This week I have a personal deadline to get some stuff over to my Editor Phillip King.
To read a preview of my story, Manley, with Horns! go to this blog: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com
Monday, October 13, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Just Ask for It-A Lesson From Atlanta Cotillion
I played the role of Vale Camile "Cammy" Beauchamps at the end of an exhausting 7 fundraiser parties which lead to 2007's Atlanta Cotillion Benefiting AID Atlanta.
There's a magic 3-letter word that was taught to me by The Members.
The word itself---ASK---seemed insanely simple. However, in the World of Business, this one word of advice has evoked millions and millions in exchanged dollars.
That year I made a lot of speeches on the Atlanta Networking Circuit, using these as opportunities to rally others for the Cotillion's cause. Most parties were $20.---not a lot to pay for catered food, cocktails, and entertainment.
From business breakfasts to charity functions I invited people to these small parties. We had two fashion events (including Designer Bill Hallman and Actor Princess Charles) a block party, a gambling night on 7/7/7 and a couple of others things that are now blurred in retrospect.
Around town I made my pitch as to how the strength of a real service organization was shown in the number of people It could help who arrived at the front door, when help was needed most.
I retold a story of how AID Atlanta actually took a homeless man to Piedmont Hospital and paid for some $5,000 in emergency care. Homeless people view GLBT Service Organizations as people empathetic to their cause. This is a good thing.
The monies raised during the Cotillion Season go to help in extra moments like that, when quick money is unavailable.
One day, at the end of my Cotillion Fundraising Season in 2007, an older gentleman, a bank president, came up to me after a speech. He asked "...how much do you have, and how much do you need to make your goal?"
"I have $22,000---want to raise at least $25,000" I smiled.
"Follow me to my car," he said, and there wrote me a $3,000 check. He got tears in his eyes, "...your speech, it, uh, moved me."
That's when I realized that asking was the first step in getting to the big help!
MORE: Stay Tuned for Discussion of The Lucky (Break) Principle
There's a magic 3-letter word that was taught to me by The Members.
The word itself---ASK---seemed insanely simple. However, in the World of Business, this one word of advice has evoked millions and millions in exchanged dollars.
That year I made a lot of speeches on the Atlanta Networking Circuit, using these as opportunities to rally others for the Cotillion's cause. Most parties were $20.---not a lot to pay for catered food, cocktails, and entertainment.
From business breakfasts to charity functions I invited people to these small parties. We had two fashion events (including Designer Bill Hallman and Actor Princess Charles) a block party, a gambling night on 7/7/7 and a couple of others things that are now blurred in retrospect.
Around town I made my pitch as to how the strength of a real service organization was shown in the number of people It could help who arrived at the front door, when help was needed most.
I retold a story of how AID Atlanta actually took a homeless man to Piedmont Hospital and paid for some $5,000 in emergency care. Homeless people view GLBT Service Organizations as people empathetic to their cause. This is a good thing.
The monies raised during the Cotillion Season go to help in extra moments like that, when quick money is unavailable.
One day, at the end of my Cotillion Fundraising Season in 2007, an older gentleman, a bank president, came up to me after a speech. He asked "...how much do you have, and how much do you need to make your goal?"
"I have $22,000---want to raise at least $25,000" I smiled.
"Follow me to my car," he said, and there wrote me a $3,000 check. He got tears in his eyes, "...your speech, it, uh, moved me."
That's when I realized that asking was the first step in getting to the big help!
MORE: Stay Tuned for Discussion of The Lucky (Break) Principle
Monday, October 6, 2008
Update: Extravagance play
There's two more transitions needed for Act 1. Other than that, it's brilliant.
The 2nd Act sucks. It has to have more written into it. I'm currently worried about the 2nd Act.
I am trying to get it ready for Composer Larry Court.
By the way Larry Court took me around Outwrite Books the other day with Owner/Friend Phillip Rafshoon. He gave me 3 of his books and a CD of his music, sang by an Angel of a Tenor.
It's great to know writers, musicians and artists.
The 2nd Act sucks. It has to have more written into it. I'm currently worried about the 2nd Act.
I am trying to get it ready for Composer Larry Court.
By the way Larry Court took me around Outwrite Books the other day with Owner/Friend Phillip Rafshoon. He gave me 3 of his books and a CD of his music, sang by an Angel of a Tenor.
It's great to know writers, musicians and artists.
They Tossed TippyToed and Bench Pressed Him
Our Renter TT and I watched the RUGBY TEAMS play on Saturday, near Little 5 Points. Atlanta Bucks VS the Nashville Something.
What a great time, seeing all these guys with their tree trunk legs all hugging and pushing each other around the field! It's rough, though!
They do these head on the shoulders lifts, and several other rules we had to figure out on our own. "What's he doing?" "Where's the ball?" "We have the ball , right?" and "Why'd they do THAT for?" ...was the common confused theme!
Anyway they are playing Charlotte North Cackalacky on the 25th..Saturday at 1pm at Sammy Coen Middle School. We'll be leaving from my house at 12:15 so we can catch the warm-up. Usually the event is followed by a big beer drinking fiesta at FROG'S.
Last Saturday the guys tossed 94 pound John (Pissant/TippyToed in HSL) up and about. One guy, who looked as Irish as one of your Grandfathers, BENCHED HIM, in front of the crowd!
So yesterday TT awoke with bruises on his legs. Anyway, that's gotta make the Calendar! And it's FREE.
----------
Also next Sunday from 2-5pm each of our Fall Ball Teams have to "give up a team member stripper" to dance on the bar at BJ Roosters (LaVista/Cheshire Bridge) against the other teams. This should be a blast! Each of the 9 teams have to have speedos which match a "best costume" is being given. The Red team has already threatened their hunk would be wearing red sequins on his trunks!
From Dark Green----We volunteered TippyToed because he can fit into an earring sleeve and look like it's too big for him! Anyway, he's acting like he doesn't want to do it, but what a HAM! Hope you guys can make it!
What a great time, seeing all these guys with their tree trunk legs all hugging and pushing each other around the field! It's rough, though!
They do these head on the shoulders lifts, and several other rules we had to figure out on our own. "What's he doing?" "Where's the ball?" "We have the ball , right?" and "Why'd they do THAT for?" ...was the common confused theme!
Anyway they are playing Charlotte North Cackalacky on the 25th..Saturday at 1pm at Sammy Coen Middle School. We'll be leaving from my house at 12:15 so we can catch the warm-up. Usually the event is followed by a big beer drinking fiesta at FROG'S.
Last Saturday the guys tossed 94 pound John (Pissant/TippyToed in HSL) up and about. One guy, who looked as Irish as one of your Grandfathers, BENCHED HIM, in front of the crowd!
So yesterday TT awoke with bruises on his legs. Anyway, that's gotta make the Calendar! And it's FREE.
----------
Also next Sunday from 2-5pm each of our Fall Ball Teams have to "give up a team member stripper" to dance on the bar at BJ Roosters (LaVista/Cheshire Bridge) against the other teams. This should be a blast! Each of the 9 teams have to have speedos which match a "best costume" is being given. The Red team has already threatened their hunk would be wearing red sequins on his trunks!
From Dark Green----We volunteered TippyToed because he can fit into an earring sleeve and look like it's too big for him! Anyway, he's acting like he doesn't want to do it, but what a HAM! Hope you guys can make it!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Pitch for SoVo Column Ask a Business Person
ASK A BUSINESS PERSON
I ran into the Editor of the Southern Voice recently at a GLBT Travel Expo.
"..how does one become a Columnist?" I asked "...I have an idea for a column."
He was gentle spirit. He slipped me his card. "Well, send me an email," he said "...what's your idea for a column?"
"It's a cross between Dear Abbey and that feeling if you don't get advice soon you're going to bash the competition ---or better yet a Co-Worker---in an upcoming business presentation."
The Editor smiled.
"I write all the time, and would bring in re-enforcements to make sure I was giving the best advice."
"Shoot me an email," he said, "...we'll talk."
I ran into the Editor of the Southern Voice recently at a GLBT Travel Expo.
"..how does one become a Columnist?" I asked "...I have an idea for a column."
He was gentle spirit. He slipped me his card. "Well, send me an email," he said "...what's your idea for a column?"
"It's a cross between Dear Abbey and that feeling if you don't get advice soon you're going to bash the competition ---or better yet a Co-Worker---in an upcoming business presentation."
The Editor smiled.
"I write all the time, and would bring in re-enforcements to make sure I was giving the best advice."
"Shoot me an email," he said, "...we'll talk."
Monday, September 1, 2008
Long Strange Trip
Thanks for sticking with me. Since we've last talked I have been involved with a bunch of projects!
The biggest news...my softball team traveled to Seattle, Washington and won 2nd place at the GSWS.
More news to follow!
The biggest news...my softball team traveled to Seattle, Washington and won 2nd place at the GSWS.
More news to follow!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Blog Sabbatical
I have taken a "Raise..." Sabbatical to create and publish "Manley...with horns!"
In December of 2007 my Editor, Judy Bozarth, suggested:"...write something from experience, something you totally believe in."
"...I've been through brain surgery. Hell, I believe I'm lucky, in a sense." I had whispered.
For a brief moment, she and I looked at each other. We exchanged the silent familiar heartaches.
"WRITE about IT." Judy said. "You may have to start over. But write it."
Here is the Prologue to my story, about a 7-year old boy who awakes one day with antlers. It's a story for anybody who is still a kid, and on the inside fears the old game, OPERATION.
------------
PROLOGUE (Atlanta) Under a birch tree during a freak rainstorm I looked-up from my winter cap to see two protruding branches going forward about seventeen feet!
It looked like I had antlers.I wondered what it would be like to wake up and have a pair of horns---like antlers?
I moved my head from side-to-side as if the tree branch antlers above would move with me! Ridiculous.
As I stood there in the rain, under the trunk's protective branches I thought about how one morning I had awaken to antlers, of sort.
That October 2005 morning during a normal visit to my doctor, I learned that I had a brain tumor.
Lucky---mine was the most common non-cancerous tumor, a Pituitary Adenoma. The doctor said it was a mass on my pituitary gland, inhibiting it from producing (important body hormones such as, in my case), testosterone.
As a Blanket Statement my mother always said "...men never go the doctor unless it's about their You-Know-Whats" and in my case, well...that was part of the reason.
I felt like my energy level was very low, and I rarely wanted to work-out at the gym. I just needed testosterone--- yet had a tumor that "wasn't life threatening but WAS libido & vision threatening,".
It was scary.I worked my way through that problem, with the help of many people, including Ron Leathers. THANKS to everyone for that.
So under the limb of that tree I began to create a synopsis for a children's book: Manley---with Horns! ...which would be a metaphor about the entire tumor experience.
Imagine:
Something is identified as being there, and needing to be removed. Surgery would await and all the scary micro seconds that entailed including hours of laying in a hospital bed. Dealing with crying relatives and others who seemed to think the surgery meant certain death!
Recovery, and all the strange dreams that went along with being drugged so one can heal. Actually learning to walk again, and hold your head up without feeling so dizzy your head might fall and burst like an melon on the floor! Reflection, and whether that was even done, or done properly.
The story sounds heavy,but it is told with humor and a light tone.
However unique the experience was to me, the event is not mine to own. ---RR
For a Preview, visit: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com
In December of 2007 my Editor, Judy Bozarth, suggested:"...write something from experience, something you totally believe in."
"...I've been through brain surgery. Hell, I believe I'm lucky, in a sense." I had whispered.
For a brief moment, she and I looked at each other. We exchanged the silent familiar heartaches.
"WRITE about IT." Judy said. "You may have to start over. But write it."
Here is the Prologue to my story, about a 7-year old boy who awakes one day with antlers. It's a story for anybody who is still a kid, and on the inside fears the old game, OPERATION.
------------
PROLOGUE (Atlanta) Under a birch tree during a freak rainstorm I looked-up from my winter cap to see two protruding branches going forward about seventeen feet!
It looked like I had antlers.I wondered what it would be like to wake up and have a pair of horns---like antlers?
I moved my head from side-to-side as if the tree branch antlers above would move with me! Ridiculous.
As I stood there in the rain, under the trunk's protective branches I thought about how one morning I had awaken to antlers, of sort.
That October 2005 morning during a normal visit to my doctor, I learned that I had a brain tumor.
Lucky---mine was the most common non-cancerous tumor, a Pituitary Adenoma. The doctor said it was a mass on my pituitary gland, inhibiting it from producing (important body hormones such as, in my case), testosterone.
As a Blanket Statement my mother always said "...men never go the doctor unless it's about their You-Know-Whats" and in my case, well...that was part of the reason.
I felt like my energy level was very low, and I rarely wanted to work-out at the gym. I just needed testosterone--- yet had a tumor that "wasn't life threatening but WAS libido & vision threatening,".
It was scary.I worked my way through that problem, with the help of many people, including Ron Leathers. THANKS to everyone for that.
So under the limb of that tree I began to create a synopsis for a children's book: Manley---with Horns! ...which would be a metaphor about the entire tumor experience.
Imagine:
Something is identified as being there, and needing to be removed. Surgery would await and all the scary micro seconds that entailed including hours of laying in a hospital bed. Dealing with crying relatives and others who seemed to think the surgery meant certain death!
Recovery, and all the strange dreams that went along with being drugged so one can heal. Actually learning to walk again, and hold your head up without feeling so dizzy your head might fall and burst like an melon on the floor! Reflection, and whether that was even done, or done properly.
The story sounds heavy,but it is told with humor and a light tone.
However unique the experience was to me, the event is not mine to own. ---RR
For a Preview, visit: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
