The Roller Coaster

“You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn’t like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it.” – Gil Buckman’s Grandmother

When it came to business or investing decisions, I always rode the roller coaster.

I never had a problem throwing caution to the wind when it came to money. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always perceived money as just something that is made or lost. And, when lost, it could always be made again if you’re willing to put in the effort and take another chance.

Sometimes I lose. Sometimes I win. But every time that I’ve ever lost financially, I always came out ahead, for any losses in dollars have always paled in comparison to the gains made in knowledge and experience.

This attitude made me a fearless trader. And it was trading that eventually gave me the impetus to take entrepreneurial risks. While there were certainly many ups and downs, there was never a trace of boredom.

My attitude towards love could not have been more antipodal.

When it came to matters of the heart, I was forever playing it safe. For a long time I stayed on the merry-go-round – continuously going around in circles. Dating became monotonous. I’ve experienced the exact same date over and over again. I’d have the same conversation while drinking the same drink. The only difference was the guy I was facing.

It all changed 15 years ago when I took a chance on the one guy who made me laugh until my stomach ached. It also didn’t hurt that he was a much better looking Richard Gere (and I’m talking American Gigolo or Pretty Woman Richard Gere – not old, present day Richard Gere).

In honor of his birthday, today’s blog post is dedicated to the guy who still keeps me laughing.

There is no one else I’d rather be riding the roller coaster with.

74 blog posts down – 291 more to go…