After a couple of years of almost constant work and limited travel, my wife and I planned an extended vacation to southeast Asia, a part of the world we’d never visited and knew little about. The 3-week itinerary included Bangkok, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. Our very vague plan was to explore the temples, experience the … More A Visit to Bangkok
Greetings. I’m back in Paris at present after a rare vacation. The time away was relaxing, invigorating, and enlightening, and I’ll be sharing more details in the near future. What I can tell you, after 5 international flights in 3 weeks, is that air travel is changing, and not for the better. And it’s not … More Travel Update…and Advice
Last year, or the year before, I suggested that we all endeavor to allow fewer distractions into our lives. This year, as our group New Year’s resolution, I am suggesting that we share less. Much less. The idea came to me after a phone call with a friend in Boston. He came from modest means … More The 2026 New Year’s Resolution
I wanted to take a moment and wish all of you the very happiest of holidays. Your participation and loyalty are greatly appreciated. I’ve been posting for more than a decade, primarily about the culture of Old Money and how adopting the values, priorities, and habits of America’s Upper Class can benefit anyone from any … More Season’s Greetings…and News
If you live long enough, there’s a chance you get to see everything. If not everything, then a lot. Sometimes history seems to repeat itself, or, in the words of Mark Twain, if it doesn’t exactly repeat, it certainly does rhyme. So it goes with society’s idea of how to raise children. I was raised … More Zero Shades of Grey
Ho ho ho. It’s that time of year again. You’ve just now realized that you need to find a gift for that hard-to-buy-for, hard-to-surprise, hard-to-inspire friend, family member, or colleague. Clothing can be too personal. Wine or spirits, too cliche. Gift cards, too easy. And, let’s be honest, so many material things we give and … More The Ultimate Christmas Gift
A recent vacation once again found me riding the metro, strolling through international airports, hailing taxis, and loitering with intent in hotel lobbies. And, once again, I feel compelled to offer a few gentle reminders to everyone who might be traveling between now and the end of the year. If you’re traveling by car, motor … More Don’t Bring Me Down
The other day, I heard one of my friends whisper to a mutual acquaintance, “I’m not surprised, of course. You know Byron lives in his own little world.” The comment was preceded by the sympathetic shaking of heads, the subtle rolling of eyes, and some reference to something I’d said, done, knew nothing about, or … More Coloring Books for Children…and Adults?
Excerpts from an email, from an acquaintance, a couple of weeks ago… “I had success young, which was not completely a good thing. I tended to confuse ‘right place/right time’ with expertise, and took my licks accordingly. “After a setback, I managed to dig my way out and become financially independent. I had just turned … More A Change At 40
As many of you know, I am a practicing vegetarian and, except for the occasional croissant or slice of cheese, vegan. The reasons are numerous: the environmental impact of breeding, feeding, killing, processing, and transporting animals and animal products; the health impact of (cancer-causing) processed meats; and my own spiritual beliefs (I practice Hinduism). I … More What I’m Reading Now