My successor in the office, emailed saying it was time to meet for lunch, I met her in the city one day last week. Her schedule was full, lunch was late. I went into the city a little early and spend 90 minutes walking in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. It was refreshing and inspiring. We had a nice long lunch, talking about what is happening, and what will happen. When we finished I walked down, across the mall and took the subway home from a station nearly a mile away. It was so nice to see the museum, to connect with Erica, and to see the city. I am so close, and I see so little of it.
Late last week we drove out to Manassas, 24 miles as the bird flies, 44 miles by the fastest road connection. So close and yet I think only the second time I have been there. I went out for a ride in a 1929 Ford Tri Motor airplane. A neat experience that I will talk about in a future post.
And it was just that, an experience. A few years ago there was a flurry of articles about millennials being more interested in experiences than things, preferring to go hiking in the Andes, over owning an expensive watch or a new car. The same can be said for some of us older people. I have a couple of expensive watches, that I never wear. I'd sooner spend $100 on a flightseeing tour, than having the Tag Heuer serviced (I have a pretty yellow one from the late 1990's.) A walk in a museum, a walk in a world Capital, lunch with a friend; enjoying these things, simply requires getting out and going.
I agree with you about experiences over “things.” Sounds like a great day!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great week.
DeleteI have never been able to understand the obsession that some men have with watches. As long as it reliably tells the time - that's all you need. A friend bought his daughter an experience for her eleventh birthday - a short leisure flight with one of her friends from a small, local airfield. I don't know what went wrong but all on board were killed. She would have been forty years old now. Her name was Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteI am wearing a $30 Casio watch. Sad that Elizabeth died. Parents should forgive themselves.
DeleteA sad tale from YP. I have ridden myself of many possessions since Ray died. Experiences with people are better.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of small memory items, space is a challenge here in the high rise.
DeleteOh yes, experiences are better than things any day! Provided they're GOOD experiences, of course.
ReplyDeleteMy brain starts to philosophize are experiences good or bad, or is it merely how we perceive them? Is there good to be found in a bad experience?
DeleteI am not a "thing" person, and much prefer an experience over things. I have said before, but will say it again, my favorite quote of the Dalai Lama is to "Want the things you have, not have the things you want."
ReplyDeleteI want to experience a visit to SC again.
DeleteI agree with you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the day
DeleteI went through a period of "things" about 30 years ago but not any longer. Now I like seeing things and going to places more.
ReplyDeleteAnd there are so many places to go and see.
DeleteThis is where digital cameras are such a blessing. So many photos to bring back memories from the experience. And experiences broaden our horizons in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to have a camera in their pocket these days
DeleteWhile I'm not a millennial, I definitely like experiences over things myself.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. Get out and see things while you still can.
ReplyDelete