Resolutions...

New Years Eve and my family have a tradition of celebrations. When I was a kid, my paternal grandparents always had a big party - to celebrate the New Year, but also to celebrate their anniversary. I can still remember those parties. More recently, it's all about my nephew Logan, who was born today 5 years ago. To everyone else it's a time to celebrate the New Year, but to me, there were always other reasons to celebrate.

It's that time of the year. We all make them. The resolutions we say we're going to stick to and not abandon. I always end up making some, I think that we all do. I often wonder how many of us stick to them and to what degree. No matter, we all make them. I'm going to do my best to stick to them this year. There are a few that are really important to me...some secondary ones and then some tertiary ones...you know, the ones that if you get to - amazing, and if not, no worries.

I have decided that I want to drop 10% bodyfat in the first 5 months of this year, by June 1, I want to have dropped 10% bodyfat. That will take me down to just under 10% over all bodyfat - that will excite me. I am a little worried that dropping that much will make me look a bit emaciated, but we shall soon see. I've been doing really well with my cardio and lifting, so this is the final piece of that fitness puzzle and then I can learn how to maintain.

I have decided that I am going to blog a bit more regularly. I tried this year and was a bit successful, but I want to get better and more frequently update here on the goings on in my life and maybe just my random musings or the thoughts running through my head...look out for the wild ride folks...it's a jumble up there sometimes.

I want to read at least a book a month. That's not wholly unreasonable, as I read all the time. Sometimes it comes in fits and spurts though. I want to get a bit more regular and go through more books this year. I want to read at least a book a month and increase my brain.

I want to date more. I would like to go on at least one date a month. Now, before you decide that I'm a slut...it doesn't have to be with a different person every month. If I happen to find the right man that I'd like to date more regularly that still counts, but until that happens, I do need to date, so I've decided that I need to go out on at least one date a month. With my travel schedule this year, and what's shaping up for next year, I don't think that's going to be too difficult, and hey, I never said that the date needs to be in NYC or even on this continent...I know boys all over now! =)

Okay...there are so many more...but I've decided that those are the big ones I'm going to focus on. Those are the ones I'm pouring myself into, so to speak. Those are the ones that are getting my attention and focus.

To all of my friends (new and old) that have made 2011 so amazing, thank you! To those with whom my friendship has faltered a bit, I'm sorry for my part in that and I will do my best to do better in the new year - if you will. To my family, thank you so much for all that you do to inspire me on a regular basis...all of my family are important to me, but my sister and I are close and I can't imagine having made it through this year without her, so Bean, from the bottom of my heart - thank you. To my nephews, Connor, Logan (Happy Birthday Logan!) and Miles - thank you for reminding me to always try and have fun, to always ask questions and to learn things you don't know, to know that it's okay to not know and to be curious enough to get the answers.

I wish you a New Year filled with Health, Happiness, Peace and Love...

The Road to Hell...

is paved with good intentions. Seems like such an odd post for Christmas evening, but, there it is. I've had a wonderful day with the family...celebrated my nephews first Christmas, watched the gluttony of presents and food unfold...and watched my other nephews tear through their presents like they were tissue paper. They were all wrapped nicely. The stage was set, I had procured an EZ Bake Oven for my oldest nephew...it was what he REALLY, REALLY wanted. I thought I was being the cool uncle. I strive to be the cool uncle and get them gifts that they want. Not sweaters or clothes (yet)...no bars of soap or toiletries. Not obscure games they won't ever open. I want them to have gifts they want. So when my nephew decided he wanted the oven, Uncle Greg was there to oblige. I was so excited for him to open it. I wanted to see the look on his face...I wanted to see the happy. I psyched myself up for failure. It was like he was opening a pair of socks...he was so UN-enthusiastic about it. Ah well. I tried. After everyone else went to bed, I was up watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and, in watching...I realized that Christmas is what you make it...and mine was fantastic. Even with the best of intentions, you could inadvertently end up in hell...if you allow that to happen. Happy Christmas everyone!

It's the most wonderful time...

of the year...or so they tell me. I always find it hard to get in the spirit this time of year. It's not for lack of trying, there's a HUGE tree all lit up right outside the office. I think that has something to do with it though. Doing the smallest of tasks becomes a nightmare when you have to walk through that cavalcade of people. I thought that this year, having spent so much time away from it all in other places in the world, I would be excited to see the tree and all the people, and that, perhaps, my little heart would grow three sizes and I wouldn't be so Grinch-like. Nope. It was pretty and nice the first day...and then I had to wade through the throngs of people to get lunch and it took 30 minutes to go two blocks...and the Grinch was back.Oh well. I was thrilled to have seen all the fairy lights in London and to have seen Singapore all lit up for the holidays. That brightened my spirit...and I can't wait for the nephews to open their presents and to see the look on their faces...until then...it's Christmastime in the city...

Happy Christmas...

"They said they'll be snow at Christmas...they said they'll be peace on earth..."

I'm actually quite excited that I'm doing my Christmas letter again this year electronically. It gives me the opportunity to be able to write more, not have to filter based on space and also attach pictures I might not be able to attach otherwise. It also allows the procrastinator in me to wait much later to write this because I don't have to put it in the mail....it's also amazing that this letter will be going live before I even have my cards in the mail thanks to my travels (see below). Oh well. "The Christmas you get you deserve!" =)

This is the current view that I have as I sit and type this from the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Heathrow...it's such a pretty tree.

Happy Christmas from Virgin Atlantic

It has been a pretty amazing year, and I'm able to add photos of Christmas in two different cities to this year's letter. I've been on the road since the day after Thanksgiving and have been to London, on to Singapore and back to London before returning home. I was really excited to be able to be in London to see all the fairy lights all lit up. I've been in London in November before when the lights were being strung up, but have never been over to see them all lit up, so I was quite excited. (excited more than just being in London again.)

The year started off with a trip to Houston and San Antonio to check in on the Billy Elliot and Wicked tours. I got to see Gus in Houston after doing some sleuthing and tracking him down and it was so good to be able to check in and see him again. I saw Anthony in San Antonio...and haven't seen him since he was living in LA...so I was excited to be able to spend an afternoon with him.

Onto Charlotte, NC after that for a conference and spending some time with Eric before he left me for another job with the company...while I was sorry to not be working with him directly anymore, I was excited at the opportunity that arose, as I was promoted to Director and am now responsible for the Live Theatre EHS Department...which is amazing. That has totally contributed to all of the travel in my life though.

After Charlotte, I took my first trip to London for the year to check in on Billy and Wicked in April. I'm happy to report there were no Ash Clouds this year to wreak havoc with my travel. There was this pesty little wedding thing going on...but really, was out of the country before any of the real chaos from that started. There was record heat for London in April though, and I ended up having to buy some shorts whilst there...ironic, since when I was back in July it was cool and I was wearing light weigh sweaters...oh well. In between the London trips I spent about two weeks in San Francisco with the Billy tour. Caught up with Eric as he was in San Jose and came into SF for the weekend and we spent a great weekend in the sun and full of SF Pride. Was totally brills! Good to catch up...good fun...and not a lot I can put in a family friendly letter!

The Singapore Botanic Gardens all lit up for Christmas

July travel was a little bit fingers crossed. My sister was due to give birth, and, while she was crossing her fingers to give birth (and get it over with already) I was crossing my fingers that my nephew would be born after I was back stateside. Miles Michael must be a fan of his Uncle Greg, as he arrived after I was back in the states! August saw me visit DC where I was able to hang out with Rich (and his partner Donnie) for a bit, my friend Brian from college, and, by complete chance, catch up with Helen and Doug as they were in town for a wedding. And while we weren't leaning on a lampost, I was able to catch up with JeanMarie after not having seen her in years!

In October I made a third trip to London and was able to coordinate my trip with a long weekend trip my parents were taking there to celebrate their honeymoon. I had decided giving them trips and experiences was the best way to go as a present, but I'm also really glad that I was able to be there for a few days with them. I've never really traveled with my parents since vacations as a child...was nice to see them young and exploring and having a good time. I'm glad they had a great time...I did as well and met some great new folk on that trip, whom I've checked in with on this trip through. Was also in Orlando for a quick few days for a meeting and some sunshine.

The beginning of November got me to St. Louis for a speaking engagement for the Broadway League on Safety in Theatre. Eric swooped in and was a great understudy when another colleague had to swing out (as we say in the biz), so was able to spend more time catching up. At the end of November, I packed the bags for the final trip of the year and stopped into London for a quick training session at Billy London and then was off to Singapore on the worlds largest passenger aircraft, the A380-800. That was quite an experience. What took me to Singapore you're wondering, the Wicked Asia tour kicked off from Singapore, so I flew down for the last few days of tech and opening and to meet the cast and crew. Flew back to London from Singapore on the tenth of December, watched Christmas movies and wrote out all my Christmas cards. Bought them in London on the first few days as I decided it would be wise to have them done and ready to just be stamped when I got back stateside on the 14th. Now I'm sitting in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow, waiting for my flight to take me home...enjoying my newly minted Gold status, drooling over some of the boys and loving the purple Christmas decorations all over (see above).

I've had an amazing year...and as much as the travel has taken it's toll, I am by no means complaining. It's been an absolute blast and I love my job. The boys will have gained some amazing souvenirs this year that should make them pretty popular at school...and I get home in just enough time to be able to relax a bit and then head home to see all of them and spend the holidays with them! While it was a bit odd to be in 94ish degree heat and hearing Christmas music and see all of the decorations, Singapore was brilliantly lit up...the Christmas spirit really took hold back in London though...where the sights, the sounds and the chill in the air really made it feel like Christmas time!

a little Christmas...a little disco at the Apple Market at Covent Garden

I wish you all the best for the holiday season, hope that you have a prosperous and fantastic new year with family and friends and that you've had as much fun in 2011 as I have.  Here's to even more in 2012! I hope that you'll continue to follow my exploits around the globe on the blog...I've been getting much better about updating. You can also find me on facebook (if we aren't friends already) or on twitter, although be warned...some of my tweets are just ramblings. Whether old friends, or new friends, whether you're here for the first time, on a repeat visit, return often, or won't be returning until next year's Christmas update...

"I wish you a hopeful Christmas, I wish you a brave new year!"

Survival of the Fittest

I preface this with, we all have done or will do stupid things in our lifetimes. Some of us are lucky, some of us, not. I will say that having your wits about you goes along way to keeping you alive. I have worked for almost 18 hours straight and been up for well over 36 in a row. It happens. I have been intoxicated (shhhh....don't tell). I have done things that might have left me a bit un-prepared to make good decisions. I think almost all of us have taken medicine that has left us a bit loopy. We all understand what that feels like.

Sometimes I'm left wondering, though, how people actually survive when they are just stupid and not impaired. I wandered around London today, did some window shopping...looked for cute stuff for the nephews...bought more music...nothing major. Two of the High Streets were shut to vehicular traffic...so made for a mad house of people...but was fun to be out and about in the midst of it. Anyway...I was headed out to dinner and standing in the tube station, waiting for the next train, which according to the sign was approaching. On one side of me there was a dad and his young son in a stroller and on the other, two very blonde women (in every sense of the word). You can see the lights of the train pulling into the station. You can hear it. The TFL man is starting to make the announcements (you know about letting passengers off first, etc). That's when these two women lean over the edge of the platform...why do you ask? They saw a mouse. I get it...there's intrigue there. As my friend Richie would say...bright...shiny. (not that a mouse is either of those things...but the rule is the same). The train is pulling into the station girls...you're going to have your heads taken off. Ughhh. Being the safety guy that I am, I say to them...the train is pulling into the station, you're going to get hit. They laugh...that valley girl/annoying/I want to slam your head into concrete laugh. Then they get annoyed. We know they say. Well then...why the hell did you stick your head over the platform where it could be crushed by the oncoming train? Ughhh...survival of the fittest. I tell you, if I wasn't wearing my expensive leather jacket and if the child next to me were asleep and not have been witness, I would have kept my mouth shut and just dealt with the mess.

Another suitcase...

and another hall. It's such a great and iconic part of Evita...but it's a song, that until this year, had little relevancy to my life. After this year, with 80 days on the road, it's a song that I really identify with. I'm off to another long haul flight back to Heathrow...13 hours in a little tin tube. This time I'm prepared...I've got my Christmas cards to write. I bought them in London and thought I would be good and do them on the flight to Singapore, but that didn't happen, so I'll do them on the flight back to London...hopefully get them all but stamped and then will be good to just drop them in the mail when I get back stateside, and get to folks just in time for the holidays...sorry if they're a little late folks...my bad!

okay...wrapping things up in the lounge and getting ready to board in a few...chat with you all on the flip side!

Postcards and Shopping

Singapore is a city that has found a way to build down! Everything is underground. There are shopping malls that go four stories or so above ground and then another 4 stories below...and then connect to the ones across the street. You could go for blocks and blocks and blocks underground, getting lost in the maze and not seeing the light of day. You'll enter in one location, and before you know it, be blocks away on the other side of town. Okay, I'm kidding, but only a little. They do build underground...and they are all inter-connected, so it is possible to get lost down there...but you might not end up on the other side of town. This city is all about the shopping, and my hotel is in the prime upscale shopping district, The Orchard. There's Hermes, LV, Burberry, Porsche designs...you name it...it's below ground on this street! I don't think I've walked up a flight of stairs to get into a store yet. With all this shopping, I thought finding souvenirs and postcards would be super easy. The first day I was here, I was dragging and jet-lagged, I didn't really go into the theatre. I decided I would explore a little and then just come back to the hotel and sleep when I was tired. I thought, why not go and find souvenirs for the nephews and postcards. Send them early and not have to worry about finding things to retain favoured Uncle status at the last minute. In the maze of shopping, I did not find anything one could consider a souvenir for youngsters...at least not one they'd find cool. I didn't find postcards. None, NADA, Zilch. Thankfully we had Monday off and I got to do some more exploring and found some souvenirs and postcards to send home...they'll probably get the postcards around Christmas when I get home...oh well.

I have to walk through the "mall" every day to get to and from the subway station to get to work...I never thought I would say this...but I think I'm shopped out.

Disconnected

I've never felt this disconnected before in my life. I'm not going to lie or sugar coat it. Being on this side of the world is sucking for me right now. Singapore is absolutely gorgeous and the weather is amazing. It's been no colder than 77 any day since I've been here. Walking back across the bay to the MRT last night at 1030PM local time, it was still in the high 70s. Granted, it has rained every day since I've been here...not all day, but rained none the less. The sights and sounds are amazing. I am having some issues finding food (with a seafood allergy in a very seafood climate it's tough), but otherwise I am enjoying things. I really am having a hard time feeling this disconnected...everyone is half a world away and at least half a day behind me. I'm going to bed as most are getting up. I've started the next day when they're going to bed. I've been fortunate to talk to my sister for a few minutes and my Mom tonight...but it's tough. I didn't realize how tough it would be. Twitter, Facebook, emails...all the same...send and wait. It is what it is. I'm here until the end of this week and then back to London for a few days and then back home in time for the holidays! Trying not to think of that travel right now...I just can't.

Anyway...that's my story from the road for today...

Long Haul Flights...

Until the other day, the longest flight I had undertaken had been across the US from NYC to LAX/SFO or from JFK to LHR...depending on winds and weather they're all about the same...sort of. I boarded my Singapore Airlines flight at LHR on Wednesday not really knowing what I was in store for. My flight time was scheduled to be almost 14 hours. When the captain spoke to us, we were going to clock in with a flight time, thanks to prevailing winds, of just under 13 hours...added to traveling ahead 8 time zones. We left the UK at 10:55am on Wednesday 30 Nov and arrived in Singapore on 1 Dec at 7:15 am, slightly ahead of our scheduled 7:55 am arrival. Thank god for business class. I'm not sure how I would have done that otherwise.

I can now say that I have flown the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380. It's truly amazing. Double decked (fully) it boards with two gangways...no, seriously. We de-planed with 2 gangways as well. The take off was one of the quietest I have had (I was on the upper deck, so that might have had something to do with it) and was very smooth. It did appear to take longer than normal to actually leave the runway though, and at one point I was worried we were running out of room and then we were airborne. It was also remarkably quiet during the flight...something that is hugely beneficial on these long haul flights I would imagine, as sleep is a requirement. Landing, now that's another story. You try taking that beast of a plane and putting it onto a small little runway and see what happens. It's not the smoothest of landings, at all. After touchdown, it's much smoother than others, but touchdown comes hard. Much less shaking experience though as the plane slowed itself down and taxied...which was nice. All and all...an amazing experience on the flight...service in flight with Singapore Air was brilliant...once on the ground however, not so much. But that's another story...