Musings of a Wealthy Man: August 2014

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Random Photos

Hi LL here are some random photos of my travels, life etc

St Lucia

Western USA

Ben and Buddy

My photo - leave you to work it out

Commission

Oil

San Fran

Redwoods

Western USA

Northern California

Pacific Coast

Southern California

Hope you like them LL. I obviously have many more. After all it's nine years since. Maybe some people photos next time ;-)

Ciao

Another weekend and yet another trip for you LL.

Here it's hot, no sign of hurricanes and we have enjoyed a wonderful weekend with our children, grandchildren and Ash's parents - four generations. Not bad - in fact pretty damned good.

Recall the warmth here? You may. When you get up and walk out to the pool for breakfast and that all enveloping warmth is there from quite early on. I bet you miss it. Think of your winter to come and think of spending it here where it will remain in the 80's F (high 20's C). I know how much you worship the Sun and long hot days.

Ash and I and Ash's parents with the help of our children (all in their 30's) rustled up the food etc. I did a few of my signature dishes. None that you know. I have moved on enormously in the culinary sense....and in all other respects too. Nothing too mundane but here's my paella which Ash and Brad love...or should I say loved. It's all gone now

I don't have any ill feeling toward you...any more - not after nearly 9 years. I just think your life is a bit of a joke compared with what was once on offer. As you said, more or less, you always make the wrong decisions and you did in our respect. You should never have done what you did and I'm not just referring to your 'escapades' but also in seeking the company of the man you are now with. That was a mistake too and you now know it.

You really have missed out big time. My wealth is beyond your wildest dreams and as you can imagine in the 9 years that have elapsed it has grown enormously. From my reasonably humble beginnings I never imagined ending up in the very fortunate position that I have. Apart from wealth I am very, very happy with a beautiful wife, a great family and complete freedom to do as I/we wish. America has been very good to me. It truly is the land of opportunity.

It has never stopped me returning to the land of my birth either. I am back there more frequently than I indicate on social media.

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The photo above is not far from where we moor our boat. You were almost there a couple of times.

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You should recognize the view immediately above but as you have only seen it from the ground, maybe not

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Below a series of local beach shots - very recent ones:

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Below - Near our cottage on Sanibel - pretty damn good don't you think:

The photo below is not a local one - it's from our recent trip to Italy - just thought it looked good!

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In some ways and I mean only some, it would be nice/interesting or whatever, to be in touch again. All the anger expired and was spent some years back on this side of things. Keeping it civil would be the watchword - up to you. I don't expect a positive response so you won't disappoint if you ignore this.

We both have totally different life styles and expectations now, or at least one of us does. But as indicated, all exchanges would be merely civil and cover day to day happenings etc.

Whilst I am very happily married, it's hard not to think of you sometimes. Especially when I'm out by the pool in the early morning and evenings. You were probably right, I wasn't your type. My interests lay beyond your own horizons and outside what interests you. I think even the chink of wealth I showed you was frightening, in a manner of speaking. Incidentally, I always had that apartment in London that I spoke of - I wasn't buying one, I already had one.

There's a lot to tell you - and I'm sure you have a lot to tell me. It would be quite nice to be friends again, but only friends. I am pretty sure you will ignore this, but I wait to surprised. You know how to contact me...

To quote a well known source - chin, chin - and have a Havana on me. After all I'm a lot closer to the source than you or him. Just under 200 miles :)

Ciao

Monday, August 18, 2014

Food Glorious Food

Well LL, I have never seen so many messages about food and restaurants. Is there nothing else in your life worth mentioning? I guess it can be pretty boring heading north each and every weekends...almost....and eating. Then being immersed in soccer talk and left on your own while someone commentates.

I see there is no 'conversation' with any of your followers so I guess your account is just a supposed showcase for what you like to exhibit...to me in part, I guess. Where are your friends? At least a good deal of mine have conversations with me. Of course, I have another account for more private stuff....but you'll never find it.

You used to have a lot to say - too much sometimes, in my opinion; now it seems your social media tongue is tied to just one topic and no real friends.

I only have a visual reference, but the view of the food I see being cooked there is pretty mundane and ordinary, lacking in imagination and flair. You chose the wrong guy in that respect too. How do you get things so wrong?

His arrogance and self opinionated approach wins him some abuse via social media too. Unless of course you get as bored as I do reading that stuff...and I don't read most of it.

I had little experience of cooking in 2004 but look what a few years can do. I have made TV appearances in the US (home for me) and been published there for my culinary expertise and imagination.

Thought it was about time to bring you up to date with our geographical meanderings. After Venice we moved on down to Bologna and Florence, with a side trip to Sienna, which Ash had never seen. I was there 22 years ago. We enjoy the best of food and accommodation as you might imagine given our wealth. (by the way it doesn't make you miserable...it helps keep you very happy :) ).

In Rome, briefly, and now spending a little time in Sorrento, which my wife loves. Funny to think she walks in your footsteps there. You never saw most of it ,being more interested in sunning yourself than educating yourself. Are your bikini days over now that you are 60 plus? My wife isn't 48 until next year - a year younger or so than your age when we met. What a mistake that was. I guess I'm allowed one in life and........ you were it.

You post photos of food and yourselves, so for a change take a look of something quite different, from my portfolio. I haven't included what I would term some quite sensitive photos. Not yours...ours. Can't give too much information or views - not to someone like you.

But, before I do, here is something from you:

'yes, you are nudging me aren't you :) - the thing is i like waking up alone - that is the difference between us, i know that is not what you want to hear, but it is the truth - i don't feel like i have the time to totally commit myself, whereas you have, the timing is not good i fear, i am still adjusting to my new life and i like it the way it is - but you know that already, i haven't tried to give you any false impression there.

i have enjoyed our times together but the thing is they have been quality times - enjoyable times and Sorrento was the best time in the whole world - and it was perfect and thank you for that. I don't know what to say Xxxxx, I just don't - i know you want a lot more than i can give you at the moment, if ever - not what you want to hear i fear, but the truth. You are not the type of man to wait around forever though, you know what you want and go after it.'

In that mail you managed to get a few things right. Nudging, yes - then. Quality times - then. Not the type of man etc. You bet. I always know what I want, I'm decisive and highly motivated.Yes, I knew what I wanted and I went and got it.... you were foolish not to follow that thought up and come along for the ride. But, as you have said, you always make the wrong decisions....and you did! Nothing if not consistent in that respect.

You had 100% of my trust and you abused it - then you were surprised at the consequences. What a fool you are. Once a small town girl, always a small town girl, I guess

Onto the photos....

Some are of New Hampshire, some in Europe, some in the Western USA and some from commissions for studio shots