If I Had Some Time Off

Most people would love to have a million bucks. Who wouldn't? There are so many things one could do with a million bucks - if one had time.

Time becomes more important the older you get and the less you have. Money is a just a traded currency while time is invaluable. You can always make more money but never more time. Owning your own time is the most valuable asset anyone could have. Time to sleep in, reflect, think, learn, make, do, don't et cetera.

Time is the third highest form of luxury (I'd rate passion and health higher) and if I owned some I'd spend it like this: I would wake up in the morning, around 7-ish to brew some espresso, grab the WSJ and flick through my favorite financial news websites. I would then have a sit-down (haven't happen in about 10-15 years) breakfast and discuss the latest on emerging markets and stock prices with the missus. [The missus would probably humor me by nodding gently but that's another story.]

A hot bath and continuing reading of the WSJ would follow. I'd pull on a pair of worn jeans - could be Diesel, Levi's or Lee - and a semi-worn Paul Smith shirt with single cuffs and rolled up sleeves.

The rest of the day would be spent reading in the sun, having a long tasty lunch, a cigar, a late afternoon siesta and a late late afternoon drink. Then I would concentrate all my focus on the dinner, which I would cook myself while humming to Burt Bacharach and sipping Muga Gran Reserva.

The evening would be finished off either outside, enjoying the warm California evenings with friends or a 60s artsy fartsy movie by Bergman, Truffaut or Lelouch. Occasionally enjoying the hot tub with my own playmate, the missus.

But I would also learn a new language every year, make my own wine, write books, make a movie about vintage sportscars and improve my turtle walk.

There are so many things I would do if I had time that I don't think I'd make it to work. Time is worth so much more than a million bucks.