Oh, YouTube. You’ve given us Justin Bieber, the guy who just wanted Britney left alone and now Rebecca Black. For those able to avoid the Internet for days at a time, Rebecca Black’s music video (in only the most literal sense) Friday has blogs, geeks and music fans in quite a tizzy. Produced by Ark Music Factory, who claims to … Read More
Gaping Void’s Evil Plans (book review)
There’s nothing truly groundbreaking in Hugh MacLeod’s new book, Evil Plans. No secrets to a four-hour work week, no promise of a life lived unconventionally and certainly no instructions on how to deliver happiness. But MacLeod’s understated brilliance doesn’t lay in those areas. MacLeod’s most important point in his entire novel can be found on pages 75-79. This chapter, “Find … Read More
Facebook contests – what are they good for?
I usually abhor any kind of Facebook contest. While I have zero issue with the companies that run them, as I know they are trying to get their fans to promote their products, after participating in my first one ever, I’m a bit disappointed in the process. First, a bit of background: PopChips offered $50k for one “VP of Pop … Read More
Charlie Sheen wants an intern?
The media’s latest crush, Charlie Sheen, has set records that no normal person cares about. Fastest to one million followers on Twitter, most highly publicized but worst live stream ever and likely the first celeb in the past few years to warrant not one t-shirt, but an entire line. Now he’s looking for an intern. PR pros, including our very … Read More
Bulbstorm looking for a few good (wo)men
“We keep saying we have a shortage of money, but we really have a shortage of talent. We are in a disruptive time, and old time marketing people don’t know how to market for a social media company, while new media marketing people don’t know how to plan.” – Francine Hardaway. Arizona, we live online with virtual walls, and those … Read More
Behind the scenes for 12news LunchCast
Friday was fun. Here’s a snippet of our original appearance. The following is a behind the scenes look, shot by Abby Gilmore. Elise seems nervous.
12News LunchCast with Brahm, Jose and Elise
Being on TV is fun, even if you have nothing super important to say. I’ve somehow been asked more than a few times to appear on the local news, and it’s always been a really cool experience. The following video is the second half of an appearance by me, Jose Gonzalez and Elise Redlin-Cook. I was asked by Brahm Resnik … Read More
No flour, sugar or Diet Coke – Is this Paleo?
It’s Day 39 of my Body Fat Reduction Challenge. I’m down 13 pounds from when I started, but haven’t lost a bit of weight in nearly two weeks. I’m not eating a ton of food, I work out 5-6 days a week and don’t eat much that I don’t prepare myself. But that’s not enough. For the month of March, … Read More
What IS Personal Branding?
Personal branding is one my absolute greatest pet peeves. I’ve tried in vain to run away from all mentions of it, avoid any sort of person who teaches it and ridicule the idea as much as humanly possible. But I can’t get away. No matter how many times we in the industry may scoff at the idea, personal branding is … Read More
Lessons from a failure slut
There’s shame in failure. Having an idea backfire is embarrassing. Sometimes, this means you’ll feel like s***. Sometimes, you’ll cry. Sometimes you’ll bury your head so deep no one can get to you. But failure won’t kill you. It will hurt and it may linger, and you damn well better learn from it. But what about always needing to fail … Read More
Now Revolution Book Review
If you are like me, you won’t get much from this book. If you are even marginally up to date with social media and new marketing and advertising techniques, you won’t get much from this book. If you are the arrogant sort that expects books to weave a tight narrative, you won’t get much from this book. If you are … Read More
Now Revolution (book review)
If you are like me, you won’t get much from this book. If you are up to date with social media and new marketing and advertising techniques, you won’t get much from this book. If you are the arrogant sort that expects books to weave a tight narrative, you won’t get much from this book. If you are the elitist … Read More
Domino Project and AZ Writers’ Event
I’ve been to a lot of ‘camps, ‘cons and workshops. There are tons of people who are willing to share their tech, business and social media knowledge here in AZ, and I thank them for that. While I’ve been involved in many of these events, I don’t usually learn as much as I could have. Maybe the topics aren’t all … Read More
The Domino Project
I’m a Seth Godin fan. Have been ever since I read (listened to) Tribes while training for my first half marathon at the end of 2008. While I don’t always agree with his blog posts, his books have always made me think. And now I’m kinda working for him. Not for pay or really anything besides free books, but rather … Read More
The Write Stuff
Writing a book is hard. Getting it published is hard. Marketing it is hard. But it isn’t something that must be tackled alone. Friends of the Chandler Library will be presenting a workshop, on April 9 from 10am to 2:30pm, to “inspire your creative spirit and launch your writing career” as part of an effort to encourage new writers. Sessions … Read More
You’ve got Klout?
Getting stuff for free is fun. As a writer and relentless self promoter, I’ve been given many things for either review purposes or because the PR team thought I’d like and then write about them. Klout, an oft-argued about company that tries to measure influence online, recently offered to send me a PSP, with a special Ice Cube music video, … Read More
Before Tosh.0, there was Daniel Tosh
(This article was originally published for Ignite, a pocket-sized publication produced by the same team responsible for kontakt. I got a good chuckle reading it, as the differences between writing for print and the web, along with my own improvement since 2006, are very apparent. I’ve edited it only to replace URLs with hyperlinks.) Daniel Tosh doesn’t think he has … Read More
Steve Jobs and The Price of Fame
Fame has its perks. The famous usually get paid very well, they are allowed greater access to most anything and they seldom have to worry about how what they’re doing is being received, as we’re always willing to tell them. There are two kinds of fame. The first is the traditional way, where a person’s accomplishment brings them fame. Whether … Read More
Is there a book in everyone?
I’ve always wanted to write and publish a book. That probably comes as no surprise to you. After all, I am a writer. People actually pay me to arrange letters and words in a pleasing manner. It’s work I enjoy and that I think I am destined to do. Most people probably aren’t like me. They didn’t take journalism in … Read More
TED simulcast available for free
My TED podcast feed is one of the most interesting, informative and educational slices of media I subscribe to in iTunes. It’s packed with great thinkers and doers from around the world and lets me in to their world, albeit temporarily. I’d love to attend a TED conference one day, but it’s invite-only and the price tag (in the thousands … Read More
Brand X T-shirts – my fav place to shop
I don’t dress up much. Most of my days are spent in Vibrams, jeans and t-shirts. Now, you can wear jeans for a few days in a row and Vibrams for about a week, but I change my t-shirt at least once a day so I don’t look like a total slob. But I don’t want to wear the SAME … Read More
The problem with scale – remember Jerry Maguire?
Most of the marketing and PR professionals I know around here work for themselves or for small firms. The advantages are many, as these businesses can adapt quickly, don’t have to worry too much about their image being ruined by a maverick employee and often are more happy with their jobs because they simply don’t work with or hire people … Read More
The ring I bought Katie
Katie is a very particular girl. She likes her vegetables prepared a particular way, chooses old movies she’s watched tens of times over new ones and has a favorite pair of pants that I’m fairly sure she’d wear every day if she could (the green Old Navy ones). When I first thought about buying her a ring, I had a … Read More
Why you should care about (insert cause here)
There is no bigger night for advertising creatives than the Super Bowl. You know this, they know this and the world knows this. As millions of American and international fans sit and watch the most popular TV event of the year, featuring highly paid athletes who we treat like prima donnas, the most exciting and most talked about happening seldom … Read More
How to apologize like a boss (unless you’re Kenneth Cole)
So, this happened yesterday: Wow. Pretty insensitive, yeah? I see how he could have thought that was funny, and I’m sure I’ve made jokes about Egypt, but it’s still too soon. Anyway, thousands of people called him out on Twitter, which lead to an apology of sorts: Except that’s not really an apology, but more a half-assed effort made in … Read More
Is @KennethCole run by a**holes?
I’m never one to shy away from an argument, a bad joke that may be a little too soon or broach topics that may seem a little taboo. But I do my best not to make important world events a tool I can use to sell stuff. Sure, I’ve made a joke saying Egypt should just activate their Stargate and … Read More
SMAZ brings NOW Revolution
Fred Von Graf and team have been busy. Social Media AZ, or SMAZ, is now in its third year. To be held February 11, SMAZ was started by Von Graf to fill a void in the Social Media/Digital Marketing for Business event realm, the event has grown from a place of veterans teaching newbies about social media to experts working … Read More
The Domino Project
I’m a big fan of Seth Godin’s books. I love his style of writing, connect with many of his points and feel like I’ve gained something every time I read my favorites. Whew. I had a hard time admitting that. You see, one point that has really stood out for me from any Godin piece is the idea that we … Read More
Startups are so hot right now
If the backbone of the American economy is small business, then the spark is startups. New companies, not only in the tech sector, are key in many community and state economic plans, including right here in Arizona. As such, the Arizona Commerce Authority recently received 108 proposals for the Arizona Innovation Challenge, which will reward $1.5 million to companies creating … Read More
WordCamp Phoenix just leapfrogged PodCampAZ
(If you’re an East Valley small business or just want to learn like one, come to ChandlerCamp on February 10. We’ll give you specific tips that you can use NOW. Maybe I’ll wear my new shirt.) The 2008 PodCampAZ is one of the best conferences I’ve even attended. Packed full of people trying to do more than ever before, it … Read More
Lessons on being a good neighbor from TEDxPhxDC
(Please don’t mistake the tone of this post as anything more than a catharsis for me.). I’ve had a tough time feeling inspired lately. The sometimes daily struggle of making ends meet, getting paid for what I do and changing my diet and somewhat lethargic lifestyle has taken its toll on me. This is no one’s fault. I’ve made more … Read More
Is customer service a function of PR?
Most consumers don’t understand the difference between marketing, branding, PR and customer service. They only see a product/service, an ad or two and maybe the returns department. Every contact with a potential customer must make sense to them, solve a problem and leave them with a favorable opinion of the brand. So when I see AT&T’s new slogan after I’ve … Read More
ChandlerCamp on February 10
ChandlerCamp is a half-day conference focused on helping new businesses succeed in the new economy. Expect just under three hours of useful tips and conversations from local professionals. It’s run entirely by volunteers in the Easy Valley and beyond. To attend, please register. Topics for small businesses include how to manage multiple locations, making your passion pay, and quick and … Read More
How do you keep score?
“At conference, in boardrooms – it’s always “scale”, “revenue”, “biz”. Let’s talk wisdom, passion, justice, perseverance, humanity, meaning.” — Umair Haque, thinker, blogger, advisor to revolutionaries. (source) Industries thrive on quantitative measurements. Whether it’s growth rate, subscriber base or gross profit, there’s no question that more is always good. The PR industry is no different, as I see long client lists, … Read More
The Domino Project
I have no idea what the Domino Project entails, what I’ll get from it or what kind of time commitment I’ll be asked to make. But I want to do it anyway. Opportunities to be a curator for insightful, relevant content (that’s what I think it is) along with the ability to help share ideas that make things better don’t … Read More
Empathy in leadership
It’s not easy to spot a leader. They are often confused with visionaries and sometimes managers. Leaders don’t always stand out, and like a good football referee, the best ones seldom make their own noise. Men like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg aren’t leaders, they’re visionaries. They rely on other people to make their ideas happen. Leaders are the people … Read More
Is PR inherently not social?
There’s no one way to talk to customers online. Whether a company representative is solving problems, promoting their product or service or just talking with normal people doing normal things, it’s hard to say they’re doing anything wrong. But I don’t think tweets like this do the sender or the subject any good: Full of what some might call hyperbole, … Read More
Matt Murphy – from Phoenix to Tucson
It’s been quite a ride for long-time Valley PR professional Matt Murphy since early 2009. He’s been through a layoff (Pearson), a restructuring (Adaptive Curriculum), a serious bout with prostate cancer that required surgery, a custody battle and finally, a job with the United Way that just didn’t work out. To add to his misery, his modest home in Mesa, … Read More
To the parents of Gabe Zimmerman
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman- My deepest condolences for the loss of your son. I trust that he will be remembered fondly. I did not know Gabe. From what I gather, he was a tireless public servant who worked hard to make others’ lives easier and better. I imagine you are very proud that he worked for a Congresswoman and … Read More
Twitter isn’t the new Cronkite, nor should it be – the #giffords shooting
January 8’s tragic shooting in Tucson, AZ illustrated a few things about the modern media landscape that very few people understand and even fewer have the ability to influence. It showed the usefulness of interconnected social media platforms, it showed the power of the web for research and, most of all, it showed that too many people still don’t get … Read More
Much ado about content farms
Content farming, which is recognized as high quantity, low quality content produced to flood Google with search results in order to generate more page views, is not evil. But it still sucks. I don’t blame businesses like Suite101, Demand Media and even (shock) Huffington Post for using low- or no-pay methods to entice writers to produce searchable articles. It’s the … Read More
Time spent on traditional media slips in 2010
I subscribe to most of the “leading” media sites and journals. Chock full with numbers, studies and feedback from around the industry, I initially thought they’d be invaluable in helping me and those I worked with create useful campaigns for clients. Boy was I wrong. The insights, backed by numbers from somewhere, did no more to help me than blanket … Read More
Is Copy Dead?
Copy used to be the most powerful tool for any communication professional. Designed to specifically persuade users to take action, copy is a fantastic way to get your point across when you’re selling or promoting based on price or scarcity. It’s often clever, sometimes a bit misleading, and usually elicits groans from those who have seen a bit too much. … Read More
It’s Christmas Time Again
I’m having a good Christmas. Most of my loved ones were under the same roof tonight, we all had time for each other and gifts to give, and, most importantly, we were all here. I almost always have a good Christmas. I can’t imagine what it’s like not to have one. I haven’t lived through a divorce, no one in … Read More
How to be popular online
(For those of you celebrating today, Merry Christmas! For those who celebrate something else, happy Friday! For those who hate family and gift giving, Bah Humbug! For almost everyone else, Happy Holidays!) It’s tougher than you’d think to be popular online. While many of us would like to be well-known because of our success, our know-how or just how cool … Read More
An adult’s letter to Santa
Dear Santa – Hey big guy. Been a while. Years and years. Hope you’re doing well. Anyway, I’d like to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for ever thinking that once I discovered your secret, that you were no longer relevant. I’m sorry that I dismissed you as a childhood fantasy. I’m sorry that I didn’t see you as a symbol … Read More
Why I gave up my absolute most favorite food
I love pretzels. They are my comfort food, my fall-back food and my first choice for snacking. I love pretzels so much that I actually hate Rold Gold for seemingly forcing all over pretzel manufacturers out of the market. I like my pretzels slightly buttery, I like them lightly salted and I like them in bulk. I eat a lot … Read More
Does the rise of women mean the fall of men?
I’ve never understood most battles in the business world. I’ve also never understood why we often assume that any struggle, unless it’s dealing with hard numbers, is a zero sum game. Men versus women, old versus young and analog versus digital make little sense to me, yet the arguments never die. Ever. Now we’re being told that women, long treated … Read More
How many PR companies post fake reviews online?
Fake reviews on sites such as Yelp, iTunes and Amazon are usually pretty easy to spot, but that doesn’t make it okay. While I can understand a company asking their friends to post reviews about their business or product in hopes of some promotion, any time a company or their representatives blatantly misrepresent themselves and post false reviews, it tarnishes … Read More
Talking with ABC15 about fake reviews
I hate fake reviews and I hate the PR companies, that should know better, even more for promoting this kind of thing. I know promotion is part of the job, but lying about it isn’t really the answer. Look, I’m on the TV! Going to make a judgment call and say that my blue, checked shirt is not exactly TV … Read More
36 hours in NYC
I just got back from a short 36 hours in the greatest city on earth. After spending two nights and one day in NYC to attend the Shankman Holiday Party, take pictures of Rockefeller Center and FaceTime with Katie in the 5th Ave Apple Store, I came to a realization in a Dramamine-induced dream on my flight home. I am … Read More
Phoenix Startup Digest keeps tabs on latest startup news
It’s not easy to keep track of startup companies. They can come and go pretty quickly, and even if they do last beyond a few months, their founders are usually too busy working to publicize themselves much. By the time they do get mainstream attention, it can be tough to track them down. Phoenix Startup Digest is here to solve … Read More
Is your industry boring?
It takes a lot to keep people’s attention these days. From the constant onslaught of poor economic news to a never-ending stream of hate spewed from every political angle and sites like AZCentral providing updates seemingly only concerning the weather, immigration or whatever accident sells better, it feels like doom and gloom sells. Is that because we’re mostly bored? Are … Read More
I can’t believe it’s not Spanx! – Compression Shirts Day 3 Review
When I think of tank tops, I think of wife beaters. When I think of wife beaters, I think of rednecks. When I think of rednecks, I think of a guy in a wife beater doing his best to look tough. This tank top from Sculptees, courtesy of Fresh Pair, is the last of three compression shirts sent to me … Read More
Is popularity a problem?
Peter Shankman may very well be the world’s first Social Media Socialite. PR pro/author Richard Laermer doesn’t like it. Is the PR industry hurt when personalities shine brighter than the clients they represent? No one likes a loser, especially clients. They want the best and the brightest, and what better way is there to judge how good someone might be … Read More
Spanx Me – Day Two of My Compression Shirts Review
(Fresh Pair sent me three pairs of men’s compression shirts this week. Their designed to enhance pecs, reduce gut and make us non-hardbodies look a little less soft. I’m posting daily, and will have a video review of them all after.) Okay, I didn’t REALLY wear men’s Spanx yesterday. The brand I had on was Equmen and it was quite … Read More
The smartest thing I ever did was…
(Hugh MacLeod’s Gaping Void series is one of my absolute favorites. His latest newsletter inspired me to instantly write this next passage. While there are, um, certain considerations I’ve yet to meet (but I will!), I didn’t want to save what I was thinking for a more appropriate time.) To Katie– The smartest thing I ever did was fall in … Read More
I’m wearing men’s Spanx today
Apparently Spanx just isn’t for women looking to flatten their bellies and bootify their rears. They have Spanx for men now, too. And no, the kind I’m wearing doesn’t enhance my package or bootify my rear. It’s a shirt designed to de-mantitty my pecs and flatten my belly a little bit. While Katie claims I’m not fat, my Wii says … Read More
Non-boring networking events
It’s 7am and I’m waiting for everyone to get here so I can have a bowl of Apple Jacks. Last night, I spent two hours with four other Linchpins. The former event, labeled Cereal Bar, is Gangplank’s take on the typical morning networking event. Instead of showing up somewhere foreign, filling out a name tag, snacking on terribly-sugary pastries and … Read More
WordCamp Phoenix set for end of January 2011
Too much learning is never a bad thing. WordCamp Phoenix, to be held January 26-30 2011, offers hours and hours of just the kind of learning anyone in the PR industry can benefit from. Whether you’re looking to brush up on some WordPress skills, would like tips to give to clients or just need to connect with local freelancers to … Read More
Jon Klein on trust in the news
Why we trust who we do fascinates me. With so many information sources available, what makes anything, even broadcast or cable news, stand out? Jon Klein says viewers trust sources, usually networks, that presents news in a way that agrees with its political ideology. Regardless of fact, as long as new sources live up to their market positioning, viewers will … Read More
Real-Time PR
Brian Solis and David Merman Scott make their living preaching about the necessity to be involved in real-time communications across the web. Scott claims that social media isn’t just for sharing and socializing, it’s actually better suited to be labeled real-time media and used as a customer service tool. I agree, with Scott especially. According to him, tomorrow is too … Read More
Hello PR People
The role of PR in a world without gatekeepers has long confused me. Although you all claim to work with your clients to manage their public image, PR has long been the yin to old media’s yang. It’s not public relations, it’s press relations and you know it. But that’s okay. That’s a job that needs to get done. My … Read More
Katie Dancing
I’m not a big video game guy. I was a Nintendo fan when I was a kid, but I was more interested in Nintendo Power than stockpiling a bunch of games. I bought a Nintendo 64 for Goldeneye while in college, a Playstation 2 years later and a Wii a year after it came out. But after spending nine weeks … Read More
How do you care for an ailing parent?
I’ve never had to care for an ailing parent. Never had to check them into a nursing home, never had to arrange for hospice care and never had to act as a guardian for the two people that raised me. I hope I never have to, but I know someday it will come down to me, my brother or sister … Read More
Linchpin inspires food drive
I’m a Seth Godin fan. His latest, Linchpin, inspired me to do a helluva more than any book I’ve ever received. So much that I’ve given seven copies as gifts, including one to my dad. In Linchpin, Godin often mentions the importance of gifts as a way of spreading your art. We give with no expectation of return in hopes … Read More
My Oh My – Dave Niehaus passes
I didn’t fall asleep listening to music, crickets or the wind when I was a kid. I fell asleep listening to Dave Niehaus call Mariners games. From the first pitch in 1977 to the last of 2010, Niehaus was the voice of the team that I will always call mine. From the crappy teams of the 80s, to the excitement … Read More
Did RSS readers die, too?
There is no substitute in the digital or even analog world for an item, service or software that does one thing very well. From iPods to Garmin watches and Simplenote to Photo Booth, anything designed for one particular purpose is usually numerous times better than something designed for many. Take my daily assortment of most-used applications, like Hootsuite, Google Reader, … Read More
SEO is dead?
It’s been a tough month for web stuff. First, the web died, then social media and now SEO. Although I heartily agree with the first two, the last one is more than a bit dubious. As social sharing technologies mature, it’s obvious content will be optimized to catch that wave. Remember the first one? Remember how everything on the web … Read More
Why do we distrust smart people?
It’s become cool to be uninformed. It’s become cool to distrust smart people. Whether you know every woman The Situation has brought home, the past five shows worth of American Idol finalists or watched every Twilight movie, TV and movies have replaced reading as a way of staying informed. I’ll admit that many people don’t find books entertaining, and I … Read More
Social media is dead
Social media is dead. Not dead as in it’s going to stop being relevant tomorrow, but dead as in it’s not going to grow anymore. We’ve reached our limit. Facebook is huge. Time spent on Twitter is huge. Everyone who wants a blog has one. The Millennials and whatever generation that came after them don’t even have a blog or … Read More
The word of the day is scenius
The word of the season is scenius. Without the success of conferences like Phoenix Design Week (PhxDW) and PodcampAZ , facilities/communities like Gangplank and the hard-working, hard-playing scenesters of the Valley, CenPhoCamp wouldn’t exist. CenPhoCamp exists to bridge the gap between those in the know with those who want to learn. It’s here to build on the inspiration that events … Read More
The Inigo Montoya guide to poorly used Phoenix terms
As downtown Phoenix slowly grows into a real urban core, I’ve heard many terms, phrases and promises regarding what we’d be able to do. From CityScape to the Jackson Street Project and Civic Space to a new skate facility at Deck Park, activists and urban planners have had a helluva time making claims about what was going to happen. Here … Read More
Strippers, blow and guns?
There’s no room for self pity in the business world. There’s no place for self doubt in the creative world. There’s no reason to complain if it’s not a step toward a solution. And here I am doing all three. Business isn’t going so well. Clients have scaled back or I haven’t met expectations (though they never actually tell me … Read More
10 questions I’ve always wanted to ask women
There are so, so many things I’ve wanted to know about people who aren’t like me. If you’re a woman, a minority, not from the US or really anything but a 31-year-old white dude from Seattle who now lives in AZ, I want to know what makes you tick. The Champ at VerySmartBrothas.com helped with the black people questions. Ladies, … Read More
Questions I’ve always wanted to ask a black person
In case you’re an angry Portlander hoping to make me look bad, know this was written in response to http://verysmartbrothas.com/questions-youve-always-wanted-to-ask-a-white-person/ and was meant to be a discussion on race. If you’re really going to go after a white guy for reading a black dude’s blog, liking a post, and then asking if he could do his version of it, go … Read More
How To Blog Like An Asshole
Nearly every blogger or writer has done it. Once your work reaches a certain reader or viewership level, the writing becomes less about what you have to say and more in the way you are saying it, in a attempt to emphasize their own importance to what is being written. They become less of a storyteller and more of an … Read More
Surprise 40th Wedding Anniversary
Getting married is easy. Staying married seems much harder. In a time when around half of all couples get divorced, the ability to get married, buy a house, raise kids, start and close a small business and work as an independent salesman (my dad) or work as a career specialist for two high schools (my mom) and still stay married … Read More
Everything feels like it belongs there
Every time I come home I feel a twinge of nostalgia. From my parents’ house to my grade school and my first job to my first girlfriend, every significant moment in the first 24 years of my life happened in or near Kent, WA. For many of the people I grew up with, this familiarity convinced them to stay and … Read More
More Fantasy Football Auction Draft action
(There is nothing like a Fantasy Football Auction Draft, but I’ve only participated in one. Here are even more ideas for my ultimate draft.) Most of us are not athletes anymore. While we still love sports, the idea that we’d be able to play more than a few games of basketball, 7ish innings of softball or more than two hours … Read More
Phoenix coffee shops as high-school chick stereotypes
You’d think that everyone who grew up near Seattle would be a coffee expert. Having been exposed to wave after wave of new coffee shops, all Seattle residents and the outlying suburban dwellers would be gifted with an innate ability to pick the best beans, roast them at a particular temperature and be able to tell the difference once you’ve … Read More
In-N-Out versus Five Guys – who has the better burger?
I’m not much of a burger connoisseur. I’ve never ground my own meat, think the Angus mushroom and Swiss from McDonalds is pretty good and don’t often grill in my backyard. I like my steaks medium rare, toppings kept to a minimum and my buns fresh. Like any man’s man, I do get the craving for the occasional burger, though … Read More
My ultimate Fantasy Football Auction Draft
Having been a sports fan my entire life, most notably baseball, I’ve always been enthralled by the statistics part of the sports section. Number upon numbers representing averages, totals and splits. Massive amounts of data that was continually updated, almost like a puzzle that’s being created as it’s being put together. Statistics blew my tiny frickin’ mind. Although I disliked … Read More
90 photos in 90 days
Being a photographer has a certain cachet that on the visual artists can truly appreciate. They use equipment available to most anyone, choose their subject based on instincts we all possess and manage to create an image that most of could not replicate organically. The best are able to pause time in a way that we know isn’t real yet … Read More
An Open Letter To Daniel Gerous
Dear Daniel Gerous: Yeah, hi. I’m a fan. Of Gangplank, that is. Yep, been a fan for a while now, back when Gangplank was still mostly an idea. Back when Gangplank wasn’t physical and was shielded from what we could see, feel, or smell. There were no expectations back then. If we wanted to be a part of Gangplank, we … Read More
That’s enough
I’m sorry for my contributing to making stupid people famous.
Tweet House – Party – USS Midway
There’s no way partying on an aircraft carrier should be legal. Sure, it’s not like it’s in service nor do they even allow public access to the really cool areas, but there’s something that feels naughty about striding onto the massive ship. Massive the say the least. Holy crap, I’ve never seen anything not on land that was this big. … Read More
Apple has lost the magic
I turned on my first Apple computer in 1986. It took me ten minutes to figure out how to turn it off, and since then I’ve been hooked. I spent long hours in my dad’s print shop playing on every new Mac we’d get (Mac Plus, Mac SE, Mac II, Mac TV, to name a few). My familiarity in screwing … Read More
My brother – mini celebrity
Why my brother won’t get his own blog, or at least a Posterous account, is beyond me. Until then, I’ll keep posting these because I think they’re hilarious. I have no idea what TW means. Is it his bike? Note the Apple sticker on the front mud guard. Is that what they call that part over the wheel? I know … Read More
Letter after the Linchpin meetup
Received this letter the night I hosted the Linchpin meetup at Gangplank. She worked for a former client of mine whose contract with me ended abruptly. I’ve changed the company name, but the rest is her. Made me feel good and bad at the same time. Subject: Saw you on TV tonight Hello Tyler. I am not sure if you … Read More
iPhone 4 Live Blog
There are few things geekier than waiting in line for a movie. iPhone 4 would be one of them. Starting at 5am on June 24, I’ll be in line at the Biltmore Apple Store patiently awaiting the doors to open at 7am so I can get my hands on a preordered iPhone. If you’re reading this after 5am on June … Read More
Social Media Confessions
Social media was supposed to save us. The power of the people, the intelligence of the crowds and real-time connectivity was the answer to our prayers. For years we had been kept in the dark or outright lied to about what was happening in the world. We believed in our leaders and trusted big companies in power to do what … Read More
The Jane NYC
(Much thanks to regional traveler and aspiring author Wayne Turner, who’s currently on sabbatical penning a novel about dating, for the heads up on The Jane. Oh, and he really is 5’8″.) There aren’t many hotels to stay in Manhattan that are under $200 AND give you enough peace of mind to sleep at night. Sure, hostels are an option, … Read More
Who’s the guy?
(More unedited goodness from my bro. This stuff cracks me up.) Check out my posts. I’m a posting maniac. I have to upload the pics to photobucket and then link them to the site. Whose that guy with the sweet muddy bikes in the back of his nice truck, thats me, I’m the guy.
These are the emails I get from my brother
The things that my family shares with each other is hilarious. From my bro: I have needed a nice cordless drill for a while now. I missed a good sale at Big R a few months ago and came across this sale at ACE. Regularly it was $160 but on sale for $120 and had a $20 rebate. So I … Read More
Goodbye to The Kid
(This post was selected for a tribute to Griffey blog.) I have been, and always will be, a Seattle Mariners baseball fan. From the confines of the ugly Kingdome to the majesty of Safeco Field, I’ve been there for their horrific losses in the 80s, their coming of age in the early and mid 90s, again with the suckiness of … Read More
Memorializing those before us
Lay those to rest who forged the path, and honor them by doing the most we can with what we have. It’s Memorial Day. I’ve never fired a gun with intent to kill. I’ve never served in the armed forces. I’ve never volunteered to spend years away from my loved ones in a foreign country. I’ve never spent time in … Read More
To the bloggers, go the spoils
Received a gift today, all because I’m a blogger. Yeah…
Scribe SEO works for me
Writing a story is fairly simple. Pick a topic, determine a theme and give it some sort of plot. Most online writers don’t have to worry too much about word count, keywords and tags. Well, unless you want everyone to find it, because ‘though content rules, if no one can find it, no one can read it. Enter Search Engine … Read More
My HARO experience
When I watched the nightly news as a kid, I always wondered how news stations picked people to interview. Was it random? Was there an application process? Thankfully, a few years in journalism showed me it was connected people that always seemed to get sourced. Guys like Richard Laermer do it all the time. So much in fact, he wrote … Read More