Comments:
Understood
My point is that even if it was hard to get wherever you wished, there is some value in making it look effortless.
I forgot to mention a clean pair of shoes to return to work after a busy on call. The tie you can leave aside later on, for camouflage.
Have a great week end
I forgot to mention a clean pair of shoes to return to work after a busy on call. The tie you can leave aside later on, for camouflage.
Have a great week end
I for one greatly appreciate your contributions.
I have just about zero interest in wrist shots of the latest diamond-encrusted 'sports' watch, without any associated horological content. It is very refreshing, and good counterbalance to some of the other posts (which have their audience, no doubt), to read contributions or comments related to real watchmaking topics.
P.S. Platforms like this forum some times make it easy to lose proportions. By living comfortably in Norway, you are automatically better of than the vast majority of people in this (inequal) world! ;-)
P.S. Platforms like this forum some times make it easy to lose proportions. By living comfortably in Norway, you are automatically better of than the vast majority of people in this (inequal) world! ;-)
You are so right
Living in Norway, with family in America and in New Zealand, my family and I are extremely privileged and should never forget that! Our so-called "problems" are nothing compared to what the majority of the population on this planet has to struggle with. Yes, we are blessed and privileged.
Thanks a lot
Beyond the mask of consumerism, we still have our human side we choose to conceal or show.
I put my actions where my words are.
This evening is typical. I could have spent it hanging out with friends, or at the mall. But instead, the winters in Australia are getting colder, and a poor man asked me for spare clothes. I went back to look for him today. Instead, I found a woman in a dark park, shouting into the darkness.
I called to her, and told her not to be scared. She told me she was kicked out of home due to domestic violence and was pending social housing. Immediately, I brought winter clothes for her, and a few McDonalds meals.
This brings satisfaction to know, I return to the maker what he has blessed me with.
Time..is a big priviledge. How and who we spend it is who we are.
Wish you a great week ahead!
Thank you for your interesting story.
I do miss Archie from Australia a bit, so thanks for stepping up and telling the story.
You have a certain kind of story telling that i really like and enjoy
And that i think is brave and right. There was another guy that had the right mentality, however, he got banned for whatever reason. So really pleased to read your article.
thanks for your encouragement
let me admit something...I wrote to Paul Pluta today 
Deep within a clown, is actually a suffering existence, much like Robin Williams. These are the people who need the most care and concern. If left abandoned, they turn dark, but if given the correct light, they bring joy and happiness to people, through humour and self-depreciation, that life is worth it - it can be a dark world, but a little humour, anecdotes, and life experience that seem to say: "Mate, I've been through those pits...Cheer up, may tomorrow be another day of hope for you."
Deep within a clown, is actually a suffering existence, much like Robin Williams. These are the people who need the most care and concern. If left abandoned, they turn dark, but if given the correct light, they bring joy and happiness to people, through humour and self-depreciation, that life is worth it - it can be a dark world, but a little humour, anecdotes, and life experience that seem to say: "Mate, I've been through those pits...Cheer up, may tomorrow be another day of hope for you."
Yes, I am a clown...
Archie is a clown too...quite good at what he is doing, quite annoying too..likewise Dr Oz too, on television. Polarizing people..
But like Robert65 said, I gotta tone down, a lot...perhaps I had too much coffee, and too much exposure to the dichotomy of privilege vs disadvantage in life...He is right too..I have expressed a lot, that's my greatest strength and my Archiles heel. I faced this all my life, and am no stranger to it.
Such is life.. like Ted_Lo could have meant: "what is we lose everything...and we are left to our primal existence?" A touch, a warm feeling, a community, are primal instincts of humanity.
Love your last words. A lot. That is the essence of our virtual place. [nt]
No message body
There are many struggles and trade offs in life.
I was given a Daytona when I was 20 years old. I didn’t know the history behind the watch, all I knew at that time about Rolex was submariner. However the love of the Daytona grew overtime! (Now I’m 29) I feel more connected with the watch than the moment I received it. My point is understanding the horological aspects of watches is more important than having the watch. It’s never too late to buy a watch when you are financially ready and understand your taste on watches a little bit more (trust me, I can assure you many people on this site “me included” have been through the period where you are over-exposed to watches, you tend to be a bit confused of what you really wanted).
and another Superstring here
Curious to how the word Daytona came up. The appreciation is the key to the hobby...the lust for more snippets of history, and admiration to fine details.
Daytona has entered my life yesterday in the form of a TT Daytona, which was bought yesterday. But, it is in a different country, and I will only receive it once the borders here are open. It is now in my 2nd home overseas.
I never thought I would ever get a Daytona, and always thought a Deepsea would come first. But fate is a strange thing, it surprises us, disappoints us, the 2 are only part of the same coin...As Rudyard Kipling wrote:
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same.
Another true story - from my grandfather 50 years ago
Note - I found this letter a week ago from my grandfather who was a very
successful businessman. Older folks in the US would know products he
developed, including Mr. Bubble, Glass Wax, and Snowy Bleach.
He wrote this in response to a letter I wrote him at age 17, which is thankfully lost.
It was on the occasion of my first real visit to South Texas, in the summer of '69.
I scanned it in today to share, seeing how relevant it is to your thread here.
Your interesting letter stating your honest and sincere impressions of our
manner of life arrived today and I am appreciative of your honesty in making
your thoughts known so vividly. It also explains some of the things that have
been 'bugging' us as to whether we had properly entertained you or not.
I am not offended at all because I think you said what you honestly felt, and
that is good for your conscience. It also explains why you said you would not
like to live with us or as we do, or something to that effect. I am somewhat
amazed at your statement that you were shocked at the way I treat service
personel. When you say that I ''destroy men's dignity", I would like for you
to follow me around to many of these places and ask them what they think of
me or us, as both your grandmother and I are usually together.
Your statement is a great surprise because in the past several years, we have had
a lot of people here from all around the country and have taken them to most of the
places we took you. They have been amazed at the friendship and good service we
enjoy among those service people, and especially are shocked at the congenial
way I treat colored service people. They say it just isn't like what they read
about the south or expected might be true. I am frequently criticized for
being too "familiar" and kidding around with service people. I do that a
lot and it is surprising how much they enjoy it and in return, they do their
utmost to show their appreciation. I think you might be surprised to hear what
they would tell you as to their feelings about what you think is "destruction
of their dignity".
Quite the opposite is true, but you would have to know them and know
the long history that has preceded our acquaintance as of the time you saw it.
We have a colored yard man that has beem with us for nearly 20 years,
and when he has a legal or business problem, he comes to me for advice. I have
helped him thru some tough ones where he was not well enough experienced to
avoid the problem. I have had 2 colored janitors over several years, and
they are almost flattering in their praise of my treatment of them, and are
still working for me altho they have changed other employers several times
in that same period of time. One in fact who is a baker in a hospital
as a regular job, bakes a cake for us every Christmas.
The colored people at the Club are all our friends and you couldn't
say anything against us there without getting a lot of argument, and I am
not bragging when I say I am sure it would be highly complimentary. As you
saw, Earl L shook hands with you and gave you an unusual and desireable end cut
of roast beef. Winston A came by and brought his cousin, Anita, to talk to us
and we kid her about being absent,when we come in, but the point is they
wouldn't come by at all if we weren't known as friendly to colored people.
As to those who park my car, the same holds true. Tommy at the Club
has been taking care of our cars, both of us, for about 10 years and always
has some wise crack to make at me (in fun of course) so I always look for some
thing to get back at him. This is friendly banter, which they enjoy and it
makes them feel like they are appreciated and can talk and joke with me.
Johnny at the S on Westheimer has also been parking my car for about
10 years and he always asks where we have been so long and I kid him about
that small hat he wears. The night we were there, you noticed that my car
was right up front and when he was not in sight, I got in and later when he
came rugning, I told him I didn't need him, but threw him a tip. I don' t
know which or what experience you might have reference to, but I can't believe
any of them were .as you imagined them to be. I am known as a friend
to all the service people and especially colored people, whom we come in
contact with, and my image with hundreds of friends and associates is so
different than you picture it, that I must say your impressions were either
due to misunderstanding of the situation or possible due to lack of experience
in away from home matters.
I have been traveling around the world a lot in my days and I have always
found it easy to make friends with people who serve you most
places, both here and in foreign countries. After all peole are not too
different anyplace, and they enjoy friendly conversation and give better service
when they feel it is appreciated. After all, those people are doing a job and
the quality of service they render is their best asset - it is what gets good tips.
I never have bought service, as some people I know will do, but I tip generally
a conventional amount, but always thank those that have been good to us.
They tell me that is worth more to them than some tips that they feel are not sincere.
It is amazl ing how many waiters and waitresses tell us that tmey enjoy waiting on
us more than on many other customers because we treat them so well. I am not going
tal change that image for sure, as I am sold that it a right one. I also have no
feelings for or against anyone because of race or color -- they must be honest
of course, or I am not apt to be very considerate . . . They must be friendly and
cheerful as sullen, disgruntled people are not conducive to good conditions.
They must also be of a disposition that allows a "give and take" attitude. They
must also be efficient in whatever duties they are engaged in as 'doing their best'
is what makes any employee successful, happy in his or her asssignments ~ and that
is what holds and increases job stature. Naturally, I am mainly discussing the type of
people that are service-oriented because you referred to them as people I
hurt their feelings and then feel superior.
Mike, you need to know me better and to have more experience in such things,
before making any hard and fast judgment. I can agree we did learn a lot about
you that we didn't know before.
I am not critical of what you do or say, or about your attitudes except to offer
the suggestion that it may too early in your limited amount of worldly contacts
and experience to be making decisions that you might like to change later on.
The world has many oddities, peculiarities and unfortunate circumstances. It
isn't all bad, nor all good. Most people and leaders are sincerely trying to
improve things, but it takes time and education of the masses to understand
why changes are slow to happen and take so much time to develop.
Elimination of war, of greed, of dishonesty, of lack of respect for law and order, and of
many other questionable things is a challenge to all of us. I am optimistic
enough to believe we are gaining on such answers, and not going backwards. The
generation gap is not so mcuh a difference in judgment or entirely one of opinion,
as it is the difference between experience and the urgent, can't wait attitude of
the immature. But such is life and we all have a part in it. May we all do our
best, be as efficient as our capabilities allow, and always be honest.
You will soon be going to college to further your education. Education has one
great value to anyone. It doesn't make any difference what the subject is that
you are studing, but how it can be applied to worldly problems and how one can
learn that there are always conflicting considerations that must be taken into
evaluation, before judgment is rendered. That is why we have the fine court
system we have, even if it is awkward and aggravating at times. And it too can
be upset by dishonest people, as everything we are in contact with can be equally
affected by those that practice dishonesty. Whatever you may chose to study, and
the livlihood you expect to follow, try to do your level best and work hard to
be the best in that group.
Social life is not a necessity at all, and we definitely don't think we are "in
society" nor do we want to be. But we do want to have friends, and
good reputations among all groups, classes and races that are doing their best in
their chosen fields. Success is not always measured by money or material things
(but they are very helpful at times as you will soon learn) but it is a matter of
having a clear conscience, knowing that you have honestly done your best, and being
happy with the rewards that brings, whether it is much or little.
I have been poor, and hungry at times, but never have I been dishonest to others or myself,
thanks to excellent character building training that my wonderful Father gave me. Whatever I
may have to enjoy now in later life is the result of hard work, honest application
of all good principles I was taught at home, and a feeling of accomplishment that
is not devoted to destroying the image of any man or his dignity.
Your Grandfather
Now in my care.
That is a beautiful letter.
Thank you so much for sharing.
I have much much respect for you grandfather.
Ted
I have much much respect for you grandfather.
Ted
A great letter.
The time and effort your grandfather invested in composing it, trying his best to educate your younger self, providing context and perspective, clearly shows the degree of his devotion to his family. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers
Marc
Cheers
Marc
I read it 3 times
I respect him a lot from this document he wrote, and that he did write about life values and experiences like many older successful men do later in life, to share their perspectives and hindsight in life...the trials and tribulations that hardened them to become the decisive people they are.
I enjoy the pictures you have shared, of him wearing the Omega, and his assuring demeanor.
There was once a time when fathers/mothers wrote to their children, short notes, letters etc. Evolution has changed that, and it is now replaced by text messaging, emails etc, which took a lot of personal touch away from the message which, when handwritten, shows the effort and commitment to the message written.
It is true when he wrote that service personnel wait on tips, but they appreciate a nice host, to be good to them, and treat them as "friends". I spent a good 10 years in the hotel/restaurant industry, and had my sad days, and happy days. Sometimes, I could not understand why a guest treated me the way he/she did, but in hindsight, maybe they did not mean to. It was a hard existence, but a meaningful one, because I delighted in making people happy and satisfied, more so than a tip (but tips were appreciated because we earned very little). The encouragement given by the franchisor to McDonalds gave me hope, when those days were dark.
In all honesty, my status in this world was inherited. I did not make it, but simply, a man of a similar stature to your grandfather decided one day, he would adopt me into his family, and I made good of his goodwill to become a doctor. On and off, when he is happy, he would give me a Richard Mille, Patek or some other pieces as a reward. But being prudent, I decline it, and instead, relate to worldly values which maketh the boy become a man, by buying textbooks to read. Arrogance catches me sometimes, and I beat myself up about it bad. I wrote this, because I am sorry about my direct reply to the $1k watch post a member made a few days ago - I knew his pain...I felt the moment re-live itself, when I was down and out in life, but needed something to spur me on, and so I wrote this post, to let others laugh at me, and let them know I felt their pain, they will know and hope for rags-to-riches through grit and honesty, and x-factor.
A little self-depreciation here on my part, but that is part of life..never too sure, always humble, yet confident.
I enjoy the pictures you have shared, of him wearing the Omega, and his assuring demeanor.
There was once a time when fathers/mothers wrote to their children, short notes, letters etc. Evolution has changed that, and it is now replaced by text messaging, emails etc, which took a lot of personal touch away from the message which, when handwritten, shows the effort and commitment to the message written.
It is true when he wrote that service personnel wait on tips, but they appreciate a nice host, to be good to them, and treat them as "friends". I spent a good 10 years in the hotel/restaurant industry, and had my sad days, and happy days. Sometimes, I could not understand why a guest treated me the way he/she did, but in hindsight, maybe they did not mean to. It was a hard existence, but a meaningful one, because I delighted in making people happy and satisfied, more so than a tip (but tips were appreciated because we earned very little). The encouragement given by the franchisor to McDonalds gave me hope, when those days were dark.
In all honesty, my status in this world was inherited. I did not make it, but simply, a man of a similar stature to your grandfather decided one day, he would adopt me into his family, and I made good of his goodwill to become a doctor. On and off, when he is happy, he would give me a Richard Mille, Patek or some other pieces as a reward. But being prudent, I decline it, and instead, relate to worldly values which maketh the boy become a man, by buying textbooks to read. Arrogance catches me sometimes, and I beat myself up about it bad. I wrote this, because I am sorry about my direct reply to the $1k watch post a member made a few days ago - I knew his pain...I felt the moment re-live itself, when I was down and out in life, but needed something to spur me on, and so I wrote this post, to let others laugh at me, and let them know I felt their pain, they will know and hope for rags-to-riches through grit and honesty, and x-factor.
A little self-depreciation here on my part, but that is part of life..never too sure, always humble, yet confident.
It was embarrassing to remember my letter
but encouraging to realize I learned a lot more from him than he perhaps suspected.
Mike
We were a long ways away and poor enough not to visit very often.
But he shared things like "avoid lending to family and you will be a happier man" and
"I don't give you fancy presents because that's not a good way to be remembered"
Things like that which I didn't really understand then but I do now.
He died suddenly after a minor operation and I went to Texas to see my grandmother -
she was very happy and determined to give me his gold watches (instead of the other 5 grandkids).
God Bless his Soul
Yes, I believe sometimes, we learn a lot from people even when we are distanced from them. I learn a lot from a Canadian gentleman, whom I befriended here 8 years ago. We write letters and send gifts to each other sometimes. He is my good friend, although I never got to meet him in person. On many bad days, he would offer a good listening ear.
Maybe, some of his traits were innate in you, passed down through genetic shuffling (sometimes traits skip generations and show up again). He lives on in you, through blood, and memories. God bless him!
God Bless him
Yes, I believe sometimes, we learn a lot from people even when we are distanced from them. I learn a lot from a Canadian gentleman, whom I befriended here 8 years ago. We write letters and send gifts to each other sometimes. He is my good friend, although I never got to meet him in person. On many bad days, he would offer a good listening ear.
Maybe, some of his traits were innate in you, passed down through genetic shuffling (sometimes traits skip generations and show up again). He lives on in you, through blood, and memories. God bless him!
It is wonderful you have this letter from your grandpa, dear Mike
Thanks for sharing with us.
Best.
René
Best.
René
Wow, Mike!
This was an amazing read from an amazing man. I’m better for having read it. And my son enjoyed Mr. Bubble just this evening.
THANK YOU.
Thank you for writing such an inspirational post. Love your Geophysic as well.
Thanks a lot for your encouragement
I was quite disheartened when one member posted bad things on this thread accusing me of being a banned member and troublemaker. I have never been a banned member and Cookies is my account I faithfully maintained for more than half a decade.
Many members on this community know me in person.
My real name is Michael. I come from Singapore but moved to Australia. I wear many hats, from being a caring medical student, to a former group restaurant manager in Vietnam for a big corporation, a philantropist, a scuba diver, an ex-competitive bodybuilder, twice a scholarship recipient of government-backed university programmes and a good-willed person I strive to be. I like to serve people and inspire people to live and always hope.
It felt like putting my heart on cooking a good meal for a customer, to have a customer spit in the plate and try to tarnish someones reputation after that and become aggressive and hostile.
But life has to go on...your kind words, warm the heart.