India: Day 2

Pindar Magnum Studio

It's really hard for me to put into words my first impressions of Bangalore. My first impressions were a combination of good and bad so I want to make sure I convey my initial observations carefully as to not to offend. So, for this post, I'm going to concentrate on the Pindar Magnum Studio - the office, the employees, and the dancing.

The Pindar Magnum Studio is seven floors up and overlooks Bangalore. From almost every window one has a view of "The Garden City of India." Bangalore is called the 'Garden City', because it is supposed to be greener than most other Indian cities. As you can see from the picture on the right it ain't that green anymore. I think Bangalore should change its moniker to "the City Under a Constant State of Construction." But I digress.

The office is 40,000 square feet in size and can accommodate upwards to 700 employees. They certainly don't have the space issues we have at KoP. Pindar moved into to this two year old building a little less than a year ago. The single floor office features an open space that provides a clear view of the operations. There's two training rooms, two cafeterias, and a soon to be unveiled recreation room. Working out of the KoP office I have to admit I'm jealous.

I found my fellow Pindar colleagues to be professional, gracious, and attentive to our needs. Everyone I met greeted us with smiles and an eagerness to share ideas and gage in conversation. I'm proud to say I work with these people.

At the end of the day Frank and I we were treated to dancing. Now, I'd love to say this show was presented on our behalf but in actuality it was a "try out" for the June rally. For the last few years the Bangalore and Hyderabad studios have presented variety shows or as they are called "rallies." It's a big deal and Pindar and YB managers fly in to see the entertainment. Frank and I were lucky enough to be there on the first day of competition.

At one point yesterday I came to the realization
that there is not one blond that works for Pindar Magnum.

This is the of the training rooms.

The dance competition judges.
Is that Paula on the left?

This would have been a bad time to find out
that Pindar Magnum does not like Americans.


India: Day 1

The 28-Hour Journey to Bangalore

Over the next six days I plan on writing about my experiences here in Bangalore, India. I don't plan on writing a lot. Given the days events I'll probably just include photos, video, and maybe a special guest author or video appearance or two. I'm doing this primarily to let my colleagues back at Pindar get a feel for what it's like to visit this country.

Today's post is about my 28-hour long journey from Philadelphia to Bangalore. I traveled with with Frank Monzo, Director, IT Services at Pindar. Its his first time here too.

We departed Philadelphia at approximately 8pm (Saturday). Despite a two hour start-up delay our flight was pleasant. Sadly, the food wasn't. I tried to sleep but I was too excited. When all is said and done I probably got two hours of shut eye.

We landed in London at 7:42pm (Sunday). I sent the following text message to my family: "It's 7:42am and the Daddy has landed in London." Given that Frank and I had 6 hours between flights we decided to get adventurous and we took the tube to Piccadilly Circus for a bite to eat. It took about 50 minutes from the airport to Piccadilly so it gave us about an hour and half to eat and look around. Unfortunately, our trip was dampened by a rain and we rain back to the underground.

It has always been a dream to go to London. The memory of the hour and half I spent there will be something I'll never forget.

We made it back to Heathrow Airport in plenty of time to make our next flight out to Bangalore. This flight is a 9 plus hour long journey. Like with the first flight I did not sleep well. All in all I slept about 4 hours. This flight seemed shorter than the first flight.

We landed in Bangalore at 4:42am (Monday morning). Unlike Heathrow -- the customs process was extremely quick. Frank and I were in and out in no time. Now, many people at Pindar spoke to us about what it was going to be like when we physically leave the airport. Someone told me, "think of the busiest street you ever saw in New York City and times that by ten. That's what its like when you leave the airport." Well, our reception was not that large -- but it was impressive. (See video below photos.)

Its now the end of one of the longest days of my life. I gotta get some sleep now because I have to be in the office.

Click on the image to enlarge.

I staggered back to the underground
And the breeze blew back my hair
I remember throwin punches around
And preachin from my chair

View from The Tube
"Mind The Gap"

Piccadilly Circus

Here's my proof that I was there and didn't steal these images from Google.

Frank's 2008 Christmas Card.

What the hell is Washington doing in London?

Bangalore Airport. Baggage hands take five.
,

Memories of Dean, Frank & Sammy at the 500 Club, Atlantic City

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rat-pack-500-club-atlantic-city-don-altobell

By Don Altobell

I will never forget August 26, 1962.

I was 24 at the time and after having the good fortune of seeing Dean Martin's appearance at the 500 Club in Atlantic City on Aug 19 -- his first solo gig since his split with Jerry Lewis -- the following week gave me an added treat.

Thanks to a drawing I did of Dean, I was able to see his opening shows and also attend rehearsals. And 500 Club owner Skinny Damato introduced me to Dean, who autographed my drawing, which still hangs on my living room wall.

Fans knew that Dean's pal, Frank Sinatra, would join him midweek to conclude the engagement. Atlantic City was bursting at the seams, with all hotels, motels, and restaurants jam-packed. At the club itself, tables were pushed together to make room for more patrons. It was a bonanza time for Atlantic City long before the first casino was opened.

That closing night after early dinner, I made my way through the block-long line and was ushered inside by a policeman who remembered me after seeing me at so many shows. I didn't mind that I had no seat.

Dean was introduced as the star of the show and opened with "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" followed by "Volare," "On An Evening in Roma" and "Goody, Goody."

Then Sinatra sang, "I Get a Kick Out Of You," followed by Sammy Davis' Jr. doing "The Lady Is A Tramp." (Davis also imitated some actors singing the song including James Cagney and Marlon Brando).

Then Frank, Dean and Sammy clowned around and sang "You Are Too Beautiful," "Love Walked Right In" and "This Is My First Affair."

While Dean and Frank sang, Sammy danced to "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Too Marvelous for Words," "It Had To Be You," and "I've Got the World on a String."

Then all three stars joined to close the show with "The Birth of the Blues."

We all left in the early morning sunlight of Monday morning before making our way to work.

It was the last time the Rat Pack ever performed as a trio in Atlantic City.

In retrospect, I must admit that their singing probably suffered, but the pure entertainment and thrill of seeing them all on the stage overcame any vocal lapses. It was a night that no one in attendance would ever forget.

​


My Brush With Greatness Pt II

Famous People Who Asked Me For My Autograph

Last month I was asked, "Have you ever met anyone famous?" When I was in radio I was asked that question all the time and I was always able to come up with a bunch of names in a short period of time. Last month, it was really hard to come up with a name.

One reason I keep this blog is to keep a digital record of my life. The following list represents about 60 moments in my life when I encountered someone of prominence. So, now the next time someone asks me that question I've got cheat sheet.

    alice-cooper-paul-altobelli
  • Alice Cooper - Musician, snakes, golf

    • arnold-schwarzenegger-paul-altobelli

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger - Body builder, actor, Governor of California (R)
  • Barney Frank - Out of the closet US Congressman (D-MA)

    • bill-bradley-paul-altobelli

  • Bill Bradley - Former basketball player and US Senator
  • Bill Graham - Rock promoter, actor, deceased
  • Billy Dee Williams - Actor, Colt 45 Malt Liquor pitch man, Lando Calrissian
  • Bobcat Goldwait - Comedian, actor, game-show host
  • Brian Wilson - Beach Boys, solo performer, took too much acid
  • Bruce Willis - Actor
  • Bryan Ferry - Roxy Music, solo performer
  • Buster Poindexter/David Johansen - New York Dolls, solo performer, actor
  • Carl Lewis - Olympic gold medallist
  • Chase Utley - Phillies All-Star second baseman
  • Dave Edmunds - Solo performer, Rockpile
  • David Crosby - Byrds, CSN, solo performer, big-time ex-drug addict
  • Dee Snyder - Twisted Sister

    • dick-sargent-paul-altobelli

  • Dick Sargent - Darren Stephens (1969-1972) on "Bewitched", deceased
  • Emo Phillips - Comedian, actor
  • Eric Clapton - aka God
  • Eunice Kennedy - JFK's sister, started the Special Olympics

    • frank-zappa-paul-altobelli

  • Frank Zappa - Mothers of Invention, solo performer, deceased
  • Garth Hudson - Keyboard player for The Band
  • Difford & Tilbrook - Popular writing duo from Squeeze

    • graham-nash-pierre-robert-paul-altobelli

  • Graham Nash - Hollies, Crosby, Stills, Nash, solo performer
  • Gregg Allman - Allman Brothers, solo performer
  • Jersey Joe Walcott - Former heavyweight champ, deceased
  • Jimmy Page - Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, solo performer, session musician
  • Jimmy Rollins - Phillies shortstop
  • Joan Jett - Runaways, solo performer
  • Joey Krammer - Aerosmith drummer
  • John Entwistle - Who bassist, solo performer, deceased
  • John Mellencamp - Solo performer
  • John Sebastion - Lovin Spoonful, sang theme to "Welcome Back Kotter"
  • Julie Nixon Eisenhower - Nixon's daughter married to Ike's grandson, David
  • Maria Shriver - NBC reporter, daughter of a Kennedy, wife of Arnold
  • McLean Stevenson - MASH's Col. Blake, deceased
  • Michael Bolton - Solo performer
  • Mickey Mouse - Do I really have to say
  • Mick Fleetwood - Fleetwood Mac drummer
  • Mike Schmidt - Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame third basemen
  • Mr. T. - The A Team, a lot of gold chains, Mohawk
  • Nancy Walker - Actress, the quicker-picker-up lady, deceased
  • Nick Reynolds - Washington, DC Disc Jockey; Music Director, deceased
  • Paul Carrack - Ace, Squeeze, wrote and sang "How Long," & "Tempted"
  • Paul McCartney - Beatles, Wings, solo performer, deceased?
  • Penn & Teller - Magicians, rip-off artists
  • Peter Frampton - Humble Pie, solo performer
  • Randy Newman - Musician, Academy Award winner
  • Richard Gere - Actor
  • Richie Ashburn - Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame centerfield, deceased
  • Richie Havens - Folk singer
  • Robbie Robertson - The Band's principal songwriter, guitarist
  • Robin Roberts - Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame pitcher
  • Ronnie Wood - Jeff Beck Group, Faces, Rolling Stones, solo performer, artist
  • Sgt. Shriver - JFK's brother-in-law, started the Peace Corps
  • Soupy Sales - TV & Radio comedian, actor
  • Southside Johnny - Musician
  • Steve Buscemi - Actor
  • Steve Carlton - Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame pitcher
  • Steve Howe - Yes, Asia, solo performer

  • Wilt Chamberlain - Basketball player, seducer of women, deceased