What I Want for My Birthday

Oddball Birthday Cake, originally uploaded by espeedy123.

Erin here. As of Monday I am three decades old. Michael gave me ballroom dance lessons. He must love me because that’s truly a present I will enjoy that he will likely not.

Here’s my birthday request for the blogosphere:

If you’d like to make my 30-year-old self smile, click on over to my blog Hands On and comment on something. No old lady jokes please. Just say something so I can appreciate having another comment. You will get extra points if it’s a relevant comment.

This is a shameless ploy but I do so enjoy checking my wordpress stats that it will make my birthday week!

 

Fond Farewells

Well, my first week on my own is behind me.  It was a strange sensation.  Exciting. Scary.  And a little out of sorts, honestly.  We were plenty busy in week 1, and for that I count my lucky stars.  I hope it continues as we move into our new office shortly. (Blog tour to come).   In the meantime, I look back on my time with TPN very fondly.  The last couple of weeks were very difficult.  I’ve never been good at goodbye; perhaps that’s a reason I don’t say it very often. I never wrote much about work on this blog, but anyone that knows me knows TPN was a big part of my life for more than 8 years.  It all has to do with the people, who were each inspiring and special in his/her own way.  All of the teams at TPN were very special to me. I consider myself lucky to have friends across the country.    The people really made it for me.  Everything from the after-work happy hours like the one above…  to daily lunches in office…  to those fun and creative brainstorms… to making marketing magic happen night in and night out.  (check out that view from the Dallas office).  Hopefully Tripp and I can create a dynamic atmosphere of our own over time with Ignite Studios.  We know it takes balls.  I’m hoping for a little luck, too. 

 

Super Bowl two times over

Well, Super Bowl Sunday is back again. I’m usually pretty into it. And being in the marketing industry, it’s a must-see whether the Patriots win by 40+ or not. (FYI: For those that care, I predict a closer game – Pats by 7).

It’s all about the commercials. I found this great illustration on Adrants.

It really is true, not just of marketers, but viewers in general. The last few parties I recall silence during commercials and bathroom breaks during the game.

I personally like all parts and wait for my personal missions at halftime. Tom Petty may keep me interested, especially with the possibility of a wardrobe malfunction.

 

Hill Country Reporter

Didn’t that used to be the name of a tv show or something?  

Well, contrary to popular belief, Erin and I have not just been sitting around the house lamenting a year gone by since our big world adventure.   The adventures have simply changed in scope a bit.  Proof? ROAD TRIP!  We hit the Texas Hill country a couple of weekends ago.  Thanks to Dr. King, we had a long weekend to turn an out of town wedding into a central Texas adventure.  And we rode in fuel-saving style.     

First stop: San Antonio.  About 5 hours south on the interstate.  Our favorite new device told us how to get there. 

We were there to see true San Antonio love bloom.  My friend Kristen tied the knot.  After an obligatory stroll along the River Walk, we hit the wedding.  Beautiful.  

Better yet, my sis Julie joined in the fun. 

 

The next morning, we headed out of San Antone.  Along the way, we saw a line of cars down the block next to this unsuspecting breakfast joint:

Nothing like a crowd to attract a crowd.  So, yeah, we stopped in to find…

delectible donuts:  

 

AND tasty breakfast tacos from people who know themselves some breakfast tacos: 

Stuffed, we headed towards Fredericksberg, a little German town nestled in the hills.  We had a B&B waiting for us after a quick visit at Roger’s ranch in Willow City. 

Roger is the founder of my soon-to-be former employer.  He’s back at home on the land with his other staff:

Cows, led by the always-chill James Dean.  

Miniature donkeys, always traveling in herd: 

And special delight, the llamas.  Sadly, none were named Tina.  

They received good care. 

After a good dose of country scenery, we headed back into town for a little small-town street stroll.  Boutiques, shops and some german beers greeted us.  

The next day, we headed back to big D.  BBQ was a necessary stop in Llano. Which car above does not belong?

We walked up to an oversized grill and picked our meats. 

They slapped it down on a tray, and prepped it before paying.  Now that’s country. 

And we sat down among watchful country folk.

They weren’t the only ones watching… 

A few hours later, we pulled back into the city.  Yee-haaa!

 

New Year, New Adventure

Happy New Year everyone. Sadly, my blog entries in 2008 have been few and far between. (Or none). It doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy. Quite the opposite. I resolve to do better at keeping the posts coming. But maybe now you’ll understand where my mind’s been of late.

Last year at this time, we were winding down our big adventure in Australia, looking forward to the year ahead and optimistic for opportunities yet to be unveiled. And 2007 did not disappoint. I don’t talk much about work on Life’s a Trip, but let’s roll that way for a second. Erin kick started her journalism career with her hands on blog, the Dallas Morning News and the Home Improvement Zone as a regular radio contributor. Very cool. My career at TPN became more exciting too, as I graduated from leading the Frito Lay business to 100% new business development and an official creative role at the agency. Every day was a new challenge: learning different businesses and industries, brainstorming countless ideas, managing crazy deadlines, working with new teams, traveling all over the place and of course, experiencing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. (More victory, I’m happy to say.)

What a way to cap off my many years at TPN, for which I am very thankful and have deep affection.

Yes, I said cap off. After much deliberation and soul searching the past couple of months, we have decided to make 2008 a new beginning and a chance to follow my dream. In just a couple of weeks, I will officially open Ignite Studios in Dallas as agency owner with my partner and friend, Tripp.

The sign is up. The office is almost finished. And we’re working on the rest!

It’s all very exciting and at times bittersweet, as I’m leaving a great company and good friends to try my hand at this.

None of this would be possible without the support of Erin and my parents. Thank you so much.

Good things to come in 2008. Look for updates here. I wish each of you the best.

(And if you know anyone who needs some creative marketing and brand building, I know this good little agency in Dallas…)

 

Merry Christmas! How ‘Bout Them Cowboys?

Check out this Holiday gem from the 1986 Dallas Cowboys. Danny White, Herschel Walker, Bill Bates and more sing you a holiday treat! Tis the season for Cowboys football.

Thanks to Frontburner for capturing the glory of the 80’s in Dallas.

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

A few of my favorite things – 2007

Ok, Oprah I’m not. Maybe Stedman. Regardless, I have been exposed to some pretty cool things this year. Things that affect my life and get me talking. Plain and simple. In no particular order, here they are:

1. Senuti

This free software freed MY music, yes mine, from my iPod. Until now, iPod accepted music as a one-way street. Computer -> iPod but not vice-versa. As I’ve gone from work computer to work computer, my digital music library has shuffled around quite a bit and in some cases been lost. Who has time to upload it all again from disc? Thanks to Senuti (or Floola for you PC users), this software simply extracted the music files from said iPod back to digital storage for safe keeping. Took about 5 hours to transfer 5,000 songs. I ate Thanksgiving dinner while it did the work – good deal!

2. Google Reader

I’ve never been so in-the-know. Erin introduced me to this free feed reader calling it “Tivo for the internet.” Instead of having to repeatedly go to 20+ websites and hunting each for new info, now my Reader searches my usual bookmarks automatically and brings all new posts to me, in one convenient location. You simple scroll down, reading the headline, a key paragraph and a photo for each entry – ordered chronologically by time received. If you want to read more from an entry, simply click on link. For most, you’ll just keep on scrolling to the next item, with your brain growing exponentially. Awesomeness.

3. Lifehacker.com

I also owe my Reader for finding me this gem of a website. In fact, Lifehacker brought me Senuti (see, we’ve gone full circle on the list now) and so many more helpful products and tips for making life easier and more fruitful. Features life improvement tips beyond software, too. Like, how to open a clam package with a can opener. OR, how to make a bottle opener out of a single piece of paper. (it’s like McGyver, only more geeky…)

4. The T

Yeah, you know how much I like my Truck. It brings me much joy. It also brings me much used furniture and much trash for the dump. I suggest you get one.

5. Real Men of Genius telephone greetings

The marketing dork in me made me do it. It is quite funny and original for a birthday greeting.

6. My LG camera phone

Nothing is safe when you have a CU500v. It has a very convenient 1.3 megapixel camera. More importantly, the camera has a swivel, so you won’t even know when I’m taking a picture of you picking your nose. Well, unless it is dark, because there’s no flash. Next time.

7. The neti pot

I credit this crazy India-inspired product with keeping my nasal passages humming. It’s like a tea pot, only you use it to pour water in one sinus cavity and out the other. I was reluctant when Erin first brought it home, but tried it the next time I got some sniffles. And as sure a chicken tikka masala… it cleared me right out.

8. Tripadvisor.com:
It wouldn’t be a post without something travel related. At this time last year we were trekking through New Zealand. Without Tripadvisor.com, we wouldn’t have found some of our better destinations. The forum section is great, where real folks give you real tips, and usually answer your questions real quick. Search the section for your city and list your specific inquiry. Help is on the way.

I’m sure there are more, but these are top of mind. Hope you’ve had some wonderful discoveries that made 2007 a great experience in stuff.

 

smashing weekend

So, I was fortunate enough to see the Smashing Pumpkins on their reunion tour as they hit Dallas November 18 on their way around the world. For those that don’t know, they have re-emerged for the first tour since 2000, when the band broke up in what had always been a powder keg of conflict.

So they’re back to say hello. And support their new album…

This is more than a band to me. It’s more like a musical journey. Full of ups and downs and life and (near) death and crazy characters and egos and yada yada yada. And most importantly, great music. They had me captivated from day 1. Still do. Ever since I heard Cherub Rock on the radio in high school (day after Homecoming in October 1993, senior year – took a while for it to find me), I was hooked. Instantly. I went into the closest Best Buy and immediately purchased it. The rest is history. Billy Corgan and company influenced me more in regards to musical interest than any other band. I know that sounds a little generic to pick one of the most popular bands of the 90’s and say that, but I didn’t pick the band. It picked me. The range of music, the uniqueness of Billy’s voice, the mysteries buried in the lyrics, the band’s daily drama, the polarizing personalities… better than any supernovela ever could hope to be.

This reunion was hosted by Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie (between Dallas and Ft. Worth) with its great seats and great acoustics for taking in every last squeal and riff. My friends in pumpkinhood: David (bro) and Todd (friend). David and Jennifer treated me to this as a b-day present – thanks! Todd and I have the distinction of enjoying one of the last Pumpkins shows to include James Iha at the Mellon Collie tour which hit Reunion Arena in 1995 – so we had a reunion of our own.

But we’re talking about Sunday here. Gotta love the YouTube generation – here’s a great summary of the Dallas concert in 2 minutes:

Now I’m not much of a music critic – you should check out my friend Howard and his masterpieces for that. But, I’ll be honest, I was a little apprehensive about what to expect from this show. The new album Zeitgeist is pretty good and all, but I didn’t know if I was walking in to a hollow “let’s make $” reunion tour like other bands are sporting… Will they play songs from the whole library, or is it going to be 90% Zeitgeist? Will we be like the oldest or youngest people there?

All my questions were answered. Positively. They played songs from the whole library in what was an intense arsenal of sound. Billy’s voice was great, and Jimmy was kickin’ it on the drums. They were here to play.

Like this existential (partial) version of “Drown”

Some personal favorites from the show included the show opener United States, Soma, Bullet with Butterfly Wings and this 1979 acoustic:

He also through in a couple covers: Iron Man and I Love Rock n’ Roll, as seen here. Check out the sweet stage set-up with those triangular light posts.

The crowd was mixed bag, as you might expect from a band this old. We were right in the middle. Some goth teens and greek college students. Sprinkle in some more mature fans too. Maybe that’s what inspired Corgan to sarcastically remind everyone that the band did release some albums after 1995’s Mellon Collie in this humorous moment from the show:

What didn’t make the YouTube highlight reel yet? A sarastic, and somewhat defeated, statement from Corgan about how the band understands no one buys or will buy music albums anymore. And his request to have people in the pit stop throwing packets of mayo at him in a stupid attempt to request the song Mayonnaise.

All in all, a fantatsic concert. Smashing Pumpkins, you can come back to Texas anytime. And you’re welcome.

 

Me Chinese, Me Play Joke…

So, Erin and I have been trying to eat out less. a. Erin’s a great chef. b. saving money never hurts.

However, when we answer the call for a culinary excursion, we’re attempting to venture out into new territories in the metroplex. Otherwise, we go to our same ol’ favorite places – not too exciting. Erin used to keep track of our progress on local top 100 restaurants lists in Chicago and New York. We’re attempting to make a dent in the Dallas 100 too.

Our adventure in cuisine also applies to take-out or casual dining, too, which is where I ran into this gem while waiting for some tasty Chinese food. Someone is apparently playing some serious, disgusting jokes on these poor people. Posted on the bathroom door:

This is a cry for help, three times over. Maybe it’s time for a new location, rather than being a few blocks from the lower Greenville bar district.

Or, maybe their trash can looks like the toilet.

Next time I’m going drive-thru.

 

Happy Halloween

Well, I’ve been a bit of a ghost on the ol’ blog lately. Of course, I have excuses for not writing. They aren’t very original or good: work, life and so-on. Seeing as though it’s Halloween, I thought you should see how we celebrated for a quick post.

Erin took me and Emjay to a house party in Oak Cliff over the weekend. It was hosted by a creative couple, one of whom she works with. That only makes me more proud to have won the “Funniest Costume” category and a fine bottle of wine.(I’d like to thank Miller Brewing Co., the marketing department at Miller Brewing Co., the fine artists who designed the costume and whoever thought of using poster board to make the bottle neck stand straight.) It was a nice way to cap off a fun evening of small talk, punch, crazy costumes and an aggressive smoke machine.

My costumed associates, including lifesatrip herself:

Erin only thought the Chicago wig-gig was a one time thing – that pink wig came in handy in Dallas as it instantly turned her into Run Lola Run!

And Emjay sported an authentic outfit direct from Chinatown and protected us all evening with moves to make Uma jealous:

Good times. My favorite costumes of the evening (sorry, didn’t take any actual pics – the camera phone wasn’t working too well).

The Dude from Big Lebowski: (Elizabeth, nice work)

A Character, complete with bleeding flesh and bird toys attached, from The Birds movie: