Well yes, this
sounds familiar I know… that is why, with my regards to Mr. Reed, I changed the
name a bit…
Why
the wild side? It is turning out to be one of those Monday mornings when all
call with one problem or another; even though all have their eventual
solutions, is that “in the meantime” that bugs the living daylights out of me.
Sometimes I do hate Mondays…
We,
as good and upstanding citizens (quiet in the gallery!!...) we are, go forward every day with a smile and
the determination to make good on our intents. There are far too many times,
however, when this desire goes astray because the final results may be resting
in the sometimes questionable efforts of too many hands. This is the world of international private trading; a
world with an extremely high learning curve, too many cooks (crooks?) in the kitchen and too few
people who come forward with honesty and transparency as a trademark.
Some
15 years ago I became initially involved with this strange world that has its
own rules and its own pitfalls. I have to admit the trip has been very
interesting, although extremely trying at times… too many places, sometimes
more than I can possibly remember. Visits with members of the Arab Royal
Houses… my lord, they must multiply like rabbits… I thought we Latinos were
bad, but we reproduce with only one woman (usually…
and no comments…) but the citizens of Arab countries could create a
brood with as many as four women at a time… definitely an advantage, at least
in the repro department.
At
one time, during a 6 month Switzerland stretch, I got to meet with at least 6-8
members of the “Royal Saudi House” and it was kind of funny… must have been the "black sheep members" for they barely had
enough money to cover their daily shared expenses… and we were talking about
potential millions… in this business, the less one has, the larger the
transactions become. Especially at the beginning, when one knew very little
about the ins and outs and everyone filled their mouths, and one’s ears with millions and
millions… the roll of the tongue becomes easier with time. Also, with time, one
becomes very leery of the talkers… they usually have nothing to back them up
and are trying to latch on for a free ride whenever possible. Then, eventually,
smaller and real numbers take over and possible transactions become more of a
reality. It becomes a matter of survival until that "eventually" comes around.
After
15 years I can finally say that I am now in a position to actually achieve
something; the time and costs of that learning curve needed to reach those who
can actually make this “something” happen have been high. There have been shared
experiences with several people –some having become good friends- who have died
along the way. Frustration, constant pressure and desperate moments have been a
major part of these outcomes, I am sure. They failed to separate emotions from
business and this lack of separation will erode most people’s resolve;
especially when hard earned possessions are lost along the way… as well as
families and health... separations from family, these are the
ones that hurt the most for, once this intimate contact is diminished it
becomes almost impossible to regain.
This
is a business of extremes… there have been very fancy dinners at lakeside
villas in Austria, and nights spent sitting on a bench in London for lack of
funds to pay the hotel. There were trips into the black forest in Germany, to
visit medieval castles in order to meet with some “players” who, in the end
turned out to be more “layers" than players and had not much to offer other
than the fancy fronts. Then there were many one-meal-days because there wasn’t
enough cash to buy two. And always the same mantra from everyone one came
across… “I have direct access to the principal investor” but, on questioning,
none could answer simple questions which were designed to test just that
assertion.
For
better or for worse, this has become an integral part of my life. Every day I
have conversations with potential clients, sometimes jumping from dateline to
dateline… Hong Kong to Brasil, back to Europe
and so on… I thank the good lord for Skype… I remember phone bills that went up
into the monthly thousands… incredible, now that I think back about it.
On
the other hand, on a definitely more interesting personal front, and a more
appreciated one… some dear friends have been met and made over the years.
Usually, as with cops and those other groups that tend to be for insiders only, they come from the same fronts. People who are survivors of these very circles
and who understand the whys and wherefores… no questions asked. With them, one
at times finds the knowing understanding that can only come from someone who
has experienced the same highs and lows. They are keepers… as much as it may be
possible to apply that term in these turbulent waters.
This
subject matter has been somewhat off limits for me in this ranting we
affectionately call “blog entries”… no particular reason … perhaps the wounds
are still a little raw in some areas … not easy to talk about them. But then, unexpected events happen which help clear one’s vision; we can then learn to understand what truly important issues in life are, and which ones are those that only have the
veneer of importance.
If
I can bring that lesson home and actually understand it, then these years and
these experiences will have not all been in vain…
Be
Well … Be Back!!!
Final Notes:
- Pray for those who are fighting an illness which
may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard, and
counts!!
- Follow us on Twitter … @RJAsPandora
- Any comments please send to otherboxp@yahoo.com
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EST (GT –5hrs). http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theotherbox If the link does not work, please just copy and paste
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- “La
Otra Caja de Pandora”… The
Spanish language Blog… “otracaja.blogspot.com”
… Bienvenidos!!!
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