I am feeling strange. Very strange, actually. I am writing this while sitting in a plane towards east. Wrong direction, frankly. At least I just found myself thinking very much about west.

”Winds from the west, coming on strong” sings Donavan Frankenreiter in my headphones, superb cool great singer from Southern California. Yes, our second home, very often thinking it should be the primary one. And a singer who has maybe one of his greatest outside-US-fans at our house, my youngest son Robin aka the world-famous The Robbyy. Just FYI, Donavan. Thanks to my youngest son, I do know and love Donavan’s music, too. In addition to Jack Johnston, naturally. It’s good to have kids; they keep you under the radar.

I am sitting in a plane from Stockholm, Sweden to Beijing, China. Heading the big east, maybe #1 economy in the world, China and further to its economical pearl Shanghai; waiting for our share in the broadcasting and cooking business. Honestly, and yes – believe or not, my first trip ever so definitely interested to see what Shanghai is all about. Despite the Big East waiting me, as I am listening Donavan’s outstanding music I found myself thinking about California more than maybe ever before on a plane during the last decade or so.

There was a time when every young man headed west. Now I have been hearing the same story about the east – naturally pretty relative issue depending on your current location but anyway, China is the new spot for gold digging. Take a look on the numbers showing and forecasting the economical growth on this Mother Earth. China, China and China. Sorry to say but I am not buying that story; there is something making me worry. Yeah, I do know what you are talking about but give me few seconds now.

Yes, the economy of China has been boosting. And so much really; Chinese companies are browsing around the world for acquisitions, including US and European Union but still, when a young Chinese guy get rich they want to go to Ameeeerica and in so many cases, to California. Good for you , dear United States of America! You will have your days to cash out all the bonds after all, I believe.

This is pretty stupid but I don’t know what is going on inside my head. Arnold and Maria, listen carefully now as this might happen to so many people around the world; for me California is the Base of all unconventional thinking; (=that’s the sounding stupid –part) the place where you see the future, the place where money faces the innovative ideas, the location of billions of business angel money. Where sun keeps shining, where great ideas become great business innovations; where you create something new. And smile. Recessions come and go, people leave and return. Now the return part is knocking the doors again.

China? Yes, very powerful country and economy with huge amount of people, nowadays also money. But; when those young innovate guys get rick why do they want to go to America? Because for the next generation, maybe two at least, California is still the stereotype picture of success! From gold diggers to Hollywood stars, from sport stars to Silicon Valley inventors. And as long as that keeps going, the Balance of the World will remain. Yes, yes, yes; Chinese people and companies are buying the state bonds and Chinese private people are flying over to California to join the foreclosures across the state and country. But why? Because they do believe that’s the place where their money keeps its value and maybe pay out some interest as well. China is the new paradise for growth and gold but not the recognized picture of success. Not now, at least.

This is pretty interesting, as we all know the financial challenges the State of California has had for years. So, State of California has its problems, every year – several times a year, actually – the state is running out of money. But what the heck, mentally California is the #1 Location in the world; the place where every rich newcomer want to settle down; from China, India, Africa and Europe. Here they come! Maybe California could be leased for 2 years to them and collect the cash?

I have been sitting on this Air China flight now for 3 hours and I have never-ever been thinking so much about you, dear California. What happened? Why you are like a magnet in the people’s mental world and same time loosing that very same position in the reality? Shit, step a few steps back and rule the world again! Arnold; I know you were in Russia couple of weeks ago – maybe you should really use rest of your term with a World Tour and play with that Californian Card! It would be worth of it, I think.

This is so strange; I am heading very fast towards Shanghai, that marvelous example of modern Chinese development and simultaneously Donavan Frankenreiter is singing to my ear that I should just freeeeeee. No, I never jump into the politics. Not my business. So I am leaving that to the level of a song. I am free to make my own decisions.

I am sailing home even that I do head to a wrong direction. California, I know this sounds strange but I think your future is here, in the east. Or actually, is it west? If you are sitting on your surfboard or paddleboard for long time, you will find yourself in China, right

Maybe that’s what this world is all about. You need to realize your value on the other side of the world and act accordingly, to take your stake and benefit of that. Yes, dear Arnold – keep traveling! I know you need to do it, not only for the State of California but for the world, actually. I can’t explain why but please just trust me and go; I know it will turn out to be such a perfect story! Because by end of the day, world has not changed so much after all. And it won’t change during the next few decades, I guess.

Dear California, I am now closing my eyes and flying over few time zones. I can see your shoreline; I can hear the waves, I can feel the sun. There you are. I know my family in soon frozen Scandinavia is seeing these same dreams tonight. I wish we could be there right now. Good night.

Everybody gonna see you coming’. California.

Cheers, California!