December
23, 2005
Merry
Christmas and Bah Humbug. I’ve been busy
these past few months and have been getting out, going to assorted events,
keeping in touch with various people, lunching, dinnering and theatering. I vacillate between resurrecting this
newsletter in a big way and adhering to my promise of a series of reunion
events. But it gets disheartening when
you meet up with people who don’t follow through or drop the ball. And, I’m tired of holding the ball all the
time. So, I go about my life,
volunteering in different venues that mean a lot to me and I’m living my life
here in the Great Big Apple, while the world goes on and while dramas play out
in the stage of life. So, without much
more further ado, here are my journal entries, as it were, for some things over
the past two months. Enjoy, or not. Doesn’t matter to me. Okay, it does matter, which is why I still do
this and why I still love you all! :)
NOVEMBER
November
10, 2005
While
the rest of my office was enjoying a private viewing of the new observation
deck, Top of the Rock, at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, I was serving Veuve
Cliquot to private equity investors at the New York Chapter of the Association
for Corporate Growth’s Private Equity Marketplace & Wine Tasting at the New
York Athletic Club. Bert Alimansky was
there, as was Neal Lorberbaum [nlorberbaum@optonline.net], who now got a good
gig going consulting. It’s always
encouraging to see how healthy the private equity marketplace is. There’s lots of money out there people, so go
get it!
November
15, 2005
Another
prolific and successful friend, Ms. Stacy Horn
[http://www.echonyc.com/~horn/restless/]
was reading an excerpt of her book “The Restless Sleep” at the KGB bar
on East 4th Street. Not only was it
riveting, but it’s so very sad to think of all the people, all those souls, who
have been extinguished before their time, and who’s files, if not solved sooner
than later just get boxed up and moved into the basements of precincts until the
precincts move and then just tossed.
That’s only a fate I’d wish on my most favorite enemies... Stacy read to us about a young woman who’d
been murdered in her 20s...never to be solved.
Considering the popularity of these types of dramas on television and
movies, I’d recommend checking out this fascinating read too!
November
19, 2005
Upon
Jim Sosnicky’s [http://www.iraqorsomething.com/ -- most recent writings] recommendation I went to
see Synapse Production’s [http://www.synapseproductions.org] of George Orwell’s
Animal Farm.
[http://www.synapseproductions.org/whatson/afinfo.html] I’d met the Artistic Director and Founder,
Ginerva Bull, at one of his famous cocktail gatherings “back in the day.” It’s nice to know that there’s some real
thinking theater out there. Animal Farm
is on national tour right now, but you can find other great meaty pieces at the
Connelly Theater on East 4th Street.
Check out all their productions!
November
21, 2005
Back
in the East Village I went to the famous La Mama Theater
[http://www.lamama.org/] to hear my friend Donysha Smith in the Poetry Electric
Series. Getting to hear a spectrum of
woman speak about their life experiences, which are as different as they were,
was another treat that’s so easy to sample in NYC. Hosted by William Electric Black, we heard
Donysha, Michelle Valladares, Ilka Scobie, rap, swoon or sway with the rhythm
of their words, mesmerizing us with the melodies and words marinated in
meaning. Her next performance is Monday,
January 16, 2006 in the amplified poetry experience of “Rock Poets,” which is
spokenword meets rock n roll.
November
22, 2005
The
very next day I had a delightful lunch with Ms. Fran Pomerantz of Korn/Ferry
International [http://www.kornferry.com/].
We dined on miso soup and sushi at SushiZen on West 44th Street, which
fit the bill (when it finally arrived!--I think they went out fishing just
after we placed the order).
Nevermind. It was more time to
chat with Fran and get to know one another. Our connector was the prolific Mark
Jeffrey [http://markjeffrey.typepad.com/]
And, as with all good connections, we found lots to talk about between
the “old days” and life in NYC (she just moved here) and the placement services
business today.
A
Special Report from our famous intrepid reporter ~ Tamar Alexia Fleishman
Interview
with Country Music Showman and Entrepreneur Two Foot Fred
Freddie Gill, or as he known in country music circles, "Two Foot Fred", has created a whirlwind of a career for himself, despite having a form of dwarfism as diastrophic displaysia. I spoke to him by telephone and he assures me that "other than size," he's in perfect health. Freddie is a graduate of Ball State's prestigious entrepreneurship program, one of the top programs of its kind in the U.S.
Freddie was the consummate businessman, with restaurants, pubs, real estate and even a spice company called Phat Freddie's, when a series of e-mails changed his life. Anyone who knows my life story can understand why I just had to talk to another person who got into "the biz" with a bunch of e-mails. Several years ago, Freddie met country star John Rich at Nashville's annual fan gathering, Fanfair. They exchanged e-mail addresses and a couple years later, Rich let Freddie know that he was putting together a band, Big and Rich, and would love to feature him in their videos. He has since appeared on stage and in videos with Big and Rich, Cletus T. Judd, Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson. He's even directed two videos himself! His web site, where you can see videos, catch concert dates and buy stuff is www.twofootfred.com.
You have a spice company; how'd you get into that?
"I owned a full service steak house, four or five years ago. I played with spices. I made some blends and went to a spice company. I asked if we could manufacture this on a large scale, and the answer was "yes". I have four blends and two pure spices."
Why do two pure spices?
"They pure garlic and pure onion, so people could add them to the blends to suit their taste, turn things up a little."
You took entrepreneurship classes at Ball State; what was your first career goal?
"I always wanted to own a restaurant. I did that for a while, but it was too time consuming, a restaurant consumes all of you. I have to be a little more free."
You started working with Big and Rich through a series of e-mails. But I would imagine that John Rich doesn't just give his e-mail to anyone.
"John Rich has this uncanny ability to see the potential in people. He did that with Gretchen Wilson and he did it with me."
How do you keep a handle on all your businesses?
"Through the Internet and e-mails. The Internet's awesome. At first it was hard, though. I answer all the e-mails I get through my web site. It's something I do consistently, I'm proud to do it. I wouldn't want anyone else to answer my mail, I wouldn't want anyone putting words in my mouth."
Freddie Gill, or as he known in country music circles, "Two Foot Fred", has created a whirlwind of a career for himself, despite having a form of dwarfism as diastrophic displaysia. I spoke to him by telephone and he assures me that "other than size," he's in perfect health. Freddie is a graduate of Ball State's prestigious entrepreneurship program, one of the top programs of its kind in the U.S.
Freddie was the consummate businessman, with restaurants, pubs, real estate and even a spice company called Phat Freddie's, when a series of e-mails changed his life. Anyone who knows my life story can understand why I just had to talk to another person who got into "the biz" with a bunch of e-mails. Several years ago, Freddie met country star John Rich at Nashville's annual fan gathering, Fanfair. They exchanged e-mail addresses and a couple years later, Rich let Freddie know that he was putting together a band, Big and Rich, and would love to feature him in their videos. He has since appeared on stage and in videos with Big and Rich, Cletus T. Judd, Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson. He's even directed two videos himself! His web site, where you can see videos, catch concert dates and buy stuff is www.twofootfred.com.
You have a spice company; how'd you get into that?
"I owned a full service steak house, four or five years ago. I played with spices. I made some blends and went to a spice company. I asked if we could manufacture this on a large scale, and the answer was "yes". I have four blends and two pure spices."
Why do two pure spices?
"They pure garlic and pure onion, so people could add them to the blends to suit their taste, turn things up a little."
You took entrepreneurship classes at Ball State; what was your first career goal?
"I always wanted to own a restaurant. I did that for a while, but it was too time consuming, a restaurant consumes all of you. I have to be a little more free."
You started working with Big and Rich through a series of e-mails. But I would imagine that John Rich doesn't just give his e-mail to anyone.
"John Rich has this uncanny ability to see the potential in people. He did that with Gretchen Wilson and he did it with me."
How do you keep a handle on all your businesses?
"Through the Internet and e-mails. The Internet's awesome. At first it was hard, though. I answer all the e-mails I get through my web site. It's something I do consistently, I'm proud to do it. I wouldn't want anyone else to answer my mail, I wouldn't want anyone putting words in my mouth."
www.twofootfred.com
The
Renewable Hydrogen Foundation – an update from John Bates
[http://johnbates.com/], who is now the Director of Membership of the
foundation [http://www.renewablehydrogen.org]
Are
you tired of paying so much at the pump? Are you worried that the rise in oil
prices will fuel inflation, or worse? Do you wish we had energy security,
instead of dependence on often unstable and unfriendly foreign suppliers? Would
you like to do something about all this? Then meet The Renewable Hydrogen
Foundation. We believe that oil prices will
continue
to rise dramatically, though erratically, and that urgent action is needed now.
Action that paves the way for alternatives to oil. Joining The Renewable
Hydrogen Foundation is a vote for the incredible resourcefulness of people,
both in America and the World. Unlike the
pain
at the pump, this is a vote for a cleaner, healthier, and renewable future. We
are proud to invite you to join the The Renewable Hydrogen Foundation team. We're launching our very first
membership drive ever and we want you to take this opportunity to join us. At The Renewable Hydrogen Foundation we
develop and deploy alternative fuels, and ways to produce them that are cleaner,
safer, and more sustainable. We have world renowned scientists, and active,
forward thinking citizens working together to create and implement an
alternative fuels and energy agenda apart from industry or governmental
pressures. You can find more at our website,
http://www.renewablehydrogen.org/security. Please click the Join Us link and
become a member today. You are the vanguard of a new age and we salute you!
NIGHT TRAIN, Kentucky's
hard core Southern rock band, can be heard on the playlist of www.43thehawk.com
and very soon on www.allsouthernrock.com for free! But, don't miss the live
shows with Dave "Chico" Prince, Bobby Lee Adkins and George Ray --
for show dates, movies, confessing your sins and cool black t-shirts designed
by award-winning artist Tim Hall, check out www.8thgradebride.com.
HOLIDAY PARTIES!
Woowee. Things are picking up in New York City. There were on average four holiday parties
that I was invited to each week in the month of December. But I’ve been a very bad girl and didn’t go
to any of them! I know, I know. Coal in my stocking this year. (Well, if I give it enough pressure it could
turn into a diamond, right?)
And this year’s
line-up:
HWH PR --
http://www.hwhpr.com/PR/HWHinvite/invite.html
Steve Masur and his law
offices -- Thursday, December 8th, 6pm - 9pm, D-Lounge, 101 East 15th
Street
MOUSE – seeking donations
for their annual fund. There’s good
karma in that! http://www.mouse.org/annualfund/
Webgrrls NYC – They have
a lot to celebrate this year! They’ve
reinvigorated the chapter, renewed the activities, and created some great
momentum for 2006. Also, Webgrrls NYC is the first and largest chapter of
Webgrrls, started in 1995, by Aliza Sherman (who’s moved onto AMAZING NEW
THINGS – [http://www.mediaegg.com/]), and this year is our
10th anniversary! Come and celebrate with us at Gaetana, a
charming Italian restaurant in the heart of the West Village. Wednesday, December 7th, 2005, 6:30 - 8:30
PM. http://EventMe.com/Link/zbDbR8gzBaA/0/xHaOb5zEpSU.aspx
SAJA Holiday Party --
Wed, Dec. 7 at Maharaja, 6:30-10:30 pm
The annual Asian American
Journalists Association-New York Chapter Holiday
Party! Held at the swanky
Bentley Hotel. Come catch up with old and new AAJA friends and get sweeping
views of New York landmarks, the 59th Street bridge and the East River at the
Bentley Hotel's indoor rooftop bar! Meet the new 2006 AAJA-NY leaders. Get a chance to win door prizes and bid on
fabulous holiday gifts at a LIVE auction including tickets to see "The
Daily Show with Jon Stewart," spa packages and beauty baskets. (All proceeds will go to the AAJA-NY High
School Scholarship Fund) Date: Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, Time: 9 p.m. to midnight
