And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll make it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way
So croons Frank Sinatra. I think these wistful lyrics capture pretty well my mood as I approach my 75th birthday. Soon I will have lived for three quarters of a century, mostly well, occasionally not so well, but overall, I have little reason to complain. And if I did complain, who would listen,,,?
I have had the good fortune of experiencing life on four continents. I studied and worked in Europe, America and in Africa. Now I spend a good part of my time in South-East Asia. I experienced joys and disappointments in several languages. I had successes and failures, but always somehow got through it.
I was never broken; I did it My Way.
The human mind is a funny thing. Memories come back, seemingly at random. Suddenly, I remember an experience I had many years ago in very vivid detail. Friends have encouraged me the write my memories down, others might enjoy reading them. But I am not disciplined enough to write a memoir. I therefore decided to write my thoughts down randomly, as they come into my head, not organized along a specific line of reasoning. I may put down what I think about current political events, Economics (not only my profession but also my passion), history, relationships, cooking, travel, music or whatever else comes to my mind. Sometimes I may be funny (I hope), sometimes very serious (I’m afraid). It may not always be clear which is which, so reader, beware.
If you are willing to put up with this, have a few laughs, get a different perspective on things, be encouraged to let your own mind wander, please subscribe to my blog. If you like what you read, there is a space for you to let me know, or better yet, let your friends know so that they will subscribe. If you think I am full if sh..t, you can also let me know. I promise there will not be any retaliation for criticism, whether justified or not. I am not Donald Trump after all.
I will strive to be honest and truthful. Of course I will be wrong at times, but I hope to live up to the standard of integrity that was encapsulated by the final phrase with which Walter Cronkite, the most trusted man in America in the nineteensixties and -sventies and, would always close his broadcast:
“And that’s the way it is.”
Yes, I am old enough to remember him.
Dan
Walter Cronkite was the only non-NASA recipient of an Ambassador of Exploration award. During his active life as a newscaster for CBS in the 1960s and 70s he was considered “The most trusted man in America”. Cronkite is known for his departing catchphrase, “And that’s the way it is“, followed by the date of the broadcast.