Well, there's good and bad in the March Madness front today.
On the good side: Bradley. All hail Bradley University!
On the bad side: My bracket entry is in shambles. I only picked nine correct teams in the Sweetwood 16. I still have six alive in the Elite Eight and three of the Final Four. When Duke wins, that means I'll just be beat by everyone else who picked Duke but who fared better in the early rounds.
But: If good ol' BU knocks off Duke in the Final Four, we'll all go down in flames together and the elementary school librarian (i.e. my sister) who picked George Mason because the name reminded her of a renown children's author will win like she wins every year.
Which just goes to prove that there's usually little logic to or lessons which can be derived from these NCAA basketball tourney bracket competitions. Yet, we're drawn to the annual spring ritual like politicians to sleazy ads.
Speaking of such, I wasn't inclined to vote for Jim Oberweis in the Republican gubernatorial balloting Tuesday. Then the strident Phyllis Schlafly called me to extoll Oberweis' virtues and implicating herself into Illinois politics in an ugly manner. Even though it was just a recording, it was almost enough to get me to pull a Democratic ballot...
If I did, and I won't, I would have to cast my vote for Edwin Eisendrath for governor because a.) He's not Blago; b.) His TV ads are sharp and amusing; c.) He actually spent some time on his website addressing issues.
More later,
Mark
Monday, March 20, 2006
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Braves win! Braves win!
Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and remove your hats and then bow and push the button below as we sing the Bradley University fight song:
Bradley Fight Song
Lyrics for the unannointed:
Charge on, Charge on Bradley,
March right down the field,
Foes may press you,
Foes may even stress you,
But we’ll never yield.
Fight for Alma Mater,
Plunge right thru to victory.
Fight on , Fight on Bradley,
And fight for varsity!
Thank you. You may now take your seats. But remain bowed.
After beating fourth-ranked Kansas, the Bradley Braves overpowered the fifth-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers 72-66 to make the Sweetwood 16.
More later, after I finish the Bradley Victory Dance.
Mark
Bradley Fight Song
Lyrics for the unannointed:
Charge on, Charge on Bradley,
March right down the field,
Foes may press you,
Foes may even stress you,
But we’ll never yield.
Fight for Alma Mater,
Plunge right thru to victory.
Fight on , Fight on Bradley,
And fight for varsity!
Thank you. You may now take your seats. But remain bowed.
After beating fourth-ranked Kansas, the Bradley Braves overpowered the fifth-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers 72-66 to make the Sweetwood 16.
More later, after I finish the Bradley Victory Dance.
Mark
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Go, Bradley, go!
OK, I have survived the first 32 March Madness battles with a 21-11 record. Only three of my Sweetwood 16 picks have thus far been eliminated. My Elite 8 and Final 4 are intact.
The Final Four: Duke, Gonzaga, UNC and Villanova with Duke beating UNC for the win. Sorry Bradley University.
However, if good ol' BU makes a liar out of me, I will gladly suffer the indignity. They were awesome Friday night against favored Kansas.
Let's see... I gotta make good on all the salt rubbed in my various wounds over the last decade. I did some checking and this is a list of teams I don't see in the NCAA tourney's next round: Illinois State University, Marquette University, any team that rhymes with "ichigan", Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University (that was just a joke) and, of course, SUNY-Brockport. I'll wait until the Sweetwood 16 list to mock my Northwestern and University of Illinois friends...
Sadly Southern Illinois is no longer in the tournament... Lousy bunch of cheatin' dogs...
In case you missed you missed the fine Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship March 5, the Bradley Braves lead 24-23 at half. Suddenly, the desperate Southern Illinois Salukis went berserk and broke a cheerleader's neck, thus ensuring the ESPN SportsCenter clip. A confused Bradley went on to lose.
That's all behind us now. Bradley is playing on and Southern is home practicing its cheers...
By the way, I'm not sure whether it was Airborne or that osscillio-whatever stuff, but I crushed that cold and was back to my old self by midweek! I've heard people whine about colds that lasted weeks/months. To them I offer the prescription featured on the last blog below. Trust me: It works!
More later!
Mark
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The Cure for the Common Cold
As previously documented, I am addicted to iTunes. I love everything about it from its functionality to its intuitiveness. Oh yeah, I like the tunes, too.
Here is something else I've been playing with in my free time (which seemingly grows shorter by the day): The "music genome project" at
Pandora.Com .
If you like to listen to music and you don't necessarily want to pay for it, this is a site for you. Essentially, you plug your earphones into Mac (or lesser computer), hit the site and type in the name of your current favorite song. Right now, "Love Me Like You" by the Magic Numbers is topping my personal Hot 100 list. The site then plays that song for you and based on that particular listening habit will begin serving up song after song in a similar genre.
So, here is what happened: "Love Me Like You" was followed by "7:30" by the Pernice Brothers which was followed by "Details of Attraction" by Consonant which was followed by "Chromium" by The Church which was followed by "The Mule" by the Magic Numbers... Some nice listening music when you are sitting around on a Sunday afternoon updating your blog in a vain attempt to answer those "why haven't you updated your blog since your birhtday?" emails.
The Pandora site offers two versions: A paid concept in which you are spared pop-up ads and a free site that features ads that I don't pay any attention to since I am listening to the music...
I am also attempting to fight off the latest cold which began to impact me Saturday night. I had an aborted one in November during Thanksgiving weekend which I battled with Airborne. Mary just caught a hellacious cold after our return from Las Vegas which I thought I had ducked. So, here is my remedy for the onset of a cold:
• Airborne, or the Walgreen's equivalent Wal-borne every three hours. These are effervescent tablets that you mix with water for a Tang-like experience. Developed by an elementary school teacher, this is a homeopathic remedy which is alleged to boost your immune system. I say it works.
• 2000 mgs. of Vitamin C.
• Two multi-vitamins.
• Echinacea capsules.
• Ice cream. It just makes me feel better.
To this regimen, I add the Hall's Defense Harvest Cherry lozenges with zinc, Vitamin C and echinacea and I am also the house guinea pig for Oscillococcinum.
The cold has no chance.
More later,
Mark
Here is something else I've been playing with in my free time (which seemingly grows shorter by the day): The "music genome project" at
Pandora.Com .
If you like to listen to music and you don't necessarily want to pay for it, this is a site for you. Essentially, you plug your earphones into Mac (or lesser computer), hit the site and type in the name of your current favorite song. Right now, "Love Me Like You" by the Magic Numbers is topping my personal Hot 100 list. The site then plays that song for you and based on that particular listening habit will begin serving up song after song in a similar genre.
So, here is what happened: "Love Me Like You" was followed by "7:30" by the Pernice Brothers which was followed by "Details of Attraction" by Consonant which was followed by "Chromium" by The Church which was followed by "The Mule" by the Magic Numbers... Some nice listening music when you are sitting around on a Sunday afternoon updating your blog in a vain attempt to answer those "why haven't you updated your blog since your birhtday?" emails.
The Pandora site offers two versions: A paid concept in which you are spared pop-up ads and a free site that features ads that I don't pay any attention to since I am listening to the music...
I am also attempting to fight off the latest cold which began to impact me Saturday night. I had an aborted one in November during Thanksgiving weekend which I battled with Airborne. Mary just caught a hellacious cold after our return from Las Vegas which I thought I had ducked. So, here is my remedy for the onset of a cold:
• Airborne, or the Walgreen's equivalent Wal-borne every three hours. These are effervescent tablets that you mix with water for a Tang-like experience. Developed by an elementary school teacher, this is a homeopathic remedy which is alleged to boost your immune system. I say it works.
• 2000 mgs. of Vitamin C.
• Two multi-vitamins.
• Echinacea capsules.
• Ice cream. It just makes me feel better.
To this regimen, I add the Hall's Defense Harvest Cherry lozenges with zinc, Vitamin C and echinacea and I am also the house guinea pig for Oscillococcinum.
The cold has no chance.
More later,
Mark
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Today is My Birthday!
Yes, I made it to the big 4-6! That is a picture of a Gorn at the Las Vegas Hilton's Star Trek-themed Quark's restaurant, not me! Although some days I feel like I look that way... Tomorrow I'll put up a pic of our awesome view from our hotel. We used our Restaurant.com coupon and had an awesome meal at Quark's at the Las Vegas Hilton on the last night of my 45th year...
Hey: Elvis only made it to 42. I'm four years better than Elvis...
We are in Las Vegas and are really having the time of our lives. We've economized given current realities. But when you are offered a few nights – comped – in a suite at the Paris and $400 in spending money and your flight was just $403, a $3 trip to the land of fun is hard to beat!
I credit Bob Shaw for introducing me to Vegas way back in 1994. Since then, I have spent a few days in Sin City around my birthday every year! And Vegas rewards loyalty. Our Las Vegas/Harrah's friend, Steve Opdyke, has kept us in a suite at Bally's or the Paris for the past several years and we couldn't be happier. During my very first trip to Las Vegas, the very wise Chris Golbeck told me: "The thing about Vegas is that you can have whatever you want, as long as you are willing to ask for it."
So we ask, and we get. Today is part of the Cash Bash weekend at the Paris and after we bet for a couple hours at the Paris, they'll give us $400. And then we'll dine at the Ah Sin! restaurant – our favorite restaurant on the strip. We'll devour those cashew-encrusted crab legs. Later tonight, my choice for my annual birthday show is Roseanne Barr at the Stardust. And then, when we get back to the Paris, casino host Rudy will escort us to the balcony of the Risque night club for an unforgettable view and a nightcap.
A 46th birthday to remember, to be sure!
Thanks to all who have called or emailed! I am so glad to have so many friends that your calls have cut short my gambling! :) Thanks for thinking of me!
I am happiest that I have the best birthday present ever: Mary, my partner in crime. We plan on more adventures to come, so stay tuned!
More later,
Mark
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Dinner for two for $14!
There are few greater joys in life than scoring a great bargain. Today I am going to share how you can use the Internet to save real dollars on dining out – and demonstrate a cool interactive concept, to boot!
Studies tell us that Americans in growing numbers are doing their shopping and making other consumer choices online. I probably did 90-plus percent of my Christmas shopping on the Internet – for the past three years!
Now there are many sites set up to explain Internet shopping do's and don't's – and I will just add that you need to make sure you are dealing with a reputable organization that uses a secured server to protect your financial information. As much as I have switched to online shopping, I was a victim of identity theft – but only as a result of using my debit card while shopping at a local retailer the morning after Thanksgiving in 2004. So far, I've not run into any negative experiences online.
There are great bargains to be had online and many websites set up to alert you of these bargains. My favorite is www.slickdeals.net but there are others that serve a similar purpose. More importantly, there are several sites set up to monitor online coupons. Let me explain: Retailers often offer a coupon – usually a numeric code or a combination of letters and numbers - which can be added during the checkout process to increase savings. A site like:
Savings-Center.Com
is a great resource since it seems to feature an inexhaustible collection of "free coupons" from every conceivable retailer. One retailer is
Restaurant.Com
Now, Restaurant.com is a unique business marketing concept which features $25 gift certificates from thousands of restaurants to purchase for $10 each. After purchasing, you simply print the coupons on your home (or work!) printer. Usually, the certificate will require a purchase of two entrees and a minimum of $35. So, while you save $25 off $35 – you've spent $10 for a total savings of just $15. Now, that's not bad, but it's not great.
Enter Savings-Center.com! Search for Restaurant.com and you will discover coupon code 91971 which will save you 60 percent off your $10 restaurant.com certificate when you are checking out. So, you will now pay $4 for the $25 gift certificate and a savings off those two entrees totaling $35 is now $21! Sure, the taxes and tips normally associated with dining out still apply and drinks are not included in the coupon, but a couple of nice entrees at a quality restaurant for $7 each is a heckuva deal, bloggie.
Now, when Mary and I go the Las Vegas – as we do each February to celebrate our birthdays - we like to hit the Las Vegas Hilton's Star Trek-themed "Quark's" restaurant. There we enjoy a 110-ounce drink for two called the "Warp Core Breach" which is awesome! And it costs $25. Now, since Quarks has a gift certificate on Restaurant.com, we can have a couple of nice entrees for just $14 more!
Play around with your Zip Code or the Zip Code of a planned destination at Restaurant.com and you might be surprised at where you could be dining more cheaply tonight. Think of me when you are having a terrific time!
What's more, this concept is ripe for customization (or cannibalization) by traditional media like newspapers who already have standing relationships with many of the establishments on Restaurant.com. If you think about it, this is really just a gussied up buy-one-get-one-free entree deal that restaurants have traditionally offered to build traffic. However, with clickable maps and menus, Restaurant.com has put that age-old concept on steroids for a total user experience. Plus, because the user has invested $10 (or, if they listen to me, $4), they are more likely to use the certificate.
The Restaurant.com team took an old idea, added a twist, offered options to a motivated audience and created a sustainable revenue model that also builds invested restaurant traffic. And consumers are better for the experience.
More later,
Mark
Studies tell us that Americans in growing numbers are doing their shopping and making other consumer choices online. I probably did 90-plus percent of my Christmas shopping on the Internet – for the past three years!
Now there are many sites set up to explain Internet shopping do's and don't's – and I will just add that you need to make sure you are dealing with a reputable organization that uses a secured server to protect your financial information. As much as I have switched to online shopping, I was a victim of identity theft – but only as a result of using my debit card while shopping at a local retailer the morning after Thanksgiving in 2004. So far, I've not run into any negative experiences online.
There are great bargains to be had online and many websites set up to alert you of these bargains. My favorite is www.slickdeals.net but there are others that serve a similar purpose. More importantly, there are several sites set up to monitor online coupons. Let me explain: Retailers often offer a coupon – usually a numeric code or a combination of letters and numbers - which can be added during the checkout process to increase savings. A site like:
Savings-Center.Com
is a great resource since it seems to feature an inexhaustible collection of "free coupons" from every conceivable retailer. One retailer is
Restaurant.Com
Now, Restaurant.com is a unique business marketing concept which features $25 gift certificates from thousands of restaurants to purchase for $10 each. After purchasing, you simply print the coupons on your home (or work!) printer. Usually, the certificate will require a purchase of two entrees and a minimum of $35. So, while you save $25 off $35 – you've spent $10 for a total savings of just $15. Now, that's not bad, but it's not great.
Enter Savings-Center.com! Search for Restaurant.com and you will discover coupon code 91971 which will save you 60 percent off your $10 restaurant.com certificate when you are checking out. So, you will now pay $4 for the $25 gift certificate and a savings off those two entrees totaling $35 is now $21! Sure, the taxes and tips normally associated with dining out still apply and drinks are not included in the coupon, but a couple of nice entrees at a quality restaurant for $7 each is a heckuva deal, bloggie.
Now, when Mary and I go the Las Vegas – as we do each February to celebrate our birthdays - we like to hit the Las Vegas Hilton's Star Trek-themed "Quark's" restaurant. There we enjoy a 110-ounce drink for two called the "Warp Core Breach" which is awesome! And it costs $25. Now, since Quarks has a gift certificate on Restaurant.com, we can have a couple of nice entrees for just $14 more!
Play around with your Zip Code or the Zip Code of a planned destination at Restaurant.com and you might be surprised at where you could be dining more cheaply tonight. Think of me when you are having a terrific time!
What's more, this concept is ripe for customization (or cannibalization) by traditional media like newspapers who already have standing relationships with many of the establishments on Restaurant.com. If you think about it, this is really just a gussied up buy-one-get-one-free entree deal that restaurants have traditionally offered to build traffic. However, with clickable maps and menus, Restaurant.com has put that age-old concept on steroids for a total user experience. Plus, because the user has invested $10 (or, if they listen to me, $4), they are more likely to use the certificate.
The Restaurant.com team took an old idea, added a twist, offered options to a motivated audience and created a sustainable revenue model that also builds invested restaurant traffic. And consumers are better for the experience.
More later,
Mark
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Call it 'Zintuitive!'
Here's a real WOW site! Get ready to have your socks blown off.
Not wearing socks? I'll wait for a moment while you put some on...
Ready? Go here:
Zillow.com
This is a new online real estate service that is unlike anything I've seen before, And it is as simple to use as it is amazing.
Plug in your home address - or the address of a home you are interested in buying. Hit return. You will likely be greeted with:
a.) A current satellite image of your home and the entire neighborhood.
b.) "Zestimates" of home values for all.
It is pretty cool, even if it is just in beta. The site claims that 60 million home values are online covering most of the in-demand areas of the U.S. You can even go in and adjust your particular home value with your upgrades. Redoing every bathroom in the house, installing all new kitchen appliances, the new furnace, the architectural shingles, et al suddenly seem like pretty smart investments, now.
There are a couple of bugs: The satellite map seemed off in our neighborhood and some parts of the country are not listed yet. But overall this is an impressive merge of existing data, new technology and untapped consumer needs.
You might even call it intuitive...
More later!
Mark
Not wearing socks? I'll wait for a moment while you put some on...
Ready? Go here:
Zillow.com
This is a new online real estate service that is unlike anything I've seen before, And it is as simple to use as it is amazing.
Plug in your home address - or the address of a home you are interested in buying. Hit return. You will likely be greeted with:
a.) A current satellite image of your home and the entire neighborhood.
b.) "Zestimates" of home values for all.
It is pretty cool, even if it is just in beta. The site claims that 60 million home values are online covering most of the in-demand areas of the U.S. You can even go in and adjust your particular home value with your upgrades. Redoing every bathroom in the house, installing all new kitchen appliances, the new furnace, the architectural shingles, et al suddenly seem like pretty smart investments, now.
There are a couple of bugs: The satellite map seemed off in our neighborhood and some parts of the country are not listed yet. But overall this is an impressive merge of existing data, new technology and untapped consumer needs.
You might even call it intuitive...
More later!
Mark
Monday, February 13, 2006
"Wow" is spelled D-E-L-L
Here's a shock from a old-time Mac guy: Dell Computers just WOWED me!
During this past holiday season, my friends at www.slickdeals.net alerted me to a cool contest: "The Dell End of Re-Gifting Holiday Game" at dell.com. Each day you could visit and pick a stocking for a chance to win anything from a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Coupe to a discount on Dell products.
Now, like most of you, I am suspicious of such games. Who really has EVER won any of these prizes? Ever met anyone who has? Well, late one night, while playing the game during a Thanksgiving visit to Mary's mom, instead of the customary "Sorry!" message I read: "Congratulations! You have WON a X51v Axim from Dell. We will be sending you an email shortly to inform you of how to claim your prize."
They weren't lying. An email promptly arrived congratulating me. I was elated.
They sent the prizes out at the end of January and while I was happy to be a winner, frankly, I was a little underwhelmed. The Dell Axim 51 I received was NOT wireless-enabled and since I knew it would not sync up with my iBook G4, it's lack of wireless connectivity would make its use vexing to me. I couldn't sync it up to my laptop to add movies or, uh, important files, and I couldn't access the web with it, either...
Then, last week, I received this letter from Dell's Hillary Robinson:
"It has come to our attention that we mistakenly sent you the Axim X51, instead of the Axim X51v that you won in Dell’s “The End of Re-gifting Holiday Game." There are a few differences between the 2 models. The Axim X51 you received has the following features: 416MHz, 128MB ROM, 64 SDRAM, and a 3.5 inch QVGA screen. On the other hand, the Axim X51v includes: 624MHz, 256MB ROM, 64MB SDRAM, and a 3.7 inch QVGA screen."
"You may choose to keep the X51 that was sent, OR you may choose to return the X51 and receive the X51v. If you decide to return the X51, please contact Hillary Robinson ... prior to 2/17/06. We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused and appreciate your patience in this matter. Once again, we wish to thank you for participating in the Dell Holiday Game."
I was completely stunned! I wrote back to Hillary: "I wish to make the exchange. Although I was excited to win, I was somewhat diappointed that this unit was not wifi-ready and I have been unable to find the appropriate wifi card on the market."
Her response:
"The Axim X51v that you will receive has wireless capabilities. You will receive an airbill to return the original Axim, but please keep the second battery that was sent with the original because it is interchangeable between the models."
And I responded:
"Thanks for the great news and, more importantly, thanks to Dell for being a stand-up company. I never would have looked a gift horse in the mouth and complained. So, knowing that you made the extra effort to contact me and make this offer actually means a lot more than the original win to me. This is why Dell enjoys such a good reputation for customer satisfaction. Please share this note with the appropriate supervisors to let them know that no matter what else happened today in Dell world, Dell made one customer very happy and that customer plans to share this experience with others!"
Which I am doing now...
What's even MORE amazing: The Dell Axim 51v arrived to me BEFORE the airbill return slip! It arrived while I was out of town and I plan to spend Monday setting it up.
I am beyond impressed with Dell. And I wanted to share the news and make a broader point: In today's business climate the ability to be a market leader almost entirely pertains to one's ability to exceed customer expectations.
It is no longer enough to meet expectations (if it ever was). It is not even enough to beat so-called "industry standards." You must "wow" to the point that a customer will share that excitement with his or her social network. This is now what is commonly referred to as "social marketing." It is one matter to use traditional marketing methodology to get a message out but successful market leaders of today will utilize social marketing networks to leverage branding to specific audiences thus generating more solid audience connections.
Said differently: Marketing IS customer service and customer service IS marketing!
More later!
Mark
During this past holiday season, my friends at www.slickdeals.net alerted me to a cool contest: "The Dell End of Re-Gifting Holiday Game" at dell.com. Each day you could visit and pick a stocking for a chance to win anything from a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Coupe to a discount on Dell products.
Now, like most of you, I am suspicious of such games. Who really has EVER won any of these prizes? Ever met anyone who has? Well, late one night, while playing the game during a Thanksgiving visit to Mary's mom, instead of the customary "Sorry!" message I read: "Congratulations! You have WON a X51v Axim from Dell. We will be sending you an email shortly to inform you of how to claim your prize."
They weren't lying. An email promptly arrived congratulating me. I was elated.
They sent the prizes out at the end of January and while I was happy to be a winner, frankly, I was a little underwhelmed. The Dell Axim 51 I received was NOT wireless-enabled and since I knew it would not sync up with my iBook G4, it's lack of wireless connectivity would make its use vexing to me. I couldn't sync it up to my laptop to add movies or, uh, important files, and I couldn't access the web with it, either...
Then, last week, I received this letter from Dell's Hillary Robinson:
"It has come to our attention that we mistakenly sent you the Axim X51, instead of the Axim X51v that you won in Dell’s “The End of Re-gifting Holiday Game." There are a few differences between the 2 models. The Axim X51 you received has the following features: 416MHz, 128MB ROM, 64 SDRAM, and a 3.5 inch QVGA screen. On the other hand, the Axim X51v includes: 624MHz, 256MB ROM, 64MB SDRAM, and a 3.7 inch QVGA screen."
"You may choose to keep the X51 that was sent, OR you may choose to return the X51 and receive the X51v. If you decide to return the X51, please contact Hillary Robinson ... prior to 2/17/06. We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused and appreciate your patience in this matter. Once again, we wish to thank you for participating in the Dell Holiday Game."
I was completely stunned! I wrote back to Hillary: "I wish to make the exchange. Although I was excited to win, I was somewhat diappointed that this unit was not wifi-ready and I have been unable to find the appropriate wifi card on the market."
Her response:
"The Axim X51v that you will receive has wireless capabilities. You will receive an airbill to return the original Axim, but please keep the second battery that was sent with the original because it is interchangeable between the models."
And I responded:
"Thanks for the great news and, more importantly, thanks to Dell for being a stand-up company. I never would have looked a gift horse in the mouth and complained. So, knowing that you made the extra effort to contact me and make this offer actually means a lot more than the original win to me. This is why Dell enjoys such a good reputation for customer satisfaction. Please share this note with the appropriate supervisors to let them know that no matter what else happened today in Dell world, Dell made one customer very happy and that customer plans to share this experience with others!"
Which I am doing now...
What's even MORE amazing: The Dell Axim 51v arrived to me BEFORE the airbill return slip! It arrived while I was out of town and I plan to spend Monday setting it up.
I am beyond impressed with Dell. And I wanted to share the news and make a broader point: In today's business climate the ability to be a market leader almost entirely pertains to one's ability to exceed customer expectations.
It is no longer enough to meet expectations (if it ever was). It is not even enough to beat so-called "industry standards." You must "wow" to the point that a customer will share that excitement with his or her social network. This is now what is commonly referred to as "social marketing." It is one matter to use traditional marketing methodology to get a message out but successful market leaders of today will utilize social marketing networks to leverage branding to specific audiences thus generating more solid audience connections.
Said differently: Marketing IS customer service and customer service IS marketing!
More later!
Mark
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Who will be No. 2000?
Hey, all: I just noticed that the clicker on this page is nearing 2,000 hits! That's amazing! I remember how happy I was at 400!
Anyway, I am offering a small token of my appreciation for the 2000th visitor. It will be a VERY small token. Practically worthless. But very representative of how grateful I am that you stopped by to read whatever it is I might have to say.
Obviously, we're on a trust-based system here (although you Mac users can take a picture of your screen with shift-apple-3 and email that to me as proof). But if you visit and find you are lucky No. 2000, then email me at marksweetwood@aol.com and include your name, address and favorite cut of diamond (hint: that is just for my amusement ... you are NOT winning a diamond) and I'll have that special, small, prize out to you ASAP!
Thanks to all visitors! You are ALL winners.
More later,
Mark
Anyway, I am offering a small token of my appreciation for the 2000th visitor. It will be a VERY small token. Practically worthless. But very representative of how grateful I am that you stopped by to read whatever it is I might have to say.
Obviously, we're on a trust-based system here (although you Mac users can take a picture of your screen with shift-apple-3 and email that to me as proof). But if you visit and find you are lucky No. 2000, then email me at marksweetwood@aol.com and include your name, address and favorite cut of diamond (hint: that is just for my amusement ... you are NOT winning a diamond) and I'll have that special, small, prize out to you ASAP!
Thanks to all visitors! You are ALL winners.
More later,
Mark
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Cash, Bears, Bradley, Beers, Bears
These are a few of my favorite things...
Some quick hits as we bid farewell to the first twelfth of 2006:
Rosanne Cash (former beau of Nick Lowe; Lowe wrote "The Beast in Me" for her dad, Johnny) has released a new CD, "Black Cadillac," that is getting major play and positive reviews. AOL allowed users to play the entire collection over the weekend and I found it to be extremely enjoyable. It reminded me a bit of Lisa Marie Presley's first CD. You can check out the details on Cash's website here:
RosanneCash.com
Play the title cut from her CD, "Black Cadillac," here:
Black Cadillac
During his Sirius radio show the other day, Howard Stern recommended a documentary movie called "Grizzly Man." The movie recounts the travails of Timothy Treadwell who spent 13 summers in Alaska living among grizzly bears until one ate him and his girlfriend. Mary recalled the story from a Vanity Fare article.
I queued it up on the ol' Blockbuster account and "Grizzly Man" was here in a couple of days. It was quite a fascinating story, frankly. Treadwell videotaped the last five summers and snippets were incorporated into the documentary which featured interviews with friends and family about this rather flamboyant character. A strange moment: The attack on him at his camp was recorded by a camera with its lens on. The director chose to only show himself listening to what must have been a grisly grizzly attack rather than share audio excerpts.
Now, curiosity got the best of me: I didn't necessarily want to listen to him scream as he was mauled and eaten alive. I was interested in whether he recanted his love for wild, dangerous bears during the attack, however...
This is NOT a movie for Steven Colbert. Read more about it here:
GrizzlyManMovie.com
Watch an eerily prescient excerpt from "The Simpsons" about bear attacks here:
Ranger Ned
Like me, Treadwell was a Bradley University product, by the way. He arrived on a swimming scholarship under his given name, Timothy Drexler but quit in 1977 after an injury. I arrived in 1978 under NO scholarship. His experience drove him to bears; my experience drove me to beers. He probably drove a Lincoln; I definitely had a professor named Kennedy. The parallels are interesting...
Finally, what to make of the Super Bowl? I gotta go with the team that seems to have the most momentum, better defense and is lead by a coach who has actually won a Super Bowl: The Seattle Seahawks. I never thought I'd ever write that sentence. Go with the Seahawks over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an interesting game that ends 34-24.
Interesting game ... But nothing like the best Super Bowl of all time: XX! Relive those amazing Super Bowl Bears (the good, non-human-eating variety of Bears although you couldn't convince Steve Grogan of that) over at Answers.com:
The Shufflin' Crew
More later,
Mark
Some quick hits as we bid farewell to the first twelfth of 2006:
Rosanne Cash (former beau of Nick Lowe; Lowe wrote "The Beast in Me" for her dad, Johnny) has released a new CD, "Black Cadillac," that is getting major play and positive reviews. AOL allowed users to play the entire collection over the weekend and I found it to be extremely enjoyable. It reminded me a bit of Lisa Marie Presley's first CD. You can check out the details on Cash's website here:
RosanneCash.com
Play the title cut from her CD, "Black Cadillac," here:
Black Cadillac
During his Sirius radio show the other day, Howard Stern recommended a documentary movie called "Grizzly Man." The movie recounts the travails of Timothy Treadwell who spent 13 summers in Alaska living among grizzly bears until one ate him and his girlfriend. Mary recalled the story from a Vanity Fare article.
I queued it up on the ol' Blockbuster account and "Grizzly Man" was here in a couple of days. It was quite a fascinating story, frankly. Treadwell videotaped the last five summers and snippets were incorporated into the documentary which featured interviews with friends and family about this rather flamboyant character. A strange moment: The attack on him at his camp was recorded by a camera with its lens on. The director chose to only show himself listening to what must have been a grisly grizzly attack rather than share audio excerpts.
Now, curiosity got the best of me: I didn't necessarily want to listen to him scream as he was mauled and eaten alive. I was interested in whether he recanted his love for wild, dangerous bears during the attack, however...
This is NOT a movie for Steven Colbert. Read more about it here:
GrizzlyManMovie.com
Watch an eerily prescient excerpt from "The Simpsons" about bear attacks here:
Ranger Ned
Like me, Treadwell was a Bradley University product, by the way. He arrived on a swimming scholarship under his given name, Timothy Drexler but quit in 1977 after an injury. I arrived in 1978 under NO scholarship. His experience drove him to bears; my experience drove me to beers. He probably drove a Lincoln; I definitely had a professor named Kennedy. The parallels are interesting...
Finally, what to make of the Super Bowl? I gotta go with the team that seems to have the most momentum, better defense and is lead by a coach who has actually won a Super Bowl: The Seattle Seahawks. I never thought I'd ever write that sentence. Go with the Seahawks over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an interesting game that ends 34-24.
Interesting game ... But nothing like the best Super Bowl of all time: XX! Relive those amazing Super Bowl Bears (the good, non-human-eating variety of Bears although you couldn't convince Steve Grogan of that) over at Answers.com:
The Shufflin' Crew
More later,
Mark
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Random Thoughts
A few bullet points during a time out from many projects (job search, books, playoff watching, surfing ... in no particular order). In other words, some things I think I think...
• Target has had an interesting advertising concept on aol.com. For several weeks there was a clickable ad that read: "No Paper? No Problem." When you clicked the banner, you found a web version of their Sunday insert.
Now, I just think that is kind of a snarky ad, from the newspaper industry's point of view. I am a BIG fan of Target, don't get me wrong. But I guess I don't understand the need to bite the hand that has sent potential consumers your way for so many years. It IS a big problem if you are not reading a newspaper! (Or, at least, that is the industry view.) It is almost as big of a problem if you aren't shopping at Target! And you can bet if newspapers began a campaign "Hate Target? Shop Local!" campaign for the mom & pop's out there, the red-and-white retailer would feel diminished.
I guess I would see it differently if Target had paid to have that ad each Sunday on the website of every newspaper that carried its inserts. Anyway, as it turns out, it's a moot point. The new clickable Target ad today:
"See the EXTRA in-store deals not found in the printed weekly ad."
Gee, a NEW way to diminish newspapers... Odd.
Check Out The Target Ad
• New ideas from iTunes.
My interest in the iTunes phenomenon is shared by many judging by the posts and the email. Just for fun, here are my current music suggestions from iTunes, based on my, ah, unique listening habits:
SONGS
Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin
Kuuipo Onaona - Pua Almeida
Carnival - Natalie Merchant
(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am - Nancy Wilson
Helena - My Chemical Romance
Sex and Candy - Marcy Playground
Cool - Lou Busch & His Orchestra
Gold Digger (featuring Jamie Foxx) - Kanye West
La Nave del Olvido - Jose Jose y Oquesta
Feels Like the First Time - Foreigner
100 Years - Five for Fighting
I Miss You (Alternate Take 1) - Elvis Presley
White Flag - Dido
Mr. Tambourine Man - The Byrds
The Blob - Aqualads
ALBUMS
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Greatest Hits - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn - Pink Floyd
Goats Head Soup - Rolling Stones
Kerplunk - Green Day
The Very Best of Cream - Cream
Violent Femmes: Deluxe Edition - Violent Femmes
Another interesting selection of songs - though I believe Shaun Colvin, Natalie Merchant and Dido are all the same person. "The Blob" song sounds cool as did "Sex and Candy." On one hand - Foreigner and The Byrds. On the other - Kanye West and My Chemical Romance. I am nothing if not a man of diverse interests...
• Super Bowl XL
It's just me talking, but I think the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers matchup is gonna make a rockin' Super Bowl. I also think that after what Seattle did to shut down Carolina Panthers' star Steve Smith, Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera looks a little less than either a genius or head-coach material.
• Waikiki Tease
No, this is not a song - although it could be. Hmmm... I think I could riff on that for a bit...
I know what you're saying
That you're trying so hard to please.
Trying to make amends.
Trying to appease.
But each night when it's dark I'm lonely again
My Waikiki Tease.
© 2006 MMS Productions
OK, it took me longer to find that copyright symbol than it did to write those stirring lyrics. Can anyone set them to music? Where was I? Oh, the drink. Friday night I surfed the web for a new rum drink and came across the "Waikiki Tease." Here's the scoop:
Ingredients
1 oz. Dark Rum
3 oz. Orange Juice
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
Pour all ingredients over ice in a glass. Stir.
Now, I just tripled all the ingredients and did that three times and came up with the pitcher version (27 oz. of orange juice, 18 oz. of pineapple juice and 12 oz. of rum). Purists and mathematicians will point out that the rum did not increase in exact proportion. These folks know nothing of the power of rum!
Because I like to experiment, I used the new Dole pineapple-mango juice. And for a third of the rum, I substituted coconut rum. It's a winning combination!
You know what goes with a good party drink? Good party music! What's better than Green Day at a party? I have no idea... Direct from their very own website:
Green Day!
More later!
Mark
• Target has had an interesting advertising concept on aol.com. For several weeks there was a clickable ad that read: "No Paper? No Problem." When you clicked the banner, you found a web version of their Sunday insert.
Now, I just think that is kind of a snarky ad, from the newspaper industry's point of view. I am a BIG fan of Target, don't get me wrong. But I guess I don't understand the need to bite the hand that has sent potential consumers your way for so many years. It IS a big problem if you are not reading a newspaper! (Or, at least, that is the industry view.) It is almost as big of a problem if you aren't shopping at Target! And you can bet if newspapers began a campaign "Hate Target? Shop Local!" campaign for the mom & pop's out there, the red-and-white retailer would feel diminished.
I guess I would see it differently if Target had paid to have that ad each Sunday on the website of every newspaper that carried its inserts. Anyway, as it turns out, it's a moot point. The new clickable Target ad today:
"See the EXTRA in-store deals not found in the printed weekly ad."
Gee, a NEW way to diminish newspapers... Odd.
Check Out The Target Ad
• New ideas from iTunes.
My interest in the iTunes phenomenon is shared by many judging by the posts and the email. Just for fun, here are my current music suggestions from iTunes, based on my, ah, unique listening habits:
SONGS
Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin
Kuuipo Onaona - Pua Almeida
Carnival - Natalie Merchant
(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am - Nancy Wilson
Helena - My Chemical Romance
Sex and Candy - Marcy Playground
Cool - Lou Busch & His Orchestra
Gold Digger (featuring Jamie Foxx) - Kanye West
La Nave del Olvido - Jose Jose y Oquesta
Feels Like the First Time - Foreigner
100 Years - Five for Fighting
I Miss You (Alternate Take 1) - Elvis Presley
White Flag - Dido
Mr. Tambourine Man - The Byrds
The Blob - Aqualads
ALBUMS
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Greatest Hits - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn - Pink Floyd
Goats Head Soup - Rolling Stones
Kerplunk - Green Day
The Very Best of Cream - Cream
Violent Femmes: Deluxe Edition - Violent Femmes
Another interesting selection of songs - though I believe Shaun Colvin, Natalie Merchant and Dido are all the same person. "The Blob" song sounds cool as did "Sex and Candy." On one hand - Foreigner and The Byrds. On the other - Kanye West and My Chemical Romance. I am nothing if not a man of diverse interests...
• Super Bowl XL
It's just me talking, but I think the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers matchup is gonna make a rockin' Super Bowl. I also think that after what Seattle did to shut down Carolina Panthers' star Steve Smith, Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera looks a little less than either a genius or head-coach material.
• Waikiki Tease
No, this is not a song - although it could be. Hmmm... I think I could riff on that for a bit...
I know what you're saying
That you're trying so hard to please.
Trying to make amends.
Trying to appease.
But each night when it's dark I'm lonely again
My Waikiki Tease.
© 2006 MMS Productions
OK, it took me longer to find that copyright symbol than it did to write those stirring lyrics. Can anyone set them to music? Where was I? Oh, the drink. Friday night I surfed the web for a new rum drink and came across the "Waikiki Tease." Here's the scoop:
Ingredients
1 oz. Dark Rum
3 oz. Orange Juice
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
Pour all ingredients over ice in a glass. Stir.
Now, I just tripled all the ingredients and did that three times and came up with the pitcher version (27 oz. of orange juice, 18 oz. of pineapple juice and 12 oz. of rum). Purists and mathematicians will point out that the rum did not increase in exact proportion. These folks know nothing of the power of rum!
Because I like to experiment, I used the new Dole pineapple-mango juice. And for a third of the rum, I substituted coconut rum. It's a winning combination!
You know what goes with a good party drink? Good party music! What's better than Green Day at a party? I have no idea... Direct from their very own website:
Green Day!
More later!
Mark
Monday, January 16, 2006
Just Wait 'Til Next Year!
Knowing of my great love for the Chicago Bears, a few folks have asked why I have not blogged more about them during this season of miracles.
I'm not sure why, to be honest. I thought this was a fun season - despite its sloppy end on Sunday. I guess in the back of my mind, I have been wondering whether the 2005 Bears were more like the 1984 Bears or the 1985 Bears. I think I got my answer. And as disappointed as I was with the loss to the Carolina Panthers, I think that bodes well for next year.
At least when we say "Just wait 'til next year!" it actually means something this year...
As in 1984, because the season ended with a playoff loss, I was left with the feeling that the team had finally congealed into something pretty special. I think the defense was very good and could approach greatness next year. I think the offense found a special leader with Rex Grossman (and I was particularly proud of his post-game comments and leadership vs. Peyton Manning who acted like a petulant child) and a great running back with Thomas Jones. The offensive line is one or two players away from being in the top echelon of the NFL.
That said, many of their weaknesses which they need to improve on to attain the next level were exposed Sunday. The short list:
• Coaching experience. Lovie Smith can dismiss all of the obvious coaching miscues in the game, but they were evident to even the casual observer. The game plan was skewed (run the ball, damn it!) offensive plays were coming in too slowly and the right adjustments were not being made. On the defensive side, I think Ron Rivera's coaching inexperience at the playoff level was exposed: Substitutions were awkward, people seemed to be out of place and the last two Panther touchdowns were thrown to players who were not covered. Rivera might be touted as the next great head coach in some circles, but I think he's a year or two away.
• I'd bring in some competition for punter Brad Maynard during camp this summer. Surprisingly, special teams overall Sunday graded out a "D" in my book.
• My sense is that Muhsin Muhammad is never going to make me forget about Willie Gault or even Tom Waddle. He seems to lack both speed AND heart - though he does have a mouth. He was quite vocal about quarterback Kyle Orton's game but has yet to explain the drops after Rex stepped back in as the starter. The Bears need another blazing wideout (or two) to complement Bernard Berrian who seems to be coming into his own.
• The Bears defensive secondary ended the season beat up and beat out. Of the cornerbacks, Jerry Azumah was hurt too much and Charles "Peanut" Tillman's play was increasingly erratic. On the safety side of the ball, Mike Brown was clearly injured worse than the Bears let on and Mike Green is just not very good. In the Panthers game, the Bears were apparently forced to pull a fan out of the stands named Chris Thompson to stumble onto the field and allow Steve Smith to score untouched. They need some muscle here and the emergence of Nathan Vasher is a plus - but not enough. A good area to focus on in the free agent market?
• I would still like to see the Bears employ a quality tight end.
• Draft and free-agent focus? If the Bears were to draft a guard or tackle early and spend lots more free agent money on the offensive line, I would not complain.
OK, I'll stop now before this "short list" gets too long. It was a fun ride this season with hints of greatness to come. The Bears gave fans more than we expected (especially after the 1-3 start) and showed a lot of grit and character. It was actually fun to be a Bears fan again. Plus, any year that we beat those miserable Packers twice is almost equal to a Super Bowl year for me...
Want a song to cheer you up today? Go here and turn up your speakers:
Bear Down!
More later!
Mark
I'm not sure why, to be honest. I thought this was a fun season - despite its sloppy end on Sunday. I guess in the back of my mind, I have been wondering whether the 2005 Bears were more like the 1984 Bears or the 1985 Bears. I think I got my answer. And as disappointed as I was with the loss to the Carolina Panthers, I think that bodes well for next year.
At least when we say "Just wait 'til next year!" it actually means something this year...
As in 1984, because the season ended with a playoff loss, I was left with the feeling that the team had finally congealed into something pretty special. I think the defense was very good and could approach greatness next year. I think the offense found a special leader with Rex Grossman (and I was particularly proud of his post-game comments and leadership vs. Peyton Manning who acted like a petulant child) and a great running back with Thomas Jones. The offensive line is one or two players away from being in the top echelon of the NFL.
That said, many of their weaknesses which they need to improve on to attain the next level were exposed Sunday. The short list:
• Coaching experience. Lovie Smith can dismiss all of the obvious coaching miscues in the game, but they were evident to even the casual observer. The game plan was skewed (run the ball, damn it!) offensive plays were coming in too slowly and the right adjustments were not being made. On the defensive side, I think Ron Rivera's coaching inexperience at the playoff level was exposed: Substitutions were awkward, people seemed to be out of place and the last two Panther touchdowns were thrown to players who were not covered. Rivera might be touted as the next great head coach in some circles, but I think he's a year or two away.
• I'd bring in some competition for punter Brad Maynard during camp this summer. Surprisingly, special teams overall Sunday graded out a "D" in my book.
• My sense is that Muhsin Muhammad is never going to make me forget about Willie Gault or even Tom Waddle. He seems to lack both speed AND heart - though he does have a mouth. He was quite vocal about quarterback Kyle Orton's game but has yet to explain the drops after Rex stepped back in as the starter. The Bears need another blazing wideout (or two) to complement Bernard Berrian who seems to be coming into his own.
• The Bears defensive secondary ended the season beat up and beat out. Of the cornerbacks, Jerry Azumah was hurt too much and Charles "Peanut" Tillman's play was increasingly erratic. On the safety side of the ball, Mike Brown was clearly injured worse than the Bears let on and Mike Green is just not very good. In the Panthers game, the Bears were apparently forced to pull a fan out of the stands named Chris Thompson to stumble onto the field and allow Steve Smith to score untouched. They need some muscle here and the emergence of Nathan Vasher is a plus - but not enough. A good area to focus on in the free agent market?
• I would still like to see the Bears employ a quality tight end.
• Draft and free-agent focus? If the Bears were to draft a guard or tackle early and spend lots more free agent money on the offensive line, I would not complain.
OK, I'll stop now before this "short list" gets too long. It was a fun ride this season with hints of greatness to come. The Bears gave fans more than we expected (especially after the 1-3 start) and showed a lot of grit and character. It was actually fun to be a Bears fan again. Plus, any year that we beat those miserable Packers twice is almost equal to a Super Bowl year for me...
Want a song to cheer you up today? Go here and turn up your speakers:
Bear Down!
More later!
Mark
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Today's Word...
Today's media buzzword: Intuitive.
It is what separates the men from the boys, or, in terms of media, the dinosaurs from the techno-revolutionaries of tomorrow.
Today's media audiences expect whatever media they are accessing at the moment to be intuitive; to be in tune with their wants and needs; to anticipate their wants and needs; to redefine their wants and needs and to exceed their expectations.
Which naturally leads us to today's tip: Big props if you can bring the "Wow!" factor. Then redefine the "Wow!" factor. Then bring it again.
Many newspapers, reluctant to seek innovations, are struggling with that concept as are broadcast television and radio operations. Yesterday's "relevance" has been supplanted by tomorrow's intuitiveness. Hence the customization featured in "new media" - i.e. the Internet and digital television (a channel for every specific taste) and, now, satellite radio - has led to new, expanding, evolving mediums leaving some old standbys struggling to maintain audience share.
This has lead to concern over the very future of some traditional mediums. In newspaperdom, for example, there is a industry-wide debate over the balancing act between the need to invest resources for further customization (i.e. notions like "tailored" newspapers, improved online experiences, zoning and advertiser-desired zip-code-specific delivery) and pressures to cut expenses to balance decreasing revenue, which has lead to profit margins lower than expected in the board room. At the very point in time that newspapers need to be more intuitive, some companies are choosing to go another direction. Witness, for example, staff cuts at large newspapers from New York to Philadelphia to Chicago. Smaller, independent and family-owned companies have had a better go of it, but this debate is occurring at all levels. Progressive companies are choosing the correct path; to sow so they shall reap.
A good example of an intuitive medium: I have been having way too much fun playing with iTunes lately. When I popped into the iTunes store the other day, I discovered a new "beta" feature called "Just For You." Inside, I found some music that iTunes had decided I might be interested in based on my downloads. Keep in mind, I mostly have downloaded Elvis songs and episodes of "The Office." Actually, that's not quite true: I have over 150 downloads in my collection. However, I was stunned to discover these 15 suggestions. See what you can glean from my listening tastes based on this list:
1.) Easy Loving - Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn
2.) Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
3.) Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin
4.) Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie and the Blowfish
5.) Rock 'n Roll, Part 2 - Gary Glitter
6.) Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix
7.) Every Morning - Sugar Ray
8.) Still Waiting -Sum 41
9.) School Boy Heart - Jimmy Buffett
10.) There It Go! - Juelz Santana
11.) Lonely No More - Rob Thomas
12.) Love Will Find A Way - Pablo Cruise
13.) Tangled Up in Blue - Bob Dylan
14.) Heaven - The Psychedelic Furs
15.) Armageddon - Eddie Izzard
In addition, iTunes suggested I download these six albums:
1.) Blink-182 - Greatest Hits
2.) Who's Next - The Who
3.) London Calling - The Clash
4.) Pocket Full of Kryptonite - Spin Doctors
5.) Let Go - Avril Lavigne
6.) Songs About Jane - Maroon 5
I'm not sure what to make of either list (other than, perhaps, I've given iTunes the gross misperception that I will listen to any damned thing!). What do you think?
From that list of individual songs, I have only previously downloaded Jimi Hendrix, Sum 41, Jimmy Buffett and Bob Dylan tunes. Not a lot of Conway, Pablo and Eddie in my collection... Hootie? Come on! I'm insulted. Gary Glitter? I think I am a bit old for him...
But it was a fun discovery and I spent more time perusing this list and sampling the songs than I did with the morning newspaper and, I guess, that is my ultimate point. And the ultimate point of this new media age.
Just be intuitive!
Me? I'm downloading more Juelz Santana... Turns out, I'm totally east coast... And, clearly, as jiggy as I have always maintained...
Hey, speaking of tunes, allow me to play DJ for you on this fine afternoon and spin a platter that truly matters! Straight from his home page at nicklowe.net here's my man Nick Lowe and his take on the Johnny River classic, "The Poor Side of Town." Enjoy!
The Poor Side of Town
More later,
Mark
It is what separates the men from the boys, or, in terms of media, the dinosaurs from the techno-revolutionaries of tomorrow.
Today's media audiences expect whatever media they are accessing at the moment to be intuitive; to be in tune with their wants and needs; to anticipate their wants and needs; to redefine their wants and needs and to exceed their expectations.
Which naturally leads us to today's tip: Big props if you can bring the "Wow!" factor. Then redefine the "Wow!" factor. Then bring it again.
Many newspapers, reluctant to seek innovations, are struggling with that concept as are broadcast television and radio operations. Yesterday's "relevance" has been supplanted by tomorrow's intuitiveness. Hence the customization featured in "new media" - i.e. the Internet and digital television (a channel for every specific taste) and, now, satellite radio - has led to new, expanding, evolving mediums leaving some old standbys struggling to maintain audience share.
This has lead to concern over the very future of some traditional mediums. In newspaperdom, for example, there is a industry-wide debate over the balancing act between the need to invest resources for further customization (i.e. notions like "tailored" newspapers, improved online experiences, zoning and advertiser-desired zip-code-specific delivery) and pressures to cut expenses to balance decreasing revenue, which has lead to profit margins lower than expected in the board room. At the very point in time that newspapers need to be more intuitive, some companies are choosing to go another direction. Witness, for example, staff cuts at large newspapers from New York to Philadelphia to Chicago. Smaller, independent and family-owned companies have had a better go of it, but this debate is occurring at all levels. Progressive companies are choosing the correct path; to sow so they shall reap.
A good example of an intuitive medium: I have been having way too much fun playing with iTunes lately. When I popped into the iTunes store the other day, I discovered a new "beta" feature called "Just For You." Inside, I found some music that iTunes had decided I might be interested in based on my downloads. Keep in mind, I mostly have downloaded Elvis songs and episodes of "The Office." Actually, that's not quite true: I have over 150 downloads in my collection. However, I was stunned to discover these 15 suggestions. See what you can glean from my listening tastes based on this list:
1.) Easy Loving - Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn
2.) Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
3.) Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin
4.) Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie and the Blowfish
5.) Rock 'n Roll, Part 2 - Gary Glitter
6.) Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix
7.) Every Morning - Sugar Ray
8.) Still Waiting -Sum 41
9.) School Boy Heart - Jimmy Buffett
10.) There It Go! - Juelz Santana
11.) Lonely No More - Rob Thomas
12.) Love Will Find A Way - Pablo Cruise
13.) Tangled Up in Blue - Bob Dylan
14.) Heaven - The Psychedelic Furs
15.) Armageddon - Eddie Izzard
In addition, iTunes suggested I download these six albums:
1.) Blink-182 - Greatest Hits
2.) Who's Next - The Who
3.) London Calling - The Clash
4.) Pocket Full of Kryptonite - Spin Doctors
5.) Let Go - Avril Lavigne
6.) Songs About Jane - Maroon 5
I'm not sure what to make of either list (other than, perhaps, I've given iTunes the gross misperception that I will listen to any damned thing!). What do you think?
From that list of individual songs, I have only previously downloaded Jimi Hendrix, Sum 41, Jimmy Buffett and Bob Dylan tunes. Not a lot of Conway, Pablo and Eddie in my collection... Hootie? Come on! I'm insulted. Gary Glitter? I think I am a bit old for him...
But it was a fun discovery and I spent more time perusing this list and sampling the songs than I did with the morning newspaper and, I guess, that is my ultimate point. And the ultimate point of this new media age.
Just be intuitive!
Me? I'm downloading more Juelz Santana... Turns out, I'm totally east coast... And, clearly, as jiggy as I have always maintained...
Hey, speaking of tunes, allow me to play DJ for you on this fine afternoon and spin a platter that truly matters! Straight from his home page at nicklowe.net here's my man Nick Lowe and his take on the Johnny River classic, "The Poor Side of Town." Enjoy!
The Poor Side of Town
More later,
Mark
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Mining the Truth
I was awake at about midnight Tuesday writing my next blog (not this one) when I encountered CNN's Anderson Cooper touting the miraculous news.
Twelve of 13 miners trapped nearly 2 miles beneath the West Virginia surface for nearly two days after a mine explosion were alive!
For most of the day we had been lead to believe the news from the coal mine would be grim. The air was bad. One miner had been found dead. Then the mine car the men had used was discovered empty - an indication the men had survived a blast and had fled to a more secure area.
Then the bells at the Sago Baptist Church began to toll as word filtered from the command center at the mine that the remaining 12 men had been found alive!
For the next two hours, I was absorbed as reporters scrambled to cover the change in the course of events. Reportedly, the miners were to undergo triaged medical care and those who were in the best shape would be brought to the church to be reunited with their families.
At about 2 a.m., an agitated woman come up to Cooper to tell him "there's no miracle."
He looked stunned. And compelling television began to unfold.
I felt so bad for the poor families involved. To endure such a tragic roller-coaster ride of emotion is impossible to fathom. There appears to have been a 2- to 3-hour delay between the time the command center received the erroneous information that the remaining 12 miners were alive and the time that mine owner International Coal Group gave the correct information to grieving families: Just one miner had survived.
Why the delay? Did they not hear the bells tolling? Were they not aware of the cable news broadcasts? Were they unaware that everyone from the state's governor to a mine foreman had confirmed the news for the various media covering the story? Did they realize a Red Cross official had confirmed the rumors at the church where friends and families awaited? The mine company ultimately admitted it knew within 20-45 minutes that the first report was wrong. Why was that fact not as zealously transferred as the erroneous news?
I have a theory, honed after years of watching business leaders, politicians and other officials repeatedly bumble and stumble in the face of disaster and big news stories. This was a horrible situation made worse by the mine owner's naive, unfortunate (though understandably intentioned) decision to sequester the media away from both the command center and the church, where families were stationed. International Coal Group attempted to control the flow of information ostensibly to avoid either unnecessarily raising spirits or quashing hopes - unaware that to attempt this in an instant communications age is as problematic as catching smoke with boxing gloves. Hence, while someone at the command center may very well have overheard the original erroneous news and transmitted it back to the church via cell phone, the media was unable to check it out because its access was being blocked at two sensitive points. Conversely, members of the media were also unable to inform the command center of the obvious joy being transmitted to the rest of the world.
By all accounts, the mine rescue command center was filled with mine administrators, foremen, politicians, emergency workers, police representatives and the like. A press representative pooled from the many media covering this story should have been there as well. This person could have reported the miscommunication quickly and spared the families some of the heart-wrenching drama by reporting news in minutes, not hours.
Instead, late Wednesday afternoon it was revealed that mine officials had entrusted state police officers to ferry a message to the clergy at the church during the celebration to inform families that initial reports may have been too optimistic. That message was muddled.
Dumb. Just plain dumb. The area was crawling with communication professionals.
How many times do we have to watch clumsy officials, overly suspicious of the media, demonstrate they are far less media-savvy than they will ever comprehend? They pay big bucks to "press aides," read books on how to "deal" with the media, go to seminars on "spinning", yet they stumble repeatedly in the face of the big story because these officials spend too much time scheming to leave the media out instead of inviting the media in. The media are not the enemy. The media are the people. Never has this been more painfully evident than in the early hours of Wednesday morning as broken-hearted family members trudged out of the Sago Baptist Church to spill their hearts to American journalists.
In the end, mine officials could no more control this story than they could control the atmosphere in a dusty coal mine during a thunderstorm.
More later,
Mark
Twelve of 13 miners trapped nearly 2 miles beneath the West Virginia surface for nearly two days after a mine explosion were alive!
For most of the day we had been lead to believe the news from the coal mine would be grim. The air was bad. One miner had been found dead. Then the mine car the men had used was discovered empty - an indication the men had survived a blast and had fled to a more secure area.
Then the bells at the Sago Baptist Church began to toll as word filtered from the command center at the mine that the remaining 12 men had been found alive!
For the next two hours, I was absorbed as reporters scrambled to cover the change in the course of events. Reportedly, the miners were to undergo triaged medical care and those who were in the best shape would be brought to the church to be reunited with their families.
At about 2 a.m., an agitated woman come up to Cooper to tell him "there's no miracle."
He looked stunned. And compelling television began to unfold.
I felt so bad for the poor families involved. To endure such a tragic roller-coaster ride of emotion is impossible to fathom. There appears to have been a 2- to 3-hour delay between the time the command center received the erroneous information that the remaining 12 miners were alive and the time that mine owner International Coal Group gave the correct information to grieving families: Just one miner had survived.
Why the delay? Did they not hear the bells tolling? Were they not aware of the cable news broadcasts? Were they unaware that everyone from the state's governor to a mine foreman had confirmed the news for the various media covering the story? Did they realize a Red Cross official had confirmed the rumors at the church where friends and families awaited? The mine company ultimately admitted it knew within 20-45 minutes that the first report was wrong. Why was that fact not as zealously transferred as the erroneous news?
I have a theory, honed after years of watching business leaders, politicians and other officials repeatedly bumble and stumble in the face of disaster and big news stories. This was a horrible situation made worse by the mine owner's naive, unfortunate (though understandably intentioned) decision to sequester the media away from both the command center and the church, where families were stationed. International Coal Group attempted to control the flow of information ostensibly to avoid either unnecessarily raising spirits or quashing hopes - unaware that to attempt this in an instant communications age is as problematic as catching smoke with boxing gloves. Hence, while someone at the command center may very well have overheard the original erroneous news and transmitted it back to the church via cell phone, the media was unable to check it out because its access was being blocked at two sensitive points. Conversely, members of the media were also unable to inform the command center of the obvious joy being transmitted to the rest of the world.
By all accounts, the mine rescue command center was filled with mine administrators, foremen, politicians, emergency workers, police representatives and the like. A press representative pooled from the many media covering this story should have been there as well. This person could have reported the miscommunication quickly and spared the families some of the heart-wrenching drama by reporting news in minutes, not hours.
Instead, late Wednesday afternoon it was revealed that mine officials had entrusted state police officers to ferry a message to the clergy at the church during the celebration to inform families that initial reports may have been too optimistic. That message was muddled.
Dumb. Just plain dumb. The area was crawling with communication professionals.
How many times do we have to watch clumsy officials, overly suspicious of the media, demonstrate they are far less media-savvy than they will ever comprehend? They pay big bucks to "press aides," read books on how to "deal" with the media, go to seminars on "spinning", yet they stumble repeatedly in the face of the big story because these officials spend too much time scheming to leave the media out instead of inviting the media in. The media are not the enemy. The media are the people. Never has this been more painfully evident than in the early hours of Wednesday morning as broken-hearted family members trudged out of the Sago Baptist Church to spill their hearts to American journalists.
In the end, mine officials could no more control this story than they could control the atmosphere in a dusty coal mine during a thunderstorm.
More later,
Mark
Monday, January 02, 2006
46 Resolutions
Gee, another year? Already? But 2005 was so darned much fun...
I guess that means it is time for another batch of resolutions. Since I am turning 46 this year, I figure 46 resolutions will do. I, Mark M. Sweetwood, being of relatively sound mind, hereby resolve to:
• Become gainfully employed again.
• Win the lottery, anyway.
• Keep defying the odds. In other words, business as usual.
• Surprise those who should not be surprised.
• Shock those who should not be shocked.
• Dare those who would not be dared.
• Finally realize my "memoirs" in current form really could be reduced to a mere half-hour episode of "The Office."
• Forgive more.
• Forget less.
• Maintain the high road.
• Watch for those on the low road.
• Look down on those on the low road from my perch on the high road thus ruining an otherwise perfectly good metaphor.
• Update my blog more often.
• Finish my book.
• Finish that other book.
• And that screenplay.
• Figure out a better name for my screenplay than "SuperNewspaperMediaMan."
• Change that one part in my screenplay where "SuperNewspaperMediaMan" kisses "Janey Mary" while upside down in the rain in the alley.
• Lose weight.
• Get botox.
• Get hair plugs.
• Cap my teeth.
• Work out.
• Relive my 30's.
• Laugh more.
• Cry less.
• Spend less.
• Save more.
• Downsize my world.
• Upsize my generosity.
• Do my part for peace.
• Cherish my friends.
• Vanquish my enemies.
• Vanquish my false friends.
• Cherish new enemies.
• Encourage all to read the good works of James Thurber, Homer Hickam and John Grisham.
• Emulate the good works of James Thurber, Homer Hickam and John Grisham.
• Ride that ticket to stardom with my hit series about a comical lawyer who represents miners.
• Speak out more.
• Launch my podcast.
• Help others understand new media.
• Procrastinate less.
• Procrastinate less.
• Be less repetitive.
• Be a better husband, friend, son and brother.
• Avoid travel to Florida during hurricane season.
I'll keep ya posted on my progress throughout the year...
More later!
Mark
I guess that means it is time for another batch of resolutions. Since I am turning 46 this year, I figure 46 resolutions will do. I, Mark M. Sweetwood, being of relatively sound mind, hereby resolve to:
• Become gainfully employed again.
• Win the lottery, anyway.
• Keep defying the odds. In other words, business as usual.
• Surprise those who should not be surprised.
• Shock those who should not be shocked.
• Dare those who would not be dared.
• Finally realize my "memoirs" in current form really could be reduced to a mere half-hour episode of "The Office."
• Forgive more.
• Forget less.
• Maintain the high road.
• Watch for those on the low road.
• Look down on those on the low road from my perch on the high road thus ruining an otherwise perfectly good metaphor.
• Update my blog more often.
• Finish my book.
• Finish that other book.
• And that screenplay.
• Figure out a better name for my screenplay than "SuperNewspaperMediaMan."
• Change that one part in my screenplay where "SuperNewspaperMediaMan" kisses "Janey Mary" while upside down in the rain in the alley.
• Lose weight.
• Get botox.
• Get hair plugs.
• Cap my teeth.
• Work out.
• Relive my 30's.
• Laugh more.
• Cry less.
• Spend less.
• Save more.
• Downsize my world.
• Upsize my generosity.
• Do my part for peace.
• Cherish my friends.
• Vanquish my enemies.
• Vanquish my false friends.
• Cherish new enemies.
• Encourage all to read the good works of James Thurber, Homer Hickam and John Grisham.
• Emulate the good works of James Thurber, Homer Hickam and John Grisham.
• Ride that ticket to stardom with my hit series about a comical lawyer who represents miners.
• Speak out more.
• Launch my podcast.
• Help others understand new media.
• Procrastinate less.
• Procrastinate less.
• Be less repetitive.
• Be a better husband, friend, son and brother.
• Avoid travel to Florida during hurricane season.
I'll keep ya posted on my progress throughout the year...
More later!
Mark
Saturday, December 24, 2005
A Message of Peace
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Merry Kwanza!
And peace and good will to all!
As I reflect this year about world and the concept of peace, I wonder what Jesus of Nazareth would think of 2005 AD? Perhaps the Jesus of Cool, Nick Lowe, framed the question best in a song made famous by his good friend Elvis Costello...
Peace, Love and Understanding
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin’ for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside,
There’s one thing I wanna know:
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?
And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.
’cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry.
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.
’cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry.
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?
That's a heckuva Christmas Carol, if you ask me. If there is anything at all funny about the notion of peace, love and understanding, I've long forgotten the joke. I know I haven't done my share to advance enough of any of it. How about you? Need a good resolution for 2006?
Mary and I hope you and yours have the best holiday ever. Love, laugh, share and hope. And eat, especially if you are Italian or related to an Italian or visiting an Italian. I have the best of all worlds.
And here's to a much better world in 2006!
More later,
Mark
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Merry Kwanza!
And peace and good will to all!
As I reflect this year about world and the concept of peace, I wonder what Jesus of Nazareth would think of 2005 AD? Perhaps the Jesus of Cool, Nick Lowe, framed the question best in a song made famous by his good friend Elvis Costello...
Peace, Love and Understanding
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin’ for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside,
There’s one thing I wanna know:
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?
And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.
’cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry.
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.
’cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry.
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?
That's a heckuva Christmas Carol, if you ask me. If there is anything at all funny about the notion of peace, love and understanding, I've long forgotten the joke. I know I haven't done my share to advance enough of any of it. How about you? Need a good resolution for 2006?
Mary and I hope you and yours have the best holiday ever. Love, laugh, share and hope. And eat, especially if you are Italian or related to an Italian or visiting an Italian. I have the best of all worlds.
And here's to a much better world in 2006!
More later,
Mark
Monday, November 28, 2005
A New Diversion
As our eight-day, five-state voyage rolled into Canton, Ohio, on Sunday, we had but two priorities:
1.) Watch the Chicago Bears at Damon's preferably while munching ribs and playing NTN.Com's QB1.
2.) Visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame to pay reverent homage to the great Bears enshrined within.
Payton At The Hall
Actually, looking at the entire odyssey, there were just two MUST objectives, in addition to all of the visiting: The now-documented pilgrimage to the Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, on the way to New York and the Damon's excursion on the return.
We arrived Sunday at 11:30 a.m. EST in Canton at our first destination, the downtown Marriott McKinley Grand Hotel, where we had Pricelined a room for $50. Now, I was originally not happy with Priceline.com because I was seeking one of the 2 or 2-and-a-half star hotels nearer the Hall of Fame and Damon's but was greeted with the "good news" that my bid was "upgraded" to a 3-star venue.
Uhm, but I didn't want to be downtown, I wanted to be near my destination, I complained when I called Priceline. A guy there uttered that he had never had anyone complain about an upgrade before. Priceline deals are final he said as he essentially hung up on me to laugh with his coworkers about this nut who got a $129 room for $50 AND called to bitch...
We settled into our room and at about noon - with an hour to spare before kickoff. I called over to Damon's to make sure they were getting the Bears-Buccaneers game. I was a little surprised that the phone rang at the other end so long... 11...12...13...
"Good, uhm, morning. Damon's," a voice said from the other end, clearly unaware it was no longer morning.
"Hi, can you give me directions? We're downtown at the Marriott and we're coming over to watch the Bears game."
"Uhm, yeah, well, sorry but we are closed. We had a water pump break and we won't be able to open."
Now, of course, I am waiting for the joke to end. I mean, pro football fans and rib-lovers arrive by the busloads to Damon's and I am sure this is just a funny joke the manager tells every time he answers the phone...
I wait another beat.
Seriously, after the mess at the Thurber House, what are the odds that we could pick two places on a map that would have completely independent crises upon our arrival?
"You ARE kidding, right?"
"Uhm, no, sorry. There is no way we can open today. There are some other sports bars near us if you would like I could give you some directions..."
Other? Please...
So, I bid the submerging manager farewell and called the Marriott front desk. They assured me they had a sports bar and it was named, appropriately, "Thorpe's Lounge."
That was good enough for us. We headed downstairs to find a nice bar with one older, roughly 40-inch television and we commandeered the corner closest to the TV. We were the only patrons and the FOX pre-game show was under way and they were gushing about the Bears season so far (although lame Frank Caliendo picked the Bucs to win).
"Now, you are going to have to let us switch over to check on Cleveland once in a while," warned the bartender. "You're in Browns country."
I was in my Urlacher jersey. I just sneered at her: "We'll see. Right now, only Bears fans are here."
It turned out to be a delightful afternoon. The Marriott ribs were tasty. We had great seats and the run of the joint. No one asked to see the Browns after the Vikings began waxing the floor with them. Brother Eric called to share his excitement during as the Bears took the lead. I called and jeered my Florida parents who, sadly, converted from respectable Bears fans to Buccaneer backers when they headed south full-time in 1998. It is the shame of the family.
After the Bears' first touchdown, I called them and feigned confusion as if I was still traveling on the road...
"Any update on the game?" My Dad was not amused and suggested, instead, I make sure I view Carnell "Cadillac" Williams' shoes when I visit the hall the following day. I shot a picture of them (put on display after he broke the single-game rookie rushing record earlier this season) with my cell phone and emailed him just to prove I was a good sport. That was the only Buccaneer artifact in the hall, as far as I could tell.
We spent a few hours at the hall Monday and left Canton elated at our experiences. The Marriott staff was wonderful, the bar was terrific, the room was great and the hall is such a treat for football fanatics. I could watch those old NFL films all day. We grabbed some souvenirs and then headed toward the open turnpike.
Next stop: Home!
More later,
Mark
1.) Watch the Chicago Bears at Damon's preferably while munching ribs and playing NTN.Com's QB1.
2.) Visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame to pay reverent homage to the great Bears enshrined within.
Payton At The HallActually, looking at the entire odyssey, there were just two MUST objectives, in addition to all of the visiting: The now-documented pilgrimage to the Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, on the way to New York and the Damon's excursion on the return.
We arrived Sunday at 11:30 a.m. EST in Canton at our first destination, the downtown Marriott McKinley Grand Hotel, where we had Pricelined a room for $50. Now, I was originally not happy with Priceline.com because I was seeking one of the 2 or 2-and-a-half star hotels nearer the Hall of Fame and Damon's but was greeted with the "good news" that my bid was "upgraded" to a 3-star venue.
Uhm, but I didn't want to be downtown, I wanted to be near my destination, I complained when I called Priceline. A guy there uttered that he had never had anyone complain about an upgrade before. Priceline deals are final he said as he essentially hung up on me to laugh with his coworkers about this nut who got a $129 room for $50 AND called to bitch...
We settled into our room and at about noon - with an hour to spare before kickoff. I called over to Damon's to make sure they were getting the Bears-Buccaneers game. I was a little surprised that the phone rang at the other end so long... 11...12...13...
"Good, uhm, morning. Damon's," a voice said from the other end, clearly unaware it was no longer morning.
"Hi, can you give me directions? We're downtown at the Marriott and we're coming over to watch the Bears game."
"Uhm, yeah, well, sorry but we are closed. We had a water pump break and we won't be able to open."
Now, of course, I am waiting for the joke to end. I mean, pro football fans and rib-lovers arrive by the busloads to Damon's and I am sure this is just a funny joke the manager tells every time he answers the phone...
I wait another beat.
Seriously, after the mess at the Thurber House, what are the odds that we could pick two places on a map that would have completely independent crises upon our arrival?
"You ARE kidding, right?"
"Uhm, no, sorry. There is no way we can open today. There are some other sports bars near us if you would like I could give you some directions..."
Other? Please...
So, I bid the submerging manager farewell and called the Marriott front desk. They assured me they had a sports bar and it was named, appropriately, "Thorpe's Lounge."
That was good enough for us. We headed downstairs to find a nice bar with one older, roughly 40-inch television and we commandeered the corner closest to the TV. We were the only patrons and the FOX pre-game show was under way and they were gushing about the Bears season so far (although lame Frank Caliendo picked the Bucs to win).
"Now, you are going to have to let us switch over to check on Cleveland once in a while," warned the bartender. "You're in Browns country."
I was in my Urlacher jersey. I just sneered at her: "We'll see. Right now, only Bears fans are here."
It turned out to be a delightful afternoon. The Marriott ribs were tasty. We had great seats and the run of the joint. No one asked to see the Browns after the Vikings began waxing the floor with them. Brother Eric called to share his excitement during as the Bears took the lead. I called and jeered my Florida parents who, sadly, converted from respectable Bears fans to Buccaneer backers when they headed south full-time in 1998. It is the shame of the family.
After the Bears' first touchdown, I called them and feigned confusion as if I was still traveling on the road...
"Any update on the game?" My Dad was not amused and suggested, instead, I make sure I view Carnell "Cadillac" Williams' shoes when I visit the hall the following day. I shot a picture of them (put on display after he broke the single-game rookie rushing record earlier this season) with my cell phone and emailed him just to prove I was a good sport. That was the only Buccaneer artifact in the hall, as far as I could tell.
We spent a few hours at the hall Monday and left Canton elated at our experiences. The Marriott staff was wonderful, the bar was terrific, the room was great and the hall is such a treat for football fanatics. I could watch those old NFL films all day. We grabbed some souvenirs and then headed toward the open turnpike.
Next stop: Home!
More later,
Mark
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Our Annual Corning Visit
Corning, N.Y. always is a special place for Mary and I to visit.
She was born here in 19.. ... uhm ... many years ago! She has fond memories of her first 30 years in upstate New York including her collegiate career at Syracuse University. I first came to this town in 1988 as an eager news editor of a family owned, six-day, mostly P.M. newspaper. I left four years later as a hardened managing editor of a fully paginated, seven-day A.M. newspaper staffed by an incredible crew which took on an invading Gannett newspaper and stared the empire down.
The Leader is still the Corning newspaper though it has changed hands a few times and is now a corporate-owned product bereft of much personality - as well as staff-written news. The Star-Gazette of Elmira may have lost the battle way back then, but they appear to be winning the war now. That kinda hurts...
Mary's mom, Grace, is as delightful as always. We have a running battle about which channel is worst: QVC vs. Home Shopping Club. I maintain HSN is the best and we flip back and forth between channels extolling the virtues of whatever crap is on the screen to ridiculous heights. She is an extraordinary cook - it is clear where Mary gets her skills and love of cooking - and she is continually following us about with tantalizing food. I caught something of a cold earlier this week and on Friday night she made the most wonderful tortellini soup with leftover turkey.
I was told it was a turkey. It may have been a 11.5-pound rooster.
When not eating or coughing, we have been visiting. On Tuesday night, we visited the home of Mary's best friend from Corning Darcy, her husband Dave and their three great kids Rob, Mike and Jonathon. They are always great to visit and the reunion of Mary's mom with Darcy's dog Spot always sparks a funny memory.
When Spot was just a puppy, some nine years ago, Darcy and family visited Mary's mom. Knowing the dog would not be allowed inside the house, Dave had attached its leash to the first thing that caught his eye.
After a short visit, they all headed outside and Grace decided to open the garage door with the remote from inside the house. Arriving outside, they discovered the poor puppy swinging from its leash with Dave desperately trying to hold him higher and higher as the door raised so that Spot wouldn't choke!
Dave had attached poor, unsuspecting Spot to the garage door handle.
Spot was uninjured, but we always theorize he's just waiting for his chance to get even...
Wednesday we walked the length of downtown Market Street, now marketed as the Gaffer District. It always amazes us how you can tell the current state of this company town by the relative health of Market Street during our annual visits. Alas, there were about a dozen empty storefronts and a couple of stores en route to closing. Still, we love the street and the local atmosphere and I rank the Market Street Brewing Co. as one of my all-time favorite brew pubs - and I've been to a few from coast to coast.
Wednesday night we spent with our old friends Neil and Linda Hopp at the home of their daughter, Kelly, and husband, Todd. Neil first hired me in 1988 and I returned the favor and hired him to help take the Northwest Herald to new levels of greatness in 1996. Today, Neil is student media director at Central Michigan University hence we probably spent far too much time boring everyone discussing the current state of the media. He brings a great perspective in his role of challenging young minds.
Neil is just one of my all-time favorite people; one of those people you meet and instantly know he's authentic and classy and intelligent. He's that odd combination of mentor and friend. It was so good to see all of them again.
We gobbled down way too much turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, etc. on Thursday. Of course, dinner was followed by three - THREE! - pies. Yes, we each got our own pie... Our annual trip to see wonderful relatives in Pennsylvania was postponed by some freakishly ugly winter weather, Grace's ending and my emerging colds and the fact that three people each had his/her own pie.
This was also the first year that I didn't coerce everyone to head out to the stores before 5 a.m. mostly because of the above reasons, but also because Mary and I are already done with our Christmas shopping. We've made our lists and checked them twice, so be good for goodness sakes! You know who you are!
Saturday will feature another check on Market Street and a visit to Mary's godmother's house for dinner. It is an annual post-Thanksgiving feast of uber-gigantic proportions...
Sunday's stop: Canton, Ohio.
More later,
Mark
Monday, November 21, 2005
Our Tour and Good Times
An update to yesterday's post: Chuck the maintenance guy for the Jefferson Center, which manages the Thurber House and neighboring properties, is a terrific tour guide. He met us again at the Thurber House at 4:15 p.m. EST - shortly after my brother called to confirm the Chicago Bear's commanding victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Go Bears!
Chuck took the time to make our tour special and I was as much impressed with his generosity as I was with the Thurber facilities. The restored Victorian was reopened to the public in 1984 and was redecorated with the help of James' younger brother Robert as well as a Sears Roebuck catalog from 1913 to demonstrate the typical middle-class furnishings from that period. The piano in the parlor had a music sheet from one of James' favorite songs, "Bye, Bye Blackbird," which I noticed immediately. It was a nice touch.
One upstairs room is now a museum of Thurber mementos including pictures and letters as well as examples of his elegantly simple, gracefully funny cartoons. I was also impressed with a collection of his books translated into the many languages of the world. That James Thurber's body of work is so regarded worldwide is especially impressive when you step into his old, sparse bedroom with its second-floor view of Columbus and an approximation of the world as he knew it way back then.
The refurbished Thurber House is a fine tribute to the man and his family, and the Thurber Center next door is impressive as well. Both, though, seem to call out for more utilization. The gift shop had some nice goodies (we spent $60+) but, frankly, my collection of James Thurber books at home is more in-depth. I was hoping to buy a new copy of my favorite book, "Thurber Country," to no avail.
When you rely on volunteers to run the house who both forget to lock when they leave one day and forget to show up the next, that's a clue that other problems are in play. Though it was less than a mile from the hotel, the desk staff at the Renaissance seemingly had not heard of the Thurber House and it was not listed in the in-room guide to area activities (though the staff did look up the home and print out directions for us). The bell captain volunteered he did live on Thurber Street, however.
The Thurber House neighborhood reflects the inner city challenges that many other communities the size of Columbus face. However, the Jefferson Center concept of taking a historic neighborhood, refurbishing the homes and then opening doors to non-profit groups is both novel and spectacular.
All in all, it was a wonderful experience - and yielded new stories for me to tell for ages. That's what a literary hero's home should do for those who visit. My thanks to Chuck for the tour - and everyone responsible for establishing this wonderful landmark. My hope for the Thurber House is a revitalized presence in Columbus - and beyond!
Next stop: Corning, N.Y.
More later,
Mark
Go Bears!
Chuck took the time to make our tour special and I was as much impressed with his generosity as I was with the Thurber facilities. The restored Victorian was reopened to the public in 1984 and was redecorated with the help of James' younger brother Robert as well as a Sears Roebuck catalog from 1913 to demonstrate the typical middle-class furnishings from that period. The piano in the parlor had a music sheet from one of James' favorite songs, "Bye, Bye Blackbird," which I noticed immediately. It was a nice touch.
One upstairs room is now a museum of Thurber mementos including pictures and letters as well as examples of his elegantly simple, gracefully funny cartoons. I was also impressed with a collection of his books translated into the many languages of the world. That James Thurber's body of work is so regarded worldwide is especially impressive when you step into his old, sparse bedroom with its second-floor view of Columbus and an approximation of the world as he knew it way back then.
The refurbished Thurber House is a fine tribute to the man and his family, and the Thurber Center next door is impressive as well. Both, though, seem to call out for more utilization. The gift shop had some nice goodies (we spent $60+) but, frankly, my collection of James Thurber books at home is more in-depth. I was hoping to buy a new copy of my favorite book, "Thurber Country," to no avail.
When you rely on volunteers to run the house who both forget to lock when they leave one day and forget to show up the next, that's a clue that other problems are in play. Though it was less than a mile from the hotel, the desk staff at the Renaissance seemingly had not heard of the Thurber House and it was not listed in the in-room guide to area activities (though the staff did look up the home and print out directions for us). The bell captain volunteered he did live on Thurber Street, however.
The Thurber House neighborhood reflects the inner city challenges that many other communities the size of Columbus face. However, the Jefferson Center concept of taking a historic neighborhood, refurbishing the homes and then opening doors to non-profit groups is both novel and spectacular.
All in all, it was a wonderful experience - and yielded new stories for me to tell for ages. That's what a literary hero's home should do for those who visit. My thanks to Chuck for the tour - and everyone responsible for establishing this wonderful landmark. My hope for the Thurber House is a revitalized presence in Columbus - and beyond!
Next stop: Corning, N.Y.
More later,
Mark
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Alarms and Diversions: A Visit to the Thurber House
(In which the would-be author visits the home of his literary hero only to be confronted by chaos, confusion and comedic results.)
We are currently at the Renaissance in Columbus, Ohio awaiting a private tour of the James Thurber House. Of course, this was all the result of a curious and chaotic course of events that I will blog now that my computer is fixed...
Needless to say, the police were involved.
Over the river and through the woods to Mary's mother's house in upstate New York we're going (for Thanksgiving!). I know the way to ferry the, er, Chevy Cavalier through the bright and, uhm, open roads. Oh!
Once you start one of those songs it can be hard to make reality fit...
We departed Crystal Lake at 5:28 a.m. with two destinations in mind: The Columbus Renaissance Hotel and the James Thurber House at 77 Jefferson Street, the boyhood home of my literary hero. This was to be the culmination of a life-long dream I've had since the home opened in 1984.
We were at the hotel by 1 p.m. EST and to Thurber's house by 1:35 p.m.
Now, I had traded emails with Marlaine from the Thurber House earlier in the week who assured me: "Sundays are a good day to visit since we have tour guides available."
In addition, she told me: "Safely assume we're open unless I email you again."
She didn't. Hence, we were all goose-pimply with anticipation upon our arrival. We parked right in front of 77 Jefferson St. because the parking lot was locked shut. That should have been an omen. A cynic would have already begun to panic.
Us? We took up the offer on the front door sign and walked right in...
Nice foyer. Now, at first, we mistook the loud alarm as some sort of signal to someone, maybe an employee in the back, that guests had arrived. Then we heard a robotic voice warn us to "Exit the building immediately. The police have been notified."
Not quite the welcome we had been promised... Confused, we exited back to the front porch. Why would the door at this national landmark (a plaque assures us it is a landmark right there on the front porch) be unlocked if the house was closed? Why would the house be closed when a sign clearly says it is open Sunday? Why would I be emailed that the house was open to visitors only to be rudely threatened with arrest? Was this not an alarm but, perhaps, the voice of the infamous ghost from "My Life and Hard Times"?
"The DAY the Ghost Got In" perhaps!
Our minds whirled. That whirling coincided with the arrival of the first set of officers in a police van. The alarm had stopped, apparently convinced of our retreat, only to be started up again when the officers entered. By then, two more visitors arrived, convinced, too, by Thurber House employees, that volunteers would be running tours from 1-4 p.m. They were locals and could easily reschedule. We had driven 413 miles and I had Griswolded this stop into an unbreakable schedule calling for our departure at 6 a.m. the following morning, some seven hours before the house would allegedly be open again.
A squad car now joined the police van at the scene, alerted by the new set of alarms set off by the first set of officers. I am convinced Jefferson Street had not seen so much commotion since "The Day the Dam Broke." Certainly, it had not seen so much confusion.
The new officer joined his fellow officers inside. Mary and I amused ourselves by taking a set of pictures that appear to show me stealing Thurber's pumpkins. For that, I received a Thurber sliver from Thurber's porch. I was about to turn a little surely...
"That's a great house. I have never been in Thurber's house before," one of the officers said as he exited. The officers declined to have their pictures taken. "Nothing good ever comes out of having our pictures taken," another officer said, smiling. They DID contact the alarm company and "Jeff" was either going to show up to disable the alarm or call Thurber House employees to alert them that the door was unlocked and visitors, now numbering four, were threatening to get unruly. Or, at least, threatening to take a pumpkin home as a souvenir.
Within 20 minutes, Chuck arrived. He is in charge of maintenance for the Jefferson Center which oversees the Thurber House property. He let the four of us in, disabled the alarm, apologized for the missing volunteers, but explained his mother was stuck outside in his car. We agreed he'd call us at 4 p.m. back at the Renaissance and arrange the full-private-tour treatment!
Optimistically speaking, the worst we can expect are "More Alarms at Night."
More later,
Mark
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