The Beautiful Wife and I took a couple days last week and mixed some work and fun. We went to State College, PA (home of Penn State University) to look at a future building site for an apartment project. We also saw a Bruce Springsteen concert while there. The Tour Manager is a friend from when we both worked the 1978 Darkness on the Edge of Town tour.

We enjoyed catching up backstage and eating catered food, which has improved greatly in 35 years. As a young roadie, I paid close attention to some of the older guys that I respected. They became mentors, helping me learn the value of humor, competency and integrity. That’s the foundation on which I built my business.

As a Springsteen fan since 1975, I also loved the show. Bruce played 3 1/2 hours of high intensity performance. He respects his audience and delivers a memorable performance. In the video I shot below, when he says, “I’m in love with a Jersey girl,” I substitute in “Rothsville girl”.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GGwcwrzCVM&feature=g-crec-u

I enjoy getting away from home for a couple of days with TBW and having some adventures. For example, after the show, we had to drive into the night, no hotel rooms being available nearby. She’d use her smartphone to check hotels nearby, then call about rooms. We had to drive an hour till we found a vacancy, but that’s part of the fun.

Months ago TBW bought tickets for the Broadway show, “Grace” on the day that followed the Springsteen concert. She wanted to cancel due to driving in NYC after the flooding, but I, of course, convinced her it would be no problem. For once, I was right.

While in the city, I had to walk up to 57th street and see the dangling crane first hand. I was amazed that we could walk 1/2 block away and look up to see it. If it fell, we’d have likely been casualties.

As you struggle to succeed with your work, don’t forget to put lots of energy into your home relationships as well. Learn to embrace that challenge of getting both sides done well. The rewards are huge.