Category Archives: The Best of Life

We took the Acela to New York yesterday (arrived early) then taxied over to The Pierre for our three-day stay.

I walked over to the John Barrett Salon on the top floor of Bergdorf’s for my monthly haircut, and as soon as the elevator doors opened, I saw chaos. They were filming a makeover of the Housewives of New Jersey and the Housewives on Atlanta. One of their security guys came over while I was waiting and asked my advice about his career. I gave him some, and he asked if he could reciprocate.

“Yes,” I assured him, “keep these women away from me!”

It is safe to assume they were not discussing Kant’s Categorical Imperative or the nature of quarks. “Does the makeover include a brain transplant?” I asked a stylist, but she pretended not to hear me.

Then last night Maria and I headed over to The Modern (the superb restaurant owned by the Museum of Modern Art) where Omar (my co-author of The Global Consultant) was hosting a small dinner for some members of his management team from Europe and the US, for whom I’m working on a project.

Traditional Omar: After my martini, champagne, 12 courses (with another couple gratis from management) and a paired wine with each course. Some of the wines were from before I was an independent consultant!

We emerged into a gorgeous New York night and walked back (which I rarely do).

Just another day….

© Alan Weiss 2010. All rights reserved.

The new library missing only a small table and throw rug and my next three books in order, jacket art already done.

We drove down to Westerly to the renovated Ocean House to have our anniversary dinner in Seasons Restaurant, overlooking the Atlantic. The Ocean House is spectacularly restored, and the restaurant food, service, and setting are superb. We realized too late that we should have arranged for a suite and spent the night. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, extreme southern Rhode Island, don’t miss the place. It’s a combination of southern plantation, New England mansion, and beach resort. And they have the rare, organic Rain Vodka at the bar, and a wonderful selection of Montrachet on the wine list. We had a Batard.

Footnote to history: Chevalier Montrachet, absolutely superb, was named after the son who became a knight. Batard was named after another son, not quite so legitimate, but it, too, is a great variety!

Awaiting the rest of the furniture. You see here “wall of fame,” model display cases, and about 80% of my books (the remainder are in my den).

Some of you have actually joined me at these establishments: Siena in East Greenwich, about a mile from my house, was voted Best Restaurant in Rhode Island in the Rhode Island Monthly annual poll. And La Masseria, about a half-mile from my house, was voted Best New Restaurant in Rhode Island, in that same poll. We dine in both places several times a month, and if you’re ever in the neighborhood, try them and mention my name.

http://www.sienari.com/

http://www.lamasserianyc.com/rhode-island/dinner.shtml

My old train room (and son’s former bedroom) is taking shape as my new library. It’s about 80% complete. Some of the old train scenery remains on the far wall. More furniture and books to come.

I live about 60 seconds by car from main street in our suburban town of 17,000, about 15 minutes from Providence and 30 minutes from Newport. We live on six acres which include a two-acre pond which is fed by a small river and exits over a waterfall to transit ponds and bays and eventually find the Atlantic, and which my wife absolutely forbids me to call a “lake.”

Two days ago, Buddy Beagle found a foot-long snake which apparently lives in the backyard just outside the kitchen door. Today, I came upon our neighbor who shares our common driveway gate, who found herself stymied because a large snapping turtle was parked in the middle of the access. Three of us maneuvered it out of the way by inverting a garbage can over it, while Koufax and Buddy (who had opened the truck window yet again) barked at it ferociously.

Once we negotiated that obstacle I was looking for the heron on the pond when the eagle flapped by twenty yards in front of the windshield. Wild Kingdom has nothing on us.

I live in delight and amazement at the varied animals that have “moved back in.” We have deer that come over the bridge and eat some of my wife’s plants, and wild turkeys that are very nonchalant since they are excellent flyers. Then there are the foxes, river otters, egrets, and so on.

I’m gladly making room for these animals because they enrich our lives. And they teach me how diverse organisms can adapt and thrive. They remind me that I should be doing the same—facing life with the intent of not merely surviving, but adjusting to the volatility and uncertainties of life by seeking to control my own fate.

It’s a good life when you can learn just from walking out your door. Of course, I’m increasingly careful about what I might step on.

© Alan Weiss 2010. All rights reserved.

It’s that time of year and one of our herons has appeared to take up station on a mud flat, awaiting the fish….