Mole-B-Gone!

Not an adventure in Asia per se, but I did have one recently as I had a mole removed! Why would I blog about this you ask? Honestly, I don't know and it is 100% odd. HOWEVER, in an effort to raise awareness (yeah!) of melanoma and other potentially life threatening disease, I feel it's my duty to share my own struggle such that you, too, Avid Reader, will get yourself checked out as well. (Damn, I'm GOOD!)

After years of worry, I finally went in for a full body check right before I left for Asia. Thanks to my dear mother, I'm a someone mole-y guy, but my ability to tan rivals the Italians (so I'm adopted; hard to know). With four specific moles of concern, I pointed out each one, described why I thought it was an issue and got the doctor to nod politely, but say, 'we'll keep a watch on that one'. However, when he saw the one below my left arm-pit, he didn't let me describe but cutting me off: "I don't like that one." It's not something you want to hear while you're getting checked for cancerous moles. lso what one doesn't want to hear? "Can you spread your butt cheeks for me now?".

In sum, we removed the mole this past week and I'm stitched up and healing nicely, awaiting results from the lab which should arrive sometime next week after they slice and dice the dime-sized, three-time thick chunck of flesh removed from my torso. Good times, really. And good times for you, Avid Reader, who know you should get checked and haven't -- or won't.

Take my advice: Grin. Spread. Relax. Any order you choose!

SUPER SMALL WORLD!

While out on the town today with my friend Justin, we went to the Raffles Hotel to see some of the true colonial architecture as well as to hit the Long Bar and enjoy Singapore Slings where the drink was born. In so doing, I ran into a familiar face from the Seattle volleyball community who had moved from Seattle nearly five years ago!

As I searched for the bathroom, I passed her once, twice (found it!), and on the third pass, broke the ice: "Excuse me. I think I know you. From Seattle? Played on SuperFriends? Tina, right?" Brilliant! She's just starting a two-month trek through SE Asia. Crazy enough, I only knew Tina from the volleyball court -- as an awesome player on one of the best teams @JetCity (and our biggest rival) -- but with the craziness of seeing her today, it was like we were old friends reconnecting after years apart. Awesome. Just awesome.

After seeing Sarah McGovern randomly in a restaurant I walked by in Hong Kong, seeing Cheryl Lee from the UW MBA Class of 2001 in the lobby of the Microsoft Singapore office, and then seeing Tina Churchill at the Raffles Hotel, I have officially decided (again) that the World is Small.

And I love that!

Cheers from Singapore!

Night Safari

Our Forced Fun activity (morale event) @ the Regional Kick-Off Event was an adventure at Singapore’s Night Safari. The first night safari in the world, we enjoyed catching some of the world’s most amazing creatures in their natural habitats and when they’re likely to be awake!

We Happy Hour'd with rare African cattle. I saw my first rhinoceros, first tapirs (the butt of one which was patted by my Japanese colleague!), and more types of deer than I thought possible – and all of which I inadvertently imagined shoulder-mounted in my parents cabin (Don’t judge; them’s my roots.).

Before the safari, we enjoyed an incredible meal, and some local entertainment, including traditional Singaporean and Indian dancers. They were awesome to watch – and invited photography after. One guess as to who was first up!

Our tour guide then guided us to our trams and we were immediately thrown into habitat after habitat – sometimes in the midst of a habitat that was “fenced” by cattle guards. My favorite habitat was that of the hyena on one side of the hill, with a deer (assortment X) habitat on the lower, seemingly separated only by the tram road. Hello Temptation Island!

I didn’t get many great photos as I’m still camera illiterate for the most part. But the images and adventure will be forever cemented in my mind. And the photo captions there will read: “AWESOME.”

Todd Moore 1. Snake Phobia 0.

As cool as Night Safari was, the big news of the evening was my amazing effort to thwart a phobia – of snakes! As part of our private party, we were “treated” to close encounters with a stunning owl as well as boa constrictor. Literally, as we stood on a patio next to the herd of African cattle, Justin says to me, I hear there might be animals making their way to the party. “Cool!", I say. "I want it to be a tiger!”

Oh, no , Avid Reader. It was a snake. At first glance, I bolted. Visceral and rapid, I was outta there. But then I thought to myself, “Self, life is about adventures. What a better story it would make to actually touch that strangling monster.”. And so, I started to make efforts to that end.

Amazingly, Avid Reader, my body and mind were not in sync. The closer I would get to the handler, the faster my heart would beat, the faster I lost my breath, the faster I sweat through my shirt. I literally *couldn’t* do it and I would have to step away saying, ‘this is not rational; this is totally irrational’. But I suppose that is what a phobia is and does. And I decided that I was going to control it.

So, I kept going back. Abetted by any number of folks watching this sh*t show, I was able to touch that serpent three times, before actually 'petting' its underside (much better; felt like shoe vs. scaly nastiness). Bottomline, I may have sweat through my shirt and acted the complete fool, but I was able to defeat my phobia in at least one small way. Best, I feel great. Better, stronger, faster.

Yep, Todd 1. Snake 0.

Singapore

Not much to write about from Singapore after having arrived to the hotel after 1AM last night. I thought you might enjoy some shots of the city from of my hotel room. One thing I will note is that some Formula One event (just the world-famous Singapore Grand Prix) is scheduled for next week in Singapore and this entire city is becoming a race track! You heard it – they are turning city roads into the track so barriers are going up all throughout the city. Without this knowledge, I might have easily assumed I was entering MadMax as the cabbie drove me in to the city. It’s something to see!

That said, I’m definitely excited to explore a country I’ve never visited before, to see old colleagues from around the world (I love the Aussies!), and head into the tail leg of this Asian Adventure altogether!

Las Vegas of China

(photos to come)

After a brief night out in Central Friday night (drinks on the harbor with colleague Nancy Willis; dinner in mid-levels), my colleague Justin and I got up early and took a hydrofoil to Macau – the Las Vegas of China! The Gateway to China! The Portuguese of China!

Like Vegas, arriving was quite the sight – complete with an Epcot Center-like wharf representing locales from all over the world. Like Vegas, casinos like Wynn and MGM beckoned.

Unlike Vegas, we were on Chinese soil. Unlike Vegas, it was historically Portuguese. Unlike Vegas, I gambled with $100 chips (HKD, of course, or ~$13 USD). Unfortunately – and unlike Vegas – I left Macau with fewer HKD than at which I started.

Literally dripping with sweat, Justin and I found a recommended city hike, so took to the hills to check out some of the famous sites, including the fort, the façade of the thing, and the heart of the chinese shopping market. It was SO humid, Avid Reader, that we had to take “let’s dry our backs and ass cracks” breaks in various businesses with AC… couched in our own coded language:

“Check out those shoes! Can’t get those back home!”
“I’d really love to see what the fuss is about in that jewelry store.”
“Oh! Magnets! Let’s see the different styles!”

Needless to say, Justin is an incredible travel partner. After bit more blackjack at the MGM, we caught the ferry back to Hong Kong and joined Doug & Kenwyn and Stephen & Melanie for an amazing dinner at Hee Kee Crab – where we got to select the crabs from the aquariums to enjoy. Delicious. Darts after were ceremoniously won by Stephen, Kenwyn and Justin. I let them win; can’t be in every photo after all!

Recent Adventures

Avid Reader, I am quite behind on updates here. I apologize. It's been a busy few days, and even more tired nights. That said, I owe you updates on the following, and perhaps even the subject will now pique your interest:

* Macau!
* Singapore!
* Night Safari!

Also of import is the fact that it's Monday night here in Singapore and another day has come to a close on this Asian adventure. What this means is that I'm getting oh so much closer to a Copper reunion! For those keeping track at home, she is getting oh so big and I'm getting reports of outstanding -- though puppy-like behavior -- from John & Amy!

More to come. Stay tuned!

Happy Feet

No photos to post with this entry, Avid Reader. Just close your eyes and imagine... WAIT! That was a trick! How can you imagine what I'm about to tell you if you can't read what I'm about to tell you?! (I'm so clever!)

So, after an incredible Nepalese dinner this evening in SOHO, my colleague introduced me to Happy Feet -- a company that specializes in foot massage. Or, in other words, a company that specializes in a dream come true.

Sarah orders the 50min. foot massage. I order the pedicure. Now you might think this sounds all frou-frou, but when you see the razor sticks shaving off dead skin, you know otherwise! This, Avid Reader, is MAN-STYLE! Even more man-style is this vision based on Sarah's comments watching this all go down: "it looks like he's grating parmesan cheese!"!

Indeed, this evening's adventure included the banned-in-the-US process of shaving dead skin off the toes, balls and heels of the feet with the razor-sharp equivalent of a flathead screwdriver, not to mention diving the razors into the sides of the toe nails/beds themselves. Having two pretty gnarled big toes, I gave my pedicurist/dream-maker an awesome challenge -- and he met it! Not only do my feet look like fresh feet of a newborn baby, they feel even better!

I may have just walked out of the 11th floor window for all that it mattered because I feel like I'm now walking on air! Oh how I love Happy Feet!

Heaven

While it may be as hot as the center of hell, I got a taste of heaven this morning in the form of a Copper Update... "Just a dog on a farm".

How I miss that little one so!

Welcome to H(ell)ong Kong!

Just settled in to my hotel in Hong Kong. It's 12:08AM here. The temperature shows 86 degrees... with a "feels like" of 95 degrees. As much as I enjoy Hong Kong, I am in hell.

OH! E-DO DANCE

And here I thought I would get to sleep in... OH! E-DO NO!

I was awoken this morning by bullhorns and blaring music and what turned out to be the 10th anniversary of the OH! E-DO DANCE competition/exhibition/event. Hundreds of little girls (and little boys here and there) in matching outfits ranging from t-shirts to cheerleading outfits were demonstrating the joy of dance directly below my hotel window.

Of course, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Not that I joined in on the Dance Dance Revolution, but I did head out for the morning and enjoyed some kind of competition where each of six troupes danced to some song. Then were all re-introduced and danced again... to the same song. Then each group was awarded a trophy for participating. I think one of the troups was announced the winner, because they ultimately performed their routine again... to the same song. I literally listened... to the same song... 13 times (reminded me of the Miss Universe Japan pageant and the lip-sync challenge... to the same song).

It was a hoot altogether and felt as if I was seeing another significant cultural event. Not sure what event and not sure of its significance, but it felt that way. I close the day thankful that I didn't know the words to the music else... the same song... would still be stuck in my head.

Friday Night (Neon) Lights

What would a trip to Japan be without karaoke and PRINT CLUB?! Indeed, after dinner last night, a posse of folks hit Shibuya and belted out favorites in English, Japanese, and Chinese! Yasuko, Yiping, Jordan, Sarah, Reiko and I enjoyed a night of spirits and song -- and amazingly, couldn't figure out where the evening had gone.

Tokyo will up and do that to you; it's easy to have a great time and then WHAMMO! It's 2AM!

But of course, no night out in Shibuya could pass without PRINT CLUB! Having promoted it all day long, the gang entertained me and we hit a PC Shop. I'm unsure if the PC-virgins knew what they were in for, but I will tell you this, Avid Reader: every one of them will be a repeat customer!

PRINT CLUB is literally a kick in the pants! I can't get enough!

Who did PRINT CLUB?!

More to come tomorrow, Avid Reader! It's 3AM and time to hit the hay! Let's just say tonight was yet another Japanese Kick in the Pants!

Copper Care

I hear you, Avid Reader. I hear you! Copper is not locked in her crate with no food, no water, and no bathroom break while I am trapsing around Asia these next three weeks. To allay your concerns, she is in the wonderful care of The Village.

John & Amy Weaver are house-sitting at my place and taking care of my little girl -- who I miss heaps. The Paulsons are also on doggie duty here and there and friends like SallyB have already hosted Copper in her home to help acclimate my pup to cats. My amazing neighbors are on CopperWatch 2009 as well.

That said, Amy sent me this photo that I got upon landing in Japan... I thought her dead! The message of her being so tired she was OUT was obviously Lost in Translation!

525.600 議事録

It's not RENT, but it's still a year. And it's essentially been just over a year since we launched DRIVEpm in Japan. What a year it has been:

- the team is now writing over $800K/mo. in revenue

- the team is one of a mere handful who met their budget for FY09 (generating over $5.5M USD in revenue and beating their target by 1.7%... in a down economy)

- growing from four folks to eight, doubling their size.

Best, the team has created and is maintaining their cohesiveness in spite of a recent reorganization that has them folding into the larger Microsoft business. It's a treat, Avid Reader to see history repeat itself relative to a strong business being created... this time in a world oh so far away and one in which I've been able to play a strong part. I couldn't be more thankful.

We enjoyed a delicious okanomiyaki restaurant tonight and spent more than four hours enjoying adult beverages and conversation. Despite being overly tired and jet lagged today, it was the best possible way to end the evening. Oh, and two of my three presentatiosn to online professionals in Japan are now complete. One to go!

Why I Love Japan, pt.2

Wouldn't you know, another odd incident and my continued adoration of Japan grows. After dinner last night with folks from the Regional office (Hong Kong), I catch a cab to my hotel. On the way to the taxi stand, I check my phone: 10:46PM. Early night. I'll be able to get some good sleep.

I arrive at hotel, quickly check email for messages from Europe and New York, then start to settle for the evening. Which includes setting my alarm for the morning and mapping how to spend my time (particularly with 8AM & 9AM calls with Seattle and Sydney, respectively). The alarm is on my phone. Small problem: NO PHONE!

After tearing apart the room -- after having downed a sleeping aid, mind you -- I still can't find the phone. In my hazy step-retracing, I realize that it must have falled out of my backpack in the cab. I figure to myself, "Self, it is long gone."

Or is it?!

I quickly recall the hotel finding and delivering my shorts and decide to give the hotel another challenge. "What color is your phone?" "Black." "Can you bring the receipt to the front desk, please?" It is 12:36.

I wake up to a note under my door and a flashing message on the phone: "We have located your mobile phone. It is at the front desk."

Shore enough, it was in the backseat of the cab... the driver of which returned to the hotel at 3:15AM to drop the phone off. I love Japan.