By now everyone on ActiveRain (and probably a good portion of Google) knows that today Rich Jacobson is celebrating his 50th birthday. In honor of that milestone, and because Rich is such an all-around good guy in the Rain, I've come up with a twist on the meme concept. It's a sort of online version of 'This is Your Life' (maybe 'This is Your Blog?'), or some of you might take it in the direction of a 'virtual roast!' Here's how it works:
Instead of Rich sharing five things about himself, we share one or two pieces or information about Rich (we're shooting for at least 50!) Maybe it's something from one of his 158 blogs or nearly 2000 comments that has stuck with you. Perhaps you're one of the 14 Rainers invited by Rich. Or maybe you've been lucky to chat on the phone or meet him in person and have some juicy inside info to share.
Just jump into the comment box and tell us your favorite Rich-ism, and then invite your friends to join in! Here's mine:
- Although he lives on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula, Rich is a big Kansas Jayhawks fan. In fact, the photo from his latest blog shows him in a KU T-shirt! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!
- According to his ActiveRain tag cloud, Rich's favorite blogging topics are: Kitsap County WA, buyers, marketing, success and ActiveRain.
To get the ball rolling, I'm inviting Maureen Francis, Maureen McCabe and Mark Flanders. But you don't have to wait for an invite - like Rich always says "Jump on in, the Rain is warm!"
Happy 50th, Rich!!
Oh goodness! This could get really embarassing! Mark Flanders will probably have the most dirt on me. We live in the same town, his wife is an agent here in my office, and we meet for coffee every Thursday morning!
Thanks, John!
Ohhh, I am glad I got here early.
Here is my contribution:
Rich is involved in community theater. This summer he was in Footloose with his son.
Rich still looks dapper in a Santa hat. Not too many grown men can pull that off.
Happy B Day, Rich!
Maureen, good one! We just finished our run of Disney's "Beauty & the Beast." My son, Elliot, was in the ensemble and I produced the show. We had nearly 100% attendance all nights of the show!
Mary, Ho, Ho, Ho!
Hey Rich, I enjoyed talking with you on Wednesday. You had mentioned your birthday was this week but not what day. So, I called and you were a delight! Have a wonderful Day!!
www,homerome.com
Baltimore,Md
thanks, Margaret! It was great talking with you as well. Have a wonderful and memorable Christmas with your husband!
I have not really read much of Rich. I run into him in comments on others blogs, I have read his featured posts.. peaple would send me to read his stuff. I kept thinking I oughta associate with him and I finally did today.
Rich has one son who is an OSU Buckeye football fan... Rich had a post about the big game... the last big game.. OSU VS. Michigan... not the next big game... January 8, 2007. I like reading Rich's posts about his family.
Rich is known for his thoughtful politeness. When given a present he will wear it no matter h
ow ugly it is! See what I mean...
kk
Love that pic, KK.
An Elf in Denver is VERY good with photoshop (and many other things too)
It's what can happen when you leave your pictures just layin' around!
kk
that's OK I already got all I need... :)
kk
MM - I had forgotten about Ohio State football. And their basketball team is ranked #3. It's possible both Kansas and Ohio State could make their way to the Final Four.
Kristal - I'm starting to wonder what you might have in store for 2007 - New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day?! Is any image safe?
Yikes, I'm late to the party on this one. Sorry John, I'll try to make up with quality what I lack in timeliness.
I've been sitting here trying to come up with something good on Jacobson because let's face it a roast is fun as long as it's not mean-spirited. And I come up blank. I really can't think of any dirt.
Rich is, in person, exactly what he seems to be on ActiveRain. He's funny, good-natured, energetic, empathetic and sincere. But he's not stuffy at all. He holds himself to a high standard and his feelings are easily hurt because he is genuinely kind. He really is kind of a boy scout. Rich can be obsessive, but he channels it into areas that benefit others. His main focus in life is his family. He talks about his wife as naturally as he breathes, it's clear she is his best friend. They have shared alot and have a deep relationship to show for it. He walks and talks his kids. They are never far from his thoughts or his conversations. If he runs out of things to say about his family, seafood is bound to creep into the conversation soon. I have never heard Rich swear.
The common thread in all our conversations is laughter. We laugh. It's a simple thing. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I met Rich the first time at a Fourth of July party on the Hood Canal waterfront about 4 years ago. I didn't remember the meeting for a long time. Then one morning I asked my wife "remember that July 4th party at Nick's house?", "was that the Jacobson family sitting on the hill in front of us?" She said it was.
I kept noticing this family. They had 3 blankets spread out to accomodate all the people. They sat as a group and it was so obvious that every one of them was content to be right where they were. The dad had his arm around his wife first, and then around a son, then a daughter and then another son. He never seemed to be without his arm around someone. The kids prowled around some, but were at the blanket with their parents most of the time. I remember a daughter leaning into her mother sharing some private joke and the two of them laughing like high schoolers together. That family did not seem to notice the people around them. They seemed to have everything they needed within their own family group.
It was charming to watch. I remember thinking "That's how it's supposed to work".
It was a long time after Rich and I started meeting for coffee that I put the two people together.
That's who Rich is.
PS- I just received an email from Rich titled "You Suck"
That also is who Rich is! Like I said, we laugh....
We wish you a merry Christmas! We wish you a merry Christmas! We wish you a merry Christmas And a happy New Year! Glad tidings we bring To you and your kin! Glad tidings for Christmas And a happy New Year!
Broker Bryant and The Lovely Wife (pretend we are singing it works better like that) ROAR!
Mark Flanders, you just made me a little teary eyed. That is awfully sentimental stuff for one guy to say about another.
Ok, I'm late too on this one, but....
I do know that Rich serves GREAT snacks at his football parties, his son(s)play Pee Wee football, and he grew up in Livermore, California! And he has the most gorgeous family I've ever seen~
Happy New Year to a guy who took the time to welcome a newbie to AR as if I were SOMEONE! And stopped to tease first rattle out of the box. I knew that day this place would be a good time!
The same wishes for a prosperous New Year to the rest of Active Rain!