Thank you, Bobby

ver 13 years ago, shortly before walking across the stage, I ran into my college president, Bobby Vagt, and asked him what I had to offer a world that, in 1999, seemed to be doing just fine. In fact, unemployment was so low that even a year later the New York Times ran a piece about a community that's unemployment rate was so low that they'd taken to hiring ex-cons and...wait for it...liberal arts grads.

Without missing a beat, Bobby told me, "You know how to read, to write and to communicate." I didn't take much solace in those words at the time. I mean, the literacy rate in the U.S. is pretty high and, to some, grunting is a valid form of communication. Everyone knows how to do those things I thought.

No matter what my occupation has been over the years, I've continued to write on my own year by year putting together a portfolio of work while also continuing to read and to communicate what's on my mind be it in English, Spanish or New Yorkese.

Having dealt with people older and younger than myself, from different experiences and places and of different education levels, I've come to understand what the president meant that day: He meant that most people do not know how to read insightfully, to write clearly and to communicate consistently and clearly.

The other day I met with the president of a non-profit consultancy looking for a grant-writer. He bemoaned the lack of good writers out there. I smiled and thought of Bobby. Today I formally accepted their offer to be a grant writer.

If I've learned anything of the years (other than never to doubt Brian Cashman), it's that those who stick with something, who are not distracted and who make progress everyday are those who will most likely achieve their goals. In a small way, this new position is a testament to that.

And now...Game 4 of the ALDS. Go Yanks!