My Grandfather the Long Term Investor, and Me the Slow ROI.

September 29, 2009, 9:44 am

For years my Grandfather has been beating the same drum. “The world is yours my Grandson, if you’re willing to go get it.”

I can never remember a time when he was not imparting love, wisdom, encouragement and knowledge.

“You can do it!”

“Do it now, Michael.”

“Every man is a sir, and every lady a ma’am.”

“You are capable of accomplishing anything you are dedicated to in heart and mind”

“Pursue excellence in everything you do.”

“There are always 10 reasons while you will succeed and 5 reasons why you will fail.” (which will be another post.)

As an unknowing rebellious youth, I considered it badgering and a hassle to hear about all the ways in which I wasn’t living up to my full potential. I thought him to be hostile and not modern enough to know that his way was no longer the way in which the world worked.

Refusing to believe that his experience, knowledge and foresight would lead to my success I went my own way which has almost cost me my life several times, and caused years of struggle which I imagine I could have done without had I not been so hard headed. However these days I am happy I went through what I did, because now his words ring so true in my life that his investment will not just be returned in my life, but in my daughters as well. I will share my trials and tribulations which I pray will save her from the same path.

Do it now, has become my mantra to my daughter. Pursue excellence in everything you do is said daily and with love, and there is not a good morning or a good night in our home without a recollection of his words of encouragement to me.

“You can do it Taylor”

“Do it now.”

“Pursue excellence in everything you do.”

and most importantly- “I love you and am proud of who you are.”

Thanks Grandpa, I hope it was worth it.

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Three Lessons I Learned Bouncing at a Strip Club

September 23, 2009, 7:20 am

Shortly after going on terminal leave from the Marine Corps and parting ways with my wife, I met a gentleman at the gym named Jesse who I was sure was a pervert because he was wearing a shirt that said: “Dangerous Curves Ahead” with an outline of a curvy dancer on the back.

After a few more workouts he let me in the know, he wasn’t a customer but an employee and the world he shared with me seemed amazing…lots of parties, cash and women. Sign me up.

Everything that glitters isn’t gold, and because I had no experience I wasn’t able to get a job at the place he worked, instead I took a job bouncing at a club near the Tijuana border. It’s the type of place that sells 40’s, has pregnant girls both dancing, drinking alcohol and using drugs, and a clientele with nothing to lose.

This place exposed me to a world I had no idea existed, a dirty, scary world. There was very little money, few parties and I felt sorry for the women that had found their way to this place.

1. Look at everything in the light of day: Day 1 Shift 1 of course I walked in thinking I was about to be flush with beautiful women on each arm while I popped bottles of Crystal with VIP’s rolling up in Limos. However when you’re working the Monday 10am shift it’s actually creepy perverts and tweekers still up from last Wednesday and the girls…well it’s not the A squad. But there was one girl who I thought pretty until her shift was over in the early afternoon, as I walked her out of the dark club into the light day and was able to see the terrible acne scars that were not just all over her face but her neck and back as well. Always take the time to look at everything in the light of day.

2. There really is someone for everyone: Again day 1 shift 1, a young man who at the time I likened to Carrot Top walked in looking around. After a few moments a very pregnant African-American woman who was easily 6 inches taller and triple his girth came waddling over and to my surprise took him to a dark corner where they stayed the entire time I was there and for who knows how long after I left.

3. When it’s time to move on, MOVE quickly: After a few weeks, countless fist fights, stabbings and a shooting, I saw my buddy from the gym and he asked if I wanted to interview at his place. 45 minutes closer to my house, a few hundred more dollars per night and both stabbing and shooting free, I jumped at the chance and left immediately. Two weeks later my replacement was shot and killed walking a bartender to her car. He left a 7 year old daughter without a father and to this day I still feel blessed I’m here and sad he is not.

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