Live Life. Life is Short. Life is an Adventure.

The American Express Members Project (which I know some of the software developers on this) have a very apt television advertisement playing at present regarding some of my comments regarding passion and dreams.

In the television ad they show the following people and quotes.
My project was:

• use laughter to help children learn — Jim Henson — Creator of the Muppets
• point out the pointless — Jerry Seinfeld
• bring a city to life — Robert De Niro — Actor
• turn the ridiculous to the sublime — John Cleese — Actor, Comedian
• find beauty in the flaws and and vice versa — Wes Anderson — writer actor
• live life on the edge — Laird Hamilton — Surfer
• encourage people to dance to their own tune — Ellen DeGeneres — Comedian
• tell unforgettable stories. — Martin Scorsese — writer, director, producer

The conclusion of the ad is “Are you ready to make a difference?. Vote on the projects that will help change people’s lives.”

Here is the actual commercial. What’s interesting is the official web ad now cuts out Jerry Seinfeld, (and FYI he is playing cricket.

While on the NY Subway heading home late Thursday I observed in rather awe an older black gentleman sit down across from me at 42nd st in a rather full train. He proceeded to pull out of a black case a flick through a number of hand drawn pictures and I was impressed at what I could observe. He then proceeded to expertly draw not one but two amazing reputations of side profiles of passengers as the train bumbled along on the track, and then simply handed them over to the people. Being as I mentioned rather impressed, I commented this to him, and also mentioned I wish I could draw like that. I don’t remember his exact words in response, but it involved a combination of following your dreams, we all have them in side of us.

His name was Bowie, and in the course of like 3 stops before 145th (my exit), he proceeded to quickly draw his third sketch of a passenger, one of me. Now the first two were great side on representations, mine it’s hard for me to comment as I’m not looking side by side with me and image.

Still I was suitably moved that a complete stranger had both the skill, desire and willingness to share this with others for nothing in return. It reminded me of the works Gary Vaynerchuk recently motivated me with his in his talk Patience and Passion.

I’ve set some personal goals recently, I’ve even had a mental list, spoken about them, but I wanted to write them down, because life is too short, and my motto is “Life is short. Live life. Live is and adventure”.

1. Be happy
2. Have fun
3. Have quality friends
4. Do lots of fun and exciting things with my quality friends
5. Have a long term and meaningful relationship with a women

Not much!