The summer wind, came blowin’ in from across the sea
It lingered there, to touch your hair and walk with me..
– Frank Sinatra
Settling in on the deck this afternoon, winds stronger than I expected, blowing things around.
Not going to complain because the sun on the skin feels mighty good.
I don’t travel much (yet) but I’ve always been a fan of Anthony Bourdain and his exploits.
I was writing on Medium for a brief stretch years ago and I stumbled upon a post written to remember Anthony. I took the time to comment, which is rare for me.
I can’t remember my entire comment but one part of it was “Anthony chose to see the world as a glass half full, and he also chose to drink it dry.” I went on to elaborate and explain my reasoning and I meant every word.
Sometimes when you write, the words effortlessly emerge and connect with your tapping fingertips quicker than you can complete the action. This was one of those rare cases for me.
The feedback on that comment was a little overwhelming at the time and I quickly gained some followers, some asking me to elaborate even more.
I chose not to. I said all I had to say.
Several months later I closed my Medium account for reasons not quite entirely known. I think it was getting too personal perhaps. Stick to the stance of finance.
Let’s get back to Anthony for a quick second. The reason I watched every minute he was on TV was because it was raw, unfiltered, sincere and unapologetically real. His bullshit filter was a foot thick and nobody penetrated it.
What was even more impressive was his vulnerability.
He would literally throw himself out there, knowing it was not going to end well, because he could see that the conversation was going to a place people needed to go and he took the lead getting it there.
Watch the Vietnam episodes if you need any further confirmation of that.
He wasn’t trying to deflect. He was trying to direct. He was trying to get everyone to absorb the facts. Not just the past, but the present and the transition to get where we are today.
I vote a straight Republican ticket and have since the age of 18 but my favorite episode (shared by many others) is when he and Barack Obama clinked beers on opposite plastic chairs in Vietnam.
Time to get personal for bit.
I recall asking Dad, a USMC veteran whether he went to Vietnam. We were sitting on Virginia Beach, a spur of the moment weekend trip shortly after he and mom divorced.
I will never forget his reaction, the silence and the tears.
“Son, I was on my way, along with my entire platoon. Me and a few others didn’t make it, but the rest did.”
I knew based on the blank stare that greeted me not to ask anymore and I never did. I could tell there was a part of him that wished he had and a part of him that was glad he didn’t.
I guess there is a part of me that realizes I wouldn’t be sitting on the deck barefoot tapping this keyboard 50 years later had he went.
Wars lead to a lot of unborn sons and daughters.
Wars lead to a lot of unfulfilled sights and dreams.
Which takes me back to my fascination to travel documentary, not just Bourdain, but anyone anywhere.
When you have the chance, the privilege, to feel the cold sand, to walk the streets, to eat the food, to embrace the culture of a distant nation, don’t hesitate.
When you do, keep in mind…
There are many individuals who took those same trips, not by choice and made the ultimate sacrifice as a result.
Enjoy your Memorial Day.
The Finance Stance 