The great thing about being young

You know, you never know how old you are until you hang around a bunch of happy, inspired, and motivated youths like I did recently. I emceed a dinner for an organization which I believe in wholeheartedly called the 21st Century Leaders. It’s basically a group that finds the best-of-the-best and the brightest High School kids and invites them to spend some time with companies to learn what goes on behind the corporate iron curtain. It’s like a big summer camp for the smart kids.

So, there I was sitting at a table amongst 12 High School kids who’s SAT scores looked more like Coordinating Producer Mike Kane’s golf score than actual real SAT numbers. I mean, when you are getting like 1400 on the SAT, you are smart, no doubt about it… but c’mon how are your social skills? (BTW, I got a 820 on the SAT. BTW #2, the kids who were sitting with me, had GREAT social skills.) I looked around the table and thought to myself, "you know Lanford…these kids are the future…they are the 'News To Me' audience… not only do they get the value of user-generated content, they put it to use every day of their lives… and not just looking for ways to increase their Grand Theft Auto scores. They put it to use to spread the word about causes they care about, products they've invented and ideas they've hatched that will make them millionaires!"

I can’t begin to tell you with all the bad press kids today get, how refreshing it was to sit around some kids who had goals that would make even Dr. Sanjay blush: doctors, lawyers, accountants… not ONE said, basketball star, music mogul or that smug remark all kids say today… President of the United States… these kids had real dreams… and I wish them all the best.

Oh, and please keep watching "News To Me" (some of them actually do watch).

BTW, if you were one of the lucky kids who got to take a picture with me... there was a long line… (yeah right)…. please let me know… I want a copy to see what I look like. See, I told you I was getting old.

And now for a little bit of nepotism :

Speaking of youth and user generated stuff, I have to plug my nephew who lives up in the coldest region of the country, Richfield OH… his name is Trevor and he has a band called The Unaccompanied Minors… think "School of Rock." Check them out and maybe you can book them at your next gig! Like every successful band, they're using the web to get their message out. Hopefully The Unaccompanied Minors will become rich and successful and I can just go on the road with them and be their roadie… tattoos and all.

It’s funny, where Trevor got the musical talent I don’t know, but he plays multiple instruments and plays them all well. It seems all my nephews and nieces got all the talent. So to Zachary, Madison and Trevor… keep reaching for your dreams, utilize the web and don’t make an 820 on the SAT like your Uncle Eric.

Keep rocking!