Calm Before The Calm

Looking out the back window of my house this morning enjoying a fresh cup of Blind Dog coffee, I was surprised by the calm and silence. Similar to the eerie feeling before a big storm or earthquake. The wind was non-existent and the birds were nowhere to be found. Normally at the very least I can count on birds, morning doves and quail to be doing the morning gathering of bugs, worms, berries and flying about. Nope, not today, zero activity from all of 'em, strange! This weekend is supposed to be more of the same and the weather will be getting warmer and into the low 70's again, go figure! I should also mention that there was no earthquake or storm, woot!

Interestingly enough, or not, the remainder of my day went pretty much the same as it started. Not a whole lot of activity other than being busy at work which is a good thing for many reasons. Makes the day go by fast, feels productive, and at the end I have a few more soldiers in my pocket (more on that in a minute).

Ahh money! Now before you get the wrong idea ya' hippie lemme explain. I am not a miser by any means and actually cannot stand most that are for reasons other than the obvious. Nor am I willing to do whatever it takes to squeeze every last ounce of money from "insert whatever here". I earn money to enjoy the fruits of my labor as I see fit. To quote a billionaire who is the exact opposite of what I just described, Kevin O'Leary, better known as "Mr. Wonderful" prefers to think of it like this and I quote "Here's how I think of my money - as soldiers - I send them out to war everyday. I want them to take prisoners and come home, so there's more of them". I cant help to like that quote for many reasons, but not the obvious if that makes any sense, prolly not, sorry!

My point? I don't really have one other than the fact that there is nothing wrong with going to bed, then waking up with more money than you had, so long as you have a conscious for your fellow man and are not plowing through child labor laws only to increase your portfolio's momentum you are probably ok in my book.

I invest, diversify, donate and all that jazz. Am I always richer when I wake up? No, I can guarantee you that, although I do wake up every morning with a clear conscious that I have done the best I can the previous day and have the same goal for the following day. I will take that over steamrollering everyone and everything in my path for a 1% gain, this would give Mr. Wonderful nightmares.

I have no idea why I jumped off the deep end about money? Is it ironic or an underlying influence that my photo today is a Chinese newspaper or that Apple is having issues with the factories over there lately? (I think the paper is Chinese, I will verify tomorrow with one of my Chinese colleagues, my apologies if I am incorrect).

Nah, I don't think either of those were the underlying cause. It was on my mind I suppose so I just went with it. The newspaper was used as packing material when my wife, Cicely, received some items in the mail that she purchased for the jewelry AMAZING jewelry she designs, develops and creates.

As a matter of fact, and to help you rest easy I think you should finish reading this post then head on over to her website and pick out 1 or 4 pieces of awesome, go on, its the right thing to do. Don't be shy, tell her I sent ya'. Everyone needs a little awesome in their day, what a better way! Not to mention the fact that you will be helping our soldiers bring home some prisoners. http://www.cicelymargo.com/

Ok back to the newspaper. When it comes to items like this it, I think its that I find writing in other languages to be extremely interesting whether I understand it or not, like art. This one, although completely different, reminds me of going to Japan in 2006 and wanting to go back for a longer stay with Cicely along side - that place is so beautiful to say the least although I will save that topic for another day, it would be a long one and for now, I'm outta here.

Photo: Intriguing newspaper art