Blog

Before you get all over me for the poor grammar of the title, let me explain. I’m excited because of what happened this evening. I attended a lecture at the Getty Center to hear Robert Weingarten speak and to see his work. Obviously it was worth my time, his stuff is well thought out, well done, beautiful and thoughtful. I arrived early so I could take in the photography exhibits too. As I walked around waiting for the program to begin, it occurred to me that there was no reason why I couldn’t be a guest speaker too. After all I’ve a speaking career and book sales to consider.

So I did what I always do in these self-aware opportunities, I politely asked if there was someone present to whom I could talk to. (I can be very charming when I need to be) Immediately one of the Getty staff went to locate the person I desired to meet. She came out and was extremely polite and interested in what I had to offer. Bingo! I hit pay dirt on the first try. Hey sometimes you just get lucky. Of course I put myself in this position by attending the event. SECP’s must continually push forward, who else is around and eager to do this for you? We spoke for ten minutes, she impressed me with the breadth of the three programs she thought I’d fit into and she was impressed with all I had to offer. We exchanged emails and I’ll be sending her more info about my favorite subject, me. :>)

Later during the program two women sat next to me and sensing an opportunity, I asked what brought them out this evening. They are members of the Photographic Arts Council at LACMA and love photography. They asked about me, I gave them the two-minute drill and they both asked for my card as they were interested in my portrait services. Another winner folks.

As I left the auditorium, the contact person from the Getty went out of her way to say good-bye to me. Guess I made a good impression. Lastly as I was waiting for the shuttle to take several of us to our vehicles, three men and I started chatting, (OK, I started chatting and they engaged). Turns out one of the fellows shoots jazz and was a good friend of William Claxton, a legendary photographer of jazz who passed away earlier this summer. One of the other fellows is a heart surgeon who after talking for a few minutes (I regaled him with my Ronald Reagan story) is considering me to help tutor him in Photoshop. All three said they had heard of me or my book, so the word is getting around.

This was just the end to my day that I needed as it began on a very sour note…but that story is for later

Until next I post, thanks for reading.