ABSILVER's World

Sunday, after a long life my Uncle Kenny Passed on to the next world. As I sit here, getting ready to start the day of work there is a slow rain outside my window and calm to the day. Good time to reflect and also to take in the last few days. The Rabbi, at their home on Monday evening, asked people to share memories of my Uncle Kenny and all I could do was just stand in silence. Seeing my cousins and generations standing around reminded me of how special he was to so many. After my cousin Sherri was so eloquent and heart felt at the funeral, I felt speechless and was not sure what to say. But, sitting on the flight home I found some thoughts and wanted and started to write this as I complete it today. My first clear memories are at my Grandmother's house. The Bassners and Silvermans for Thanksgiving and her birthday and Mother's Day. We would be up the day before and the Bassners would come in the next day. Uncle Keeny always seemed to be upbeat, and had a zest f...

I was prodded, thankfully, by Glen to write in my blog. (now two post in one day) Interestingly enough, I have written to articles on the iPad and on a flight and just never got arround to posting them. So, I will dust those off as well and see if they warrant posting, Today I am struck this morning by what it means to our own history. Both, our perspective on history and our desire or lack of desire to leave a legacy of our own. I have a good friend who created an exhibit at the stonewall libray in Fort Lauderdale. It is an exhibit on camp. When you are there you see these fabulous posters on the history of Camp and right along with it is a time line of a gay coming out in the USA. This timeline of from when gay was not even spoken of in code, to our current world where many people feel safe in our ability to express who we are. Frankly, this manifests itself in gay rights. In fighting for marriage equality possibly at the Supreme court. It manifests itself in a Tea Party mo...

It is only ten minutes... Here I sit on a flight and as always it makes me want to think and write in my blog. I keep thinking about ten minutes.and how my mind and outlook on life has been shaped by working at IBM. . You might wonder what 10 minutes has to do with this, and it comes down to Thursday afternoon. There I was getting ready for a 4pm call and it was suggested we needed a few slides to review for the call. Of course this request would have to come to me at 3:50 pm. So this is where ten minutes comes in. When I started at IBM, I would have thought the request was crazy who could possibly throw something together in ten minutes. But, after many years at IBM, I didn't question. The request, realizing I had two pitches that together would work... I created a new pitch and got it out for the call with two minutes to spare. What I remembered thinking about after was no waste of time worrying if this could be done. I just knew it had to be done for the vice p...

I am in Provincetown and the magic is in the air. Men, women, gay, straight all walking and being happy they are here. Great weather day and here I sit watching the water as the sun sets and thinking of a glass of wine. What struck me today, walking, and smiling and going to Tea Dance was a great comfort in me. That I was never the pretty boy, and I don't feel like the most handsome man at the fair but I feel comfortable in who Brian is and how I approach my life and a moment. I don't try and wear designer labels that younger men would wear. Frankly, I don't try to wear designer labels any way. If there is a Calvin Klein name in my house frankly it in my comforter, and underwear from Costco. That said, I watch all these men that are my age or older trying to dress as if they still are the pretty one in the room. Wearing an Abercrombie and Fitch shirt too tight for their age and body. Or, the man who decides to go shirtless and looks like his body does not match his ...

If you are planning a visit to Provincetown. Here are some of my words of wisdom. * Just remember, there is no place like Provincetown. Not even Truro, 5 miles away can match the unique charm here. * Be clear as you get off the ferry, you will see fairies of all kinds. * We really are not concerned with how you do it in Boston, LA, New York, Miami, or for that matter any where else. * Leave for your destination 15 minutes early and walk slowly. This Will make all the difference in how you learn to enjoy the town and its rare beauty. * Greatest danger to life and limb are bicyclists going against traffic at higher speeds. * People may not remember your name, but they will remember your dog's name. * Service is good, food is plentiful and tasty, but remember this is a slower pace and so instead of frustration over the time service takes remember to just breathe. * There is not a Starbucks, but there is a Wired Puppy and a Joe's coffee. * You may come across the odd straight cou...

As I look, to what I believe will be a yearly change, to head to Ptown for the summer what things do I think I know for sure. I am a very lucky man. 51 years ago today, my parents married. I am lucky to have them and so many solid relationships in my family growing up. I also feel lucky that not only have they lasted but they love, and like each other and their children love and admire them. The rest are in quite random order... 1) Swifter is great, but they don't replace a mop and broom for everything. 2) Friends are fun and entertaining but the best of my friends have an ability to provide silent support. You just happen to know they are there and seem to appear at the moment you need them. 3) Love does not conquer all, but it does live beyond time. 4) Diana Ross does have a very distinct and unique voice. Unique and Range make for lasting careers more than the purist vocal instrument. 5) Barbra Streisand has the rare combination of a great vocal instrument, unique voice, a...

So.. as I sit on a long flight to Vegas it causes my mind to wonder as always.. so here we go. This adventure will be many firsts for me. First time in Vegas not as an IBM employee. Although, going for Impact 2010 means I have not gotten very far from the platform. I keep thinking of the vision of standing on a platform and you have to step on the train. That last moment when you lift your foot off that back platform and step on the train. Some days I think I am on a new train and frankly sometimes I feel that back foot is firmly planted while I am looking in the train. Second, I am there to promote what I do for a living focused on marketing and partners. I have this idea around Right Sized Marketing. Helping partners add to their execution plans the ability to leverage agency caliber work at the right size for them. Focused on their needs, their business plan, their marketing requirements, and frankly their budget so they get the best they need for their work. Las Vegas is a ...