Today, my usual Starbucks excursion was derailed. As I waited in the drive thru lane for my Quad Expresso Macchiatto with foam to the top, I was told by the Barista, that the steam machines were not operating, therefore, No Starbucks! Disappointed, I drove off, knowing that I would visit another Starbucks on my radar.
Upon arriving at that Starbucks, the Barista, an Asian woman I have known for five years, smiled as I walked in. She didn't even ask me for my order- as she remembered my drink. We chatted for a few minutes, since I hadn't seen her in awhile. I asked her how her daughter was. She replied, "She's going into the third grade!" "What?" "Where has the time gone"? I said. When I first met her daughter, she was three years old. Now she's eight!
She proceeded to tell me about her daughter's dream to become an Olympic Ice-Skater. I smiled as she was telling me the story. She said her daughter, Monica, went as far as drawing a picture of an ice-skater, with spotlights shining on her, and put it under her pillow one night, and told her mother that she was going to dream about being an Olympic Skater! Tears welled up in my eyes. The thought of an eight year old, having a passion to be an Olympic Skater and knowing that she will achieve her dream. The woman said, "I am not sure where she is getting this from, because I was never like this!" She's telling everyone, her teachers, her friends." I looked at her and said: "You have to make this happen!" Smiling she said, "Yes, I don't know how I am going to do it, being a single mother, but I will do everything I can to help her achieve her dreams but it's going to cost a lot of money!"
As I left Starbucks, I thought to myself. There is something very special about that little girl. To have not only the dream and the passion to know what she wants- at eight years old, but then to visualize it on paper, is very powerful. I am sure she doesn't even know about "The Secret!"
I believe that there are no coincidences in life. There's a reason I went to this other Starbucks. Perhaps it was just to hear the story - of a little girl - who's dreams and passion inspired me, or a lesson to be learned. Perhaps it was just to share this story with you.
Whatever the reason, I walked away knowing these things: The power of thought + passion = achieving your dreams. To achieve those dreams, you must focus. Pinpointing exactly what you want - not what it will get you is the message. This eight year old was focused on being an Olympic Ice-skater. She visualized how it would look. She didn't visualize any other desire.
Perhaps that is the lesson for each of us!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A Show Was Born....On the Red Carpet of Spam-a-lot!
My first Radio on-air experience began with the interview on Regenerative Medicine. But what followed was more like the Divine Intervention!
The Red Carpet was overwhelming. I didn't quite expect what I found. Wall to wall people, cameras, and reporters all jockeying for position in the line - all wanting to get first dibs on whoever appeared first. I was placed at the very end of the line - the place where the celebrities couldn't wait to get off the Red Carpet! I was nervous. I didn't know what to do - I wasn't totally prepared, because I didn't have Google with me. I was positioned between the woman from the NY Times and Richard Abowitz who was reporting for the LA Times. Norm Clarke, The Las Vegas Confidential, from the Las Vegas Review Journal was milling around. I was still focused on getting into the party...where I would find George! (Great imagination!)
John O'Hurley, his wife Lisa, and their newborn baby were the first to arrive on The Red Carpet. I was listening to all the reporters ask questions... they all asked the same ones. I became a little discouraged, thinking if I was a celebrity, I would be bored with the interviews after the second person. It was at that moment I decided I didn't want to ask any questions. I would rather interview them for twenty minutes in the radio studio where I could get one on one time.
I just watched and listened. At this point, Norm Clarke started to badger me to get in the line to ask questions. I replied, "No, it's ok...you go ahead." I listened to Richard Abowitz's questions, and he was the only one to impress me. I thought, "Wow" this guy knows his stuff. I need to stay close to hear what he has to say!" The next in line was Eric Idle, one of the creators of Monty Python. Norm, once again was harassing me to get in line. I was perfectly content in listening to Richard. I stuck my microphone out there just to record what he was saying so that if I needed the soundbites, I would have some good material.
Next up, Robin Williams. Now Norm is yelling at me to get in line to interview Robin. I told him sternly, I don't work for you....what's the deal? I don't want to interview Robin! What am I going to ask him that five people in front of me already asked?" Norm just looked at me and said, "Well, I'm not interviewing him...he's all yours! At that exact moment, Norm jumped out of the line, and standing right in front of me, was Robin Williams. I looked at him and smiled. He smiled back. Seconds felt like an eternity! I had no idea what I was going to ask him. All I could think of was his days as Mork! That wouldn't work!!!! I smiled again...here's where the Divine Intervention took place. I said, "Hi"... pausing.....smiling again! You can see Robin getting agitated. I had to come up with something...Now! I looked at him and said...."I'm the Vegas Insider....give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about!" Robin stopped his antics...looking at me inquisitively - and said... "What???" I said... "Tell me something that no one knows about you... give me some shit!" You know...dirt!!!" He started to laugh...and rattled something off...
I am not sure what he said, or even where that came from, but I knew something just happened! I didn't have time to fall on my knees and thank the Lord, Steve Martin was next up. Looking at Steve, I said, this time more confidently, "I'm the Vegas Insider - give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about". He laughed, catching him off guard as well. He said -" OK - I am writing a book that no one knows about - and started to tell me about his book, "Born Standing Up!"
Next was Ben Vereen... and the Dancing with Stars guys, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Tony Dovolani. Maks professed that he was not having an affair with his partner. He lied! And....I called him out on it! He hugged me after that! Smooth operator that guy!
Everything else after that was a blur. I never did get into that party. George Clooney was not there. I actually forgot about him - for a brief moment!
What occurred on the Red Carpet that night changed my life! Born on the Red Carpet to Spam-a-lot, was, "The Vegas Insider!" That became the name of my radio show, and the very last question I would ask my guests during their interview. Quite confidently I would ask, "I am the Vegas Insider, give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about....." The answers I received....well...that's a whole other story!
I received a media alert about covering the opening of Spam-a-lot at the Wynn in Las Vegas. At that point in my life, I had never been on a Red Carpet, nor a celebrity studded event. The roster included
A- list celebrities including Diane Sawyer and her husband Mike Nichols. In my mind, all I was hoping for was to get a glimpse of George Clooney. I had no idea if George would be there, but my intent was to make sure I was there if he was!!! I was determined to meet him - (which I did at a later time!)
The Red Carpet was overwhelming. I didn't quite expect what I found. Wall to wall people, cameras, and reporters all jockeying for position in the line - all wanting to get first dibs on whoever appeared first. I was placed at the very end of the line - the place where the celebrities couldn't wait to get off the Red Carpet! I was nervous. I didn't know what to do - I wasn't totally prepared, because I didn't have Google with me. I was positioned between the woman from the NY Times and Richard Abowitz who was reporting for the LA Times. Norm Clarke, The Las Vegas Confidential, from the Las Vegas Review Journal was milling around. I was still focused on getting into the party...where I would find George! (Great imagination!)
John O'Hurley, his wife Lisa, and their newborn baby were the first to arrive on The Red Carpet. I was listening to all the reporters ask questions... they all asked the same ones. I became a little discouraged, thinking if I was a celebrity, I would be bored with the interviews after the second person. It was at that moment I decided I didn't want to ask any questions. I would rather interview them for twenty minutes in the radio studio where I could get one on one time.
I just watched and listened. At this point, Norm Clarke started to badger me to get in the line to ask questions. I replied, "No, it's ok...you go ahead." I listened to Richard Abowitz's questions, and he was the only one to impress me. I thought, "Wow" this guy knows his stuff. I need to stay close to hear what he has to say!" The next in line was Eric Idle, one of the creators of Monty Python. Norm, once again was harassing me to get in line. I was perfectly content in listening to Richard. I stuck my microphone out there just to record what he was saying so that if I needed the soundbites, I would have some good material.
Next up, Robin Williams. Now Norm is yelling at me to get in line to interview Robin. I told him sternly, I don't work for you....what's the deal? I don't want to interview Robin! What am I going to ask him that five people in front of me already asked?" Norm just looked at me and said, "Well, I'm not interviewing him...he's all yours! At that exact moment, Norm jumped out of the line, and standing right in front of me, was Robin Williams. I looked at him and smiled. He smiled back. Seconds felt like an eternity! I had no idea what I was going to ask him. All I could think of was his days as Mork! That wouldn't work!!!! I smiled again...here's where the Divine Intervention took place. I said, "Hi"... pausing.....smiling again! You can see Robin getting agitated. I had to come up with something...Now! I looked at him and said...."I'm the Vegas Insider....give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about!" Robin stopped his antics...looking at me inquisitively - and said... "What???" I said... "Tell me something that no one knows about you... give me some shit!" You know...dirt!!!" He started to laugh...and rattled something off...
I am not sure what he said, or even where that came from, but I knew something just happened! I didn't have time to fall on my knees and thank the Lord, Steve Martin was next up. Looking at Steve, I said, this time more confidently, "I'm the Vegas Insider - give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about". He laughed, catching him off guard as well. He said -" OK - I am writing a book that no one knows about - and started to tell me about his book, "Born Standing Up!"
Next was Ben Vereen... and the Dancing with Stars guys, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Tony Dovolani. Maks professed that he was not having an affair with his partner. He lied! And....I called him out on it! He hugged me after that! Smooth operator that guy!
Everything else after that was a blur. I never did get into that party. George Clooney was not there. I actually forgot about him - for a brief moment!
What occurred on the Red Carpet that night changed my life! Born on the Red Carpet to Spam-a-lot, was, "The Vegas Insider!" That became the name of my radio show, and the very last question I would ask my guests during their interview. Quite confidently I would ask, "I am the Vegas Insider, give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about....." The answers I received....well...that's a whole other story!
Friday, June 3, 2011
An Opportunity That Surprised Me!
Several years ago, I had the great fortune of having my own radio show. At first, I was thrilled at the opportunity. But then, I became nervous. I began to think it through. I had Television interviewing experience, but Radio was a whole other story. To be an interviewer on Radio, you had to be more animated, much more interesting, and you had to tell the story with "theater of the mind!" There weren't any pictures to help the listener "see" what you are talking about. It was then I realized that I was in "way over my head!" I thought I could tiptoe out of the situation gracefully, but the station manager was adamant. "You can do this," he said. I had my doubts. Taking a deep breath didn't help. My adrenaline was pumping, heart racing, and panic attacks set in. The only thing I could think about was that I had to research my topic and be on top of my game. The topic: Regenerative Medicine! I am laughing now, but at the time I thought to myself, what the hell do I know about this topic?
Google to the rescue, I researched everything I needed to know about Regenerative Medicine. Fortunately, there was a connection in my life. One of the largest research centers on this subject was Duke University. Living in North Carolina, and knowing about Duke - I had made a connection. Pages upon pages of research was done. I felt as though I was writing a thesis on the subject - I could have gone to Grad School if I really wanted to do all this work! In the end, I felt I was fully prepared.
The day of the Radio Show, I was nervous. My Production Director calmed my nerves by telling me the beauty in recording a show is that he can edit it. Music to my ears. The guest came in. He is the President of Nevada's Biotechnology and Bioscience Consortium and the Executive Director of Regenerative Medicine Organization. His title intimidated me! Oh, how I wished I paid attention in my Science classes. It was not my favorite subject!
Tape rolled, I was cued to go, the introductions were made, and the interview started. I had a list of questions on a piece of paper, but I didn't even look. Once I began, I could see the expressions on my guests face. I started to feel more comfortable and confident. I felt there was a rhythm to the interview. Almost as though music was playing in my head. Each question had a certain tone, and a beat. I felt like the drummer and the orchestra was following my lead! Quantum physics couldn't even explain the momentum. The interview - was flawless! Twenty minutes felt like five, and I didn't want to stop. I was bitten by the bug!
The PR Representative, and my guest were both impressed. They wanted to know how I knew so much about the subject. They both mentioned that of all the interviews they had done, I was the most versed on the subject. I smiled, and said: "This was my first Radio interview!
The look on their faces, was priceless!
Google to the rescue, I researched everything I needed to know about Regenerative Medicine. Fortunately, there was a connection in my life. One of the largest research centers on this subject was Duke University. Living in North Carolina, and knowing about Duke - I had made a connection. Pages upon pages of research was done. I felt as though I was writing a thesis on the subject - I could have gone to Grad School if I really wanted to do all this work! In the end, I felt I was fully prepared.
The day of the Radio Show, I was nervous. My Production Director calmed my nerves by telling me the beauty in recording a show is that he can edit it. Music to my ears. The guest came in. He is the President of Nevada's Biotechnology and Bioscience Consortium and the Executive Director of Regenerative Medicine Organization. His title intimidated me! Oh, how I wished I paid attention in my Science classes. It was not my favorite subject!
Tape rolled, I was cued to go, the introductions were made, and the interview started. I had a list of questions on a piece of paper, but I didn't even look. Once I began, I could see the expressions on my guests face. I started to feel more comfortable and confident. I felt there was a rhythm to the interview. Almost as though music was playing in my head. Each question had a certain tone, and a beat. I felt like the drummer and the orchestra was following my lead! Quantum physics couldn't even explain the momentum. The interview - was flawless! Twenty minutes felt like five, and I didn't want to stop. I was bitten by the bug!
The PR Representative, and my guest were both impressed. They wanted to know how I knew so much about the subject. They both mentioned that of all the interviews they had done, I was the most versed on the subject. I smiled, and said: "This was my first Radio interview!
The look on their faces, was priceless!
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