Universal Studios -- King Kong and more

Last week, I was fortunate to teach a GE class at NBC Universal in Los Angeles.

There I was, at the Sheraton Universal with 46 participants from all over GE. No one else but me in charge -- I don't deserve this level of responsibility.

I was VERY fortunate to visit the Binnie family again (fourth time since December). We all had dinner together at Tony Roma's on the CityWalk, late afternoon Memorial Day. Caillie picked the restaurant...a perfect choice for the occasion.

The class and the week were flawless.

On Wednesday, I had some free time as there were other instructors in for the afternoon. The general manager of the Sheraton gave me COMP tickets to Universal (note: the tickets came from the Sheraton, not from GE). I've been there four times before, but I thought it would be great way to let loose for the afternoon: take in the new "Simpson's" ride, eat some cotton candy, do the studio tour, etc.

I was pretty non-chalant about the whole thing. BTW, I found it weird to do a theme park solo. Decided to do the studio tour, just to kill time. If you've never been to Universal, it's worth seeing. You get to see the set from "Psycho" and "War of the Worlds" plus lots of contrived stuff: "King Kong", "Earthquake," "Jaws," and "Fast and Furious II." But don't do it more than once. Go to Warner Bros. instead. The studio tour is much more interesting. Smaller. More personal. Ride on a golf cart. Get off and take pictures on the ER set. Much better than the tram.

I came home on Saturday.

Sunday morning, I'm doing laundry and unpacking my bags. CNN is showing pictures of the raging inferno in the Universal back lot. New York Street, Courthouse Square and the King Kong exhibit are now more like a scene from "Backdraft."

Then I think to myself..."Carpe diem. There you were -- smug on the Universal tram. And now, a lot of it is dust. Good thing you took it in. It was your last chance."

If you've been reading all along, you'll see this theme repeated.

Live for the day. Find joy in the little things. Live in "the Present." It's truly a gift,and it may not be there tomorrow.

Now go find something to appreciate...today!