Top Ten 2005

Hi Everyone:

A year that was full of new and exciting changes and opportunities and with it some adversity.  My seventh year writing and distributing this list – they say seven is a lucky number so this year must be a good one.  I am pleased how many of you look forward to this correspondence and how several of you send me one of your year.  As always it is my fond wish that this keeps us closer together than otherwise possible.  

Top Ten List for 2005

10.  Weddings.  Jen and Jonathon, Amy and Benny, Krupa and Rajesh.  Amy you have been one of my best friends since business school and I am truly happy that you found Benny (and the kids).  Krupa and Raj making your video was a blast, thanks so much for inviting me and allowing me the chance for a major family reunion.  Jen and Jonathon you guys need to nag me some more, the video, my seventh one, is on the way, really I promise.  I am looking forward to a trip to NYC when I can present it to you in person.  I think a video camera upgrade is on my wish list – hint, hint, hint…

9.   Sandalstone Group, LLC.  They say the first two years of business are the toughest and I happen to think that year 2 fit that bill.  Sandalstone Group, experienced some growing pains as Steve resigned.  I wish Steve all the best.  On the positive side, the Company closed its first syndicated deal, purchasing a vacant lot with twelve investors.  My heartfelt thanks to each of my investors and we have come a long way having secured entitlements to build Ten units.  Overall, the Company has been involved in seven projects in its first two years.

Most proudly, Sandalstone is slated to provide two Affordable Housing units – something that is much needed in CA.  Many seeds were sown this year and the next year(s) will indeed be busy.  

(Shameless plug – please contact me separately if you want to find out more info about the Company).  

There are too many people to thank for helping me out this year, I would be remiss to not include David Trozak, Thomas Dolan, Mayank Patel, Bruce Beasley, Stefanie Parrott, Rick Holliday, Mark Bloom and Marcel Diallo for all their valuable help, support, encouragement and best wishes through the course of this year.  

8.   My brother Sammy.   

One bedroom condo in Manhattan (in rapidly improving Harlem!):  $32seven,500

Responsibility and personal growth that come from owning your own place:  Priceless

There are many things in life a 23 year old can’t buy, for a primary residence there’s an interest only ARM.

I consider this my greatest accomplishment of the year.  Getting my brother to own his place, move out of my parent’s place and start the path to financial and personal responsibility.  If I were to write a book on things every graduate should do – this would be high on the list – buy a place ASAP.  I’m extremely proud that my family could do this (my mom and dad also took the risk – financial and empty-nest) but my brother made it happen – Congrats!!!

7.  My father.  Who faced with a less than positive heart test once again showed great courage and reminded me that life is fleeting, and to make the most of the time we have on the planet.  It is most fitting that he gets the seventh spot!!!    

6.  Can’t think of anything.  Okay, I focused way too much on business this year.  I didn’t read half the books for Book Club, didn’t take any trips, only went skiing once, and finished out of the money in my Fantasy Baseball league.  RED FLAG to lead a more balanced life!!!

5.   600 Santa Ray Phase 2.  I added Seven hundred and seventy square feet to my home this year.  It was a challenging project as I was living and working on top of the construction.  The results are quite pleasing and we look forward to having guests!!!  Thanks as always to Yu-Fen for her design expertise!

4.   Bay to Breakers.  So I was looking back at old Top Ten lists and I noticed that in 1999 I wrote that I couldn’t believe I ran Seven and a Half miles.  Well, this year, on a lark I decided to participate in it with no training to speak of.  Well, somehow, I bit of Forrest Gump got into me that morning and instead of walking it, I ran it, the whole way, including up the hill.  Well worth the four days of being unable to walk afterwards – a BIG REMINDER to work out more this upcoming year!!!  

3.  Babies.  More of my friends and family had babies this year (at least seven that I can think of off the top of my head (Anne-Renee, Ceanne, Teresa, Karen Miller, Sarah Pober, Laura Colton, Beth Delson) and while always a joyous occasion, I especially want to recognize Noelle and Bruce for adopting twins and Lesley for becoming a single mom.  Having a baby is always a miracle but you guys went above and beyond.

2.  Yu-Fen.  Yu-Fen became a partner in many ways this year.  After seven months of going out, we now share 600 Santa Ray, making this our home and also our office.  Yu-Fen took the very brave step of quitting her job and embarking on her own.  She has already gotten three assignments (apart from her work with Sandalstone), including her first commercial design job!    

1.  Finally, as always the people (each of one of you) who inspire me to write, dream and do the things that make life worth living.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Cheers,

Biren