Weekends

The Several Things I did This Weekend

SxSW

Unlike most weekends, I only did one major thing this past weekend – I went to South by Southwest (SxSW). I had no idea what to expect, it was overwhelming, I saw cool stuff, and I can’t wait to go again.

I left early Friday morning out of Orlando to Austin, Texas. South by Southwest is nine day event that features film, music and technology. I had an “Interactive” badge which focused on technology. I had no instructions from work as to what to do, how to tackle the show, or any goals. So, I made it up.

Friday I managed to register and work my way around some of the basic areas. My biggest breakthrough was attending my first session, “How to take your gap year.” This session focused on the idea that anyone can, and everyone should, take a long trip. The goal of the session was to help turn the dream of an one year trip abroad into reality. Kristin Zibell led the group and the session was based on her personal experiences and the workshops she now does as part of her web site, TakeYourBigTrip.com. The process, maybe obvious in hindsight but useful in a workshop is to: (1) Write down what your trip looks like, (2) write a mock postcard to a friend from your trip, (3) Identify each place/activity and write it on an index card, (4) add days to the cards, (5) and build an expense worksheet from the concept. What struck me most was her capturing the need to consider left behind expenses – mortgage, power, cell phones, etc.

Next, with the trip coming to reality through a budget there was another exercise on how to move from where we are today to the departure day.

The entire workshop made sense and I would strongly suggest to anyone with a desire to travel checking out Kristin’s web site.

At the workshop I learned a little more, from others, about things to do. It was near the end of the day though and I went back to the hotel to rest up for Saturday.

Saturday was different. I hit the Samsung studio and made a t-shirt. I went to Google Fiber and experienced Google Cardboard. This is the coolest thing ever for Android users. I strongly suggest checking it out. You cannot imagine what virtual reality is like without trying it. I felt it was easy to dismiss, but after the experience I feel differently. The rest of Saturday was spent exploring and finally making it to some of the SxSW parties – yes – free food and drink.

Sunday started with packing and heading into downtown. I had a 10:00am breakfast with a prospect and then went to the SxSW Tradeshow. The show is very much B2C, not B2B. However, I was able to make some contacts with prospects. What was more interesting was to see the range of technology offered, definitely my thing.

I finished the afternoon seeing some highlights that stuck with me. First, I attended an innovation accelerator finalist presentation. Three presenters highlighted different wearable technologies. Think “shark tank” meets “wearable.” The three companies were: (1) Feetz, (2) SoleEnergy and (3) Tinitell. Check them out. They are cool. I also stopped by the Garmin booth and think a new Garmin Fenix 3 needs to be in my future. It combines all of my sport watch, fitness monitor, and smartwatch needs. Hmm.

Lyft

Do you use ride sharing? I have used Uber in the past and of course we rent our cabin on AirBNB. This was my first weekend as a regular Lyft user though and it worked great. Rides always came within 2-3 minutes, the cars were clean and the people were great. My first ride was with a man named Augustine, from Nigeria. He was driving a brand new Toyota FJ that he hopes to send to his family in Nigeria. I asked how many Lyft rides he had give, about 700!!

Americans love big empty cars. I suspect if gasoline goes back to $5 per gallon everyone might get on the ride-sharing bandwagon.

My Screenplay

I talk about my screenplay because it keeps it in front of me. I have two actually. The first I have written 30 pages of script. The second is being developed differently as I am writing the synopsis first and then will work on the script. Last weekend Noel and I worked on storyline ideas and I spent a good part of Sunday afternoon and evening working on the story since my flight on SWA was delayed. It felt good to make progress and it is more interesting to see something in my head coming to fruition on paper.

It will be hard to keep up the momentum this week as I jump right back into work tomorrow after a, now, late arrival home. But, I want to keep working it as the screenplay is taking on personality.

Jim Gaffigan

The final thing I did this weekend was remind LeeAnn that Jim Gaffigan is coming to concert in Atlanta. I had no idea when, but it turns out August 16. Since we own a cabin in the woods near Atlanta I said we have to go – and we are!!

The Several Things I did This Weekend

A trip to the Cabin

On Thursday I made a trip to the cabin. Unlike prior trips I did not take the boys, this time it was just me. I had planned to go to work on my screenplay drafts, focus on work, and spend time with my parents. I left the house at 4:15am Thursday morning, worked on the way up on the phone, and managed to arrive just after 1:00pm. The drive took longer than expected because I pulled off the road to handle some calls.

The weather was cold, but a nice change from Florida. I was able to quickly settle in and enjoyed my weekend. This was also my last trip prior to starting AirBNB rentals again so I had to do some work around the house. Thursday worked out to be a relaxing evening.

Friday was spent working, with a fire burning most of the day. My buddy Noel came to visit. Saturday we did some hiking after a great breakfast and then Noel headed out. I grabbed a nap and shower before dinner at my parents. I finished the evening buying supplies for the cabin.

Sunday was about getting ready to head home. I had high hopes of studying, riding my bike and doing several other “things” but managed none. I hate leaving the cabin and could have stayed for a week. But…

Spent time with Noel

My friend Noel came to visit. Noel is a former colleague and a good friend who lives in Atlanta. He arrived just prior to dinner and we headed into Helen to track down food. Over dinner I started sharing with Noel my screenplay idea. We worked our way through the storyline over the next several hours. With a 1L of beer drank and then hitting Tito’s and tonic our creative thoughts started to flow. Noel’s help was invaluable. His experience in the movie industry due to his Dad’s writing went a long way to helping me.

On Saturday we hiked to the top of Mt. Yonah. Along the way we talked about a lot of issues that guys our age face. There is a conflict between finding satisfaction, having been robbed of success in the Great Recession, fear over the next stages of our careers, and just being happy. Happiness was once defined by our jobs and our success at work. However, happiness seems to be more about family, hobbies, and time.

We shared thoughts of what-ifs. What if you found out tomorrow you had a year to live. And, every time I offer that experiment to someone work is never a consideration. Instead, time with family is the priority. Asking Noel what his bucket list would look like was interesting. I then shared my concept of PRA (Projected Retrospective Analysis) with Noel as we continued exploring what lay ahead in our lives. I rephrased the question to Noel with PRA in mind, “ten years from now we are hiking like this. What will you be glad you accomplished in the last ten years?”

I personally had one huge takeaway from my time with Noel. I need to live in the moment.

?  — what — ?

While we sat on Mt. Yonah, 1500 feet about the surrounding land, seeing Atlanta 90 miles away and watching nearly a dozen hawks fly I forced myself to enjoy the moment and disregard the “Agenda” I carry in my head. For instance, I knew once Noel left I needed to study and wanted to ride my bike. I am a believer that my success in life has come from constantly allowing an agenda to drive everything. But, at 47 years old maybe it just doesn’t matter. I am wondering what harm might come?

Spent time with my Parents

After Noel left I went to spend time with my Mom and Dad and have dinner. Our visit was much shorter than I had planned, but that was o. We were able to just sit and talk. My Mom and Dad are facing decisions regarding whether to move and we are trying to get them to move to Florida. I am hopeful family will prevail and they will choose the road closer to us.

It was a different weekend, but yet the same as many this year. LeeAnn had plans Friday night – going to see “50 Shades” for the second time – and had to work this weekend due to the race, the Daytona 500. Her job is cool from the standpoint of helping out with the private jet owners, but it also demands she be available for major events like the race. Thus, it was another Dad weekend: Jack, James, Ty and I made our own adventure.

Pinewood Derby

Although he did not win, James’ did quite well at the Pinewood Derby. His car looked great and much effort had gone into making sure it weighed the right amount. I think the downfall was a slightly loose rear axle and lack of proper alignment.

For James the fun was sketching what he wanted his car to look like. And, more importantly was drawing pictures of himself, our dog, and “fire” on the car to make it go fast. His artwork is what truly made the car unique to James.

We headed to the local grocery store to sell coupon books for Boy Scouts.  Jack had to sell for his Troop and James for his Pack. Both boys sold out in under two hours!

Scuba plans and Home Depot

Friday night we had our Pinewood Derby weigh in. After picking up Jack from school and running to his Mom’s to get some things we made it home about 45 minutes before we had to head out the door. Jack was awesome and helped me out by warming up dinner while I finished getting a proposal out the door. My son is a team player and helps a lot.

We headed to Pinewood Derby and successfully weighed in. Since it was not a boys night we made a trip the Scuba shop so we could pick up our Nitrox cards (see last month) and see if there are any upcoming dive trips for Jack and I to take. Afterward we headed to Home Depot.

Boys can always find fun at Home Depot and we made our way around the store. We left a little poorer and with some supplies for weekend projects.

A day at Home

Sunday was a great day at home. Haley had come to spend night in anticipation of going to the race Sunday and her late night text request was to make “Bacon Waffles” this morning. We started the day with bacon waffles and bacon. LeeAnn had to leave for work , but Haley, her friend Kaitlyn, James, Jack, Ty, and I sat at the big table and had breakfast. Afterward I was able to jump on the bike and ride while studying this week’s readings for school.

This afternoon was about cleaning, re-arranging some furniture and getting more studying done. The boys and I grilled out and settled in to watch a movie – “Gone Girl.”

Overall, a relaxing day.

Three things I did this Weekend (1/12)

This weekend kicked off the start to a new semester of law school. So, unfortunately, the bulk of my weekend was spent studying.

Studying

Not a lot of fun, but necessary! I have five classes for the first six weeks of the semester: Civil Procedure 2, Property 2, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and an environmental law seminar. I calculated approximately 200 pages of reading for this first week of school to start of the new semester. Unlike ungrad, we do not spend the first class getting to know each other, talking about a syllabus, or otherwise wasting time we jump right in and attack what lies ahead. I spent my weekend reading, throughout most of the weekend.

Car Washing

As crazy as it sounds I washed cars this weekend on Saturday afternoon. Every weekend I have chores and obligations in addition to the fun family things we set out to do. Many years ago when I was first divorced I struggled with the dichotomy between being a “Disneyland Dad” and a real father. I was counseled to do the things with my kids we would if Mom and Dad were still married. The reason being is my kids still have to learn how to survive and mature and they will learn from those things families do: cooking, cleaning, laundry, and even eating together. Washing three out of four cars was accomplished by my son Jack and me. We spent time together. Sure, we were working, but we were spending time together. I had left my books on the table and he left video games behind in his room. Ty came outside and rode his little car all over the driveway. Fun and laughter ensued, combined with hard work and a sense of accomplishment.  Watch a great video of us here.

View on YouTube

Grades

Finally, I got my grades for the Fall semester 2014. Why is this part of what I did this weekend? Because I was stunned and it set the tone for my outlook on the whole weekend. I had received a Constitution Law Grade on December 30. Realize, we took finals the first week of December so four weeks had passed. Still unknown were Property and Civil Procedure. I felt I had done well in those two classes and predicted a B+ or better. For Con Law I was convinced it was the worst essay I had written in law school and would not have been surprised if I received a C+ or B-.

Surprisingly, Con Law (a four credit class) came in as an A-. Not just an A-, but there were two A’s, three A-s and grades among the 77 students in the class went down from there. In addition, I scored an A in both Civ Pro and Property bringing my GPA for the semester to a 3.88 and my over all GPA up from a 3.64 to a 3.73.

A subsequent blog will discuss how we make our own world and with law school I have truly managed to make success. Last semester I did not study nearly as much and worked to make sure family came first on the weekends. To do well at the same time was a huge and it getting my grades was part of what I did this weekend.