Wherever I go, I try to make time to meet old friends that crossed my path. Because I have decided that is important to me. But in places where I have a lot of friends, that becomes a difficult optimization problem 🙂

However, there are a few guys guy, I will meet anytime I go to Dallas. This time , I had enough time to meet one of them. Why do I make time for him?

Maybe it is his long hair (Heaven knows, I have none)
Maybe it is his tall height (God knows I am not)
Maybe the fact he spends so much time with wife and two daughters (I know I don’t with mine)

But an hour with Larry Mason – now that is something I will go the end of the world for.

Last time we met a few months back, it was about how to set up my website. This time we spent discussing horror stories of Dell support, Microsoft support and yes, stupid Apple policies!!!

Mr. Mason, you are one of the best! Even if only your feet get to travel first class 🙂

Saw Tammi after – oh! probably 10 years? I still remember the first day she showed up for work in my team in 1996 or so – I was asking myself “How the heck do you pronounce Gagne”? 🙂 We worked together for a few years and then she quit to raise her family.

What was delightful to learn was how one fine day, she decided to follow her passion – teaching. While raising her two kids, she got herself thru the teaching exams and certification and is now a high school teacher for math and physics!! Maybe I should get some ideas for my puzzle section from her next time 🙂

Speaking of courage to follow your dreams, she took it upon herself to be a bodybuilder and went on to become a regional champ a few years back. To put it in perspective, I still go to the gym only to take a shower 🙂

We had a great hour or so catching up on our families, old team mates and life in general. I admire her ability and courage to pursue her dreams. True happiness can only come from being who you are. Not what you think others think you are. Or should be.

An hour and half into the return flight to Atlanta, I was going thru one of those questions that always vex me in these 2-3 hour flights. Especially after a couple of cups of coffee. The question was “Go to the restroom now or wait till we land and use the ones in the airport”. I know, I know, my mind is preoccupied with too many little questions 😉 In my defense, once in a while I do wonder about big questions – a la Adrian Mole – like “Is God married?” 🙂

In any case, today, I decided to be safe than sorry. And I am glad I did. As I was walking back from the restroom, I bumped into a very old friend of mine – Tom Groom – sitting right in the first row with his Beats in his ears and pecking away on his MacBook.

We could not talk much in the plane. But after we got down, he had just enough time to grab a coffee with me, sit down and catch up before he scooted for his connecting flight – and I headed back to office for another day of meetings.

The serendipitous nature of how these intersection points get created is mind boggling.

Maybe I should go to the restrooms more often 😉

Sitting in a plane a few minutes before we take off, I lobbed a call and the following conversation took place:
“David?”
“Yes?”
“This is Rajib here. Rajib Roy”
“Hey Rajib! What’s up?”
“Just checking on you. Love your running updates. By the way, is it not your birthday today?”
“Indeed! The big 50!”
“Happy Birthday!! Big 50 huh? Feeling old”?
“Nope ! Now I get to the 50-55 group in races. Best chance to pick up some medals”!!

Only a runner would think that way!!! What a great attitude!!
Thank you for a great start to the day, David!!