A very, very, big, big happy birthday goes out to Richard “Tatts” Tattershaw this weekend from the whole TimeZoneOne team. It can’t be 40 years can it?

Blogger birthday wishes from the whole TZ1 team 

As 35 approached in the far distance, I viewed it with apprehension and, let’s face it, horror.

I looked back at 30 and remembered actually being excited about turning 30. For me, that was a statement: ‘I’m a REAL grown-up now. You can take me seriously. I am a force to be reckoned with.’

But something happened between 30 and 35. It was mostly gravity.

I’m turning 35 next week, and suddenly I seem to be surrounded by ominous articles about how the minute you turn 35 everything starts slowing down: metabolism, energy, etc. Against my will, my eyes are drawn to the page where my fate seems to be spelled out: likely weight gain, decreased flexibility, you name it. As though my peak health already happened, somewhere in that span of time when I was too sleep deprived with a new baby to notice its passing.

I’ll admit, my upcoming birthday has me feeling a little anxious. I can already feel a difference in the way I inhabit my body now, compared to how I was at 20. My hamstrings are tighter. My hands look older. The furrows between my eyebrows have turned into real lines, there even when I’m not squinting because I forgot my sunglasses.

But also, I’m looking forward to it. At 34 I finally have a haircut that actually works for me and I’m way more cool in social situations than I was then. I feel like I’m finally at a point where I can stop trying so hard. I am smarter, more experienced, and more grounded. Albeit with mushier abs.

So bring on 35!  At least I am not catching up to those other old buggers Richie and Tatts!

Hamish McDonald

Last week Tim, Murray and myself, had a rapid fire visit to Boulder, Colorado. The home of Crocs , the Dushanbe Teahouse and the characters’ house from the “Mork & Mindy ” television show. This was my first visit inside the US of A and it blew all my misconceptions of the place away.

I spent a good amount of the time suffering from insomnia and lack of appetite, but my personal highlights from the Crocs bootcamp were:

“Its Toasted” – Tim “happy chappy” Chapman coined the phrase as part of the new TZ1 language for decision making.

Being The First “Adman” through US customs.

Rick Rolling (gangster style) through Boulder in the “Loredo” listening to the non stop 80′s channel.

Adventures to the Firewood Lot with the “trusty” navigator Navman.

Sharing a room with messy Murray in the semi-murderous underground bunker.

Embracing the most organic city in North America by eating goats cheese and the huge variety of mushrooms , at least once a day to smell my best.

Being interviewed by Barns and noble about our knowledge of books, and Tim stealing the show.

Celebrating my 26th birthday with the Crocs brithday bear.

Seeing the US B-team and meeting the friendly felluhs at Crocs.

-King cobra snaking off.

Yet again, our creative team managed to express ourselves through interpretive dance and questionable dressing. Something we seem to excel at – maybe it should even become a prerequisite for new staff. They could present their ‘weeekend persona’ to the team at interview stage!? A good test of creative skills!

This occasion was in aid of Kim’s 40th birthday and the invite did mention ’80′s dress encouraged’ so we went all out. So did Kim, she was dressed to impress in a lovely jazz-a-jetics number! Not to be confused with the more modern term ‘aerobics’. I am sure she will kill me for posting such glamorous photos of her…

Brett definately would have won ‘the most excessive use of 80′s accessories’ had there been a category for it.

Check out the hijinks below.

Blogonista – Liz

Zoner of the week, this week I am nominating KIMBO.

Why, cos she is is a mother of 3 “fiesty” red headed boys, if this isnt enough she is turning 20 x 2, shes having an 80′s party this weekend and she mentioned “totally” and “gnarly” in her invite (consecutively). Heres Kim looking relaxed after a few days away from her boys on TimeZoneSun.

Brett “the freshmaker” King