Everybody take a minute to give our friend, Cam Beck, a big congratulations for his first wee baby girl.
As I told Cam, I'm still holding out hope that, with a little luck, his little girl will grow up to be a liberal. But, either way, I couldn't be happier for Cam, and I'm sending all the good thoughts I can his way. And, so should you...
Back in my first year of college, my mom, like most moms,would send along a care package with laundry detergent, cookies, and assorted toiletries that my crappy job made it hard to afford.
Now, years removed from any of mom's care packaging, my favorite San Diegan, or San Diego-an, Tim "Masi Guy" Jackson, has taken over the job.
First, check out these sweet blue bike socks, complete with the Sock Guy logo. Seriously, these socks are like a fine wine. Only made with spandex.
And, because I'm from Texas, what sock would be complete without a voluptuous naked lady.
The best part about these socks is that they're not just made for racing, but also for recreating scenes from Risky Business on hardwood floors...
As if that weren't enough, he also sent along some "espresso" cups. Rumor has it, they may also be good for whiskey. But I wouldn't know anything about that.
And, look, the Masi guy even personalized them!
So, thanks Tim for the best fuckin' care package ever! (sorry mom). My sock guy gear will be worn proudly, and the shot, errr, espresso glasses will be a blogging keepsake, passed along through haw generations, starting with my first kiddo, Masi McEnany, and on down the line...
Does anyone else ever feel like Newman on Seinfeld?
Why do so many mailman go crazy?
"Because the mail never stops. It just keeps coming and coming and coming. There's never a letup, It's relentless. Every day it piles up more and more, but the more you get out, the more it keeps coming. And then the bar code reader breaks. And then it's Publisher's Clearinghouse day..."
More posting to come, my friends, bare with me.
I'm sorry to be the one to deliver this terrible news to you guys. Please, if you're not sitting, do so now...
Hee-Haw is locked in what surely will be the epic-est of battles, the battle for October supremacy on Russell Davies' blog. Now, ordinarily that would be great news, and it was. Until I started losing. Horribly losing.
As you know, the winner of the Post of the Month gets showered with imaginary gifts, and a slight, momentary feeling of accomplishment. But this loss could be a huge hit to the Haw psyche.
And the main competition. this guy. Where's the Sausage.
From his bio:
"I'm the Founder and Managing Partner of the brandgym, a network of
brand coaches that helps teams develop an inspiring vision AND the
action plans to turn it into growth. I'm lucky to work with on some
great brands including T-Mobile, Hellmann's, Bertolli, Top Gear, Peroni
and Mars."
Do we really need another raging braggart to win all the good awards and all the glory? Hee Haw is a man of the people. And, I heard the sausage guy wants to raise your taxes. You don't want that to happen, do you?
And, more competition, from this guy, Faris Yakob.
"Now then, let's think about transmedia planning. In this model, there would be an evolving non-linear brand narrative. Different channels could be used to communicate different, self-contained elements of the brand narrative that build to create an larger brand world. Consumers then pull different parts of the story together themselves."
Ok, Faris, that's great that you know big words like "linear" and "narrative" and "different," but how about we leave the condescending, know-it-all attitude for the liberals, ok? I really don't need to hear you droning on about your "facts" and "theories," when I've got my gut, thanks. Oh, and Faris said, get this, that global warming was REAL! I know, I couldn't believe it either.
So, that's it, a vote for this post is a vote for the people. And, a vote for those two is a vote for killing puppies.
*paid for by the people for hee-haw, cute puppies and kittens, too.
And, it's official. This past election cycle has rotted my brain. Big ups to Cam for submitting the post, and Armano for seconding. Thanks!
Sorry for the belated post, but we did have our coffee morning, lunch with barely any coffee get together on Friday. Excuse me while I trademark the name. I don't want you assholes stealing it.
There was plenty of great conversation, and hopefully this will only be the first meetup of many more to come.
The stealthy Cam Beck of Chaos Scenario took the picture, and as such, is not pictured. We'll get him next time!
At the front, there's Mack Simpson of Adverb, recent father to weemonkey, then to the left, the unfortunately haircutted Paul McEnany (that's me!), then my friend Landon, who is currently blogless (everyone point and laugh), then Paul Herring, of Click Here and Chaos Scenario fame, and finally Scott Baradell, purveyor of the Media Orchard, Idea Grove, and most recently Spin Thicket.
Aren't we a pensive-looking bunch?
Don't be surprised if you see some cool stuff coming from this group...
This is the house where my grandmother will die.
We're not sure when, of course, but she's quickly nearing the end. Today might have been the last day I will see her.
She lay in her chair, as fragile and feeble as one could be. Of course, she's never been anything but an old lady in my mind, but seeing her today made me realize she never really was.
My mom sat next to her, holding her arm and slowly stroking her hand, and every few minutes, she would jump awake, terrified of falling asleep. My mom looked over at me to explain, but she didn't need to. Wouldn't you be afraid to sleep if you thought you may never again wake up?
But maybe that wasn't it at all.
It's one of those moments that you know will stick with you for a very long time. Although it may be a sad metaphor, it made me wish I had spent more time living the way she was dying. Afraid to fall asleep.
Granted, that may sound morbid, but maybe her fear was of missing one more thing. With so little time, she just wanted to soak in every last second with her daughter in her arms. Quietly basking in every transitory moment of unconditional love, the kind only a parent and child could know.
But every day we should go to bed just as she was, fearful of the one last thing we may have missed. One last thing we could have learned or created. One last, well, whatever it is, there will always be one more wish. Each night, we should be terrified of falling asleep.
So, struggle to keep your eyes open, squint if you have to, because you never know what you could learn if you fight it just a little longer...
Thanks, Mimi, for one last lesson.
I have to go to work.
I don't give a shit. Go vote.
My vote doesn't matter.
I'm from Texas, asshole, and I'll be there, so, I don't give a shit, go fucking vote!
I don't like the poll stations. They smell like old people.
OK, you smell like a lazy American. And that smells even worse, so go vote.
I hate them Democrats and Republicans. Keep 'em all!
And we all agree. We all hate politicians, even more than we hate marketers (damnit!). So, get off your lazy ass, go fulfill your civic duty, and vote for Nader. Nader not running? I don't care, go vote.
See? Now you're out of excuses. Get off your ass and go vote. Oh, and, take ten minutes to find out who you're voting for, cause voting blind's like eating apple pie with a shit fork. And yes, that's my favorite analogy ever.
Our democracy can't be stolen from us if we give it away. So, don't, please don't, give it away.
Thanks to CK for the awesome photo.
And the trend towards the blogger conversation bleeding off the computer and into the coffee shops continues...
Coffee Morning Dallas has gone from in the works, to worked. Although, for us, it's less of a coffee morning, and more like a coffee day.
Anybody that wants to show up for a little bullshitting, lunch and a spot or two of coffee, details below:
Cafe Brazil
6420 N. Central Expwy, Dallas, TX, USA, World.
Friday, November 10, 12:00pm.
directions.
In so far:
Cam Beck and Paul Herring, from the brilliant blog Chaos Scenario.
The hopefuls, as in, we're hopeful they can make it:
Scott Baradell, the mind behind the newly launched Spin Thicket, as well as the Media Orchard.
Mack Simpson, creative badass, and proud new poppa, from Adverb: Adman of Action.
Next time, we're keeping our fingers crossed for John Keehler of Random Culture and Chaos Scenario.
And the meetups around the world:
Of course, the original, from the godfather of coffee and mornings, Russell Davies in London (but this time hosted by Ben). Then there's the Toronto coffee morning from the Leo Burnett boys. And, we can't forget Noah and Piers, hosting likemind NY&SF. Last, but certainly not least, there's coffee morning Sydney (home to two of my favorites, Katie and and the Servant of Chaos himself, Gavin).
Looks like Russell's little idea is turning into a movement. Kudos!
**Update: Scott has been upgraded from hopeful to in. And we all celebrate.
The lovely Christina Kerley threw on a cowboy hat and some boots, and two-stepped her way to Texas last night, taking over the town like I'm guessing she takes over most towns.
A quick blogger cliche rundown, perhaps?
1. Felt like I knew her for years...check.
2. Is a real person...check.
3. Interesting, great conversation...check.
4. Got drunk...check. Ok, maybe that's not a normal thing to say after a blogger meetup, but c'mon, you know you do it, too.
What's the hardest question to answer going into last night?
Friend: Hey, man. So, what are you doing tonight?
Me: Ahhh, Fuck!!!! Oh, I mean, ummm...
...well, meeting this, umm, blogger-type person.
Friend: Blogger-type person? Are you internet dating?
Me: No, fucker. It's like, a, you know, work thing, sort of, but with blogs.
Friend: Dude, you're so gay.
And, yes, I am so gay. Not in the traditional sense, but just an overall air of geekiness.
But, I tell you what, it was all worth it. Good steaks, good booze, and good conversation. Even a late night call to our friend, Mack, who blew us off. Well, maybe he was sleeping, but whatever.
And, my favorite thing from the night. It's late as shit. I'm having trouble stringing 3 coherent words together, and CK, of course, still, somehow, has the energy of 3 toddlers, combined. So, it being the Saturday before Halloween, there were plenty of costumed revelers out and about. At this late hour, CK decides to complement a pack of girls on their "costumes."
CK: So, what are you guys supposed to be tonight, the Supremes?
Drunk Girls: Uhh, we're not dressed up.
Priceless. Pictures to come over at CK's Blog.
