Oh
very young, what will you leave us this time
You're only dancin' on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your dad’s best jeans.
Cat Stevens
What designated
the month of this March, for me, was how it marked the passage of another major
milestone. I’m not telling, mind you, but it was a significant milestone. It
represented a time for introspection. A time to think long and hard about
whereto, now? The watches represent a mild indulgence on my part but each one
tells a story about which, more will follow later in this post.
As for the
opening lyrics, it was way back in June1974, sitting in the old Hordern
Pavilion within what was then the Sydney Showground that I attended my first
concert; Cat Stevens. Not too rebellious for the times and safe to say, well
before the times when anthem concerts would prevail. Oh, very young was more
than appropriate for those times as I had little inclination as to where my
career and indeed my life would take me.
Dreams?
Tossed and turned, certainly. Which is a tidy way to introduce how my latest
birthday was celebrated in Las Vegas. With little to remind anyone of its
origins as Sin City, it is now a high-priced dining and entertainment city.
Would you believe, the day we arrived, there were Australian professional Rugby
League football matches played in the Las Vegas formerly Oakland, then Los
Angeles) Raiders’ stadium.
Often
referred to as Disneyland for Adults, this occasion was the result of the
organization skills of our good California friends, Brian and Jan Kenny. The
chosen venue was MGMs Bellagio that today is associated with Marriott and
represents another opportunity to add points to loyalty programs. Which we
unabashedly support.
The first
venue was the Prime Steakhouse, Bellagio, as it always delivers. I must admit,
I have enjoyed bigger birthday cakes in my time but this tidbit suited the
occasion. Who wants to see that many candles ignited on a dinner table?
The watch featured
above is part of the story. When you look at the watches at the top of this
post, you can begin on the left with the Breitling, a 1999 wedding gift from
Margo. As for the Franck Muller, it was part of a two-watch purchase – the
matching pink one being for Margo – made following the acquisition by Oracle of
the Silicon Valley start-up I had joined.
As for the Longines, it is one of two that has a direct connection with my father, Roy Buckle. He repaired the Longines watches of American flyers landing in Cairns during WW2, we the Battle of the Coral Sea played out around him. This Longines was a Christmas gift. It is the Spirit model celebrating Amelia Earhart, who wore its first iteration.
As for the Tag Heuer Monaco – pictured, and featured
above, being worn for the second night's dinner, that was the birthday gift this year from
Margo who noticed how I had been looking at this watch for a couple of years. A
second visit to Monaco is definitely in the cards.
Our second
night was spent within familiar surroundings. Mastro’s Ocean Club, Crystals at
CityCenter. Seated within the “birdcage” this is restaurant we have dined at
from the very first month it opened. Surprised? One of the servers from back in
those days recognized us and gave us a particularly if surprising warm welcome
of a plate of deserts to sample.
As is our
common practice, we drove from Panama City Beach, Florida, to Las Vegas. A
substantial four day crossing of almost the entire country. The distance
covered was compounded by the fact that we chose to drive back via Colorado so
we could spend a little time with the children and grandchildren. It was also a
time to catch up with another dear friend, Don and Anne Marie Fowler as
business pursuits put a halt to any plans for them to participate in our Las
Vegas frolic.
Looking at
the vehicle display and seeing that we covered 4463.1 miles (or 7182 km) then
its not just about time that chronicles our lives, but distance. Yes, there’s
always significant amounts of money involved but what dominates is the time
that’s winding down even as the mileage being accumulated is coming with a
price of its own.
We elected to
drive our Land Rover Defender 110 P500 SE (better known in some countries as
the X-Dynamic SE) as weather at this time can be unpredictable. Yes, it briefly
snowed when we were in Colorado; surprised? The Defender is a tank and while
the gas mileage may not look that good at 19.3 mpg, its worth noting that few SUVs
on social media have seen similar “good numbers.”
It was a good
choice too as passing through St Louis, Missouri, we were almost wrecked when a
young, anxious, driver to our left panicked as they saw their right-hand
freeway exit rapidly approaching (while still in the left lane), and just
charged through the middle lanes. Surely, we were doomed! We thought there would be no escape but
brakes on Defender worked. And worked very hard and just in time. As for that driver, what came to mind was, “Oh, very young, you might have left us this time!”
Today, you
will find us safe and sound in our Florida home. We did have the time to do the
trip and the mileage was something we had prepared ourselves for – we share
driving when out on the interstates. Sitting on our lanai looking to the west,
the sun having just set, I cannot help but hum lines from Stairway to Heaven by
Led Zeppelin –
“There's a feeling I get
When I look to the west
And my spirit is crying for leaving...”
And that
about sums up this latest journey by Margo and me. As we constantly remind
ourselves, “Time and distance spares no one!"
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