It’s my 54th birthday today! Woo hoo!
Rather than try to write a poem/song in the style of “When I’m 64,” here are a few thoughts:
- I’ve decided to release my Best of Aguanomics (2018) as a free ePub. Initially, I did not want to make a digital version available — thereby forcing people to buy the (door stop) sized book so they could read it on paper (and probably on the toilet), but I realized that the ebook would allow people to browse a chapter a day (455 of them!) or skip around.
Data: Since releasing the book nearly 5 years ago, I’ve sold 77 copies (and made $14, since I sell as close to cost as possible), so this move won’t put me in poverty 😉 - I’ve stepped away from Reddit in two stages: (a) I deleted the Apollo app from my phone and iPad in July, after Reddit killed third-party developers and (b) by unsubscribing to 180 (!) subreddits that were mostly time-wasting click bait. So now I hope to have a healthier, occasionally relationship with the site. My decision to quit other socials (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) has only given me greater joy with time 🙂
- I was interested to read this detailed report on world inequality. Although I am not in the top 10 percent of global rich, by cash income, I know that I am very privileged to have my health, friends, a good job and apartment, etc. It’s good to remember when things are going well 🙂
- My dad is 90 and in pretty good spirits. My mom died when she was 46 after a long bout with cancer. It’s good to remember that things do not always go according to plan.
- My sailing hobby is now more “stable” (compared to Doffer), as my boat (a 1971 Vrijheid re-named Chance) is smaller, more common, closer to my house, and in a club of many others who can teach me more. Nobody comes to the Netherlands for the mountains, but they should come to enjoy the water (sports)!
- Why “Chance“? Because there’s a lot that can go right and wrong on a boat, so it’s not a good idea to plan too aggressively. Perfection is an illusion with boats, so I try to remember that “90 percent is good enough”
- Speaking of pursuing
perfectionimprovement, I’ve signed up (and been gifted) two wood working courses, so I will have more hands on experience to humble my aspirations!
Seven is enough, I think.
Cheers!
First: Happy Birthday young man. Twenty years later you may be writing someone else who touched 54 years of age and wish them prosperity in their endeavors. There is still time . . .
Second: I like the boat. It appears to be an afternoon endeavor or maybe early morning to watch the sun rise higher. When much younger, I was always enchanted with Michener’s books and Adventures in Paradise. The Tiki looked about right. Maybe? In your early teens, reading was an escape. Did get a chance to ride on a J-Class. I knew the owner.
Third: Have seen many things in my travels in Europe and Asia. Missed the million-miler status due to a change of names. Passed through Amsterdam a few times on my way to visit my German masters at the time. I could have stopped to say hello. It may be a commercial movie, Rutger said it quite well, “All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.”
Fourth: I was always bored and spent time reinventing myself. It appears you have done such by your location and what you do. You still have much time in front of you to pursue.
Finally: How do we change the world, so we leave it better than what we grew up in or at least correct our mistakes. Keep plugging at it, I like the path you have chosen. Angry Bear does accept commentary too. Many fine economists and writers have passed though our site,
Thanks for the kind words and wisdom Bill.
In my experience, life gets easier with time, which is what I say to my (18-20 y.o.) students. I’m not sure they believe me!
My boating ambitions are much smaller since Doffer sank, but much more relaxing. More experience, I’m sure 🙂
I don’t have the endurance for monitoring extra sites these days (compared to when I started in 2007!), but I’m glad when you repost my stuff on AB.
Beers on me, next time in Amsterdam!
Happy birthday David! I enjoy your ongoing postings. 🙂