Mr. Bill George

Growing up, my mom would usually say things like, “You know, when you’re married… blah blah blah.”

Lately her language has changed to, “If you get married… blah blah blah.”

It may just be political correctness and her desire not to be presumptuous etc.

… But it’s terrifying. 

A story of a decade long desire…

In 2001 a movie came out called Vanilla Sky. In it, Tom Cruise plays an extremely wealthy individual. (That’s all you need to know in the context of this story.) At one point, he checks his watch and the camera gives us a close up of it for about two seconds.

I didn’t notice it when I saw the film in theaters, but when I got my hands on the DVD and began to study the film (honestly, I watched it many, many times) I noticed the watch again. I paused the movie during that close up and examined the watch.

It was simple, sleek and sexy. I knew that one day, I wanted to wear one too.

After a couple months of on and off searching, I found it.

The IWC Mark XVI Pilot’s Watch.

(Granted, he’s wearing the Mark XV and the company has since moved on to the Mark XVI. We’ll go with the XVI because it’s still being made and I actually like the changes made.)

I’ve almost always worn watches. And I’ve always been trying to find a watch similar to the Mark XVI but it has always left me feeling like something was missing. I was always trying to find a watch that would satisfy my needs. But I’ve found fault in every watch I’ve ever owned, simply because they are not THE watch. 

It’s been ten years since I first laid eyes on the THE watch…

And today… I wore it…

I finally found it at Tourneau at the Natick Collection. I had a great conversation with the assistant manager there and I shared my story with him. It was a wonderful moment. 

And now I know why this has been, and always will be, THE watch.

As Wayne says of his ideal guitar, ‘It will be mine… oh, yes… it will be mine…’

Editors Note: THE watch costs $4,000…

How a Task Becomes a Chore Becomes a Nightmare 

Went to the nearest dealership to get my state inspection sticker taken care of.

They don’t do inspections there. Directed me elsewhere with non-sensical verbal directions.

Search ‘car inspection’ with my phone. Am directed to local Pep Boys.

Arrive at Pep Boys. They don’t do inspections. Recommend Goodyear.

Arrive at Goodyear. They don’t do inspections between 12 and 1 because of lunch.

Current time: 12:30.

Eat lunch nearby.

Arrive back at Goodyear at 1.

Wait 45 minutes for inspection.

Failed. Needs a bulb replaced and license plate covers must come off.

I ask if we can do it now instead of me going elsewhere and coming back. They say sure, but they are short a guy today and there are other jobs that need doing so I need to go back into the queue.

Wait 30 minutes.

Finally pass inspection.

Elapsed time from departing home to arriving home with mission accomplished: 3.5 hours.

You know what I have never liked? When people say something critical or judgmental about someone, and then someone else tries to keep that person in line by saying something to the effect of ‘you’re no better than they are.’

This whole idea that nobody is ‘better’ than anybody else (something we tend to instill in children) is bullshit.

I’m way better than tons of people.

Granted, all people are ‘created equal’ in the eyes of the law. And we should always treat people the way we would wish to be treated. These are certainly good points and concepts I recommend living by.

But don’t try to tell me that empirically nobody is better than anybody else.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,

Old Time is still a-flying:

And this same flower that smiles to-day

To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,

The higher he’s a-getting,

The sooner will his race be run,

And nearer he’s to setting.

That age is best which is the first,

When youth and blood are warmer;

But being spent, the worse, and worst

Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,

And while ye may, go marry:

For having lost but once your prime,

You may for ever tarry.

- To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time by Robert Herrick