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	<title>James Gray &#187; Friends &amp; Family</title>
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		<title>Friends &amp; Family</title>
		<link>http://www.jamesgray.com/2009/07/15/58/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:41:55 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Friends & Family]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[I’ll never forget the first day of my “temporary retirement,” August 4th, 2008.
 
Every Monday morning for the previous 5 years I had woken up in London and scurried off to work to start my week, along with millions of other Londoners. Although I did wake up like clockwork at the usual time, and I [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I’ll never forget the first day of my “temporary retirement,” August 4th, 2008.</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
Every Monday morning for the previous 5 years I had woken up in London and scurried off to work to start my week, along with millions of other Londoners. Although I did wake up like clockwork at the usual time, and I was still in London, this particular Monday was very different.</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
Most mornings I jumped in my car and drove to work, but this morning I had to go out to pump the parking meter full of change so I wouldn&#8217;t get a ticket. Wearing sweatpants and slippers I slowly strolled outside feeling like I was viewing the world as though I wasn&#8217;t quite part of it like I used to be. I waved to my neighbor who was wearing a suit, as usual, putting on his helmet and then mounting on his Vespa to whisk away into the fast-moving sea of commuters.</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
I don’t want to drag this on too long, so let’s get to the most important part of this day. I got back into my apartment, grabbed a pad of paper and a pen, and asked myself, “Okay, what are you going to do with the rest of your life?”</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
I ended up scribbling down scattered ideas from travel, to other business ventures, to spending more time with my family, and quickly stopped, realizing I needed a more structured approach to this exercise.</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
Then I drew somewhat of a matrix like thing-a-ma-jiggy, and asked myself, &#8220;Why do I get out of bed everyday?&#8221; Ok, so top box of the matrix is, &#8220;So I can have fun and be happy,&#8221; no surprise there. Alright then, &#8220;What makes me happy, and when do I have fun?&#8221;</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
Then as I started writing a list of answers, which was similar to my previous list, I slowed down realizing they all clearly had something in common&#8230;</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
I have the most fun and I am the most happy when I’m together with friends and family.</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
Since I’m someone who loves thinking big, my next question came naturally, “How do I create the ultimate environment for experiencing life’s greatest joys and challenges together with friends and family?”</p>
<p><code> </code><br />
After grinding the mind gears for a short-while, my first answer felt like a winning concept; build an incredible place for friends and family to come together, and build it together with the passion of your friends and family. </p>
<p><code> </code><br />
Now I know that sounds quite vague, but to give you a hint, I&#8217;m thinking of a project that plays to the strengths of ambitious and creative minds that I know.<br />
<code> </code><br />
With the help of others, we already have a snowballing list of ideas to incorporate into this project, however it’s still premature to broadcast where we&#8217;re going (since we still don&#8217;t know exactly!).<br />
<code> </code><br />
In fact, the ideas are nowhere near complete, especially not until I receive your feedback or your interest, and someday, maybe even your involvement too.  If you are interested to learn more please let me know by entering your email address <a href="http://www.jamesgray.com/contact/">here</a></p>
<p><code> </code><br />
Eventually I intend to use this section of the site to document the lifespan of this project, which is sure to be a magnificent challenge.</p>
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