Hi-ho, Hi-ho…
Tuesday 22nd April 2008
at 12:37am
As mentioned in my very brief update last week, I am once again a proud member of the Australian workforce. And not too soon I might add. I started to think about the last time I pulled my suit on for a day at the office and after a quick check I can reveal it was Friday the 6th July 2007. That’s just over 9 months, or, to be more precise, 281 days without a pay check.
I say it that way because alot of people have asked us what this trip cost us in the end. Forgetting the actual cash cost of everything from passports to Visas to flights to accommodation to the 101 other things, can you imagine what was lost just in income alone? It’s pretty big let me tell you.
What better team to do it for though? And what better year to do it? (Perhaps ’96/97 but this was just as good.)
I’ve reflected a little on the trip this week now that I’m back at work. I thought about this year versus ‘96/97 as above and wondered what would be better? Seeing the Packers win the Superbowl or watching Brett play his entire final season, with all of those great records broken, and a home Championship Game (albeit a loss), after the snow bowl of the week before which just happened to be the last win of his star spangled career?
Superbowl or not I’d take this past year over any.
I think I reflected the way I did because of some of the people I’ve met over the last few days. On the way down to Melbourne last Sunday (explanation below) I was sitting next to a gentleman (an Aussie that lives in Melbourne) who spends as much time as he can on the streets of Atlanta trying to guide the cities homeless youths out of harm’s way. He was telling me about gang life, the “do anything to survive” mentality and the fact that that most boys know nothing other than doing wrong by others to do right by themselves. Then, on the way back home, I sat next to Aisha, a German native, here to travel and teach German in High Schools who has travelled much of the 3rd world helping the under privileged and malnourished children that most of us think aren’t our problem.
I have always felt this way but after these 2 flights and those 2 conversations I will beleive forever and a day that everybody out there has a story. All we have to do is ask them for it.
So, all inspiration aside, my last week has been quite hectic as you could imagine. I spent 5 nights down in Melbourne at Corporate Headquarters (we call it Head Office) learning the ropes so that I can unleash myself upon the Sydney market in the weeks to come. Sydney is the business capital of the country whilst Melbourne is cool and chic and full of great bars, restaurants and cafes. I must say I didn’t enjoy any of them ‘cause I was totally knackered after work but it was nice being there none the less. Now if Kel was with me it would have been a whole different story. A few fancy dinners by the water would have been great but it wasn’t to be unfortunately. Maybe next time.
Flying was funny I’ve got say. After every flight that we’ve been on in the last 6 months, getting on a plane without a Packers game to see at the other end just didn’t seem right. I can’t tell you how many times it felt like I was on another road trip, waiting to find my way to a stadium I had never been to, for a game I thought I’d never attend.
It’s amazing how things pan out. Even after doing what we’ve done I still can’t believe it. More so from this end of the trip now that we’re here. Before we left we sold our home, I quit my job and we came to Green Bay knowing that Brett may soon retire and that Ben would be starting pre-school shortly. Now here we are, 9 months later. We’re lucky we sold our home ‘cause interest rates keep rising whilst property values drop further and I have effectively traded the job I had grown to dislike immensely with one that I can’t stop thinking about. As it turned out, Brett did retire so our timing was great and as was already the plan, Ben started pre-school just as we knew he would.
Sure, not everything has been rosey but in the scheme of things, big things at least, we’re all doing rather well.
With regards to my beautiful wife, I can happily report that having me out of her hair is a very good thing now that I’m back at work and we aren’t on top of each other 24 hours a day. Having a conversation with Ben these days is like talking to a 16 year old both in terms of his vocabulary and his tone (at times) and even Luc is quite strong in the “mama”, “Ella” and “ta-ta” (as in goodbye) stakes.
I’ll have to leave it there for the time being as it’s late and I need to be up in 6 hours for another big day at work. It’s all very exciting at the moment I’ve got to say.
Hoping you’re all well and looking forward to a big draft day this coming week. Go TT, bring home the bacon!
Comments
Tue 22nd Apr 08
at 05:22am
Thanks for the update. I’m so glad things are working out for you and the family. You certainly made a lifetime of memories in 9 months.
Tue 22nd Apr 08
at 07:03am
It’s so nice to hear that things are going so good for you and your family. I love reading all your updates. I missed not seeing any pictures this week!! I hope you plan on coming back to sign your book for us!
Tue 22nd Apr 08
at 07:35am
To Waynes comment in the blog about undernourished children in 3rd world countries.. I do something about it every day.. there is a site that you can go to called freerice.com.... at the site, you are given one word and 4 choices and for every word that you get right 20 grains of rice are donated to 3rd world countries to feed the hungry.. it’s a win -win situation.. you get to improve your vocabulary and huungry people get feed.. this is done by advertising donating rice in exchange for free advertising at the site.. it’s a great concept and all it takes is a minute or 2 of your day.. so far over 27 billion grains of rice have been donated.. that has fed a lot of families… the site again is freerice.com
Tue 22nd Apr 08
at 09:20am
Big Question.
Its Tuesday 9th September at 5am Sydney time. The Packers hit the field against Minnesota @ home in Monday night football, you won’t be there, how will you feel?
I suggest you keep yourself busy and surround yourself in support cause you might get mighty depressed after the adventures of last year.
Don’t let your mind wander too much and dream about what it would have been to be “the twice in a life time fan”.
Keep putting your lotto numbers in you never know.
Cheers Mark, Sydney
Tue 22nd Apr 08
at 10:06am
Things sound like they are going swimmingly for you all. I can just imagine how much freedom Kelly feels now that you are out from under. I know you two are lovebirds, but you do need a break from one another. Glad to hear that you are loving your new job. That is so important, esp after the incredible year you had. Keep us posted on anything forthcoming and just the day to day. You have a way of writing about the mundane that makes it interesting!! Can hardly wait for the book.
Wed 23rd Apr 08
at 12:07am
G’day All,
I’ve wanted to respond to the comments more frequently but until now it’s been quite heavy with regards to the admin of it all. Then, after the hullaballo of the comments a few weeks back i had an idea. Why not just post here like everyone else? That way i can respond wherever i am.
Brad - You’re right, we sure did. 9 months just wasn’t enough but it was certainly enough if that makes any sense.
Darleen - I know, sorry about that. Turns out we haven’t taken many over the last 2 weeks. Plus choosing, editing and resizing the pics takes alot longer than you’d think.
Paul - I don’t care what the subject, you’ve always got something clever to say.
Mark - Great question, it was the inspiration behind responding this way. By the way, where in Sydney are you from? To answer you’re question, I’m almost certain i’ll be on the lounge watching it live via Fox Sports with some sort of ailment that’ll see me being a little late for work that day. Either that or in Green Bay for the week signing books. Who knows?
Jan - Thankyou as always for you kind words. I actually re-read what i had posted and made a few corrections after seeing your comment. I’ve got to make sure it’s as clean as it is interesting.
Wow that was easy, 8 minutes to do what would have taken me at least 20 before. Sorry about the length by the way.
Wed 23rd Apr 08
at 12:19am
Clever idea Wayne. Hope the job is coming along fine.I’m sure you will be watching somewhere when the Packers retire that # 4. Time goes so fast and Ben & Luc will soon be in their teens !! I’m sure they will be Packer Backers also. Hello to Kelly. How is the garden coming along ?
Wed 23rd Apr 08
at 12:55am
Hi Carol, thank you again. You’ve got me just before bed, it’s almost 1am here. The garden is going incredibly well. It’s like we have our own little farm out there...How Wisconsin huh?
Wed 23rd Apr 08
at 02:18am
I continue to follow all of your adventures. I hope you will come to Green Bay for a book signing. I will get in line! Good luck with the new job.
Wed 23rd Apr 08
at 07:06am
To answer your question, I live on the Northern Beaches in the very leafy suburb of Cromer, about 5 minutes drive to either Collaroy or Dee Why Beach.
Can relate to you a bit, I’m a sports tragic, married to an American, we spend a month of the year in the US, and I try to escape the in laws and get to as many NHL, NBA and NFL games as possible in that time, went to Patriots giants game last regular season at Meadowlands, it turned out to be the superbowl rehearsal.
Back here am a rabid Roosters (NRL) and Hawthorn AFL fan and go to heaps of games, Its the only time my wife lets me out.
Have loved your story, and will try to make it to see the cheese heads one day over there.
Mark R
Wed 23rd Apr 08
at 07:07am
I really like the new format for responding that you have now wayne, it keeps us all up to date as a lot of us look at the site every day, the once a week blogs are fine with me as we all know that you are quite busy. Glad you love the job. What a difference a year makes huh Wayne? Good Luck
Wed 23rd Apr 08
at 09:21am
Elizabeth - It would be nice to get back for a week or 2 to push the book a little. Plus I’d get to see the #4 retired which would be awesome. The cost may be prohibitive though so we’ll wait and see.
Mark - Amazing. Can’t believe we haven’t already spoken. One of Kel’s favourite all time restaurants is on Dee Why beach. Too bad is so far where we are. I’m sorry you’re a fan of the Roosters - have you ever considered changing?
Paul - Between last year and this year, who knows what’ll happen next year.
Thu 24th Apr 08
at 12:12am
Wayne
As always, thanks for the update. With the first monday night game when they retire Bretts #, make a quick fly up. Consider it a business expense.
Thu 24th Apr 08
at 08:30am
Hi Bob, thats a great idea. Now all I have to do is find a business willing to expense it for me?
Thu 24th Apr 08
at 09:05am
Hey that Brett Favre number retirement ceremony is pretty massive. Yeh it would be great to be there, but I look at it this way.
Brett was a great champion who knew when to get out on top, proved everyone wrong with a stellar last season.
Wayne, like Brett, you got out of your dream trip to the states with your marriage as strong as ever, your fantastic kids strong and better for a great experience, your have a roof over your head and your back in the workforce, so when the day comes grab a box of tissues get in front of the telly and watch it in the best city in the world.
As for being a roosters fan thats a lifelong thing, and its a terminal condition there is no cure for.
Guessing you are a sharks fan down in the shire, two things, have nothing against them , how can you hate a team thats never won anything and if you run into Ricky Stuart in one of those coffee shops in Cronulla can you get ask not to steal anymore of our players for next year.
You crack me up, you travel to the end of the earth to see the packers yet lament how far it is from the Northern beaches to where you are.
Hello to everyone in Wisconsin, I am going to experience a game at Lambeau one day, but might give that whole queueing up to shovel snow out of the stadium a miss, leave that to the real pack fans.
Thu 24th Apr 08
at 09:33am
Wayne, Mark has some very good points about Bretts’ retirement and what you got out of your life long trip etc. Not knowing what the Roosters and Sharks even are, no comment on that part !! Hello Mark, I’m sure Wisconsin will welcome you when you make a trip here. Shoveling snow is optional !! Once again good idea here Wayne.
Dave Scott
Fri 25th Apr 08
at 04:32am
Hi Wayne,
I am originally from WI, but now live in NYC as I am attending medical school. I was fortunate to go to three of the games this last year - Giants, Raiders, NFC Championship. Boy what a season!
I recently wrote a play which is going to be on off-broadway here in New York City. It is titled “I Love You, Petty, and Favre” Its a heart warming and hear breaking love story about a Wisconsin couple that spans 25 years. The main character, Brian, is an obsessed Packer fan, so much so that he marries a girl named Brett. Brett in turn, has her own obsession with music, mainly that of Tom Petty.
http://www.iloveyoupettyandfavre.com
If you or anyone are around NYC this summer be sure to come check it out, free tickets for Packer fans!
Thanks so much for this blog, its kept me entertained all year during downtime at the hospital.
Fri 25th Apr 08
at 03:10pm
hey u 2. did you see brett on david letterman? thurs eve. maybe its been on there already as your a day ahead. rita and i will be moving to sydney in 2-4 years. she’s from there. we’ll look u up. mail us if u can. love fred and rita in florida
Fri 25th Apr 08
at 11:11pm
I hope you had a chance to watch Brett on Letterman. He was a class act.He looked relaxed and happy. I’m sure he will have butterflies when training starts but I don’t think he will regret retiring.
Sat 26th Apr 08
at 04:30pm
Good to hear you’re doin’ alright (Vic Bitter, pls, pass, cold one).
Draft day, W. See what we get here.
Sun 27th Apr 08
at 03:03am
Maybe you could also sign books at one of the Packer Bars in Minneapolis for an afternoon. In a survey last year it was found out the the Packers are actually the 2nd most popular sports franchise in this market...behind the Vikings, but above the Twins and NHL Wild.
I look forward to your draft analysis.
Tue 29th Apr 08
at 01:51pm
Wow, it’s been a while hasn’t it?
Mark - You bet I’m a Sharks fan. I use the Packers championships to balance out the Sharks lack of them if that makes any sense. You can’t have it all your way. As for the distance - nobody wants to drive over the bridge, from south to north or vice versa.
By the way, when you do get to Lambeau, do the shovel, it’s a great feeling being in there when nothing else is going on.
Carol - The Sharks and Roosters are Rugby League teams. That’s the football we follow here when there isn’t a Packers game to watch instead.
Dave - Looks good mate. Too bad we won;t be around to see it. I’ll watch for more details online though.
Fred and Rita - Thanks for the message and all of the mails. I have replied at least once haven’t I? Look forward to you guys coming back home. Best of luck with it all.
Carol - (and Fred and Rita) i did see Brett but I’ve gotta say i only kept my eye out because of these mails. Thanks!
Brad - We’re good thanks. Not quite sure about the VB. It’s a little on the bitter side for me. I’ll trade you for an MGD?
John - That’s interesting. To be honest I’ll be hard pressed getting Back to Green Bay anytime soon let alone making a trip across the border aswell. We’ll see?
Laptoper - Nice way to get your link recognised. Are you even a Packer fan?
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at 05:00pm
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