Monday, January 04, 2010

Reflecting back on 2009

2009 was a year marked by loss -

Passing of Jon Alsop - Jon's death was a shock and I blogged about earlier this year. Jon will be missed. Jon was one of my real estate partners in Baltimore.

Passing of Lamar Conrad - Lamar was a mentor and friend during my stay in Locust Point Baltimore. He helped Jon Alsop, John Demayo, and myself rehab multiple houses in the Point. He kept us out of trouble, saved us a few times from certain death or dismemberment and taught us the ins and outs of South Baltimore contracting and life. I could write a short story about all of the various crazy situations we experienced together. What a reality TV show it would be with Lamar, Junior, and Jodie.

Lamar taught me the ten foot rule, if you can't see it from ten feet you're fine. This was a critical time saving lesson as I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to construction. He also turned me onto the book, Working Alone with tons of tips for when you don't have an extra set of hands.
I did not find out about Lamar losing his fight against cancer until after Christmas. He was truly unique, completely larger than life, and will be missed. I look forward to helping with a memorial bull roast in March of 2010.

Passing of Jason Strauss - I worked with Jason at Advertising.com and during my stint at AOL. He had a unique approach to sales that every salesperson could learning something from.

Passing of John Borkoski - John was my next door neighbor in Locust Point. He cared deeply about his family and his neighborhood and always kept an eye out. He called it like he saw it. Haubert Street won't be the same without him.

Hopefully 2010 won't be more of the same.