For 2024, I decided I needed to get out more, meet more people, and make improvements in my life. It is important to take stock of your life periodically. One way was to take up a new hobby — sailing remote control (RC) International One Meter (IOM) boats in Central Park, NYC. My boat is number 90 and it is in the foreground of the above picture. It has a hull and sails from New Zealand, an internal winch motor from Australia, and was put together by a guy in Georgia.

I joined the Central Park Model Yacht Club (“CPMYC”), and just about every Saturday, this Spring and Summer, I have joined other club members in sailing their boats, and racing against each other, on the Central Park pond by 5th Avenue and 72nd Street. As a newbie, I am usually at the tail end of the races, but it is a fun outdoor activity, in a lovely location, elegant to watch, and a fascinating hobby.

Another way I am looking to improve my life is by hiring a trainer. Since Covid hit in 2020, I have been stuck at 320 lbs., and it has been a challenge to lose the weight. Hampering my weight loss has been a torn meniscus in one knee, severe osteoarthritis in the other knee, and Morton’s neuroma in my right foot. That has hampered my ability to get around and be active, which combined to make it more difficult to lose the weight I have gained. Even with these injuries, I still do an hour on my bike every day, and I have not given up losing weight. Now with a trainer, I can start building up muscle mass, which should help my weight loss. Since starting with the trainer 2 weeks ago, I have lost 4 lbs.

Also, this year, I am finally pulling the trigger, and getting a new car. I typically keep my cars for 10-12 years, and my present car was purchased in 2012, and now, it is starting to need more repairs. For me, a new car purchase is an event, and travel experience, and not a simple pickup at the dealership. My present car, a BMW M6, was picked up in Munich, as part of BMW’s European Delivery experience, and I drove it around Germany, and then it was delivered to Spartanburg, SC, where BMW builds its SUVs and it has its US Performance Center, and Driving School. Since 2012, BMW has done away with its European Delivery (for US customers), but has maintained the Performance Center Delivery (PCD), which includes driving instruction, a factory tour, free lunch, and a more bespoke and lengthy new car delivery experience than you would get from a dealership. Once one receives their car, it becomes a road trip back to your home. I have placed an order for a new BMW, it has now been built, and I will soon pick it up as part of the PCD.

Last, like in years past, I will be attending the US Open, which I have been attending for 30+ years. It is a great way to reconnect with family, friends, and colleagues, and I so enjoy spending the fortnight at the tournament. In all, 2024 is shaping up to be a good year, where I can make some self-improvement gains, which had retreated a bit during the height of Covid.