In a vain attempt to restore the hot water, we spent last night getting a tree stump out from behind the house. The opinion was the tree, which had grown into the house, was somehow bending the hot water line.
I didn’t have time to get anything ready for today. I’ll be back tomorrow.
Pulling into my parking space, the new shiny water heater was clearly visible.
Jumping up and down, I cried “Glorious day!” to the House Gods.
Hot water = Hot Shower
Yes, no more prison-style showers for yours truly. Now my new, elevated shower head can rain down on my head. My days of doing the limbo are finished!
I ran into the house, threw down my bags. Ran to the sink, cranked the hot water knob. The exhilaration boiled over in me until I could feel it ooozing out of my eyes in the form of tears. Pure Happiness!
Drip
Drip
Drip
What? No pressure?!?!?!
Panic. Merde. Maybe the water is shut off to the house? I cranked on the cold water.
GUSH
Hot water once again.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Fell to my knees, eyes towards heaven. It was an Al Bundy moment.
What a surprise.
Thank you.
Not even this huh.
What is it?
Is Oprah right? Are you a big fat woman?
All I wanted was a hot shower, a stinking hot shower! I will even settle for a strong trickle!
Just this once, can you show that you can love even Cliff?
Read this.
Let me start this topic with this: the word "extreme" needs to be stricken from the English language as an adjective.
Extreme Sports
Extreme Jello
Extreme Diapers
Is there an end to what can be "extreme"?
People who retired from the rat race in their 30’s. Retire at 65? Forget that. No, these people scrimped and saved their 30’s away. Their model: live off the passive income from their "nest-eggs".
The first couple started off with a nice size savings account, which they have allowed to grow in a low-cost index fund. Their passive income is $24,000/year. Since they have "zero" debt, they live comfortably on $2000/month.
Respectable.
The other couple: forget it.
With $135,000, rolling around in a CD, they manage to live on $400/month. Why CD’s? They want "zero risk". The husband states "We like to sleep at night"
A few questions for the husband:
But one aspect needs to be singled out: these people are happy and regret not their decision for "extreme early retirement". With $135,000, if they can live on $400/month and are happy who am I to judge?
Unlike these clowns, who can’t retire with $4 million in the bank.
Yes, I do believe in signs. Get over it.
Internally a battle was raging within yours truly. Start another Project? Go house shopping? Maybe hold off?
Every friend, every family member, every commenter said the same thing: "Wait!".
OK Fate, I can take a hint.
Instead another path will require my full, undivided attention.
A new idea for a business has been occupying my time. Thanks to some inspiration from Tim 4HWW, an idea for something revealed itself to me nearly two months ago. Two weeks ago, the project grew some teeth. Now the beast is in motion.
For this venture, I have a Partner. The Partner will be directly in charge of product development. First time I have been in a venture and not been directly in charge of this aspect of the business. My personal belief has always been "The most qualified person should do the job". The Partner is infinitely more qualified than I.
My involvement: (1) software support (2) marketing/advertising. The concepts of marketing/advertising evade me but I am learning. Progress is being made.
Disclosure of the product won’t happen today. In the future.
What I will divulge:
From time to time, some posts will appear discussing aspects of this development.
Sir Richard Branson’s “in progress” autobiography is entitled “Losing My Virginity”.
This book landed on my reading list late last year. Truth be told, I was more interested in reading about the obsession’s of a billionaire and hot air balloons. It still blows my mind his balloons could exceed 200 miles per hour.
Personally I prefer to read biographies. Auto-biographies tend to be scattered with no real cohesive thought. More of a collection of short stories. In each story, a pattern started to show itself, revealing Branson’s approach to creating businesses. The Virgin Group is the result.
Branson’s approach to any business revolves around two central ideas: (1) it’s all about the customer experience (2) mitigate and reduce the down-side.
As Branson discloses the past regarding each business venture, he follows those two central ideas in any business. Virgin Music, then to Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Train . . .
No business plans. No hard-core, in-depth market analysis. In his mind, an idea is born then the pursuit begins. Each business he attacks with passion and drive. Surrounded by brilliant people, his endeavors usually blossom nicely.
His ultimate desire: enhance the customer experience. While some companies talk about the customer experience, his company walks the path. Visit Virgin Atlantics website and see what “Upper Class” experience is all about. And at 1/3 of the price of American’s first class ticket, Virgin wins every time.
American is my preferred airlines. But I may just abandon them on my next trip to London.
The creation of Virgin Money came from a simple observation he made. The method of loans from banks has always perplexed me. And it has perplexed him.
On lending, he writes “ . . . we discovered that it was easier to get $4 billion in credit to buy eighteen new aircraft than it was to get $10 million credit for the seat-back video sets.”
All in all, this book is a good read. If nothing more than to understand the mechanics of how the world’s most famous entrepreneur conducts his business affairs.
