SAYING GOODBYES

Saying goodbyes and keeping a calm facade is always difficult, particularly knowing that I am about to embark on this adventure. When one sets out on an adventure, there will good and bad times, or it won`t be an adventure.  You try to minimize the bad and make something good out of it, and maximize the good.  Trying to keep focused that I love life, yet having a conflicting attitude of recklessness and indifference to my life creates difficult times (the edge).  I like getting on the edge, realizing the recklessness in me could prevail at the moment. I have a lot of trepidatious thoughts about this leg of the journey because this "full throttle engine" won`t stop and there is no one here to put the brakes on.  But what memories one can have from an adventure like this. Having someone to share the memories is the greatest.  Finding someone to travel and share the experiences is not always easy.  I did once several years ago.  The chemistry was great.  My weaknesses were her strengths, and hers were my strength. There was never a dull moment, and there were so many memories.  So, settle for the next best thing and do it yourself.

DEPARTURE

Arriving at Los Angeles at 7 pm Saturday and seeing Ed, my brother, was the start of a beautiful evening.  I had a 5 hour layover before I left for Hong Kong.  He didn`t know that I was also there to collect on a bet of a personal matter.  I settled for dinner in Santa Monica near the beach.  His giving me advice and commments on some of the places I willl be visiting in our discussion led to a great evening.  Walking along the beach is always a beautiful sight as it always brings back many memories of the past visits.  It was a beautiful night.

Saying good bye to Ed and walking toward the Cathay Pacific Business Lounge, confirmed that this adventure has commenced and I embrace it.