A happy anniversary - Summat to celebrate

[Tony McC]

It's not been a brilliant year, what with the lousy weather and getting divorced after 30 years of mutual suffering, but here I am, just turned 9pm on the 16th December which means I have now cheated death for exactly 12 years since a near-fatal heart attack. That didn't look very likely 12 years ago.

It's strange how facing up to ones own mortality changes your values. Time is such a precious commodity and as we approach the big commercial extravaganza of the year, I note once again just what really is important, namely my children and granddaughter. As time passes and I mark another notch on the stents that keep my faulty arteries open for business, I'm so grateful to have had another year with them.

So, I will tonight indulge in my annual glass of Jameson's and be genuinely delighted that it looks like I'll get to spend another King's ransom on them next week, because they haven't yet reached that stage in life where you realise the things that really matter don't cost owt. Ignorance is bliss!

[lutonlagerlout]

truer words never said gaffer
heres to another 12 and a few more as well
LLL

[lutonlagerlout]

made me think of this old story.................

The American investment banker was at the pier of a
small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with
just one fisherman docked.

Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna.
The American complimented the Mexican on the quality
of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, "Only a little while."

The American then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer
and catch more fish?"

The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs."

The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the
processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15 to 20 years."

"But what then?" asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said that's the best part. "When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."

"Millions?...Then what?"

The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

LLL :;):

[henpecked]

Can relate to that Tony 1 and Tony 2

[Carberry]

made me think of this old story.................

My Dad nags my brother all the time. Brother is doing his PhD in physics, could easily become an actuary, go into finance, make 6 figures but he is happy waking up when he wants to, playing violin outside in his boxer shorts in the sun, do a little boxing, do some physics, never have to go in to the office.

No point making a lot of money or doing your body in if you can't enjoy it.

[rab1]

well put boss