Results tagged “Culture” from Big Money Tony

Beer Summit

By
Big Money Tony
on July 31, 2009 8:47 AM |
So the beer summit between President Obama, Prof Henry Gates, and Sgt James Crowley finally happened Thursday afternoon.  VP Joe Biden also joined the party to make it an even four drinkers.  I have had beer with people I don't like.  I think I've even drank with people I hate.  Alcohol breaks down barriers and kills everything...including brain cells.  The question for this beer summit was, does it solve anything?

First, an analysis of the beers.  Obama went for Bud Light.  Good choice for an American President, although the beer is now officially Belgian-owned.  Not good for a beer connoisseur as I'd have trouble with that as my beer of choice.  Gates decided on Sam Adams Light, settling on it after rumors of Red Stripe or Beck's.  A better choice than Obama for sure.  Crowley had a Blue Moon.  Decent choice, as it shows somewhat of an everyday man with sophisticated taste.  Biden downed a Buckley's.  Honestly never heard of it before yesterday.  Apparently it's non-alcoholic.  Say it ain't so Joe!

Since we don't know what was discussed, we'll have to make assumptions based on their tone and Crowley's press conference later in the evening.  It appears to have been a success for the two primary persons, Crowley and Gates.  While they may never agree on what actually happened, or see each other's side, from the looks of it, they may agree to disagree. Obama gained points that he lost when he called the actions "stupidly", as he appeared to be there to act as a moderator.  Biden, I'm afraid may have slipped.  I like Joe, but a few things went against him.  Maybe this was the President's fault, but Biden was not initially invited.  Him showing up at the last minute is like the guy you don't want to show up at happy hour come up to you at 5:01 and ask "So we headed down to the pub?".  That can be somewhat forgiven.  But Buckley's?  If his choice is not to drink alcohol, I respect him for that, but why endure yourself through the taste without the benefits?  Just have a soda or iced tea.

Another thing that bugged me?  The suits.  Sure Obama just got off the phone with the Joint Chiefs or whatever, but home is next door.  Change into those mom jeans from the All-Star game!  Biden, couldn't you pack an extra set of clothes to bring to the office?  For Crowley and Gates, I guess if the President invites you to the White House, you have to dress up.  But I would have given them props if they showed up like any other tourists with camera straps around their necks, Hawaiian shirt on, and shorts and flip flops.

Back to to actual point of the meeting.  This is what makes America great.  Neither side appeared to budge, but they were cordial and maybe the flames have been fanned.  I wonder if we've ever had a beer summit in the past.  Imagine if we sat down with Khruschev for some shots of vodka.  Would the Cold War have ended decades earlier?

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Sporting a Sweet 'stache

By
Big Money Tony
on February 11, 2009 7:07 AM |
Those that know me, have pretty much seen the same mug for the past 20 years.  I'm blessed or cursed, depending on your viewpoint, with low growth of facial hair.  It's been great.  I have a schedule.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday and prior to dates, important meetings, and other significant events, I pull out the razor.  In elementary school, classmates of mine, Jimmy & Pete, who were brothers, had 5 o'clock shadow at noon in the 5th grade.  They, of Greek descent, I believe, went through more razors by high school than I have so far my entire life.

Even with my 3 times a week schedule, I could skip a day on occasion.  My excellent Asian genes provide me with a baby face.  My younger brother is the same way, although he does have to shave daily.  My hair has always grown on the edges.  A blessing that will not allow for a receding hairline.  But I've always wondered what if?  Not that I want a 70's porn mustache.  I'm not a kung fu master or an early Hollywood Asian villain.  Those jobs require facial hair.  But for once, maybe, I thought, I could get something.

This morning, I apparently hit that mark.  As I picked up the razor, I noticed that I am actually on the verge of a mustache.  Much more than normal, and I did shave on Monday.  I took it off anyways.  Ugh, my freedom may be gone.  I'll have to shave daily.  Now I'm thinking maybe I should let it grow and see how it goes.  So I've found some youth in my adult years.  I'm 14 again.  Let's hope the breakouts don't follow.

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Facebook Friends?

By
Big Money Tony
on February 5, 2009 11:47 AM |

For the longest time, I resisted joining Facebook.  I have nothing against it, I just wasn't into the social networking thing.  I am in LinkedIn, for business networking.  However, last September or so, one of my business contacts started a Facebook group so I reluctantly joined.

I will say I am now enjoying Facebook to a degree.  There are people I've know from high school that I have kind of reconnected to.  Some business contacts I've known only by phone I now have more of an understanding.  But there is a dilemma.  Who exactly is a "friend"?  Here are people who have been suggested to me recently.

  • The younger brother of a high school classmate of mine.  I'm not sure if I ever traded two words with him.
  • Many people who work(ed) for my first employer out of college.  Many are good friends/acquaintances.  I'll have to dig through those deeper.
  • A female 1 year behind me in high school.  The name sounds familiar, but that was so long ago, I don't know if I really knew her, I knew a sibling, or what.
  • Various people from a professional listserv I belong on.  Those should be fine, as I'm Facebook friends with others on the list.
  • This girl who I worked with during high school.  She also went to high school with me, but I think a couple of years back.  The thing I remember the most about her?  She took me, a mutual female friend who also worked with us, and our not-quite-out hispanic boss to a party themed by her Asian ethnic background.  Oh, and she was trying to "turn" said boss.
  • People who I may or may not have had class with at the University of Maryland.  Hey thousands of students in each graduating class, I can't keep track of them all.  Besides, I read the Diamondback everyday.  Some of those names were reporters/editors for the paper, I think.
  • Finally many random people who happen to be friends of friends of mine.  I can't fault Facebook on those.

So really, who do I choose to be Facebook friends?  I guess each person has to decide on their own, but I don't know if I should be "friends" with all of the above people.  What's funny is I've had more interaction with some bloggers than some of the people Facebook has been suggesting to me.

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You Too Can Attend an Inaugural Event

By
Big Money Tony
on January 19, 2009 9:26 AM |
Asia SocietyI'll admit, I got caught up in Obama-mania.  I was not a strong supporter of President-Elect Barack Obama, but I did end up voting for him.  Politics aside, everyone should be ecstatic about such a historical event, the first minority president elected in the history of the United States.

I considered going out to some of the "public" events, like the concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, or fight the crowds on the National Mall or Pennsylvania Avenue to see the swearing-in ceremony or the parade.  Those however prove to be logistical nightmares and time-consuming endeavors.  So I decided to attend the Asia Society's Presidential Inauguration Reception.

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Continue reading You Too Can Attend an Inaugural Event.

Race and Sports Journalism

By
Big Money Tony
on November 14, 2008 1:41 PM |
Povich PanelAt Cole Field House last night, the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism and the Colonnade Society of the University of Maryland hosted a 3rd Annual Shirley Povich Symposium. This year's topic was Race and Sports Journalism. I was lucky to be in attendance. The panel was moderated by Maury Povich of tabloid show fame and Kevin Blackistone, Povich Chair at the Merrill College. Michael Wilbon, Gary Williams, Sage Steele, Scott Van Pelt, and Len Elmore rounded out the panel. George Solomon, former Washington Post writer, ESPN Ombudsman, and current professor at Maryland, was in attendance as well. The discussion started with a mention of President-Elect Barack Obama. While historic, it does not mean the end of the race discussion in America.

Those who don't know who Shirley Povich was should know that he was a great sports columnist for the Washington Post for over 60 years. He died one day after writing his last column in 1998. He was the father of Maury, the night's moderator and David, an attorney.

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Continue reading Race and Sports Journalism.

Women Draw Men

By
Big Money Tony
on October 24, 2008 2:28 PM |
Understatement in mankind history right?  Last night, I had the pleasure of attending another alumni event at my alma mater, the University of Maryland at College Park.  Campaign Celebration was like just like all alumni events with the purpose of raising money.

As a good alumnus, I attended and got to speak with the new dean, old professors, and other trusted persons of the Robert H Smith School of Business.  This event was similar to the exhibitions of any industry.  The difference here was that instead of companies hawking their wares, it was the various schools and departments showcasing their current and future projects.

But one thing that definitely was the same as the dozens of conferences I attended were attractive women holding fort at the booths.  OK some booths had men only.  Their departments were very small or had no women...it didn't matter.  Almost definitely, the larger departments and schools had their own young woman handing out pamphlets and other pieces.  I know for sure there was one where I took whatever she was handing out.  Don't remember what department she was with.  It was either soil erosion or greenscaping.  Sorry, I'm an adult male.  I'm attracted to women.  Sue me.  There were definitely booths I had no interest in, but stopped by anyways because of the woman standing there.

Aside from that, it's strange that this culture still exists.  I feel bad, but I know it happens every day at every conference in the United States.  I'll have to enjoy endure this for years to come.

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No Way to End a Game

By
Big Money Tony
on September 21, 2008 9:40 AM |

I wrote this on The DC Sports Page this morning.  Usually I try not to cross post, but I think this goes beyond sports.

I'm not blind to think that racism does not exist. But how bad could it have been for Dunbar to walk off the field? Worse yet, they had to wait for police escort to leave the stadium? I've never been in an organized football huddle, but from interviews and other reports, I understand there is trash talk on the field. But that goes too far.

Except for a 4 year stint in Virginia, I have lived in Maryland all my life. I've driven through the "handle" of Maryland. But I guess I've been sheltered living in relatively diverse neighborhoods of the DC suburbs.

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