A Texan in the Fatherland

Hello, just a quick update that all is well at GIFA.  It has been nonstop since we got here.  This show is beyond huge, even by Texas tall tale standards.  Barbara did a really bang-up, outstanding job on the booth.  Visits to the booth have been beyond our expectations.  Well, that is all for now...

Terminal Count Down Phase

Ok, it's the terminal countdown phase for GIFA.  Barbara Nolan has indicated we are a GO!  We have GIFA Fever.  The plans are set, the stage is built, and it's almost SHOWTIME...

Follow my GIFA Travels @ Synchro32 North America Travels @ GIFA

I'll start my trip on Saturday from East Texas where someone is taking care of my dog Doc Holliday...  There won't be anything to see until then.

Until next time from the other side of the pond...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like GIFA!

Howdy from Texas.  I do hope you are doing well.  I've got "GIFA BRAIN' and there is only one cure for it.  Going to GIFA.  Are you going to GIFA?  If not, the question would be why not?  Irregardless of which corner of the world you are in - whether outer or inner Mongolia or the woods of Siberia - it really doesn't matter.  The world is a different place these days.  The world is interconnected and there is a global market place.  Doing business in your own backyard just won't cut it anymore.  Everyone must think on a global basis and doing business on a global basis.  GIFA is all about metalcasting and doesn't happen every year.  I have huge expectations of GIFA as I have longed to attend.  This is going to  be FUN!  Plus, an added benefit is that I get to catch up with the far flung management team of Synchro32 and a real bonus is that the weather will be much cooler there than here in Texas!


Thinking globally, my esteemed unnamed bank/financial institution doesn't do foreign currency.  I called up today to get ready to change dollars into Euros and was SHOCKED to learn that they don't do foreign?  Mind blowing.  I never would have expected such a large financial institution with many offices across the state not doing foreign.   I mean, they don't have to keep a Brazillian dollars on hand, but, enough to provide customer service would be great.  I think I'll send the bank president a link to this blog so he can give it some thought...  I know him personally.

Anyway, the checklist is narrowing down.  I just hope Texas doesn't pass the TSA Anti-Groping law before I leave, as air travel will be suspended in/out of Texas.  Got into a huge discussion on this last night and the Constitutionality of it all.   I like discussing the Constitution - fascinating subject and document.

Finally got some much needed rain the last two days.

Until next time, see you on down the road...

Something is Going to Snap

Where is the Postman?

Checklists

I'm a list kinda guy.  I make lists like Santa Claus and check them twice.  Part of being partially alluded to obsessive compulsive - oh mind you, I don't wring my hands like McBeth, but I do make lists.  I have a distaste for forgetting things, the simple things.  I like to call it having a plan.  Always have a plan and then have a plan of a plan and of course there are backup and contingency plans (some call these plan B's - I prefer contingency plans).   There is some sort of a negative connotation to "Plan B's" on my way of thinking.

So, GIFA, of course I have a running list of what to bring, what to do, etc.  Have a plan, work the plan.  I must be Russian?  If you recall a scene in the "Hunt for Red October", one of the admirals makes a comments about Russkies and plans...  :)

I made it through two tours of University Education making lists.  In the MBA program, I relied heavily on lists and plans.  For many exams, it was rote memorization - memorize it and spit it back out.  There are all kinds of neat mind tools for remembering things.  I took a course during my tenure at Electronic Data Systems, EDS, on how to memorize.  Things like Mind Maps and word associations.
1-Bun, 2-Shoe, 3-Tree, 4-Door, 5-Hive, 6-Styx, 7-Heave, 8-Date, 9-Dime, 10-Pin - The idea behind this is to associate the Bun, Shoe, Tree - etc. with some concept.  I still use this to this day on shopping lists.  1-Bun (bread), 2-Shoe (a bottle of mustard in a shoe), 3-Tree (toilet paper hanging from a tree), etc.

Well, looking forward to meeting up with everyone on the global metalcasting scale.  This is going to be incredibly neat.    Lots of great opportunities to meet and great and introduce the metalcasting world to the litany of benefits of the Synchro32 software. 

I sure hope the weather is more temperate in Duessldorf Germany, hey, I'd better check the weather to see if I'm going to need to add a coat to the list!

Until next time, see you on down the road...  Shane Allen - Head of Synchro32 North American Operations...

GOOSE BUMPS FOR GIFA

GIFA Mission Director Barbara Nolan Collins reports that all systems are go as we enter the terminal count down phase. 

GIFA Status Check

Visit Synchro32 @ GIFA Hall 12 / G04

Just gives me goose bumps thinking about it...  This is going to be fun.  Meeting and greeting and shaking hands with thousands and thouands, (perhaps 70,000) metalcasters from all over the globe.

Keeps reminding me of the US Space Program, especially the Apollo Moon program that I grew up with.  Even today, I still gaze at the moon in awe thinking that man has walked there.  "And I was strolling on the moon one day ..."  I often wonder what the moon walkers think about when they gaze up to where they have walked - knowing that they just can't "go back there".  If I had extremely deep pockets, I'd go to the moon myself and plant the Synchro32 flag there and open up the Synchro32 Moon Office..  Shane Allen - Head of Synchro32 Moon Operations!  Sounds sweet doesn't it?

Astronauts Report that "It Feels Good"

Well, I'll just have to settle for strolling the halls of GIFA for now!  Until next time, see you on down the road..

Shane Allen - Synchro32 North America Head of Operations...

Good Morning America How Are You?

Hello From Texas,

The Synchro32 office is mired in the thralls of an early Summer.  It will be so nice to take refuge in Germany in about three weeks where the weather should be much more temperate.   GIFA!  I have GIFA fever!  I'm ready to attend my first GIFA!  I have so longed to attend, but was never in a position to.  I will get to meet Jean-Marie  for the first time and also see Richy Raine for the first time since October 2009!  I haven't seen Lee since December 2008 I believe.  Of course, I will get to shake Chris's hand as I haven't seen him in over a year!  Simon and I catch up quite often while he is traversing the states, but he will not be attending GIFA as new customer demands are keeping him busy on the North American circuit!

Ever get a song stuck in your mind?  I had a song stuck in my head all weekend for some reason.  Willie Nelson did a rerecording of it City of New Orleans by Willie Nelson but of course Arlo Guthrie did the original version City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie

Don't know why I get songs stuck in my head, I keep humming the lines to it - makes me feel good.

Be sure to see the prior blog entry on the newest member of the Synchro32 team :)  Princess Leah
http://synchro-32.blogspot.com/2011/06/well-as-im-sure-some-of-you-already.html

Ah, the proud parents did a great job didn't they?  Isn't she cute? 

Anyway, until next time, see you on down the road.

Shane Allen / Synchro32 North American Operations

Well, as I'm sure some of you already know, My Daughter finally arrived on Friday, May 20th, at 20:08 hours weighing a hefty 8lbs, 9oz's

Both Mum & Baby did a brilliant job, and are both absolutely fine.

So, without further ado, I am as proud as possible, and pleased to present 'Leah' to the world...

What you looking at??

Proud Dad

Look....it DOES sleep!

Brilliant Mum..

Right, I'll leave you for now, but I will of course have to keep everyone updated, but before I do go, I would like to say a massive THANK YOU, to Everyone at Synchro, for doing a great job whilst I was away, and for their fantastic support & gifts, especially to God Parents, Chris Collins, & Barbara Nolan.

Leah has the best extended family anyone could hope for with Synchro.

Lee.

Hot as Blue Blazes...

Whew, on this side of the globe in Texas, it has gotten as hot as blue blazes.  It might only be the 1st of June, but we are already have topped the century mark.  To make matters even worse, we are in the midst of a severe drought and large swaths of the state are burning up in wildfires.

I took a bit of time off this last weekend and traveled to a nearby state park for some R&R.  Pedernales Falls
Met up with a large group of friends and we had a big ole time. 

Speaking of hot, things are hotter than blue blazes at Synchro32 these days.  The Synchro32 team is hard at work bringing up new customers and assisting existing customers in getting their operations streamlined.  The entire management team is looking forward to the upcoming GIFA.  Hard to believe that it will happen in just a tad bit over three weeks. 

Well, below are some pictures from this last weekends trip.  Until next time, see you on down the road...