If you’re looking for a very respectible crime caper movie, The Bank Job fits the bill. I went in with fairly low expectations, but the actors are likeable and there’s good tension throughout. It’s based on a true story of a bank heist gone a bit screwy in London in the early 1970s, and has a twist a little more interesting than your average bank heist movie. They don’t reinvent the wheel here and they could have dug deeper into the characters themselves, but it was 2 hours well spent.If you’re looking for a very respectible crime caper movie, The Bank Job fits the bill. I went in with fairly low expectations, but the actors are likeable and there’s good tension throughout. It’s based on a true story of a bank heist gone a bit screwy in London in the early 1970s, and has a twist a little more interesting than your average bank heist movie. They don’t reinvent the wheel here and they could have dug deeper into the characters themselves, but it was 2 hours well spent.

With my new job–and career–starting next week, it’s come time to re-up on the work wardrobe, as I’ll be wearing a suit just about every day (which is not exactly my favorite, but what are you gonna do?). So I did a little clothes shopping–also, not exactly my favorite activity–and the results were mixed.

With Liz there (thankfully) to help make some decisions, I wound up buying two new suits (plus alterations), two belts, six shirts and as many ties. So that when Liz and I got to the cWith my new job–and career–starting next week, it’s come time to re-up on the work wardrobe, as I’ll be wearing a suit just about every day (which is not exactly my favorite, but what are you gonna do?). So I did a little clothes shopping–also, not exactly my favorite activity–and the results were mixed.

With Liz there (thankfully) to help make some decisions, I wound up buying two new suits (plus alterations), two belts, six shirts and as many ties. So that when Liz and I got to the counter and saw the total ring up, my head almost exploded!

Originally, I had picked out three suits, but the price sorta had an impact on my decision.

Suit #1: $299

Suit #2: $299

Suit #3: $599

Well, when I saw that $599 hit the scanner … which pushed the total to over $2,000 … my world got woozy. It got very warm … and faded to black.

When I was trying on suits, they were all in the $200-$300 range, and as I tried on about a dozen different ones, I must have missed the price tag on the one suit that was $600! It’s a heckuva thing to see that kind of price tag pop up–as you’re about to pay–but thankfully logic prevailed and I canceled that third suit (and it’s alterations), which brought my total bill down considerably. But I also made a separate trip to buy two new pairs of shoes, so in the end, my bank account is still whimpering.

I’m not used to this. I’ve pretty much always been a jeans and t-shirts kinda guy, and would go shopping every few years, and be able keep the tab to a few hundred dollars. Now, I know I’m moving up in the world a little, but forking out this kind of money on work clothes has made me a bit light headed. (Although, if there’s any consolation, I may be broke now, but at least I’ll look good! At least Liz says so).

So if there’s any lessen to be learned here, it’s … get ready to bite down and swallow hard when the work wardrobe needs replacing. And I’m certainly not saying it’s better to look good then feel good, but if you’re gonna look good, I’m not sure feeling good comes with it.

I was having a good day, yesterday. I really was. Got up early, worked out. Watched some TV, read the paper, had breakfast. Worked on some Finders Keepers materials. Then I took a trip to the mall, bought a DVD player for the bedroom and picked up some super sale DVDs. And all by 1 pm.

It was windy as all get-out–reports said more than 40 mph–but it didn’t bother me, as I was just having a good little day indeed.

Then I parked along Queens Blvd., which requires a muni-meter ticket, sI was having a good day, yesterday. I really was. Got up early, worked out. Watched some TV, read the paper, had breakfast. Worked on some Finders Keepers materials. Then I took a trip to the mall, bought a DVD player for the bedroom and picked up some super sale DVDs. And all by 1 pm.

It was windy as all get-out–reports said more than 40 mph–but it didn’t bother me, as I was just having a good little day indeed.

Then I parked along Queens Blvd., which requires a muni-meter ticket, so I bought one and put it up on the dashboard. I then walked over to a nearby cleaners, dropped off a bunch of clothes, and then came back … only to find a meter maid writing me up a ticket!

So I ask what she’s doing, and she says I’m getting a ticket for not paying for the parking. I protest, and say of course there’s a ticket on the dash. Except there wasn’t. Naturally, I was a bit perplexed. I opened up the car door, and found that the ticket must have blown from the dash as I closed the door earlier, because I found it on the floor. Great. Turns out that 40 mph wind found a way to nail me after all.

When I produced the ticket, the meter maid was less than impressed, giving me such a bored look of annoyance I thought she might start bashing her head into the nearest sign post, praying for death. I imagine her job isn’t the exciting. And in all fairness, she really couldn’t have known the ticket was there. But still, I really did pay my parking meter fee–50 cents for 40 minutes–and I was still getting a $35 ticket.

And the more I protested, the less she cared. Much, much less. So much so that I was sort of thinking that he bashing her own head in was seeming like a decent option. So now I’m going to have to send in my ticket–with my muni-parking stub demonstrating that I indeed paid during the time I got the ticket–and hope that I get the ticket dismissed (yeah, right), or reduced.

Guess I learned my lesson. Buying a parking stub isn’t enough. From now on I’m glueing that sucker to the dashboard! We might not survive a hurricaine, but that ticket stub will!

In the middle of all the excitement lately, I’ve actually been holding onto a few other nuggets for quite some time, waiting for the right time to share. Well, we’re not quite there yet, but I suspect that as we get deeper into spring, I’ll have some other juicy tid-bits for you.

Why have I been holding back? Well, for one, I try not to get ahead of myself, although sometimes I just can’t help it, because I get excited and just have to share! But more and more I’m appreciating the value of In the middle of all the excitement lately, I’ve actually been holding onto a few other nuggets for quite some time, waiting for the right time to share. Well, we’re not quite there yet, but I suspect that as we get deeper into spring, I’ll have some other juicy tid-bits for you.

Why have I been holding back? Well, for one, I try not to get ahead of myself, although sometimes I just can’t help it, because I get excited and just have to share! But more and more I’m appreciating the value of patience, and that there’s a time and place for everything. I think the upcoming announcements will be pretty exciting, and will in at least some ways provide a road map for what’s coming for me writing-wise over the next few years.

Yep … years. As a writer, I’m not just in this for Finders Keepers. My intent is to be writing as long as there’s breath in my body, with more plans than I can keep straight in my head. So stay tuned, as there will be many more adventures to comes in my tango with publishing.

As I noted just a while back, 2008 is our year. Big things indeed are a-brewing …

This weekend Liz and I went out to see her parents in New Jersey, and there were more dogs than the eye could see!

Liz?s Dad, who just retired, got himself a new dog?Willie. He?s a rescue dog, and is skinny as all get-out right now (the poor thing), but after just one day he?s already on his way to getting plumped up something fierce! He?ll be a good dog for sure, and though he isn?t big … whoa! … he?s got some bark.

But that was just the beginning. Liz?s sister, Jill, also came foThis weekend Liz and I went out to see her parents in New Jersey, and there were more dogs than the eye could see!

Liz?s Dad, who just retired, got himself a new dog?Willie. He?s a rescue dog, and is skinny as all get-out right now (the poor thing), but after just one day he?s already on his way to getting plumped up something fierce! He?ll be a good dog for sure, and though he isn?t big … whoa! … he?s got some bark.

But that was just the beginning. Liz?s sister, Jill, also came for the weekend, with her two dogs?Debbie and Gene. Although a good-sized dog, Debbie?s the quiet, gentle one, who just kinda keeps to herself. Gene, on the other hand, is one of those little dogs who doesn?t realize he?s little. He?s a big dog in a little dog?s body. He?s fully of energy, jumping all over the place, and has got a yappy kinda bark that really gets your attention?whether you want to give it or not.

And then, of course, my father-in-law?s cousin came by with her dog, Razzle, a little princess of a dog who likes to lick your face like mad and play and play and play. Nice dog, but again, lots of energy.

Now, I?m a cat person. I?ve always had cats, always preferred cats. And I do like dogs, and even love great dogs. But [i]man[/i], that was a lot o? dogs this weekend. Even the dog lovers said so. I won?t even go into the peeing in the house incidents, as that might be a story for another day, but needless to say, this was a weekend of dogs.

And for a cat person, it takes a certain amount of patience to get through it. So that when Liz and I got home last night and saw Alex curled up on the couch, I walked over, threw him up on my shoulder and he just started purring away. And after a weekend of barking dogs, Alex?s purr was just what I needed.

Well, today is my last Friday at my current job, and after a quick pop-in on Monday, I’ll be technically un-employed for about two weeks …

I’ve spent the last week deleting emails, going through files and cleaning off my desk, sorting through all the piles of who-knows-what I’ve managed to acquire over the last three and a half years. Each day the prospect of leaving gets less wierd, as I keep getting more used to not being there. It’s kinda strange, actually, now looking at people and thWell, today is my last Friday at my current job, and after a quick pop-in on Monday, I’ll be technically un-employed for about two weeks …

I’ve spent the last week deleting emails, going through files and cleaning off my desk, sorting through all the piles of who-knows-what I’ve managed to acquire over the last three and a half years. Each day the prospect of leaving gets less wierd, as I keep getting more used to not being there. It’s kinda strange, actually, now looking at people and the department from a more detached perspective, not thinking of it as mine anymore. It’s their’s to deal with without me. I’ve said my personal goodbye’s to pretty much everyone, and with the exception of a few minor pieces of paperwork, I’m pretty much finished.

I don’t know why I keep thinking that I should be thinking or feeling something slightly more profound about this move, but I don’t have much left to say about all this, other than I think there will be an alcohol-based send-off tonight, and then a Monday morning farewell breakfast.

So, in the end, not a bad way to wrap things up!

Just a real quick one today, but wanted to let you know that the agent I’ve been dealing with shot me a note the other day, and says she will be reading the new and improved version of Finders Keepers this week and next, and will then get back to me with any questions. So if all goes well, a contract with her could be coming soon.

Getting exciting …

As always, I’ll keep you posted.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/03/11 08:45

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/03Just a real quick one today, but wanted to let you know that the agent I’ve been dealing with shot me a note the other day, and says she will be reading the new and improved version of Finders Keepers this week and next, and will then get back to me with any questions. So if all goes well, a contract with her could be coming soon.

Getting exciting …

As always, I’ll keep you posted.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/03/11 08:45

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/03/14 07:33

Now that it’s been a few days and news has spread about my new job, most people naturally ask me if I’m excited. Well … I am. But there’s more to it than that. Excitement is an emotion, a state of being, and like any emotion, it’s in flux. Overall, I’m feeling really good about the move, and it’s really nice feeling wanted. And the more people I tell throughout the industry I work in about where I’m headed, the more compliments I get … and that’s always a nice ego booster.

And yet makinNow that it’s been a few days and news has spread about my new job, most people naturally ask me if I’m excited. Well … I am. But there’s more to it than that. Excitement is an emotion, a state of being, and like any emotion, it’s in flux. Overall, I’m feeling really good about the move, and it’s really nice feeling wanted. And the more people I tell throughout the industry I work in about where I’m headed, the more compliments I get … and that’s always a nice ego booster.

And yet making any big change like this–new job, new home, getting married, having a baby, etc.–is also a time of reflection. The ending of one phase, the beginning of another. This entire process is happening quite quickly, and with only 6 more days left in the office at my current job, there’s a lot I want to wrap up before I go.

Most importantly, there’s much I want to say to the people who I’ve been working with–and supervising–these last few years, as I still feel responsible for them. Little reminders to keep them on track, some planning tips here, a little strategy there. They’ve put a lot of trust in me, and I feel the very strong responsibility still to leave them with as much support as I can. And it’s not like I think they can’t live without me–of course they can–but I’ve been a big part of their lives, just as they’ve been a big part of mine. Caring about people doesn’t end when roles change. Caring about people extends through time.

And sure, as that time goes on they’ll adjust at some point to not having me around, just as I’ll adjust to them not having them around. But it’s hard to leave people behind when they’re important to me, and for the team I’ve been supervising–and a few others I’ve worked with–we’ve been like a little family. And I’m grateful for that. For them.

So when people ask me if I’m excited to move on … I am. But it’s not just excitement. It’s accepting that I’ll be leaving some people behind, in a certain way. And while the changing of our relationship isn’t tragic, it’s not something I’m necessary excited about either. Change can be really good, as I believe this new job will be. It’s just that not every element of the change feels quite as sweet as others.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/03/10 08:04

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/03/10 08:21

Something big happened this week, and it’s got me feeling kinda goofy. Not only did I get a new job, I’m about to embark on a new career! After more than 12 years (and 3 1/2 at my current job) I will be a journalist no more, jumping to the other side of the media fence.

Starting March 31, I will be working in the NYC office of corporate communications for CB Richard Ellis, the largest commercial real estate company in the world, with my focus specifically on the NYC metro area.

So whaSomething big happened this week, and it’s got me feeling kinda goofy. Not only did I get a new job, I’m about to embark on a new career! After more than 12 years (and 3 1/2 at my current job) I will be a journalist no more, jumping to the other side of the media fence.

Starting March 31, I will be working in the NYC office of corporate communications for CB Richard Ellis, the largest commercial real estate company in the world, with my focus specifically on the NYC metro area.

So what does this mean? Well, instead of being the editor on the phone who talks to a company’s middle man to set up interviews, I’ll be the middle man! If a real estate reporter wants to talk to a broker at CB Richard Ellis in NYC, they’ll call me, and I’ll set it up. [i]The Wall Street Journal[/i], [i]The New York Times[/i], [i]The NY Post and Daily News.[/i] Plus all the local trade magazines. And I’ll be writing press releases, and getting brokers to speak on panels, and a bunch of other things that I probably haven’t thought of yet.

I’ve been thinking about a move like this for quite some time, and circumstances unfolded such that this was just the right place and the right time. It’s a big move in a lot of ways. I’ll be leaving some really good people, and I’ll be leaving behind a career I’ve spent more than a decade cultivating. Although, because I’ll be on the other side of the media fence, I’ll still be in touch with a lot of the people I work with now, so that’s kinda fun.

This just happened on Tuesday, so I’m still just getting used to the idea, still a little stunned by it. I’m sure I’ll have lots more to say about this over time, but for now, I’m thinking about the end of one phase of my life and the beginning of another.

It’s about noon on Sunday, still up in Vermont. Everybody at the ski house (about 15 or so) is out at the slopes either skiing or snowboarding, but Liz and I stayed behind today, because we are FRIGGIN’ SORE!

We both had a great time yesterday, but we ain’t used to all this winter actiivty. Liz spent the day snowboarding (her first time), and I went off to snowmobile. And it … was … awesome. (For pics, go to the PHOTOS sections).

There’s a snowmobile company about 15 miles away froIt’s about noon on Sunday, still up in Vermont. Everybody at the ski house (about 15 or so) is out at the slopes either skiing or snowboarding, but Liz and I stayed behind today, because we are FRIGGIN’ SORE!

We both had a great time yesterday, but we ain’t used to all this winter actiivty. Liz spent the day snowboarding (her first time), and I went off to snowmobile. And it … was … awesome. (For pics, go to the PHOTOS sections).

There’s a snowmobile company about 15 miles away from the main Killington ski mountain, so after Ron dropped me off in the morning, I did a two-hour tour through the Calvin Collidge State Park. I wound up going in a small group–just the guide, me and another couple, who rode double on one snowmobile.

I had never gone snowmobiling, although I’d been on Jet Skiis many times. It’s pretty similar, except that if you tip over, it’s a little harder to get up. Well … I did tip over–but only once!–although I almost went over a few other times. And, of course, it was going like 2 miles an hour. Those sharp turns can be tough if you don’t shift your weight opposite to the pull of the snowmobile, otherwise … clunk.

But still, it was a great day. We got up to around 35-40 MPH at top speeds, going along very narrow trails through dense forested paths up and around the mountain. (check back soon; pics coming as soon as I can post them). It’s just trees and snow as far as the eye can see–and you have to keep your eyes on the trail. At all times. You can’t really just look around and enjoy the sights, otherwise, you could find yourself wrapped around a tree!

To keep the snowmobile powered, you have to squeeze the throttle (on the right hand), so after two hours … my right is arm sore. And now that it’s a day later, the back of both my shoulders are sore, as is my lower back. Not too bad, but I’m wiped. In fact, Liz and I went to bed around 11 or so last night, and then slept until around 7:30, when everbody was stirring and heading out back to the mountain. But then we went back to sleep for another few hours.

We’re not used to this activity!

So totally fun, though. If you haven’t done it, try snowmobiling. Not only is it fast, but you get to travel through some really beautiful country that you usually don’t have access to. I would do it again for sure.

Thumbs up!

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/03/02 12:16

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/03/03 06:33