): C-
(After May 7th): C+

Ok....now to start Month Four out with a great 7 mile run and some good news! I will blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-

2,900 Miles.....Worlds Apart

Ok.....so I've been gone for a while. I've been busy. As mentioned, I traveled last weekend back to New York, drove with my parents up to Syracuse to be there for my sister's graduation and then flew back to New York to be part of a close friend's wedding as his Best Man. The travel was more or less uneventful, other than a complete mental loss as to which day of the week it was throughout. With Thursday travel and a Sunday wedding, I was all thrown off as to whether I and the rest of the world was on weekend time or if I was missing any key news and/or information.

The graduation was great, Kristen got to go on stage (as did all the graduates...how about that) and received a $160,000 pin. I'm not sure as to what bothers me more....the fact that after four years of hard work all she got was a pin or that in just the 6 years since my SU graduation, her $160,000 pin is a heck of lot more in debt than my $120,000 pen. (Which I still use on all of my interviews! Boo-Yeah!)

In addition to her ridiculously expensive pin, Kristen did get honored at her department reception with an award for being the top Psychology student. I can say I am definitely proud and excited for her to keep moving forward and to see what her future will bring.

After a flight back to New York City, it was wedding time, and it could not have been a more beautiful ceremony and reception. The wedding was held in Prospect Park on a beautiful, if a little chilly, day. The ceremony was very touching and the reception was a lot of fun. Good to see some joint friends again and just a great time had by all. My married friend is now living it up in Spain on a quite extravagant two-week honeymoon. I am very jealous, as I sit here in my stuffy apartment typing this blog. (Maybe I will go out in a little bit -- coffee, walk on the beach...hmmm. By the way....very hot in Cali this week.....ugh!)

But back to this posting.....the weekend was wonderful and on top of everything, the best part was that I was reunited with Mel for a few days. As my job stuff moves forward as well as things for her, I hope we will be reunited permanently very soon. It has been very difficult being so far apart, but as I say....being apart will only be for a quarter of a year (or so) in a relationship that I look forward to lasting for multiple quarters of this upcoming century.

Now as I have rambled like I often do, I should direct this blog to the very thesis that I am trying to reach. Having traveled this past weekend and having spent a good portion of the time in the culture of New York (Brooklyn to be exact), I can really begin to see the contrast in coastal cultures. There is a very true essence to New York, a honesty that I believe to be unmatched anywhere else. There is of course also an aggression and impatience that seems to come out as frequently as, and perhaps as part of, this honesty. There is a direct willingness to help if asked within the people, but also a radiance of the true desire to be left alone. It is a very unique place and different to me than the Bay Area. While I am still trying to understand the true pulse of the Bay Area, I can say that there is more of resonating joy that I feel even if that joy make not be steeped in true honesty. That being said, I feel a calmness in the area that I don't feel when East. The classic example is the traffic light situation in which in New York, if one does not press the gas in .5 seconds of a green light, he will have five cars blaring their horns. Around here I find almost a lackadaisical calm in which if the car does not move at the green light immediately, others will brush it off knowing that he will move eventually. A very cliche'd situation I know, but the most readily available and resonant for me as I was honked at about 20 frickin times trying to figure out directions in Brooklyn. Phew...sorry about that. Which also reminds me that there are way too many traffic lights in New York and the Boroughs and all the stop and go is probably a good reason why drivers are so uptight.

There was a moment when Mel and I were looking for a parking space where I began to look around the neighborhood and just observe. Now I must say that I think the borough of Brooklyn is fantastic and Manhattan has an excitement to it like none other, but in looking around, I could feel that this area was not for me. This is an ok realization and a one that I am happy to be coming to. My friend for example loves New York. He may never leave, who knows....but that's cool because that is him. And while it doesn't define him, it definitely embodies his spirit. I am learning personally that my soul connects with the calm, if perhaps tepidness of the West Coast. In driving home upon my arrival flight, I looked around the neighborhoods and felt a peace of mind that I did not have previously. Throughout the week I have been noticing this as well whether it be running to the Super Market or driving a few towns over for an interview. This is an area which, while I cannot fully define yet, is one that agrees with my spirit and mentality. Now what I do desire to see if that remains true upon entering into the stresses of a job, a full household, and other daily rituals. I hope so....but that is for time to tell.

On a quick side note, work stuff is still moving forward. I have a promising opportunity that I am waiting to hear back about after a follow-up interview on Tuesday. I feel optimistic, but am trying hard not to get too anticipatory in the event of further disillusionment. I will of course let you know.

I also have a Three Months in Review coming, which will probably be this weekend....so hold out for that one!! Oh I know you will waiting with baited breath. Anyhow...that is all for today. Have a great one and I will blog with you later.

-Nice Guy SMA-

Flying Back East (Again!)

In just a few short hours, I will be jumping on a plane for the third time in three months and heading back to the East Coast. This weekend is a big weekend as it is my sister's graduation from college and the wedding of one of my best friends. It will be a very travel filled weekend with a cross country flight today, a drive to Syracuse tomorrow, a flight back to New York City on Saturday and then a flight back west on Monday.

But this is also an important weekend for me personally, because this is in all probability my last trip back East for a very long time. After this trip, I have no major events until a wedding in November and I also use with this trip the last of my free airline tickets. (Really really good credit card promotion.) I think this will be a nice way to send off the East Coast with a weekend that is filled on one hand with an ending (my sister's graduation) and on the other, a new beginning. And upon my own return I can start anew and focus all 100% of my being on the here and now of the West Coast.

In a note of irony surrounding this trip back East, as I have mentioned this is my third trip in the three months. For each of the previous two trips, I scheduled the flights as Friday night Red Eyes in the event that my non-existent employer would need me to work or in case of the possibility of an interview, etc. In the previous cases, none of this ever came to fruition so when making plans for this trip, I just threw up my hands and choose the flights that I wanted and worked best for me. Needless to say, I received a call yesterday looking for me to come in for a follow-up interview today at the exact time as I would be boarding the plane. Alanis Morissette, please listen up, that my dear is a case of irony -- not a black fly in your Chardonnay. Now don't fret for me too much, my dear friends, because I was able to reschedule for Tuesday upon my return and I hope to come back with some good news....but we will take it day by day for now.

Now lastly on a side note, a friend of mine in her blog referred to a blog that she read in which the author wrote, "Blogging sure is a hell of a lot cheaper than therapy."
In response to that I say, thank you to all for your kind words over the past week as I went through a bit of a rough patch and I look forward to bringing you more updates with an upbeat spirit to them. So now I must quickly get ready for the flight and head back East once again. Have a great weekend to all, and I shall blog with you later.

-Nice Guy SMA-

Well that sucks.....

So I got the call this morning that I was dreading, but had a feeling was coming. I heard back from my top choice employer (name will still remain unsaid) and was told that I didn't get the position. This is extremely frustrating because not only was this my top choice, but also because I had the interview two months ago. Yes, it was two months of back and forth and of hearing that I was seriously being considered for the position only to be turned down. The only slight positive, at least as I was told, was that the person they hired did exactly the same job at another production house. Who knows if that is true or if that is the line they give to every reject. It also sucks since this was the only interview I had been on for a real job. Informational interviews are great and they may lead to something down the road, but they don't bring with them an immediate position. So that's the news of suck for today.

In similar news, I have done a great job of making good contacts with people within the industry. I keep in touch with them on a regular basis just to get a pulse of the industry and any leads that they may have. Yesterday when writing to one of my contacts, I got this response from him:

"Unfortunately these months are the slowest in this business (not to mention the impending SAG strike in June). My buddy was just laid off and he can't find anything."

This is the same contact that a month ago wrote this lovely trinket to me:

"Like I said, things move very slow in this business. I was dragged along by LucasAnimation for 6 months before they decide to hire internally instead. Don't get frustrated, this is just how it is."

Maybe I should stop writing to this guy. Everytime I do, I just get more and more depressed. Oh well.....hopefully some good news will make this blog soon enough. Blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-

Reverse the Curse

Last week I wrote about how there was an energetic vibe in the air Sunday night and then how on Monday I had a good/great 8.5 mile run followed by the surprise of finding my deck painted. This great start of a week of course led to one of my worst weeks here.

So I have this update to write: Last night was pretty dull and was followed by me oversleeping this morning and running one of those bad runs all runner's get every now and again. So there we go....either a continuation of last week's suckage or a way to lull me into the great surprises this week has in store. Boy do I hope the latter!