Rochester, NY
7:45 PM
After dinner, I type. I started the day voicing my visions of my project. Things are sounding better and the whole thing is coming around. I just set my itinerary for next week. Columbus, OH. Pittsburgh, PA. Gettysburg, PA. Harrisburg, PA. Philadelphia, PA for the weekend. Then onto Baltimore, MD. Onward from there.
My morning was spent with a coach. She gets me pumped up for my project and its success. I am envisioning things I never thought of in April.
Later, I had one of my more interesting interviews. It was with the office manager of George Fisher from Kodak. He is retired as the chairman of Kodak in 2003. His manager is a close family friend. I had no idea what her job was all about. He may have been the chairman, but she runs the show. A call came in while we were talking. She took it. I saw a woman as organized and detail oriented as any I’ve met. After the phone call, three calls to his different numbers. Two faxes. Updates to Outlook. Emails. And keeping all of their schedules in order. The details and ideas she uses were impressive. She has been in this field for 40 years. She is an expert and tops in it. If you think being a secretary, or assistant, or manager is not important or challenging, you better think again. She gave some great advice that I will pass along later.
She’s been to the Grammy’s. She’s met the leader of Communist China. She’s met Muhammad Ali and Meryl Streep. She’s seen Europe. She’s sat 3rd row at the Olympics. She’s been to the Rose Bowl and Parades. She’s done a lot more than most would think. She’s done a lot more than she would tell most people. That’s her nature. She’s behind the scenes. I am opening the curtain a little bit.
Now it’s off to see some more people before I leave. Dinner with the folks was good, but quick. Chicken, salad, carrots, and pregame cheese dip. Not bad at all.
I may hit a beer or two and maybe watch a movie later. But, no 5 AM night tonight.