I sit here typing this blog with heavy heart; I have one less great friend in this world. A life full of laughter, love, and music has been extinguished. My friend Jon joined all the great artists that went before him, passing away at 2:25 p.m. on Tuesday after an excrutiating battle with cancer.
His wife, sons and extended family are devastated; he was only 46 years old.
His many friends will also miss this unique man, who always tried to make everyone's life better by sharing his personal brand of humor and love of life. He expressed his love for life in many ways and left us an incredible standard of a life well-lived. He had no enemies and left no debts; he cared for those in need and worked hard to know he'd always done the best job he could.
He was a tough competitor who loved to play golf, so we spent many an afternoon in Mission Hills playing his favorite El Cariso course. He loved his brand new swimming pool and watching his kids play in it. He loved having people over to barbeque, even when it was 110 degrees and the power failed. It didn't stop him, he set up a generator and brought a truckful of ice, so the party continued unabated.
I hope each of you reading this have at least one friend in your life like Jon. If you do, then treasure them, because we are all only here for so long.
Friends like Jon are the family you get to choose.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Life...
I sit here reading about the death of Wayman Tisdale at 44 years of age from cancer. I remember when he was a star at Oklahoma and in the NBA, where he was just somebody else to cheer against since I am a diehard Laker fan. Overall, he seemed like a very nice person, and he actually went on to become a noted jazz musician after his basketball career ended. I even liked his music, so I am saddened and very surprised by his passing. I don't know what it is about turning 50 that suddenly loosens the floodgates of people passing away, because we've had more deaths and serious illnesses in our friends and families this year than pretty well all of my previous 49 years combined.
Now my best friend, Jon, lies dying in his bed from bone cancer that has spread throughout most of his body, even after losing a leg and half his pelvis. Last night, my son went to visit Jon after not seeing him for about two months, he was shocked. "Uncle" Jon has been a big part of his life and he knew it was most likely the last time he would see Jon alive.
Because we are such good friends, this week I got to share the "privilege" of telling him he had lost the battle with cancer and probably had no more than a month to live. I cannot begin to tell you how hard that was; I wouldn't wish that duty on anyone. I was touched by his bravery in the face of such pain and how much he cared for his wife and young children, but most of what I felt was heartbreak.
We have written many songs together over the 23 years that I've known Jon, but they are few compared to the hundreds of songs Jon has written. I have made him a promise to make sure his music lives on, so my sons and I are going to record a benefit album of covers of Jon's songs. We are hoping to complete it before Jon passes away, but now it is a race against time, which always seems to be a losing race these days.
More and more I am reminded that every day is a gift and we should try to make every day special for those we hold most dear. Apply Love Liberally!
Now my best friend, Jon, lies dying in his bed from bone cancer that has spread throughout most of his body, even after losing a leg and half his pelvis. Last night, my son went to visit Jon after not seeing him for about two months, he was shocked. "Uncle" Jon has been a big part of his life and he knew it was most likely the last time he would see Jon alive.
Because we are such good friends, this week I got to share the "privilege" of telling him he had lost the battle with cancer and probably had no more than a month to live. I cannot begin to tell you how hard that was; I wouldn't wish that duty on anyone. I was touched by his bravery in the face of such pain and how much he cared for his wife and young children, but most of what I felt was heartbreak.
We have written many songs together over the 23 years that I've known Jon, but they are few compared to the hundreds of songs Jon has written. I have made him a promise to make sure his music lives on, so my sons and I are going to record a benefit album of covers of Jon's songs. We are hoping to complete it before Jon passes away, but now it is a race against time, which always seems to be a losing race these days.
More and more I am reminded that every day is a gift and we should try to make every day special for those we hold most dear. Apply Love Liberally!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Why This Economic Stimulus is Different
Well, there has already been a lot written about the Democratic economic stimulus plans, but as my wife reminded me yesterday, this time it's different.
Why is it different? Because unlike many other stimulus packages of years gone by this one actually puts more money in your pocket or presents some opportunities to some money in your pocket, if you are one of the lucky few that still have a job and can spend money. Never mind it was your money in the first place before you paid it to the government in taxes and it would have made so much more sense to not take it from you in the first place, but a large part of this package is coming back to you.
As my previous posts stated, there are some who hold the American people as being one of the causes of the financial system collapse because the American people spent every penny they had. I would say there are some Americans guilty of that, spending more than they should have on discretionary items they really did not need; but, there are so many others that were forced to spend everything they made and then borrow more just to keep from sinking. So, if you are one of those people who spent everything they had on stuff you did not need, this is your chance to learn from your mistake and actually save some of the money the government means to give you. If you were one of those people who did their best and still had to spend everything you made, then hopefully these government funds will give you a little breathing room and a little bit of money to save. The government will be grateful for the additional tax revenue from taxes on the miniscule interest we receive on our savings instruments.
Yes, the tax system will be the subject of tomorrow's post...
Why is it different? Because unlike many other stimulus packages of years gone by this one actually puts more money in your pocket or presents some opportunities to some money in your pocket, if you are one of the lucky few that still have a job and can spend money. Never mind it was your money in the first place before you paid it to the government in taxes and it would have made so much more sense to not take it from you in the first place, but a large part of this package is coming back to you.
As my previous posts stated, there are some who hold the American people as being one of the causes of the financial system collapse because the American people spent every penny they had. I would say there are some Americans guilty of that, spending more than they should have on discretionary items they really did not need; but, there are so many others that were forced to spend everything they made and then borrow more just to keep from sinking. So, if you are one of those people who spent everything they had on stuff you did not need, this is your chance to learn from your mistake and actually save some of the money the government means to give you. If you were one of those people who did their best and still had to spend everything you made, then hopefully these government funds will give you a little breathing room and a little bit of money to save. The government will be grateful for the additional tax revenue from taxes on the miniscule interest we receive on our savings instruments.
Yes, the tax system will be the subject of tomorrow's post...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How We Choose Our Leaders
It seems as though many of the corporate and government leaders currently in power all come from the same places, highly regarded public and private universities, the land of the "best and brightest". I am sure these people are all getting great educations at these institutions and are building great network of other best and brightest; but, somehow those educations do not seem to be fully translating into ethical leaders.
Is there something wrong with this picture or have we as a people given too much credit to these universities as being the only source for good leaders? I would have to say it has almost become a form of discrimination in that someone who was not able to attend these universities would not be considered for many positions of corporate leadership. We currently have too many examples of this phenomenon to disregard the danger.
I, myself, get much more attention from recruiters for having attended Northwestern University for one year 33 years ago, than for a B.S. Accounting degree I recently completed. They say, "Oh, the company will like that you went there." This is even though I am applying for an accounting or finance position and I studied Engineering while I was at Northwestern. I loved being at Northwestern; it is a great school with great people, so don't think I didn't value my time there. It is just that it really has no bearing on the 20-year career I have been able to carve out in accounting and finance since I was last in Evanston, IL.
The whole purpose here is to get some of you thinking about how this prejudice may not be such a good thing for America right now. Some of our greatest citizens and leaders did not come from these backgrounds, yet now it seems as though many are shut out of any leadership opportunity simply because of where they went to school.
Food for thought....
Is there something wrong with this picture or have we as a people given too much credit to these universities as being the only source for good leaders? I would have to say it has almost become a form of discrimination in that someone who was not able to attend these universities would not be considered for many positions of corporate leadership. We currently have too many examples of this phenomenon to disregard the danger.
I, myself, get much more attention from recruiters for having attended Northwestern University for one year 33 years ago, than for a B.S. Accounting degree I recently completed. They say, "Oh, the company will like that you went there." This is even though I am applying for an accounting or finance position and I studied Engineering while I was at Northwestern. I loved being at Northwestern; it is a great school with great people, so don't think I didn't value my time there. It is just that it really has no bearing on the 20-year career I have been able to carve out in accounting and finance since I was last in Evanston, IL.
The whole purpose here is to get some of you thinking about how this prejudice may not be such a good thing for America right now. Some of our greatest citizens and leaders did not come from these backgrounds, yet now it seems as though many are shut out of any leadership opportunity simply because of where they went to school.
Food for thought....
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Just so everyone knows, I will be updating this blog every day now, just because I feel like. It may not always be financial postings, but hopefully it will always be interesting.
I am currently working on starting a public charter school, so you will be seeing a link to our Non-Profit Organization site soon, just in case you want to donate to the cause. More on that subject tomorrow too.
I am currently working on starting a public charter school, so you will be seeing a link to our Non-Profit Organization site soon, just in case you want to donate to the cause. More on that subject tomorrow too.
Forbes put out a list today saying that The American Consumer was one of the 25 people who caused the failure of the financial system. Their main bone of contention was that the average consumer spent all of their income and did not save any money; running up mortgage debt, credit card debt, etc.
I also read and saw an interesting statistic, which stated the last time America had true economic growth where both wealth created and average employee compensation rose at approximately the same rate was in 1976, the end of the post-World War II expansion. It is interesting to note we are now in a period where we have the highest concentration of wealth in the last two centuries, is it possible that has something to do with average employee compensation having actually gone down for the last decade.
I watched my income grow over the last 10 years, but somehow it never seemed to keep pace with how much it cost to live in Southern California. Those of you who know us well, know we do not live an extravagant lifestyle and spend money pretty frugally. If we cannot keep up, I cannot imagine how anyone whose after-tax incomes have not risen in 10 years could keep up.
So maybe it is not entirely the average consumer's fault, since you actually have to have money left over each month to actually be able to save any money. Maybe it is the fault of those who have been dubbed the "best and brightest", the corporate leaders from America's "top" universities and business schools, many of whom are now begging at the Treasury window for funds from the public to save their precious corporations. Just look at the other 24 people on the Forbes list to see glaring examples of these so-called "best and brightest".
More on the "best and brightest" tomorrow...
I also read and saw an interesting statistic, which stated the last time America had true economic growth where both wealth created and average employee compensation rose at approximately the same rate was in 1976, the end of the post-World War II expansion. It is interesting to note we are now in a period where we have the highest concentration of wealth in the last two centuries, is it possible that has something to do with average employee compensation having actually gone down for the last decade.
I watched my income grow over the last 10 years, but somehow it never seemed to keep pace with how much it cost to live in Southern California. Those of you who know us well, know we do not live an extravagant lifestyle and spend money pretty frugally. If we cannot keep up, I cannot imagine how anyone whose after-tax incomes have not risen in 10 years could keep up.
So maybe it is not entirely the average consumer's fault, since you actually have to have money left over each month to actually be able to save any money. Maybe it is the fault of those who have been dubbed the "best and brightest", the corporate leaders from America's "top" universities and business schools, many of whom are now begging at the Treasury window for funds from the public to save their precious corporations. Just look at the other 24 people on the Forbes list to see glaring examples of these so-called "best and brightest".
More on the "best and brightest" tomorrow...
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