Some Reflections and Ramblings

From a few Weeks Back:


Come Fly with Me


As he drives along Golden Gate Parkway in his dark blue BMW X6 M50 heading for the right turn that will take him to the general aviation terminal and his own plane, the middle aged, but fit, man's thoughts drift into reflecting on his life and where he finds himself. Right now driving into the morning sun, but in his thoughts he is drifting back to an earlier life.

Wealth brings with it responsibilities and considerable wealth, greater responsibilities  It also provides power and confidence. To know, that within the realms of what a reasonable person might want to do, they can do pretty much what they like, is very empowering. 

Taste is something that is very much acquired through the environment and culture within which one is brought up. It cannot be easily acquired, certainly not through wealth, and that is self evident in many cases. But, also not through living a moderate life. It is a question of 'class' be that social ranking, or in terms of taste and education themselves.

There are so called followers of 'fashion' who follow the herd and show absolutely no taste. Whereas the quietly understated quality exhibited by others makes a real statement. Exhibitionism, in the flaunting of what is now termed 'designer wear', shows a distinct lack of taste. Those that don't have good taste will never understand...or rarely will.

He had been accused of being a snob in past, but only by one person who fell into the category of never being able to understand good taste.

So wealth brings it's privileges...and responsibilities. First is to family and those close to him. Then to the community, whether it is through charitable giving and other forms of philanthropy. His 'communities' stretch from one side of the world to the other. Friends like Dieter in Germany, Trish and others in the UK, Mario and Emiliano in Italy, Cristophe in Greece to Frank and Paul in Oz...to name but a few. Old shipmates like Jim and Cas, reside here in the USA. Many, many business contacts and of course his agent Liz who made him put pen to paper so to speak and harness what literary talent he has in writing, so far, six novels...all successful beyond his wildest imaginings.

His meanderings bring him back to the immense luck and good fortune he had in finding the lady who is his wife

Here already, at the general aviation terminal. Park the car up, lodge the flight plan, head for the hangar and his 'plane. Pre- flight checks, a chat with Chuck who services and maintains this twin engined Cessna and  roll her out onto the tarmac. Fuelled and ready to roll. Seek tower's permission to taxi for take off....a wait. Eighth to go.

Now taxiing and lining up on the runway for take off. Throttles full on, rotate and he's away soon soaring into the wide blue yonder and the most beautiful of days...looking down on this part of Florida and reflecting on how lucky he has been. 

A close shave in a relationship in the past, but he was too clever and insightful to get caught there. Six plus years ago and now a very happy existence with wealth that enables him to enjoy all the very good things in life. His activity in business is now only part time, so he travels and as was said enjoys the good things in life...cars, boats, this plane but, for all the $'s the thing he values most is family and his wife. 

All a flight of fancy? No - reality and a reality he never thought he would ever regain after the untimely death of his first wife...the flight will continue... another day

For now a few photos:

~~~~

Some key words from someone's  recent past jump in and out of his conscious thoughts....

Popcorn

Pretzels

Masala Chai

Vodka

Gin

Tests

Fathers'

Heart valves

Toby

Enforced stopover

Naples

Jet lag

Quite disjointed thoughts, but meaningful in their own way to a certain reader.