Know your competition.
Harvey K
The Belligerent Beachgoer
Larry Akin
AS he welcomed me into his living room I glanced around to see that he was watching Monday night football. And as his wife offered me something to drink I felt that this was not going to be one of my favorite meetings of my week. But some 2 hours later, I left with a feeling that if I can have this encounter with a man of his regional importance, then I guess I could converse with just about anybody about anything.
Larry and I met for the first time when he asked me if I would be willing to landscape his newly developed house in a new subdivision in Newburgh Indiana. Larry was very well known as the man who brought amazing talent to Evansville. Name some of the greatest bands of the 70s , 80s and 90’s , and if they were doing a concert in Our riverside city. There was a good chance
That Larry may have been involved. They later named a center of entertainment in Evansville after Mr Akin due to his wonderful influence of music in our city. He was owner /operator of at least 3 Radio stations. Of which one of my friends from college worked for. So luckily for me I knew a little bit about Larry from some of the conversations I had with MIke. He was a tough negotiator, he ran the show, but a little like Bobby Knight the coach, He was usually very fair and conciliatory to those that may be his competition. But also like Bobby he would give you an ear full if you disagreed..
As I have mentioned many times. Be prepared in knowing your competition. Whether in a wrestling match , or an Icon. Learn as much about them before you go to battle. How do they win, how do they lose. And for me If I knew the psychology of how their brain worked. Then you can develop a plan.. I never wanted to attack my opponent, that may bring bigger problems, but know their strengths and weaknesses, know how to have a conversation, where you may know more about them then they know about you. Scout Motto number 1 BE PREPARED.
So as I sat on the sofa next to his recliner, we began with a little small talk before he asked. So John, where is the confusion here? What are we in disagreement with?
It was pretty simple. A number of months ago as we were landscaping his property, a division of my business that was becoming the fastest growing part of Schroeder Landscape and Aquatic Nursery. We also had a subset of our company that also did irrigation. And this particular job was a little different in that the lake behind his house would allow us to irrigate his lawn vs installing a separate meter where he would use city water.. A great cost saving in the long run.
So with this Larry had asked me to give him a quote on what it would cost to have the front yard irrigated coming out of the lake. But just the front yard..
Weeks later, as he saw and liked the landscape installation and the irrigation of his front yard. I met him one day to pick up the check for the landscaping balance. As usual by now most all customers were pleased with what they saw. And as they thanked me for my company’s work I would always follow with the same phrase. “ Larry You should like this job, we took a blank slate and now it is a living landscape as well. But honestly, for my reality let’s see what this looks like in 10 years. If you still like it then.you can call me and let me know. I’m not proud, it’s just knowing what people’s expectations were and that I wanted to exceed them.
But it was because of this day where the confusion had increased to a point of this tense meeting.
As he handed me the check he said.” Well I love what you have done, Lets go ahead and irrigate the backyard as well..“ Ok”, “Wasn’t surprised he wanted to do this, but followed with.” I will get you a quote for what that will be.” again my mantra when people asked for more work.
“No, John, that’s not necessary. I trust you will not Gouge me. Just do it. Ok , I thought let’s see how this pans out.
While sitting now in his luxurious den I had in my hands all I needed;. Larry was smart, confident, and a man I was pretty sure knew a bit about math. And My copies of quotes and proposals were all I needed to present a case to a man who I knew was not going to be easily persuaded Especially by a young snot-nosed kid who this city barely knew. . It was then that I noticed the game again and I saw it was the MIami Dolphins. MY team since I was 6 years old. This may help.
He believed that he had the quote for his irrigation and that the additional charge for the backyard was in the original quote. So in his mind he did not owe the extra. I could see a man of his prowess and the incredible amount of numbers he plays with every week that he probably did not remember our second part of the conversation “Just do it” so his original quote he felt suffices to prove his point. And as he handed me his copy his demeanor began to change as he knew( he )was right. So I started doing simple math.” Larry, I understand your confusion and I will kick myself later for not sending you a quote. But look at your original proposal, how many irrigations heads and how many valves does it say. His facial expression began to tighten as I handed his quote back to him. His wife came into the room about that time and could see the pleasantries were over, she left quickly as I’m sure this was not her first rodeo.
Looking over the quote quickly he then repeated what he had said before. “ Adding that if I did not have a signed quote, it did not happen so you’re not getting any more money”. Ok, Not surprised. Now I was prepared for the next volley because of my research on this man, and the vulgarity came over the net quickly, dam it look, I did not have to give you this f……; job, you are new to this business and I thoughI I was doing you a favor by letting you do work for me so you could improve your Landsca[pong resume, Now You do not have a quote so your BLAH BLAH BLAH……
As I looked around the room feeling the heat rising. My thoughts went here.
Probably 1 out of a thousand people would think this fight is worth the effort. Is the lemonade worth the squeeze?
From a very early age, through the many coaches, an amazing scoutmaster, teachers and very wealthy mentors. I had developed a very hard casting of armor around me. If I feel I’m 100% right, then I prepare for battle and will take it until I’m in a jail cell, I win, or we both shake hands and buy the onlookers a drink. Always with violence in check. No one ever wins a physical fight!!! Not in today’s world. Unless you are a UFC fighter. That’s different… ( never been in a jail cell, never arrested, never even gotten a speeding ticket ,so maybe tonight I thought.). But, if I have to have my day in court to prove who’s right let’s do it. But John M Schroeder will not turn away from the president of the United States if the story I can share is true and young people can learn from my experience..
Acting as though I did not even process his words,( I’m good at that., and it really pisses people off) I stated, “so you have X number of heads and X number of valves on that proposal. Guess how many heads and valves you have in your front yard.? His next outburst proved my point. “ I don’t give a damn about the heads and valves. You are not getting another dime. Now get the hell …out of my house.”. He now was raising himself from his lounging position as he was now thinking I was going to leave and he was going to let the door hit me in the arse.
I had pondered for days what I would do when it got to this point. And again I was correct. It got to this point. But I told myself I’m right he is wrong, “the JUST DO IT was our nemesis. and if he decided to kick me out then his next step would either be to become physical, or call the police. His age, and physical condition made me feel comfortable. It wasn’t going to be physical. He was a smart man, But as calmly and best I could, I injected, why Larry, do you think you have more heads in your backyard then you do in your front?? And why does your quote not show this.?
Very loudly he asserted” then why is my price here for the back close to the price you have in the front, shouldn’t it be much more?”.
I knew that he was at least trying to process the additional bill. And when I mentioned that the first quote, included the pump and electricity for the lake water extraction. It was the final blow. Yes the young snot nose kid was right and he had just lost to a boy that probably had 1/1000th of the net worth he had, but the boy had maybe 3 times the patience and confidence and
Fighting strength, at least if we compared where Larry was at my age.. In my eyes I saw a very pissed off man of legend, who knew who was correct, quote or no quote. His eyes saw who was right. Simple math. Nearly always works. IF THEY WILL LISTEN to math?. As he threw the papers in the air. And rose to his feet. You Son of a…. Get out of my house or I will call the police.!!!
There it was! not what I wanted to hear but what I Was prepared to hear.. And knowing fairly confidently he wasn’t going to attack a wrestler in his prime. I had to make a big decision. His wife now came into the room to try to calm things down and show me to the door. I sat and decided. If the police come and take me away, and they definitely would, eventually the truth comes out that this young kid outsmarted one of Evansville smartest and toughest.. How will that look on His resume? Or obituary.. LA got beat by a JS. and not the smart JS’s
As I sat there still not moving from the couch I realized that if My thinking was wrong and he did call the cops, I was going to have a long evening and long weeks before the truth came out. But I was prepared to go there. My wife, probably not, but I knew my next words had to be prophetic.
As he was yelling for me to get out. My focus went back to the game and as I saw the dolphins again, I took the one shot that I had left. . “ Well, Larry, are you a Dolphin fan?’ Silence… IT worked, it caught him so off guard that I wasn’t afraid of nearly anything, and it was Threat Reducing enough that Physical violence was not going to be an issue. He stopped, gave me a look that I felt comfortable with, sat down in his chair, took a drink and said. Something that was a lot better than his last 15 sentences. The room was now quieter and cooler, and as I sat there my mind went to Thank God for giving me that one. A few moments of silence was followed by “lets just watch the game for a bit.Do you want another drink? “” Sure, sounds good,” as I finally could lean back and know that I may stay out of jail; and didn’t need my one call. I could see that he was reading over my invoice for the backyard install. The game went on and I made me remember another time the Dolphins game was paramount to the moment. But that time it was more like ecstasy.
Actually it was ecstasy. On MY honeymoon night, two days after I married the woman of my dreams, ( and occasional nightmare, but mostly dreams) we were in bed in 1985 when my cherished dolphins beat the Chicago bears by a landslide. Why was this so amazing?
Well we were in bed for a long time. And during each quarter we were fulfilling our physical wedding vows, yes while the tv was on. But by beating the undefeated bears that night, we once again sealed the fate, that the perfect team of 72 would live on.
I know ladies, what kind of man watches a football game on his wedding nights? Ok, I have always been a multi tasker, and for My sweetheart, I did need a little time out to re energize her engines. Actually I believe she was hoping the game would take my mind off her for at least a little bit. But it was our honeymoon you know,…….. Sorry I digress
As the game continued Laryy began scribbling some figures he finally said. Ok, look It does look like what you are saying is true, these numbers do reflect that you did not have the backyard on this quote. But understand that I make so many financial decisions a week, that the only thing I can rely on are my signed copies, and well. You should have given me a quote for the backyard… VICTORY..but let me keep this civil this victory is so much more valuable than a few thousand dollars. Yes. I totally agree, and this moment will be imprinted in me for the rest of my life when it comes to proposals. So what are you thinking.?”I asked. “Would you be interested in compromise? ” he asked. What are you thinking? How about since there is no signed copy and since I plan on using you again in the future and will tell Newburgh about your company. We split this 75-25 and that way we both win” My mind said, “let’s agree to disagree, or, there really are 2 sides to every story, My heart said, lets take your money and run as soon as the game is over. And having this guy as a friend was huge vs him trying to badmouth me on occasion.
That will be fine. You can just pay off that invoice. I really appreciate you understanding this.. (really I was thinking I really appreciate you not calling the police.Not the last time someone threatened me with a police escort. (@see Belligerent Beach Goer *)
AS I walked out into the cool summer evening, My body was confused with a mixture of incredible success and a little nervous on how I really had put myself into a possible frustrated ending. My attorney and engineering friends would feel. John this is what attorneys are for, you could have gotten into a lot of legal trouble. Or You are crazy to go after someone of that stature . You could have been sued or worse. SUED There is that word again. It’s kind of like the F word. It comes out of people’s mouths so easily. Like they have been sued 10 times and their family has lost all their possessions because of all the suits against them. LIke they are Donald Trump getting new letters everyday to say we will see you in court.
But once again my gut feelings were correct. Even a little landscaper with a premonition of how people’s minds work has once again called it perfectly right. Wow, maybe I should have been an ambassador.
Many months later I got to see the proof. Along with getting more calls from newburgh from people who say they heard good things about our company and were willing to try a new version of the 2 big complanes on the East side. I was in my attorney”s office, waiting in the lounge when I heard a lady over the intercom asking to have the receptionist schedule
Another appointment for Mr. Akin. That name I remember and as he came out the door shaking the hand of his attorney I also knew, he turned my way, walked towards me with a smile and an outstretched hand and shook mine as I rose from my chair. “John, How are you doing” , it’s good to see you. How’s the landscaping business? So amazed he even remembered my name,
My heart leapt and it was a quick conversation that said. Young man you just might someday go places with that confidence you possess. And that was the confirmation that told me that he did respect me and our friendship was solid. Still moving in the right direction I thought…
Years later Larry Akin of Akian Management passed away at the age of 69… the news watch published Feb 14, 2010 at 10:36pm
Posted by Sarah Harlan read.
He passed away At Deaconess hospital That Saturday evening.
A “Prominent face in the community, after suffering from a long illness 14 News was told.
He was the long time owner and promoter of Aiken management and Aiken Communications, bringing some 1700 concerts to Evansville including Tina Turner, Frank Sinatra, and Elton John., HIs company became the 2nd largest promoter of touring broadway shows in the United states.
Democratic Chairman of Vanderburgh County, Mark Owen, quoted “ He was able to open up the entertainment world to Evansville- the number of entertainers and performers the number of broadway plays that he brought here would not have happened without Larry Aiken.
He was also a philanthropist, donating over a million dollars… Leaving behind his wife Suzzane and two children he was very active with the Vanderburg Democratic party.
January 22, 2024, AS I write this story, I read the above story as it was written in 2010..
It ‘s significance startles me as I see the date of February 14 ( a day I hold dear).
I’m sure in my past I probably have read similar stories about this great man. As I reflect on His life. The Larry I got to know was much like the Larry MY friend had described. Yes He could get very vocal, but he was also the KIND of a guy who was very kind to many people. Just his vision to entertain possibly Millions of fans who may never have the chance to go around the world to see and hear the best. The quiet man whose heart heard so many enjoying what he had created. He had the mind of another good friend of mine Dr Dan Adams, A cardiologist and wonderful man who was not afraid to tell me what I needed to hear at times. But was one who would share what he had for all the right reasons.
Once again , somehow My God had introduced me to a person of great stature at a young age and let me spar with him. Maybe so I could someday have the confidence to help change a world when it needed it badly.
An Amazing Evansvillian,… a football game we both needed that night….. And a common firm of attorneys, that was the final meeting place to make it clear, we were both very clear on how true friends can, even with a heated conversation, see a greater cause and on that we did dwell.
I miss you my friend, please watch over me these next few years, I will need your ability to try to reach millions and hopefully entertain them at times,
John M Schroeder.
Harvey
HOW TO GET A 40 FT TREE PLANTED UPSIDE DOWN
For free…
Know Your opponent. He may not be your opponent today or tomorrow but be prepared with what you know…
Time and again they said he will come to you like he is your best friend and ask for something. BEWARE,BEWARE.
And they were right and I was happy they were right.
As My company grew I purchased a bigger piece of land(!5 acres to house my landscaping and nursery operation). And with this land I began to attract attention. Good attention mostly,, going from a small warehouse on a ¼ acre, very few could see to now being on one of the busier roads on the west side, that propelled my business into things I really didn’t want to do..ie retail.
(read Schroeder ‘s Landscape and aquatic nursery*)
So when one day my neighbor across the rode, entered my office, with outstretched arms a smile as large as his face. I quietly listened as he explained his plight
. John I recently got a job that I need a huge amount of soil, Not top solid just fill dirt. And I was wondering if you may sell me some dirt?.
I was a landscaper, not an excavating business. The difference, I may go though 300 cubic yards of topsoil a year. An excavating company may go through hundreds of thousands of cubic yards at the same time. Topsoil, I liked it. fill dirt not so much.
Well Harvey/, how much do you need and what will you pay?
X number of yards and I will pay you Y
Here is where it gets a little fuzzy/amazing.. Did he know I was planning on building a lake for my aquatic plants or did I tell him that day.
Regardless I knew he was thinking, I can get the dirt cheaper than elsewhere. So my good hearted self decided to see just how far I could go before he balked.
I want a lake this big, I want you to store excess dirt in excess of what you need here. I want you to build a bridge across the creek in the back with some very large concrete pillars I had acquired years ago with rip rap as a base, (approximately 60 ft long by 5 ft wide by 3.5 feet thick.. Approximately 120,000 lbs each ) or 60 tons
I also wanted him to plant a very large sycamore tree lying near the creak upside down, yes upside down. ( ANSFAD see tree below.)
Basically because of a small boy’s question. and I also wanted a few other minor things, insignificant..
Do we have a deal? As quick as he could he put out his hand to shake and as we shook I quickly said. Harvey I will get my attorney to put all this in a contract that we can sign before you start.
( He will Kick my ass/MY ATTORNEY’S MONTRA…) Just by the way he smiled and said thanks and hurried away I saw first hand what so many had warned me about. I’m the young stupid entrepreneur, who knows nothing, he has one of the largest excavating companies in Evansville, and time will tell who is what.
Calling Jeff quickly I wanted this rushed, I also told all my people that If any trucks from his company show up, do not let them take a single shovel of dirt. Call me no matter what.
Sure enough a couple days later I got a call to tell me that there were a number of large dump trucks lined up on my property with a very large excavator. “John, they are here, and they want to start digging. What should I do? Sheri was My number one administrator office girl. And I was so glad I had warned her about this guy. Did Jeff get the contract over to us yet, I asked. “Yes”
So as she read it back to me I instructed her to tell the drivers to hold tight until Harvy and I could get together, get this signed and then I would meet with them. I then called him., Hey Harvey, I just heard your guys are here to start moving soil. Ah, what time can you meet me at my shop to get this contract signed?” “ Contract what contract.” 3 hours later a very upset man meets me at my office. His truck drivers had left and He inquired why he had to sign this paper. He felt our verbal agreement was good enough. I explained that my attorney would kick my Ass if I ever signed anything without his approval and vice versa.
As He quickly read through the verbiage. He was more interested in getting his trucks back and loaded because his day was not going well. Again in such a hurry I could tell he really did not process what he was signing.
Approximately 2 months later, My lake was dug, my aquatics plants were planted, I had large piles of soil for use and all was fine in our world except just a few incidentals.
Again I was not looking forward to the call, because I was well aware of where this was going to go. I had sent an additional copy of the contract to his office so we could go over this realizing his copy was probably in a trash can somewhere. The conversation informed him I was ready for my bridge, my tree planting and a couple other items he had agreed to. Which created an immediate implosion in his brain. There was no way he had agreed to this and I was crazy to think he was going to do it and I would be hearing from his lawyer.…..
Ok I calmly replied, what is your attorney’s name and do realize if this goes to court you will be paying our fees. It is the contract.
After an embarrassing conversation with his attorney after we sent the proof, His attorney confided with Jeff that He had no Idea he was going to be held responsible. To build a $20.000 bridge and have to plant a 40’ tree upside down. My Attorney simply said that John would recommend that Harvey in the future should be careful who he does business with.
I received a phone call later from the man who now had to admit to many West Siders that he got the proverbial crap kicked out of him by a young snot nosed landscaper, and he had to build a bridge, blah blah blah.. And he ended the phone call with. OK Schroeder, let’s make a deal. You stay on your side of St Joe and I’ll stay on.mine. This was the PG version. Years later I would work with his son, as he began to take over the business. He had a better working personality than his father.. He actually hired one of my best managers to start another Landscaping and maintenance operation. Dan Masterson was a great manager and skilled leader who had two other brothers who worked for me. ( read. How three brothers panicking can produce very expensive sushi}
Harvey and I did eventually see and enjoy each other’s company when we would meet at various places on the west side. And yet we never brought up the contract again. Sleeping dogs Lie ‘Right.
So as I reflect. Had I not heard and inquired further about the stories about this man’s patterns of doing business, I would have very easily only gotten a free shallow lake while he made good of a lot of soil.. Did I feel that I had finally vindicated some of the other people I knew who he had wronged in the past. If it wasn’t the fact that story after story confirmed that this man was one of tricky character. And maybe this was my way of teaching him a lesson. But did it change him? I can’t say. I do take my hat off to a man who had a successful business because he was never afraid to ask someone for something? (remember all they can say is NO) But was he comfortable with the reputation of many who felt you could not trust him any further than you could throw him. And many would have loved to throw him over a cliff, Thank goodness he was not working around the Yellowstone ranch. But did he create the norm where a man’s word was not as good as it once was?.
And at the end of the day,can a young person with a good attorney, accountant and keen advisors compete and win against men twice my age. Yes, you can. Using CPR, be confident that your patience will allow you the respect of others, that they will tell you what you need to know to allow David to beat Goliath, but not physically but just enough that Goliath goes home very embarrassed and upset, and maybe, just maybe he will turn over not a new but a slightly better leaf.
.
Do your research and understand why they are laughing
Yes God does have a sense of humor.
As I was starting to get into the car to begin our long ride home from another marvelous.vacation from Destin Fl. I noticed Scott in the corner of my eye running towards me with a newspaper waving in the air. “ John You did it , You made the papers, They got your story in the paper.”
It’s not often that I get My story on the front page. But My good friend and manager of the beach front hotel was laughing and explaining that the story I had told him a few days earlier did in fact catch the attention of the news media. There it was the top story with a picture of the police officer standing next to the man in charge of the property pool and beach area. Both standing next to a sign that read. private beach. Property owners and tenants only.
So we all got out of the car and grabbed a couple copies as we began to read this article that was the culmination of an interesting hour and a half on the beach. As I read the story it once again confirmed one of my main life tenets. There are always two sides to every story. This was classic.
If I know I am right. I will fight to the end or until someone can show me where I am mistaken. Has it happened in my 60 years? Yes and I will accept the defeat.if the proof is there.
But here was one of those times I knew a lot about what was going on and there was a hilarious moment that also proves that yes God does have that sense of humor.
Destin was a wonderful vacation for our family, we loved the water, the food, the variety of activities and for me the deep sea fishing never disappointed. So a week earlier, as we were entering the city early that Saturday morning I had my radio on as the newsman was covering a local story about how the city council had voted on the controversial issue of what the legal property boundaries for private owned land on the beach. The growth of the city in recent years had made it difficult for local citizens to find areas to swim, as more and more beachfront property was being developed for hotels and condos. And It was decided that the ruling was, any beach area that was in the high tide area, that this was open for any one who stayed along that high tide line. In other words, the beach that stretched beyond the tide line was the private property of the hotel but if you were in the water line, you could stay there. Then to increase my knowledge, when we stopped for breakfast I read a similar story in the newspaper describing the same information. Little did I know some days later I would be in a crowd on the beach playing out this controversial issue.
Around 10 o’clock in the morning a few days later, I was taking my son Quinn out to the beach, before the rest of the family were to join us later. I had a couple towels and a small cooler with skis and water, but as I looked out over the ocean I immediately saw an unfavorable scene.
Red tide. A swimmers and fishermans nightmare when you really want to enjoy the water. Red tide is an accumulation of filamentous Algae that has ruined a many a day for beachgoers who will either not get into the water or be brave enough to swim but will have to put up with the smell,Gross feeling and, encumbered styringy effects that will now invade your body. Bad, Bad, really bad.
But as I was processing the view I noticed that the private beach right next to us was perfectly clear. Due to the wing and tide this red tide was moving very slowly east, and My estimate was that in a couple hours our beach in front of our hotel would be swimmable.
So Dad, why don’t we just go swim over there until our beach is clear. Quinn at the age of 10 inquired. Great Idea Quinn, let’s do it. And as I was walking that way I announced to the people feeling the same frustration that we are just going to go over some 60 feet away and use their ocean. And surprisingly a number of people joined us. “Are we allowed to do this? ?wim on their beach” the middle aged lady asked. “Well, I’m sure if we can’t someone will let us know , But I seldom ask permission, but time will tell.
So the group made our way to the other side and Quinn immediately jumped in the waves, as I set out my towel and cooler and begane to partake in a “Ski” to refresh my pallet.
I began to hear a little shuffling behind me, as I could hear the tenets of this hotel being a little upset that we were now their view instead of just the waves, sea gulls and cute babes in the water. My main focus was my son frollickling in the water and I could see more easily how this tide.was moving. And since it was just a matter of minutes. All was well.
But suddenly a gentleman came from behind me, “Ah sir, are you staying at this Hotel?”
Immediately I could see all eyes on me as I was aware that I was to find out how accurate my sources were because we were going to have a discussion that may lead into a debate.
“No sir I said we are in this hotel, and we just want to swim here for a bit until the red tide leaves. “ See there’s Quinn, my son swimming, boy he is having a good time”, as I am waving to Quinn as thoughI am introducing them. Not seeing my humor or gratitude, He informs me he works for the hotel and that I am not allowed to swim or be on the beach here because it was private Property and I would have to leave..
Game ON. “ Well sir, we may have to agree to disagree but I have heard and read in your paper that as long as I’m below the high water mark of the beach I’m allowed to be here.”
He didn’t like my . Answer.
So after exchanging a few different views it was becoming obvious that my cheering section and his cheering section was very interested on how this was going to shake out. Suddenly my morning of sun , relaxation and joy had suddenly become a moment of “grab some popcorn and beer boys we have us a public spectacle. Feeling very frustrated that I was not going to move back to my beach, he said the phrase that I have heard once or twice before. “Sir, please do not make me go and get the manager” . “No as long as you’re going to let us swim for about another 30 minutes, leave her alone, but if you are struggling with this, then by all means, you probably need to get her.”
Leaving in a disgusted haste I realized all eyes were on me as some of my section came up to ask why I felt strongly about not leaving. I explained my research, and again reiterated that this was such a ridiculous issue that would be resolved very soon as our water was going to be clear. But I did warn them that they had to be positioned in front of the tide line (easy to see, this is where the debris from High tide showed how high the water was the night before, usually a black line of particulates, dead aquatic life and driftwood .}
The other good news was that Quinn was totally oblivious to what was happening with his dad
And my wife did not have to see me once again be in the middle of the action.
As I sat there wondering what was going to happen next I now realized the tide was coming back up as the waves were now at times reaching me and my cooler which I actually like because on a hot day I like my feet in the water when possible.
But about 10 minutes later, I hear more rumbling and chatter behind me as it now appears the Manager is on her way.. I see through the crowd that a lady in her forties, in a pantsuit. Is working her way towards me. Her expression was all business, and I knew by her girthy body frame that she was not super comfortable walking in the sand in heels and office attire. There were no real pleasantries as she immediately came up to me and Said. “Ah sir this is a private beach and unless you are from this hotel you are not allowed to be on this beach”. With arms folded and a face that said. Leave or die. I quickly smiled and repeated what I had said to her cabana man a short while earlier. But as I said this I noticed the next wave coming in was going to disrupt the conversation in a matter of seconds. As she looks at me and then the wave she quickly begins to retreat from her position as she is now nearly dancing to keep her feet from getting wet. My mind is laughing as I now realize, my God has decided to get into the fray. AS the water recedes she returns to my seat,, and I Immediately showed her my son swimming as I waved to him. Yes ma’am that my son Quinn and he loves your beach. And It looks like in about 15-20 minutes we will all be able to go back to our side and leave you guys alone. “ Sir, I’m sorry but you guys can not be on our beach, this is private property. Did you see the sign? “ All I was reading was the fact that in about 15 seconds the crowd was once again going to see the lady in a suit do her dance of disgruntlement as she was trying to not fall and tell me that I was trespassing.. This time the crowd was now watching this true natural moment where the waves, her frustration and a guy who just wanted to know the facts was causing a moment.
. More and more people forgot about the beautiful day and the gorgeous water but now it was about a guy sitting on a cooler running the show and he wasn’t charging for tickets. Water repeats, she comes back, but now the crowd was beginning to laugh at her for the hilarious moves she was trying to make in the most awkward way imaginable. We all were also realizing that this is why the city council made this ruling. Where the waves are washing up, no private owner should get control of this ocean. I did not want her to fall, but even her own squad was chuckling because of the view she was giving everyone.. And I once again, tell her the story about the city council, the highwater line, and the sincere questions of where am I wrong?. Also pointing out that I’m sure she knows Scott, my manager and that she can call him to ascertain the real story. Of which she did not.. And I reiterated that all of this was going to be over in a very short time.
Problem is, when you are dressed with authority and you are being embarrassed by a guy on a cooler drinking a ski and he is smiling at you,. Well there was only one more thing she could say. But, it had to be said very quickly because mother nature was about to get her more wet than she already was. “Sir, look I think I know the rules at my own hotel. Are you going to make me call the police?” In the bigger picture of all of this, at this point. I was really beginning to wonder what exactly are the rules of this beloved town and probably the only way I will know for sure is to talk with some government officials and get the straight answer. If in fact there was one.
“Ma’am absolutely call them, because it seems there are a lot of gray areas in this new city council decision and I would love for the both of us to have that discussion with the law, and I think the crowd would agree.”
Have you ever told a woman something that was the exact opposite of what she wanted to hear?
Picture it Picture it. Especially when she has become the laughing stock of the beach.
That was her.
Storming off as best she could, pushing things out of the way, trying to tell her cabana boy what he should do. And all I could think of was. My son is happy, My wife will be glad she was not here, I’m loved by some and loathed by others. But the great news was. As I looked out over the ocean
The red tide was now 90% gone from our beach and we all got up, grabbed our stuff, and proceeded to cross the boundary to freedom.
Now relaxing in the sun with my family, for the third time a well wisher from our side came up to hand me a drink and said something to the effect of “hey thanks for standing up to that B… My family appreciates you holding our ground. Accepting his sharing gift , Tammy looks at me and asks,”What’s that about?” After telling her the reader’s digest version, and reminding her it was all about Quinn getting to swim, she lays back on her chair and breathes a sigh of relief as once again she was a safe distance away from the action.
Several hours later as I was going back to my room, I saw Scott behind the desk and informed him of what had transpired earlier in the day, so he knew my side of the story. Oh, no problem, you were right, but the hotel owners do not like the new ruling and she is a real.pain Of which we both laughed. “Well if you hear anything just let me know ,I’m still curious about the confusion).
The rest of the week went off like a well oiled suntan and the next thing I know I am now the Belligerent beach goer who has created a stir..
As I read the article and saw first hand the picture on the front page, it became apparent that the police did eventually show up and they were informed by the cabana boy and probably the manager that some guy was way out of line. He didn’t obey the sign and he was with a group of others who did not obey the sign, and ,and he was not very nice. I kept looking in the article about the amazing water dancing that was taking place and the fact that we were nice, we just were not going to admonish our rights, until she could prove she was correct. I love a good discussion, I truly admire the truth and for that I will stake my claim. And if the police had showed up, knowing there was absolutely no alcohol involved ( not sure if the manager was drinking),
I would have enjoyed the conversion and the education we could have given many of the people who were not aware of current city council events. Never been arrested , never been handcuffed, not even by my wife, and usually my many conversations with the police are very intelligent and thankful for what they do. In fact many of my friends are officers of the law, and they all deserve our utmost respect. Except a few out there that do not.
See “ Cops that should have been business owners”.
So as we all piled into the car. I told Scott if you need any more info let me know or if anyone wishes to talk to me you know my number.
A couple weeks later when I had returned to reality, back playing in the dirt with my company, I got a call on my phone that had left a message.
“ Good afternoon Mr Schroeder This is So and so with the Destin Log and we understand you were involved with a beach issue concerning private property. We would very much like to hear your side of the story if you are comfortable with talking to us..my number is and times you can call.” Wow that seemed like ages ago, I checked with my attorney to see if there was any reason I should be concerned. He saw no problem, So later that day I called the reporter and gave her the good, the bad and the hilarious of the event.
She did inform me that this was one of the hottest topics that the city and much of the panhandle was dealing with due to the rapid growth of private hotel landowners making it so difficult for the city residence who once could go to many parts to the beautiful beaches that they called home and now they were restricted to most of it. And my stand for what I had heard was circulating the news media, was very poignant to what was such a hot topic.
I mentioned that I was aware that the manager was just doing her job of what she felt was the right thing for her customers, and that most likely she was also being told by her owners how she was supposed to do all she could to protect their property and the liability that goes with it.
It was the perfect example of two sides to a story, and that my continuous promise that this was just a matter of red tide, 30 minutes and if the shoe was on the other foot and it was them coming over to our side for the exact same reason I would have asked Scott and our Cabana boy to offer their beach to the other side. Sharing is never a bad choice as long as the sharer, and the one receiving the sharer’s gift can see the huge benefit of helping our fellow man.
30 minutes of kindness can reap huge rewards where 30 minutes of condemnation in the form of not knowing the rules can create that opportunity for God to start playing with the funny bone of a crowd that couldn’t stop laughing.
Our God does have a great sense of humor. And is willing to use it to sometimes show the absurdity of just how selfish we can be with his great gift to us. At the end of your day, were you the person laughing, smiling, and trying to help others or were you the person disgruntled that those happy people were interfering in your feelings of disgust and unpleasantness? How dare. They.
Can you live a life where 95% of your day is filled with seeing the positive and thus the happiness that is always around us if you so choose to look for it, Unhappy people are usually very distress with happy people, If your going to act happy do it in your universe, do not cloud their mind with being friendly and compassionate and fun loving. That is not fair to them. Lol just saying
Sorry But I have to laugh, try it sometimes. Laughing yourself to sleep is so much better than lying awake because you need to apologize for being unhappy with someone.
Remember……… The only day wasted is one without laughter.
John M Schroeder The Destin years.
.
.
. . . .
. .
.
…..
..
..