I have learned... no one else can make you happy... you have to find happiness within yourself 1st. Although...friends can give you confidence and strength that you might not otherwise have.

Courtesy of Freakiestgirlfriend - Thanks Freak

Great quote I saw today.

How we remember, what we remember, and why we remember form the most personal map of our personality.

Christina Baldwin

Louis Rukeyser
1933-2006
As many of you know, Louis Rukeyser died May 2 at his home in Connecticut. We have lost a great man who was an inspiration to millions of investors — and to those of us who had the honor of working with him.

Quoted from www.rukeyser.com

I was 19 when I met Louis Rukeyser in 1989. I was working room service at Harbor Court. Mr. Rukeyser had taped his Wall Street week program in Maryland and enjoyed staying at the Inner Harbor, even though the MPT's studios were in Owings Mills Maryland.

When I had first started the morning shift it was on Friday mornings that Mr. Rukeyser was an enigma to the morning staff. When he called down everyone for his Friday morning ritual every one in the room service department cringed. They all laughed and decided that the new guy should be the one to wait.

Mr. Rukeyser was a rockstar to the the financial world and rockstars want the royal treatment sometimes. He was famed for ordering Blackberries/Rasberries with cream on the side (never on top). He was very particular and the other other staff members did not afford him the respect he wanted or understand his notoriety.

Mr. Rukeyser and I had hit it off in some mysterious way. I respected him and he had asked for me to serve him when I was there on Fridays. I always recall him having a very organized room, the Wall Street Journal at arms reach and always in a bath robe. I waited on Mr. Rukeyser for eight months when I decided I wanted to get into the radio business.

I never had any real experience in radio with thye exception of an internship, so I felt I needed a good reference to find employment. I had asked Mr. Rukeyser to write one for, I figured the worst he could say is no. He said yes and wrote me a wonderful glowing reference.

Not only did he write the reference for me, but he also allowed me to video tape him for a student project I was working on. I was in a video class and had film various interviews with prominent county executives as well a segment with Mr. Rukeyser. It was a rousing success.

I recall he was a bit of a stutterer when you met him in person, but when that camera came on he was flawless, a complete perfectionist.

After I had gotten my job at B104 I called Mr. Rukeyser to thank him and he called me back and we spoke for 5 minutes. That was the last contact I had had with him.

I owe alot to Mr. Rekeyser for helping me early in my career. He was an inspiration to me personally and an honor knowing him. I became a huge fan of Wall Street Week and was disappointed that MPT discontinued the show, but I'll always remembered his raspberries with cream on the side.

God Bless - You'll be missed Mr. Rukeyser

Another Funny Car Story

Today I was driving my, almost 4 year old, son to school and a woman driving across from me in the intersection was hesitating on whether or not to turn. I exclaimed, "Come on Dumb-ass!" My son replied, "Daddy - Don't Say Dumb."

Everyday that passes by and goes unspent with someone you love, including yourself, is a waste of time.

Big Bird

So today I was driving to the office. I was in a bit of a hurry but I am a pretty courteous driver and was coming onto merging traffic. I had the right of way and this women puts on her blinker looking to merge. I start to slow down and notice her wanting to merge as she was a little bit ahead.

I noticed that she had her right ear on the phone and a glaring look to the left. I came to a slow pace to let her in and waved to acknowledge a you're welcome and she waved back. I guess I am niave I thought it was a nice gesture.

As we proceeded she was slowed by a truck and I got into the left lane to pass her. I was just amazed to see her still on the phone giving me the finger and not even looking at me. Looking just straight ahead. I let her in and thought I was being the nice guy and get the bird.

People are just so crappy sometimes. They amaze me

Another driving experience, I was the one trying to get in the other lane and put on my blinker to merge and the guy sped up to block me out. I looked right at him and motioned to him to ask if I could get in and he shook his head no. It's not like I was looking for a hand out - I just wanted to get in the other lane.

I ended up just moving forward eight cars ahead of him and someone else let me pass.

Life is like driving a car - you can't please everyone on the road and if you want to get ahead you have to rely on yourself and your drive.