01/20/2004: "2003 – The Year in review"

In November of 2002, I was laid off from Broadcom, where I had been hired just two months earlier. It was quite a deal really, I got a sign on bonus, and then two months later, a three-month severance cheque! Still, it was not a nice experience – I hate leaving things unfinished, they tend to prey on my mind for ages after wards (I still have dreams about going back and finishing at Duntroon), and the way that they escort people out of the building somehow leaves you feel untrustworthy, almost criminal…


Still, flush with cash from the settlement, and with a lousy job market, I decided to take it easy for a while, and just recharge my batteries. I managed to avoid any theatre work, so really had nothing major on my plate, aside from the usual list of a thousand tasks I want to get done! I had a vague plan of a road-trip to South America, and although the lack of a job put rather a dent in that plan, I still started to make the first preparations. One of these was buying a Ford F250 Pickup (Nicknamed “Betty” ), and a camper to go on the back. I had planned to sell one of my Mustangs, the ’69 Mach1 to finance the new truck – and for once, I actually managed to do so! I was sad to see her go, but I got a good price – certainly a better investment than any money I had put in the stock market recently! I still have the Shelby of course, who got a new transmission during the year, but is now waiting for an engine rebuild!

Although I was cast as understudy for Riff Raff in a local production of “The Rocky Horror Show”, I turned it down in favour of a part in a documentary! The documentary is called “The Ex Files”, and each episode shows a person going to visit three of their past loves. I traveled first to England, where I met up with Sarah Gargett and Vivienne Robertson, and then to France to see Nadege, all with a film crew in tow! It was an extremely interesting experience, involved free travel, and I got to see three very good friends – as well as be on television! Who could ask for more? J. It has yet to air in the States, but I have a bootleg tape, and with the right bribery, I might be persuaded to show it…

Seeing Nadege was a little sad, not least because our dog, Isma, had passed away a few months before. Isma was living with Nadege in France, and I had tried to get a flight out in time to see her one last time, but I was too late. Tobi, my dog from Australia who was living with my sister, also passed away later in the year, at the ripe-old age of 17. I’ll miss both of them, but at least I still have Bear to keep me company.

Being out of work gave me lots of time for travel, and so in June I made the decision that I was due for a trip home. It was a relatively short trip, but Perth managed to put on fantastic weather for us, and Susannah was most impressed with her first visit to Australia. I even took her on a boat-trip up the Yarra in Melbourne beforehand, so the Swan River would look even better in comparison! I visited Rottnest for the first time in 16 years, and as I was sitting drinking a Cappuccino looking out over Thomson’s Bay, I was struck by the fact that Rottnest has become civilized in the same way I have – a thin veneer of sophistication on the surface, but underneath, it’s the same old place! I also caught up with a lot of old friends, and firmly intend to organize a New Years Eve party at Fairbridge at the end of 2004, to get everyone together again.

Travel’s continued, with a trip to Europe in July for Nadege’s wedding to Fabian. I was alone this time, and had a marvelous two-week trip through Southern France and Spain, just wandering wherever the impulse took me. I had a great time at Nadege’s wedding, and although it might seem strange to even be invited to your ex-wife’s wedding, if you really know us, you know that it isn’t strange at all. There were a few bittersweet moments, but above all, it was great to see Nadege so happy, to see that her family still liked me, and to catch up with several old friends. On the way back to California, I met up with Susannah in New York for another wedding, this time an elaborate Indian shindig, which was quite an experience.

After a relaxing summer, things started to heat up again in August. I was cast in the “King and I” with Saratoga Drama Group, as Sir Edward Ramsey (and a secondary part as Captain Orton, the salty Scottish sea-Captain), and shortly afterwards, landed myself a job. As usual, my timing was impeccable, as I had just come to the end of my money, and it was nice to receive a pay-check again! The job is with Sunext, a pseudo-startup that was sold off from Oak Technologies, and it is nice to be back in the game and able to challenge the right hand side of my brain again. I also went straight from one play to another, playing the part of “Soapy the Bum” in Tabard’s “The Gifts of the Magi”.

The year ended on a quiet note, with most of my friends away over Christmas and New Year. My roommate Jamie was busy preparing to leave for Dublin, giving up the joys of “The Lounge at 377” for the call of Guinness, exactly two years after he moved in. It was sad in a way, but having lived in three continents in 10 years, I thoroughly understand the need to keep moving… we’ll miss ya mate!
2004 promises to be another busy year! The electronics industry is starting to recover somewhat, which is always a good sign. I am auditioning for several shows over the next few weeks, and will even be Assistant Director in a play later in the year. With any luck, my screen play may even see the light of day, but don’t hold your breath on that one!

I hope your 2004 brings you all that you deserve,

Chris.