Why Ski Jumps Aren't Me

So Vail was fantastic, as I mentioned in the post last week. It's worthwhile to share some of my expeeriences there.
Spurred on by a long time skiing mate back in Oz, my skiing buddy (Waz) and I decided to hit the jumps on the last day of our trip there. The weather was perfect, bright sunny skies and I had promised my mate that I would attempt a few tricks.

I decided the trick about halfway down the slope towards the jump...



Emboldened by that success, I tried something a little bit fancier...



Sorry Kevvy, I didn't fulfill your task! Maybe next time :)

Interesting Things

At a work seminar my friend attended, one of the facilitators dispensed with the small talk introductions and asked everyone in the room, "state your name and one interesting fact about you". My friend struggled with what to say, to find something short and sharp that would impress the people around him. Personally, I think it was just an ice-breaker, and he could have said anything he wanted and people would have believed him.

It got me thinking if I would be able to draw from something in my life that others would be interested in. Yes, I have moved to New York, yes I used to hold dance parties, yes I have enrolled to do some meals on wheels for the elderly (hope my application is approved). These things may be interesting but are they things I am proud of?

There are other things that I would say make me proud; making the rep team for volleyball, becoming a better project manager, and hitting the 3.5 year mark with Bec. However, a my friend quite rightly pointed out, these things really aren't that interesting to other people. It's things that are internal to me.

Ultimately, what makes a thing interesting to me in other people is the passion and enthusiasm that they talk about it and live it. A person who is a stamp collector is a "whatever", but if that stamp collector talks about her "$100,000 1904 stamp with the Queen on it", it can make for an interesting conversation.

So note to self: get enthusiastic, get passionate, and naturally people will want to hear more.

Separate note: Vail is fantastic (again!). We've had two days of glorious sun, and now it's snowing outside. Fresh tracks for tomorrow! I have come to the sad realisation that my legs are weak, as is my back, and general fitness. I'm blaming it on the altitude sickness :)

Canned Project

I've had a project cancel on me before, but not one where I was the project manager. I think I didn't feel it as much because we were still in the pre-development stage, and everything I had done was only on word and pictures.

What's there to learn from it? A project manager should never be that fully invested into the project, and they should always be, as I learnt from one of my classes, "a conduit of other people's dreams". Any kind of change in business conditions, as witnessed these last few months, can turn a project on its head. Probably the other thing to learn is that a PM should always have contingencies and different scenarios thought through. If I'm constantly thinking "what if...?" I would probably be better prepared for what was going to happen.

However, my big boss has indicated he's keen on using ICT money to fund the project and have it ready for the business when they need it. I'm not so sure that is a good idea, but if the project gets revived, I'll be ready.

Pity, though, I now can't say I have another project under my belt. I wonder what I should write for my resume for a project that gets the shaft?

Gambling Tour

Having missed out on the Macau gambling experience when we were there (surely I looked like I was money even though I had on thongs!), I have tried and tried to find people in New York to take me to Atlantic City. However, after my flaky friends bailed on me once again, I took matters into my own hands and went down there myself.

I was telling Bec that I would have never considered doing something like that in Sydney.
It's the equivalent of going to Canberra, a 3 hour bus ride by myself to gamble. Along the way, I met a wonderful old lady who was a hardcore blackjack player; serving women at the Borgata that had some shockingly busty tops; and $500 chips (oh they feel so good to hold :))

Going adventuring alone (that is not work related) is a new experience for me, I'm usually travelling with someone(s) else. It is quite liberating, it's always memorable. Especially from a gambling perspective, it is definitely better to travel alone, as I can say when I should stop and run with the winnings, instead of waiting for friends and losing more money. I'll be the first to admit that going to Atlantic City was no major stretch in terms of an "exotic adventure", but we all have to start somewhere!

And for those who care, I did get up in craps, but lost out in blackjack (I should never play that game) and limit poker. Luckily the craps paid for the bus ride and lunch and a bit extra for the dinner that night back in New York.

The best thing is I have now found some other friends who seem just as keen to gamble, so I'm sure there will be more A/C trips to come. Plus anyone who is super keen, Vegas!