Quote: "I didn’t get along with the kid who lived there so I never visited his place. I could only imagine what it was like inside and honestly, I didn’t care all that much."
In case you're still wondering what those houses are like, wonder no more.
I attended the sort of school where many of my classmates lived in "those" houses. One classmate's dad had an entire floor devoted to his recording studio where he'd invite visiting bands to play. Sometimes we'd go to his country estate on the weekend to chill. Other times, it was the family yacht.
Another had a literal mansion complete with uniformed butlers and chefs, several tennis courts, and two swimming pools.
I think I gained two things from being exposed to so much wealth early in life.
Firstly, I learned not to care about the withering insults they'd try to throw my way. For every snarky, "Why are your family so poor?", I shot back with higher test scores ,"You have every advantage, why do you suck so badly at this?"
Secondly, I learned never to be in awe of power or wealth. Or to look condescendingly on the mundane or less affluent.
Just yesterday I said to my husband that one is the best parts of being in my late fifties that is finally stopped comparing myself to others or worrying about how well my success/writing matched up against others.
Because life is too short.
And we've always promised to tell readers the good and bad about our nomadic lives. Because while we live it, not all is perfect.
And congrats on the Substack recommends! Well deserved!
Hi Charlie, I'm really enjoying your insight. We all have been so enculturated about what we need/want and then are fed misinformation and mesmerized by advertising. Seeing what's real has become a real challenge and I appreciate your clear vision. Also, on another note....the Ridge winery from the photo, is right near my house!!! I live in Menlo Park. Just thought I would mention that. :)
Quote: "I didn’t get along with the kid who lived there so I never visited his place. I could only imagine what it was like inside and honestly, I didn’t care all that much."
In case you're still wondering what those houses are like, wonder no more.
I attended the sort of school where many of my classmates lived in "those" houses. One classmate's dad had an entire floor devoted to his recording studio where he'd invite visiting bands to play. Sometimes we'd go to his country estate on the weekend to chill. Other times, it was the family yacht.
Another had a literal mansion complete with uniformed butlers and chefs, several tennis courts, and two swimming pools.
I think I gained two things from being exposed to so much wealth early in life.
Firstly, I learned not to care about the withering insults they'd try to throw my way. For every snarky, "Why are your family so poor?", I shot back with higher test scores ,"You have every advantage, why do you suck so badly at this?"
Secondly, I learned never to be in awe of power or wealth. Or to look condescendingly on the mundane or less affluent.
Just yesterday I said to my husband that one is the best parts of being in my late fifties that is finally stopped comparing myself to others or worrying about how well my success/writing matched up against others.
Because life is too short.
And we've always promised to tell readers the good and bad about our nomadic lives. Because while we live it, not all is perfect.
And congrats on the Substack recommends! Well deserved!
Hi Charlie, I'm really enjoying your insight. We all have been so enculturated about what we need/want and then are fed misinformation and mesmerized by advertising. Seeing what's real has become a real challenge and I appreciate your clear vision. Also, on another note....the Ridge winery from the photo, is right near my house!!! I live in Menlo Park. Just thought I would mention that. :)
Quote: "It was a shock to find out that Substack recommended Simple and Straightforward on its front page this week - a shock and an honor."
And congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
Congratulations for hitting the front page, extremely well deserved.
It’s always a pleasure to read your work and now even more people can experience that pleasure.