Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

December 10, 2007

Light, Time, People, and Places

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:15 am

I've been thinking . . .

about light, time, people, and places.

It’s been a most amazing week. I waited at the airport for a plane that was hours late to meet a friend — Ann Michael — a dear friend I’ve known for a lifetime of less than two years. Together we waited for another plane that was also hours late to travel a country that is this country’s history.

Ann and I stayed in a London hotel arranged by a friend that she’s known for years. We got coffee each morning from Starbucks. She and I have shared coffee at Starbucks in at least three other cities. She walks to one by her home. I know I’ve done it with her. I walk to one down the street from me.

A fine businessman, blogger, and friend, Kevin Dixie, took us to lunch at the OXO tower. We explored ideas while sitting by the river and traversed Soho to meet up with a friend of Ann’s, Richard Charkin, — a publisher who recently changed jobs. He shared one of the best stories in publishing. Ann says she’s known Richard all of a few hours in real time. I could say the same about the real time spent in the company of Kevin — still from my observation the fiendships are strong and real.

The next night was dinner and blogger’s movie premier with famed marketing blogger, John Dodds. He’s yet another with whom little real time has been logged but the friendship can’t be denied.

In the middle of the trip, Ann and I both met up with friends we have known longer than a decade. Then she came to meet one of mine who knew many of hers. The connections they had in common were amazing.

I had lunch with Hsien Hsien Lei — I first met her in the comment box in 2005. I finally got to meet Mark McGuinness, a most patient man, who’s doing some magical things mixing creativity and business. Ann and I enjoyed breakfast with Benjamin Ellis, his insights into the corporate world of UK business were fascinating.

We sadly we unable to connected with Karin, one we so hoped to meet, but we vowed that we would make it together somewhere, somehow, some place in the future. Yessirree!

Friday night at the Geek Dinner, I was fortunate enough to talk to some folks I admire, Hugh MacLeod, Dave Winer, Mark Earls, and Nick Butler aka Loudmouthman. Certainly a high point was a chance to visit the Guardian for coffee with Jemima Kiss, who joined us later; that trademark smile of greeting from Robert Scoble; and the surprised look of recognition on the face of Dave Sifry when I said hello. The freezing photowalk through London with Sifry and Scoble later was unforgettable, but could have done with more beer. The conversation when we finally sat down was worth the cold hands getting there.

Why am I telling you all of this?

The last night, which I spent in Oxford in the home of friends I’ve known for almost two decades, I went out for a breath of air looked up and saw the stars. Orion — too often hidden these days by city lights — was there waiting for me.

Until that moment, home and you had felt far away, but not anymore. Then it seemed that all time, all people, and all places were written in light on the indigo over my head.

My thoughts said, “I’m home, in the past, in the present, in the future . . . people and stars . . . it’s by our light . . . the light in our eyes, the light in our minds, the light in our hearts that we have meaning and we connect.”

I knew then that we would live forever.

That’s what I’ve been thinking ever since.

Liz's Signature




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16 Comments to “Light, Time, People, and Places”

  1. December 10th, 2007 at 8:25 am
    Karin H. said

    it’s by our light . . . the light in our eyes, the light in our minds, the light in our hearts that we have meaning and we connect.”

    I knew then that we would live forever.

    Amen to that.

    And somehow, somewhere, sometime - over a rainbow? - we’ll meet for sure

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  2. December 10th, 2007 at 8:28 am
    Sean said

    First word that came to my mind after reading this? Wow. Completely awesome! Ok, that’s three words ;)

    Indeed, we all shall live forever, forever young.

  3. December 10th, 2007 at 8:31 am
    Joanna Young said

    Ah Liz, trust you to come back with such a beautiful piece of writing - what a fabulous start to the week.

    We missed you here, but your spirit has been most present in the posts and the comment box conversation - I hope that we all lived up to your hopes :-)

    Joanna

  4. December 10th, 2007 at 9:33 am
    Kusani said

    What a lovely thing to read as a start to my Monday. Thank you, Liz.

  5. December 10th, 2007 at 9:41 am
    Mother Earth said

    she lands safe and profound — and so she can warm our hearts this frosty morning - welcome back!!

    Sounds like an absolutely amazing trip

    Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
    http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com

  6. December 10th, 2007 at 10:15 am
    SunnySchlenger said

    That is truly what it’s all about. And how wonderful that we “recognize” each other when we meet!

  7. December 10th, 2007 at 11:39 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Karin!
    We will meet by the light in our eyes. I know, I just know!

  8. December 10th, 2007 at 11:40 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Wow! Sean!
    Thank you. That’s cool. Fine praise coming from you. :)

    Forever and forever young.

  9. December 10th, 2007 at 11:41 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Kusani!
    Thank you for the warm Monday morning welcome home. :)

  10. December 10th, 2007 at 11:42 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ah Mother Earth,
    As with anything in this world, it’s the people that made it amazing. I’m a very lucky girl to know all of you. :)

  11. December 10th, 2007 at 11:43 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Sunny,
    I said about that much to the guy I sat next to on the plane coming home. We do recognize each other. :)

  12. December 10th, 2007 at 11:50 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Joanna!
    How did I jump over you?

    It’s so great to be back with you. I hear your voice in every word and smile right back at you. My hopes are filled with bouyancy and blue sky blue.

  13. December 10th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
    ann michael said

    My, wasn’t it a great trip! Nice to see you made it home safely.

  14. December 10th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Ann!
    It was! Thank you for everything. Let’s go again really soon! :)

  15. December 31st, 2007 at 1:50 pm
    Nicholas Butler said

    you see thats how long I hadnt blogged that I missed your inbound to me. Liz it was a fabulous pleasure meeting you in London and a real pleasure being able to buy a Girl a Pint of Ale instead of that namby alcopoops that get foisted upon us. Liz I wish you a very excellent 2008 and I look forward to keeping up with your blog and your Success.

    Nik ( Loudmouthman ) Butler

  16. December 31st, 2007 at 6:36 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Nik!
    Welcome!
    You and every word you said were a pleasure and a delight! I hope to share a pint with you soon. :)

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