Tom Perkins’ Blog

Mine's bigger than yours

By Tom Perkins

Bio & Blog

Let me tell you a little story that starts back in the day when I was one of the first employees at a little startup called Hewlett-Packard—on second thought, it’s actually a pretty long and boring story. You know what though? I’ve got a big yacht. The Maltese Falcon is just so freakin’ long, it turns me on more than Carly Fiorina at a closed door session of an HP Board Meeting.

It’s got 90’ tall masts that are stiff as a young lad at a middle school dance. Hmmm … did that sound gay? I’m thinking that may have come off as a little fruity. That’s OK. When you’re a billionaire you can do things normal people can’t, like making explicitly gay comments or looking really gay without being gay.***

yacht-1.jpg

Back to my yacht. Setting sail with the wind and salt water in my face makes me feel alive and free—free as a bird—free as the highly endangered 47’ black Andorran falcon I had stuffed and mounted on my mainsail. What you thought I would settle for a silk screen? Screw that. This ain’t no Disney Cruise. Tommy P. only does the real thing.

*** Steve Jobs for instance. He’s the only straight man on earth who can pull off a mock-turtleneck without people thinking he’s gay.

yacht-2.jpg

9/20/2007 2:29 PM, Silicon Valley
2 comments

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Comments

Karen Torbett:

Tom,

While watching the lashing you took from the interview with Lesley Stahl, of “60 minutes,” I was impressed by the eloquence and humor in the way in which you handled the interview.

Instead of the interview focusing on your obvious brilliance in how you obtained your fortune, it focused on how you choose to spend it. It came across that you should be ashamed of what your hard work has accomplished. Granted, it did not mention your family background. One can only assume that the era in which you were raised and the schools you attended that you came from a family with means. If these assumptions are correct, it still should not discount the fact that you are obviously an extremely intelligent man. God gave you the gift of a technological mind as well as being a visionary.

The Maltese Falcon is a master piece. Do you think Da Vinci or Frank Lloyd Wright was embarrassed by their master pieces? Throw in Howard Hughes; he was constantly chastised for his vision. He was fortunate to inherit money that enabled him to explore and to bring his thoughts and ideas into reality. And fortunately, he was also born with a strong mind and determination to follow through on his dreams regardless of what others felt. As an entrepreneur myself, this fuels my fire.

If it weren’t for visionaries such as you we wouldn’t have near the products or technology or comforts that we have today. You have a lot to be proud of…

Karen Torbett
President/Founder
Venture Point, LLC
www.VenturePointOnline.com

11/5/2007 5:44 PM

Lucy Miller:

During your interview with Ms. Stahl, my first thought was that you were kind of cute for an older guy. There was a special sparkle in your eyes that was really sweet. However, as the interview unfolded, you sort-of morphed into a jerk like quality. Sorry for that statement. I did kind-of like you? Not sure why, but I think it was your sparkle and sweet smile.
If we were friends I would so feel compelled to ask you two questions? Have you ever thought of anyone else other than yourself? ( I guess you can blame your childhood? But really, how long will you drag the "childhood" chip around?). And, do you surf?
I do hope you find what you are looking for and wish you much Peace.
Lucy

6/2/2008 9:28 PM

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