The new Rick Roll.

I had fun with the Rick Roll. I did it twice on this blog. Did you get to experience it?

I would like to put the ball in motion for a new misdirection trend. This is actually based on a real life story.

I was chatting with a friend of mine and we were discussing something about advertising, as we are wont to do. He asked me about something, the specifics escape me, but I told him to google NAMBLA to find the answer.


He did.

The next thing he did, less then a minute later was reply back in the chat, "Am I on a watchlist now?" to which I replied, "probably!"

If you would like to know what NAMBLA is, feel free to google it. Otherwise, when people ask you what something is, tell them to google NAMBLA and watch the fun begin. In fact, lets see if y'all can come up with some other situations where people can be duped into this fun little game.

The Economy and my prophetic abilities.

Not so long ago, I wrote a post about the great rice scare of '08. Read about it HERE.

Turns out, i wasn't that far off. Prostitutes are feeling the sting of the eventual transition to a rice-based economy. First, the oil goes, then the tomatoes start killing people like a cheesy 80's movie, now prostitutes have to bribe people to generate business. What kind of world do we live in were women that are trying to earn an easy living (is it really that easy? I mean, c'mon) by sharing their womanly wiles with truckers and politicians have to resort to handing out gas cards?!?

On a side note, would that persuade you? Gas prices are quickly rising... two birds, one stone....

I'm just saying.

Play Place

Play Place
Originally uploaded by Richard Smallbone

I found this picture taken by a guy that calls himself Richard Smallbone. I find it to be absolutely breathe taking. If you are of the same mind, you should really check out the rest of his work on flickr.

I'm really hoping Richard will let me use this photo for one of my projects (Richard if you are reading this, this in no way is any form of pressure).

Seriously, this pic kinda smashes my childhood (more so than it already is) into a thousand gnarly, twisted pieces. Nice job Richard.

I could use your help.

I have to brand myself for a class over the next few weeks. What I'm asking from you is some adjectives that describe me. It doesn't matter how well you know me or how little you know me, I want to hear from everyone. If you don't know me at all, feel free to read the blog a bit and base your opinion on that. The only thing I ask for is that you include at least 3 real adjectives.

Now's your opportunity. Positive or negative. Do your worst and/or your best. Sock it to me (I've always loved that phrase).

I want you to fill the comments section! According to Google Analytics, my blog has had 93 separate individuals and I would love to hear from all of you!

To quote the late, great James Brown:

HIT ME!

Dinosaurs!

This is another not-so-funny post, but man-o-man, do I have something to share with you.

I just saw what may be the coolest show on the face of the planet. I've seen Cirque du Sole, a dozen or more concerts in large venues, hundreds of concerts in small venues, Shamu's show at Sea World, Sparky's show here at the Como Zoo, ballets, orchestras, plays, movies, and I've even seen Milli Vanilli live (another story for later). It takes a lot to impress me. It also takes a lot for me to have an emotional reaction to something (less so since I became a father, but still...).

Walking with Dinosaurs was sooooo worth it. It's about an hour and a half, and it spans millions of years (depending on your belief system, LOL). This was Tucker's first show out in the world. He's never been to a movie theater or anything like that, although he has seen some live music and such. He was FLOORED. At two and slightly more than 3/4, he was a little overwhelmed at the very beginning, but we were able to talk him off of the ledge and he enjoyed himself for the rest of the show... even though he was scared about 1/3 of the time. I would imagine if he hadn't been there, I wouldn't have had any kind of emotional reaction, being a robot and all, but it was an amazing story.

My favorite part is when the T-Rex trotted out and let out a ROAR that was unparalleled by any of the previous dinosaurs. The reason it was my favorite is that immediately after the roar, a hundred children started crying and screaming. But not Tucker. His eyes were glued to the stage.

Amazing show. Can't say enough good things about it. I guess to enjoy it on the level I did, you may need have a touch of nerdiness and it doesn't hurt taking a kid that has never experienced anything like that before in his life.

Anyway, here's an example:

Spooky Real-Life Happenings.

I know I usually do funny, but this is a story I want to share. It's not funny ha-ha, more funny OMG.

Back when my son was about a year old he was starting to string words together in some impressive sentences. Often times, you could understand him. His grasp of the English language has always been impressive, but when they first start the sentence phase a parent tends to pay really close attention.

Anyway, the wife, the boy, and I were in his room laying (lying?) on the floor in the dark and staring at the ceiling. The reason for this is that I had stuck glow-in-the-dark stars all over it and we were enjoying the glow. At this point in my son's life, he was rarely without one of us by his side. He was generally only alone in his room when he was down for bed. Some nights, it sounded like he was talking to somebody quietly. The night when we were staring at the stars, he was between me and the wife. It was pretty black in the room except the faint green glow from the stars. Tucker stands up and starts saying, "The man in the window! The man in the window!" Not in a scared voice, more in an excited voice. we both sit up and ask him what he's talking about. He says, "See? There he is. The man in the window."

Needless to say, we were a little creeped out. He kept talking about it. Eventually, he started talking to it. TALKING TO IT. He was really excited. He kept trying to show him things. He would reach around in the dark, grab a toy and tell the man in the window about it. "See man? This is Bear," (Bear is a stuffed puppy). The wife and I were struck silent. I could feel her tensing up more and more as this went on. I asked the boy to ask the man in the window what his name was. So he did. "What's you name man?" He paused as if he were listening to an answer. "His name is George."

I know, right? I nearly pissed my pants right there. This went on for a good fifteen minutes more. A full half hour in all. I'm forgetting some specifics that were mostly the conversation bits between the kid and George (BTW, he did know Curious George before this, but he didn't say it often), but you get the overall super creepy vibe experienced by me and the wife. After a half hour of this, we took him out of the room. The wife huddled into herself on the couch and pretty much broke into tears. I was freaked. We prayed. A lot. What else can you do in a situation like that?

Nothing overly supernatural has happened since then, but lordy, that was more than I ever wanted to watch my then one year old son do. I've had a few run-ins with spirits, but I'll save those stories for another time.

BTW, if anyone knows how to make George pay rent, please let me know in the comments section. No free loaders in my house. Even if I can't see them myself. (I guess it was a little funny after all)

Krispy Kreme 2. Electric Boogaloo.

Here's another ad I just finished. I'm a huge fan of the line in this one. Made me laugh for days. I thought about using that line from that cheesy song "Hole Hearted" by Extreme (can you guess?):

"There's a hole in my heart that can only be filled by you." (damn. Now I have that song stuck in my head)

Ad School!

So you may or may not know, but I am currently embroiled in ad school. I just entered my first contest and should find out if I made the cut in July sometime. I thought I'd throw up the ads and see what y'all think (thanks for the idea Judy).

Check 'em out (click to enlarge):

New Hero.

WOW.

I just saw this and am still blown away. I've been playing the guitar for more than half my life, and I used to be really really good. I even practiced some of the stuff you are about to witness.

However, this guy makes me look like a chump... not that I need help. What really kills me is that I've never heard of this guy before tonight, yet people like Avril Lavigne. the Simpson sisters (although easy on the eyes), and practically every other crap band out there get air time. There are hidden gems like this out there. Support great music and the musicians that make it.