Author |
Message |
Jeff Whitley (Phuket_jeff)
New member Username: Phuket_jeff
Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2002
| Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 9:15 pm: | |
Hilarious Jim. John, the cost is approximately 35% of what it would cost to build in the U.S. as there is no workmans comp, social security, umemployment insureance and the various taxes at the state and local level, plus the wages are much lower. Materials however can be quite expensive as some of the granite and teak can run up over $10/square foot just for the material. |
John (Cohiba_man)
Junior Member Username: Cohiba_man
Post Number: 118 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 12:40 pm: | |
Jeff, that house in Thailand, I don't need actual numbes, but as a percent, what is the cost of building that, as compared to building a similar home in a similar location in the U.S? |
Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad
Post Number: 1381 Registered: 7-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 11:55 pm: | |
Jesus Jeff: that whole PHUKing place is yours? Man I am PHUKing jealous.....Don't BANGyourKOK in the hot tub. |
Jeff Whitley (Phuket_jeff)
New member Username: Phuket_jeff
Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 11:21 pm: | |
Real estate has been the best investments I've made. Here's my abode in Thailand just being built http://phuket-phuket.com/may19 Current property values show that my investment here is about triple after 1.5 years of building. |
Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba
Post Number: 399 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 9:39 pm: | |
Hey, Taek, did you get my email? About your missing Outlook messages, did Outlook automatically archive them and put them somewhere else in the HD? |
Jason Williams (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4
Post Number: 354 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 2:52 pm: | |
DrS, Interested in helping get another one off the ground? ;-) The only books I've read so far are Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Beating the Street. I'm currently in the middle of RD/PD's Guide to Investing. When I go to my friends juice bar, I usually read the latest copy of Fortune of Forbes. I love Forbes with a passion - by far one of my favorite magazines. |
Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad
Post Number: 1371 Registered: 7-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 8:59 am: | |
I have read Kiyosaki's books, Jack Welch, Trump, Buffett (both Jimmy and Warren!), Millionaire Next Door, One Minute Millionaire, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, 48 Laws of Power, Beating the Street by Peter Lynch, Book on Staples Founder, some MBA for Dummies book and countless others while on my plane rides for work. You will notice a basic trend and repeated message in all of these books. Work hard, believe in yourself, avoid naysayers, be patient, be smart, take calculated risks, use knowledge of others around you, be honest, your reputation is everything, perception is reality. The trick is taking that motivation, inspiration and actually doing something with it. |
Peter (Bubba)
Member Username: Bubba
Post Number: 387 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 6:29 am: | |
This is a great thread! Many thought provoking comments. Keep 'em coming! |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 862 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 1:43 am: | |
Straight From The Gut. By Jack Welch and John A. Byrne. Very few people have had as much impact in the world of corporations as Jack Welch. An airplane read on one of my trips to Asia. Very interesting stuff. Honestly though, I'm not into books about business. There are too many factors. They are apparently great sources to get you started and you can pick a little bit from a bunch of books to customize your approach. I've been lucky enough that my dad has given me the best possible advice and insight. Now books on automobiles...that's a different story! Cheers |
j scott leonard (Jscott)
Member Username: Jscott
Post Number: 464 Registered: 1-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 12:30 am: | |
Pick up "The Millionaire Next Door". Excellent research and presentation. Work, conservative spending (except Ferrari's), investing = growing net worth. |
John (Cohiba_man)
Junior Member Username: Cohiba_man
Post Number: 116 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 12:06 am: | |
You want books, see my new thread. |
Hubert Leung (Lotga)
New member Username: Lotga
Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2003
| Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 12:03 am: | |
Rikky, I�m a sucker for business biographies as the author passes on valuable knowledge and wisdom. I recently read Made in America by Sam Walton (founder of Wal-Mart), and Iacocca by Lee Iacocca (former president of Ford, and helped saved Chrysler from bankruptcy). I also recommend subscribing to Inc. magazine and Profit magazine (for the Canadians on here), which has excellent articles for small to medium sized business.
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Todd Gieger (Todd328gts)
Member Username: Todd328gts
Post Number: 460 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 11:24 pm: | |
No risk...no reward...period |
Scott Larmer (Larmer)
New member Username: Larmer
Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2003
| Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 10:40 pm: | |
I had an idea. Since everyone was so interested in talking about this, I made a Yahoo! Group for everyone. It's called Cavallino Concepts. Membership is open to all. E-mail addresses can be hidden (thus disabling polls). For those of you who don't know about Yahoo groups, they include the following features: messages, chat, file uploads, file uploads, links, and a calendar. I figure with this setup, you can have spin-off threads, post files (hopefully related), and maybe coordinate get togethers. Enjoy. Here is the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cavallino_concepts/ ~ Scott |
Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi
Post Number: 144 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 10:34 pm: | |
How about this... any books to read? What would you all suggest? What is the best way to get this philosophy of success in one's mind, and to actually make it work? -Rikky Alessi
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j scott leonard (Jscott)
Member Username: Jscott
Post Number: 461 Registered: 1-2002
| Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 10:31 pm: | |
Purchased the company that I was the CEO of in 1991 in a leveraged buy out. Debt has been fully paid since 1998. Grown from 100 people to 350 since. Sales have gone from 125 million to 850 million this year projected, 755 in 2002. Hard work, faith, good fortune and a strong real estate market the last three years have been a real help. Value of the company has raised by a multiple of 20. I am very blessed and a little lucky. Working hard and paying attention hasn't hurt. |
Drstranglove (Drstranglove)
Member Username: Drstranglove
Post Number: 531 Registered: 4-2003
| Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 9:03 pm: | |
Yes Jason. They are one in the same. A neighborhood bar is just a small club in reality!!! DrS |
John (Cohiba_man)
Junior Member Username: Cohiba_man
Post Number: 114 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 7:50 pm: | |
BUMP lets keep this discussion going... |
PeterS (Peters)
Member Username: Peters
Post Number: 601 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 6:07 pm: | |
Rikki...I have no problem in telling people I do not have a degree. Most people assume that I do. I just don't bring it up until someone asks. When young people ask me this, I tell them NO, but remind them that I am more lucky than most and there is NO substitute (almost) for a good education. I am more impressed with hard working people in the US that come from the Far East. Their kids kick A$$ in school! I think these kids should be an example to the average high-schooler in the US that wears his crack pants down to his knees and his ballcap on backwards. |
Jason Williams (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4
Post Number: 348 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 5:37 pm: | |
Hey DrS, Any experience on opening a club? Somewhat similar to a bar I imagine... |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 795 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 5:32 pm: | |
Vik, I posted earlier that those emails are now lost. If you want to contact me click on the >>Click Here to send a private message to Stickanddice<< link in my profile. Cheers |
Vik (Speed_demon_666)
New member Username: Speed_demon_666
Post Number: 27 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 4:56 pm: | |
This is one of the best threads I have come across...some of the advices are really awesome.... Taek...I dont see your email id in your profile. I would really appreciate it if you could make me a part of the email strings and would like to ask you some questions as well. My email id is [email protected] |
John (Cohiba_man)
Junior Member Username: Cohiba_man
Post Number: 113 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 4:28 pm: | |
Some thing I thought I would chime in with, a college education is not necessary as a fall back, my cousin doesn't have one and makes about 250K a year sellng commercial real estate, a friend of mine is a B.Comm dropout and is a successful stockbroker. Most sales careers don't require one and pay more than almost any other job if you can do it. |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 791 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 3:54 pm: | |
The MBA argument is a good one. It suits some and it doesn't others. I for one saw no need for one but might pursue it in the future to make an old Asian dad proud . I see college as a necessity. In college you hopefully learn enough to try some things out after you graduate. The real world will kick your ass this way and that and you will hopefully find your calling amidst the bruises. That's what an MBA is good for. Finding your focus and learning about it. It's no good if you get it just so it makes it easier to get hired because its in the resume. I know people who have gotten MBAs to learn how to run their existing entreprenuerial ventures more effectively. Guess what. It worked! Cheers |
Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu
Post Number: 744 Registered: 2-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 3:50 pm: | |
As regards an MBA etc as a investment in your career, in my experience I have noticed that most MBAs tend not to maximise the potential and the skills acquired in the course... *IMO* the way to do this is to start something of your own. The vast majority end up in Finance or Consulting - clearly, in many cases these are astoundingly well paid professions but if you were in them before than why do an MBA? It's funny but I believe that the level of your qualifications tends to be inversely correlated to the amount of risk your prepared to take in your career..... after -all why should a MBA from HBS go through the pain of starting his own business and suffering till it comes good after a few years if he can just walk into a job paying $200K straight away.... |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 789 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 3:38 pm: | |
Rikky, You don't necessarily have to have an original idea to be an entrepreneur. A lot of times incredibly successful entrepreneurs started by taking what someone did and making it better. No need to "reinvent the wheel" in every venture. As a matter of fact it can be argued that if you decide to start a business based on a tried and true business you will be more successful that the guy with a good idea that's new to market. A lot of times the good entrepreneurs do exactly what you do. The original idea guys are more likely to sell their idea to a big company and cash out (usually the most financially viable way to go). There is nothing original to what I've done but all my companies do have a slight advantage, insuring their success. Cheers |
Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi
Post Number: 142 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 3:28 pm: | |
First of all... if any of you have conversations or something that you are still sending out, you can contact me at [email protected] --- This being said, what do you guys suggest as a path? I'm going to be a senior in HS next year, and was planning to (if I get accepted) the Ivy league/MBA route. The idea is to work for someone, make a ton of money in a short amount of time, acquire experience and connections, and go from there. Is this not the best thing to do? I realize some of you were self made and didn't go to college, but you don't actually tell people to not go to college, do you? Also, do you find that there are people who just aren't cut out to be entrepeuners? I don't really see myself as one just because I'm more the type of person that sees what other people around me do, and copies them, improving along the way. Not so much the type to be creative and come up with some crazy idea and go with it...
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Anthony Griffin (Redjeeper)
New member Username: Redjeeper
Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:57 pm: | |
Thanks for the words of encouragement, maybe I'll be at the same level as Taek one day. |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 783 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:56 pm: | |
Chris, What's important is that you enjoy what you are doing. Glad to hear it and I wish you the best. I'm the type of guy who likes the challenges starting a business present. I like to put my organizational skills and vision to the test. With a good enough track record now I am lucky that I can start ventures based on things I like and that I've always wanted to do. Don't mistake that for "It's OK if it loses money". I'm competitive at heart and don't like to fail. If you don't love what you do, you should reconsider doing it. You might not like what your business physically does, but you might love running it. Vice versa, you might not like running your business but have a deep appreciation for what it does. To each their own. Cheers |
chris cummings (Entelechy)
Member Username: Entelechy
Post Number: 258 Registered: 5-2001
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:42 pm: | |
Taek-Ho, You're absolutely right about the difficulty of getting productions off the ground. I've got four projects in various stages of development, while still keeping my day job. Still, the further I've progressed in the business, the more the focus of my ambition became to invest all that time, energy and passion into my OWN projects as opposed to someone else's vision. Bob, I've certainly heard of Andy, but haven't worked with him. My hat is off to anyone who can make a living in this business. In fact, one of the producers interested in one of my projects was a producer on Anna & the King. Anthony, every time I followed that inner voice despite everyone telling me I was crazy, it has paid off. When I told people I was packing up to go to Hollywood, even my best friends told me I was insane and that I'd be back in two weeks. Harrison Ford, when asked how he persisted through 15 years of trying to make it as an actor, replied that his drive was a result of his reaction to rejection. If you believe in yourself, you won't put so much stock in other people's opinions. I really enjoy reading biographies, finding out how people got into the positions they are in is fascinating to me, and it almost always boils down to one's mindset.
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Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 782 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:38 pm: | |
Jason, Thanks for the offer, but not only do I not have a Ferrari right now that can benefit from a Tubi, but I can get those products at cost. I'm sure there are a lot of other in this chat that could use your discounts. Wasn't there a thread recently asking about Tubi prices? Cheers |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 781 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:36 pm: | |
Jason, I actually have done the market research for automotive aftermarket parts. Huge industry for sure. I own a market research company, and had them come up with numbers. You know your exact ROI that the ads will give you? I do see some flaws in your business model already. I'm not trying to be an ass, I'm just worried you might go about it the wrong way and having a failure. Cheers |
Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad
Post Number: 1366 Registered: 7-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:19 pm: | |
great book. it was the defining moment in my professional life. made me get off the bench and start playing. I am by no means rich, but it gets you in the right frame of mind to be rich. |
Jason Williams (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4
Post Number: 346 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:14 pm: | |
Anthony, Go pick up "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. Great book. "Cynics criticize; winners analyze." |
Mike B (Srt_mike)
Junior Member Username: Srt_mike
Post Number: 213 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:12 pm: | |
Best investment of my life? ImClone. Or at least I thought so! Signed, Martha Stewart |
Jason Williams (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4
Post Number: 345 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:12 pm: | |
Taek, Can't sell the car. It's not really mine to sell. The larger numbers are based on the magazines that I would be advertising in given the capital. Magazines such as Sport Compact Car, Euro Tuner, European Car, Super Street, DuPont Registry, etc. Demographics of such magazines can be found here: http://ads.primediaautomotive.com/ I have been developing this company for the last two years, and I am just now asking for support from friends and family. I've done the research, I've done the work, I've got over 300 product BRANDS available and I'm usually setting up 2-5 new ones every day. I'm waiting for a call back from Dinan as I type. Like I said earlier, no other company sells in the same manner I do. And I will be able to sell cheaper than any of the competition, I can guarantee it. Want to save 20% off your next Tubi purchase? I'm the man to see. Want 10% off your next radar detector? Yup, I'm still the man to see. Want 20% off some new racing seats from MOMO? Yup . . . Jason- :-) |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 780 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 2:02 pm: | |
Anthony, I think it would be best served if you ask specific questions. Otherwise, the general piece of advice I would give you won't be too helpful. Weigh the pros and cons. Weigh your risk level. Weigh your income potential. When the opportunity comes that meets the aforementioned comfort levels go ahead with it. |
Anthony Griffin (Redjeeper)
New member Username: Redjeeper
Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 1:46 pm: | |
I started writing a book on how to negotiate the purchase and lease of a new or used car. I got about half way through it and let my friends and family talk me out of it. How do you guys who have done well at business deal with naysayers who try to discourage you? My family has a lot of retired state employees and that is what they want for me. I am absolutely miserable at my job and have a long list of ideas for businesses. I am just afraid of the unknown. Can you guys give some advice. Thanks. |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 779 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 1:43 pm: | |
I also find it interesting that you have so many concrete figures in a sales based business model. Do you have experience mapping this stuff out? Sales based business models rarely have concrete figures, and if they do they are based on certain stipulations. Just be careful if you're interested in putting stuff like that in a business plan, it will most likely be met with a lot of speculation. Unless of course, you do have figures that back it up and make sense. Cheers |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 778 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 1:37 pm: | |
Jason, I don't understand what's stopping you then. Only 3k to start? Sell your car and get by for 6 months. Then with the income generated get yourself a beater, reinvest and make 150k/mo in a year. Then get yourself a decent car. Reinvest and make more a month and then get yourself a Ferrari, reinvest and make more a month and then.... Cheers |
Jason Williams (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4
Post Number: 344 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 1:33 pm: | |
As long as everyone is shooting out business ideas left and right, I might as well walk out on a limb here too: The website in my profile has a brief outline, but nothing too concrete. To get started, the minimum I need is about $3,000 and within 6 months I hope to be generating about $15k-$30k in revenue every month. With the right advertising, the company could begin pulling in $150k+ a month in revenues within 6 months to a year. But, that path requires a larger start up of about $15,000. If anyone is interested in hearing about it or would like to know about investing in it, send me an email at [email protected] BTW: There are other sites like mine, but ZERO have the same selling technique. |
Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Member Username: Deleteall
Post Number: 337 Registered: 12-2001
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 1:16 pm: | |
Bought a 1986 Honda Civic for $1,800. Used it as a delivery vehicle when I was a runner at an office (minimum 20 miles a day, sometimes 100+). In the 2 and 1/2 years I had the car the money from the mileage was over $5,500. Costs: nothing more than bare maintenance and gas. Then the alternator went out and I took it to a shop on the other side of town, which was hit by a hail storm. Insurance company wrote me a check for $1,650, but I gave them back $200 and got to keep the car. Not quite DrS, but hey. I love HONDAS! |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 775 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 1:13 pm: | |
Errr...Guys, my MS Outlook just did a clean sweep and erased all my emails that were not in folders. If you guys want any advice feel free to contact me via email and I'll get back to you individually. Cheers |
John (Cohiba_man)
Junior Member Username: Cohiba_man
Post Number: 110 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 1:04 pm: | |
QUOTE "Last but not least, my friend and I were walking through Westwood, CA and admiring a silver 360 Spider. I was telling him about the car and then we noticed the custom license plate frame read "High School Education" " Oh my GOD, that sounds VERY familiar, I'm looking for a black on tan 360 (spider or coupe, haven't decided) right now, and I was planning on the personalized plate: HSDRPOUT but it didn't read right when I really thought about it so I'm getting (when the time comes) TOLDUSO because my parents, friends and family ALWAYS doubted my 'wheeling and dealing' and wanted me to go to university to get a 'real job' One more thing, for all those I've emailed, there has been some confusion as to my name, due to my email address, but John Kelsall, who you see as the author of the plans is me, the email address name was done in haste when I signed up for it as I usually put in fake names when I sign up for online things. |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 772 Registered: 11-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 12:37 pm: | |
I think college provided me with a lot of good experiences. One thing is that it allowed me to meet people that have really helped me along the way. I have also helped fellow classmates start things up or get them jobs. The alumni network in my school is strong and the friends I've make there are friends for life. Chris, as for your comment that ideas are power...I think that's true everywhere not just Hollywood. As a matter of fact I bet you it's easier to take a good idea and turn it into a successful business that to take a good idea and turn it into a blockbuster movie. I've done the former a bunch of times and can't possibly imagine the latter being easy. Cheers |
arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355
Post Number: 1876 Registered: 6-2001
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 11:55 am: | |
Buying real property in the SF Bay area in the 70s. Small investment, properties now worth quite a bit. Art |
Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad
Post Number: 1364 Registered: 7-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 11:55 am: | |
I agree with you if the person skipping college has the mental tools to do what they say they will. Most dont or else we would have 100 CEO's and 2 employees at each company. The world trains you to be a good employee and not how to make money or develop ideas. On another note: I had a friend who skipped the college route with parents blessing. Opened a bike shop instead with the money. He was a huge BMX fan. Anyway shop went under lost it all and still has no degree to fall back on. Luckily his parents opened a trophy shop so I think he does that now. At least he tried though rather than wondering what if behind a desk all day. |
PeterS (Peters)
Member Username: Peters
Post Number: 600 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 11:49 am: | |
Chris..Since I was not destin for a specific area such as being a doctor or a lawyer, etc., I used the time I would have spent in college to get street smart in business. I know so many people that have Masters to Ph. D's and they are real losers in the business world. An MBA is only as good as the persons ability to be creative. I have NEVER done anything by the books. I was creative enough to look for all of the shortcuts in life that got me to where I am now. I have spent any hours with MBA friends, coaching them on their marketing and people skills. There is SO much that is not taught in college! |
BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd
Post Number: 1230 Registered: 3-2001
| Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 11:38 am: | |
Chris, do you know Andy Tennant? He directed the movies Sweet Home Alabama (Reese Witherspoon), Anna and the King (Jodie Foster), Ever After (Drew Barrymore).... we were pretty good friends in high school. |