I’m fascinated by the two founders of Google. Probably the biggest reason I like to think about them is that I’m the same age as they are – born in 1973. What they’ve already achieved in their lifetimes is incredible. I also believe some positive “peer” pressure from them is helpful whenever I need some motivation.

However, what I don’t want to fixate upon – and this is easy to do – is their enormous, mind-boggling, Solomonic wealth. I am convinced they’ve earned every bit of it because millions of us use their powerful products (for free) every day. But what is not practical or beneficial is if multitudes of men and women on this globe are merely inspired (to try) to become enormously rich ourselves – at least not in terms of monetary wealth. At a very basic level, the world simply doesn’t have enough resources to support legions of super-rich people. We can’t all be billionaires (or millionaires) if we don’t want to strip the world bare.

However, as I realized upon reading an excellent Orion magazine article (sorry I can’t find the specific article), human beings do feel great happiness when they “possess” a nice, big healthy surplus of “riches.” In fact, we are probably spiritually and biologically inclined to be most satisfied when we feel “rich.” But the kind of riches we’re talking about is not the ability to buy whatever we want. Instead, it’s the ability to appreciate, understand and experience a treasure trove of things. This kind of riches is something all people the world over could potentially enjoy, such as: the ability to read, draw, write, and create art. To get a good education and go as far as your ambition takes you. To understand the world’s history, read its greatest books and see its greatest art, architecture and exotic animals. To enjoy family and friends and a neighborhood in community.

Yes, these things are still out of reach for the world’s poor. But rather than encouraging everyone to simply pursue increased material production and consumption worldwide, why not make the goal to increase everyone’s ability to understand and appreciate things? After basic needs are taken care of, (food, shelter and healthcare) we don’t need to buy an increasing number of things to live a fulfilled life. Thoreau showed this vividly in Walden by living a simple life in a shed surrounded by great books and good food.

While most of us won’t be happy living in a shed, I think Americans in particular could benefit from seeing how other countries use their resources in a way that makes everyone feel richer and happier. Europe, for example, spends lots of money on building and maintaining beautiful buildings that last centuries. It’s a pleasure to stroll through these parts of a city and feel a sense of shared history, and mutual appreciation of their beauty. In contrast, driving in your own luxury car to a strip mall with mediocre architecture to buy something to bring back to your big home doesn’t promote as much happiness on either an individual or community level.

In sum, thank you Google founders for bringing us your amazing products  You’ve earned your fantastic wealth. But for all of us who aren’t billionaires – we need to recognize that we too already possess all that is required to live truly satisfied, meaningful and “rich” lives.

Thanks to our baby-boomer parents who paved the entire country and decimated public transportation, today most adults in America need access to a car one way or the other. My wife and I went eleven years as a one-car family. But now with two kids at home and another due this June (yikes) we finally realized we needed to get another one.

We’d prefer to rent a car when we needed one (like Zip Cars) but they aren’t close by to our house. I also experimented with riding the bus to the train to get to work but after missing the bus a few times and then being stuck I knew getting a car was the way to go.

The big question was: what type of car? Currently our family automobile is a newer Subaru Outback and we’re very happy with how it can carry all of us around with its all-wheel drive. But for my “new used” car all I needed was something that would take me 8 minutes over to the train station which I then happily take into downtown while doing some reading.

It became clear that what I should look for is: a Beater. Yes, I scoped out Craigslist to find the cheapest car I could that would still be basically reliable and decently safe. After just one day of searching I found a fantastic automobile that brings me great pleasure every time I get inside and drive it to the Max station.  I love that: it cost me only $800, has 230,000 miles on it, has working airbags, looks decent, and does not require any washing. When other drivers ding my doors, I just smile and laugh. The windshield is cracked, the radio is terrible, and it makes squeaky noises when I drive it.

Overall though, compared to the “best” car I drove when I was a lawyer for a company in Silicon Valley – an Audi A4 – I get at least 50 times more satisfaction from this beater. Funny how that works. Here it is. (Not so bad is it!)

I had an excellent experience this afternoon taking a “Bolt Bus” up from Portland to Seattle for an immigration lawyers conference. This bus had wifi, outlets for every passenger, leather seats and a bunch of nice people onboard. Plus, it was only about $20 each way. The experience was excellent and I was able to get work done and wasn’t as tired if I had driven myself up. In fact, it was much more enjoyable than flying (no security lines) and faster than the train.

Our conference is being held at the Seattle University School of Law. I was able to walk around the campus on my way to dinner and it’s a beautiful place. I think the architecture of this university is phenomenal – lots of glass and brick and there was a funky modern chapel (it’s a Jesuit school) next to a big pool of peaceful water.

The school is set in an urban area – called Capitol Hill and I was able to choose from several inviting restaurants: “Von Traps” German sausage place, an Irish pub and a French-influenced cafe/bar called “Cafe Presse.” This cafe has rave reviews online for both food and its authentic French vibe, such as “this is probably the closest thing to a Parisian street cafe in Seattle.” I got myself an excellent Croque Madame and a beer.

Rather than read, watch tv or do work here in my hotel room, I decided to memorialize my experience here. Traveling solo certainly inspires a desire to observe and record.

Volunteering is one of the best things you can do in life. It’s amazing how great everyone ends up feeling – both the giver and the receiver. Probably the most valuable skill I have (parenting excluded) deals with immigration law. So I’m happy to offer up free legal help to someone wanting to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Agi and I are completely convinced that doing a good job with your kids — constantly teaching them and organizing their schedule, etc — is much more tiring than working a "real job" in an office and on a computer. To be a good parent you’ve got to stretch your brain to choose words kids can understand and also have serious endurance throughout.

After a good workout this morning, I’m convinced the positive chemical/physical reaction that occurs — a feeling of energy and optimism (endorphins probably) — is also similar to the effect of a number of other things, including: finishing a project, having a stimulating conversation, traveling, reading an excellent book, cleaning up. Probably, a person’s personality affects their specific list.