Choices

Far from the madding crowd

A week ago today I posted the Top 10 (Plus One) favorite sports events I've covered. Over the years I've been asked why I stuck around this scenic little valley of ours instead of trying to work my way up the newspaper ladder so that I could perhaps cover Super Bowls and the World Series, NCAA championship games and the Stanley Cup.

Well, I did leave once, and I didn't like what I found, so I came back.

So no, I'm not reporting on BCS bowls. I'm not living in the big city. And I'm certainly not making the big bucks. But guess what? You make your choices and I'm happy with those I've made.

My family and I live in beautiful, peaceful part of the country. I write about accomplished student-athletes who play for the right reasons and will do great things in their lives. I work with coaches and administrators at the college who trust me and treat me with respect.

I first read what follows on the wall of a sandwich shop, if you can believe it. I posted it once before, but as I sit here this morning on the shoulder of Moose Mountain with a glorious day in store it's as good a time as any to share it once again.

The investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.

Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The investment banker complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The fisherman replied, only a little while.

The investment banker then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The fisherman said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The investment banker then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time?

The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, señor."

The investment banker scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat.

"With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You can leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The fisherman asked, "But señor, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

But what then, señor?

The American laughed and said that's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.

Millions, señor? Then what?

The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."