Well hello everyone. I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts - on all different subjects here on AR. Recently I was tagged to do a meme by a good friend and business colleague who I invited here!!! Mr. Tom Weiss. So, I guess I have to put 5 things most people don't know about me. And seeing as how I don't know most of you - yet - here goes.
1) I am a 3rd generation Florida Native and damn proud of it! Born in Ft. Lauderdale and raised in S. Fl - mainly Boca Raton. My daughter and soon to be 2nd daughter are the 4th generation. This is not normal for Florida and you won't meet many natives if you are from out of state and visit here. My family came here many moons ago, set up shop and built a large majority of Davie (Griffin Rd is after my family), Hollywood (FL), N. Lauderdale, etc... So, hot weather, humidity, the ocean and the South Florida sun are all in my blood. I LOVE this state and really don't see myself living anywhere else in the US. That being said, I never see myself living anywhere other than the good old USA.
2) I lived in a van. Yes, it is true - not proud of it but it is true. Not down by the river but in a van none the less. After I graduated high school I was "asked" (that is putting it very nicely - things were rough at home during this period of life) to leave my parents home. Everything I had was taken, including my Jeep and I was left with an old Chevy Astro van, 2 surfboards and my clothes. I lived in the van for a couple months in Wal-Mart parking lot and went to college during the day. At this time (1993 - 1994) Wal-Mart was "the" spot for people who were traveling in large RV's. So I felt protected there. This was a lonely and humbling time but built a load of character and let me realize what a great life I have. How fortunate I am to have a family and friends who love me. It is also a time in my life that I can look back on and know with all certainty that I will never, ever be in that position again. I will do anything for that to never happen. My children will never be forced into that position.
3) I have been in sales and business development my entire career and I LOVE IT. I was born to sell. It was what I am supposed to do. Got my first "white collar" job at 22 selling medical and optical equipment. (Before that I worked for 2 window companies and a land surveying company while I went to school so I understand "hard work"). That turned into radio and print advertising which then turned into internet sales, partnerships, upper management and working with Venture Capital which turned into fundraising big $ for LLC's to purchase commercial office buildings as a consultant which turned into me getting my real estate license 4 years ago and getting into real estate!!!
4) I was a model and actor all through high school and into college. This was in my younger, more active years when I had 5% body fat! No more! At that time I was a top wrestler here in the state of FL and had to watch my weight at all times so being "ripped" was easy! I modeled for many companies like Banana Republic, J Crew, the US swim team (yes, Speedos), the US military and many companies in S. America and Latin countries. They love blondes! The swim coach at my high school would get the US Swim Team magazines and my friends would find all these pictures of me wearing Speedos and cut them out and color photo copy them and paste them all over the halls of the high school. Embarrassed the hell out of me until the girls started saying they liked the pictures! Then it was all good!!!
5) By the end of this week, I will have a new addition to my family!!! That is right!! If not before, my wife will be induced this Friday, July 6th and we will welcome a new baby girl into our family. My daughter Haley (8 years old) is STOKED to be a big sister and my wife and I are enjoying so much excitement it is unreal. Her room is painted (yes, pink), set up and ready for her. What an awesome time in my life and I am happy to share it with you.
So there you go. Number 6 for me would be that I have a hard time keeping my posts short!! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about meme and look forward to your comments!!!
Billy B
Billy i didn't know you were into acting!! Very Cool..
Tom