Another brick in the loo

A proper education . . .

Creative Strategy

A client recently asked for before and after pics of Creative Strategy's experience in rebranding them, which gave me the opportunity to take pics of some of my amazing colleagues. Here is the after picture. I fixed the exposure on the one we will use for our client's use (so you can actually see their faces) but I like this one for its artistic value. It will forever be etched in my mind as symbolic of my experience working for Creative Strategy.

before

In case you're curious, and I know you are, here's the "before".

Patrick's Music: "Loss of Oxygen" #8

Check out this music Patrick composed, played, recorded and mixed all by himself, right in our basement (my neighbors are SAINTS).

If you don't see the music toolbar, (and you know who you are, Dad) make sure you have "Quicktime". If you don't, you can download it for free here. If you do have Quicktime and you still don't see it, make sure your popup blocker didn't block it (at the top of this webpage. If you still have trouble, contact me for friendly technical assistance!

Patrick's music: Song12

Another Patrick original. You might want to turn it down (or crank it up) depending on your neighbors . . . Hey, as my friend Jeff said, we all had teenage angst.

Fun, new (marketing) tool

Imagini developed this test to help marketers understand how consumers will behave on websites. The thought is that people will fit into specific consumer categories based on which pictures they choose to describe their favorite art, vacation, adventure, etc. I think it did pretty well categorizing me as an Easy Rider, Escape Artist, New Wave Puritan, Touchy Feely type. What do you think?

If you want to do it yourself, click on the "Get your own Visual DNA" below - but beware - the marketers are watching . . .

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Patrick band pictures

SLHS Percussion team took home numerous first place awards in regional marching band competitions. Patrick, the only freshman on the team, plays snare, bass, and marimba.





Patrick behind the BIG DRUMS. You should see him knock the stuffing out of these drums!







Patrick in his Tux for the Winter Concert where he performed with the Jazz band and the Wind Ensemble. He goes to a prestigious national competition with the Wind Ensemble in March.






Patrick at the King George Competition Practice playing Marimba. His shirt says "South Lakes High School Percussion - Murphy 10" (the year he graduates - well, hopefully)


All smiles in his uniform . . .

Judge a city by its airport

I have a theory, as yet unproven, that you can judge a city by its airport. So, while Dulles is a sprawling mecca for status consumerism and chain restaurants, Seattle's SeaTac airport is full of wonderful, quirky, shops and local flavor. Seriously, it's almost worth flying across the country just to go to the airport. They have a wonderful shop called "Firecracker" that is only the third place I've ever seen Sticks furniture (the other two being galleries in Asheville and Reston). Next time you're there, eat at Northwest foodie Kathy Casey's Dish D'Lish. I took a Turkey "Thanksgiving All Year" sandwich on the plane (havarti, turkey, cranberry-blueberry chutney, goat cheese and chive spread on organic bread). Yummm! If you can't go, visit Kathy's website for inspiration and products.

What I learned in 2006

I found this list of (68!) lessons from 2006 and was amazed at how many could be in my list (if I had such a list). So here's a somewhat condensed, somewhat edited, "best of" according to me:

1. Health comes first.
2. Press the off button.
3. Drink more water.
4. Change venue often.
5. Breathe.
6. Write on day one, edit on day two.
7. Age only matters if you’re a cheese.
8. Establish and defend your boundaries.
9. Honor yourself in every thought and action.
10. Inspiration comes unannounced. Pay attention.
11. No one is important enough to make you angry (this was in my fortune cookie).
12. Tell your friends that you love them more often.
13. Smaller, more frequent feedings.
14. Eat when you're hungry, stop before you're not.
15. A person will act cruel or mean to you because: (a) he thinks you don’t like him, (b) he feels threatened by you, (c) you did something to upset him, or (d) he’s an asshole to everybody. Anyway, it's about him, not you.
16. You can only work a job that sucks for so long.
17. Pay attention to the road.
18. Get more massages (or pedicures).
19. 8 words or less.
20. Is what you’re doing right now consistent with your #1 goal?
21. It's interaction, not interruption.
22. Marketing and dating is the exact same thing.
23. Kindness and/or exercise solve just about everything.
24. The best work is not always (ever?) linear.
25. Travel minus plans = magic.
26. Authenticity delivers the best results.


see the whole, original list at:
http://www.hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/

Trendwatching

I'll admit it. I'm a retail/consumer/marketing trend junkie. I'm so into it I became a trendspotter for one of my favorite sites: www.trendwatching.com

I especially love their predictions for 2007. If they are right, and I hope they are, we are in the midst of a cultural revolution (and, when aren't we really?) that is moving us all away from a consumer-centric society to one where time, experiences, skills, and creativity are valued more than what kind of car you drive.

Which brings to mind another site where you can participate in the revolution. The Center for the New American Dream offers all sorts of tips, trends and experiences for those of us interested in simplifying. "When it comes to getting more of what matters, New American Dream can help. We offer resources that make it easier to live consciously, buy wisely, and join with others in the New Dream Community trying to make a difference."

I'm especially fond of their association with the group 41 pounds. Make a list of all the junk mail you get, go to this site, pay $41 and they'll personally take you off every list you request. On average, this will reduce the amount of mail you receive by 41 pounds PER YEAR! AND, they'll donate half the $41 to the charity of your choice. I picked the Center for the New American Dream.

So, happy trendspotting, watching, and creating!

The original (?) little monster beauty goddess

or second generation . . . .

Postsecret

Addictive . . .

www.postsecret.com

Lessons from the E.R.

Turns out I spent most of New Year's weekend in the emergency room taking care of sick loved ones. Now that they are all recovered I thought I would make a list of all the things I learned in the emergency room.

1. Code Blue is THE WAY to get all the available nurses and docs to your room STAT!

2. Unless you are prepared to commit suicide at 50, everyone should quit smoking right NOW - even (especially) 51 year old school bus drivers who are about to be grandmas

3. Don't let this happen to you:

• you compete with your spouse over who is sicker
• you weigh 300+ pounds and pretend like you can't walk so that it takes 6 big men to lift you into bed
• you tell the doctor it doesn't hurt when everyone knows it does
  

4. It is a privilege to have people in your life who love you enough to let you take care of them

5. Bring something good to read (I read "Into Thin Air" - fabulous!)

6. Be an advocate for your sick ones, and . . .

7. Get out of the waiting room (aka purgatory) as quickly as possible