The Things I've Learned

One of the regular features in Esquire magazine, which I will subscribe to until my earthly life ends (and hope that I can find one on a coffee table somewhere in the afterlife) is called “The Things I’ve Learned.” It’s always informative, entertaining and can be inspirational. Here’s my version … with respect to Esquire.
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Given the choice between the dime store on the corner and the giant, discount super center down the street, I’m taking the dime store every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

The best rock ‘n roll money can buy still comes courtesy of Led Zeppelin.

As a photographer, I’ve learned that 99 percent of people look best when they’re smiling. The other 1 percent happen to be models.

The 42-inch plasma screen is a fantastic buy. But spring for the 50.

You get what you pay for — especially when it comes to cooking knives, speakers and shoes.

If everybody would just take a deep breath and slow down, imagine how many car accidents, divorces and wars could be avoided.

Don’t give up the bigger slice of the pie. Give up the whole thing. It’ll come back to you.

Stand up for your rights, because if you give ‘em an inch, they’ll take a constitution. The most important sovereignty in the history of the world is the sovereignty of the individual.

Go ahead and turn up the music. But know when it’s time to turn it down.

Baseball and golf are the greatest sports ever invented. Everything else is just background noise.

You know the men and women who work behind the meat counter at large grocery stores? Most of them love their jobs and want nothing more than to see you get exactly what you want. The least you can do is say please and thank you.

Flying sucks. It’s time for a complete re-evaluation of the railroad system; we need to find that train ticket again.

Take it easy on the jalapenos. Not everybody likes your chili as spicy as you do.

Think about the things in life that make you happy. Every day.

If you've got something you've learned, please share it with the rest of us!

The Past is Everywhere

Ran into an old, dear friend outside a small store along a busy highway in my beautiful hometown Saturday afternoon. She looked stunning and strong, just like I remember, and sounded the same. It had been years, I'm ashamed to say, since I had a meaningful conversation with her; time had gotten in the way, and there was no way around it. But here we were, after too much silence, standing in the cool fall air, her smoking her Marlboro Light, me wishing I could join in the fun. We exchanged pleasantries and asked the right questions, yet this was no by-the-book, chance encounter. This was a run-in that made me miss my old friends and think about the time that today lies between us, like dirty leaves along a quiet highway. As much as I love the way the world looks today, I loved the way it looked back then, years ago, where there was nothing stopping us from growing up in the manner we chose, and doing it like there was nothing to lose. Seeing her brought back a flood of memories that I cherish, and made me realize how fleeting life can be. Seeing her, and seeing how much she has changed, made me realize how much I have changed. Two souls reconnected one fall afternoon along a busy highway near a very small town. We shivered in the cold and retreated to our warm worlds. This evening, I drink to her, and I think about the warm worlds of another time.

Saturday

Ella loves the fresh air, and now she loves leaves!