Back to reality...

Last night, just sitting at the kitchen table, I threw my back out. I think it happened for two reasons. The first was due to muscle tightness and the second was due to water retention. When I get to 185 pounds or more, I tend to throw my back out. This morning I couldn't even sit down to check my email. I had to stand at the kitchen Island with my legs spread so I was low enough to work on the computer.

When I woke up I weighed 186.6 lbs with a 20.4% BMI. The weight gain is purely muscle repairing water. I didn't feel this sore after last years Kentucky Ironman. First thing I did this morning was book a massage for tomorrow. I would have went today but couldn't get an appointment.

It was a busy day getting caught up and I even closed a major deal with a very large Canadian company. The best part is I went to the meeting in jeans and my Clearwater Ironman pullover. They had three people attend and everyone was in business attire. Even the president of the company attended and was in a suit. My wardrobe choice was intentional. I though long and hard before I got dressed this morning and whether I should wear a suit, or jeans. I decided to go for comfort and potentially risk the deal. Although, I did make a compromise, I decided to wear dress shoes and not my regular skateboarder sneakers.

I'm getting too old, or jaded, about the shined shoes and suit thing. I think it takes more courage to wear jeans and a pullover or tee shirt to an important meeting than it does to wear a suit. The customer told me that they decided to go with me because they felt more confident that we could deliver. The amazing part is that I forgot to bring samples to the first meeting and they haven't toured the plant yet. However, with that said, they did make the right decision.

I also returned a call from Doug, an old time customer who eventually became a good friend. We've known each other for over 20 years. Doug is now living in the Bahama's and trying to get his wine business off the ground. On first blush it sounds like Doug is wealthy and living large, after all, he owns a wine business and lives in the Bahama's. The reality is that he is literally living hand to mouth. He lives in a low rent one room apartment. Although, it does overlook the ocean with a beautiful white sand beach. I've seen pictures.

Doug is one of the most entertaining and optimistic people I know. He is about 10 years older than me and I can sit and listen to Doug tell his stories for hours. He has amazing tales to tell. I'll never forget the story of how he picked up an ex-nun at a bar in Los Angeles. She had just left the convent that day. As a matter of fact, she was still in her nun outfit when he took her back to his hotel room. That's Doug! He's got the craziest and best stories, and he tells them in his booming radio broadcasters voice with world class delivery.

Doug was telling me about his current trials and tribulations in trying to get his wine business off the ground. How distributors would tell him they'll order thousands of cases, he's then chest bumping with his sales guy after the call, and then the buyer doesn't return his calls. He's getting jaded about American business practices and people keeping their word.

Doug used to own a publishing company and live large. Big house, new cars, motorcycle, kids in private schools, travel, expensive dinners and all the trappings of success. Now he's struggling to make ends meet. He told me one story about a business trip where he and his girlfriend only had enough cash to fill up the rental cars gas tank before dropping it off at the airport. His credit cards were maxed and they didn't have money for food. They ended up buying jelly beans from a dollar store and that was what they ate for three days. Only Doug could tell that story and have me laughing on the floor.

Doug could make a fortune with his mouth. For a period of time he taught a business class at a University and joked that the first time he set foot in a university was too teach. He's a world class sales trainer and I think he could even be a stand up comedian. But Doug has decided that he will not let go of his wine business dream, even though he could make at least a couple hundred thousand dollars a year as a motivational speaker or sales trainer.

He's invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in his wine business, basically everything he has. He's even mortgaged his Alzheimer stricken mother's house and is now sitting on $350,000 worth of inventory. Against all advice, he just won't give up.

Doug has always swung for the fences. Every time he tells me about a business he's starting, I'm a little jealous because it sounds like he's going to be rolling in money in no time. Then, in virtually every case, I talk to him a year later and he has a super interesting and funny story on why he didn't make it.

Today he told me about the emotional roller coaster he's been on and how low he's felt at times. He said to me "I actually think I may be sabotaging my success". I laughed and said "of course you are". For some reason it hit his funny bone and he didn't stop laughing for about a minute. Maybe he expected sympathy or someone not being so agreeable. He also told me that "you really get to know who your friends are when you have no money". The upside is that Doug's girlfriend has stuck by his side.

When they first started dating, just before he started his wine business, he would take her to expensive restaurants at least twice a week and fly her to the Bahama's. She was enjoying the finer things in life. Now she's going with him to the grocery store and using food stamps. She's stayed with him all the way from the penthouse to the outhouse.

The thing I love about Doug is that he's the eternal optimist. The beauty is that Doug is living live to the fullest, even now, and I told him so. I think in his heart he knows it. To me, I'd take Doug's life of tremendous struggle, with eternal hope, optimism and true love, over the opposite. Simple things that he would take for granted in the past, like a single dollar, are now more meaningful.

It reminds me of when I was a young person, just starting out and trying to make ends meet. For me, that's when I felt most alive. All my senses seemed more heightened. Alice and I lived in a 680 square foot, one bedroom house and had very little money to do things. We'd do simple things, like go on long walks and talk. We talked about everything, especially our hopes and dreams. Or we'd spend a couple of bucks and rent a movie and watch it together on the couch. I felt so alive back then. I look back at that period "as some of the best of times".

Eventually, when the kids get older and move out of the house, hopefully in 10 years or less, my plan it to get rid of most of our stuff and downsize into a small house or condo. No more than two bedrooms and under 1500 square feet. I just want to be able to focus on and enjoy life's simple pleasures . I figure if I have my family, a TV for the living room, a TV for the bedroom, and be able to train regularly, life will be good.

Off Season - Rest Day