One Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Six Days

A fascinating thing about life is how it deviates from what you think is a solid life plan. Perhaps even more fascinating is when you can trace major changes to a single defining event. If I hadn't been laid off by the struggling network hardware company I was working for on December 11, 2001, my current life would hardly resemble what it has become. I'd probably still be a tech jock, working my way toward middle management and still living a rather carefree life. I wouldn't have gone to grad school. I wouldn't have some of the friends I have now. And I certainly wouldn't have the level of appreciation for the simple things in life that one can only develop after emerging from a seemingly endless period of personal disappointments and overwhelming dejection.

In a strange way, I'm somewhat glad I had to labor through that period. I'm very pleased with the direction I've taken my life. I love working in a buy-side firm that encourages innovation and openness. I've met and befriended some amazing people with incredible talents and personalities. And the lessons I've learned about myself cannot be replaced.

This is my first post here, and I plan to use this space as a venue for the myriad of subjects I find interesting. Trading securities, venture capital, Internet and technology, rock and roll, and food/drink are just a sample of the topics the will be touched here. The title says it all: Muse and Speculate. Hopefully you'll find something of interest. If not, no worries, as I do it for myself. Cheers.