We're not in Kansas anymore

I read a quote this week titled "life and career are competing in a zero sum game". I was instantly transported to my college adviser Stephen Bram's office at NYU . We met about once a month in his office on Broadway in the East Village and I'd pretend to be keeping up with him, but most of the time just keeping my head above water and trying to get over the fact that he wrote the book "Theory of Moves" which also happened to be the course ware for the class he was leading -- "Game Theory". Did I mention he's from MIT and probably one of the smartest people I've ever met. Back to the future -- so I wasn't sure what to make to of that quote 'life and work are competing in a zero sum game" -- Hey ... but I enjoy my life and career... How are they competing? I still don't know what to make of this statement. If the points or bounty in the game map to 'My Time" -- I can see how the more time you spend on career the less for life and vice versa. Maybe the answer is finding the right balance between life and career or in game theory speak - the Nash Equilibrium. If you're wondering what the map is all about -- we'll I think my Nash Equilibrium is preserved if I hit that red point before the end of the year. =)

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I had a chance to to meet and hear Tom Mendoza of NETAPP last week and it was memorable. He gave a talk about company culture and provided some management insights around building strong teams. The messages that resonated with me where "share the mission with the troops" and to focus on creating 'an environment' where smart people can innovate and prosper and let the magic happen. I was making small talk with Tom before the venue and my upcoming trekking trip to Nepal and the Himalayas region came up. He seemed intrigued and asked "How one trained for 'multi day hikes into the Himalayas". I didn't expect the question and I think he knew the answer. Like most things, it is mostly mental. Your mind has to be in the right and then your body will follow: Let's hope both are calibrated correctly for Simmy & I.

That is probably a good transition -- in an attempt to maintain the Nash Equilibrium in my life & career game matrix -- I am taking off for three weeks to Nepal and the Kathmandu valley this fall. I hoping to get at least 2/3 of the EBC trek complete if not more and maybe visit some ruins in the valley. In trying to book accommodation and just schedule things like local 'in country' flights in Nepal -- I quickly realized that we're not in Kansas anymore' and it will be a little more rough going than the I expected; And that is just the kick in the pants I need.