Mike Friedman

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Dinner at the White House

// November 25th, 2008 // Sup

 

I think I scared the First Lady

Out front of the White House

Dinner at the White House

After the Rose Garden send off, I spent the rest of the day learning how to tie an actual bow-tie. I rode my friend Gail’s bike, which btw is an old lady of a cruiser weighing about 40 lbs. and cranky at times. I decided Georgetown would be the place to go for this one. Preppy, full of shops that might be able to help, and I knew the quality of the time and effort into teaching me the bow-tie trade would be next to none.

I spent that entire afternoon doing this, as well as finding suspenders to hold up my pants. The way I look at it, nobody our age dares wear either a bow-tie, or suspenders! It’s not that I want to be different, it just looks better, or so I think anyways. More class, funny, good conversation starter, which this story turns out to be. Four hours later, and $150.00 less in my pocket; you would be amazed how much the bow-ties actually cost, I was slamming the pedals down trying to get back to the Hilton near the white house. I blew past the bike messengers on a bike with a huge basket full of stuff with the old lady complaining the entire time. They tried to keep up, but I was a man on a mission, plus I was training for the Olympics by going fast and dodging traffic :). I got to thinking on the way, that my date would be in need of some flowers. How often does one attend a function at the White House of this stature, so I made a very quick stop at the florist to pick up a corsage.

I get back to my room, shower, and towel off, and I’m still sweating from my effort. I iron my pants, shirt, throw deodorant on and do the hair. Usually I will wear it in a funny part down the middle, but I didn’t want to go overboard, so I just roughed it up. The suit I’m wearing was designed by Paul Smith, and was sent from London. HELL NO I didn’t buy it. Last year our team presentation was sponsored by Paul Smith and we all received free custom $4000.00 suits haha. Quite unbelievable really. I’d prefer to hunt goodwill for a nice second hand suit of the same quality and have it tailored. 

My date is running really late, so late in fact that I had to call a second car after the first one left. Punctuality is one of my pet peeves. Not so much when there is no stress, but when others are waiting, like the White House, you’d better be on time, in fact, early haha. 

Nobody else had flowers, I had flowers, which were downstairs in the Hotels Bar fridge. I had picked out a salmon and orange rose that matched my bow-tie for Gail’s wrist, and it looked fantastic, although, she later just stuffed in her purse which was kind of sad, because I would have worn it. I couldn’t believe others wouldn’t think of these small but precious things. This may be one of the biggest things we will experience in our lives! Dinner and a little pre-dinner with the PRESIDENT!

Arriving at the White House in a black sedan, with windows so dark you couldn’t see into the car if you wanted, we passed through the 1st security check and got dropped off at the 2nd. Once through there, it was into the side door of the East wing to be greeted with a personalized envelope stating Mr. Mrs. Friedman, which was strange, but that’s the way it’s done formally and Gail’s name was inside on our own little name cards. 

We were escorted upstairs by a member of the navy all dressed in white, and lead to the ball room where there was a live Jazz band, servants walking around with silver platters holding food and drink, and all kinds of people mingling. Senators, representatives, ambassadors, and of course, the President and the First Lady. Well, they were in a back room taking pictures with everyone that was waiting patiently in a long line. Eventually after two champagnes and few crab cakes we found ourselves in line. 

Everyone was stone cold when they got close to picture time. Nervous I guess, but again, the President and I gave each other funny looks that both created a smile on our faces. Keep in mind that I was still in line! As we got closer we made eye contact more than once and then it was go time. Everyone was jaw dropped as Gail and I conversed with the President for almost 2 minutes before taking the photo. We laughed, joked, He and his Wife both commented on my attire, and how I was the most dapperly dressed gentleman here. It was too funny, and the photo turned out to be priceless. It was here that the President and I became “first name” basis, well him to me haha. Rather than Mr. Friedman, it was now Mike.

Dinner, was fabulous. I didn’t sit with him, nor his wife, rather I was surrounded by the Senator of N. Carolina, the wife of the Senator from Utah, and a flurry of other esteemed people. One of the more interesting was a scientist from NASA who had recently retired. He was quizzing me on my Physics of track racing, such as the forces holding me up on the track, centrifugal forces vs. centripetal forces, nonetheless, it took me a few moments to get back in the “Physics” mode with which to respond, which I did so correctly but felt lame having to think about it where the braniac just rattled it off in actual equations. Good times.

At the conclusion of the meal we all meandered out to the Rose Garden for a private concert by a Bluegrass Band, Seldom Scene.

Priceless memory for the day I have my own children or grandchildren.

You know folks, life is so short. Really, it goes by so fast. One of my personal motos is quite simple. “LIVE LIFE”, meaning that do what you can to create and do memorable moments that you will never forget. Write them down and cherish them because in the end they are priceless pieces of treasure. I make money and spend it, doing things I won’t forget. We have all lost money in the stock market, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a real adventure. Take your wife backpacking, hiking, skiing, rafting, mtn. biking…Why throw it all into retirement when it may just disappear overnight? Go buy to dirtbikes or horses and teach each other something you won’t forget! Life is an ADVENTURE, LIVE IT!

9 Responses to “Dinner at the White House”

1. Chaos Cycling Club says:

   November 25, 2008 at 12:42 pm

   Great Story Mike and funny picture!

   I take it there was no time to do the booty shake with the first lady ala the team presentation with JV in 2007!
2. the non-Amurican says:

   November 25, 2008 at 4:59 pm

   You got a great outlook on life, meatball. Putting things in perspective and all, president in your face or not. Now remember your moto “Life is an ADVENTURE, LIVE IT!” when you’re riding Het Volk in 35 degree weather with hail hammering your face. Others may hate it, you’re living it up.
3. Steve I says:

   November 25, 2008 at 9:04 pm

   Classic. You are a true original. Best wishes next year.
4. Anthony says:

   November 25, 2008 at 10:00 pm

   We will have to compare suspenders. The ultimate in unnecessary competitiveness?
5. Jesse says:

   November 27, 2008 at 12:08 am

   How is it that your photo with the Prez already looks like it was taken 17 years ago? Like it’s been sitting in your photo album all that time… weird.
6. chuff1 says:

   November 30, 2008 at 6:07 pm

   You are setting the stage for some, even bigger events down the road. Train well, do well , and I hope to be seeing you in the headlines again. Winning of course! Shoot you may even be a politician someday.
7. Andy says:

   December 1, 2008 at 6:35 am

   If going to the white house was a game, you would totally win.

   Hope Thanksgiving went well. We will have to ride some other time. I was too sick to ride most of the time anyways. Enjoy the offseason and stay in touch.
8. Aunt Jan says:

   December 4, 2008 at 8:49 am

   Awesome, Mike!! I agree dapper is always the way. Maybe you could sell your stories — too good!
9. Bilko says:

   December 12, 2008 at 10:49 pm

   photoshop pics? we want more proof…. story and these are great, but I am sure there’s more out there….

   maybe for Christmas?