The headboard awaits the purchase of fabric and installation. In the interim, it sits in the living room, subject to review by friends, family and a few of my wife's clients. It is amazing what they see: some are overwhelmed by its size; others appreciate the fine hand rubbed oil finish; while others see mortise and tenon joints with 1/64th of an inch gaps. Their observations reflect whether they are big picture or detail oriented personalities. I thought I would enjoy discussing the construction but analyzing how our guests visualize quality, promptly replaced any opportunity for bragging.
The equity markets turned in a rather unusual September, outperforming any other September in some 70 years. Yet, observers on the cable programs and the web saw weakness. Few spoke up during September or better yet August, to recommend risk. Now, in the first week of October, the opinions range across the entire bell curve of human nature.
What do the observation of the headboard and the equity market have in common?
A few of us will be Salieri, worrying about the details and conflicts, the timbre and rhythm, knowing that our headboards are the best they can be, and that at our best, there will be imperfect mortise joints, losses on good stocks and a few gains here and there.
We will be, unfortunately, paralyzed by mediocrity.
But if you are willing to risk the criticism of the masses, the crying of the dumb dumbs and the crabs in the bottom of the pot, maybe, just maybe, you can reach for excellence.
The moldings on the headboard are perfect. Seriously perfect. The Pytagorean Theorem tells me the diagonal is spot on.
The homework and diligence is beginning to produce decent investment results. The balance between conserving cash (or notes) and scoring (pun intended) profits is euphoric.
Reaching out and touching Amadeus, if every so slightly, is the prize.
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