The Chance To Begin Again

News out of London this morning timed perfectly to lock in the date for the first Secret Cinema adventure.  How perfect a way it will be to mark the last official holi-day of the two month sabbatical - a pub lunch Bankside, the Globe matinee, and then: "A new life awaits you in the Off-World colonies..."  When back in the real world, maybe it does... 

How fitting a sentiment for post #600 on this blog, which has chronicled much in the way of hopes and dreams and disappointments, since the death/resting of the Ahab's experiment and the start of the more incognito approach.  Back to the life where you left things, in a strange sense, when you started at the firm post-bar call in September 2006. 

If that makes any sense.  I am not sure it does completely.  My mind has been tossing over so much in the way of noise and strange symmetries and alignments lately.  Perhaps looking for patterns that are not quite there in an attempt to explain the restlessness.  As a way to prepare to be completely present in the 75 day adventure, and to understand the future.  Desperate for symbolism to help explain and guide the fateful choices that might be made in the months ahead.

It makes me want to sit back and remember accomplishments.  Off the top of the head, then, the places visited since that call?

07 - Ireland, London/Oxford, Chicago, Niagara, Paris/Brussels, Vegas/Phoenix, London, Istanbul
08 - Edinburgh, London, Malta, Iceland, Paris, La Paz to Lima, Wisconsin, Tel Aviv to Cairo
09 - Yucatan, then the 6 month global trip..., NYC
10 - NYC, London, Lake District, Madrid/Pamplona/Barca, Key West, Peru
11 - London/Cyprus/Morocco, Cuba x2, Ireland, London
12 - Ireland, Viet/Cam, London, Indy, NYC, Rio/BA, Ireland/London/Manchester
13 - Bahamas, Jamaica, London/Paris, India, London/Russia
14 - Tanzania, Jamaica, London/Wembley, Brazil, Buffalo, London, Cruise
15 - NYC, Cuba, London/Hadrian's/Wembley, Bermuda, Tomatina/Ibiza, Edinburgh, Belize
16 - Guatemala, New Hampshire, Edinburgh/London, DR, France, Boston, London/Ireland, Philly/NYC, Vegas
17 - HK, Bali, NZ, Sydney, Grenada, Scotland/England/Wembley, Chicago/Nash, London, NO...

Some of these I had to re-remember, via the blog and the albums and Arsenal game log.  Just to get the dates right, and cover off each time I have flown across the Atlantic and back.  It is a nice list, a lot of moments, a lot of experiences for all-time.  A bit of repetition in the middle years, with the more recent years becoming bolder.  Although what can you say, really.  It has been quite the decade and a bit.  It would also be wrong to say, necessarily, that you are coming back around to something now.  So much typing spent imagining a future away from this desk.  All throughout the professional career, as you imagined options and explored different angles.  To arrive to this point.  The embarking on the most impressive and most anticipated of them all, yet with a fixed target as the goal for the return.

Can you move back toward a cheaper philosophy?  Can you get back to more frugal habits, in exchange for the bouncing-naked-on-a-trampoline type freedom?  I would like to think so.  That's the challenge.  That's the quest.  To make it work.  To walk free.  To do your own artistic work. 

Ozil re-signs today, which cheers the spirits, even as stocks fall further and yesterday's loss is to be lamented.  Maybe the real epiphany is not to worry.  Forget the planning.  Let it work itself out.  Just get permission to get started.  Do not get hung up on the obstacles, on the compromises.  Get back in the moment and let the future sort itself out. 

It's an idea.  If you say run, I'll run with you. 



I say, Run.  Hope the one emerges on the other side of the ocean crossing will say the same.


    

Cornwallis Redux

The statue's coming down, congrats to those who care.  But history cannot be rewritten, and the memory of summer 2011 remains.  As you sat there amid PhD applications, searching for rebirth across the water, that never took, and brought you back.  Here.

Fresh off the 3-Day Novel challenge then, that still has not been bettered in terms of writing efforts taken. How everything today, as you build back toward another sudden reversal, seems a talisman of past and future both.  A circle returning in upon itself before moving on.

So a quick photo of Edward, and then out of the cold to the comfort of shelter on a blustery February night, post-the second last meeting as chair of SBTS...

If not Freeport then what?  That's the question to be posed, the answer to be demanded and prepared, if sitting at the foot of that statue, rather than tucked in for the night and the Twitterati response to the State of the Union.

And I'm ready for the deeper pondering of it.  The outlines remain.  The return from the South.  The readying of 601 for sale pre-WC.  The farewell summer with the SC.  The questions.  The lifestyle change.  Not yet, but soon.

Years 1979-1999, call them Part I.  Let Part II begin on arrival in Glasgow in August,, and run that through to 2009.   Part III starts in March, with the departure for Roma and 6 months of freedom ahead.  I thought it might end in 2011, but that was a false transition.  I think Part III ends in 2019.

The question for the Europa, truly, is how Part IV will begin...

23 days...

Surreality setting in, even amid the immobility.  The 1st of 4 Mondays to go, less than a full month, and much to accomplish to make it to that point, seamlessly.

There was consideration, whether here or in the journal, about holding out to 2020, but I have a hard time seeing it.  I think the 40th timing is too auspicious, and the need for a change too clear.  The year end reports and steady downward trajectory mark it as well.  Give me one more full year of the SC, 1-3 more twirls through Londontown, a final hurrah! hurrah!  And then.

It makes sense every which way you look at it.  Provided no one else moves in on the idea before May.  Put the condo on the market for the fall.  The wheels in motion...

Where will you be at this time next year?  Who cares, for this time next month I'll be en route to Ushuaia, having just basked in the glow of the Torres.  Unbelievably.  Time, you beauty and mocker of all things, all plans.  As the Globe tickets get purchased for May and October.  As you toy with how much to spend on Company, while the FIFA application goes in very hot.

And then there was Wray.  I remember you, and the pirate, too.  Time and tide.  Alas.  A reminder: Use them while you can, McMahon.  Remember where are you going.  Rich eyes, poor hands.  Sooner or later, it all comes back around...

Friday aft, post-Burns

"Do you want to Boston-size it for a dollar?"

"Sure."

Maybe just give me it all.  Last night was titanic.  So well played from all sides.  Hard to top.  Oysters, wine, and sleep right soon.

Remember the beauty of the waitress.  If it were Grounhog Day and you had an infinity of chances...

Immortality

The 25th.  One of the favourites.  The speech written out a week ago is ready, and largely in your head by now.  The tux and MacDuff bowtie resting on the back of the office door, next to the calendar of days since November that are slowly being crossed off en route to the 21st.  So few days now, it is surreal to think.  A few more phone calls to make regarding the upcoming absence, but still on course to see things through in a pretty seamless fashion.  Or as seamless as possible, given the need to make the first deposit over 1.5 years ago.

Spoke with Grandmom, who recognized your voice straightaway and asked unprompted about the upcoming trip.  Quite the mind, still.  Need to get down there once more before departure.  The next weekends lining up well to see you through.

As for tonight, it shall be a good one.  Haggis and rhetoric and scotch and cigars and laughter.  Always laughter.  As it should be.  Enjoy the address.  What a concept - the Immortal Memory.  Long may such speeches be made.  Happy to have been afforded the chance to add my contribution...  Report to follow.

2660

So, not really ticking up that much, Cam, and a secret video I take to my heart for times gone by, back to the beginning of the youngest Inch.  That was a night, and morning.  And the inevitable river-stream of time runs on to more stranger things, premature ends and promising beginnings.  As ever.  Berwick today, and Union Street optimism, and Overcove/Ecousse pending, and clunking in the rear of the car, and to sur-reply or not to sur-reply?  Sanchez gone and Mikhi in.  Maybe Aubameyang as well.  The fickle world, spins in its revenges.  Whoa, Pierre-Emerick.  Please.

Less than a month now.  Bowie the other night another milestone crossed, and with it motivation for the clean-up and hot-tub, hilariously.  We know Major Tom's a junky.  Hope you're happy too.  When will you clean?  It is a funny, wonderful world, betimes.  As a stranger, give it welcome.

Or as Burns would say: "Come Ease or come Travail, come Pleasure or Pain, my warst word is - welcome, and welcome again!"

Cashless Considerations

An interesting week. Joy in crafting the Immortal Memory offset by falling stocks.  Always frustrating, darkening the mood slightly.  The randomness of it taken as some sort of negative sign.  Concerns over access to cash, and the reminder of the chasm that would open if you truly cut all professional ties.

Combine that with the HDBC meeting on the tolling application, and knowledge of the work ahead on marginal pricing and rates.  The comfort of the MEA annual dinner.  How drastic must the plans be?  What if, instead, you take Spiro's advice?  The passive investment route.

Can you convince Lav to stay on for year 20?  Would that extra year provide further security, without jeopardising the theme of ultimate escape?  Will Antarctica have you returning refreshed enough?  All possible.  May-June shaping up to be critical.  Need to think up whether there are any back-up plans on the coming voyage.

Ye olde Capability Operating Principles and the like

Business plan deadline day - and so a bit of creative writing for those of us with little new or motivating to contribute.  Heh. 

First year was 2015, just back from the Caribbean cruise.  January 2016 was Belize/Guatemala.  Last year, I sent the words along direct from the Alaya in Kuta.  All seem like lifetimes ago.  Reminders that the strategic plan focus, for you, may really only mean that time here is drawing ever more swiftly nigh. 

(Which prompts a search for "nigh".  Which links directly, immediately, here.  It is as if by some grand conspiracy all the old familiars are returning in their battalions to haunt me out.)

I shall go forth.  Indeed.  Tonight is the last night of celebrations for awhile, and I welcome it with a degree of most excellent liberation.  Then the harder work and focus toward the 21st must begin in earnest.  With it the funny internal conversations, as with BP today and the diet sushi for the neck grown two sizes too big.  Just get through these seasonal affected disorder days.  Get up.  Inspiration lies ahead.  And you just managed another check-mark, as the painstaking specific action/plans and contributions toward the path is now complete. 

Onward.

PS. What is your anticipated retirement date?  Ha.

Turning Time Into Money

"That's what we do here."

What a perfect quote from BB for the moment, in the assistant performance review meeting just concluded.  Stated without irony, as a proud summary of a lifetime career.  In a context where it was painfully obvious he could not remember your name, and in which his luddite refusal to adopt new approaches/technologies nicely mirrored his insistence that if only he could be allowed to work twice as fast, he would generate more profit.  To what end? 

The younger new partner in the room of course of a similar view, noting earnestly early on that, as far as the future of his practice is concerned, it will be "...busy, I hope."  Spoken in a sheepish manner, almost like he was embarrassed to be saying something so obvious out loud.  While all the while the voice of Thoreau thundered quietly inside your head.

It is Day 2 of the working year, and... oof.  Meeting on potential arbitration processes with no easy answers.  Musings on ever-new rate structures.  Stridently avoiding required work to be done on Board submissions and inter-company contracts and transition notices.  Watching stocks plunge and a rag-tag Arsenal side try and hang on in the Carabao Cup, the logo eerily reminiscent of Brawndo and what plants crave, perfect also for the moment.

Just get to the weekend, then to the next weekend, then to the February 21st departure.  Worry about the rest on the return.  In that light, here are some rules repurposed from last January, for the 35 days from this Saturday to Dad's 68th.  Stick to them this time, eh?  (see, he does say it. -ed.)

1. No Twitter.  Just don't even open it anymore.
2. Facebook (and phone) use as limited as possible.
3. 7 minutes.  Never miss 2 days in a row.  And 2 per day after any misses.
4. Yoga, starting with Nidra next Tuesday on the 30 day pass.
5. Get out of bed when your alarm goes off.
6. Write (and finish) one story for the CBC contest.
7. No fast food.  No pop.  Fresh groceries.
8. No alcohol... Starting Saturday, the 25th your only exception.
9. Water and stairs.  Early and often.

You can get there, McMahon.  42 days.  The perfect answer.

Fine Music and Bad Art

First day in the office, 2018.  Forgive the lack of motivation, and the difficulty in rallying the spirit around all the work yet to be done.  Still hungover from many joyful memories - first in lounging about (*aboot* -ed.) in various Big Easy music clubs, and then the perfect seaside exploration of the Massachusetts cape, amidst a bomb cyclone evacuation and the classic Moby Dick marathon.  Those final few days, filled with such laughter and closeness and nostalgia and randomness, were surely as much pure fun as I have enjoyed in a long while.

So a fantastic time indeed and, incidentally, further proof that the forthcoming plan continues to look the right one.  Need to put the head down and get to Feb. 21, and from there all shall surely be well.  A year can be such a long time, and it is hard to return fully back to the mindset of Hong Kong/Bali, before all the rest that was to come.  The new dreams now focus on what things shall look like one year hence.  How to make sure you keep up the courage to see it through.  How to ensure the plan becomes inevitable.

For the right opportunities for renewal lie there.  The opportunities for creativity are there.  As with the Kerouac connections from the Chicago/San Fran trips and through to Lowell, the last 10 days offered up further inspiration to just take that clean break from the daily client/cash driven work, toward something artistic and substantial and real. 

"It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants.  What are you industrious about?"  You have always known Thoreau to be right.  So nice to see these old heroes returning to the fore, perhaps no coincidence given the convergence of other symmetries.  I wonder.