Tryphoon's Lair

Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles

An afternoon in the Mojave

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Totally using my friend Tom's Facebook status update regarding this event, during which I checked 2 of the last tasks in my full Americanization list in one go: "Shooting at various objects" & "Spend afternoon in open desert" 

"On Saturday, we established a modern-day "Ligne Maginot" on point defending against the Armenians from Glendale.

Then we raced some RC cars through the desert, and drank beer with the local denizens..."

Great time, great fun and yes, I got scared by the locals! 

I can see my old office from here!

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Well, it has been 12 years. 12 years of almost 24x7x365 dedication to the Mouse House! A long adventure that started some dark winter day in Paris, trying to land back on my feet while working for a couple of months as a contractor for Disney Online, thanks to my then business partner Christophe and his then girlfriend. These couple of months soon turned (for the better) into a full time gig and a move to London, starting anew in Britain, for what I thought was a "12 months max" project, before ideally moving to New York or back to France.

Eight years later, I was finally leaving the UK, but now working in the Media division of the Mouse, on my way to Los Angeles, with my British wife and my multi-passport daughter...

Four years later, the daughters count has reached 2 and shortly after having decided that it was actually a good idea to stick with the Mouse of another decade or 2, my career took a wrong turn and seemed to have reached a dead end at best...

Once again, when I was not really looking for a job (but just being extremely unhappy of mine at the time) a friend appeared from nowhere (see Sylvain in 1999, Keith in 2003), offered to apply for a position and I simply decided to run for it (the one bird in your hand...). To my biggest surprise, I was considered and then offered the role.

After much deliberation, second thoughts, guilt trips and more, I decided to embark on that new journey, close that 12+ years chapter and start a new one (literally) across the street, with Turner, part of the Time Warner group (formerly known as the Enemy),

The hardest part in that whole process: Explaining to my 2 baby girls that Daddy was no longer going to work for any of the Princesses (Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, etc) or Hannah Montana...

So, I guess it is "Bye Bye Mickey", "Hello Looney Tunes and Scooby Doo"!

 

Cyril has left the building

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Dear office, I will miss you. You have served me well. I have spent way to many hours with you, days, nights, weekends, holidays, etc...

After 12 plus magical years within the "Mouse House", it is time for me to move on and start anew...

To all of my Disney friends, I'll miss you but do not expect to be totally done with me! Our paths will definitely cross again...

Some changes ahead

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So first things first, let's come out clean with my little piece of news: After over 12 years spent working for the Mouse, I will be leaving Disney in a couple of weeks (applying the 2 weeks notice rule used in this country) and will be joining Turner, part of the Time Warner family of companies, home of TNT, TBS, TruTV, The Cartoon Network and CNN... 

It hasn't been an easy decision to take. Far from it. 

Come on, as far as I can remember things with great details, Disney has been part of my life. I Moved to the UK with Disney. I met some of my best friends through and at Disney. I met my wife at Disney. I moved to the US with Disney. My youngest daughter was born in a Disney ward. Even my nickname has been "Mickey" for as long as I lived in London and my current team feels more like family than anything else...

But this is now over...

After several weeks of discussion and agonizing decision making process, I finally came out clean and handed my resignation last week. Well, to be totally honest, I mostly sobbed through it when trying to explain my decision process (despite the help of some liquid courage) but in the end, I managed to pass the message and confirmed it on Monday after having been given a weekend to reconsider.

I have, since then spent the days in back to back, one on one meetings, announcing in person my imminent departure to my closest friends and colleagues and tried to think about a simple way to tell my 2 girls that Daddy no longer works with Hannah Montana and Cinderella, which is actually the hardest part of the story.

So dear Internets, there it is. It is now public. Done, dealt with, time for a beer and some Mexican food! 

PS: I am sorry for the couple of persons I know I have disappointed, despite their investment in me…

PPS: I might have missed a couple of people due to time zone differences...

 

 

My little music corner...

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After many years dreaming of owning a drum-kit and almost 12 months without a chance to step in a rehearsal studio, I finally recently acquired a second hand Roland TD-3 electronic kit and found a nice little niche for it...

Music corner even includes a fan for the hot summer days and a poster of some iconic British band.

Let the fun begin!

Dear Tony, I am sorry to tell you that I am cheating on you...

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It is sad but true.

After over a year of embracing the word of Tony "P90X" Horton, I am about to start a new relationship with Tom Holland. At least for a while...

All I had to do awas to purchase the $19.99 (plus S&H) to get access to that new method that doesn't seem to require a traction bar.. Well, $19.99 + shipping + expedited shipping (2 weeks instead of 6 to 7) + handling fees + recovery drink (same as P90X) for 3 months + vitamins for 3 months + special push up bars + bonus DVD + nutrition guide or actually a mere $190...

Let's see if I'll stick to this new relationship or if I'll go back screaming and crying to Tony!

Winter weekend in the Santa Clarita Valey

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No snow planned for the long weekend.

This time, we're on for a normal spring weekend, including BBQ with friends and some pool time...