This isn’t my usual kind of post. Most of my writing is business‑focused — strategy, go‑to‑market, leadership. But this one is personal. It’s about music, cars, and the moments I’m grateful to squeeze in between business travel.
If you know me well, you’ll know I’ve been playing guitar since I was seven years old. The blues and rock aren’t just genres for me — they’re the soundtrack of my life. And if you know me even better, you’ll know there’s a second passion running alongside it: Porsche. Both have been with me for decades, and this past week in Los Angeles gave me the rare chance to live both, back‑to‑back, in ways that made this birthday unforgettable.
Thursday Morning – Flying Down to LA in Style
I started the trip in San Francisco, boarding the company Pilatus for a morning flight down to Los Angeles. The air was clear, the views spectacular — the coastline fading into rugged hills, and then into the vast sprawl of LA.
There’s something about arriving in LA by air, especially into Van Nuys, that feels cinematic. One moment you’re slicing through blue sky; the next, you’re skimming over palm‑lined streets. It was the perfect curtain‑raiser for the next few days.
Thursday Night – Joe Bonamassa at the Greek Theatre
On my birthday evening, I found myself in one of LA’s most iconic music venues: The Greek Theatre. For anyone who loves live music, the Greek is magical — nestled in the hills, open to the night sky, and wrapped in an energy that only great music can bring.
Joe Bonamassa is one of the finest blues‑rock guitarists alive today, and seeing him live is like watching a masterclass. His tone, phrasing, and sheer command of the guitar are breathtaking. For me, as someone who has lived and breathed guitar for decades, it was more than just a concert — it was a reminder of why I fell in love with the instrument in the first place.
Friday – A Special Birthday Lunch at The Polo Lounge
The next day, Deborah and Lily surprised me with something truly special — a lunch reservation at The Beverly Hills Hotel’s legendary Polo Lounge. If the Greek Theatre was my world, the Polo Lounge is pure LA elegance.
We arrived in style, taking the obligatory photo outside the hotel’s famous façade. Inside, the Polo Lounge was buzzing — a mix of locals, visitors, and the occasional face you recognise from the big screen. The staff, knowing it was my birthday, made it even more memorable with a personalised cake.
Saturday – Porsche Experience Center, Los Angeles
If Thursday night was about music, Saturday was about my other obsession: Porsche. The Porsche Experience Center in LA isn’t just a showroom; it’s a playground for anyone who loves driving. I had an hour on their track, putting the car through its paces, feeling the precision engineering at work in every corner.
Lily got her turn too — a few laps in a 911 Turbo with a pro driver. The smile on her face said it all; she absolutely loved it. Seeing her share in that thrill made the day even better.
Wrapping Up
Music and cars have been two constants in my life. To celebrate a birthday by immersing myself in both — with family alongside me — is something I’ll never take for granted. Between the Greek Theatre’s soaring blues and the adrenaline rush of a Porsche track session, it was a birthday that blended passion, family, and gratitude in a way I’ll remember for a long time.