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SEPTEMBER 2024
A PAST AND CURRENT HUSTLE HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF BUT NOT PUNISH OTHERS
risk of missing my train or real urgency. In the train station, I saw out of the corner of my eye someone who seemed to be walking toward me. I made eye contact, and indeed, he was heading over to me. I could see by the look on his face that he was distraught. I came to a stop as he asked me if I had a minute. The gentleman introduced himself as Curley and shared his conundrum. He got off at Newark Penn Station instead of New York Penn Station and, in his haste, left his wallet on the train. He was headed to Boston from Philly to visit his girlfriend, and he was in a bind. Now, at the risk of dating myself, cellphones, though starting to be more popular, were not yet widespread at this time. Transferring funds electronically was not a simple thing (i.e., no Venmo and electronic banking was in its infancy). Sympathetic to his plight but also very aware of the internal train departure “clock” in my head that was starting to tick a bit louder, I gave him $20 or $40. He asked for my contact information so he could repay me when he arrived in Boston, so I gave him my business card, thinking nothing of it. I wished him luck, made my train with a few minutes to spare, and sat down feeling a little proud of myself. Good deed completed for the day. The next morning at work, I got a phone call from Curley. He explained that there were no more trains headed to Boston last night, and he used the money I gave him for food, etc. and was wondering if there was any way I could help him out. I remember feeling that something was off, but I took the elevator down to meet him. I remember asking him several questions in a conversational way to get a sense of whether his story made sense. He answered everything well, but I still felt something was off.
In my early 20s, I lived in northern New Jersey and worked for Prudential Financial. It was my first job out of college, and I really enjoyed it. Everything was new; I worked with smart people, and for the most part, I worked on interesting projects. Prudential’s headquarters are located in Newark, New Jersey, and I worked in a building attached to New Jersey Penn Station. My first apartment was close to the train station, so I was able to commute to work by train. If you’ve ever commuted by train, you know you are completely governed by the schedule. And your stress level at the end of the day is driven by how far you are away from the train and when the train is scheduled to depart. Less time equals more stress. I remember running for my train more than a handful of times at near breakneck speeds in a last-ditch effort to make my train and not have to wait the 60 extra minutes for the next one. My success rate was probably 50/50 at best.
I remember one day, I had a surprisingly long amount of time to make it to the train. I still walked fast because I do, but there was no
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The GOAT Makes His FOX Debut! Is Tom Brady Ready to (Literally) Call the Shots?
I think it was his insistence to write up a “contract”/IOU on paper, which he did and signed.
In the end, I figured there was probably a 50/50 chance it was a hustle, but for whatever reason, I decided to double down and believe him, walked with him to the ATM, pulled out around $100, gave it to him, shook hands, and was on my way (signed IOU in hand). After days, which turned into weeks, which turned into months, I realized I probably got hustled though I held out hope in humanity that he just lost my contact information. That hope was destroyed on a spring day about six months later when I was walking on the street after work, and Curley walked up to me. Only this time, his name wasn’t Curley, and this time, he didn’t get off at the wrong stop. I can’t remember the new story to set the bait for the hustle, but I remember listening to it while in complete shock he didn’t remember me. After a few minutes, I confronted him, and we ended up having another 10-minute conversation about why he decided to con me (and others). It was interesting, to say the least. We parted ways, this time with all of my money staying in my wallet. It’s kind of sad because I think I am slightly less giving to strangers because of the experience. I have my guard up more and am less trusting when people ask for help. I wonder if they really need help or if this is another hustle. I don’t think that is good, and it results in me helping fewer people overall than I could. Subconsciously, I have a stumbling block now. This memory came to me earlier today because we are dealing with our own little hustle at RCW. We found out last week that a tenant we placed in a rental home stole someone’s identity and made a fake ID, fake offer letter, paystubs, and more. It was an elaborate con that came out a few months after the tenant moved in, and we may not have found out for months more if the person whose identity was stolen wasn’t looking to buy a home and noticed a credit inquiry from us for the credit check as part of the application. At this point, we don’t know the identity of the person who is living in the house, which is nerve-racking for me. We have involved lawyers and law enforcement to guide us, as we are very much in the middle of it now. The current issue we are facing raises the question of how much do we trust, what do we change, and how does it impact “innocent” people in the future. I haven’t had enough time to think that through yet but will definitely be spending time with it when the dust settles on all of this. I know there is a tradeoff between protection and trust, and I am sure we will be resetting ours as a company because of this experience.
Nearly two years after signing a 10-year deal with Fox Sports, Tom Brady’s debut as an on-air announcer is officially in the books. The seven-time Super Bowl champion was on the broadcast desk for the Week 1 match-up between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8. After a college career with the University of Michigan Wolverines, Brady was a sixth-round pick, the 199th player chosen, in the 2000 NFL Draft. Talent evaluators found him unimpressive, and many sports analysts were uncertain about his future in the league — plus the Patriots already had two other quarterbacks. In the decades since, many have called this decision a stroke of luck that changed the course of professional football history, but others attribute it to the foresight and strategic planning skills of the team’s leadership. Coach Bill Belichick saw what others didn’t during that fateful draft — Brady’s potential. This decision proved to be a pivotal moment for both the team and the player.
Whatever the case, Brady has earned his spot in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. Holding 17 NFL records, including nearly every major record for quarterbacks, Brady is currently an all-time leader in multiple areas, including passing yards, attempts, and touchdown
passes. He led the Patriots to six Super
Bowl wins in 20 seasons before transferring to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three more years and another championship ring.
Photo: Brad Muckenthaler
Brady’s transition from the gridiron to the broadcast booth marks a significant milestone for his career. His Fox contract pays out $375 million over a decade. By contrast, his 23-year tenure with the NFL netted him around $333 million. This industry-leading deal at nearly $38 million per year earns Brady the title of the highest-paid sports broadcaster ever — just a bit more than sports commentator Jim Rome’s $30 million per year at CBS. Tune in to NFL games all season long to see how the GOAT does behind the mic!
To protecting yourself from the hustle while still being warm and helpful,
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A TAIL OF COURAGE K-9 Sonya’s Distinguished Service Is Recognized
buildings, and she has worked with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. One of the highlights of her career was when she found a firearm that was ditched during a high-speed pursuit that was later linked to multiple homicides. Her work ultimately helped to identify the suspect. Sonya has also had the opportunity to attend major events in the country, protecting guests and fans. Over her career, she worked security for four Super Bowls, the Rose Bowl, the U.S. Track and Field Olympics, U.S. World Athletics, PGA tournaments, and many other mass public gatherings. Sonya has assisted in security for four U.S. presidents, high-ranking dignitaries, and world leaders. Sonya retired in 2023 and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, but she didn’t let it stop her from continuing to serve. Sonya worked as the Coast Guard’s first-ever canine recruiter until her passing
A national hero from the U.S. Coast Guard had a lot to wag her tail about this year! K-9 Sonya, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois, was honored with the Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal this March for her extraordinary heroism over the past nine years. The hardworking dog has a long list of achievements and continues to serve the Coast Guard proudly. Sonya was one of 18 explosive detection canines in the Coast Guard, assigned to two duty stations, the Maritime Safety and Security Team in Seattle and the Maritime Security Response Team West in San Diego. Alongside her human partner, Sonya’s primary job was to detect and detract acts of terrorism in the U.S. She has performed more than 5,000 hours of explosives detection work and more than 8,500 vehicle sweeps. The pooch’s expertise has helped other local law enforcement agencies handle bomb threats in residential and federal
in April. In a heartfelt message online, Sonya’s handler, Chief Petty Officer James Grant, paid tribute to his partner. “Sonya girl, you were a fighter until the end,” he wrote. “Your loyalty and love will be forever remembered. K9 Sonya, you were the greatest, most loving dog I have ever met.”
Sonya’s brave legacy lives on and continues to inspire.
TAKE A BREAK
Legendary Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
• 1 tsp cumin • 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes • 1 cup cooked rice • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 bell peppers (any color), halved and seeded • 1 lb ground beef • 1 onion, diced • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1 tsp chili powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish or baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bell pepper halves in the baking dish. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the beef is browned, then drain excess fat. 4. Stir in chili powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, rice, salt, and pepper. 5. Fill the 8 bell pepper halves with the beef mixture, then top with the shredded cheddar cheese. 6. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.
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INSIDE
1
A Past and Current Hustle
2
Weather Myths Debunked!
Can Tom Brady Excel in the Booth?
3
The Belgian Malinois Who Protected America
Legendary Stuffed Peppers
4
Elevate Your Aesthetic With Colorful China
Make a Statement With Eye-Catching Plate Arrangements DISHWARE DÉCOR
Imagine a symphony of mismatched porcelain and a kaleidoscope of colorful circles splashed across your walls. Plates are no longer just a dish for the table; they’re the latest craze for creative decorating. Plate walls are common in cottages and allow you to create a unique art piece out of plate arrangements. The possibilities are endless, from a variety of sizes, and a single-color theme, to a rainbow across the wall. If you’re looking for a way to use family china, mix those heirlooms with other ornamental plates. To keep a varied collection of colored plates from getting too chaotic, use a simple, single color to fill most of the space and pepper in bold colors and patterns. Add platters ,
vintage silverware , and serving trays onto your statement wall.
Let your plates tell a story and turn your home into a gallery of delightful dishes.
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