All I can say is.. it’s a good thing I didn’t know about those in 1988 because I may have bought them along with my throwing stars and ninja boots. Thanks for the heads up Joanna!
I attended the Big “G” Conference today put on by the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. The “G” is for generation and as a small market Lynchburg is competing for the attention and vying for the talent of Young Professionals from all around the country and the globe. As the keynote speaker The Chamber brought in Rebecca Ryan, founder of Next Generation Consulting and voted Entrepreneur of the Year by U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship – needless to say she knew her stuff. (More Info On Rebecca) She presented data from over 20,000 surveys taken by her company of Young Professionals nationwide and the part I loved the most was that she kept asking the question, “What’s Lynchburg’s Game Plan?”. She elaborated on why young professionals choose a place to live as a key component to job selection and cities that are doing it right. Places like Denver, CO and Austin, TX have championed the idea that you’ve got to appeal to a persons life instead of just finding them a job.
I could hear the disbelief of many and the fear of others as she continued to share what areas Lynchburg needs to be focused on. This has become an increasingly interesting subject of late because of joining up with the Young Professionals of Central Virginia. They are a group that is really getting there act together and I’m a fan of action, not just talking about it. I’m also seeing the fruit of many people from the past year getting things in order and now by adding a director, it’s attracting attention. The next meeting of The Young Professionals Council is next week.. and right now I’m so raring to go – I can’t wait. If you’re a young professional in the Central Virginia area, (which is a funny term – because I don’t know if I’m young or professional) let me encourage you to sign up at the website for updates on whats happening or shoot me an email, dan@danportnoy.com
I keep a cardigan sweater in my office just in case it gets cold. We’ve experienced a huge warm spell this week (mid-70′s)until today which turned ridiculously cold(freakin’ 38 degrees). So I got to break it out today and horrify all of my co workers. I think it’s great, and really essential to office life.. I figure if old ladies can wear sweaters and middle aged women can wear sweaters and keep tissues in their sleeves (which is #2 on the all time grossest thing in an office area. #1 is when coffee pot sits on a burner all day and then gets dehydrated and caked on to the glass pot…. nasty) I should be allowed to wear a sweater that would’ve been found on an fine elder gentleman who would tell stories about World War II or something else, “When I was a kid movies were a nickle”.
Tim Grahl‘s response was my favorite:
Dan: Hey tim.. it’s cold out, I’m busting out my old man sweater.
Tim: OH MY GOD, why? Please feel free not to wear that again.
Do you have any office rituals that you like to do.
Fin
Originally posted 7/1/2004
I’d like to think of my self as a person in control… some may say that I am a controller. In response i’d say it’s possible but I think to manage things and lead people .. It’s where I feel most comfortable
What I am about to tell you is horrible… so horrible in fact that I felt that I should animate it.
It saves on typing and allows me to hold on to the last shred of dignity that I have left.
This post may not be suitable for children…. Parental discretion is advised!
Tonight on a very special Dan Portnoy.com post…..
Yes… This happened to me.. I had asked God to kill my pride, I think this ridiculous and funny all at the same time.
When we arrived at me house, 5 minutes away, I was trying to figure out a way that I could not be totally emasculated and still make it to the house. There was no way, I had to come “clean” with Kristie. I told her that this very moment was the most embarrassing moment and that as soon as 4 hours this would be a great story. I asked her to go into my house and wait in the basement until I came in the house. Unfortunately my brother (Ryan) was wondering what was going on. I told him and he laughed hysterically and he got the best/worst view of me hobbling to the house, my pants filled with pudding.
I thought that by sharing this pain and embarrassment this would diffuse most of the ridicule that I would recieve. Feel free to comment or ask Kristie, Ryan or Sam about it.
In retrospect (24 hours) I think if Kristie was not one of the most attractive people I know it wouldn’t have been so bad. But alas, she is, and I’m a shlemiel.
