OOH …Here’s One Thing
by Jim Johnsen,
Managing Director, Johnsen, Fretty & Company
“You’re nobody ’til somebody cares
You may be king, you may possess the world and it’s gold
But gold won’t bring you happiness when you’re growing old
The world still is the same, you never change it
As sure as the stars shine above
You’re nobody ’til somebody loves you
So find yourself somebody to love”
Dean Martin
Sitting around on this quiet Sunday, just before the crazy holiday season starts to kick in, and wondering whether my invite to the Dinosaur’s Club’s annual holiday party got murdered in my spam filter. And that got me thinking. Are we back from covid yet or did covid kill certain great traditions for good? Did the world used to be more fun…or am I just getting older? Back in the day, the Dinosaurs used to be the real-life madmen. I was just lucky enough to be an interloper. In fact, the first time I attended one of the dinosaur events, I was still considered too young to be a Dinosaur. Wow how times change quickly.
All this reflection got me asking myself, how did the Dinosaur’s Club actually get started? I should know that, as I love all outdoor history, but in fact when I showed up on the scene, Loretta Barry was the unannounced (or maybe announced) secretary, Pam Richards (RIP) was a defacto officer, Richard Schaps appeared to be chairman (either by election or hostile takeover), Rick Del Mastro (RIP) was on the board and the elder statesmen included Bill Wilkins, Bruce Seidel and Peter Hurd. Of course John Connolly, John Miller, Connie Garrido, Jack Sullivan and a host of other buysiders also played prominently. Chris Carr and Mike Miller were the kids in the room and Yacullo was still in short pants. Let’s also not forget Bob Fausler. Man, that guy worked the room with class and elegance, and yet was as genuine as they came (or should win an Oscar).
Okay Johnsen, so what’s the point. Well, the first point is…fuck life is short, work is hard and the celebrations seem to be fewer and far between now more than ever. So if you are lucky enough to consider your clients good friends (as all of the dinosaurs did), then for God’s sake celebrate them and all your colleagues and enjoy a night out with them this first back to normal Holiday and secondly, and most importantly, someone please call me and give me the full, unadulterated history of the dinosaur club (something tells me Stan Langer was involved) so I can pen it up for all the young pups out there and so history is not lost. Thanks (in advance)!
And let’s tip a glass this year to all the Dinosaurs we lost the last few years.
Cheers
jfco.com
Securities transacted through StillPoint Capital Member firm FINRA/SiPC
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