New York City - September - #2

A harrowing image.

The two light beams which now take place of the two towers that fell on September 11, 2001

New York City - September - 1 year on

This time last year I was in New York City for 2 reasons. 

The first & probably the most important was to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, and to pay my respects. 

The second reason was to revisit the city, which I last visited, in the summer of 1994. 

I didn’t know what to expect visiting the Big Apple after 17 years away, especially now that terrorism had played a significant part in reshaping & destroying many lives, not just within the city limits, but the nation as a whole. 

Over the course of September 2012, I hope to provide a daily photo & small caption on what I saw and felt at the time. 

There will be many photos from the Ground Zero Museum that will be confronting to some.  

It would fail in comparison to being there on September 11.....

Manhattan Early Evening

Me's Korean BBQ - Honolulu

Here's a big shout out for the good people of Me's BBQ in Honolulu (situated on Uluniu Avenue, just off Kuhio Avenue)

Its been 5 months since I was there last. Good Korean food, fast....

The food is great, the prices are cheap, and its a welcome relief from the burger & fries joints that saturate the island

Do yourself a favour when in Waikiki and treat to yourself to some great, simple, Korean fare....

Mobile Phone Contact List

So, I decided that I should back up my contacts list from my mobile phone
in case of the "inevitable" should happen (dropped in toilet, lost in cab, lost at the pub, etc).
I navigated through my list of contacts to realise that out of the 280 contacts listed, 
I have probably spoken with 40, at best, within the last 5 years.

How have I managed to hoard these numbers & not complete an annual cleanout of these digits?

More to the point, am I bad person for not reaching out to the remaining 240 or so, and dropping them a simple "hello" over the course of the last couple of years?

Santa Monica - Fairmont Mirramar

Its almost a year since we stayed at the Fairmont Mirramar, Santa Monica.

Just to torment myself, I went through my photos of the trip to relieve the memory, and to remind myself that we wont be going this year.

Here is the view from our room, heading south towards the Pier and Venice Beach.

Studying has commenced!

Prior to my ITIL commencement in November, I will be undertaking a number of short courses to mentally prepare myself for learning & exams again. 

The last time I sat a course or exam was in 2006, so I may be a little rusty.

Today, I commenced the Leaders Curriculum through my work. Its an online course with set exams through SkillSoft.

My first unit is "Driving Business Excellence" and the first topic is "The Imperatives of Innovation and Leadership in Strategy"

I'm really looking forward to it!

Skillset Overhaul

Today, I came to the harsh realisation that my current position/role will be sent overseas for good within the next couple of years, and I'm still 25 years out from retirement (minimum)!

I had the "burning bush" moment that my skill set needs a major overhaul otherwise I will be left behind, and will find myself handing out flyers for Kinko's or working for Bunnings as a geriatric 'team member'.

I am going to harness my current employers offer for ITIL training and accreditation and focus my energy on completing all the modules in order to be a more employable and valuable asset.

View over Seven Mile Beach

This is what I have to look forward to every weekend or so....


Its tough....

South Coast Weekends here we come!

In a previous post, I mentioned I had a couple of options in respect to either:

a) doing up the laundry

b) some backyard decking

or

c) buying a South Coast weekender near the beach

It is with great pleasure that I can confirm that the weekender won out by a country mile.

Hope to settle this Saturday & be out on my new T&C Malibu Board within the next couple of weeks carving up Seven Mile Beach.

I have not got a name for the weekender, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (think beach theme)

Who Would you Choose to Permanently Relocate?

Picture this. 

You have been granted the ability to move 10 people to the wastelands of Siberia, never to be seen or heard of again. You have 30 minutes to decide.

Who do you choose?

Here's my 10.

1. Julia Gillard - Australia's worst Prime Minister

2. Anthony Mundine - Loudmouth Obnoxious Overrated "sportsman"

3. Steve Ballmer - Microsoft CEO

4. Denis Ferguson - Notorious Pedophile still walking the streets of Sydney

5. Stephen Brett - A "deadsh*t" I had the misfortune of working for.

6. Ian Wright - Insipid little Pommie nonce that frequents TLC on Foxtel weekly

7. Matt Preston - A Fat Talentless Food Critic that wears cravats and thinks he's the sh*t

8. Gerry Harvey - Retailer ripping Australians off for decades and cries poor mouth when the public revert to online shopping from overseas

9. Gail Kelly - CEO of Westpac who finds great pleasure in doing regular Australians out of jobs

10. Keysar Trad - Muslim Extremist posing as spokesman for the Australian Muslim Community