I am retired. Over 40 years in this insanely fun business. One heck of a fun ride.So, I wrote a memoir… I even sold a few copies! “Poet’s Legacy / Razor’s Edge” https://books2read.com/poetslegacyrazorsedgeCourtesy of several great companies who employed me (most significantly Market Facts, Landor Associates and Ipsos) I had the thrill of working with unique & brilliant people on some of the world’s biggest brands. I got involved with some of marketing’s most interesting moments in modern times, and worked alongside many unique and memorable characters — ranging from world class photographers in Yellowstone National Park, to CMOs and CEOs of top global firms and of course, some truly unforgettable collegues within the advertising, design and research agencies I joined with along the way.I was fortunate enough to work with most of the Fortune 500. My business-based accomplishments included a few high viz successes (GM's Saturn brand and popularization of the Dollar Menu) and others that found great value, but involved confidential issues which I prefer not to share publicly. That’s life.I decided to retire in the fall of 2019 during a backpacking trip with my wife in the Olympics. The pandemic hit soon thereafter. During the lockdown we moved to and lived in Sedona for a bit, but after making a few friends there and rehabing a terrific house, we chucked it all… tired of that sadly mismanaged and overtouristed red rock desert town.Today, my wife and I live in Napa. We spend most of our time watching the birds along the River, or “walking the earth like Caine in Kung Fu.”After all those years of high demand, I confess to checking my email a bit too much, but manage to enjoy a relatively carefree chapter of life.What I never used to divulge: - When I was young we never had enough money for food.- I never had my own clothes until I took paying jobs so I could afford them.- In my mid-teens I watched how people buy clothing, in stores. I bought a pair of Levi’s jeans and some motorcycle boots.- The motorcycle came much later.- I was the first to go to college in my family.- I never thought I’d make it past age 30.- Luck helped me: A case of mistaken identity by a former CIA officer unexpectedly opened the door to a golden opportunity on Sand Hill Road in Palo Alto, California at the age of 27. The rest pretty much just unfolded from there. It was both strange and tremendously fun. Almost the whole way…My Retirement Video, A Memento Mori … copy and paste:https://youtu.be/C4XCR5WWQz4