Timezoneone Blog

Traveling in the U.S.A is nothing new for the TZ1 Business team, however for this New Zealand zoner it is a truly unique experience. So sitting here at Sydney airport, waiting to mosey on back (something I learnt to do in the U.S) to the creative hub, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what has been an interesting time.

First off, it was a real shame my luggage was lost somewhere in the void which is LAX. It put a dampener on my first couple of days as I stressed out over having lost everything I had bought with me. My t-shirt collection would never been the same and the small matter of 50 odd cricket shirts for the TZ1 Fenders Cricket Team lost was enough to send the Chicago office into despair. I won’t mention airlines, but thankfully I was re-UNITED with my luggage with 2 days left of my trip. Luckily Boulder, Colorado had plenty of shopping to offer and I made it through the week without offending too many noses.

Pretzels! Why, why, why! Of all the things to be offered on an airplane they give you the one thing that tastes like cardboard, and are bound to leave you dehydrated if you don’t partake in the beverage service. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I love flying the friendly skies as much as anyone else, but one tip… eat before you get on the plane, and then spend the time on the plane worrying if your luggage made it, better yet carry-on, but note you will have to make a mad dash to the front of the queue to ensure you get overhead baggage space as it is almost as valuable as gold. Well enough of the moaning (sorry if I have bored anyone), and on to the highlights…

Boulder , home of Crocs and Mork and Mindy . It was my second visit to Colorado, and this time I got the chance to have a walk around and take in the sights. Having now done that I can say Boulder is alot like Christchurch, and because of that I felt right at home. This Zoner could easily live and enjoy life there as it is a friendly, easy-going place. For anyone planning a trip to the USA, Boulder would be a great addition.

Chicago, as ol’ blue eyes Sinatra would say - my kind of town. Again this city was like a home away from home for me. Having lived in the big smoke before (Sydney), I am used to big cities and don’t find them intimidating. I probably did too much work and not enough sight-seeing while I was there (entirely my fault) but from what I did see it is one of the truly great world cities and one I would like to visit again (hint, hint, Zoner Business Team!) For anyone visiting I would recommend skipping Sears Towers and instead visit the Hancock Observatory , walk the magnificent mile, get down to the lake side, and visit Navy Pier . This is only a small part of a huge city but alot of fun.

All in all I had a great time and would do it again a million time over, but I am looking forward to getting home, sleeping in my own bed, and seeing the team in NZ.

So thanks to the Business Team for having me and I see you back there again soon (hint, hint, hint!)

Homeward Bound Blogger Tim.

P.S. To everyone in the creative studio… Australian Customs confiscated all the American candy I was bringing back, so sorry no Baby Ruths, Reeces Pieces, or Twinkies this time.

Wellllll done TimeZoneOne, we have a new Chicago home. The new office has many of the features of the Christchurch office, bright colored walls, crazy rainbow wallpaper and strange accents. So it creates a nice connection and warm, fuzzy feelings between the TimeZoneOne hemispheres.

View Larger Map

Below are images of the office interior. Click here and use ’street view’ to stroll around outside.

Davo substituting for Blogonista - Liz

 That’s right, this is not a mistake! Cricket IS played in Chicago…

As young whippersnappers we would hear our fathers tell us that ‘cricket is a world game’ but until I personally witnessed it and participated in it in Chicago I would never have believed it and sometimes it is surreal.

In 2005 at an ANZAC Day Ceremony hosted by the Australian Consulate in Chicago is where the PGH Fenders XI Expat Cricket team evolved.  This has been a baby of TZ1’s own Richard Tattershaw (Tatts) for some time and that glorious evening I was fortunate enough to be on hand to witness Tatts stroll around the room and recruit Aussie and Kiwi budding cricket players like a man on trek in finding the holly grail!  Alas the emergence of the PGH Fender XI.

The PGH Fenders are now part of the Midwest Cricket Conference and have shown some fine form over the past few years, well it has been entertaining is probably the better description.  The team is made of Aussie and Kiwi expats to Chicago with some quite notable American additions.  One could say that Tatts maybe instrumental in bringing the game of cricket to the wider US market; well lets not get to ahead of ourselves just yet!

The PGH Fenders have made a name for themselves not only amongst the Midwest of the US but they also were involved in a cricket tour to the Caribbean in 2006 and have even had some exposure in the Australian media

Well done Tatts and TZ1 for helping bring the game of cricket to the US.

Written by:  Perennial Fender 12th Man Folksey