Early in 2000, stories circulated in the automobile universe about an extraordinary new car from BMW called the M5. Journalists and car nuts nicknamed it “the Beast.” At 400 HP and 398 lbs. of torque, it was a rocket ship. With scary 0-60 times and a top speed of 180… Continue reading
Earlier this week, on April 23, I got an email from Steve Larsen in Idaho, saying “My momma went to heaven on Sunday. I thought you might like to read about her.” He gave me a link to her obituary. She was a remarkable woman, and I’ve included the link… Continue reading
When hearing my business accomplishments lauded over the years, deep down inside, part of me is saying, “Ha! little do they know! It was all due to one simple trick: a willingness to work just a teeny-weeny bit harder than anyone else.” I’d learned working harder isn’t much more difficult, because most people quit so soon. Persistence does not mean you always win at everything. What it does mean is that failure isn’t seen as an end, but as a step in the process. Let me explain. Continue reading
My very first newsletter (9 newsletters ago) was the story of finding a daughter I did not know about. She found me using 23andMe, reached out and made contact. If you missed that newsletter, you should read it. You will find it here: No doubt several of you have imagined… Continue reading
One of the most humbling experiences of my motorcycle career was attempting Trials Riding. Trials bikes are purpose-built motorcycles supporting a very precise and particular sort of riding competition. The sport is generally referred to as “mototrials” or “motorcycle trials” and is big in Europe, South America and other parts… Continue reading
In 2012, I spent 14 days chasing the Dakar Rally as it transversed South America, from Buenos Aires across the Atacama Desert and Andes mountains to Chile, up its coast, then back to Buenos Aires, on the back of a BMW 1200GS motorcycle. On the flight home, I had an… Continue reading
Late last year I was talking with my friend, Rich Marin. Rich is recently “sort-of” retired. Although moving from New York City where he’s spent most of his career, to his new permanent residence near San Diego a few months back, he’s not yet grasped some of the key aspects… Continue reading
Several significant and momentous events in the past couple of years have me wishing I stayed in better touch with my family and friends. I should have maintained my old email newsletter. That newsletter, graciously described as “a horrid, holiday-family summary run amok,” or by others less gracious as “Larsen’s… Continue reading
I’ve gotten a few questions about my motorcycle ride in Mexico’s Copper Canyon and its timing, right before my second OH surgery. Here is some background on that trip and most importantly, some of the photographs that led to paintings by my wife, Maggie, who is an artist with a… Continue reading
Recovery from my April 2015 OHS (open heart surgery) seemed to be going splendidly except for a persistent cough. It would just not go away. Recovering in San Diego, we consulted respiratory experts at Scripps Memorial Hospital, but no cause was found. Back at Mayo in Phoenix, experts diagnosed it… Continue reading