BACKGROUND
The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson (and expanded version, The Silhouette Man ) tell the story of a person's efforts to explore the world around him, leave each place a little better than he found it, and the first thirty lessons learned along the way. Greg is the real-life person upon whom the two books are based.
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In May 2009, he spent 3 days in Kentucky. This part of the site has photos, feedback and links regarding his trip -- as well as links and photos and feedback featuring those involved and some of the memorable people and places he met along the way. The italicized notes are personal comments from Greg.
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This was his third time in Kentucky - beginning with a visit several years ago to speak at a number of schools in the Lexington area. He had such a great time on that trip that he wrote a column for the newspaper about what he learned while in Kentucky.
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FRIDAY AFTERNOON
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On Friday, Greg drove to Lexington, Kentucky -- stopping along the way to check out some incredible houses and farms...
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FRIDAY NIGHT
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He attended the 10th Anniversary Gala of a nonprofit organization called Jarrett”s Joy Cart.
The Joy Cart "provides new toys to children in hospitals in the hope of bringing a little joy to patients and their families." It was started by Jarrett - a young man who was diagnosed with cancer six different times, but determined to focus instead on what he could do to improve the lives of other kids.
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Greg and Jarrett and Jarrett’s family first met when the two were both honorees of the Jefferson Award for Public Service in Washington DC. Jarrett passed away two years later, but his parents and many friends and supporters have continued their efforts in Jarrett's memory.
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The Gala, which took place on the grounds of a beautiful winery in Lexington, included a silent auction and a live auction…
(The auctioneer was great. He had the guests laughing a lot and bidding a lot)
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Some food and some dancing… (The sign of a really fun Gala...when those who are working at the event take a break and start dancing with the guests...and the guests are happy to have them join in...)
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And, in keeping with Jarrett’s spirit, some fun youth-inspired activities for the adults in attendance.
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SATURDAY MORNING
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Greg made the drive from Lexington to Louisville -- pulling over every so often to check out some of the memorable sights along the way...
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Once he arrived, he spoke at an event at Atria St. Matthews – a great community for seniors.
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Atria St. Matthews also ordered copies of The First Thirty as part of their involvement in The First Thirty Elevator Project. They will be giving out the copies to students in their community as a way of recognizing them for kindness to others.
If you and your school or company want to take part in the Elevator Project (or simply learn more about it), please visit www.TheFirstThirty.com, click Elevator Project.
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In conjunction with the event, Atria St. Matthews also ordered copies of The Silhouette Man for selected residents to receive via a raffle.
Shane Patterson, Engage Life Director, Atria St. Matthews: "...[his visit] captured their attention with
truth, discovery, and appreciation of the significance their lives has
on those around. His energy has created smiles still with our
residents as they continue to discuss his visit into their lives...."
To ask about an event with your school, company, organization or senior community, email Events@GregForbes.com
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SATURDAY AFTERNOON
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Greg and a friend visited the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory...
One of the many fun things about the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: Even for those of us who are new to town and/or get easily lost, it is one location that is pretty easy to find :)
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During the visit, he received a private tour of the factory...
For more on Greg's previous experience with teams and sports-related companies, click here
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He had a chance to see the different steps taken in the process of making the legendary company's bats for today's players like Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter...
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...and some of the bats they have made for the iconic stars of the past like Babe Ruth...
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...along with the vault where samples of many of them are stored, including bats that were made for players who made their mark well beyond the game, like Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente
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During his visit, Greg also received a really special gift from the company. They made a bat for him, with his name and Silhouette Man image engraved in it ...
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...fulfilling a dream I've had since I was a kid and saw The Natural. Now, I just need a team to give me a shot. Like the song says, put me in coach, I'm ready to play... :)
[Very ironic side note: This visit occurred - exactly - 25 years after The Natural came out in movie theaters).
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In addition to the bat, some gifts he got for some friends, and a shirt he bought in the (extremely cool) gift shop, he also scooped up some unlikely souvenirs from the factory floor for his next art project.
For more on his art projects, visit www.MySleeplessNights.com and click About the Art.
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Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is open to the public. In fact, it is a popular place for kids and adults alike. They offer public tours which give people a chance to see part of the factory and learn about its operation and history...
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Guests can also see all kind of artifacts and learn all kinds of things about baseball history in the Museum that is attached to the Factory.
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Visitors can also step into the batting cages with a bat of their choosing, modeled to the dimensions of a bat used by a past or present star.
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SATURDAY NIGHT
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Along with two other people, Greg co-hosted a group dinner for a dozen people at a popular Louisville restaurant called Ditto’s.
Hosting (or co-hosting)
brunches and dinners for people who don't yet know each other is a fun
tradition that he's been involved with hundreds of times in cities
around the world. For background on previous brunches and dinners, click here
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SUNDAY
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After having a milkshake at a popular local restaurant called Lynn's Paradise Cafe -- and then a second protein milkshake at Smoothie King for good measure :) -- Greg had a chance to visit Churchill Downs.
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Instead of paying attention to the trainers or riders or track conditions, I just went with the same philosophy I usually stick with - I looked at the odds, and went with the horse the fewest number of people seemed to believe in :)
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THE FIRST THIRTY ELEVATOR PROJECT
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During the trip, Greg implemented another chapter of The First Thirty Elevator Project. To learn about this Project, how it started, what it has turned into, and how you could be part of it, go to www.TheFirstThirty.com and click Elevator Project.
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CONNECTING DOTS
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One of Greg's favorite things to do on these trips is to 'connect the dots' between people and places he encounters. In this case, he 'connected the dots' between places by taking leftover cupcakes from the Gala in Lexington and delivering them to the senior community where he spoke in Louisville (and then connected the dots between people by rounding up some residents in Louisville whom he'd never previously met to come to the senior community as his guests and then help pass out the cupcakes).
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TAKING LEAPS
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Another one of his favorite things to do on these trips is 'take leaps' - try things he has not done before and try them sooner than later. On this trip, he accepted an impromptu invite from a complete stranger to try and learn how to use a musical instrument called a didgeridoo. To see previous leaps he has experienced, visit www.TakingLeaps.com
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SIGNS
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On each trip, he likes to look for signs. Here are a couple of the memorable ones on this trip...
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Still can't figure this one out...isn't the whole 'renting' concept based on the idea that the DVD is returned?
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To order copies of the Legacy Poem poster, visit www.GregForbes.com, click Welcome, click Posters
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UNEXPECTED DETOURS
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On the way home, Greg saw a sign that said Memphis. He thought it would be fun to visit Tennessee for the first time - so he went - but soon discovered it took him to Memphis, Indiana...
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On the bright side, the unexpected detour led him to take a new path home - which, in turn, led him to a small town with just a couple thousand people where he ended up having dinner, meeting a bunch of residents and learning about what life is like there -- (including the head of the local movie theater, who sells a box of movie popcorn for just $1.50!!)
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CROSSING PATHS
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Here are pictures of some of the additional, memorable people and places who crossed his path during the trip...
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SAMPLE OF RIPPLE EFFECTS
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Two days after the trip, an organization in Kentucky ordered dozens of copies of The First Thirty and The Silhouette Man.
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BOOK & POSTER ORDERING INFORMATION
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To order copies of the posters, visit www.GregForbes.com, click Enter Site, click Posters
To order The First Thirty or A Place To Sit or The Silhouette Man, click here
For bulk orders of any of the titles, email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com
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SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to everyone I met, my friends who hosted me in the different cities, everyone involved in the events & the tour, the people I met along the way – planned and unplanned, the guests who attended the group dinner, the people who served us the meals and the complete strangers who helped me out when I got lost and/or needed help with my car and/or couldn't find my cell phone and/or my wallet. It was a busy 45 hours! I appreciate everyone who was part of it and treated me so nicely. As I once wrote, I wish the whole world was 'a little more Kentucky'.
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