APRIL 21, 2026 – 40 years ago I started working for the lady that ended up being my future wife. I never really thought about a 40-year career in appraising. But, here it is in my rear-view mirror.
I had lots of time to think about what I would write. I mainly thought about writing what I have seen in the industry over the past 40 years.
In the end, I decided against such. To paraphrase Jack Nicholson’s famous character, people could not handle the truth. The second quote that came to mind was what I told my parents when I was 15 years old. This or that event or concern or whatever is not important because it won’t be remembered in 1 or 5 years.
In the end, I am learning to just let things go and not say what is on my mind. Because none of what I did in my career matters. The world doesn’t care about any appraisal I ever reviewed and accepted. So, onward we go:) As I have said for decades (I sure do like to quote myself lol), life is just a game. It doesn’t matter. Don’t take this existence too seriously.
I will say I had 2 highlight moments in my career (getting my MAI is not one of those). Guess that is better than none:) My 3rd and best moment of all will be when I post here that I am out of this industry. One day…..
I will end by paraphrasing a Bob Seger song:
40 years now
Where’d they go?
40 years
I don’t know
I sit and I wonder sometimes
Where they’ve gone

Shalom,
The Mann