Emporium Mall Entrance 01/02/2019 – I loved the red balls hanging in the entrance way, so here is a 30 second video of me and the balls.
Shot with the DJI Osmo Pocket
Tag Archives: Jan Landy
30 Dec 2018 -Jan Landy Journal Entry from Bangkok
Another in my life series of vlogging, as I went to meet a friend for lunch on Soi 5. A one minute video of my the walk on the streets of Bangkok from Soi 11 and what I saw on the way.
In this video I am trying something new, I have added a video box in the bottom right hand corner of me, narrating what you are seeing on the screen. I would love to get your comments.
My WordPress Blog – Changes
Just moved my WordPress Blog to JanLandy.com and am hoping that this will finally be the motivation I have been looking for to write a daily or if not daily, weekly, or if not weekly, monthly blog.
Lets see what happens. Today is day one. June 1, 2015.
My Birthday 2015
This week I had another birthday, it’s a good time to think about your mortality. I thought it was kind of clever to think about your mortality and not mine. However, that’s not true, what I meant to say is my mortality.
For those of you who know how old I am, then you will look at this photo and say man he looks good for his age, for those of you who don’t know how old I just turned, then you’ll just think guy looks pretty good.
I feel pretty amazing, thinking about it that two years ago I was using a walker because I had back surgery. I feel very lucky and very fortunate.
And now for the irony.
Why is it that whenever we go to celebrate our birthdays with someone or a group of friends all of the things that we celebrate with our either immoral, illegal, or fattening.
I mean here we are celebrating the achievement of one reaching a certain age and their friends and family acknowledging by their presents, their presence, and their participation by joining and wishing A person happy birthday, and that you mean something beneficial to my life or in my life.
So my question is why is it that we want to take our friends add to an amazingly nice restaurant with nice and fattening foods, instead of joining that person, on a run or swim in the pool or a visit to the gym, or watching a documentary on TV about good health.
This year, I had someone make me a pound of cookies, which I must confess were delicious and I ate them all, another friend took me out to a pizza restaurant, A group of friends join me at PF Changs, a Chinese restaurant, and finally a good friend took me to Hank’s steakhouse.
Here’s the kicker, in the last six months, I have done everything I possibly could to get an excellent physical condition. First I started going to a counselor and lost 70 pounds, then I started to vigorous workout program, and thirdly started playing tennis again 2 to 3 times a week.
So I wonder why, that my good friends decided that I need to celebrate by gaining back some of that hard fought weight that I lost. I must confess though I had a great time and the food was delicious.
And I also wonder why celebrations are not as much fun without the activities being illegal, immoral, or fattening. I love the good life.
This is what I looked like before I decided to take my life back
Jury Duty
Today is February 23, 2015 and it is now 10:50 AM in the morning. I am in my car now and I am heading to my office from jury duty.
What an experience!
The best part of the whole experience, is that it’s now over at least it’s over for at least 18 months to three years. That’s the period of time that they are a lot for you to get out of the jury pool before they could put you back into the jury pool.
It doesn’t normally rain in Las Vegas, but on the way to jury duty this morning it was raining. And of course seeing it doesn’t rain very much when it does rain, people don’t know how to drive in the rain. So needless to say, it was a total drag driving to the courthouse which is in downtown Las Vegas. When I did arrive at the parking structure, I found it was 3 city blocks away from the courthouse. A nice walk on a cold and rainy day.
When I arrived at the courthouse, I was not surprised that they had security, what I was surprised by is how much security that you have to through before you can enter the building. After taking off, all my outer wear, belt, watch, shoes, and everything in your pockets, you can go through the metal detector.
Then was the journey to the third floor jury room. Another surprise, there must have been over a thousand and change people as when they started to call numbers, they started at 0001 and my number was 0191 and there were still a sea of people still waiting to be called. Let me put it is way, there were not enough chairs to go around and until the first batch of people were called to go to the courtroom, there was not enough chairs for me to sit down. When I finally did get a chair, I ended up sitting next to a guy that had badge number 986.
At around 9:30 AM it was my turn to get called and we were instructed to line up numerically by badge number and report to the 11th floor and line up outside the courtroom 11B. By the way at this time all cell phones and communication to the outside world was shut off.
One thing I will compliment them on is that the Marshals have it down to a science, including injecting a little humor, by asking “By show if hands, who wanted to be here.” They know you don’t want to be there. I cannot imagine anyone with a pulse that would want to be there. I know that I didn’t, although I wanted to do my civic duty, I was torn.
When we walked into the courtroom, the room was already filled with quite a few court officials, the Judge, the court reporter, the defendant and all their lawyers and the plaintiff and her lawyer. What struck me as interesting, is that everyone was standing and remained standing until all 100 of us were seated.
The Judge open the mic and began by introducing himself, that this was a Civil trial between the Plaintiff a worker for the Paris Hotel and defendant The Paris Hotel sense the difference in lawyer count. Then the judge said that this case would take approximately 3 days of jury time and if there was anyone that could not be there for 3 days, they should raise their hands and state the reason why they show be excused. One guy got out because he had a paid airfare ticket (of course he needed to fax a copy of it to the judge as proof) the rest, whatever their stories were, the judge didn’t buy it. Needless to say, I did have my hand raised. When the guy who was called before me, told the judge what I was going to say.
What he told the judge was that he is a small business owner and that being here for 3 days would be an unbearable hardship. The judge was not kind to this guy. He told him flat out that everyone in this room was under hardship to be there and he was ordered to sit down and wait for the lawyers to question him to see if he would be picked for the jury. I was next.
After I announced my name and badge number, I promoted SoundBroker.com and that I too was a small businessman, however (and here is the rub) I went on to say that I sell equipment to a lot of the hotels on strip and I had recently done a job a large job with Bally’s.
The judge was not going to have any of this from me and he said to me just because you did a sale with Bally’s has nothing to do with the Paris Hotel and please sit down and the lawyers will get to you in time. I thought that was it for me when all of sudden the Paris Hotel’s lawyer, stood up and said the following “ Your Honor, The Paris Hotel is owned by Caesar’s Entertainment and they own also own Bally’s”. With that the judge turned to the Plaintiff’s lawyer and asked him if that would be a problem for him.
The Plaintiff’s lawyer rose and said the following “ Your Honor, I appreciate the honesty of the prospective juror and I would prefer not to have him on this jury.”
With that the judge turned to me and said “Your dismissed.”
The Marshall approached me and told me to return down to the 3rd floor jury pool and report to the clerk for reassignment. I left the courtroom without looking back and returned to the 3rd floor and went up to the clerk and told her what had happened expecting to be returned to the jury pool, but there was so many people still sitting in the room, that she asked for my badge, stamped the reverse side and said, “You can go. Thank you for your time today.”
All in all not too bad of an experience, but one that I am not looking forward to repeating.
Celebrating 15 years as SoundBroker.com
I am happy to be celebrating my first 15 years doing business as SoundBroker.com.
On Sept 4, 1998 (15 years) I Registered the name SoundBroker.com with ICAN and the rest is history. I want to thank all the people that took a part of our growth. SoundBroker.com is the original and will always be the first and since that day, I have lived with the philosophy : If you are not the lead dog, the view never changes.
Money can’t buy you happiness, but it makes misery much more tolerable.
I remember David Lee Roth plagiarizing Errol Flynn by saying in an interview, “People who say money can’t buy you love, just don’t know where to shop”. Personally, I think that just sounds funny but it is not true. Sure money can’t buy you happiness, but it sure is better to be unhappy with money than unhappy and broke. I know I have been on both sides of that fence and make no mistake that I am much happier now that I have money, then when I was broke. I even wrote a song about it called “Broke as a bloke can be”. Maybe one day I will play it for you.
To clarify, I am not equating being in love to happiness, but if you are in love it can make you happy and true happiness, one can say only can come from within, thus money cannot buy you love, money can only temporarily rent it.
I have never really had a problem with money, my problems always stemmed from the lack of money or having too little money. Having too little money as I remember it, makes you become a juggler. And although juggling is the secret of life, I don’t like jugglers. I didn’t always feel that way, but somewhere in my past, I was in a talent contest at the Mayflower Theater in Santa Monica, CA and I came in second to a juggler and ever since then, I am just not a fan.
So now I am 62 years old and have been working for myself for the last 16 years and I have made a good living but not a Bill Gates type of living, I have enough F-U money, but not enough retirement money. I own a house, an office building, a couple of cars, a Rolex, a bicycle and iPhone.
All in all one would say, I live a comfortable life, with all the creature comforts that money can buy. You would think that I have nothing to complain about and you should be right, but I can find plenty to complain about. And that is the challenge. With the amount of success in my life, I should not have one thing to complain about, except taxes and corrupt politicians. It is hard to believe that I still find things to complain about. Does that make me a bad person? I think not.
I have been dwelling on this the last few days, because I have been depressed. Not the type of depression that will cause me to drive to the Grand Canyon and take a leap of faith over the edge, or overdose on Twinkies and run nude on highway flailing my body parts and giving a policeman cause to shoot me, but a depression that made me think just how lucky I am and that I have a lot of nerve to be depressed. Maybe it is good to be depressed every once in a while. Maybe by being temporarily depressed, I can appreciate how good it feels to not be depressed and to be happy for who I am and what I bring to the party of life.
Those that know me, know that my favorite expression (and the one I want to be remembered for) is “You Make It Happen!”. I like the way it sounds. It just flows off the tongue. It probably should be “I Make It Happen,” but when you say it to someone, you sound too conceded. But when you repeat and say” You make it happen” then it sounds great. Either way, we make happen together. And to know that I am associated with a great phrase like that and having a lot of money in the bank, gives me reason to live.
Although I have been married and engaged and have had numerous love affairs, I never had any children. Unfortunately, that is a regret that I have. A selfish person might comment “but look at all the fun that you were able to buy yourself not having to give any money to your child’s college fund or for that matter doctor bills, birthday presents and the lot”. It is true that I have traveled the world and have enjoyed the company of strangers everywhere I have been. I might not have been able to do that if I had a wife and children.
Now I think that the time has come for me to settle down and find a woman that I can love and be loved by. A woman that will take care of me and one that I can take care of. One that finds me funny and lovable and one that I find that funny and lovable. I think that is a positive and rather than look at it as if I where alone, I look at it as I if am between marriages.
I have always chosen to look at life from the perspective that the glass is half full and that lemon is best when it is lemonade. That “No” is a term of endearment and love. I’ll explain. The first word we learned as baby from our mothers is the word “No”. We are taught that word only because our mothers care about and love us. They do not want us to hurt ourselves. Okay it is a stretch, but it is true. Delusional, but true.
I have heard the word “No” my whole life and I am sure that I will continue hearing it until I can’t hear any longer especially considering the fact that I am single and dating again in my sixties and want to be in a relation with a younger woman that has a teenage or younger child. I know what some of you must be thinking. I know that it will take a special woman to find me attractive and lovable. I know that it will have to be a woman that believes that age is only mind over matter and if she doesn’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
I am a lucky man and that although I have felt depressed the for the last week, I am confident that it will be short lived because I have a positive outlook on life. I know that I make it happen. I know that I have a lot to be thankful for.
I wish you all the best and hope that your life is filled with as many things to be thankful for as mine, and if you find yourself depressed, remember the good things that have come your way and that nobody cares that you are depressed.
Bonding at NAMM 2013
Had a lot of fun at the NAMM show and ran into a ton of friends and acquaintances that I have not seen in a while. Although there was nothing revolutionary at the show, there was a great spirit of optimism that I have not seen in a long time. I posted my photos (not a lot) to my FaceBook page, as I post everything that I want to share with my friends and the general public.
One thing that surprised me is how many of the vendors that I do business with so many of them had a both. And in years past, I cannot remember that many vendors appearing.
I was not planning on going to NAMM this year as I was schedule to be in Asia, but my trip was cut short. So, when I knew that my plans allowed me to attend, I called my good friend and mentor Albert Siniscal. For the last past few years, Albert and I have attended NAMM to together, shared the car trip and hotel room and give us the opportunity to bond as good friends hardly ever get the chance to do any more. If nothing else, that made the trip and all over my other disappointment of cutting my Asia trip short, well worthwhile.
If hanging with Albert and walking the NAMM show wasn’t enough, I was happy to hook up with so many people that I have know for years and getting to press flesh with them.
Another highlight of this year’s NAMM show was going being invited to dinner by Matt Larson of Group One. I have known Matt for years, I’m guessing 15, but we never really got a chance to have a meal together or if we did, I can’t remember. This meal was exceptional, Matt took about 10 people to dinner with us to an exceptional restaurant The White House in Anaheim,CA. We sat at a long table and the food delicious as it were, just kept coming along with the wine and the interesting conversation.
I am not going to mention all of the attendees, but I did sit between Albert on my left and Matt on my right and directly across from, another person that I have know for and worked with for years, Doug Kocsis, of DK Capital. The highlight of the evening for me although there were many, including looking at Sarah McLachlan at the table in front of me (at least it was her from the consensus taken at our table), hearing all of the great stories of all the talent people at the table, was bonding with Doug and Matt. They are both truly intelligent, super knowledgable, hard working, compassionate about their lives, and really love what it is they do. I feel fortunate that I had that moment in time to share with them and everyone else that was at dinner that night with us. Thank you Matt. 
The only bummer of the entire trip, was that when I returned home, albeit, I was gelling my hands with hand sanitizer constantly and washing them with soap every chance I got, I had caught the flu. More on to follow on this as, I have been coughing so hard, that hurt myself. ….. Stay tuned.
Please Donate to the Jan Landy 2025 (or sooner) Retirement Fund
June 2012 is now in the past! July is the present and will be for another 31 days. Just think that there is only a few more days and we Americans will be celebrating our Independence Day on July 4th.
I have been thinking about the 4th of July and what Independence Day means to me. Having traveled as much as I do, I have noticed that wherever I go, the United States is still the place where almost everybody that doesn’t live in the United States wants to live. How their vision of what it is to live in the US is based on television shows and photos from the news. True our standard of living is higher than most, but not everybody living in the United States is living the “American Dream”.
I guess before you can determine if you are living the “American Dream” you must define what the “American Dream” is. Is it the same for everyone? Is there a standard definition?
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia defines it as: The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States; a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work.
The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Lets go with that definition, not only because I believe that it is well stated and correct, but it transcends me to exactly where I want it to take me and that is my life and my pursuit of happiness.
Sure I work hard! Sure I put in the time! Long hours and hard work, I say, “Bring it on”. I don’t think there is a soul that knows me that would not agree that I am one honest hard working individual. It is built into my DNA and belief system that lives by the fun is in the journey towards accomplishing worthwhile goals.
I also believe that I have achieved by all standards of the definition that I have obtained the dream “prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work,” but to quote Oliver, “Can I have another”?
What I mean by that is, sure I own modest house, a Mercedes, and a Rolex, but, and here is the big question, “Do I have enough to retire and not worry if I will have enough to make it to my end days in the lifestyle I am accustomed to?”. My answer is always the same: “Only if I want to live in a third world country and live to 70”. Not the answer I want to hear.
It is with that thought in mind that I have come up with the ultimate retirement strategy all based on a 1967 Beatles’ song: “With a Little Help from My Friends” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, released on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album sung by Ringo Starr. And may introduce to you the one and only Jan Landy 2025 (or sooner) Retirement Fund.
My plan is simple, if there are enough people out there that I have provided with service or advice without reward, or anyone that has nothing better to do with a dollar or more, now would be a good time to repay the favor and go to The Jan Landy 2025 (or sooner) Retirement Fund https://www.soundbroker.com/retire.bv and assist me to obtain a better life style in retirement. I thank you, and the people in that third world nation (who will be happy that I am not living there) thank you.
Childhood Friends
Just spent the last 2 days with one of my closest childhood friends (we have known each other for over 55 years) and loved every second of it, except when he left. It is amazing how much there is to do in Vegas, if you put your mind to it. And yet, last night we stayed in and cooked dinner and talked. Talked and talked and talked and it could have been the best night I ever had since I have been in Vegas.
I could not not help but think of the line from John Lennon “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.” and Harry Chapin “She was going to be an actress and I was going to learn to fly.”
I wonder how many people actually live out their childhood dreams of an occupation? I am happy, but I am not a cowboy, maybe because I am not a cowboy.
The feeling that I experienced was worth the wait. We set up the plans for this visit about two years ago. That was due to Gary’s schedule, not mine. I find it hard to plan for anything more than a week in the future, but Gary does not seem to have that same infliction as he has his life travels planned way into the future. It is good to have money and it is good not to have to work except when you want to and if you want to. I do not have that luxury, I have to work if I want to maintain my current standard of living, which is a scary thought if you take into account my age. How many more working years do I have left? and do I want to work them all. Some people I know have no choice, they work until they drop, I might be one of those, but it bothers me to think that I am, so I work hard, save my money and play hard and spend my money. What a life I am living. Las Vegas, Rio, NY, and one day Paris. But I digress.
When I made the plans with Gary, I was living in Vegas & Rio de Janeiro every six weeks I would bounce back from one city to another. I am truly fortunate that I have been able to set up my business that I can run it from anywhere in the world that I have a high speed internet connection and my tools, my MacBook Pro, Vonage & Skype, iPad and iPhone, portable scanner, a jar of peanut butter, Gatorade G2, my meds and face cream.
Now my life seems to have changed as I have a met and fallen in love with a Brazilian woman that does not have a visa to the US and I am finding myself spending more time in Brazil then ever before. Because of this, I had to plan to return to Vegas to meet Gary as agreed. That was much harder to do then I thought it would be, as I miss my love more than I thought I would. But being a man of commitment or at least so I think I am, I arrived back in Vegas, before Gary and was here to meet him when he arrived.
I had not seen Gary in two years. The last time we met it was up in Portland, OR and I was dating a woman that Gary was right about, she was no good. Gary on the other hand was dating the perfect woman for him and as it turns out somewhere in the last two years, they got married.
I was not sure what to expect when I saw him, although we chat on Skype regularly, it is just not the same as being close enough to feel the presence of another. The interesting thing about being with an old and dear friend that knew you before you knew yourself and knows how you got to where you are today, is that the adjustment period is non existent. The second your eyes meet and you exchange that warm and sincere hug that it is good to see you and be in your presence again, it is the second that you cannot remember what it was like not to be with that person. Its like you were never separated. There is no awkward moments. You are accepted and cherished instantaneously and vice-a-versa.
One of the things that happens when you get together with someone that knows you since you have been five is that you can share every thought that comes to your mind without the fear of being judged. It is so enlightening that it becomes magically and spiritual. There are times when you don’t even have to speak, but, just a glance in certain way or a raise or lower of an eyebrow, or just a smile. And I guess with the physical change of aging that happens to us, the one thing that does remain the same is your smile. How wonderful is it to see someone you love smile.
Gary arrived on Thursday night at 5 pm and just left Sunday morning at 8 am. A short stay at best, but a wonderful experience. I am so happy to have had the opportunity to bond with him in person again, it has renewed in my life the feeling of belonging to a club that is exclusive and rare and meaningful. In a world where so many friendships are fleeting or motivated by a need or business necessity, I feel so privileged to share a 55+ year old friendship based on love and understanding.
Words alone cannot express, how much I look forward to our next meeting.