Here’s some stuff I’ve learned in the past couple of weeks:
- A quite large super-regional mall fund closing will be announced
soon
- There’s a search on to fill a position as Head of Business Development &
Product Development role in the real estate securities area of a
well-respected investment management firm. Successful candidate will
have At least 10+ years of investment product management,
sales and/or marketing experience in the institutional investment
management or investment servicing industries.
- Targeted for end of summer one of the industry’s leading data
providers will be launching a fabulous new website.
**
I’ve been in New York City this week. Conducting a
presentation coaching work for a first time client, visiting friends and
mucking around (as John Lennon used to say). A friend took me for a
belated birthday lunch at one of my favorite spots, Cognac Brasserie on 55th and
Broadway. They are a real deal French bistro – sidewalk seating and
all. Beet salad, Mussels, Tarte Tartin. Oh, Champagne and
a glass of Cote du Rhone.
**
“And maybe it’s the time of year, yes and maybe it’s the time of man and
I don’t know who I am but life is for learning.” (Lyrics from the song
Woodstock written by Joni Mitchell and made famous by Crosby, Stills, Nash
& Young) but more and more NYC people I know are thinking or talking about
moving out of the city...and not just to Long Island, Westchester or New
Jersey.
The main reason I’m hearing is people are growing tired of the intensity
of Manhattan, the people on the streets, the cars, the noise, the lack of
common courtesy and in some cases the cost of living.
As I’ve mentioned to you, my move from Manhattan to Arden, NC last
November was based on those factors and when I am back in NYC for business I
nod my head and say to myself, “Yup, I’ve made a good move.” My
office is still in NYC and I use it when I’m in town so I have the luxury of
not having to go to an office in Manhattan every day or regularly. But
many folks do and so moving is either not an option or a complicated one. And,
at this stage in my life, having to take care of only myself, well, things are
a lot simpler. It’ll be interesting to see if there starts to be a
movement of folks I know out of NYC – perhaps their employers will allow them
to work remotely (especially feasible if they’re on the road a lot).
As Ms. Mitchell, Joni, writes, I am continually learning about myself
and am slowly but surely finding about who I am. Some may say, “It’s
about time Steve, after all you’re over 40!” I firmly believe that
we are all works in progress and that, my friends, is one of the beautiful
things about life – there is endless opportunity to be who we want to be. Sometimes
it’s just deciding to go for it!
**
After visiting my brother in South Jersey last weekend, I spent Saturday
night/Sunday visiting a friend in Long Branch, NJ.
In the early 90’s I spent a lot of nights at a music club called Cheers
in downtown Long Branch. In addition to being the ‘house keyboardist’ and
playing in the Tuesday night jam night band, I got a chance to play with some
wonderfully talented musicians: Bobby Bandiera (Bon Jovi, Asbury
Jukes), G.E. Smith, who joined Bobby one night, Eddie Maniion, legendary sax
player (Bruce Springsteen, Asbury Jukes, Robert Cray) and others.
Someone at our brunch last Sunday mentioned that Stormin’ Norman Nardini
was playing in Long Branch the following night – last Monday. Norman
is a Pittsburgh-based blues/rock legendary guitarist, songwriter and
performer. I had the good fortune to have sat in with his trio a
number of times ‘back in the day.’ Gee, I wished I could have gone down to see
Norman but, alas, I had to prepare for the client workshop on Tuesday. Norman
is one of those many musicians who could have made it big but didn’t. They
have a very loyal local (and perhaps regional) following. It’s not
an easy business. If you ever get a chance to see Norman Nardini
perform, please send him my regards. He’s totally the real deal.
**
Final note: One Saturday night in 1991 or 2, I’m sitting in
with The Bobby Bandiera Band and Bruce Springsteen walks in dressed in a
tuxedo. Two older women and one older gentleman follow him. Word has
it that they came from Bruce’s mother’s 50th high school reunion.
Bruce goes into the back room and changes into jeans and a
t-shirt. He’s dancing and having a great time – in a safe
environment. On a break, I go up to Bruce who’s bellied up to the
bar. “I’ve got these extra earplugs that your mother and aunt may
want to use.” Bruce takes them and says, “Thanks man. You guys are
the loudest fucking band I’ve ever heard!” The irony: (a)
we were really loud (b) for Bruce who has played all kinds of venues including
many large stadiums to comment on the volume (yes, Cheers was a relatively
small club) I’ve always thought was pretty funny.
 |
| Ben, Steve, Edie last weekend |
