StartupGarden: Tag in the Blogosphere

Tag in the Blogosphere

My friend Todd Sattersten, who I thank for pushing me to do more writing—and for appreciating the writing I do—has tagged me in a blog game asking people to share five things that most people don’t know about them. Here goes:

1) My first job was taking care of 300 guinea pigs for a neighbor down the street in seventh grade.

2) I was the first person ever to sell Yankees Suck t-shirts. If you need proof look no further than the photo on my high school yearbook page.

3) Not a shining moment but….several years ago I discovered that the person right behind me in a line at a coffee shop was Yo-Yo Ma and immediately, without thinking (ya think?) did a full Wayne and Garth “Not Worthy” to him. I hope that I am the only person who has done so. I fear that I am the only person who has done so.

4) My older brother died of AIDS on March 20 1992 and I still think about him constantly. I harbor a secret dream of one day winning an Oscar for screenwriting and using my time on stage simply honoring him.

5) Since the age of seven I’ve lived with one strong superstition of not touching the first step on any stairway up or down. I only break this rule for safety reasons (like if I’m carrying a child, or, and please don’t ask, my dog.)

Okay. In turn, I call out to...

Ellen Lamb is one of my best friends in the world. I bring her into this game by asking “Would you play tag?” for her excellent blog.

Kevin Carroll is a brand-new friend I met at the 800CEOREAD Author Pow-wow. An amazing guy whose thoughts I’d love to read.

Bill Taylor, author of Mavericks at Work and co-founder of Fast Company, is a friend and former colleague of mine. I’m guessing that the Giants and the Boss may be named.

Robin Wolaner is a force of nature—a great writer, business person, and, what, awesomely great person. It’s so nice when the world of work intersects your life with people like this!

Mark Graban writes one of my favorite blogs, the lean manufacturing blog. Love to hear what he says!

Posted by tom at December 18, 2006 10:01 AM

Comments

1. i had a very eccentric aunt that held seances(sp?) at her home for her neighbors & i got to sit at the top of the stairs in her house when she had them. i adored her!
2. my first real job was at the age of 15 job at a nursing home & i was the pots & pans man.
3. i usually have classical music playing in my car when i am driving alone.
4. i barely know my two brothers as adults but, we recently decided to start the process of getting to know each other better.
5. my grandmother wasn't a very good driver( i'm not sure if she even had a license) and i personally witnessed her hit an awful lot of cars in parking lots. as we made yet another hasty "getaway", i was sworn to secrecy and promised to never tell a soul. the payoff for keeping my end of the bargain was usually some kind of a sweet or soda!

Posted by: kevin carroll on December 18, 2006 12:03 PM

I put my list up over at my blog, since it seemed appropriate...

Posted by: Ellen Clair Lamb on December 21, 2006 05:29 PM

I'm not really blogging these days, working on my startup, so will post here.

1. My first job was at Penthouse Magazine and I read Sisterhood is Powerful while being their receptionist.
2. I have the same birthday as the woman who co-founded Parenting Magazine with me, and as Willie Mays -- but I was too tongue-tied when I met Willie Mays to wish him a happy birthday (it was the next week).
3. I wrote a book called Naked in the Boardroom: A CEO Bares Her Secrets So You Can Transform Your Career, and most people don't know that.
4. The book has been translated into four languages, and since I can't read them I can't tell if they resemble what I wrote...I suspect not, since the Japanese one is called "Millionairess" (although it is spelled Milliionaise on the spine).
5. I cannot carry a tune, dance, play sports well, do crafts....my daughter asked me if I could make ANYTHING and I said "money."

Posted by: Robin Wolaner on December 23, 2006 12:21 AM

When I was a college student I worked for Tom Ehrenfeld ... I haven't been the same since! Hope all's well. As Eddie Murphy said in Trading Places, "Merry New Year!"

Posted by: Jon Barkan on December 29, 2006 11:47 AM