I’ve been in the real estate industry since before Catherine O’Leary’s cow set the whole city ablaze, so I’ve basically tried everything. I’ve worked on a team, gone solo, opened my own brokerage, closed my own brokerage, found another team, etc. You name it, I’ve tried it. And though there are about a thousand bonuses to working with a team, I’m not currently on one. A negative that outshone them all — for me, at least — is the need to work well with others. Sure, I’m great at canoodling with other agents to get a deal done, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty I simply like things how I like them. However, I did just finish the cover story and feel like I may be missing out.
Sunny weather in Chicago (mixed in with some scary rainstorms) means that everyone is going out and getting their party on. It means I’m keeping busy but a bit light on actual gossip.
John Greene Realtor set up a dunk tank after its sales meeting to raise money for Naperville Responds Veterans. Several team members volunteered to show their devotion to the cause by getting nice and soaked in the tank. Danny Delgado from Guaranteed Rate not only donated a tasty lunch but also sacrificed himself to the dunk tank. From the photos, it also appears that Danny decided a pickle costume was the best outfit for falling into a tank of water.
As all you youngsters out there probably know, YPN held its Summer Mixer on July 20 at Tunnel Nightclub in River North. I made a donation to the cause, but I didn’t actually attend because it’s been a while since I’ve fit the description for the “Y” in YPN. I did enjoy hearing what all you whippersnappers got into before, during and after the party, and if some of you knew my true identity you’d maybe hold your cards a little closer to your chest. You know who you are.
@properties Christie’s International Real Estate held its first kickball tournament on July 24 at the UIC Picnic Grove. Tons of managing brokers and agents got involved, alongside company co-founders and co-CEOs Thad Wong and Mike Golden. I don’t want to call anyone out, but if you know Thad and Mike then you can probably guess who was more skilled at the kickball part of the day. Thad. It was Thad. I can’t keep everything a secret or else you wouldn’t read my column!
As July slips away and we settle into the stifling heat of August, let’s provide some cool birthday shoutouts to the following folks. Benjie Buford and Michael Shenfeld share an Aug. 1 bday, while John Gormley, Jeff Bushaw, and Janet Owen all celebrate on Aug. 3. Happiest of bdays to Kevin Grady on Aug. 5, and then same to Stephanie Andre-Ouellette on the 5th and Niko Apostal on the 6th. Akos Straub and Maria Munoz share an Aug. 8 bday, while Mike Bilodeau is on his own on the 10th, and Debra Dobbs will party on the 12th. Mimi Mack and Susan Morrow are bday twinsies on Aug. 15, while Dennis J. Papiernik gets Aug. 21 to himself. Adam McLain and Mike LaFido should consider getting into trouble together on their Aug. 23 bday, and Honore Frumentino can sneak into the fun as well in honor of her Aug. 26 bday. Sam Tarara will round out August along with Lynn Weekley on their Aug. 29 and Aug. 30 birthdays, respectively. Then we’ll kick off September in honor of Dean Vlamis and Sam Jenkins who both celebrate on Sept. 2.