This past weekend.... budgets can only be for those who can see the future...

Ever feel like no matter how much more you may get paid, or how many expenses you cut from your budget you still never seem to have any money in your account? That's exactly what this week was like. I'll get back to this opener paragraph in a bit...

Starting off... on Tuesday my Regional Manager from Japan came to Hong Kong to check in on the A&F team out here. I wasn't sure what to expect as I have had several RM's from A&F so far and each were very different in how they acted and how they managed us. I honestly thought she was pretty cool, and definitely was alot of fun to talk to any be around during the past few days. I wont get into details of what we did and where we went but basically we showed her around all of the major HK spots that we found were the busiest and coolest areas.

So that basically was what happened Tuesday through Thursday. Thursday I went to the Lane Crawford (for those of you who don't know what this is its kinda like a Nordstrom) Dinner party. This was actually alot of fun and I met several really cool people.

That's basically the most of what happened on the work side of things... so back to the beginning paragraph...on the personal side of my life... My computer crashed earlier last week. This was really a bummer mainly because I had to have a huge project for my regional to be done by Wednesday. I ended up working on it all from my iPad (whoever thought that the ipad was a waste of money can bite me) which took alot longer but I got the work done that I needed to get done.

So after alot of thought and careful deliberation... I splurged and bought myself the macbookpro 15".... and haven't looked back since. Now for those of you who read my blog please reference back to the blog "Today So Far" and you'll see why me needing to buy a new computer may be a bad thing. On the subject I have found that the more money you throw down on items the better service you get in Hong Kong. This may seem like a "duh" statement, but I can't tell you the last time I was in a simple little store in HK and received great service...

I know I probably could have gotten a PC for half the price, but in all honesty can't bring myself to buying a PC ever again. I'm a mac guy and forever will be one... Yes, Steve Jobs does own my soul, but as long as I got a Mac, iphone, and ipad... I'll be happy :)

RM coming to town

The Regional manager over Asia is going to be in Hong Kong later this evening... so ya... I'm gonna be very busy. If you guys don't here from me for the next few days.. that will be the reason why..

hope everyone has a great week!

Tom Ford

Last night was the Tom Ford Cocktail Party. It was quit an experience for me. First off let me explain some things to those of you who aren't familiar with my background. I was raised in Lewisville, Texas, which is a suburb of Dallas. My mom and dad both did not raise me with any ideas of name brands or to keep up with modern fashion. First time I ever wore anything that was considered cool was in college when I bought my first A&F polo.

I did not major in college in anything remotely close to fashion. In fact, my major was Theological Studies, which to most of you means nothing, but basically I studied to work in a church.... Again, far from fashion world and modern style. Although living in California for those 4 years I did begin to understand different designers and clothing just because of the type of people that lived in San Jose, Cali.

Four weeks ago if you were to ask me if I knew who Tory Burch was.. I'd have no clue... if you had asked me who Tom Ford was... I'd again have no clue... So for me to say that I have been invited to the Tory Burch Fashion Show Party... and the Tom Ford Cocktail Store Opening Party.. Means probably everything to some of you who may read this.. but if you grew up like me (which I highly doubt) you probably have no clue what that means... and even less of what exactly the dress code would be for such an event.

So that brings me to last night... I wore a suit and dress shirt to the event assuming I'd be within the ranks of what the dress code would (which I was thankfully)... As I approach the the store which was in ifc Mall in Central, HK, I noticed that there are literally 25 photographers lined up in front of the store taking pictures of everyone that walks in. I proceed to the lady who checks your name on the guest list... and as I walk in I don't know whether to stop and let people photograph me or just walk in fast and awkward like... So I chose the latter. I walk in... hardly no one is in the store except the waiters who have wine and caviar hors d'oeuvres.

Sooo... I put my best face forward and began to mingle and meet people. I will not get into the details of who I met because for most of you reading this you will have no clue who they are... Many were Hong Kong singers and movie stars... and the rest were Editors in Chief for magazines and newspapers in South China.

Its kinda hard to mingle with people who all are in their 40's and 50's and are the bosses for their respected companies and the rest of the people who were my age were ether popstars or supermodels. Of course, this sounds like me bragging which I am.. but again kind of awkward.

Well... that's it for me so far... I'll fill you guys in on my weekend on my next blog

Big City

Ok... so the major differences between living in a city like Lewisville, Texas and living in cities like Seoul, S. Korea or Central, Hong Kong is definitely, top of the list, the sounds. Typical morning in Lewisville when I would wake up would be maybe the sound of car horn.. maybe the sound of some one in the street talking annoying loud on their cell phone... but more than likely probably there would be no sounds... Hong Kong on a typical morning... Jackhammers... lots and lots of jackhammering... It doesn't necessarily wake me up in the morning but oh does it ever keep me away once I do finally open my eyes.

This, of course, is the trade off you get for living in a city with 7 million other people in it. On many levels I can appreciate the sounds... its the sound of progress and of a city that used to be just another UK property becoming a major focal center for the world.. Its a sign of growth and that even though the economy might be awful in America it definitely is on the rise in Asia. But on the flip side of it... it does make me appreciate the times I got to go to my grandpa's house in Minnesota and sit outside and hear nothing but horses and birds...

Maybe one day if I ever find myself living in the country I'll look back and miss the days of the jackhammers....


...but probably not.

Universal Healthcare for Asia!!!

So today I decided taking a sick day is the only and best viable option left for me. Its actually a first... I do not think in the 3 1/2 years I have been employed in A&F have I ever taken a sick day, but I really don't have much of an option.

First the GM here who is really my direct supervisor/boss is teamed up with me 8-10 hours every day 5 days a week. The DM who is here also is around me about that same amount of time. So the only option left for me is to take a sick day or else I'll infect the team. Kinda blows though cause I feel very unproductive just sitting at my Apt surfing the internet for recruiting ideas and answering emails.

I do however laugh at the fact that my Doctor's apt and my 'scripts were only a total of $32.00 (american). How can that be even possible? I'm going venture a guess and say that Hong Kong has some sort of universal health plan which makes that possible, but still. Its by far the cheapest dr. visit I've ever had which included 6 different medications which were given to me in the doctors office. Yeah, no waiting in line at a Rx store.. just sat there in the office for 10 minutes and was given my meds right then and there.

Ok... so as backwards and different as Hong Kong is from America I gotta admit that they seriously got this whole Doctors visit down to a science. I mean, in Texas, I'd first have to schedule an appointment a day in advance... sit in the waiting area (for an hour)... get to finally enter the room... then wait again for another 20 min... and finally see a doctor... 5 minutes later I leave with a prescription... just to go to a pharmacy and do the whole thing over again..

Hong Kong doctors office in and out in 25 minutes... I haven't had food service in Hong Kong that was that fast... I think I'm going to find something else wrong with me just cause I know it's going to be a fast and simple process to get it fixed.

Ok... so as you can tell that was my enjoyment of the day. On a final note I hate being sick because I have to sit around and do nothing... Lets be honest I have ADD and I can't sit still in a movie theater for 2 hours without getting bored much less sit in my Apt all day and not get bored.. Sick or not... this Asian boy needs stimulation to keep himself out of trouble...

Any ideas on what I can do???

Today so far...

Today felt like a pretty good success. I managed to work out, go to the doctor, get some clothes for this weekend (we'll come back to this), and get some extra work done that needed to be done... all of this before 7pm. Pretty proud of myself right now.

Funny thing is that the spending money on clothes was the easiest and yet longest part of my day. I guess that's not to funny especially if you're a shop-a-holic, but... I tend to not spend alot of time buying clothes yet I do spend alot of money on clothes. When it comes to shopping, I'm definitely your typical guy. I like to be in and out of the store before anyone has any idea what happened. The other side of me is the side that doesn't understand the word "budget". I may go into a shop and be out really fast, but at the same time I have purchased half of the entire store plus signed up for the e-newsletter and frequent buyer cards.

Its strange how I'm a sucker to salesmen. If you have a good enough pitch.. I think to myself.. "They are really trying hard.. I'll buy from them" I don't care if I need it or not... Yep... That's me.. 3 stores absolutely love me when they see me walk into the store...

1) Anything A&F.. that includes HCo, a&f kids, Fitch... even Gilly Hicks... I'll buy the perfumes as gifts, and if the models would ever try it I'd probably buy a bra and undies just because they're beautiful and I can't say no.

2) Apple Stores. Lucky for me there are no apple stores in Hong Kong... but there are plenty of electronics... I just avoid looking because once I pick it up.. I want it...

3) Car salesmen... My last car I bought was a 350z for those that knew me in Texas you've seen this car... I literally did no haggling... no real long test drives... no research... and bought the car in less then 30 minutes. I saw the car online.. emailed them... told'm I'd be there that evening.. picked it up... drove it to church... Yep... I made that guys week I'm sure of it.

Not exactly sure how I got on all this, but needless to say I did spend alot of money today on an outfit for the Tom Ford Store opening party. Definitely made that sales lady's day.

So for all of you salesmen that are reading this blog... please be gentle when you see me walk into your store..

Things to do today...

Its strange waking up in Hong Kong... You realize that the normal things you probably would do on your day off are pretty much the same... work out... laundry... dry-cleaning... go to the doctor... but yet these things are completely different than if I were to do them in Dallas, Tx.

Work out... I gotta get dressed (obviously) WALK through Soho and Lan Kwai Fong... and avoid getting hit by the crazy taxi drivers that stop for no one...

Laundry... is done in my building but on the 6th floor (i'm on the 18th floor) so gotta get my stuff ready... take the elevator... get to the 6th floor just to find that all the washer machines are being used... sooooo... I proceed to do redo these steps over and over again til I finally get my laundry done...

Dry-Cleaning.. not sure yet about this one haven't done it yet since I've been in HK.

Doctor... ya i got no clue where I'm gonna find this... especially since I have to find one that takes my insurance and speaks English... a double threat!

Soo... that's my agenda for today... oh ya.. I also need to shop for Saturday's party thing...

Sick... with Fashion...

So pretty much since I've been in HK, I've had this aweful stuffy nose. I first thought it was cause of the pollution, but it turns out that I now have a chest cold. My goal is to go to the doctor tomorrow morning. But we'll see how that goes...

Also in other news I was invited to go to a store opening for Tom Ford. If you know anything about me, I have literally no clue who these designers are, but I will go cause I think I'm starting to get the hang of this fashion scene.

If anyone out there has a suggestion on what I should wear please let me know. Its a cocktail party.. which again tells me nothing about the dress code. Its days like these I am in awe that I live and work in Asia... that I get to experience all these cool different things.

Well this cough is driving me insane... I hope its semi gone by tomorrow.

Stupid People...

Today was officially "Meet stupid people at different places that have no clue what their jobs entail." Seriously! If you work at a restaurant maybe you should know what's on the menu... if you work at an office maybe you should know what to do when your boss' are off. Stupid people need to all be sent to an island where they can't infect their stupidness to other normal people.... I'm done and good night