F INANCIAL F O R U M
973.335.9444 WWW.BRYBECK.COM
If I Wasn’t a Financial Advisor, I’d Be Living My Musical Dreams ROCKING THROUGH LIFE
Every day I work with clients helping them strive toward their financial dreams and goals, with an ounce of protection to boot. It’s certainly a talent I’ve had to acquire over my years of training, education, and experience, but I was recently thinking about what I would be doing if I hadn’t spent my career helping others find financial security.
I certainly couldn’t be a solo artist. According to my wife Becky, I don’t have the chops for
that! I also think I would enjoy an opportunity to play in a pit orchestra on Broadway in New York City. I have to imagine it gets pretty mundane for those musicians to play the same chords and music over and over again, but what a thrill it must be to play on opening night or for some of the biggest shows.
And, honestly, I think I’d be playing the keyboard in a rock band!
Don’t get me wrong. I love the job I have today, but I’ve always been interested in music. I got my start in fourth grade doing what most kids do: piano lessons. I started on this old piano my family owned and was taught by an elderly neighbor. She was a maestro when it came to classical music, and that’s what I was expected to master.
I quit after a few years.
But my musical interests didn’t stop there. I was a band geek all throughout high school and played the trumpet. I really enjoyed the time I spent playing for the school band, and ultimately, this kept my music skills up to speed. This proved to be helpful in the 1990s when I decided to pick up the piano again. I found a teacher who supported playing classical tunes and more modern fare, and soon I became proficient at the keyboard. At one point, I was asked to play piano in a cocktail-lounge style at Drew University for a series of lectures the school was hosting. I’m proud to say I was able to play as an opener for speakers such as Barbara Bush and Henry Kissinger. I was so affordable that I played for free, but the compensation didn’t matter to me. It was the experience that counted! I often wonder what it would be like to take my musical hobby to the big stage and become a professional. I always thought it would be fun to be in a band and play for others as I did during the lecture series at Drew University, though
Unfortunately, for as much as I love playing music, I haven’t been able to tickle the keys as much as I would like to. I’ve been listening to a lot of great music, and as I’ve gotten older, my tastes have refined a bit. I currently enjoy listening to jazz music. One of my favorite bands is the English contemporary jazz band, Acoustic Alchemy. Becky and I have seen them perform many times, and their keyboardist is phenomenal. I’m proud to be a fellow keyboardist. I’m hoping to someday pick up the guitar, and I know the lifelong commitment I made to playing music will help. Even if I don’t ever grace the stage for an audience again, music is just a hobby I can’t quit, and frankly, I’m glad I didn’t give up on it after quitting piano as a kid. It’s given me more than I could have imagined — even if it’s just a few pipe dreams. —Brian Irving
WWW.BRYBECK.COM
We are dedicated to your financial success. • 1
FROM ZERO TO 300
Meet the Women Who Pioneered Motor Sports
While Danica Patrick and Courtney Force are well known as modern faces in motor sports, they’re far from the first women to cross the finish line. Since the early 1900s, women have been a constant fixture of automotive racing, including the following three who each left their marks on the sport. SHIRLEY MULDOWNEY Shirley Muldowney is professionally known in the drag racing community as “The First Lady of Drag Racing.” In 1973, she was the first woman to earn a Top Fuel license from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and, despite backlash from competitors, went on to win the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series an unprecedented three times. Twentieth Century Fox documented her trials and accomplishments in the 1983 biopic “Heart Like a Wheel.”Muldowney famously loathed her own characterization but still lauded the film as required viewing for anyone interested in the sport of drag racing. JANET GUTHRIE Janet Guthrie had her sights set on the stars from day one. A skilled aerospace engineer, she began her racing career in 1963. After taking home two class wins in the famed 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, Guthrie became a well-known figure among racing gurus. In 1976, she became the first woman to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series when she finished 15th in the Coca-Cola 600, then called the World 600. To date, Guthrie’s storied career has landed her in the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the Automotive Hall of Fame.
CREATE YOUR OWN ODYSSEY Mythical Adventures Await in the Mediterranean
One of the oldest stories in Western literature is Homer’s “The Odyssey.” This epic poem tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus’ travels were fraught with mythical monsters and magic, many of the places he visited are said to be inspired by real islands in the Mediterranean. Even today, travelers flock to these islands looking for peace, adventure, and epic stories of their own. SICILY, ITALY One of the most popular stories in “The Odyssey” is the tale of Odysseus rescuing his crew from Polyphemus, a man-eating Cyclops. It’s said that Polyphemus made his home on what is now modern-day Sicily. Fortunately, there are no Cyclopes in Sicily today; there are only cultural festivals, world-class golf courses, and delicious food. GOZO, MALTA While Odysseus’ journey was perilous, he did enjoy one peaceful stop. Odysseus spent seven years on the mythical island of Ogygia, home of the nymph Calypso. Historians suspect that Ogygia was Gaudos, now modern-day Gozo, Malta. Gozo is home to the Ġgantija temples, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids. In addition to exploring its archaeological marvels, Gozo’s visitors can also enjoy snorkeling, horseback riding, and other memorable adventures. ITHACA, GREECE If you want to chart your own odyssey, make your final stop Odysseus’ home, the island of Ithaca. Covered in lush greenery and quaint villages, Ithaca is a wonderful place to relax at the end of your trip. Visitors can enjoy their morning coffee by a seaside cafe before lounging on a secluded beach for the rest of the day. It’s no wonder why Odysseus fought so hard to get back to Ithaca! With dozens of other islands to explore, the Mediterranean is the perfect place to plan your own odyssey —minus the mythical monsters, of course.
DOROTHY LEVITT Dorothy Levitt is known for her driving skills on both land and water, setting the first water speed record and an early women’s world
land speed record. Her motor racing career started slow in 1904 due to illness and various car troubles, but Levitt eventually went on to garner a reputation for her speed and earn the nickname “The Fastest Girl on Earth.”When she wasn’t racing, she spent her time writing. In her book “The Woman and the Car,” Levitt recommended that women carry a small mirror with them for driving in traffic, effectively inventing the rearview mirror five years before it went into production.
If you want to learn more about these women and others in motor racing, pick up Todd McCarthy’s book “Fast Women: The Legendary
Ladies of Racing.”
We are dedicated to your financial success. 2 •
973.335.9444
STICK A FORK IN IT Healthy Eating Habits From Around the World
In the U.S., there’s nothing we love more than our large meat-and-potatoes dinners, but, according to nutritional experts, American-style meals are expanding our waistlines and leading to chronic medical conditions. Push back against these
and turmeric can decrease inflammation in the body while curry powder can aid in digestion and strengthen your bones and heart.
You Try It: Using your own spices, have a spice-blending competition. Taste-test the creations and decide which recipes are good enough for a repeat and which ones will go down in family history as lofty experiments. Who knows? You may just discover your family’s next favorite meal.
unhealthy habits by checking out these healthier food traditions from around the globe that your whole family will enjoy. JAPAN: THE APPEARANCE In Japanese culture, an emphasis is placed on the look and color of the meal instead of the portion size. Japanese chefs opt for smaller portions of colorful fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish to create gorgeous, nutrient-packed meals. The result is a dish that is as beautiful as it is nutritious.
MEXICO: THE LUNCH Diners in Mexico often step away from the hustle and bustle of their busy days to enjoy their largest meal of the day: lunch. Though it may surprise you, this cultural tradition has surprising health benefits. Nutritional experts point to making lunch the largest meal of the day as the healthiest dining option, especially to
You Try It: Learn the art of making sushi and other Japanese meals with your family. See what creative combinations your family can create, and vote for the best one! As an added bonus, since portions are small, meals are easily transportable to school and work. INDIA: THE SPICE Delicious spices comprise the bold flavors in traditional Indian dishes, and many even boast health benefits. Common ingredients like ginger
control weight. More calories at lunch keep hunger at bay, which means less afternoon snacking and fewer daily calories overall, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. You Try It: Short of packing bigger lunches for your kiddos, try out this style of eating during the weekends. Enjoy large, family-style midday meals and smaller dinners with your loved ones on Saturdays and Sundays to reap the nutritional benefits of a large lunch. For more information and tips on how to transform your eating habits, visit DoSomething.org. EASY SHRIMP SCAMPI
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by The Blond Cook
Ingredients
Directions
•
4 tbsp butter
1.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add shrimp and oregano, stirring frequently until shrimp is pink. Remove shrimp from skillet. Add wine and lemon juice to skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in remaining butter and olive oil and cook until butter is melted. Add cooked shrimp to skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. In a serving bowl, top cooked linguine with shrimp mixture. Garnish with parsley and serve.
•
4 tbsp olive oil
•
1 tbsp minced garlic
2.
•
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
3.
•
1/2 tsp oregano
•
1/2 cup dry white wine
4.
•
1/4 cup lemon juice
5.
•
8 oz cooked linguine
•
1/4 cup parsley
Solution on Page 4
6.
WWW.BRYBECK.COM
We are dedicated to your financial success. • 3
601 JEFFERSON ROAD, STE. 207 PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054 973.335.9444 WWW.BRYBECK.COM Securities and advisory services offered through Triad Advisors, LLC Member FINRA / SIPC Brybeck Financial and Triad Advisors, LLC are not affiliated.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
1 2
Brian’s Musical Dreams
Your Epic Adventure Awaits Fearless Women Who Pioneered Motor Sports International Eating Habits Every Family Will Enjoy! Easy Shrimp Scampi Meet the Dog Who Helped Take Down al-Baghdadi
3
4
MEET CONAN The Dog Who Helped Take Down al-Baghdadi
On Oct. 28 last year, President Donald Trump tweeted a photo that quickly went viral. It showed an adorable snapshot of a bright-eyed Belgian Malinois, tongue lolling, still wearing
ultimately died. It’s unclear whether Conan was there to track al-Baghdadi or to spot improvised explosive devices that may have been planted on the route, but either way, he performed well. According to NBC News, Conan was injured by some live electrical cables during the mission, but he recovered quickly and was back on duty within the week. Meanwhile, President Trump invited the brave pup to the White House and tweeted out a doctored photo that showed him awarding Conan a Medal of Honor. President Trump captioned the photo “AMERICAN HERO!” and he’s not alone in his appreciation for the hardworking dogs that have been helping our military since WorldWar II. “To me, they’re the first line of defense,” United States War Dogs Association President Ron Aiello told Vox after the news about Conan came out. “They’re such a great asset to our military today.” Military dogs are put up for adoption after 6–8 years in the service, which means a lucky civilian could take Conan in as early as 2022! Meanwhile, dozens of other smart canine heroes are looking for homes. To learn more about military and other working dog adoptions, visit MissionK9Rescue.org.
its camo military vest. In the caption, President
Trump explained that the pup, Conan, was a national hero who was instrumental in taking down ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
With four years in special operations forces and roughly 50 missions under his
collar, Conan was selected to be part of the team that pursued al-Baghdadi through a network of underground tunnels in northwest Syria, where the terrorist
We are dedicated to your financial success. 4 •
973.335.9444
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Publishing Software