FLORIDA

No, I didn't run into Chris Evert! (My loss!!)
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Most people don't fly into a state such as Florida and then pick up a rental car to drive 5,700 miles up the West Coast, over and down the EastCoast and then criss-cross the State with 13 cities and towns without discovering the tenor, the vibe--if you will--of each place they visit. While meeting 170 business contacts in 23 of my 25 days, I quite literally questioned everybody about potential areas for relocation. This included Hotel Managers, Bell Captains, photocopy shop employees, bartenders, people on the street, you name it...and to "cut to the chase"--virtually everyone from all walks of life. Now, why do this? Well, because this is the best way I know to connect with people who have a ton of cool information about where to go, where to stay away from and the tips (suggestions not Moolah) were tremendous! On top of all of this, Floridians know how to give directions! Ultimately, it was West Palm Beach where I stayed the longest. And I was adopted by a First-Class staff of very nice and supportive hotel employees from the overnight Security Officer to three Amazing Women I dubbed "Charlie's Angels" each of whom wished me "Good Luck". In fact I counted 12 instances of well-wishing! It began with the Flight Crew whom I interviewed for an upcoming "Coach Flyer" review that we are featuring in a future issue of Airways Magazine. In each case I said, "Thanks, I'll need it". And in turn, the person bestowing the compliment said with a genuine smile, "No you won't". Priceless sentiments. Each one reminded me that what other people see in us on the outside, is often at odds with how we may be feeling about ourselves at any given moment on the inside. On my last day, I wrote a letter to the Hotel General Manager and intoned: "Kill if you have to, but don't lose these ladies" (Pssst! I borrowed this line from the late Actor Robert Webber from Blake Edward's "10" where he tells Dudley Moore's character, George: "Don't do as I do, George. Do as I say. Kill if you have to, but don't lose that lady", (a then-38 year young Julie Andrews who played "Samantha Taylor"). Every night, I'd return soaked and beaten to a pulp from the heat of the day and my schedule. The Night Watchman would ask me as I walked through the Lobby, "How did it go today? Anything?" I'd say, "Pheew! Time will tell, man." He'd say, "Hey! I'm prayin' for ya". See? Wonderful people!

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Truth be told, there was little party time, but I did walk three beaches barefoot in cut-offs at Dusk, and then mid-way through the trip, BUD BUCKLEY e-mailed me with a suggestion to eat better. As a result, I am taking off a few excess pounds. BUD and his wife CATHY took me to dinner at a gorgeous Marina where Bud will be playing a gig soon. Then towards the end of my trip, another Blog Bud, the lovely and multi-talented DENI BONET and her Father met me for dinner and we had a fabulous time! The minutes just literally melt away when you can relax and refocus on what people you care about have been up to since you last saw them and what lies ahead. Very exciting! Those two visits I cherish as a precious gift from my trip. Then on the 25th of July, I Officially announced (as a Guest on WIBQ Radio's "Suncoast Magazine" with Host Doug Miles) the launch of a fund-drive for a 2007 musical concert benefiting The National Parkinson Foundation. Amazingly, every Department Head at NPF's world headquarters who had heard about me since 1999 and gave up their lunch time to meet me. I was so grateful. And my dear friend Mary Ann Sprinkle, Director of Development and I met with Chairman Nathan Slewett in Miami the day after my WIBQ broadcast in Sarasota.

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My trip wound up with a stop near Miami International Airport where a new friend of mine and her husband gave me a personal tour of their business. They manufacture Travel Agency Desk Top models of commercial airliners (one of my hobbies). So, I shipped home a few for my Pan Am, Eastern, TWA and US Airways collection that I've carefully cultivated for 15 years. We talked in the Lobby for 90 more minutes near the old Building 16 (now Embry Riddle University) where I first interviewed the late Marty Shugrue in 1994-- then--Trustee of Eastern Airlines). The following night, it was back at BUD & CATHY's in Venice, Florida for a delicious non-fat dish that CATHY baked. Back in the Mid-West, it has taken me 5 days to catch up on a load of mail and now it's good to be able to catch up with each of you over the weekend and into early next week. I have no relocation news to report! There are many potential opportunities percolating. But I'll be right here with YOU!

:)