A Nice Guy

Un bel regazzo

Ein schöner Kerl

Un buen tipo

Un gars sympa

mukava kaveri

Ένας συμπαθητικός τύπος

בחור נחמד

A nice guy....and a good guy

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I have been told that is what I am in a number of languages, by a great number of ladies, that I met between 2004 and and late 2006 (the next but last isn't an indent mistake - it's Hebrew and is written right to left)...or so my friend, Lev, in New York tells me.

I asked several how they knew that I was a nice guy - they said they just knew. Even you said so once LL, and that must be an accolade, coming from someone as hard bitten as you are. I think you have read enough about my past exploits and liaisons so I won't dwell on them any further. This couple of paragraphs are just to let you know I never needed your endorsement to provide me with the confidence in my own personality. However, you were the first and I hope last that opened up another side of me, through your actions and infidelity. That has now long been shut away again,

We had a lovely surprise when we got home here to Naples - Tom was home from the USMC - he's now a Major. Of course the BDM's did nothing for him, but he was soon in shorts and a tee...and in the pool after big hellos all round and especially for his mum.

Talking of his mum (mom) - here's a photo taken two days ago in London:

There's no real comparison between you and Ash, is there. No real comparison between your life and mine either. You sure do know how to make bad decisions...throughout your life.

You once asked me what I brought over here from the UK, when I emigrated. Not that much really, but here's something you will recognize - it's now in our San Diego home. You may recall the cabinets in SD, from previous photos:

I always liked my naked lady (ies) didn't I ;) and all but one liked me... and still do...bar that one of course, but she didn't know which side her bread was buttered. Heigh Ho , as someone once said... Foolish in the extreme is what most folk think of you, including one or two in your home town. All rather late now for you to ever make amends.

So you'll be in the Canaries at PDC in just over a month. Another display of imagination (lack of) from FM who, incidentally, doesn't know his 'there' from 'their'...and he's writing a book??!! His blogs  are nothing to write home about (excuse the pun), from what I have read. Hardly a flowing or literary style.

Onto other things and random thoughts. I guess you are working and perhaps drawing your pension now. Best income you have had in a while. Sadly, what you both earn in a year we make in a day or less :) When you make wrong moves you sure do make them big.

Thought you might like to see another small claim to fame...so here's a clip:

 

That's SWW...USA. Not bad for a guy who barely knew anything about cooking 11 years ago, don't you think. Going to join the family by the pool now...talking about sons, ours number 1, 2 and 3. Then there's one daughter...two daughters in law, one son in law and three grandchildren. Not bad considering how things were 11 years ago.  Very rewarding and I'm almost the patriarch - Ash's Dad is the real patriarch.

We were kindred spirits then, you and I,but not now. I've moved on greatly...you have hardly left the starting block.

Sad really, as journeys go, mine and my offer was by far the best you'll ever see in the rest of your life...except you won't because you made the wrong choice.

London and Life

Well LL, here I am without my better half on my own in Florida until tomorrow (Wednesday) when I'll be in London. I don't expect your life is half as exciting.

Ash is at LFW (London Fashion Week) as fashion and clothes especially womens' wear forms a good chunk of our business, in retail. That's her baby. I confine myself to the oil, gas, hotels, pharmaceuticals and real estate..and I have stepped back from it all in the last year or so, at 67.

Time for some more photos of Ash as I'm sure you haven't seen any in a while. They appear below - mainly from late last year. On the subject of Ash, the Valentine's present was a new Porsche, latest model. Top down, top up...who cares. I find your cars rather sad in comparison to our stable. But then money is not a problem for us.

Thought you might like to see the two below taken by Tom (USMC), Ash's younger son. The ship is the carrier USS George W Bush

 Can't tell you where this one was taken:

I sometimes wonder how you would have fitted in with my lifestyle and wealth. You've never had much in the way of money (I didn't once but have always been very ambitious, competitive and determined) and as a consequence you are lacking in the taste for the finer things in life and the behavior that goes with them.

You may have risen to the occasion, but I'm not so sure. We mix in some quite high powered circles (DC may give you some idea) and also Naval reunions both RN and USN. Maybe you could have managed it...we'll never know. Perhaps you are happy with being a soccer widow and just concentrating on food, which seems to be the main interest you have in life beyond your own family. I often wonder how C is getting on.

All four of ours are just doing fine and with three grandchildren life is very happy and rewarding. Quite a large family again, in fact.

I started this in the USA but am now finishing it here in Knightsbridge as I'm taking it easy this afternoon. Ash is at various fashion things. We intend to spend a few days putting some finishing touches to our place in Belgravia. That's in my hands for now until Ash finishes up with LFW on Friday. We are moving out of Montpelier Square as Belgravia is more central, but for now that's where I am - Montpelier Square. Been a beautiful day down here. Not as hot as Naples of course!

We sold the apartment in St Catherine's Dock some time ago. That was the place I bought when I invited you to join me all those years ago.

I'm on my ninth book now and they are all published here as well as the States. Available via Amazon, Apple, Kindle etc etc. I am surprised at my own success, although you always thought highly of my literary skills. They are published under a non de plume, not my name. Certainly brings in the dollars, although we don't really need them - I just enjoy writing.

We'll be over yet again in the Spring for the beginning of our European annual trip then later in the year it's Australia via San Diego and Singapore (yes, we have business interest there, too). On balance I think you would have liked this life. It's far better than spending weekends week in and week out north of the border.

You have never given any indication, but I'm sure you have realized what a mistake you made. I know you have....and so do you. On the other hand I guess you have gotten used to the rut you are in and are 'happy' with it in a modest way.

You haven't retired either, which I find surprising given that you told me the sun shines out of his orifice. Can't afford it, I guess.

Think that's enough for now. Just wanted you to know that I still think about you..but I don't envy you the choice you made in any way whatsoever.

You may like this link. It is quite harmless and amusing....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QUQsqBqxoR4

Gallery

Some photos for you to view LL:

Thought I'd put this one in the blog to remind you what you have missed. That old Beamer he's bought isn't in the same class...and it is old, not new. He let slip the tag details in an earlier image.

Moving on - the following two are interior shots of one of our London homes...feast your eyes

~~~~

You haven't seen any shots of Ash recently, so I thought you should be reminded of who replaced you....

Finally,  some photos of New Hampshire and Massachusetts that we took in the Fall last year. Just so you know what you missed, although I wouldn't class you as a country girl

I guess you enjoy or are quietly resigned to your lot and where you have ended up in life. Not quite what I had in mind for you but from all that I have written and shown you through blogs etc., I guess you have some idea what you missed.

Entirely your decision and fault - you have to live with that and the strange life you lead. The life you could have lead is a whole different ball game!

We are back in Naples and I have just published so you can read it this evening (your evening that is) and reflect on what might have been....for you... and yours.

Interesting that your tweets are confined to weekends, FM and food. Nothing to say, I reckon.

Remember

Not a lot of news from your old flame recently, so I thought I'd rectify that.

We have been in New Hampshire apart from a week in Boston with Cas and Liz (forced on us by the weather here in the NE). Having said that, we were hardly 'slumming it' in a nearly 5,000 sq ft home. One other trip was to London, UK and Kent to celebrate my sister's birthday. One that she shares with you.

Whilst here we have been up to the usual winter pastimes skiing (mainly Ash), jet skiing and stuff around the acreage; with some shooting with the guys thrown in. It's nice to get away from our Florida life once in a while and, of course, Ash's parents are close by here and we both like the countryside. Somewhat bigger than over there. The land we own here is bigger in acreage than your home town! I checked. 

You probably think the same, but our time together seems like an aberration to me now. Nine years and life has moved on enormously. Funny, but it's not me that is set in my ways despite the additional years that I have over you. You are the one that is set in her ways, or is that perhaps 'trapped' by circumstances. Either way you made the wrong choice.

Also been spending time with the children and grandchildren - aged 9, 2 and 4 months. The latter two are mine - the former Ash's.

Remember your fiftieth? Recall where you spent it and the celebration? Your sixtieth was not quite so exotic, not even a proper party. Granma Dot's, Universal Grill, Sanibel Steak House, Manchester Airport Hilton. That small restaurant where we enjoyed a beer in Sorrento, La Lanterna. In Barcelona - the Pullman Hotel, my paella and coffee at the Marriott in Denia. Old Navy - recall that place up at the mall in FM? All events and memories from a decade or less, ago.

What memories do you have since then? None, I suspect, that can match what I have experienced since I moved on.... or even before you came along. Some sojourns in Spain and a couple elsewhere. I have been to London more often in the last year than you have in the last 8...and I live here in the USA! You surely missed out thru your impulsive decisions.

I always found it amusing too that your surname was share as a christian name by one of my oldest and best friends, namely 'BJ'. The difference is that he a really nice guy, an African American, and someone of considerable consequence in this world of ours. The same can't be said of you and your small circle. You were always the small town type weren't you, and still are.

Onto other things - we have bought a new home over there, in Belgravia, London. It's more central than Knightsbridge and we just love the property.

Back to Florida and the sunshine tomorrow 82 - 84F forecast for the next two days. Have some catching up on things to do there but time for a swim and a sail, I'm sure. How is the damp and dreary north of where you are?

No photos here, but I'll post a few when I get back tomorrow