Archive
San Francisco Journal #1
Day 1 in San Francisco turned out to be eventful. I am in the City by the Bay for the Alan Weiss Mentor Summit. It’s a conference where all the world class consultants in Alan’s community congregate about every 9 months to learn more about our business, to grow professionally, to network, and to enjoy the city.
I started the evening meeting a couple of my own mentor clients and going out to dinner at a great place. It’s an Italian restaurant a few blocks away from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel where I am staying (in the financial district). We had a terrific dinner and a nice time together. Afterwards, several of us decided to have a nightcap in the hotel lounge.
Sitting to the table next to me was a guy who looked just like Michael Jordan. THE Michael Jordan of Chicago Bulls fame and glory. The more I wanted to dismiss it, the more I was certain. He was even wearing a Jordan logo shirt. I asked my colleagues to take a look and see what they thought. About that time, a young woman approached him and started talking to him about his career. They were literally about 15 feet away. It was definitely MJ. She asked for his picture (which he at least tried to confirm wouldn’t end up on the Internet), and chatted with him. Shortly, she returned to her seat at the bar, giddy with delight.
I thought, if she can politely approach him, I can to. As I stood up to do so, she re-emerged bearing a pen and napkin for an autograph. Geez! He was still kind to her, but looking like he wanted to return to his private dinner. As she left, I quickly stuck out my hand and said, “I don’t want your autograph or a picture. I simply want to shake your hand and thank you for years of enjoyment in watching you play.” He was also very gracious to me and smiled. We actually talked Seattle Sonics basketball for about 10 seconds. He said he loves the city and they and the fans deserve a team back.
Michael Jordan epitomized graciousness this evening. I don’t know if it always happens, but on this night in San Francisco, it did. What a way to start the week!
Copyright 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Boston Journal #3
Terrific way to end the trip. I watched my Seahawks play Green Bay on Monday Night Football at a sports bar next to the Harvard Club. We met up with my daughters’ classmate, and a former basketball player of mine. She went to college in Boston and found a job here. It was great to catch up with her to watch our hometown team. We went back to the hotel at the start of the 4th quarter and watched one of the most improbable, crazy endings I’ve seen in over 40 years of watching football. The Seahawks won on a play that was improperly called…on national television on the biggest stage! Believe me, this stuff usually happens to the Seahawks, not in favor of them!
The girls left early this morning to get back in time for classes. I got up a few hours later and headed out for a walking tour of Boston. From 8:30 to 11:15, I walked Boston. I am an avid walker, but even I was pooped! I got back, packed up, and went to a great lunch and out to the airport.
The only downer is that I am leaving my sunglasses here. Somehow I managed to lose them. Not that I’m usually hung up on sunglasses, but my daughter bought me Oakley sunglasses for Christmas and they were perfect. Who knows, maybe they will show up. I know the girls took my hairbrush with them today…turned into a hat day! Other than that, an incredibly enjoyable trip.
I’m anxious to get home and see Barb. I miss not being able to always take her with me. She took one for the team by staying home with Mom. She’s awesome.
Thanks for following. Starting tomorrow, we will return to our regularly scheduled blogs!
Copyright 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Boston Journal #2
Boston is quickly becoming a new favorite city for me.
Yesterday, the girls and I went to Fenway Park and watched the Red Sox win 2-1 over Baltimore. The game came down to the last batter being struck out with the bases loaded. Perfect weather, competitive game, hanging out with my daughters… With apologies to MasterCard, this was priceless.
After the game, we met with my colleagues from Alan Weiss’s consulting community. We all went out to dinner at a terrific Italian restaurant downtown near the Boston Garden. Afterwards, three of us found a cool, underground cigar bar and shared a cigar and scotch together. We then caught up with the others and ate dessert from Mike’s Pastries. This is a new group that has been formed within Alan’s community, and the chance to build relationships by eating and having fun together is, well, also priceless. It was a real treat to include my adult daughters in the evening.
Today was our day with Alan. We discussed a myriad of strategy and tactics related to our consulting careers. The best way to improve and grow is to learn from your peers. It was a value laden day. The girls spent the day touring Boston. I am a little jealous, but plan to do some catch up tomorrow!
Tonight, we watch the Seahawks play on Monday Night Football. A real treat to watch our home town team play on a national stage from the other side of the country. We are meeting one of my daughter’s classmates, who I also coached in basketball in high school. She went to college here, and is now working in this great city.
Full day, with more fun ahead. Stay tuned to tomorrow for more!
Boston Journal #1
Our first day in Boston was fabulous. I met the girls at the Midway airport in Chicago and we flew into Beantown together. The weather is perfect…70 degrees, blue skies, and a perfect Fall day in New England (yesterday, today, and the rest of the days).
The Harvard Club is perfect. Great old building that has wonderful ambiance, rooms, and location. We are a 12 minute walk to Fenway Park.
We found a cool restaurant in the trendy part of town near the Harvard Club. The name is Sonnies and it was featured by Giada DeLaurentis in one of her shows. We has a great meal together and then came back to the club to watch the Notre Dame – Michigan game. I have to admit the 2:30 AM start time for me got me tired!
Today, we are off to Mass, Starbucks, and Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox and Orioles. God, coffee, and baseball. Now that’s a good day! Dinner with my colleagues tonight prior to our meeting tomorrow and maybe closing out with a little Sunday night football. I do miss my wife, Barb. I wish she could be here enjoying the time with us. I do love Skype so we can still talk!
Time to head to Mass. More later on my Boston journal. I hope you will check in and see our adventures!
P.S. – I did learn that in these really old New England buildings, it takes FOREVER for the hot water to come up 4 stories!
New York Journal # 3
Great day on Tuesday. Barb and I spent the morningworking with my professional mentor, Alan Weiss. I highly recommend thistype of involvement with a coach or mentor to re-define, reinvent, and focus energy.
We were done about noon, which gave us more time to hang around the city. We walked around Madison Avenue and Bryant Park. The city was full of Occupy protesters and police. Although we were constantly hearing sirens, all that we saw was peaceful marching and no issues. We never felt unsafe. Unfortunately, in my home city of Seattle, a bunch of lunatics thought it made sense to break store and car windows and cause general mayhem and havoc. Go figure, I was safer in New York than in Seattle while wandering the streets.
New York does it right as far as protection. The police everywhere, and I mean everywhere. They are also much better prepared and forward thinking. Certainly, they have every reason to be, but Seattle and Portland can learn a lesson.
We went out do dinner last night with Alan and his wife and then to Evita on Broadway. Elena Roger is the first Argentinian to play Eva Peron on Broadway and she was brilliant. I also thought Ricky Martin performed admirably. All in all, a terrific production.
Today is travel day. Raining like Seattle, so we feel at home…
2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
New York Journal # 2
Monday was play day in “The City” for Barb and me. Her first time in New York and we wore out our shoes! Here is a quick snapshot of what we did…
- Met with the sister of a good friend who works at Viacom in Times Square. We atebreakfast with her and got a nice tour of the Paramount Pictures preview theatre and other cool things, including Forrest Gump’s bench.
- We went to the Top of the Rock…Rockefeller Center. Some 70+ stories in the air, we had the best 360 degree view of the area. It was a beautiful day, so ideal to view Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and New Jersey.
- We attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
- I bought a very cool fedora after gaining text affirmation from my daughters.
- Lunch at the Pershing Cafe next to Grand Central Station. We also “toured” Grand Central, including the market.
- A hike to Central Park, where we found a comfy bench and relaxed in the sun.
- A fun night with friends who live here – Times Square and then a subway trip to Soho to eat at the oldest pizzeria in the country, Lombardi’s. We ate….pizza!
That was a full day. Stay tuned for our further adventures…
2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
New York Journal # 1
One and a quarter days into our Big Apple experience and we are having a simply terrific time. Just like to famed “New York” minute, our time her has flown by. Let me give you a recap…
- We arrived on Sunday late afternoon. We were picked up by the town car and I started a conversation with the driver, Eduardo. Turns out he’s from Colombia (my heritage) and we had a great conversation. He gave me a chance to practice my conversational Spanish, and I did pretty well if I say so myself!
- Sunday night we walked over to Rockefeller Center. The line was too long to go to the top and watch the sunset, so we found a great little burger joint and grabbed dinner. The place is inside Rock Center and is called Bob’s Burger & Brews. I had a juicy burger, but substituted the brew for a smooth Malbec. Nice way to start.
- We are staying at the Princeton Club in Manhattan. The reciprocal arrangement with the Washington Athletic Club gave us the opportunity. It’s a nice place in a superb location right near Times Square. One of the cool things about it is outside they fly several school flags. A University of Washington is proudly flying the purple and gold among them. I feel right at home!
That wa just Sunday. I’m getting prepared to visit Alan Weiss for the business part of my trip. After that, I will catch you up on a whirlwind Monday.
P.S. for some reason, my photo stream from my iPhone to iPad doesn’t seem to be streaming. Photos will follow…
Chao for now!
Off to the Big Apple
I am heading out for New York to meet with my professional mentor, Alan Weiss. It’s my turn to jump in the “total immersion” pool. I have a ton of new “irons” percolating in the fire and I need help to get them moving in the right direction. You can’t be brilliant by yourself.
The timing is right. I’ve had a terrific first quarter, but the game is just starting for the year. Forward momentum is crucial for business. When I coached basketball, my biggest in-game concern was always momentum. I always substituted and made changes based on who had the momentum, which can change in an instant. In fact, we had specific practice drills to emphasize momentum. It was that important. It’s that important for your business, too.
What are you doing in the 2nd quarter of your game to build momentum, not just try to maintain? The end of halves are vital in basketball games, and in business games.
Alan Weiss and me
If you’re not careful and become complacent, you’re in danger of having the pendulum swing. It becomes really hard to turn it back, and requires effort, time, and often money.
I hope you will be keeping track of me as I bounce around the Big Apple. I am happy to be taking Barb for her very first trip. Pictures, posts, and surprises to follow on this blog right here! Stay tuned!
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Providence Journal # 3
Alan Weiss and me
Today was spent with Alan Weiss and a terrific group of consultants from around the country to talk about how to “Turbo Charge” 2012. I’ve never been to an Alan Weiss event where I didn’t learn something new and get tremendous value. Today was no exception.
Favorite Alan quote from today’s session…
“Stress is either internalized and makes you sick; or externalized and makes others sick.” Alan Weiss
Home tomorrow…
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Providence Journal 2
Yesterday, the highlight of the day was heading into Providence to eat at a little “dive” that Food Network star Guy Fieri featured on his show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The joint is called Liberty Elm Diner and it looks like a dive. But once inside, the food and the people were great. The taxi fare was double what I paid for lunch, but who cares, it was fun.
The rest of the day was spent doing a planned teleconference (love technology), keeping up with emails, and keeping tabs on my nephew’s high school basketball team in the state tournament. Barb was there tweeting me results during the day. His team won and they can earn a right to play in the championship game with a win today. If they do, I will be back in time to be there. Go Titans!
I’m ready to head off to Alan Weiss’ workshop (the real reason I came) with one of my mentor clients. We had a terrific dinner last night at Legal Sea Foods. If you ever go and they have the flounder…get it.
By the way, I’ve started a fun little blog just for fun. It’s all on food and cooking. Well, maybe mostly eating. Check it out here.
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
