Last Friday, after a seven-day cruise from Vancouver to Alaska, I flew back to Los Angeles. As my older son pointed out (pointedly), it was a day of sitting. We took a three-hour bus ride from the ship to the airport in Anchorage and then spent the day sitting in airports or on airplanes until nearly midnight.

For me, a lot of sitting means a lot of reading – always a great opportunity to.

Years ago, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal listing the ten rules of business. The first rule was — don’t run out of cash. The tenth rule — don’t run out of cash. The other eight aren’t nearly as important. I’ve done my best to follow the first and tenth rules.

Last Friday, as we spent the day en route, I read an article on the seven rules of joy. The first, and best, idea was to find life awesome.  I’ll second that.

Think about it for a moment.

The human body — awesome.

How about wind, whether it’s blowing two miles an hour or two hundred?  Awesome.

Other awesomeness, in no particular order:

Love
Eyesight
Memory
Language
Cities
Space exploration
Cell phones
Television
Friends
Cash
Electricity
Airplanes
Water
Humor
Touch
Trees

When I really think about it, I see wonder into whatever window onto the world I’m looking through. How many awesome discoveries have been made by others during my lifetime?  How many friends have I had for more than fifty years?

Last week I read an excellent biography of Einstein.  Even though he died in 1955, before most of us were born, I’d guess that most people alive today know his name, which is often used a metaphor for genius.

The week before last, I read a new biography of Mark Twain. Next up is Sister Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson.

We all know that experience is the best teacher. By reading biographies I can learn from another person’s experience, in addition to my own.

In a few weeks I’m off to Edinburgh for their annual theater festival. It was there I began writing my blog a little more than ten years ago.

Life.

Awesome.

Alan

On July 14, 1914, my dad was born to immigrant parents in New York City. He lived to be 104, and his father  survived to 94, so I guess I’m genetically headed toward 114. That will be in early March, 2054, just 29 years away.

Though it was  was never discussed, I believe  Dad, in his youth, wasn’t a great student in traditional school subjects. And yet, because he showed musical aptitude,  he became  a very successful studio musician. His choice of instrument was entirely pragmatic. His parents asked his music teacher which instrument he  could play to earn a good living.  The French Horn (Voltone) was not popular at the time, and at age 18 Dad became the  solo horn player at the Minneapolis Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy. That was quite an improvement over his own father’s employment, a piece-work tailor in the New York sweatshops. Literally – a sweatshop! There was no air conditioning in the early 1900’s.

When I pause to think about it, I have enormous respect for Dad’s life choices. And while he insisted that my younger brother and I  learn to play an instrument, he discouraged us from pursuing  a career in music.  In retrospect, he was absolutely correct.

There is a well worn joke about a young  man who said, “When I was 18 my father didn’t know anything. But by the time I was 23 he had learned a lot.

And so,  this is   a “Thank you” note.

Thanks, Dad, for your guidance and support. You were an exemplary father, and I have done my best to emulate you. Your example, and your advice, have been at the center of my success. While I did not inherit your deft touch in the stock market, I’ve done well finding s investments that work for me.

I hope you know that I love and respect you.

Thank you, Dad.

P.S.  Regarding the photo, my mother played the trumpet professionally in the 1930’s.

Alan

Whenever I’m planning to leave for a vacation, people inevitably ask if I’m “looking forward” to the trip.

As I’ve shared before, this question takes me by surprise because I live in the moment. I focus on what is happening now, rather than in some unknowable future. This enables me to remain curious and open-minded to whatever opportunities and experiences come along.

I’ve noticed that, over the years, I’ve enjoyed both “Town” and “Gown.”  I enjoy the “real” practical world of non-academic, business and work. That’s the “Town” part.

The “Gown” part is Academia.  Perhaps that explains why, throughout my business career, I have continued to attend classes and seminars in the afternoon and evening. In this way I went on to obtain an M.S. in Education and an M.A. in professional writing – in addition to my original accounting and law degrees.

I knew a doctor who, after he retired, enjoyed attending classes at UCLA Extension. Just because someone is engaged in a particular career, or retired, doesn’t mean they have to close themselves off to other pursuits.

All of the above is leading me to reveal that – yes – Daveen and I are taking a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska, leaving later this month. To be clear, however, at this moment I’m enjoying writing my blog, and nothing else.

So I assume that soon you will hear from me writing from Sitka or Juneau.  Also, for one week in August, we will be at the Edinburgh Festival —enjoying many theatrical performances. Ten years ago I began writing this blog in Edinburgh — in my hotel room between performances. It’s been a wonderful ride.

But I can put my normal life on “hold” for just so long, and not forever. I still have things to do and people to see.

Not to mention many more blogs to write.

Alan