Transition to Movable Type

Viewers: I'm leaving the Blogger format and moving over to MovableType. To follow the blog moving forward, use this link: http://blakehamm.com/blog/

An Ode to Missing Friends

Today is another day, what shall it hold?

In the picture: Tasha, Jenna, Blake, Emma, Ben, Carlos. We were having dinner in South Beach, Miami, at "A Fish Called Avalon". I highly recommended it. As I understand it, it's still the busy season in Miami, so get down there to get out of this ridiculous winter weather (read 16°F outside) in the NorthEast and enjoy the sunshine and fresh seafood there.

I didn't make it to Roxanne's last night, but might get by there today (somehow I figure I still need that AmEx). I'll give them a call with the "new" number I found for them. I wondered why no one would answer the first one I found, but could be that it's because it wasn't their number at all.

As for the afternoon/evening, there's a NL Texas Hold 'Em game at Pat/Mikey/Laura's that I'm heading to in a few hours. Between now and then it's probably going to be an effort in moving this blog from Blogger (though easy and cheap) to the MovableType format (also cheap but more flexible). You can judge for yourself how the effort works. From there, I want to figure out how Ishu got more than 8 friends on her MySpace Top 8 list.
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"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival."
- C. S. Lewis

I figured it's about time for a posting. Not too much going on lately. I'm recently back from a weekend in Miami (see picture) and now it's freezing cold outside. I'm about to head into DC, 1) to see some friends who are in town for the weekend, and 2) to retrieve my AmEx from Roxanne's- the latter being a by-product of hopping around from place to place last weekend.

As for other items of interest, I've started a new project with the company. For the next few months I"ll be working out of the Reston Town Center. From there it's anyone's guess, but I'm looking forward to the experience.

Next week the Mardi Gras festivities begin to build some steam, and in keeping with the celebration I'm heading down to New Orleans to partake in Carnival myself. I'll keep you posted with what sacrifices Lent brings. Look for more photos soon!

Break out yer snowshoes!

That's right...snow's a blowing! According to the weather report, areas around DC could be looking at up to 12 inches over the weekend! Madness....I'll try to post new pics if any of it decides to stick around here in NOVA.

101 Dumbest Moments

Follow the image here for Business 2.0's articles on the 101 Dumbest Moments in Business for 2005. My personal favorite is way down the list at number 87. BBC sent an email to the Bob Marley foundation requesting an interview and stating that their schedule was "flexible". Let's hope they were counting on his being as well, since he died in '81!

From the Virginia Coalition (VACO) show @ the HOB in downtown Chicago. These guys are excellent live. Don't miss them when they come to your town..."I walked to work cuz my car broke down..." 

A little reunion of people I worked with while in the UK. From left to right: Raj, Alan, Em (down front), Jen, Tash, Yours Truly. 

I realize the quality of this pic is shoddy, but I didn't care to retype it! Enjoy, and I hope to see you there! 

Scary!!!

Story worth posting (thanks Kevin!)

The Mexican Fisherman

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs . . I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

And after that?" asked the Mexican.

With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my Friend, That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

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And the moral is: Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.