BACKGROUND - 60 HOURS IN MIAMI
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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. The First Thirty was honored as NSDLC 2007 Multicultural Relations Book of the Year. Greg Forbes Siegman is the real-life person upon whom the two books are based.
In Late January 2009, Greg participated in a series of events during 2 and a half days in Miami. 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 - and a look at why Miami is one of the WorldsGreatestPlaces.
The italicized notes are personal comments from Greg.
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SPEECHES
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Greg was a guest speaker at an event for some students at a school in Miami. The students are part of a special program that will bring them to Africa.
During the speech, he talked to the students about a variety of things including what he did to prepare for his time in Africa -- (he served as American Scholar in Residence for a program in Africa in June 2008) – and some additional things they could do to prepare for theirs – including reading about Africa, listening to music from Africa, communicating with people from Africa, and drawing pictures of people there. (As an example, he showed the students his portrait of Nelson Mandela). For more on Greg’s art, visit www.MySleeplessNights.com
(Answer to commonly asked question: Yes, I know I'm wearing mismatched socks. I always wear mismatched socks) :)
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A number of parents and faculty attended the event as well
Karen, parent: "Thank you to Greg for taking the time to come to our school. I think he taught the kids so much in that hour..."
To ask about booking an event with Greg, email Events@GregForbes.com
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BOOKS
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In advance of the trip, they ordered a copy of The First Thirty for every student in the program and had Greg sign them. They also ordered matching copies for some of the students they will be meeting in Africa.
A similar effort occurred in June 2008 -- when a program from the Midwest US headed to South Africa. To read more about the inaugural The First Thirty Elevator Project Africa, click here.
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In conjunction with Greg’s visit, the Miami Dolphins provided some items for kids in the program – as well as a signed football that they can give to the school in Africa they will be visiting.
For more on other sports teams involved with Greg’s visits or projects, see www.GregForbes.com, click Welcome, click Health/Fitness
Shellie, Assistant to Head of School: "Thank you to Greg for taking time to talk to our students going on the South Africa trip. He was entertaining, engaging and captured the attention of this group of 10-year olds who were hanging on to every word. His stories helped them to envision what to expect on this wonderful journey of a lifetime that they are about to embark on. He reinforced that they can achieve whatever they set their mind to and reminded them the importance of looking at new and different experiences with an open mind. I think the group photo reflects their delight. The children are excited to be able to give their email-pals their own copy of The First Thirty and bringing a signed Dolphin football to the South Africa class is an added bonus."
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TAKING LEAPS
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Throughout the year, Greg likes trying new things. Miami and the surrounding area offer many such new experiences and activities to choose from. On his first day in town, Greg went to Dolphins Plus in Key Largo so that he could swim with dolphins for the first time.
Dolphins Plus is a dolphin and marine mammal research and education facility.
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At Dolphins Plus, before you enter the water, participants meet with an experienced trainer and learn about the facility and the dolphins. They also discuss what participants should and should not do while in the water.
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The trainers, many of whom have worked with the dolphins for years, appear to have a genuinely close attachment with them -- oftentimes speaking about them (and to them) as if they were (human) friends.
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There are a number of different programs at Dolphins Plus - including a Structured Swim or a Natural Swim. As part of a structured swim program, you interact with one or two dolphins at a time -- all under the watchful eye of a trainer.
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Even if you're looking forward to the experience, it may be perfectly natural to be unsure of how you and a dolphin will get along when you first meet...
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...but that uncertainty can fade quickly...as you start swimming around together...
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...jumping around...
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...laughing and splashing and having a fun time.
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Dolphins Plus is also affiliated on-site with a nonprofit organization called Island Dolphin Care -- which works with dolphins and kids with special needs.
They are also affiliated with Marine Mammal Conservancy. According to its website, it is a nonprofit organization that focuses on issues like "the research, rescue, rehabilitation, release and/or retirement of marine mammals, and to operate a facility which will serve as a "halfway house" to bring marine mammals from unsuitable, artificial, or overcrowded public display situations and/or stranding situations, and then to reintroduce such marine mammals back into their natural environments; or, for those unsuited to release, a quiet retirement."
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DINNERS
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For Greg, hosting meals for complete strangers is a fun tradition that has occurred in cities around the world. (Photo left, from a recent one in New York City)
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Miami is a melting pot of people from around the world - different nationalities and languages and cultures are evident everywhere you look and listen. So, it should come as no surprise that this tradition of co-hosting group dinners to bring such people together was well-received there. In this instance, the dinner came together in an especially spontaneous way. On Greg's second afternoon in town, he met a woman from another country...
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Just a few hours later, the two co-hosted a dinner for 10 people of different races, cultures and nationalities.
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BEACHES
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In Miami, the beach is one of the most popular destinations. It brings together people of all backgrounds, nationalities, ages, races and cultures.
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On the beach in Miami, one can meet someone from your own hometown...
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...or someone who recently arrived from another part of the world.
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Kids play in the sand...
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...a young couple goes for a walk...
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...an older couple can sit and relax by the water...
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...models take part in photo shoots...
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...while others go for a run, swim in the ocean, have a smoothie or toss around a football.
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In some cases, people simply use the beach as a relaxing backdrop to get work done
[It might not look like I'm working, but this is me preparing for a speech. Honest.]
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ACCOMMODATIONS
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If you want to plan a trip that puts you right in the thick of things when in Miami, the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club can be a great place to start. It is one of several top boutique hotels in Miami that are part of the South Beach Group. Situated on Collins Avenue, two blocks shy of Lincoln Road and around the corner from Ocean Drive, the Catalina includes a real fun, young staff; multiple pools; multiple bars; towels and passes for lounge chairs on the beach (which is just about a block and a half away), plus Wi-Fi internet throughout the property, a popular outdoor restaurant, complimentary drinks in the lobby for an hour at night, and a free shuttle to and from Miami International Airport every two hours.
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EVENINGS IN MIAMI
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Miami nights are a popular time to just relax and unwind -- whether walking your dog around Lincoln Road...
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...exploring some of its unique streets and cultures...
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...you can contribute to a community-wide piece of art at a local coffee shop...
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...or watch an outdoor artist put together a piece of work.
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NIGHTLIFE
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The best way to describe nightlife in Miami may be the word Alive. Given the beautiful weather, people are out and about, inside and outside, every night of the week. Almost everywhere you go, the music is playing. Add in the prevalent number of visitors from Europe and elsewhere -- where the nights are only beginning when many people go to sleep -- and it makes sense that many shops in Miami don't close until late into the night...and the bars, clubs and hotel lobbies stay open even longer.
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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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CROSSING PATHS
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As always, his trip was filled with meetings with old friends - some planned, some by chance - and unexpected meetings and adventures with new ones. Here are pictures of some of the memorable people and places who crossed his path during the trip...
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In a place like Miami, that is also bound to include a celebrity or two like Jackie Mason.
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SAMPLE OF RIPPLE EFFECTS
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= During the trip home, Greg learned that another passenger was returning from a visit with her Mom who has cancer. He asked what her Mom could receive that would cheer her up. The woman said a letter from a particular person well-known for her work in service who her Mom really admires would probably mean a lot to her. The next morning, Greg looked up the media relations contact for that person and then connected the dots. The letter to her Mom should be arriving shortly!
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= In the Charlotte airport, on the way home from Miami, Greg met an amateur boxer. A lifelong fan of Rocky (imitating him since he was a kid - left), this fortuitous meeting inspired him to pursue his next Leap -- and to do it right away.
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Just three days after returning home, Greg made a phone call and asked if there was a way to make this dream a reality -- and as immediately as possible. Just four hours later, that very day, Greg arrived at the Chicago Boxing Club to go one round in the ring with Terry Martin - a mixed martial artist and former UFC fighter with an 18-6, 11 knockouts, MMA record. Terry prepared for the 'fight' by getting some last minute advice from his trainer - Dino, out of Flo MMA (like, 'Hey Terry, try not to land this kid in the hospital) :)
(And no, you are not the first person to think he looks a lot like Mike Tyson)
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With just four hours notice, Greg did not have much time to round up things -- so he stuck with the essentials:
1) IPOD with Rocky soundtrack
2) NIKE shoes and mismatched socks
3) Cheerios water bottle
4) Mr. Strong Knows No Pain Bandages (just in case)
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Greg warmed up for the fight by listening to the Rocky songs, getting used to the mouth guard, and hitting the speed bag.
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Since Greg had not trained, he did not have a trainer per se -- but he did have a great corner person (and my beloved Cheerios water bottle). Before the fight, he did get some last-minute advice from one of the guys at the gym: Keep your mouthguard in.
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Terry and Greg went one round...
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Greg managed to land a punch or two...
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...but mostly got knocked around...
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...and loved it.
(Even one round in the ring really does give you a whole new level of respect for the conditioning and skill of real pro fighters like Terry -- who was a great sport, hitting me enough to let me feel like I'd been in the ring, but not so much that I needed that trip to the ER)
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[Side note: Please do not call the club and ask about doing something similar. For one thing, they're busy training people. For another thing, guys like Terry are working out seriously. This was a one-time thing. Having said that, you can certainly call them about signing up and getting started. Under the watchful eye of Sam Colonna and his crew, Chicago Boxing Club is about more than boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai training top pro fighters. As noted on its website, it's a place where someone new can learn the ropes from the ground up, get one on one training by a professional trainer, take a group class or simply learn how to defend yourself and get in shape and develop more confidence at the same time. So consider giving them a call if you're up for it!
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It's also a place where the experienced guys make you feel at home.
(...and a place that further reinforces an important lesson that people are three-dimensional. Terry might look like a 'tough guy' (and he is)....but he also was the first in his family to get a high school diploma. Since then, he has graduated college, gotten a Masters degree, and in between bouts, he is now pursuing his doctorate.
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WEBSITES & CONTACT INFORMATION
SPECIAL THANKS
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Special thanks to everyone I met in Miami and Chicago, and the organizers of the events I was part of, the people and dolphins I met along the way, the guests who attended the events and dinner, and the companies and organizations who were part of the process.It was a busy couple days - appreciate everyone who was part of it!
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