12/3/06
Well
it's been a while, and last time you heard from me was after a steam with Coach K in week three of my tour/sabattical (Early Oct.).
First things first---some of you asked for an update, and some of you didn't ask for anything and are just getting this out of the fact that I'd like to think we've had good/great association and I'd like to continue that.
So, reading options.
The primary objective of this update is for me, given I am not seeing everyone as I normally did for many years, to extend to you and your families my wishes for an abundantly blessed holiday and Christmas season.
So, if I've bored you before and you want to save some time, you can opt out now, or skip to the link if you have 10 minutes and see someone else's words instead---trust me, they are much better.
The secondary objective really isn't an objective, its just a simple update on what someone who has worked for 24 years straight does when they have some time off and CAN DO what one wants.
I'm updating you on some of my choices.
So, Coach K was week three. Now, early December 2006, I'm finishing MONTH THREE!!!! Now THAT's a vacation!!!!! Still gym-ing it, and the elliptical seems to be my thing, although I have another 14 pounds to go and it seems like that's taking longer than I like, but of course I shouldn't be complaining given it took me 5 years to put on the extra 40 pounds from my marathon weight. David Murphy of Morgan Stanley won the weight bet I joined and he promptly took my money as he lost 37 lbs to my 15 lbs and put me and my time off to shame. He did that WHILE WORKING. So that went well, $$$ bucks later.
What else??
Lots!!!!!
Where do I start??
Most days I go to the gym, which is totally different from the last 5 years when I was working when I never went to the gym.
I've played more golf since October 1, 2006 than I did in the previous two years (and have more to play next week, thank you). Bayonne is OFF THE CHARTS, by the way. Good call Srini!!!!
I made the four Met's division playoff games and didn't care how late they lasted!!!!
And then I went to Hong Kong to see my daughter, as promised. We had a wonderful time (not quite as wonderful as her side trips all over Asia since she arrived in August, but good enough). The BIG BHUDDA is really big, although I'm not sure it qualifies as new "seven wonders of the world" site. And of course I had some cocktails and lunches with my former colleagues from MS who are there, and that was a blast.
Among the best places to stretch in the world, I've determined, is the fitness room outdoor rooftop of the Peninsula Hotel overlooking Hong Kong Harbor. During my previous business trip to the Peninsula Hotel HK I never even visited the gym.
And lunch at the China Club with Vinay Jayaram's father has to be up there as the one of the most pleasant lunches of my life. Vinay was there, but I knew him in “been there, done that” with Vinay plenty of times. His Dad, however, was a real treat to meet. A food technologist, Mr. Jayaram dazzled us with his awareness of the spices and herbs inside the Chinese tea we were drinking and talk of this new health items he's creating. Obviously Dave Murphy doesn't need it, but I am anxiously awaiting the new Jayaram creation. Amazing what not having to worry about financial markets does to a social setting---a thoroughly enjoyable lunch was not interrupted once!!!!!
Then, after a spectacular authentic Chinese dinner with an old Georgetown classmate it was back to Jersey to watch the Rutgers-Louisville game. I thought it was me, until several sports people told me that this game was the single best sporting event that they had ever witnessed---RUTGER's FOOTBALL!!!! and these are people who have been to the Super Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl and World Series games at Yankee Stadium. Hopefully Shiano stay’s and “Glory Days” will visit Jersey soon!!!!! Shiano Stays and GLORY DAYS—I like that.
Then I was the designated tour guide for my second daughter's college visits (since I had the time and my wife was busy as all hell as usual !!!!).
Few funerals, thank God, but a few. Moreover, a bunch of births and pregnant people all around. In fact, one notable event up in Boston occured where there were twins!!!!!
Speaking of kids--let me Speak of my son, he’s 13 and he knows everything—just ask him and he will tell you.
He and I are starting to get along better, but I don’t think the sabbatical was the cause. It just natural that a father and son do things, fun things, and try not to let the little stuff (homework, report cards, finishing chores etc) get in the way. Yesterday we went riding our dirt bikes, probably for the last time this year, and had a blast. He really has improved, and he has surely grown because the Yamaha TT90 now looks like a tricycle under his legs. He’s due for an upgrade around Christmas, 2006.
We finished riding, then headed right to our annual trip to watch a state championship high school football final at Manasquan High School. We were pleased to get the traditional friendly greeting by local Mr. Billy McManus of Pru fame--Squan only won 28-0, so my son and I actually stayed till the fourth quarter this year.
To finish off the day I was the designated dealer in my son’s Texas Hold-em tournament. 7 eigth grade boys and I spent the night watching games and hoping someone would bet more than two chips. Of course my wife went out to dinner.
Music--- not much, given Bruce was in Europe and I wasn't--but I did see a spectacular show by Peter Frampton and decent show by Al Green. But I'm jumping the gun a little on that---U2/Pearl Jam in Hawaii should put a nice accent on the music experience of my sabbatical next Saturday in Honolulu, Hawaii.
I wrote a op-ed piece, as a concerned citizen!!!, on the topic of local roadwork and my wife told me "you HAVE TO go get a job".
Dinner's a plenty, and they seem more relaxed as well. Morgan Stanley reunions, local friends, etc. If you’re in the need for a new restaurant, I recommend MAS Farmhouse on Downing St in the Village--delectable. If you want to travel to an exotic place, the newly owned Fromagerie in Rumson is outstanding as well. I CAN MAKE IT if you need a dinner partner!!!!!
And of course there’s Georgetown!!!! I’m glad Sports Illustrated put them on the cover early in the season so Georgetown BBall could get a bunch of losses and drop out of the top 20. I think that is the mark of a brilliant coach to get out of a too early spotlight and sneak up on everyone in March!!!! Trivia?? Where were the Hoyas ranked in December, 1981? They finished second to UNC and a guy named Michael Jordan.
I’ve been keeping occupied preparing for my 25th Class Reunion since I have some time to give. My job is to find all the people with a lot more money than me and help them donate it.
Well, where does that leave me? It leaves me PACKING FOR HAWAii !!!!!!
Yup, Matt (my son) and I leave Wednesday for Oahu and Maui.
Like I said, why sweat the small stuff like homework when there is history to be had and made. We will be at Pearl Harbor for the 65th memorial ceremonies on December 7th, and then we’ll sneak into Aloha Stadium (ok, I’ll probably scalp some tickets and not sneak) for U2/Pearl Jam. We met a Pearl Harbor survivor at Brookdale College last Friday night when he spoke at the NJ PH Survivor’s presentation. His name was Thomas F. Mahoney and he was on the USS Curtiss when the bombing started. As he said it, “they might call us the greatest generation, but in my view we didn’t have any other choice. The Navy paid you and you had a job, and it was still a depression as far as my family was concerned in 1940”. Pretty amazing stories, and I’m sure there is more in store for us on the 7th.
In between and around, we will take surfing lessons, play some golf, and learn some of Hawaii’s history from a famous Hawaiian priest named Uncle Charlie that I met at Canyon Ranch in September during week one of Sabbatical.
So, having some time for reflection I was slightly disappointed to see that a host of professional goals I had set at the beginning of the year will not pan out as I had planned. To be fair, some were achieved and that MKTX team did a great job on that front. But, I can’t say I expected or would elect a sabbatical in 2006, which I did. Looking across the sheet of goals, I came across the last goal on the sheet, which I shared with my MarketAxess colleagues in January 2006.
My last goal read “
3) interaction w my son improves dramatically and we go on 10 dirt bike trips, break no bones, and laugh together “
Well, I think we made 7 trips on the bikes, we didn’t break bones, and my plan is whatever laughter is left for us to do we maximize it over our week in Hawaii. And then, certainly, we will call it the best year ever (certainly I will) !!!!!! So, quite a successful year after all!!!!! We'll get back to those professional goals when the time is right (and not soon enough as far as my wife is concerned).
Ok, getting back to that objective thing, if your still with me reading I will leave you with my sincere wishes for a healthy and happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year, or any other celebration that is upcoming in your life where the bonds and joys of your family are shared.
Lastly (no applause, please)---
A friend recently sent me this link with a story of some people I had met in April 2000 in Boston (the last time I weighed 200lbs, btw). Especially at this time of year, I am personally very thankful to be on sabbatical and to have had and have so many wonderful people cross my path.
To you and yours, health and prosperity in the things that matter most, for the rest of 2006 and 2007 and beyond:
TT
Tom Thees
Save hitting the link and hit it when you have 10 minutes of quiet time: read the story, then hit the button to view the video—you won’t regret it.
http://cjcphoto.com/can/
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