I had a chance to catch with a friend who started his own technology company several years back. Things are progressing well for him. He has avoided using VC funding and that way he can keep control. A few years back I might have wanted to part of this but as we sat out on the patio of the Palo Alto Airport Cafe Restaurant, I found that while I was truly interested, I was glad I did not have to part of it (not that he asked).
Yesterday I chatted it up with another friend and former colleague who is looking at an opportunity that would have made me drool and salivate ten years back or maybe even five years back. Well, I did salivate a bit but not for wanting to go be part of this. Just in discussing what this would mean for her. It’s a classic turnaround which I know I always enjoyed. I always like the odds stacked against me. Bases loaded. Relief pitcher coming in trying to get the side out. What a rush (and I don’t mean that fat f#%k on radio).
I must be so finished.
I am so finished.
If I use the word retired, peoples eyes glaze over and they say “Rich, enjoy your retirement”. Until I began using those words my network still believed that I was simply getting some much needed down time and that I would be back. But retired cause them to go away. Not that I want that but let’s face it. I NEED TO MOVE ON! Detox from one way of life is tough if you don’t replace it with something else. Even if it’s just watching HUNG on cable.
I have been an unofficial assistant coach for a friend of mine who is running a summer program for members of his High School Cross Country Team. By the way, something I said I would never do. But now I am doing it. High school kids. What a challenge. Many of them are the precursors of the engineers I worked with for much of my so called career in Silicon Valley. The high school girls mystify me as much as when I was in high school (so long ago). I still haven’t figured them out. I just keep my distance and try to be there if they have any questions.
