At my office yesterday, my staff surprised me with a chocolate and coconut birthday cake. It was delicious. There was a birthday card, too. It promised me something 'hot' to look at, were I just to open the card to see the inside panels. I did so, eagerly. There, indeed, was a picture of something hot -- a cup of steaming coffee. Now, I love coffee as much as anyone, but couldn't there have been a picture of something more titillating inside? Will the birthday insults never stop? I love my employees, though, even if they do tease me. Having them all working for me is my real birthday present from them.
Then I went home. Pavarotti wasn't there. Nor were the Boston Pops Orchestra or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Marilyn Monroe wasn't there either, singing Happy Birthday to me, so I had to imagine her presence, wearing that filmy almost-dress she wore when she serenaded John Kennedy on his birthday. Yummy.
My wife and son were there, though, and that is what was most important. Although I didn't really want a gift, I got a CD by Johnny Cash. It is called 'Personal File,' and is a compilation of songs that he recorded at home, for himself, and probably never intended to be released.
There was no birthday cake at home. My son was having a sleep-over at our place, with three of his teen-aged buddies, so a celebration of sorts will be held on the weekend instead.
Today, I drove to Toronto to meet with a potential Roca Milagro investor. During the drive to and from Toronto, I did a lot of thinking. I get some of my best ideas when I drive, the car stereo cranked up to the 'stun' setting, and travelling as close to the speed of sound as I can reasonably get without getting arrested. My travel music is often Pink Floyd, Alvin Lee, B. B. King, Eric Clapton and other music heavy on guitar. Today, I listened, of course, to the Johnny Cash album. I enjoyed it. My ruminations helped me decide on how to proceed with a few things that require my attention, so all in all it was a good trip.
Now that I can forget my birthday fixation for another year, it is time to concentrate on finding a new home for my family. Guess what I'm doing tonight?
If you can find a home for your family in one night, let me know your secret.
ReplyDeleteI like Eric Clapton. I also saw the Running on Empty CD by Jackson Browne on sale at Costco. I was going to buy it, because my last copy of that was an album. You know, one of those black plastic circular things?
It sounds like you're surrounded by good people, which is especially nice on one's birthday. (I enjoyed your ruminations yesterday. Surely we make an impact, not soon to be forgotten, on our immediate circle. I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't think I was of benefit to someone, which is a huge part of why I teach.)
I have boxes and boxes of those big, black, round things. Can't bear to get rid of them, too many good memories. Silly, I know.
ReplyDeleteI like George Harrison, who as a solo artist was, I think, one of the most under-rated performer/songwriters ever. "Savoy Truffle" was one of my favourite Harrison songs, probably because I'm a sucker for good desserts.
I could never teach kids. I'm too impatient and would want to swat them when they misbehaved. Remember the strap used up to the sixties (in Canada, at least) to discipline kids? It did have its good points. My wife is a teacher and the tales she tells make me cringe. I occasionally speak at colleges and at university on various things. I do enjoy that.
I have a great deal of respect for anyone who can be an effective teacher, given what many kids are like these days: undisciplined, unmotivated and unfocused. Good for you! I like your attitude.
I'm gonna go WAAAAY out on a limb and guess...House-hunting?
ReplyDeleteGood guess.
ReplyDeleteI see from various U.S. reports that in many places homes are falling in price, and that new building is slowing down. That hasn't quite happened here yet, but it can't be too far away.