The Best Job in the World

Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. What will I have to do? Blog for Tourism Queensland! Hey, I can do that!

Other duties: feed the fish, clean the pool, collect the mail.

It also pays ~$100K for a six-month assignment. Hello!

What they're looking for:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Good written and verbal English skills
• An adventurous attitude
• Willingness to try new things
• A passion for the outdoors
• Good swimming skills and enthusiasm for snorkeling and/or diving
• Ability to engage with others
• At least one year’s relevant experience
  

In other words: ME!

I can home school the kids on the beach for six months, right? And I could hang with Margaroo when she comes to visit from Brisbane every single weekend, right?

But would I have to learn how to cook?

Wishing You Every Happiness Come

That's the sentiment on a gorgeous 2009 calendar that Margaroo bought for my mother in Japan. I love it! In fact, I've stolen it from her.

Speaking of happiness come, my boss and I just agreed on a four-day work week trial. Sure, I'll still work 50 hours (i.e., 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.); but, come one! I'll have a day off every week! I'm thinking of taking Wednesdays so I can have 104 two-day work weeks this year . . .

Hello laundry! Goodbye tapping keyboard!

Hold on to that Feelin'

From my co-worker Scott who is leaving me for greener pastures . . .



(Taken on his cell phone in the Park Ave. neighborhood.)

Lighten up Francis

I was telling my nephew last week, who after his freshman year in college has not yet firmly decided on his primary course of study, not to sweat it. Why add so much pressure to "get it right" when you're young given that life -- in and out of school -- is a path of learning?

When I was a senior in college and graduating with the presumably useless B.A. in English, I called my mom weeping. I was grappling with some serious angst about my inability to define myself when my girlfriends were going off to medical school or jobs as graphic designers and engineers. "What am I going to do with my life?" I sobbed.

Her response, "Don't worry about it. I'm 50 and I still have no idea what I want to do either."

Although it may sound dismissive, they were the most loving and accepting words I had ever heard. And they immediately took the pressure off; I didn't need to have clarity right then and there.

What I didn't realize until much later was the profound nature of my mom's statement either. That 22 years later (and probably for the rest of my life) I would still be in the process of defining myself, trying to determine what talents I have been given (!) and searching for answers regarding what's next.

Right now, I feel confident that I am exactly where I need to be. And instead of forging my way into the next experience blindly and later assessing the collateral damage, I'm waiting for divine inspiration (intervention?) to guide my way.

You never know what God has up his sleeve. I'll probably become America's Next Top Model.

My Dream Job

Wouldn't it be fabulous to travel the world, a la Anthony Bourdain, eating amazing meals at all of the consummate (but not necessarily upscale) restaurants in each locale? To spend your life enjoying the best that life has to offer? And make heaps of money in the process?

The fact that Anthony is an avowed Ramones fan is just icing on the cake. As Mr. Burns would say, "I like the cut of his jib."

Given that he already owns that niche, I want to claim the same format but cater to those seeking spiritual adventure. I won't get to booze it up nearly as much (well, on camera that is) but I could take viewers to places where filming is rarely allowed. And not to spas and resorts -- which are always highlighted on travel programs -- but to lesser known ashrams, Siberian shamans, and Tibetan nunneries.

Would I love to visit Bhutan? You bet. But I could also share places closer to home like the Abbey of the Genesee where 30+ contemplative (a.k.a. Trappist) monks reside and offer monastic-style retreats throughout the year. Or Rochester's own Zen Center where my girlfriend and I spent one of the best days of our lives in an introductory workshop on zazen meditation.

I guarantee that in every city across America, as well as villages and towns throughout the world, there is something awe-inspiring to showcase. And I'm just the right person to share it with you! Come on Travel Channel, make my dreams come true.