Spent

“Real meaning and growth come from figuring out our own way, rather than following instructions.”
- Gordon Byrn, taken from http://www.gordoworld.com/gblog/2007/02/phase-two-training.html#links

I have worked the last 20 plus days continuously. The weekends were used merely for catching up on sleep, running errands—like going shopping for the week, dropping off and picking up dry cleaning, mixed with the occasional semi-social event—and then it was off to the office. I wasn’t working full days on the weekends, but it was enough time to keep the momentum of work progress in full tilt and enough time to keep me from fully recovering. I refer to such habits or protocols for living as “combat mode.” I wasn’t off the Reservation bringing back “one of my guys,” but it’s probably the accounting equivalent of it.

Combat mode ended today around 2:00 PM. I got the last signature I needed from one of our directors, reviewed my work to make sure that everything was in good order, and filed it away. Once this happened I could feel my energy level drop dramatically. You can only run on adrenaline for so long before you hit the Wall. I wish I could say that I have been super productive with the remainder of the day, but I have basically been worthless. With the Big Job done, I wrote follow up emails regarding administrative tasks, and spent the balance of the time waiting reading historical posts from Gordon Byrn’s blog.

I have a brief reprieve now before another onslaught of work starts again next week. The individuals I report to are reasonable people who always acknowledge when people kick it into overdrive. I have been given tomorrow off as recognition for such efforts. A few people have asked what I plan to do with the time. I usually would respond to the question like this: “I’m going to crawl into a large bottle of single malt Scotch whisky and not come out for the next two days.” This is not what I am going to be doing, exactly. What I am trying to say in my often dramatic and sarcastic way is this: I’m not going to do anything that is remotely productive, recognize just how fried I am, and enjoy some serious down time.

To mark the ocassion, I did go add another soldier to the collection. I have had my eye on bottle of Balvenie whisky for quite some time. The differential between the 15 year and the 21 year was $100 USD. The logical Twin won the argument and I purchased the 15 year single malt. I'm sampling a small glass as I write this. It ranks highly in terms of value and enjoyment.

I have about two weeks worth of data as it relates to my financial experiment. For the most part, my disgressionary spending is pretty minimal. For the most part, my recurring high dollar items relate to swim lessons, hair cuts, the ocassional bottle of Scotch whisky, running shcoes or other clothing needs. I'm a pretty low maintenance and low expense guy.

One of the things that I have noticed is that as I began to become aware of what I was spending--as I was tracking it on a nightly basis--my spending habits began to change. This is the basic principal of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Too bad that that college professors don't blatantly point this out in physics class and relate it to personal finance.

Anyway, so that is what has been going on in my life. Things are going well, but I am spent from this past push. I'm sure I'll have some thoughts to share once I decompress.

Namaste

A Financial Experiment

"Money makes a good servant, but a bad master."
- Francis Bacon

According to many experts, very few people actually know where their money goes. Most people can tell you where their fixed expenses go--car payments, house payments, insurance, hookers, etc. What I am talking about here is non-fixed expenditure. On Thursday evening I decided that I would track all my non-fixed expenditure for the next week and see where my money goes. I don't have all the data in yet as a full week isn't over, but the results have been interesting so far.

On Friday I spent $112.46 on the following items: a cup of coffee, a swim lesson, a hair cut, some pre-shave oil, a shoe shine, and groceries. I packed my lunch on Friday so that helped keep my cost down slightly, but I don't drop cash like that on a normal day. Today I spent $19.25 on the following items: a cup of coffee and dry cleaning for the week. Other than the coffee, I made all my own meals, did some stuff for work and went to the gym.

In a previous post I wrote how enjoyment is not necessarily equated to expenditure. It's true. This statement doesn't need to be flushed out, or supported by some anecdotal evidence. Some people might interpret this to mean that they have to deprive themselves of things to apply this concept. I do not believe this is correct. It appears that there is an optimal range of personal expenditure which maximizes one's daily enjoyment without any deprivation. My cousin packs a lunch each day then takes the cost savings from the week and applies it to a meal at a great restaurant on the weekend with her husband, or spends it on a massage. She concluded her thoughts by saying it's a lot easier to watch your spending when you know that you will receive the benefit of it within a reasonable period of time.

As with most of the personal changes I try to implement in my life the conclusion is often very similar: I am trying to achieve a fine balance. Such is the case with my latest project. I am attempting to eliminate what is not necessary without depriving myself. I could go out and buy a coffee maker and make coffee each morning, but I like getting a cup of coffee in the morning. Sometimes I buy from Starbucks, and sometimes I buy from our cafeteria at work. The common denominator here is that I enjoy the walk or the extra few minutes of a drive, which helps me gather my thoughts and get mentally organized. And I usually drink $2 USD coffee. If I was throwing down $4 USD each morning on a drink then I would be in different territory.

This is an ongoing project. I am sure that I will have some additional thoughts as this unfolds.

Tomorrow is lining up to be a very nice day. I'll start the day off with a monster breakfast and a big cup of coffee as I will be heading to the office to get things for my latest project lined up. Once that I complete I am planning on going for a long run, and then an even longer nap. For the time being, things are good.

Namaste

Comments to Posts....

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
- Rick Blaine as portrayed by Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca

General Reference: http://www.gordoworld.com/gblog/2008/10/personal-freedom.html

If there was ever any question, I do love a good gin and tonic. I prefer them the way they make them on the other side of The Pond: the proper balance of Hendick's gin, crushed ice, and a few thin slices of cucumber at the bottom of the glass, then muddled. If absolutely forced, I'll take it with lime, but the Hendrick's gin is non-negotiable.

As I do every week, I read Gordon Byrn's blog. At the very end he mentions, "A three dollar pumpkin and a few bucks worth of candy is all it takes to make a bunch of kids happy." Great line. With investments tanking and the stock market falling wildly this week, many people I know are going into cash horde mode. This is a reasonable response. The odd thing is this: most of the things that bring the greatest amount of enjoyment in life are usually very inexpensive.

Last time I checked taking a nap is still free; a long trail run costs me about $2 USD in gas--excluding of course my fixed car payment; a grande coffee at Starbucks is $2 USD, and you get free wireless internet access for the price of admission; and to the Sky Shark's point, a fine gin and tonic consumed while watching the sunset--truly one of life's great joys--will run you about $3 USD, even if you are using Hendrick's. So things might be uncertain financially, the their is plenty of enjoyment to be had.

Namaste

Suntory Time

Director: [in Japanese] Mr. Bob-san, you are relaxing in your study. On the table is a bottle of Suntory whiskey. Got it? Look slowly, with feeling, at the camera, and say it gently - say it as if you were speaking to an old friend. Just like Bogie in Casablanca, "Here's looking at you, kid" - Suntory time.
Translator: Umm. He want you to turn, looking at camera. OK?
Bob: That's all he said?
Translator: Yes. Turn to camera.
Bob: All right. Does he want me to turn from the right, or turn from the left?
Translator: [to director, in Japanese] Uh, umm. He's ready now. He just wants to know if he's supposed to turn from the left or turn from the right when the camera rolls. What should I tell him?
Director: [in Japanese] What difference does it make! Makes no difference! Don't have time for that! Got it, Bob-san? Just psych yourself up, and quick! Look straight at the camera. At the camera. And slowly. With passion. Straight at the camera. And in your eyes there's... passion. Got it?
Translator: [to Bob] Right side. And with intensity. OK?
Bob: Is that everything? It seemed like he said quite a bit more than that.
Director: [to Bob, in Japanese] Listen, listen. This isn't just about whiskey. Understand? Imagine you're talking to an old friend. Gently. The emotions bubble up from the bottom of your heart. And don't forget, psych yourself up!
Translator: Like an old friend. And, into the camera.
Bob: OK.
Director: [in Japanese] Got it? You love whiskey. It's Suntory time. OK?
Bob: OK.
Director: OK?
Bob: [nods]
Director: [to crew] OK!
- taken from Lost in Translation


Lost in Translation is one of my favorite movies. If I were to be asked, "What's it about," I would say that it's about a very unique relationship between two people who are in transitory periods in their life. The Bill Murray character is transitioning out of limelight of being a Hollywood star, and the Scarlett Johansson character is in the process of transitioning out Ivy League education and into the World. They are both strangers to themselves, and trying to pass the time while in a foreign country. The movie is about the time they spend together.

I've been thinking about this movie the past few days. I was in BevMo this past week looking for a new addition to the Scotch whisky line-up, and I find a bottle with a very Japanese name: Yamazaki. I pick up the bottle examine it for a minute and notice that it is made by Suntory Limited. Honestly, I thought that the whole Suntory name in the movie was completely made up. I was dead wrong. It turns out that a good chunk of the movie was really a product placement. Maybe there really is a balance between artistic and commercial success.

In the movie the viewer does not get a translation of what the director is saying in Japanese to Bob-san. The only information they receive is what the translator provides. I have a new appreciation for the scene now that I have the translation, but I believe the scene was set-up specifically for this purpose. The viewer is just as confused as Bob-san, and because of this shared confusion, they identify with him, feel his confusion and isolation amongst the masses of people.

At one point in the movie Bob-san makes a comment about how ridiculous the whole endorsement of the Suntory whisky is, but says, "The good news is the whisky works." I would agree with his statement. I purchased a bottle of the Yamazaki 12 year, and find it very enjoyable. It has a sharper aroma than say a Lagavulin or a Macallan, but it's very clean on the pallet with a nice oaky finish. It's a nice addition to my collection.

Namaste

Checking In

"Fatigue is the best pillow."
- Benjamin Franklin

My Fall training has been very consistent so far. At the very minimum, I’ve run three times a week for the past three weeks, and have continued swimming under the watchful eye of Coach Kevin. The weight in the midsection is starting to come off, I’m sleeping like a stone, and I can feel the lactic build up when I wake in the morning. My plan is to continue building a base through the rest of October, add some longer distances in November and December along with additional flexibility training.

In November I will be taking another road trip to Los Angeles to see Van Morrison play. The Belfast Cowboy holds a special place in my heart. He sings like no other person on this planet. I’m not talking pitch or sound—which are certainly unique—but more about how he sings. The first half of the show is Van singing his most popular songs; the second half he is going to perform Astral Weeks—arguably his greatest album—from start to finish. It should be well worth the 5 hour drive.

The weather here in Phoenix is unbelievable. It’s like a second version of Spring. I’ve turned off the air conditioning in the house, and opened up the windows to cool down the house. The fresh air in the house has been wonderful. In addition to my endurance training, the fresh air has definitely contributed to a much deeper sleep.

I am down to three bottles of Scotch whisky currently, and each of these bottles has less than a third left. I’ll take sojourn to BevMo next weekend and add a new “solider” to the collection. Right now I am thinking of purchasing a Highland Park – 18 year, but this could change when I get to the store. Macallan makes a nice 18 year as well, but it’s significantly more expensive than Highland Park. Decisions, decisions.

Things are moving along nicely here. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I haven’t seen my sister since Christmas, and she is flying in from NYC with her boyfriend—who is a Scotch drinker. It will be good to see both of them, and nice to have someone who can enjoy the simple pleasure of single malt whisky after an enormous meal.