The Smoke Show

IT GUY

2011-12-08T19:11:00.000-08:00

This story has been told to 3 people before.

It was a cool autumn morning in Cupertino, CA as I was preparing for a marathon of interviews, from a prospective company, in the cloud computing space. All the homework was done. All the preparation had been assembled, and to top it off, I look damn good in a suit. Today was my day and I was sure to make my father proud. Nothing would stop me, except the bubbling.

Oh yes, the bubbling, the feeling in your stomach when you know you have a maximum of 5 minutes before you lose complete control of your bodily functions. I felt like I had gone to Tijuana, ignored the warning and drank the water. To top it off, there were no gas stations in sight. What to do?

Do I risk being late, and search the business park for some semblance of a public facility? Or do I casually stroll into the business and politely ask my potential future colleague, whom I'm meeting for the first time, to the bathroom.

I chose the latter. Arriving 15 minutes early, to deal with the problem at hand. Everyone needs to use the restroom right? No Biggie.

Jennifer: Hello, are you here to interview for the business development role?
Me: Yep, sure am.
Jennifer: Great, you are a little early, and this is an old building so you may have to sit in the hall, as space is limited right now. (No idea how much this would matter)
Me: No problem, actually I was wondering, can I use your restroom?
Jennifer: Of course, right this way.

At this point there was no turning back. I had to go. Holding my head high, with my shoulders back, I walked passed secretaries, account managers, software engineers, and executives on my way to the bathroom. This, is but a hiccup in the day I wrongfully thought.

Everything was going well, as I entered the dilapidated restroom. An uneasiness came over me, as locked my self in the handicap stall (I'm tall, lay off me), as I heard the shuttering of the previously flushed toilet. It echoed throughout the bathroom, shaking the pipes as if they were ready to explode. I shook it off and took care of business, and damn I felt better.

Good decision bro, we are almost outta here. So I flushed the toilet, stood up, adjusted myself and put my suit jacket on. As I was doing so, I noticed that my initial flush attempt was unsuccessful. No big deal, I thought, I'll get it as soon as I get situated and looking good.

Proudly, I exited the stall and made passed an IT looking man, on the way to the stall I had been using. We exchanged the classic, close mouthed, downward nod, that is customary when passing a stranger, let alone in the bathroom. UH OH. At the same time I was exchanging the aforementioned glance, I realized the horror. I NEVER FLUSHED!

That's right, I had forgotten to reflush, after I put my suit jacket on. To make matters worse, IT guy groaned as he reflushed. As if to say, "What the fuck happened in here!" At this point, 4 minutes before my interview, I chose to ignore it. Convincing myself it was no big deal. "He is just an IT guy anyway," I justified.

For the remaining four minutes I sat in the hall and waited. When who should pass by me in this hall, not once, not twice, but 4 times? The dude from the bathroom, IT GUY. And who were all the employees talking to? The dude from the bathroom, IT GUY. And who were they asking about what flights he wanted to Japan? The dude from the bathroom, IT GUY. Everytime he passed me, that customary close mouthed stranger nod, had become a "I know what you did, grinning nod." PSHH Whatever IT GUY. So you're the CIO. Still an IT GUY.

Still, I powered on. Made it through 4 interviews. All four interviewers signed off on me and told me that I would definitely be meeting the CEO and president. See, no big deal.

"What? I came in to your office, clogged up your toilet, grossed out your IT GUY, and no big deal, I'm meeting with your CEO today. I'll probably get the job, sleep with the hottest secretary, and take this bitch over one day. What?" I thought....

I sailed through all of it, when on the last interview, I sheepishly asked, which one is the CEO?

" Oh, the guy with glasses and long hair wearing a yellow shirt, he is right out there."

Still confident, I looked. Oh no. Dear god, no. Guess who ladies and gentleman? The guy from the bathroom, IT GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We exchanged glances in the window. We nodded, however the nod now looked like a:
"Really Bro? You think you can come in here, clog up my toilet, gross me, the CEO out, and walk away with a job? If I let you in here you'd probably sleep with my secretary and take my job one day," nod.

That was it folks, I knew instantly it was over. That nod confirmed my fate right then and there. He never came in, never contacted me, and we never met.

I never heard from that company, but learned a very valuable lesson that day. Pre-game dumps are vital to success in sports, tests, and even business.

-See you on the Grid.

What a ride.

2011-11-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

Wow, is the word that can summarize the experience at the ReMax World Long Drive Competition. I've never felt more alive than I felt that day. In the end it didn't work out. But I cannot be happier, that I had the opportunity to hit against some of the biggest monsters of the sport. Today we will see who prevails in the Finals. I can't wait!

Here is the Final Group:

Justin Moose

	Jeff Gavin
	Ben Tuaone
	Carl Wolter
	Carl Johan Hellstrom
	Aaron Mansfield
	Joe Miller
	Jamie Sadlowski

2 weeks away

2011-10-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

In less than two weeks I'll be back on the Grid in Mesquite, NV for the Re/Max World Championships. After a couple of minor/major setbacks I'm ready to give it my very best. Win, Lose or Draw (not possible) I am excited to have a chance to compete against the best in the world. As an alpha male, this is one of those things that really get's me going.

Updates will follow, but for now I am ready and focused to do my best and leave it all out there...

-See you on the Grid.

WOW! My friends are amazing

2011-10-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

The darkest day of my life, was interrupted by a giant surge of light and energy. It was interrupted by the love of my friends and family.

The other day, was my mother's memorial. A day that I had been dreading, since the news of her passing. All night, I tossed and turned praying that it would just go away. Praying that I didn't have to deal with what had to be dealt with.

As I arrived at the church, I expected to see a small gathering of family and maybe one my mother's friends. Well I couldn't have been more wrong. One of my best friends, Max Ramsay, took it upon himself to find the obituary, and let my other friends know when the service was. So, I was treated to seeing not one, not two, but 8 of my closest buddies. All of whom, where there, giving me their unwavering support.

During my eulogy, I was choked up by more than my mothers passing. I was choked up that I was so lucky to have the kind of friends I have. To say that I am truly blessed is a complete and utter understatement.

Wow! My friends are amazing.

-See you on the Grid

No matter where you go, home is where your happiness lies.

2011-10-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

To say that it has been an easy go lately, would be laugh. With that in mind however, it never ceases to amaze me how lucky I am to have such great friends and family. My Sister, niece, father, are just amazing people and I am so happy to have them. My friends, Max, Greg, Ryan, Ryan, Ray, Ryan, Villy, Danny, Scooter, Mike, Mike, Brett and everyone have made my recent loss bearable. With the exception of a one, none of those people reside within 50 miles of me. For now, that's ok.

From my experience, training, and reading I know that in times of despair great things can arise. For now, I am absolutely overjoyed that when I need my friends, they are there and when I need love my family is there.

It's only been a week since my Mother passed away, so I am still digesting. With that in mind, I am ecstatic to have such an amazing support team.

-see you on the grid.

RIP Mom

2011-09-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

Today,at 4:45 PST, my mother Patricia Jane Smith, passed away. She was an amazing women and will be missed dearly.

Finally, her torment is over. Finally she could be in a place that makes her happy. For too long my mother has battled against addiction and pain. Goodbye Mom, I'll always love you know that you always loved me.

When it all comes down

2011-09-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, just when you think it is all gonna start going your way, it doesn't. On Tuesday, as I was leaving Pleasanton, after I had an average session of hitting with Brett Benjamin, Ryan Winther, and Ryan Bartlett, I was involved in a traffic accident in which my car was totaled. This marks my third car, in less than 5 years to meet this fate. To say that I am a little annoyed, would be an understatement.

For me, life after college has been a complete and utter battle. Battle against myself, my needs, wants and desires of now, clashing with my needs, wants, and desires for the future. Everyday of our lives, we are forced to make this decision.

"Should I get my morning Starbucks, or should I save the money," is a small battle I have everyday.

Deciding, to head to Pleasanton, was a decision for my future, which still ended up badly. Sometimes you can do it all right and have it go wrong.

For me, on this particular evening I was supposed to be in a wreck, that totaled my vehicle. Why? Well maybe it was a wake up call for me to start enjoying life and stop looking at things so negatively. I easily could have met a far worse fate on Tuesday, but I sit here now telling my story. At the moment, I am driving my fathers 1998 Dodge Ram, that looks like it was in a demolition derby. Showing up for meetings, will be comical to say the least.

For now, I am mad about the my circumstance but am aware of the fact that it is on me to change it, up to me to get better, and through hard work I will. This minor setback, is but a blip on the grand scheme of my life and I couldn't feel more blessed to be alive.

-I'll be alright, see you on the Grid.

We are all human, Sadly

2011-09-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Growing up, the majority of us looked at our parents as invincible rocks of stability, strength, honor, and character. Unfortunately, as is true with most things in life, we slowly begin to realize the truth. That perhaps, these people or this person, we've instinctively put on this pedestal, shouldn't be there.

Yesterday, visiting with my mother, I was reminded of the aforementioned lament. Standing 5'11 and proud when I was a kid, she'd now withered away into literally a skeleton with skin. It took all I had not to break down right then and there. Here was a woman who was given everything and threw it all away. For what? For alchohal, drugs, and a self centered negative mindset that will eventually be here complete and utter undoing. Growing up, I knew she was different, but I never fully accepted it. Yesterday I did, finally.

I love my mother and I know that if she had it her way, she would be happy and healthy. Sadly, however this was never and is never going to be the case. Of all the gifts I've been given in life, a happy, healthy, and supportive mother wasn't one of them. Deep down, I know she loves me and that makes me smile. Hopefully, one day she will be at peace. Until then I'll accept my mother and all of her human imperfections.

"May I strive to be the person my dog thinks I am"

-See you on the Grid

Fly with Eagles

2011-08-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I had the pleasure of hitting with some of the best in the business. It was a great experience and one that I am grateful for. As humans, it is our tendency to stay in our comfort zone and be the big fish in a small pond. This weekend I got to hit with Ryan Winther, Dominic Mazza, Brett Benjamin and a few others who crush the ball.

Even though, it was apparent that I wasn't the longest that day. It was nice to be in the company of some of the longest on earth. The experience left me exhausted, yet energized. Frustrated, but steadfast. Most of all however, the experience left me wanting more from myself. I thank those aforementioned power hitters, and look forward to working more.

-see you on the grid

TSS

There are others

2011-08-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

A lot can be learned in the dark moments in our lives. In fact, it's times that you hurt the most that you tend to truly see what you are made of. Nothing would be more true of this, than my first Long Drive event. In which I failed to advance. My father and I made

Hitting the golf bar far, is something I've been blessed with the ability to do. Plenty of golfers, would absolutely love to have the ability that I posess. "People would kill to long ball off the tee, you got an advantage over any man that steps out onto the tee" - Chubbs Peterson. That being said, as with anything in life, you are only as good as your competition. My wake up call, to this fact came in Mesquite, Nevada on August 20, 2011.

For months I trained and practiced, getting ready and preparing for the event "in my own way," knowing that if I just hit my ball, nobody had a shot. The day before the event a good friend of mine, Brett Benjamin met up with me after the long twelve hour drive to Mesquite. It was then, when I realized that I hadn't grooved the right swing to move through. Working for about an hour in the blazing 112 degree weather that day, a few swing thoughts set in. These thoughts led to 152 MPH Swing Speeds and absolute rockets off the club face. Sending balls well over the 380 yard mark. However, this was only day one of this new swing, and I hadn't grooved it.

The day of the event, competitors were to check in at 6 AM, as it was to be a scorcher. As I approached, instantly I became aware of collection of talent I was in the company of. Already, I was a little off-kilter. From that moment I began to warm up, hitting ball, after ball, after ball. All of the sudden however, the new move (which I had created the day before) went away. Time was ticking, my pulse began to race and I became nervous that I wasn't going to put it together in time for my first round. I didn't. Round 1 I proceeded to go OB OB OB OB OB OB. Well, at least it's double elimination, right?

I had some time between my next round, so began to desperately find the swing I had lost. In the process, I wore myself out, under the hot desert sun. Eventually I found my swing that day, and did moderately better. The lesson had been learned, that there are others that are just like me and working harder than I am. If this wasn't a microscm of life I don't know what is.

We are all raised to believe that each one of us is special and unique and awesome, which is absolutely true. However, if we don't take the time to sharpen the blade, improve upon our abilities and truly harness the gifts we've been given, all they will be are gifts.

That day in Mesquite, fired me up in a way that I haven't felt since my years playing for Spartans. I will work harder and longer than anyone else, and I will prove myself on the grandest of scales. As I have been given gifts that only I have the ability to turn into treasure.

Welcome to The Smoke Show

2011-08-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Smoke Show. A blog dedicated to striving for more and creating the fire and passion in our lives. As the saying goes, "Where there is smoke, there is fire." You have to work for the smoke, appreciate it and know that fire is on the way.

Joe Miller (UK) Dude, crushes the ball. Jamie Sadlowski (Canada). Dominic Mazza (USA)