If I Was Running A Company…Chances

I attended my alma mater’s alumni weekend festivities and attended a session where Jim Larranaga was talking about George Mason basketball.  In the session, he mention how Dr. Alan Merten, the President of George Mason University, persuaded him to be the head coach of George Mason in 1997.  Larranaga told another story of how Merten persuaded Vernon Smith, an economics professor at the University of Arizona at the time, and staff to go to Mason.  As a result of those moves, Smith won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2002 and Larranaga lead George Mason to a Final Four run in 2006.

Alan Merten’s actions has position George Mason as the number one  up-and-coming university in the United States, which leads to what organization need to grow…ONIONS!

To paraphrase what Larranaga said about his boss, “When Merten became President, he had a vision of what George Mason should be and use his networking skills to get what he wanted to achieve that vision.”  This should be what other executives mindset if they can get superstar talent.

(To get this out of they way, if your organization has numerous problems, don’t read the rest.  Your organization likely has internal problems and there are too many problems to fill.  Now, if your organization has a few problems, read the rest).

In your organization, if there is one piece of the puzzle that is missing and there is someone out there that the organizations wants, bring the kitchen sink.  If there is one (or two) piece(s) missing, the employees and executives feel they are getting close and optimism arises within the organization, but it must start with a vision in place so you can tell your organization’s current situation and tell the person why they are important.  Then, the organization tells what they’re doing great and what weaknesses they have and explain to the person why is he/she an important piece of their organization.

The best case scenario is if the superstar accepts the decision, jubilation ensues throughout the organization and anticipation comes and after a few months, the superstar meets expectations.  The worst case scenario is with all the hoopla within the organization, the superstar fails to meet expectations and demoralize the organization. 

Simply put, it is alright to take a chance at something that your organization needs.  It will give a temporary boost within the organization.  It the organization takes a chance and fails, that happens and you move on, but if you’re not taking risks, how can your organization improve long-term?  All you need is a vision, specific goals, a great workplace culture,  networking depth, and timing to force the issue.  In Alan Merten’s case, the stars were aligning in his favor because he forced George Mason to be great.

Super Saturday

I had a busy Saturday and I want to share it because I felt like it and so many stuff to tell.

It begin with what suppose to be a trolley tour to George Mason to see the old and new buildings.  Apparently, the trolley broke down on Braddock Avenue, so instead, they replace it with a tour bus that had disco lights and wine glasses.  It was a nice tour and my favorite part of the tour was the new MasonVale, where it’s 1950s sitcom style of housing and faculty live there.

After getting some grub and getting attack by bees and caricature artists, I went to a session on Being Green and actually learn something from it.  Actually, I did my own Eco FootPrint Test and actually tested well…except for food.  Apparently, if I become a vegan, I save one whole planet.  That is not going to happen. anytime soon…unless it’s Lent.

After the Green session, I headed to Jim Larranaga’s session and easily was one of the better sessions as Larranaga told stories from GMU’s teams of past, present, and future, why he came here, and the Mike Morrison story, which was hilarious.  After the George Mason School of Management Silver Anniversary Reception (since I’m with the Board of Directors), it was time to head to DC.

Initially, I didn’t have tickets for the game since it already sold out, but luckily one of my Caps Twitter friends had some tickets available.  I was able to afford it and got to go to the Caps season opener.  There were two main reasons I wanted to go to the game: hockey, and tweetups.  The hockey action was great…for the first two periods with the Caps scoring 6 goals in that span and had control of the game from the start.  Also, there were a lot of red uniforms in the stands and this is slowly becoming a hockey town.  If you don’t believe that, ask Elliotte Friedman of CBC, and yes, Pierre McGuire.

The other main reason I want to go is see my other #Caps tweeters in action and catch up on what they did over the summer.  It was like a family reunion or a Caps Hockey Thanksgiving, but we have to pay for our food.  I met the usual gang and finally met the prominent Caps Tweeters for the first time and wish I could do more of these over the season and concludes in raising the Cup in D.C.

So, how was your weekend?

Photos from Super Saturday

Reed and Dreston

This story is based on Dan Levy, who I admire what’ he is doing and very jealous of him.  Dan owns a site called 609design.com and has own podcast: On the DL with Dan Levy.  He is also a graphic designer for Rutgers University.  If you notice the big R on the football field and the basketball court, that’s his design.  This is my attempt to be in his shoes…in fictional form.

Reed Stevens was your typical college frat boy at George Mason.  He wanted to have fun and throw parties around campus.  He never came to George Mason to get an education;  he wanted fame, fortune, and notoriety.  Reed majored in communications.  A communications degree at George Mason is similar of buying a Ph.D degree at a Wal-Mart for $15.99, except that Reed spent $40,000 for four years to get a communications degree.  Reed has a blog for fun and a Facebook profile filled with pictures that are not safe for work. 

Reed wanted to be a star and take shortcuts to make it to the top.  He would take easy classes from Communications 100, English 100, and tennis class.  The only real hard part from college was Reed doing his own college radio show he did every Tuesday night.  He wanted to make an effort to entertain his listeners and the crowd surrounded the radio studio to make the best show possible.  Reed was influence from shock jock radio while growing up listening to Howard Stern and Don and Mike and decided he wanted to be on radio.  Reed wanted to have that type of show because it will bring all the attention to him and hopefully, someone will pick him up for a show.  Reed’s radio show was a hit around campus, and was starting to feel his time was now. 

Reed was not technologically advanced, so he would not know how to podcast his show through the computer.  All of his friends were frat boys who have nothing to do but work a summer job.  In Reed’s case, he wanted to have fun for his job.  So during summer break, he interned at his favorite station at WBHO-FM, which is a couple miles from the George Mason campus.  He interned on several shows, including The Sports Addicts, The Jim O’Malley Show, and the Tom Boumgartner Show.  From these shows he interned, he learned three things:  get the ladies, be bombastic, and have a dirty mind.  Right there, he knew he wanted to be a shock jock.

After graduating at George Mason, Reed pitches his show to several radio stations.  Reed was anticipating calls that his show would at least get picked up for a trial run on the weekends.  Reed never received those calls and felt dejected.  A week later after settling his emotions, Reed called the several stations he applied for.  In most cases, he got a generic answer:

“Thank you for sending your tapes.  However, we feel that you are talented; we have selected shows that are a better fit to our station.  Thank you and good luck on future success.”

Reed had many rejection letters, but the one that hurt him was the call he got from his hometown station WBHO-FM.  Reed made a call to WBHO-FM and wanted to contact a producer.  Instead, he was forwarded to Tom Boumgartner, where he got a tongue-lashing.  Boumgartner yelled at the phone saying.

“You sir, are an utter piece of @#$!.  Your shows blows dick.  You just ramble on @#$! And yapping INCOHERENTLY.  NO WONDER KIDS LOVE YOU…YOU TALK LIKE THEM.  A BUNCH OF DRUNKS THINK RADIO IS EASY.  IF SO, THEN I GOT NEWS FOR YOU…theRE is NO ROOM OF THIS CLUSTER @#$! OF A SHOW ON THIS STATION AND YOUR SHOW JUST HIT THE @#$! ON THE FAN.  YOU’RE NOT WORKING IN THIS TOWN AGAIN.”

After the call, Reed stayed silent for about 5 minutes.  It was the first time someone made him speechless.  Reed then thought about his future saying to himself,

“What’s Next?”

A week later, Reed was searching for a job…any job.  Luckily, his apartment is in the middle of the city, where there are tons of shops and restaurants.  He applied to numerous jobs, but found a job next door…Thursdays Bar and Restaurant.  Reed was waiting tables to customers.  Although he was making money, he wasn’t very comfortable at his new role as a secondary person.  For the next few months, he had the same routine.  Then, he had something in mind.

After a long day at work, Reed came home, ate dinner, and checking his email.  On his email, he received one from Colorado.  His name was Don and both Reed and Don were internet friends.  They always had a good talk, but never met face-to-face.  Don wrote Reed this email:

Dear Reed,

I hope everything is well.  Hey, just want to let you know that I started my own design clothing company in Denver called “Don-a-Design.”  I wanted to have my own clothing store after saving up all this money.  The store has been kicking ass.  I guess I hit a nerve on attracting people.  I hope you become a radio star.  I heard great things about it and congrats on graduating.  You will become a star one day.

Take Care,

Don

Reed was taken aback that someone actually like his radio show from college.  However, Reed saw a different picture.  In his spare time, Reed did drawings on an assortment of things.  He would draw sarcastic pictures of his heroes, enemies, family, celebrities, anyone was fair game.  Reed founded a couple of vendors who can use his drawings as clothing apparel.  It did not cost Reed a penny to startup an online shop for this site.  After Reed forwarded his drawings for selling, he went to work on promoting his site.  Reed promotes it on his blog and on his Facebook page.  However, he got little traction from it.  Reed tried other social networking sites from LinkedIn, Last.FM, Bebo, and others.  Those sites gave a little boost to sales, but not that much.  Then, someone forward him a link to Twitter.  Reed had never heard of it and at first glance, was not impress with its 140 characters.  Reed needed the publicity, so he tried it.  Reed’s first update was:

Hello, you can have a piece of my drawings by buying my merchandise. Please click on my site to purchase and hope you enjoy them.

After that update, ten people started to follow Reed.  Reed did not know how to use Twitter, but was impressed of the responses.  Reed also realizes he can’t act as a spokesperson for his company;  he needs to be personal about his company.  He replied to his followers and re-tweet what is of interest to him.  Reed only follows people around the DC area by using a Twitter directory and most have followed back.  Reed also followed a few celebrities just to get notice and publicity.  Reed reposted his first update to the new people and a few more followers came.  ThenReed figured out how to integrate his Twitter account to other sites, including Facebook, LinkedIn, his blog, and his shopping site.  What Reed did not know was how much he would make in his first month.

A month has passed and by not knowing the figures, Reed felt confident he would get good numbers.  Reed also realizes that his persona is back from his college, but felt he is mature and is really making an effort to succeed by having real conversations through the internet.   What Reed would not know is if the economy would affect his sales.  On Friday, Reed received his first paycheck from the vendor.  Reed opens the envelope and saw a check.

The check read…$25,350.

Including Reed’s earnings from waitering in Thursdays Bar and Restaurant, he is making around $27,000.  Reed thought of spending money on clothes or getting a new car, but he had bigger plans.

For the next 6 months, Reed was doing double duty as artist/salesman, and a waiter.  He was steady as a waiter at Thursdays, but his design merchandise business is booming.  So far, combining his earnings, he has made over $100,000 over these 6 months.  Reed decided that he wants to setup shop to sell his merchandise to the local people in Fairfax.  He quit as a waiter at Thursdays and moved on to his business.  The next few weeks, Reed went to register his new business through the city and state and find a location to place his store.  While scouting his location for shop, he spotted one that he remembers fondly.

Reed does not read the news.  He only follows sports and rates women he sees on a ten point scale.  While Reed was driving scouring for a location, he saw a “For Sale” sign over the building where WBHO-FM does their shows.  There were no cars, no logos, and no people around the building.  Reed drives home and did a search on why WBHO-FM is gone.  What happen was after a month when Reed got rejected by WBHO-FM, the station switched to the Portable People Meter (PPM) because the station that owned it, VMI Media, agreed with the other competitors to measure the audience that way.  In the old system, WBHO-FM was a hit on all demographics in the DC area.  The station usually rates in the top 5.  The PPM now shows WBHO-FM had a 0.1 rating and their top shows don’t crack the top 25.  The economy and terrible ratings forced VMI Media to cut the station, remove the personalities, and move all the stations to one area in Lanham, Maryland.  This leads to WBHO-FM building on sale.  Reed decided that the building from his childhood radio station growing up will be the place for his new store.  The problem is he does not have enough money to lease the building.  Reed was going to snap but had someone in mind to help get the store open.

Dreston Pavis was Reed’s best friend since pre-school.  Dreston and Reed discuss about sports, women, video games, and every Seinfeld and Simpsons episode to mankind.  After both graduated high school, Dreston went to Ferrum College in Roanoke, Virginia, while Reed stayed home at George Mason.  The two still talked to each other over instant messaging (IM), talking about the same thing.  After Dreston graduated at Ferrum, he moved to Chantilly to help out his family business.  The Pavises were interior designers who started the business in 1995.  Their business was steady in the first 5 years, and then exploded when the housing boom came in Northern Virginia.  The family made a lot of money and still their business is thriving.  Dreston was the account executive trying to find new clients.  The job helps him having a big bank account.

Reed came to Dreston’s apartment to have a nice get-together to talk about the old times and catching up.  It was a nice 90 minute conversation, and then Reed spit out what he is there for…to ask Dreston to be a partner.  Reed explains Dreston about his company.  Dreston agrees under one condition: a lot of sports and lot of junk Dreston owns must be sold.  Reed obliges to Dreston’s request and thus starts of a business.  Immediately, they agreed on the new company: “Reed & Dreston”.  They register their name to federal and state and were approved.  The company went ahead to get materials for the stores like hangers, cash registers, credit card machines, displays, security systems, and counters.  After a few weeks, the store is setup.  Reed was designing the name and sign for the store and a new website.  After all the hard work, “Reed & Dreston” is open…until it hit a snag.

After setting up the company’s website, Reed installed an email server with the address “@reedanddreston.com”.  They got 2 emails already:  One was a welcome from their host company, the other were the lawyers of Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen.  They sent a notice to Reed and Dreston to change the name because it’s too close to Reid and Dreesen and people might be confused of the two duos. 

Dreston asked:  “Who are Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen?”

Reed said, “Tim is the father in Sister, Sister and Dreesen frequently comes to Letterman.”

Dreston asked another question, “Then why they are suing us?”

Reed follow-up, “I don’t know.”

Reed and Dreston search for Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen.  Tim and Tom, as they were called, were a comedy duo in the 1960s.  They were the first interracial comedy duo in history.  The next search page, it showed Reed and Dreston’s company site, which Tim and Tom believed why they’re thinking of suing us.  Dreston hatch up a plan and called the attorneys for Tim and Tom.  Dreston asked the attorneys that we will not only drop the name, but we will sell Tim and Tom’s new book when their store opens and all proceeds will go to their charity of choice.  The attorneys say they will have a decision in one day.  Three hours later, the attorneys called back and agreed to Dreston’s terms.  Crisis has been averted, but now they need a new name and pay for another sign.

There were two names Reed and Dreston came to conclude: “NOVARepresent” or “703Represent”.  Reed did not like “NOVARepresent” because people from the show, NOVA, will sue us for stealing their name to sell.  So, the both decided by default to go to “703Represent”.   They re-did the signs, the website, everything.  After a week, it was time to open shop.  When they moved to the new building, the both discover an open space.

The open space contained microphone holders, a board, and bookshelves.  Reed and Dreston just entered the old WBHO-FM studio.  They looked around in astonishment that they’re in a studio of their idols.  Reed thought up a plan, but hesitated. 

Dreston asked “What’s the hold up?”  Reed then tells Dreston of something he wanted to do:

“Let’s do a podcast together!”

Dreston love the idea, but he mention to Reed

“Do you know how to do a podcast?”

Reed shook his head sideways.

Reed wanted to do this podcast badly, but did not know how to do one.  He wanted to do training online and take a class on podcasting, but he did not want to spend money just to learn more stuff.   The both did remember they had a friend who does freelance audio. 

His name was Steve, who was friends with Reed and Dreston for 10 years.  He went to USC to go to film school, but it was a crowded field, so he went to audio engineering and headed back home.  He was the audio engineer for several WBHO-FM stations until they moved to Lanham and Steve just stayed home and became a freelancer. 

Steve showed the two how to do the podcast and how to run a show and get better quality.  Reed and Dreston took a couple of trial runs and already there was chemistry on the air.  A few adjustments on the audio and they founded their sound to podcast.  The two discuss a variety of topics from sports and women.  Dreston wanted to talk about politics that Reed had little knowledge with and Reed wanted to discuss pop culture that Dreston had no interest.  The both agreed to make an attempt to cover each others’ topics.  After a trial run, Reed and Dreston did their first podcast, one week before the store opens.

They put the podcast over through iTunes and their respective social media profiles. They also announce that they’re opening “703Represent” next week and will do daily podcasts two hours before the store opens.  The tone of the show was two best friends talking anything that comes to mind and from listening to the show, you would know their best friends and you would come in to the conversation.   After their first day of podcast, there were 15 emails telling them from liking the show to liking the show with some constructive criticism.  In any case, “703Represent” had momentum leading up to the grand opening.

The store was setup like any other typical store, but each hanger had a station: There was the Liz Clarke section, the satire collection, the sports section, the sports formula (CFL, NFL, NCAA QB rating; The Duckworth Lewis formula) section, the pop culture section, and novelty items from hats with clapping hands, No. 1 Hats, Witty Saying hats, bobbleheads, beanie caps (Reed is closest knitter that no one knows about), a bunch pearl key chains Reed’s grandmother gave to him, used CD and books, and others.  Ten AM hit and the store open.  There was no line as expected since people were at work and they got a huge building to work with.  The first customer came in was an elder 70 year old woman, walking down Main Street and just saw there’s a new store in the middle of Fairfax City.  She felt unimpressed, so she left.  Then during lunch, and a few more came by and actually bought stuff.  A steady flow came by the store.  After the first week, Reed and Dreston were happy about the result.  The store, plus the online store means “703Represent” was a success.

During a routine day at “703Represent,” Ma Stevens came by to drop off lunch to her son, Reed.  Reed was not home the past few days because of the new store.  Ma made a basket of her famous egg rolls for her son.  Dreston was in the background giggling behind Reed’s back.  Ma never like the place because it was “too ugly”, but was happy that her son made money out of it.  Ma left the store and Dreston busted out in laughter at Reed.  Calmly, Reed asked Dreston if he wants an egg roll.  Dreston tried one and said, “These egg rolls are dope.  They’re Magical!!!”  Reed looks at him awkwardly similar to a look when seeing a person dancing with only underwear.  After salivating on the egg roll, Dreston hatch out a plan to sell egg rolls for $2.  Reed felt uncomfortable because he did not want his mother to be a worker and is asking too much out of it, plus she’s stubborn.  After the store closes, Reed called his mother if she can make more egg rolls.  Ma was fine with it since she has money from her son.  Ma told Reed they’re ready for the weekend.  When the weekend arrived, Ma gave the egg rolls to her son and gave kisses and Dreston laughs and called Reed “Mama’s Boy.”  The customers picked up and were buying merchandise.  Then one of the customers, in her mid 30s, asked Reed to try one of the egg rolls.  “It’s $2” Reed said.  The customer gave Reed $2 and took the egg roll.  She took a bite, and after the bite she moaned in excitement. 

The customer then yelled, “HEY EVERYONE, YOU HAVE TO TRY THESE EGG ROLLS.  THEY ARE THE BEST!!!”

Everyone ran to the register to get a hand on Ma’s Egg Rolls.  Reed tried desperate to stray away the rabid customers and at the same time, give the egg rolls for people who have money.  In five seconds, the basket was empty and everyone backed off and continue shopping.  Reed felt pulverized from the ambush of people wanting their egg rolls.  When the day ended, clothes were on the ground, some merchandise were ripped, and clean up will take a long time.  Dreston helped out and told Reed, “I told you your Ma’s Egg Rolls were magical.”  Reed complemented and thought about another great idea. 

The “703Represent” building has two floors, and the store only covers the first floor.  Reed asked Dreston to look at the lease of the contract.  The lease mentions the building is occupied by Reed Stevens and Dreston Pavis.  Notice they own the whole building; Reed had a much bigger plan. 

A few months later, Reed asked his family (Ma, Pa, his two brothers) to come by to the store for a quick moment.  The family came by and Reed blindfolded them.  They took the elevator and when they came up;  they unmasked and saw a dining area.  In a goofy hat, Reed said, “Happy Birthday, Ma!” Ma looked shocked that he would build a whole restaurant for her birthday.  That was one of two surprises.  The other surprise…the restaurant is called “Cha Gio 88,” and it is now owned by Ma Stevens and family.  Ma looked like she was going to kill someone and hugs everyone.  Reed gave a tour to Ma’s new restaurant upstairs of where the dining, the bathrooms, and the kitchen is.  Ma was fine with it, but she did not like the kitchen equipment here, so she asked Reed to get her equipment.  Reed obliged.  After that, the family headed down for their final surprise:  the customers.  The customers knew from the restaurant from Reed and Dreston’s podcast and promote it on the web.  The family does not have internet access and were surprise to see that many customers.  The customers went up and enjoy a full course meal from Ma.  They enjoyed a plate of egg rolls, a bowl of Pho, and sticky rice with mango.  Every customer was satisfied with not only the service, but the food that was given to them.  At 9PM, “Cha Gio 88” and “703Represent” closed for the day.

Who would have thought a novelty store and a restaurant can go hand in hand.  After the two stores open, The Stevens family had enough money to visit Saigon for the first time in 35 years to visit family and get new ideas for the restaurant.  “Cha Gio 88” is a popular destination for not only the casual customers, but the harshest of food critics.  Finally, Reed and Dreston have a stable business in Fairfax and are a niche hit over the internet with their online store and podcast.  They also make yearly appearances in Celebrate Fairfax and the Fairfax Fall Festival, which they also do their podcast live. For the first time, Reed felt he earned his success.  Reed wonders about the people in his past and what would change.  Of course there were mistakes Reed wants to take back, but after knowing his conclusion, Reed had no regrets.  Reed finally made it to the big time.

Tracy’s Random Thoughts March 2008 Edition

A lot of things for March, let’s go to the videotape:

1. Election 2008

John McCain is the Republican Nominee and now can rest up and find the weaknesses for the Democratic Party, which there are a plenty.

For disclosure, I am a registered Democrat since 2001 and I am very disappointed at the party is turning out to be.  I don’t blame Barack Obama for moving forward and keeping the Democratic conscience.  I also don’t blame Hillary Clinton’s tactics of gaining the nomination.  Although dirty and below the belt, she has the right to run her campaign and if she wants to do it to make the party divisive, that’s her choice.

I blame the whole debacle of the Democratic Party to the leaders.  There is no backbone to the party and no one standing up to make a stance.  What is everyone waiting for… cushier jobs? The leaders will say let the election process continue and so forth.  If that were to happen in June, the party will be split and the leaders will buckle down like the NCAA Selection Committee and go to the RPI, won-loss record, and electability.  Where’s Howard Dean, John Edwards, Al Gore, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi?  If I were the Democrats, someone must make a stance between now and April 22 in Pennsylvania.  If this continues to drag on, your party is even in more shambles than the Republican Party. 

Onto the other election stuff, I’m glad Obama mention the Rezko case and his situation with Pastor Wright.  Obama understands everyone will be targeting you and denouncing Wright’s words, talking to the Chicago Tribune Board about Rezko, and releasing his earmarks are excellent steps of an open President. 

On the Geraldine Ferraro comments, I think was Gerry wanted is that Blacks don’t have it easy as women in the high ranks of anything, including politics.  I really don’t think she’s trying to be racist, but she wants the race vs. gender card in the table and her actions and tone speak of racism.  I don’t think what she’s saying is racist, but her behavior is making it otherwise and made the campaign worse for both campaigns.

Finally, the Saturday Night Live skits with Obama and Clinton.  I think there are good writers there in SNL, but you couldn’t find a better Obama and what is with Hillary Clinton getting all the key lines?  The writers say they are pro-Obama.  Really?!!!  Are you saying that to cover your gigs?  Even MAD TV has you beat on Obama, and it’s from FAUX.  If there is a death nail, SNL has sealed their fate.  You know SNL (and especially Lorne Michaels), there are thousands of people who can impersonate Obama and you chose Fred Armisan, who can’t do a lick in that role?  You made Obama into a lunkhead, and you would all vote for Obama?  No wonder the networks didn’t want writers.

2. Eliot Spitzer

If you are the Governor of New York and consider yourself “Mr. Clean” to clean up the state and you pull this act, you deserve to be kicked out of politics.  What’s worse is Spitzer was married and has three teenage daughters.  I have no idea what these ladies are thinking, but they must be very upset and angry that a man they know who wants to clean up the state was using it for its own personal use.  Now, there are two sets of opinions I want to make:

• For prostitution to be legal, I wouldn’t mind.  Just to be clear, I oppose of prostitution and if I were the governor or mayor, I would reject prostitution to be legal because of my beliefs and values.  That said, if any mayor or governor wants to make prostitution legal, I’m fine for it.  As odd as it sounds, prostitution does make for great business not only for the company, but for the state or city economy (i.e. Las Vegas).  Having business people spending a lot of cash to be with a woman, the amount can be up to 5 digits.  It might be the last alternative, but there are some sick people who would pay a lot of money for pleasure and that amount might be golden.
• What former Governor Spitzer did is unethical to his own belief.  If it were former Governor Jesse Ventura, I wouldn’t have a problem since he wanted prostitution legal in Minnesota and he’s following his own guidelines.  On his campaign for Governor, Spitzer promised the people to clean up the states out of filth and restore order.  He did that, except for himself.  When you made a promise to the people of cleaning up the state, but not yourself, you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.  He had to resign from his position and right now is in the bottomless pit with his family.  I really do hope the family stays together and fight this off, but those odds are microscopic.

3. The Music Industry

I have heard many critics and fans say the music industry is down and because the music is craptastic and there are no elite artists anymore.  On the music front, I think there are tons of choices that people can listen to.  Most of my music came from word of mouth or my college radio station.  On an economic standpoint, it is down because the music companies don’t know how to handle this new technology.  Also, the music companies do not have a clear model of profiting from music downloads to concerts.  The music companies still believe in the CD albums and concerts by the old standard. 

I’m sad the music companies don’t appreciate Steve Jobs because he’s lowering the price on albums and singles and yet he’s the only savior of music.  Now the money distributed between Jobs and the record companies is a different story, but the record companies must kiss its feet to Jobs because if it wasn’t for iPod and the cell phone devices, the music industry would be a bigger hole. 

What the record companies need to do is let the audience choose what’s good and what’s not.  The companies are force feeding on who should we buy, but it needs to be the other way around to maximize your sales.  There’s a reason albums are not selling 100,000 albums anymore and that’s choice, but a great record would change that.  However, the record companies will not going to learn its lesson and the slump will continue.

4. Water, redux

From my general post about water, I now understand why people buy bottled water.  The EPA made a study that several cities’ water contains medical supplements and the people are drinking them.  I still hold the position about bottled water because it’s pricey, but now people, a filter for your sink and faucet might be a great idea, so get one now.

5. Mixed Martial Arts

In the next upcoming weeks, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) will be on network broadcast television for the first time and they missed their opportunity to gain a big audience.  I understand why people love MMA, but here’s the bigger problem for the sport: What’s the difference and who’s your superstar?

To answer the first question, if I hear MMA, I usually think the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).  That’s a good thing but there are several MMA organizations that you don’t know which ones which.  The MMA has become mainstream, but the problem is the sport is saturated that everyone wants the piece of the pie.  In the long-term, this could decline the sport because of money and notoriety.

Who is the superstar of MMA?  The only person I can think is Kimbo Slice, who is likely the only known superstar MMA has and would be featured in the CBS event.  Who else is a superstar?  Randy Couture retired; Tito Ortiz lost it and went to the Apprentice; Chuck Liddell was the face of MMA but lost his championship 45 seconds into the fight.  The point is if these MMA organizations believe people will see other people fight, that’s fine, but the MMA needs to know when it becomes a novelty act and is there a superstar out there to carry the sport for a long time.  Kimbo might be it, but what about the others waiting in line?

6. George Mason

It’s great to have my alma mater back in the big dance and I might be an optimist here, but George Mason could possibly go to the Sweet Sixteen.  Now, is this team better than the 2006 team?  No, but as I said to my friends, the George Mason Patriots are the original Cinderellas, the originators of the upset, and every team in the United States they look up to.  Anything can happen, even an another Final Four.  My real prediction:  George Mason to the Sweet Sixteen and lose to North Carolina.  Not bad for the Kryptonite Kids!  By the way, in my brackets, I’m going to have UCLA or Georgetown winning he title (depending what group I’m in and the prize).

That is all, get drunk after work and be sober for Easter weekend. 

Blue Man Group

Sorry if I haven’t typed for a while.  Lent season and a little nagging cough will do to you.  Anyway, a month ago, my brother, her friend, and I went to The Blue Man Group concert at the Patriot Center.  I got to say, it was alright, but their act is repetitive and nothing looked original.  It’s good family entertainment, but I wish they could done more new stuff to intrigue for the audience to go to Las Vegas.   The show had two terrible spots:  the singers were horrible, and the people they selected in the audience to do their tricks, were not interested of going on stage.   It wasn’t the best of shows, but it was quick, so it went by like a bullet.

My picture blog

If you notice, I hadn’t written anything in the past week. Well, there’s good reason, I went out for 5 days straight from Friday June 23rd to the 28th. Now, I can’t put pictures here because there’s too much kilobytes to handle, but if you go to my Facebook photo account, it will tell the story. The link is on the right side that says “Facebook me!” and click on one of my photo blogs during the SHRM Conference I went. Here are some behind-the-scene details that are not in the photos.

Friday:

• Meet all my former co-workers from CTAA to NPR. I also saw the first person from the NPR Interns of 2005, Jill. After that, I went to the National Museum of American history to see Rachel, but no luck, just got the Swedish Chef.
• Went to Reagan National Airport to greet the New Mexico State people I met last year in San Diego. Gave them gifts, gave them directions and off we go. Well, I needed a dress shirt and bought one, watch soccer, and off we went.
• The Aggies gang and I went to Adams Morgan since they were looking for great food. Went walking for one hour and finally stop at Al Castino. The food was great and it is a great restaurant with their presentation, atmosphere, and taste.
• When we left, the NMSU gang took the bus, while I went walking towards the Metro stop. Thirty minutes later, we met again.

Saturday:

• Went to the student conference (although I’m not a student) to see how my alma mater, George Mason is doing since they are hosting the event. Oh so proud of my former club, I finally did something right. It went well, except my messenger bag broke and bought a new one.
• After that, I was trying to go to a restaurant at the Metro Center, but saw there was the DC BBQ festival that I overheard. One, the event is $10 to get in, which is typical in an event. But here’s the kicker: You have to pay $2 for one ticket. Then, you hand in the ticket and ask what drink to have. Ok, that’s a little extreme; can the event have a set rate? It was solid, but it could of been better.
• My final destination for the day, the Jammin’ Java. The Brindley Brothers were playing and were releasing their new CD, Filled With Fire (Buy it at Jammin’ Java, their upcoming concerts, or their website). The reason I want to go is they were the first music group I personally met. In 2004, I was a DJ at WGMU and my timeslot was 5-7PM. Coincidently, the Jazzmans’ Cafe holds the Tuesday Jamz at the same time. The first band I paid attention was the Brindley Brothers. They gave me their CD to play over the air and I promoted their album and tell everyone to go to the Jazzmans’ Cafe to see the guys. It was then I realize I touched gold and began a series of promotions that fall semester of local artists at the Jazzmans’ Cafe. By the way, the album sounds great and they rock the concert.
• There are two pictures I didn’t post: one was a woman in a bikini in a spa (waiver issues) at the BBQ festival just to show my macho side and the second was taking a picture at the bar at the Jammin’ Java as I accidentally took the picture of the register and woman got pissed at me and I understood when I look at the picture, so its deleted.

Sunday:

• It rained hard all day.
• Went to a humorist speaker and sounded a mix between Brett Butler and Roseanne. Favorite joke: I learn line-dancing from those skinny hallways (Then demonstrated).
• Colin Powell was the guest speaker. He was great telling stories in his time in the Army and his transition phase to retirement. Sat to my former advisor at Mason.
• Made business deals at the EXPO.
• Went to the Monstertini Party at LOVE in NE DC. It looks industrial on the outside, but nice inside. Didn’t realize at the end, they ahd an arcade. After the party, the rain came hard and penetrate to the Monster buses. Then I went to the Metro and fun began.
• The Yellow Line I went to flooded and the train backtrack. then I had a thirty minute delay on each transfer (Yellow to Blue, then Blue to Orange). Got home at 1 AM Monday Morning and had 3 hours of sleep.

Monday:

• Got up at 5 AM to attend the early session. Went to the Metro at 6 AM. Got to the Convention Center at 8 AM, and it usually takes 40 minutes.
• Guest speaker was Louis Gerstner, formerly of IBM. They did the CEO Exchange with Jeff Greenfield of CNN.
• Attend a couple of sessions and picked up free stuff. Did saw my friend from GW, Stephen, at the workplace law session.
• Headed back to work to give out free stuff and hand out the Monster Spa Night to one employee (the person who got it didn’t get in because they had a limit of people entered and she stood out in the rain. Felt so guilty, I gave a tote bag with a lot of stuff in it.)
• Went to the Odyssey because the company that was sponsoring, also sponsored a great party last year in San Diego with the “Some Like It Hot” theme. This year, it was disappointing because it was one boat and two parallel parties. They should have a dinner and dance floor on one end, and a gambling table on the other. Oh, this was my first boat ride ever and although it rained, it was cool to see the Potomac River (although murky)and overseeing DC and Virginia.

Tuesday:

• Finally attended the morning session, but a few minutes late.
• David McCollugh (1776, John Adams) was the guest speaker. He was great, if you’re talking about parenting.
• Got a bunch of free stuff to hand out to the employees at Counterpart.
• Attend more sessions and headed back to work.
• At my workplace, I emailed everyone that I got free stuff. Soon, a mob of workers were coming to the HR office to get their free stuff. I got pummeled.
• Headed back to the Convention Center and saw my old friends and people I met last year.
• The Gladys Knight concert was electric and much more entertaining than last year with Hall and Oates.

Wednesday:

• Liz Murray was the guest speaker and retold her story about being the “Homeless to Harvard” lady, although she has join the HR side, yes.
• Attended one session and headed back to work.

Overall, I expected better not just of the event but the friends that I expect coming in, but didn’t and realize its the adult life. I wish the rain would of stop a few days, but it continued throughout the event. The only time it shine was the last day of the conference. Either way, it was intriguing and I wouldn’t forget these 5 days (thanks to the new camera I bought last week).

The Final Week

I still haven’t recovered from GMU’s Final Four run, but finally this is my last week. I failed; but I am trying to recover this week (Thank gosh (playing conservative) I have Friday off).

Also, I went to my first seminar and it was very interesting. I refresh on all those grammar rules we learned as kids. I didn’t know companies are the ones messing up. In the seminar, I learned:

• The postal office doesn’t require a comma on city state (i.e. Kansas City MO)
• The grocery store or any store that says “10 items or less” must say “10 items or fewer” since fewer means you actually count.
• The and situation where we list this, that and these. That was made up by Grammarians (don’t laugh). These people want to keep current and want to to reduce characters in our standard writing.

It was surprisingly effective, although the room was hot that I couldn’t pay attention.

And remember kids: you can end a sentence with a preposition.

Days 20-32, and a special moment here

I went on and off in my diet, butb I’m back on again.

The reason could be that may alma mater, George Mason, went to the Final Four. This was an absolute shock not only to myself, the county, but the whole country. George Mason may never be the same again, and I can finally say I have a legit degree. By the way, Florida beat GMU 73-58 tonight. George Mason hanged on, but Florida had motivation and too much height and luck (See Lee Humprey). Next year, most of the characters are coming back except for Skinn, Lamar Butler, and Jai Lewis. The team can win the CAA and might win a couple of games in the tourney, but wait till two years when recruiting will be an all-time high. I thought of myself as a pioneer that I was the first GMU student to intern in NPR. Now, I got company (I’m not including foot fetish lady, Sarah Kozer).

My Alma Mater

Today was my day off at work since it was Presidents’ Day. So, the best way I celebrate today: heading back to my alma mater, George Mason. I only met with the two teachers who help me get ready for the real world. The first I went was my HR advisor/teacher. I check with my organization, SHRM, which I was president. Just heard they got an $8,000 grant from student activities. Hell, I wasn’t even close; probably $2,000 was the highest for me. The bad part about my organization now is they are putting their activities together for the merit point submission. I hope they score enough points to be recognized in the conference next June.

Next, I went to my program director/teacher/advisor for WGMU. We had a variety of things to talk about from DCRTV, XM Radio “crisis”, George Mason Basketball (No.1 in the CAA and the best mid-major team in 2006 (Shut up about Gonzaga)), former classmates, the site that will never be mention and how its own by the company I detest, and the new WGMU website I am waiting to see. I also didn’t realize the US women’s curling team had a swimsuit calendar; I must get it before it’s sold out. It was great seeing my old teachers since they helped me where I am.

Before I left, I went to see the “new” George Mason. The last time I was there, there was construction behind Enterprise Hall and bus rides were 25 cents. Now, the school is building a “mall” of some sort in the northeast section of Mason, trying to attract more students. Also, now they have a mid-scale restaurant (Damon’s Grill) in Student Union I. Bunch of television sets, alcohol, and actually good food in SUB I now. My problem about the expansion is Mason might turn into a college version of a mall that stores and restaurants will bring in more students than the education value. True, colleges are competing for potential students. My problem is they taking out the main purpose for college, which is education? (Ok, make your own joke about education, but that’s why most the students are there for I believe) Seeing the trees taking out, it seems to me Mason wants to act like a city, not a community. Oh, after I left Mason, bus rides are now free. Thanks George Mason, one year later. That’s why I want to move to D.C. in the next few years because at least in D.C., you can show off your arrogance, walking down the streets, seeing monuments and museums and stepping into history, unlike Northern Virginia, where you’re stepping into company lines and terrible, careless drivers.

RETRACTION:
If you read my last blog, I mention Johnny Weir is one of the stars in Olympics for being open and actualy being real without being contrite. Uh, I was so wrong about him. In his free skate, Johnny totally choked. After that, he blamed the bus schedule for “ruining” his routine. He had black in his heart, he didn’t have his aura. I give credit that he has an aura, but c’mon, you choke, admit. Off the list.