Daydreaming vs planning

What, pray tell, is the difference? I suspect only one woman knows, and she's not telling.

Returning to NYC

OK, so my flying visit to the UK is almost over. The doctor, dentist, vet & hairdresser were my priorities, and pretty much everything is in hand. I'm quite hopeful that, assuming all goes according to plan work-wise, I'll be whipping back over for Henry to relocate him to NYC after Easter.

Meanwhile, this blog may go dark for a few days during my return trip :)

Honey & lemon again

It's great to catch up with family, and to spend time in the loving embrace of a 35kg Golden Retriever, but my timing sucks. Having only just shaken one yankee cold, I've now picked up a European varietal and am once again a snivelling mess.

Unfortunately I don't have the other half to look after me, though I do have my mum!

An episode of Father Ted

Due to late JFK takeoff, I cut it very fine for my connecting flight. I was consequently taken on a VIP, exceedingly rapid, guided tour of Dublin airport (including through the 'diplomatic' aisle at passport control and security). I swear this personalized run could've been scripted by Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews.

Highlight - setting off the alarms and being told (in a broad brogue that I couldn't have made up if I tried): "Ahh, but you look trustworthy, so you do. Get yourself away".

:)

Home

Back in the, back in the, back in the UK.

Mostly to a warm (and slightly maniacal) welcome from my big bear, who is now fast asleep by my feet from all the excitement.

Leaving, on a jet plane...

I fly from JFK today, for a mini-marathon trip that will take in Dublin, Manchester and Berlin. 

Prior to boarding, I figured I'd pop down to my local brunch spot - 202 in Chelsea Market, where I ordered 'the usual', with a Virgin Mary ('but hold the foliage'). The day I leave is the day I suddenly feel utterly at home here.

Oh dear Google Buzz...

'don't be evil'?

Umm, apparently you've outed Iranian protestors, journalists' protected sources and put a domestic abuse survivor at risk. Way to go!

Being an entrepreneur

I've really started noticing (thanks, Twitter!) how Conservatives, Reaganites/Thatcherites, Ponzi-schemers and general oddballs flock to anybody who calls themselves an entrepreneur. I'm sorry "ConservativeFinanceCycles", I don't want to follow your polemics about Obama's "socialism", but thanks for the follow all the same. [BLOCK!]

"The opposite of play isn't work. It's depression."

Brian Sutton-Smith via Jane McGonigal (www.avantgame.com)

I understand Jane McGonigal's theme at TED this year was that the youth of today are spending thousands of hours gaming - so what skills are they learning as a result?

Firstly,  this isn't a 'youth of today issue', although obviously it's less social in some respects now (and more social in other respects) - you can play games online from your bedroom, or alone on your mobile phone while on the bus. No, I seem to remember spending thousands of hours perfecting my technique on an Atari 2600, or playing text adventures on my ZX Spectrum (actually, I had an Oric) twenty-five years ago, to be fair, and I remember the pikeys down the arcade who knew *exactly* how every pinball machine worked.

However, the only reason I was playing against a Brazilian and a Pakistani was because I lived in an expat community in the Middle East, whereas today the bedroom battler is engaging with different cultures the world over.

As for 'what skills are they learning as a result' - clearly death and mayhem rank quite highly. Personally, I'd quite like them to understand the concept of a retail consumer economy...

Postscript: Brian Sutton-Smith is a theorist about games and play, but may also be known amongst my kiwi readers as a novelist.

What a hectic week!

Between mobile advertising, m-commerce, the startup, interviewing games-y people, more investor meetings, and being camped out at 202 cafe in Chelsea Market all day today, I'm exhausted, though jittery from all the double cappucinos!

Fortunately, the beloved is apparently cooking me Dover Sole tonight, or the nearest equivalent Whole Foods can manage, so a nice relaxed evening to unwind with.

And Zynga just bought a social gaming startup. Maybe I'm not a dreamer, after all :)

Wishing...

Just chatting to my business partner and good chum, David Deutsch. He said he couldn't believe that I had finally moved to New York, but he's not here. 

I should've done this 8 years ago. After an occasion on the corner of Greenwich & Horatio. Would've been 8 more cakes I could've baked, and I wouldn't have gone through the personal hell that was Kiwi womenfolk. That said, nor would I have the good friends I have in NZ to this day.

Grrrr. Hindsight is a wonderful, yet frustrating, thing. OK, so guardian angel and/or time machine gratefully received.

My world is turning upside down

I'm coming to the end of my 90 days in the US, with no firm plan as yet for my return (other than my two freelance contracts, with Madvertise and Apposing). The startup is motoring along, albeit without investment in the bank as yet. Come on March 1st! 

My other primary reason for being in New York is personal, and I never know from day to day where I'm at with that. I know where I want to be, but Harry Winston doesn't do payment plans :)

I don't think I've ever been more in need an angel (of the guardian variety, rather than business). 5 days left to find one!

Phone glitch

FYI, Friday Feb 5th, my phone is down. Seems to be texting just fine, but not receiving or making calls.

I'm at home sick all day anyway, so if you need me this weekend I'm likely to be on +1.646.360.2866, or email.

J 

Unsure which is more debilitating

This nasty ache-y cold, or the fact that Time Warner Cable still haven't turned my broadband back on...

Psychology, not technology

My personal-professional mantra

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Which I guess means plagiarism is tantamount to love.

The phrase 'it's about psychology, not technology' first made an appearance in regard to mobile solutions in a presentation I gave to Orange in 2001 as COO of Scan Mobile. It has since appeared in presentations by Digital Rum, Run The Red, Fronde Anywhere, Flame Digital and Sponge, who I just discovered have co-opted it as their own.

I guess I'm going to have to work on a new one for a new decade, and the beginnings of a career in a slightly different direction. But I do love it so. Or maybe i should have trademarked it, and be earning royalties...?

Seeking NYC-based games designer

Contract or perm

We're seeking a talented games designer, NYC-based, who is keen to work with a small team developing compelling gameplay around our basic concept.

We're a social game startup, our initial concept is aimed at a young female market, and we want to make it sticky, viral and as much fun as possible. Contact me at jon@jukebucks.com for more details, or with a CV/portfolio or link to your work.

Apostles wanted

Not employees or partners

With time on my hands this past weekend, I decided to write out all the experiences I'd learned from multiple startup situations. It's difficult to do, since the primary experience is 'adapt when you have to'. 

However, something did come to me when I was describing to myself the first intake of people, and also the best & the brightest of the alumni. They were apostles. Not employees, not partners, and not even disciples. Apostles - as invigorated and enthused by the idea as I am, and would go the extra mile to get things done, to bring others on-board, and all for the intrinsic challenge not the extrinsic motivation ($$$).

Anyway. Now hiring: apostles.