In addition to trying to do some writing, taking care of the farm, enjoying our grandchildren, maintaining our Lake House, spending a lot of time with the Louisa Education Foundation, and not to mention traveling a little, I do have a day job as a municipal advisor. Yes, it is part time, but with a current stable of 10 clients, it does take a little time. So, every now and then I write a Market Update for the industry. The links will take you to the Pearl Creek Advisors’ Website, where the most recent market update resides. Here is why you may want to read it. The United States cannot…

When talking about the myth of the self-made man, there is a corollary myth that investment bankers like to tell themselves – that they are simply smarter, harder-working, and more resilient than everyone else. I believed that corollary myth for much of my days as an investment banker. It wasn’t until I looked back at my career that I understood how pretentious and ungrounded it was.  Being smart, hard-working and resilient help in success.  However, you also need luck and some angels, two of which appeared in my life in 1989. When I graduated from business school at UNC Chapel Hill in 1987, I, like several of my classmates, wanted…

As I board my plane to Richmond and take my aisle seat, I notice a young woman sitting next to me. She keeps looking out of her window. Her hands are clinched – almost into fists. I am one of those people who does not talk to people on planes, especially when traveling for work. I use that precious time to catch up on work or to relax reading a book.  I discouraged eye contact and would attempt to make myself smaller – trying to attract as little attention as possible – in case the person next to me misinterprets any sign that human interaction was welcomed.  And to ensure…

Yesterday Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80.  She died from cancer.  Several years ago, the New York Times quipped, “Is there anything we can agree on? Yes, there is – Dolly Parton.” Known for her outsize persona, appearance and talent, she rose from rural poverty to become a top-selling singer, songwriter and entrepreneur.  Inducted into both the country music and rock ’n’ roll halls of fame, Dolly Parton was the top-ranking female singer on country radio from 1967 to 1993 and had a total of 25 No. 1 country singles. Not only a gifted singer and songwriter, but she also starred in several films, including “Steel Magnolias”…

I was quite anxious as my plane touched down in Richmond after a short flight from New York.  I had just finished an intense interview schedule with First Boston, one of the leading investment banking firms on Wall Street. I had decided to make the trip to New York because First Boston was recruiting me to join its Investment Banking Group. It is not every day that one of the most respected and profitable investment banking firms on Wall Street comes knocking at your door. It is usually the other way around – with you knocking at their door. When I arrived in New York the previous afternoon, First Boston…

I almost did not write this because I did something that in hindsight seems rather stupid – and quite frankly, embarrassing. I am probably one of the few people who continues to use Direct TV.  I almost cancelled it a while back because my sons were telling me that I could get a subscription for U-Tube TV or another on-line service for half of the price.  Two of my sons have changed over to U-Tube T.V. and are very happy with it. However, unlike Direct T.V., those services rely on high-speed internet service.  The good news for us at the Lake is that we now have high-speed internet, having been…

Luckily my three sons do not mind having me around from time to time.  As a result, Carter and Davis invited me to see The Odyssey on opening weekend at the only IMAX theater in Richmond. Noted for its grand scale, cinematography, its use of new IMAX technology, its star-studded cast, and majestic sweep in storytelling, the film is being touted as a cultural moment in our society. On a budget of $250 million, it is expected to gross over $1 billion worldwide. It has already grossed over $600 million after the first two weekends. So, I am very happy that I was able to participate in this cultural event…

If you are reading this, you are probably a follower of my blog. There are not many of you. At last count, there are 64 of you brave and supportive souls who are subscribed. So you know, I only mention my blog to people that I feel a connection to. I do not want the casual acquaintance to read this. I share too much and expose too much of myself to want most people to read this. Some day – when I actually write a book, people can read most of this. I am not one to look at the stats of my blog – I had to look that…

Happy 250th anniversary to the United States of America from the Republic of Georgia! I am spending America’s 250th birthday almost halfway across the world in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. When the Cold War ended and Georgia obtained its INDEPENDENCE in 1991, the country went through a very difficult decade in the 1990’s. But they got through that period and formed a democracy that leaned heavily towards the west, trying to get to the point where it could get accepted into the European Union.  Croatia (in) and Montenegro (out) are examples of two countries next to each other that I have visited where being “in” changes everything.  However,…