The BDL Blog

My Holiday Gift to an Unknown Dreamer

2010-12-26T13:30:00.000-05:00

When I was in the 5^th grade, back at Edgecombe Circle Elementary School (PS#62), one of the first “novels” I read was E. L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. It not only nurtured my existing love of reading but, with the help of an inventive and encouraging teacher, it inspired my interest in writing. It’s a passion that led me to six years of private school at Gilman, and to gaining my English/Creative Writing degree from Loyola College (now Loyola University).

The book is an adventure of a runaway 11-year-old girl and her younger brother who take up residence in New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and become inspired by a mystery. It was a story that inspired me, making me dream of reading more, writing and someday exploring more about the wonders of history… museums… life.

That first reading of E. L. Konigsburg’s award-winning book took place nearly 38 years ago, and I have since enjoyed using my talents as a writer in many, many ways… for fun and for career. In fact, my career is something that has been on my mind in recent months. As a “full-time” freelance writer and consultant for the past 18 months or so, after losing a comfortable “situation” and leaving my last full-time job, it has been quite a different experience, filled with highs and lows, both in spirit and in my bank account. Of course, Christmastime, the season of giving, is when I notice the difference the most… I’m not nearly as unfortunate as those in prisons or workhouses, but there are Dickens elements, to say the least. (My trip to my parents had me carrying just one bag of small gifts for my mother, dad and grandmother, instead of the several bags of larger packages in years past.)

A week ago, while at Barnes & Noble for a good half hour of searching for practical gifts this year and working my way up to the counter, I looked down and saw the latest edition of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I said to the cashier, “That’s one of my favorite books.” And, as fate would have it, he proceeded to tell me how it could be purchased as part of their giveaway program. Books could be bought and would be given to schools they had chosen. I asked which schools, and I learned the elementary school was Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School.

As it happens, my connection to Margaret Brent (#53) is just as strong as my connection to Edgecombe Circle… During my college education, for four consecutive years, I was a student teacher there, as part of the Baltimore City Summer Reading Camp program, and it was my introduction to the Charles Village neighborhood, which led to me living across the street from the school for about 10 years.

So I didn’t need much more encouragement to buy the book, even with my own highs and lows during a tough economy. I didn’t get to New York myself this December, as I often do to see the city’s holiday treasures, including the Met’s own Christmas tree and Baroque créche display. But at that moment, a few dollars could send a child there in literature. It bought some hope for better days and a better year ahead… for someone I didn’t know, and for me, just imagining the inspiration the book would give to some young reader or writer or teacher, who doesn’t even know yet how much of a good reader, writer or teacher he or she can be.

Happy Holidays, Happy Reading, Happy Writing, Happy Dreaming, Happy New Year… to All.

30th Reunion of Gilman's Class of 1980

2010-10-19T18:16:00.000-04:00

Yes! This past weekend was Homecoming Weekend at Gilman School, highlighted by reunion events and activities of the class years ending in 5 and 0... Appropriately enough, around 30 of our classmates came to the showplace home of fellow classmate and artist Lat Naylor for an evening of catching up over food and drink for our 30th. The evening included appearances by a few former teachers, current Headmaster John Schmick, Director of Development Kate Ratcliffe Hoch and Director of Alumni Relations Stephanie Felton (the official alumni photographer who took the traditional reunion pic, above)... Oh, and Congressman John Sarbanes, but he's just classmate "JP" to all of us.

My Big Scrabble Win!

2010-07-04T11:06:00.002-04:00

I finally beat The Master... So here's the board from my winning Super Scrabble game where I finally beat Paul, long known for his ability. He usually wins with a combination of many seven letter words and oddball two letter words, which he has memorized, but seldom knows the meanings, while I usually struggle to remember words I know... But the score for this game was 716 to 668, including my high scores for ZONER (34), MANY/YET (42), my own big two letter word, HO (quadrupled) for 20 points, and EQUALS (with a double double) for 60!

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Speaking of Snow...

2010-02-19T16:32:00.007-05:00

I did take the time recently to edit some captured video and still photos into what is the first of what I hope will become many epsidoes on my new BDL Online channel on YouTube. I hope to add a variety of segments to the site, incorporating both new and archive footage and photos. This month's historic snow proved to be a perfect opportunity to premiere with a special edition. (Special thanks to Paul Kilmon for providing some of the images and braving the elements with me to be my camera man during the height of the Feb. 10th blizzard.)

Updating My Career, Web Sites and More...

2010-02-19T15:18:00.003-05:00

I'll be in the process of updating my Web pages during the coming weeks. I have to ask for your patience, while some sections are not available.

Why didn't I do this during the snowstorms and blizzards, when everyone had major time off? Well, since October I've been working as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Project Manager for 2Hearts Consulting LLC, which entails a lot of work at home anyway (when not working in Washington or Virginia with clients). The snow did not stop me from working at home, nor did it stop the conference calls, grant deadlines, etc... The past few months have been very exciting, working full-time in development again, and working with a range of interesting organizations, from children's services to higher education, helping them with transformational fundraising strategies.

New Branding in the Neighborhood

2009-09-11T16:56:00.006-04:00

First, Loyola College in Maryland, where I attended and graduated as an undergrad 25 years ago last spring, announced it was changing its name to Loyola University Maryland. (The change will take place a few weekends from now with campus events and fireworks.) New banners are already up and flying high. I am lucky enough to live nearby, a short walk away, so I hope to see and hear some of the excitement, even if I don't attend all of the festivities... It's the latest change in the institution's evolution from a mostly commuter school to one of vibrant campus life and increasing attraction as a destination for students from around the nation.

Now, just up the street and around the corner, at Gilman School, my other alma mater, there is also a change in the works. The prep school's seal has been revised, part of a long tradition of evolution, it seems. The previous version, a round emblem, had looked pretty much the same as it had when I began attending 35 (can that be right?) years ago this month.

The new seal is a basic crest, which had been a part of the circular emblem, but this will look better on a jacket, and its more visibly distinctive in print publications and ads. I was a little shocked at first, especially when I first saw it in use in a magazine ad a few months ago. However, it grew on me, especially when I learned that it's just a step away from (actually more of a step back to) the first seal, created in 1907. So the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Kudos, Gilman and Loyola for keeping things fresh while incorporating the past. After much forward-thinking, yet past-respective construction and expansion on your campuses, a change in branding is logical too.

Remembering Michael Jackson

2009-07-06T22:59:00.037-04:00

As his many fans memorialize him today, and others tempt us to remember the scandals and the oddities of the man, I am at peace with the fact that the Michael Jackson whom I remember and admire most is worthy of only praise.

His "Thriller" album was a history-making achievement, with so many sales and so many hit singles, and the title video he created set the gold standard for MTV and music videos in general... The "moonwalk" he first performed on the "Motown 25" television special reportedly prompted a call from Fred Astaire in admiration... Among his charity efforts, he co-wrote the infamous "We Are the World" single... He was honored at the White House by President Reagan... His music truly crossed over boundaries of race, culture, politics and nations...

Yes, there were many faces to Michael Jackson... literally. There's nothing wrong with plastic surgery, and many entertainers, especially rock stars, do like to experiment with their appearance, but such drastic changes prompt questions. Was he not happy with himself? What was he looking to be or to become? Did he even know? Or was he consciously making breaks with the past? Was he making it easy for us to make a distinction between his brief childhood as a poor black kid in Gary, Indiana and the superstar he was forced to become. Falling down on stage, breaking his nose, then later being injured by a freak fire on the set of that Pepsi commercial all, no doubt, played a part in the beginning of medical alterations, but was he also rebelling? Was he not unlike any other young adult, except he was not held back by a lack of resources? Did he desire to escape? Did he want to backpack through Europe or some other foreign land, but couldn't because there was no where he could go without being recognized? Did all of the clamoring public attention force him within and to rebel against himself?

Whatever the reason, Michael Jackson made it easy for us to separate his success from his oddity. Sadly, the more unusual he began to look, the more unusual his life became too... The creation of the fanciful "Neverland" ranch, the friendships and sleepovers with young boys, the courtroom allegations of child abuse, the oxygen chamber story in the National Enquirer, the publicized plea to purchase the bones of the Elephant Man, his unsuccessful marriages, and then his odd behavior with his own children... So many images, PR or not, overtook his talent, popularity and fame to became a part of his infamy.

I prefer to ignore the later, unusal sci-fi images. I prefer, instead, to look back at the beginning and the initial, amazing talent of a boy whose face was just three years away from mine, not light years away from reality... There he was, the tiny lead singer of The Jackson 5, appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show," then his voice booming from AM radios throughout the early '70s in a string of early hits, and finally, the epitome of success, being immortalized in a Saturday morning cartoon. In 1972, I was 10 years old, and one of the first records I ever bought (yes, a 45 back then) was The Jackson 5's "Rockin' Robin."

It was the boy who looked like me that I admire and remember best. Since his death nearly two weeks ago, the tune "I Want You Back" has been running through my head. As I kept hearing the endless news reports and news magazines discussing his many solo successes, I thought I was the only one who remembered and cared about the early Michael - the little black boy with the amazing talent, launched too early into a world of hype and all that comes with it. Then, walking through Roland Park of all places, I heard "I Want You Back" coming from someone's basement. Some small amateur group was playing the tune's instrumentals, the sound drifting through the tree-lined streets of this upper class, still mostly white suburban neighborhood of Baltimore, as the late afternoon sun eased its way through the leaves. There were no lyrics sung, but the words were speaking to me, to the world, and to Michael.

Somewhere, I hope you're finally back, Michael – back to 1972, and I hope you've found yourself and peace.

See the Jellies!

2009-05-22T09:35:00.004-04:00

OK... I've gone through a lengthy period of not updating my blog. So, why now? Well, I took a break from a busy spring of job hunting and freelance projects to go to a special preview of the new jellyfish exhibit at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The exhibit is expected to be there for a while (3 years or more), but it's worth a visit as soon as you can get there. Fascinating creatures!

Senator Theater's Future Still Uncertain

2009-05-16T20:58:00.000-04:00

City helps, but auction will still decide fate.

To the Rescue!

2009-03-20T18:21:00.000-04:00

Firemen assist woman who apparently locked a baby in her car near TowsonPlace Target.

Sign Goes Up for 7-11

2009-03-20T14:51:00.000-04:00

Hopkins Square site once hoped for retailers like The Gap.

Yes... Me too.

2009-02-26T12:04:00.009-05:00

Late in February, my full-time employer announced some impending layoffs. Unfortunately, within a few days I was surprised to learn that my position (Director of Corporate Communications) was on the list, becoming one of over 65,000 people in the United States who lost their jobs in February, due to the ailing economy.

News of a potential $20+ million shortfall in government reimbursements (a major component of the company's revenue) had us all worried for months that cutbacks would soon be taking place. Covering political advocacy was one of my duties during the three and a half years there, so I had firsthand knowledge of the importance of this issue and the ongoing battle for funding. Yet, the cuts in our small Corporate Communications department of four were not expected, and I was one of two people eliminated there. I will miss my connection to the employees, patients, residents and their stories at more than 200 skilled nursing and assisted living locations. My portfolio is now filled with these stories, and I know that the cutbacks in the corporate area, plus other corporate budget-cutting measures, are being made first to make sure the great work at the company's service locations and the care of the customers can continue unchanged. Stepping back from the situation, the small group of us who lost our jobs (possibly as small as .1 % of the company's workforce) seems to be a small sacrifice, and certainly not newsworthy when compared to the hundreds and thousands of others at other companies. This company is still strong and one of the best places to work I have ever experienced.

Wednesday, February 25th was my last day, although I came back to pack up and say good-byes on Thursday... Friends and colleagues may now call me on my cell or at home to reach me. I can also be contacted at the newly-reinvigorated BDL Communications freelance services office (800.937.2164, extension 101).

Standing with Obama

2009-01-24T14:52:00.005-05:00

As an African-American man born in the 1960s, being in Washington, D.C. for this inauguration was something I had to do.

I had to be there for those who could not be there for themselves...

I was there for the great-grandmother I knew, who was born less than 35 years after the Civil War, and for her father whom I once met...

I was there for my grandmother and many women like her who experienced the hardships of a segregated 20th century, who lived simple lives but worked hard, day-by-day, to make each next day better for their children and grandchildren…

I was there for my mother and every mother who would ride a bus every day to and from her job in a nursing home for many years, but managed to finance a child’s higher education...

I was there for my father, who was not always there for me...

I was there for the white teenager who called me a name in 1976, and for all those who still use that word, without listening to themselves, only because they have nothing else to say...

I was there for the countless others who sought different lives, different ways to battle society’s ills, only to languish in the seemingly endless cycle of crime, incarceration, self-abuse and neglect. I stood there to help show them that taking the right path is never wrong...

I was there for men like my stepfather, whose prayers and gentle wisdom have been a quiet invocation, always a reminder of what could be, giving me and countless others the power, the strength and the glory to reach that spot on the mall by the Washington Monument, and to stand for four hours on a frigid Tuesday in January to finally see a face like ours facing us, bringing dignity and emotions beyond words...

I was honored to be there with him, with the Lincoln Memorial and the world at my back, as I faced the Capitol in the distance and calmly breathed a warming sigh of joy, relief, pride and eternal hope.

Welcoming Hope

2009-01-19T06:30:00.023-05:00

It was a cold, cold day, but everyone who gathered to see and hear Barack Obama this weekend in downtown Baltimore had warmth in their hearts. The crowd of 40,000 seemed to be a representation of Baltimore - predominately black, but interspersed with white... beleaguered by economic and social ills, but proud of its past and filled with hope.

I rode on a bus with white college students headed to the event. I walked past many black men trying to make a buck by selling Obama souvenirs. I stood in line to go through the metal detectors with two young white girls. And at War Memorial Plaza, I stood there (for nearly two hours), flanked by an older black woman there by herself to my left, a white woman with her family to my right, and a younger white couple standing in front of me who gladly made room for a young black woman's little girl to stand next to them where she could see... It was Baltimore, at its best. It was young, old, black, white, middle class, poor, all standing together, creating warmth, united in spirit. It was hope.

When Barack came, he spoke of the support Baltimore him (60%), and he referred to history. He reminded us that when Washington burned in the War of 1812, it was the defenders of Baltimore who held back the British, the greatest Navy in the world, and provided inspiration for the Star-Spangled Banner.

While there were too many reminders of bad things this weekend (visible sharp-shooters on the roofs of several buildings, a huge police presence throughout a city that still has one of the nation's highest murder rates, and a conspicuously absent, recently indicted Mayor Sheila Dixon), there was much good...

The nation's first person of color to be elected President, stood on the steps of a memorial to a war fought by a segregated army, facing a Civil-War era City Hall building, and left on a train car where a person looking like him, not too many decades ago, could only be a porter.

Yes, it is a time of hope. Hope becoming reality before our eyes.

Baltimore Waits for Obamba

2009-01-17T14:37:00.000-05:00

Thousands gather at Baltimore's War Memorial Plaza, across from City Hall, as President-Elect Barack Obama makes his way to speak, all part of an historic train ride from Philadelphia to Washington, DC.

Go, Ravens!

2009-01-14T09:12:00.004-05:00

I am not known for being a big sports fan, but I will cheer for the home team... especially when they're winning. So, yes, I'm caught up in Ravens frenzy. At work, it's easy to do when the Towson office of Genesis HealthCare offers a jeans and jersey day, where you can wear jeans if you add a Ravens' jersey or anything with a Ravens logo.

We've had a jeans day last Friday before the Tennessee game, and coming up this Friday as the team heads to AFC championship game against the Steelers... This rare (You know I seldom look this athletic) cell phone photo of me was taken by a co-worker during a previous season, but I recently found it when transfering pics to my new Photobucket site, with plenty of other mobile phone pics. T*Mobile eliminated their album from direct web access a while back, so Photobucket is now my container for personal, random and raw pics -- usually taken by mobile phone. I'm still transfering tagging and organizing pics into folders, but look carefully and you'll also see some fuzzy nighttime images of the RCM&D building and the Towson courthouse aglow in purple lights.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-24T10:00:00.012-05:00

The New Year is coming, and it's time to announce a few things...

Most imporantly, I have New Contact Information... A new toll free number now replaces the separate Baltimore (BDL East) and Phoenix (BDL West) voice mail numbers that I'd maintained for a while, even long after I left my "Phoenix Office" behind and consolidated my life back home in Charm City... So to reach me from anywhere in the U.S. simply dial 800-937-2164, and please discard the old numbers: 410-783-8250 and 602-230-4343. (If you're interested in getting a toll free number, I've found a great new service, and I'd love to tell you about it!)... As for mail, note that my Baltimore freelance services mailing address at P.O. Box 23359, Baltimore, MD 21203 is active as the only "public" address for me... (Friends, however, please use my "personal" home address, mobile and home phone numbers... Just contact me for any info you don't have yet.)

Also, while many of you already know about my new domain and e-mail addresses, please note that the old AOL accounts (which I've seldom checked anyway during this transition) are now going away for good. Yes, AOL's abrupt and careless shutdown of its "hometown" FTP space didn't harm me, as www.bdlyles.com and www.bdlcommunications.com have been transitioning into their new internet home for quite some time now... After a few tweaks, my site(s) will soon be up to date.

You'll note that my interests in photography and video now figure prominently on my site. These interests, combined with other skills in the writing, digital graphics and performing arts, will play a large part in BDL Online, a series of original mini-multimedia productions which will continue to take shape in 2009. A few special video clips (sans any "on air" appearances of me so far) are already on You Tube... The Newsroom section of my site, especially the photojournalism blog, is another place to check out for any timely and newsworthy photos and multimedia, in addition to general media and news.

BTW, within the next few months, start to look for information about select colleagues of mine who are now a part of the BDL Communications site!!! Although I am not actively soliciting freelance and consulting assignments myself, I've kept the site up and running, and it will soon display their profiles and freelance abilities too. My associates will also be accessible through the new toll free number!

AND finally, my long-awaited digital BDL Scrapbook is finally about to debut. It is a magazine-style PDF document which will be updated annually. The first edition will be online by the 1st, highlighting 2008 personal news, photos and reflections, in addition to general information, photos, reflecions and other entries from my background and career.

Brian

P.S. Speaking of talents, the image above was taken by best friend (and partner, in so many ways) Paul. It was taken in between our quick trips to the Guggenheim and the Frick museums, during the snowstorm that hit Manhattan the Friday before Christmas and Hanukah... I've never had a "protégé" before, but Paul is developing his photography AND writing talents quite well. It is often too easy to ignore or take for granted the talents we have, the friends we rely on, and the simple beauties that are often right before us, waiting to be cherished or remembered again. Paul and I are learning this, through our writing, editing and taking photos together, and so much more... That's why this photo, of a memorable moment during a very poignant year, means so much to me as I look forward to 2009.

Manhattan Snow

2008-12-21T15:14:00.000-05:00

Commuters waiting for a bus near Central Park, along 5th Avenue, during Friday's Christmastime snow.

Christmas Lights at Twilight

2008-12-18T00:51:00.000-05:00

A scene of the Baltimore skyline, seen from the trees outside of the National Aquarium at the Inner Harbor.

Another Monumental Occasion

2008-12-05T06:56:00.000-05:00

Fireworks lit the sky last night, as the Washington Monument in Baltimore's Mount Vernon Square was illuminated for the holiday season.

Santa at Thanksgiving Day Parade

2008-11-23T09:26:00.000-05:00

The arrival of Santa Claus marked the end of Baltimore's Thanksgiving Parade at the Inner Harbor, but it heralds the start of the holiday season.

With an Endorsement for Barack Obama, Baltimore's SUN Does Something Right

2008-10-27T09:38:00.008-04:00

The once great Baltimore Sun newspaper is but a mere shadow of its former self. Like many ailing dailies, it's seen better days. Fighting for advertising revenue and readers, competing with the Internet, TV, union labor issues... And the latest redesign inched away more text in favor of larger, garish graphics, combined sections, and way-too-big full body photos of columnists, and seems to be inching closer to becoming a tabloid. (Can anyone else see this paper merging with its new free daily The B?)

However, this Sunday, The Sun, what my grandmother still called "the white paper" not too many years ago, endorsed African-American Barack Obama for President. Their editorial said, "Senator Obama's campaign has been extraordinarily open - inclusive across generational, ethnic and class lines. His top advisers include Democrats and Republicans, giving substance to his promise of bipartisan leadership. He created a disciplined organization that raised record sums yet stayed within budget. Senator Obama's campaign testifies to his managerial skill and talent for surrounding himself with smart, hard-working people."

A little more than a year ago, I didn't think it was Obama's time yet, and that he was too young and inexperienced for the job. I soon changed my mind, as did many others. In fact, The Sun praised both men's admirable qualities, but stressed the lack of good leadership abilities in Obama's opponent, Senator John McCain. In fact, The Sun said what we've all been thinking: "... Senator McCain's choice of Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska called his judgment into question and has proved to be an unsettling distraction as she is woefully unprepared for the presidency."

At this point, I think most undecided voters would rather see NBC's Tina Fey working in the Oval Office than that one.

As for Obama's lack of experience when compared to McCain, The Sun said, "In his first term in Congress, Senator Obama cannot claim decades of Washington experience. But his steadiness and thoughtful approach to issues show he has the judgment and depth of knowledge to lead the country. His first major decision after winning the nomination was to name Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, a proven foreign policy hand, as his running mate."

Thank you, Baltimore Sun editors, for giving me hope. While friends tell me they see more McCain signs in suburban, traditionally white sections of Baltimore Country, as opposed to the overwhelming amount of Obama signs and stickers I see in the city, I'm glad that, despite all of the changes, intelligent minds are still at work at the "establishment" newspaper in town. In fact, maybe adding more color to The Sun really is a sign of the times. Change, it seems, can be a good thing. Let's just hope most of the electorate are as thoughtful and forward-thinking when they consider the country's future.

On the Move for Alzheimer's

2008-10-13T11:44:00.001-04:00

This coming Saturday, October 18th, I will again be “On the Move” to end Alzheimer’s disease.

Yes. The local Memory Walk is this Saturday, and I will be joining the Baltimore-area Genesis teams at Towson University. Since 1989, the nationwide Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walks have raised more than $230 million for the cause, but much more is needed. These is still no cure.

Alzheimer's disease is more serious than you might think. Not only is it a debilitating illness; it is also the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Every 71 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

First working with leading neurogenomics researchers at TGen in Phoenix, and now for the past three years working at Genesis HealthCare, I have become intimately aware of the disease and its effects. (If you have not read this already, please check out the feature article I wrote after a visit to one of our locations with a dedicated Alzheimer’s unit. It describes some of the issues, as well as some of the good work we do at Genesis to assist these patients.)

On behalf of the millions of Americans and their families who are living with Alzheimer’s, I urge you to support me in this year's walk by making an online donation today.

Bill Cosby in Park Heights

2008-08-03T17:06:00.000-04:00

Although I couldn't attend last Thursday, because I was working that day, I was excited to learn that Bill Cosby came to my old neighborhood. Just three blocks from where my family still lives, Cosby came to a street festival at St. Ambrose Church. The festival was part of the Mayor's Operation PROTECT, and the message Cosby gave to the crowd was one of empowerment to many in the area who need inspiration. In the 40 years since my family's lived there, the neighborhood has become a shadow of its former self. Blighted homes and retail, as well as the devastation of drugs, unemployment and crime have replaced a once-thriving community.

Above photo from WBAL-TV's coverage:
see video

Target Comes to Baltimore!

2008-07-26T12:12:00.000-04:00

The first Target store in Baltimore City is now open in Mondawmin Mall.