Edmund Bogen – First Degree

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Hollywood loves to push the limits of technology.   3D – it has been around for >50 years.  It gave me a headache when I was a kid and it still gives me a headache.  

Today, I have one more reason to dislike 3D – the cost!  I took my 9 year old to see the latest installment of “Ice Age” in 3D.  My ticket cost $16.00!  Her ticket cost $13.00.  Add in popcorn and we spent over $40.00 to see a 90 minute flick!   The studios say the cost of making films in 3D is much higher than traditional 35 or 70mm film.  The problem I have with Hollywood is three-fold:

1) Movies today are like a monopoly.  Multi-plex theaters are making long-term deals with Hollywood studios.  We have no option but to see the hottest films at a select few theater companies (AMC, MOVIECO, Etc.).  With no alternative(s), I am forced to pay outrageous prices.

2) This “new wave” of 3D film coincides with a steep increase in all theater tickets (I paid $12.50 yesterday to see Bruno – which is not in 3D).

3) Concessions are priced far too high – worse – I can’t bring anything in from outside the theater without risking being busted by the popcorn police.

I know, I know – it really sounds like I am bitching.  The truth is – I am.  A minimum wage worker earns $7.35 an hour.  That money gets taxed (of course).  How can a minimum wage worker take his girlfriend on a $40 date?  After tax this will cost him a full days work!  Hey pal – you’d better Google “astronomy” or better yet “constellations” and hope it doesn’t rain!

Movie prices today are being kept artificially high.  Do you remember films like: “The Brother’s McMullan” , “Kissing Jessica Stein” or “El Mariachi”?  Hollywood was hands off these productions – the cost to make them was minimal to say the least – El Mariachi cost $7500 to make – the Brother’s McMullan cost less than $30,000.  Were the savings passed onto the moviegoer?  

Just something to think about…

When I was 30, having a friend that was almost 45 seemed strange. Now that I am 41 I feel that the gap of 15 years has closed. Tom and I have had many life experiences which makes our friendship interesting.

Changes in life, personal interests,
Cultural interests and community exposure create one’s friendships. This should never be confused with descrimination.

For example, First Degree has had a minimum number of black, Asian and Hispanic clients. This was not planned. On a personal level I simply have not been exposed to people in those communities. As a result I have few friends in those communities and obviously few clients as well.

A client once pointed out to me that I have a bias to doing business with older Jewish men!

After all…

My lawyer at the time was 73 and Jewish, my CPA is in his late 60′s (yes he’s a Jew too – but comeon – he’s a CPA!). My mortgage broker is almost 70 and – you guessed it – he’s held a Torah more than once.

My client is not wrong – many of my service providers are older and Jewish – but not because of a bias.

Remember I said that I have always had older friends? I feel strongly that one gets better over time -not worse. I like the fact that I can benefit from my vendors successes and past failures. Their length of time in business impresses me.

The fact that they are Jewish isn’t a surprise as I too am Jewish. I am very much tied to that community. Can I be blammed for gender descrimination? Let’s think about it. I’ll get back to that point in a minute.

Question: what country has more happy citizens per capita than any other country in the world?

Answer:

It’s Denmark!

Everyone in Denmark (over 90 percent of the country) is white (skinned) Lutheran and Liberal. Citizens like their politicians because they look at them as themselves (we are now seeing most of the black community in the US embrace President Obama the same way). In Denmark there is little disagreement about healthcare or any political issue. So despite half a year of darknesss and freezing cold temperatures, the Danish are very happy.

I wonder: Do we really want diversity?

This leads me to believe that people in general don’t want “diversity”. They want familiarity. If one was familiar with a particular ethnic group outside of their own, they would grow comfortable with that “diversity”.

My older friends don’t seem so old anymore – god some are nearing 60! I have grown comfortable with age. Conversely when I am out with younger friends, I am starting to have less fun in staying out late.

What fairness can there be in such a place like the USA? With 300 million people if 1% believe that sex between men and boys is ok (and they do – check out the nambla web site) we have 3 million wierdos (in my opinion) potentially lobbying for something that diagusts the other 99%. This number is a force. A large one.

Perhaps over diversification is holding us back? Joe Sixpack is not my peer. His interests are not mine and in fact much of what he believes runs counter to my agenda. So does the ultra liberal belief.

Taking a look at the larger picture, is it any surprise there are clicks in school? Instead of celebrating diversity, perhaps we should celebrate the right for diversity and admit we really prefer familiarity?

All that said, I am trying hard to break into unfamiliar territory. Anyone game for gospel singing this Sunday?

As always, I look forward to your comments and/or insults!

It’s like the start of a porn – eg. lonely hot chick at the bar – in town just for the night. She displays the emotion and drive of a horney frat brother. GI Joe makes his move and… You know the rest.

I write this as I sit at the bar of a comedy club watching a cougar eye this mediaocre guy. Will he pick her up? Will she get the attention she so desires?

What is the drive and emotions that make people do this? How lonely is that cougar? Is she really like a frat brother?

Why do men and women put so much effort into “the scene”?

According to my shrink – it is evolution gone awry. Continue the species at all costs! Younger, more fit = more fertal. Species gets continued. Not a bad theory doc!

I think about pickup scenes when a client confesses that they are not good at networking: “Edmund, why would anyone in their rite mind help me -I have no leads to offer in return.”

If you feel that way, let me let you in on a little secret, it really doesn’t matter – in the long run.

Networking is built into our DNA. We have an ongoing need to make connections. It is no surprise that in the business world, the people who are well-networked are the ones who build ongoing sales and opportunity.

In networking, like the pickup scene – some people succeed more than others. If you put yourself in the category as someone who is less successful (in networking or at picking someone up) remember – everyone is successful at some point! It might not be a perfect match (in business or dating) but everyone experiences some level of success. That’s the good news: if you can succeed once, you can succeed many times! The trick is to have a plan.

I have a question for you:

Who would you pick up at a bar? Do you have a clear vision of what you want?

Is she/he young – fun – attractive? Are they well dressed? Well spoken? Polite? Are they rich or poor? Geographically desirable? Are they funny? That’s how I used to pick up women (guys remember funny goes very far).

If you can’t answer the simple question: “what do you want?”. You must settle with whatever you get.

Who would pick you up at a bar? How can you increase your chances of getting picked up? Here’s some suggetions:

Dress better

Get in shape

Pick a bar with a lot of prospects but few competitors

Have an absolute perfect vision of what you want

Have a pitch or approach (or line)

Choose a wing man (someone of credibility to talk about how great you are).

Don’t be desperate – if you don’t get picked up tonight- there is always tomorrow night.

Do you see the similarity between bars and boardrooms? It’s the same thing. Learn from both.

Got a strategy or cheesy line you want added to my blog? Please email me!

Comments are always welcome.

This commercial became the brunt of comedy routines and commentary by all that watched it.  Believe me, the makers of Massengill Disposable Douche knew very well that their campaign would raise a few eyebrows.

Question:  What have you done today to raise a few eyebrows?

I’ll tell you what I did – I posted a blog about Massengill Disposable Douche!

Be bold – risk criticism.  Better to be recognized than forgotten.

I  got yelled at by my professor when I said the CB radio was a dead technology, after all cel phones were on the rise.  It was obvious to me they were going to become the dominant mobile communications tool.  Professor Stritzler disagreed and felt that I lacked an understanding of economic reality (at the time a cel phone minute cost over $1.00).  

Well Professor – I think it is obvious today that I was right. Economy of scale – if the communications department across the country bothered to require a course on that and not ridiculous theory courses, students would have been much better off.  

But Edmund – students should be exposed to theory! 

That statement is the biggest bunch of BULL SHIT you’ve ever heard!

From grade schools to high schools to colleges – students are being fed a bunch of crap they really don’t need.  Where in the communications world does knowing details about Gutenberg and his printing press help earn a living?  Ok – I am sure Scott from Jurist Printing would disagree – but I bet he gets my point.  

How does watching Citizen Kane frame by frame help build a business?  The truth is I love the film Citizen Kane.  I am glad that I learned something about Orsen Welles.  I don’t think it required an entire semester.  I certainly don’t think it should replace the courses that could help students function in today’s communications world.

My Plan to Change Education

Grade School  through High School

First of all we need to begin to give students cash rewards for doing well.  A school in the south is now doing exactly that and it works (darn I had that idea years ago). From the inner cities to rural towns smart kids should get a real incentive for doing well.  Cash is king.  

Also, our schools need to add two courses to the curriculum.  The first is public speech If I interview one more candidate that says he is a people person I am gonna lose it!  Look me in the eye!  Make a convincing presentation!  Anticipate questions. Show up on time.  Send me a thank you email.  From the earliest ages we need to get our children communicating in public.

The second course we need to add is personal finance.  Americans certainly know how to use a credit card to buy an Iphone or a Vente Vanilla Latte – but they have no idea what saving that same amount of money would mean for their future.  The time value of money.  What is a mortgage?  Or for that matter is there such a thing as good debt?

The addition of these two course to our middle and high school systems would literally cost no money and within 10 years change the course of history!  Sound dramatic?  Think about it – I know I am right.

College and Beyond

Don’t hate me for saying this – but college is not for everyone.  In fact, college is not for most people.  Somehow we have been conditioned to believe that college graduates earn more money and live better lives.  I question that – and – I challenge someone to prove me wrong.  Would you like to become a doctor, lawyer or CPA?  You certainly need to go to college. For most, college is taking 4 years away from the start of a career and sinking students into major debt.  Today the average cost of  private college tuition is $26,000 per year!  When you consider living expenses and books (not to mention, dog food and date money) most young people are too far behind the 8-ball to really reap a benefit from college.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking an education.  I believe focused coursework is extremely important.  I try to read a book a month and I often seek the advise of my expert clients on subjects I need schooling on.  Certainly if someone can afford to go to school without harming their financial future that’s great.  But lets not fool ourselves.  The overwhelming majority of people in colleges today are not getting what they need from our educational system.  I am sure many of you will comment on this controversial statement – I look forward to debating you.  FYI – I did not learn my debating skills in school!

I was speaking with a woman the other day at one of my breakfast meetings.  She was very attractive and equally nice.  She was upset.  She saw the man of her dreams on a train coming into NYC and she felt that her appearance was not attractive enough for him (she sees him at least once a week on the train).  She said: “Surely a guy as successful and wealthy and handsome as he, would hold standards far above what I have to offer – right?”

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that her self-deprecation does not sit very well with me (see my last posting).  She basically had a fantasy in her mind of a guy who she had not met.  He was rich, handsome and smart.  She was sure he was funny because his friends on the train were laughing at his jokes (fortunately for me, women like funny guys).

Ok – ladies – here is the hard truth.  Rarely does a fantasy like this one become a reality.   This lady was more comfortable not knowing about her mystery man than finding out the truth.   What if he does not like her?  She will have to ride the train forever, hiding her head in shame!

NO BIG DEAL

This woman fell in love with a picture.  An image.  A thought.  If she tried hard enough she could feel the same way about an old picture of Bruce Jenner on a box of Wheaties.   Fantasies certainly feel real.  Stress, disappointment, feelings of low self worth can happen to anyone.  It is how one deals with these feelings that will either make us or destroy us (that statement is true for the men as well).

THE GOOD NEWS

Here’s the good news (listen closely).  You ever see someone in a relationship with a person they truly don’t deserve?  (eg. A mean & ugly guy with a beautiful girl.  Nice guy with a total bitch.  A stupid competitor with a client that should have been yours!)  I do.  I see it all the time.  Believe it or not – that’s the good news! ” If such crap can fall into a relationship that should have been rightfully mine – I need to learn from that crap!”

TIME TO SET A STRATEGY

Question:  When shopping for clothing at The Gap (a popular  store) where can you find socks?  Answer: Near the cash register.  Why?  Because of all the things that you set out to buy, socks were probably the last thing on your mind.  Merchandisers know this; as a result they set up a strategy to sell socks.  Will they sell socks to every customer?  No – of course not, but they have increased the probability of selling more socks.  As a result they make more money on this product.

BE THE SOCK!

Getting what you want (a husband, a wife or a client) is about marketing.  If merchandisers can find a way to sell more socks – you can do the same thing with your life.  Consider these steps:

Step 1 – Decide what you want.  Sounds kinda funny – right?   You would be shocked at the lack of description I get from people when I ask the question: “what do you want.”  On a professional level some clients tell me that they want to meet “high net worth individuals”.  On a relationship level I hear people say: “tall, jewish and funny” – for gods sake – make me barf!    

If you don’t have a clear vision of what you want – you are going to end up with whatever comes your way.   The masses suck – you want to put a measure of control over who you meet.  It all starts by deciding what you want.  

Step 2 – As yourself questions: what is this person really like?  Who are their friends? How can I network with them?

Step 3 - What do I have to offer?    This step is important because you are trying to appeal to someone to introduce you.  If you have no appeal – that’s it, you are toast.

Step 4 – Blindly assume they are going to love you (please read my last blog for more details)

Step 5 - Be the sock – you now know what you want.  You now know your value in a relationship.  Now it is time to merchandise yourself.  What places or events do you need to attend?  How can you work your way into a community of people that will support your effort?

PLAN TO WIN

Don’t go in the direction the river takes you.  Drive the boat.  Learn from those less worthy than you who seem to have it all.   Sun Tzu (who I have mentioned in previous blogs) says: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”  Success is not limited to the gifted few.  Step up and claim what is yours.

Stripes - with Bill Murray

Did you see the film Stripes with Bill Murray?  Can you believe it was released 28 years ago today?  

Rent it now!

If you need a great laugh (I think you need a great laugh) you should see it.  At one point during the film Bill Murray recites one of my favorite movie lines of all time:

“Chicks dig me because I rarely wear underwear and if I do it is something unusual.”

Ok – the line is out of context here – but trust me – its funny – very funny.  I think the reason I like Bill Murray’s character so much is because he consistently played the role of a guy who blindly assumed everyone was going to love him (or at least like him – a lot).  To feel truly successful in life – that level of confidence is needed.   

Here is where I get arrogant

I am the greatest at what I do.  I produce phenomenal events and extraordinary opportunity.   My clients, friends and family are lucky to be apart of my world.  

I teach my daughters to blindly assume they’ll be loved by all – if they are not – something is wrong with the person that is judging them!  

But Edmund!  Such arrogance is a turn off – worse – it is simply untrue!  Maybe.  But look at all those who carry this level of confidence:

Mohammed Ali could “fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee”

Donald Trump feels that “A little more moderation would be good. Of course, my life hasn’t exactly been one of moderation. ”

Henry Ford said: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.”

Eleanor Roosevelt said: “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

You love me – or you like me a lot – or you think that I am a total asshole.  Who knows?  Who really cares? My blind assumption brought me the love of my life and a career in a business most people wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole.  

The real winners in life seem to share a level of confidence and focus that has gotten them through the crap that inevitably comes their way.  

 Remember: the world is full of dots and commas.  This is your time to be an exclamation point! That is the hallmark of a winner.

In the moment of death, we tend to forgive and forget very quickly. Yes, I liked his music very much, but I also I felt and still feel strongly that Michael Jackson did terrible things to children. He made a mockery of the legal system and used his fame to avoid prosecution. It might not be politically correct – but – if I said that statement 24 hours ago you would be nodding your head in agreement.

I have no doubt I will get some negative comments for what I just said – as truthful as the statement may be – the moment of time is now upon us. I broke a major social rule at the wrong time.

What will happen in this moment of time?

If history is a guide, this moment of time will last about a week. You will hear Michael Jackson on the radio more now than when Thriller, his best selling album (remember albums) was first released. Sales of his music will go through the roof. A legend and a history will begin to be interpreted. People with something to gain (producers, friends, music industry executives) are working hard on gaining press in this moment of time. PR firms are calling their medical clients and arranging commentary on cardiac arrest.

First dates, water coolers and cab rides will focus on his passing. Everyone will look back and recall where they were when he died – and why not? It is a human need to worship. In the absence of god, celebrity steps in. Feeling sad? You are not alone.

My take on Jackson:

Michael Jackson was a lot of things to a lot of people. To me he can be defined in three phases:

One

Michael Jackson’s childhood (entering Motown). ABC – It’s Easy As 1-2-3 and I’ll be there. This was his greatest time (in my humble opinion).

Two

Michael Jackson in his 20′s and early 30′s. Off the Wall, Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough. “Tito get me some tissue”!

Three

Michael Jackson in his late 30′s – til death – what the hell happened? He turned white, hung his kid out of a window in Germany, had an unreasonable number of plastic surgeries (which he denied) and seemed to get into endless legal troubles. Despite the overwhelming amount of evidence against him – Michael avoided conviction.

Put this into perspective – he was a great artist AND a man with many flaws. Get annoyed all you want. Ignoring the truth to be politically correct is a crime against history.

What is our priority?

There is something about fame that captures us. Makes us beg for more. So many of us today ignor the really important issues: eg. The economy, the environment and national security, etc. Worse – some never cared about those issues in the first place.

Silence!

Twitter is currently receiving more Jackson commentary per minute (at the time of this writing) than any topic ever.

Why?

We are a passionate society. A society of smart people who I believe should reflect on a moment like this and realize that the energy and passion we are focusing today is the same M/O that can fix the ills of our society.

Yes the loss of Michael Jackson is sad. To me what is worse is the non-use of our god-given faculties to create a moment of time to change things for the better.

Don’t Let this Moment Pass

You were motivated to read my comments because you have been caught up by this moment. Use this feeling to change something that matters to you.