CK's Blog

Everything old still applies (at least stuff from a year ago)

I still get a steady stream of search inquiries and new links to this collage that aired last November. But the poll supporting it ran a year ago this month. Yup, a year ago August I asked you folks what the value was in all this blogging and then I compiled the results into a pretty collage.

Why? Cuz I like making pretty things for you cool bloggers--especially when those pretty things communicate the value of this conversation.

I find it funny that people still check this out since I thought, "Hey, that rush is over." And then it occurred to me...new people are joining this conversation all the time (um, duh!).

So--for anyone who has not yet seen this collage--you can read the story here (and yes I will update the collage with the new comments when I can).

You might find it helpful to show this to your companies, clients, friends, marketing departments, or use it in presentations. Basically you can do...or not do...whatever you please with it. Why? Because it's not mine, it's everyone's (it's the Share Economy after all). 

The above graphic is a snapshot of the collage and the PDF has the full-size collage (easier to read) as well as full answers to the question. And, thanks to NXTbook media, you can see the rich media version here, as I understand they're hosting it for life (for free).

Bringing fun back to flight: can a virgin do it?

While I dislike flying, it comes with the job--and I'm intrigued by Virgin America's new flight strategy of "bringing fun back to air travel" at low costs (for both coach and first class). Currently Virgin only serves coast-to-coast flights between New York, L.A, San Francisco, Las Vegas and, I think, Washington D.C.

I understand the flights are as low as $44 and first class can go as low as $149. The airline's stated aim is to "provide low-fare, high-quality service for long-haul point-to-point service between major metropolitan cities on the Eastern and West Coast seaboards." Oh, and you can order fresh food right from your seat...as well as plug in your laptop, PDA and iPod.

If Jet Blue is the "friendly" carrier and Southwest is the "affordable" airline, Virgin strikes me as the "sexy" one...so at first it struck me as odd to be so affordable. Just my .02.

Check out this 2-minute video (RSS and email readers go here). And if you want to see the plane's pretty "mood lighting" just go here. Do you think Virgin America's strategy will take off? Yeah, that was a pun (though not a very good one).

Vick didn't let us down. The NFL did.

The unconscionable acts of cruelty that Michael Vick inflicted upon dogs has prompted me to sign many a petition. And I was relieved to learn that most of them yielded enough participation to support good outcomes.

Nike dropped him.

Reebok dropped his apparel.

Falcons suspend him while they waited for the verdict...a suspension that I agreed with as I wholly support that "man is innocent until proven guilty."

The man pleads guilty (and finds Jesus).

Again, the man pleads guilty and OPENLY admits to the despicable harm he's caused for who knows how long to who knows how many innocent animals.

And then the Falcon's owner says it's not in the franchise's best interest to drop him.

They did, however, ask for their $22 million back.

According to Arthur Blank, the Falcons' owner, "We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team. Cutting him may feel better emotionally for us and for many of our fans, but it's not in the long-term best interests of our franchise."

Actually, upholding ethics--and raising the bar--IS in the long-term best interests of your franchise.

Folks, Vick didn't let us down (he's just a sick twist). The NFL did.

Some agree, many I'm sure will not...but I think this is a grave day for the NFL, the fans and Falcon teammates. Bad marketing move. And an even worse ethical one. I expected expect better.

Thanks to WashPo's Feinstein for urging: "He's forfeited his right to be a hero, to hear those cheers anymore."

If anyone knows of any current petitions against the NFL please just leave the information in the comments. I've signed many through the ASPCA. Thanks so much.

Note: Here's some excellent commentary on the broader issue by Emily Deschanel, celebrity advocate/spokesperson for the US Humane Society.

Thanks for spreading the word you (social!) bloggers

A BIG note of thanks to all you (social!) bloggers who've been promoting Blogger Social '08. I guess all of these Webby, word-of-mouth technologies work after all, eh?

Funny that the event is not until next year and yet I've already met new people who have reached out after finding out about the social. So I guess I'm getting social before the social...wait, is that allowed? I'll check the rules.

OK, just checked the rules and, um, since there aren't any rules, it's allowed (and encouraged!). After all, the whole point of Blogger Social is to meet new people with like interests or finally meet the people we've been sharing all this interesting stuff with--that's why we say "It's not about social media, it's about being social!"

From the sign-ups and notes we've been receiving we'll have marketing bloggers from all over the U.S., Europe and Australia attending. I'm hoping for all continents to be represented since marketing bloggers are world-wide. And yes, that includes Antarctica. If penguins from Antarctica blog about marketing then they are more than welcome (if not, they've sworn to revolt).

Thanks be going to Luc, David, Phil, Gavin, Drew, Cam, Matt, Greg, C.B., Mike, Steve, Kris Lori, Becky, Mark, Gianandrea and Lewis for already promoting the event. If I left anyone out that's promoted the event, please do drop me a note (and, like the penguins, accept my apologies for being a bad blogger).

PS: Thanks to Luc for the snappy graphic up there, that background shot of all those tall buildings was taken in Times Square when he visited NYC back in May.

PPS: If you need to know what I'm talking about when I say "Blogger Social '08," please just go here and definitely register by November 15th. Please do continue to spread the word (and to the penguins, please stop sending me mean emails).

Pies, Murder, Police & Lies: My (latest) fear-of-flight strategy

I'm not the greatest flier. But I'm great at faking it. I get very nervous when we take off and whenever we hit even the slightest patch of "rough air" I'm just not right for about ten minutes. I keep trying to pretend it's like hitting a pothole while I'm in a cab.

But that analogy is not working since potholes aren't 30,000 feet deep (even in NYC).

And why must they announce how "high" we're flying? This whole "We're cruising comfortably at 35,000 feet, folks!" isn't at all comforting. It just makes me think about being suspended at 35,000 feet that much MORE. Alas, there's no sleep for me as one must be relaxed to sleep.

But I'm not going to let my fear keep me from going great places and meeting great clients. So I just think of new ways to re-focus my busy mind (especially since I don't want to be "that nervous woman" on the plane).

Books, blog posts and work don't do it. My newest strategy? Entertainment. Yep, in clocking nearly twelve hours of flying this past week, I downloaded escaped into a lot of movies. I was delighted to see so many great films as I've seen so many poor ones lately on land. These should all be coming to a video store near you...

Waitress (Pies): Wonderful. Truly enjoyable and I giggled so much that three others asked me what I was watching and then watched it themselves (see...word of mouth does work!). It was one of the winners at Sundance and for good reason--just a great tale of getting your life on track through pies, passion and profound decisions. WARNING: This is probably a "chick flick".

Fracture (Murder): So-so. This film had great reviews but was my least favorite. I think it's because I felt like it was Anthony Hopkins in a new role playing the same cool-as-a-cucumber deviant. I've been there/done that enough with Hopkins. And while the reveal was surprising, it wasn't a "wow!" moment.

Hot Fuzz (Police): Brilliant. This British comedic duo are known for their "Shaun of the Dead" spoof and while they still have their same silliness it's an all new story and set of laughs. Good for males and females of all ages, but probably skews more male.

The Hoax (Lies): Excellent. Great for males and females. Based on the true story of the biggest lie of the publishing industry where Clifford Irving writes a seemingly "authorized autobiography" on Howard Hughes. One of Richard Gere's and Alfred Molina's best performances in my opinion.

PS: In case you're wondering, yes I did get A LOT of work done while on the ground :-).

Really smart programming...or really poor parenting?

So in a play (pray?) for better ratings this TV season, CBS is debuting an innovative (insanely risky?) new reality program. And, being that reality programming has been segmented seven ways to Sunday, they decide to focus on an untapped niche in kids.

After all, who doesn't love kids, right? The problem is that the parents of the kids might just love fame more than their kids.

The series is called "Kid Nation" (premiering Sept. 19th) and it brings 40 children (ages 8-15) together in a "ghost town" of Sante Fe, New Mexico for what is billed as a "social experiment." The kids have to build a society in 40 days without adult supervision.

Yep, the parents left their kids in the (cough) trustworthy hands of a television network for 40 days.

According to E News: "But the show has become mired in controversy after a mother of one participant took issue with the production. The woman said her 12-year-old daughter's face was sprayed with kitchen grease while cooking and she suffered minor health problems. The mother alerted authorities about supposedly lax safety conditions at the privately owned Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch, where the series was shot in April.

In a letter to the attorney general, the aforementioned mother, identified by the Associated Press as Janice Miles of Fayetteville, Georgia, wrote that her daughter, Divad, was not properly supervised by the show's handlers. The child allegedly suffered sunburn on her face and hands and developed a rash that left her with several scars. Miles also noted that four other kids accidentally drank bleach, necessitating immediate medical attention."

Oh, and now New Mexico state isn't quite sure if this "camp" might just qualify as violating child labor laws. Um, oops.

See, CBS is a company and its responsibility is to be profitable. But the parents' responsibility is to be, well, responsible. So I can see letting kids go to a real camp with real supervision, but to ship them off to Hollywood--even a "mock Hollywood" in some ghost town--without the watchful eyes of parents? Hey, I may not be a parent but I did read Lord of the Flies.

Alas, CBS is so confident Kid Nation will be a success it has greenlit casting for a second season so maybe I'm just too overprotective to be a parent...or perhaps the producers shouldn't allow the kids to handle bleach this go 'round. I understand from CNN that the parents had to sign tomes of legal documents that basically protected the network even in the case of fatalities.

And to think the American public is worried about the parenting sense of Britney Spears.

Here's the trailer for the show (RSS readers go here). And here again is the article.

Gone Left

I'm off to the 'left' coast this week to San Francisco (for work, not play). Though a lot of time will surely be spent on planes and in cabs.

Enjoy the week...please pardon if blogging is slow going for a bit :-).

Blogger Social '08: Open for bizness, baby!

As promised, all information--and official unveiling!--of Blogger Social '08 has launched. Yep, a spankin' new blog, survey results, registration system and FAQs are available for your viewing pleasure right here.

Will you do 3 things for me?

(1) Will you hop on over to Blogger-Social.com and go for a spin?
(2) Will you tell other bloggers...who blog marketing...about the event?
(3) Will you register by/before November 15th?

I know, I give a lot of action points :-). But it's only so we can have our special, social weekend. Oh, funny thing about the event's locale--"funny" being that Drew and I both voted for "Vegas" in "February"...but NYC in April it is (all survey results are over at the Blogger Social blog).

If you have no idea what Blogger Social is you can find out all here or, for my first post on this just go here.

PS: Yes, I have closed comments to this post. Why would I do such a thing? So that everyone gets in the habit of commenting about the social at our official Blogger Social blog silly :-). We put a lot of love into it and it's kind of lonely right now.

Shouts: Incredible thanks to Drew, Cam, Mike and Luc. There would be no site, no artwork and no registration without them...and there will be no Blogger Social without YOU.

Um, why not go and tell the ENTIRE country already?

Being that Arun Rajagopal is the Age of Conversation's only author from Oman, I think he--and he alone--should be responsible for publicizing it all over the country.

Oh wait...he ALREADY did.

Taking a few moments to catch-up on my blog reading I am ASTOUNDED at the amount of press Arun has generated for the book. The clippings on the right are but a few of the placements in print and broadcast that he's secured.

Um, WoWsa.

Some bloggers people just amaze me. And by some people I most definitely mean Arun.

Please do review his post here as I'm not doing the work he's done nearly enough justice.

Oh, and when Arun was not busy publicizing the Age of Conversation? Yeah, he was busy writing bios for all 103 authors.

Yep, some people just amaze me. And yes, when I'm in Oman I'm just gonna tell people, "I'm a friend of Arun's."

Black. Woman. Mormon. Hair.

Is Obama really black enough to be president? Can a woman really handle the job? Are we truly ready for a Mormon..and, for the love of Pete, does Edwards spend far too much time on hair product?

This is pretty much the sum and substance of the election coverage I've been reading the last 5 weeks (and during that time Hillary bore too much of her bosom so at least we focused on her female parts for a few days, instead of solely focusing on her being female).

I guess, with all their experience--whether you find their experience good, bad or indifferent--it ultimately seems, people can only grasp one word/thought/idea about a person, product or thing.

(I was taught the "own one-word/one-attribute law" in positioning 101 so it's consistent.)

It's just that the singular words/thoughts/ideas used to position these candidates happen to focus on non-issue issues...like race, sex and religion. Especially being we've come so far and, in fact, tout about how we don't focus on race, sex and religion (note: when I was at The National Archives in July, I double-checked and even those docs read--or were ammended to read--that focusing on race, sex or religion is a no-no).

To other countries that might happenstance upon our headlines, I ask: Do we come off as a particularly label-happy nation? Do we seem forward in business but not so much in politics? Conversely, perhaps we strike everyone as perfectly normal and it's just me.

(It could just be me.)

Note: I will say that the political debate I watched--that had questions from people, not reporters--was very good being I learned about the candidates' stand on issues and the policies they each proposed.

Note #2 (updated): What I need to better understand is how NON-U.S. Media (and I'm not talking the tabloids, they get their own, well-deserved category), cover their candidates and elections. In other democratic forums, in other countries, is the media alike or dislike in their coverage? I appreciate the feedback from you fabulous non-U.S. bloggers (and love the U.S. bloggers, too ;-).

Technical difficulties (I'm so ashamed)

We're having technical difficulties launching Blogger Social. No, we didn't forget it's the 15th and we owe you news.

Actually, it ain't "technically" us. It's our software provider.

The irony is that the site looks great, the tone, energy...punchy copy...cute little "cork" favicon...oh-so-fun FAQs, intuitive registration and, well, all sorts of special stuff await (and are all set).

But await you must.

Because we need to clear one idiosyncrasy.

Then do a couple quick usability checks.

What, you think we'd launch without testing?

And then we'll air.

I'm not just saying this--because I played but one-fifth a role in pushing this idea forward and now I owe my first AND second born to Drew, Cam, Luc and Mike--but it was a good bit of work to get going. We're so proud and tickled by it.

And I can't wait to unveil it and then everyone can be like "ooh", "aaaah", "CK you forgot this," "Fun!", "Um, CK you forgot this, too" and so on. 

Yep, it will be special.

But bear with us a little more, k?

In the meantime, you can beat up on me in the comments until we air and then I'll be under all this nail-biting, crazy pressure and sweatin' over it alongside my work deadlines. And my friends will be like "What's wrong, buttercup?" and I'll have to disclose that "I am cloaked in shame as I let the blogosphere down."

And they'll once again ask, "What's a blogopshere?"

But all the sweat will be worth it because ever so shortly we'll knock your socks off.

Drew, Cam, Luc, Mike: I've been thinking about this first and second born stuff, can I get you each a fluffy puppy and we'll call it even?

The backlash from outsourcing's a bitch, eh? But hey, you saved money.

I've written on the China mess before but now it seems that it will not be food, nor pet food, water, toothpaste or counterfeit drugs that mark the last straw for China. Now they've messed with our kids.

The thing is, "they" didn't mess with them. But that will be the scapegoat used, I fear. See it works like so: WE trusted them--"we" being the companies that outsource to them and "we" being the customers who trust the companies that do so--to do right by us. And at a mighty fine rate per hour.

I absolutely give HUGE (!) props to all the smart outsourcing going on --but for the RIGHT reasons like infusing expertise, ensuring quality, improving service and fueling innovation (partnering is a smart move to get new groovy stuff to market).

BUT, I will be very disappointed if, when all is said and done, we as a nation--and, particularly, we in the business environment--point the finger at "them" for these lapses. When we should be looking to ourselves since we already know that in markets high and low, local and abroad, you get what you pay for.

And what we paid for were shortcuts.

The thing is, those shortcuts always mattered -- look to this country's food and water regulations and you'll see we've set the standard. Look at our consumer protections and you'll find among the finest. How could we possibly be so ignorant (arrogant?) to think that these regulations are naturally outsourced, too?  Because the thinking wasn't driven by safety, or quality, but by savings.

It's a bitter and likely, counterfeit pill to swallow. But it's one that we need to forever (and ever) learn from because responsibility and accountability pave the way to recovery. Yes, trust is now your core priority and, no, it don't come cheap.

Now ain't that a bitch?

Disclaimer: I have nothing personal against the country of China. Oh wait, yes I do: I don't respect (or trust) their government. But I've tremendous respect for their people...especially those whose brave acts still inspire me to this day (I promise to never forget your courage to make things better).

PS: For all the companies that did not--and would not--sacrifice best practices to better their bottom lines, this is your much-deserved day to shine. Promote your safety standards and compliance scores like crazy as you deserve a HUGE return on the investment you made in protecting and respecting your customers us. Don't feel at all shy about getting people to heart you much more. Who knew safety would become a differentiator again? But if you follow it, definitely flaunt it ;-).

Let people have what they want, how they want it and, more to the point, WHEN they want it (it's called "marketing").

Oh how I'm enjoying these Webby 2.0 times with new industries emerging...entire sectors scrambling...and others striving to get a clue. Sometimes it's annoying but mostly it's just so enjoyable watching all the ups, downs, innovations and, yes, the frustrations from new worlds demanding the old to hurry up and get new (read: relevant).

Jeff Jarvis has posted on mommas who sell grass to maintain the salary once afforded them, but now no longer, due to being left a widow in an expensive suburb with two sons to raise. It's a TV show called "Weeds" starring Mary-Louise Parker (the one with the snake) and I've watched it since it aired, as well as the season premiere last night.

But Jarvis can't.

While the momma and all her drugs and drama is available through a Showtime Network subscription and via Showtime On-Demand--it's not available via iTunes....at least not in a timely manner. Which begs the question, shouldn't all TV be downloadable? And downloadable at the same time as original airing or very close thereto?

Being people pay for it on iTunes there is a profit model (btw, can readers tell me: when you download an episode off iTunes are commercials still in there?). Hmm, if following the model--which I understand is the model upon which marketing is founded--of giving people what they want, how they want it and, moreover, WHEN they want it...what industries, other than TV, would need to get with the program?

In my post on Mad Men (the AMC show), I applauded the network for releasing the episodes on iTunes the next day (or, now looking back, I guess I praised them for practicing "marketing"). But in that post Toad brought up an interesting point on ratings. In his comment he said: "Putting the show on iTunes the day after isn't a novel idea: lots of network TV shows do that. Helps make money, but messes with the ratiings: Studio 60 was a top download on iTunes and also big on DVRs, but the ratings were mediocre. Much was made over that- did the more educated upscale audience the show reached in those formats make up for the low ratings. NBC said no. (I think it was on NBC)."

So my question is, aren't revenues more important than ratings? And couldn't the networks use "downloads" as a new way to prove popularity? I mean, people go on and buy the show, and those people are tracked. It's not just that the show was on, they were "engaged" enough to seek out the show and "loyal" enough to pay for it. Doesn't engaged + loyal + here's my money = good ratings? I know it equals good marketing.

Funny aside: I once had a guy say to me, "You look just like Mary-Louise Parker...no, wait, Parker Posey...no, I mean Ashley Judd." To which I said, "No, you mean Pamela Anderson." I guess you had to be there but everyone present did giggle.

Pretty aside: Since Showtime is focusing on the woman-with-a-snake theme for its current season (see above), I must pay homage to my favorite woman-with-snake photo by the inimitable and late Richard Avedon. Here's his famed shot of "Nastasja Kinski and the serpent." I've always thought this shot was stunning (and elegant) and I'm not  even a snake-with-woman kind of woman. Ok, you got me, I am.

I'm still not chasing your waterfalls, but the industry sure is (yup, I'm the crazy).

I'm either crazy or, perhaps, I'm that crazy little voice shouting "folks, the dude (emperor) has no clothes!" Maybe I best shut up and money-up from companies who long to create all-too-human, if oh-so-hollow, positioning strategies (cue-up the pretty waterfalls, wontcha?).

Problem is I wouldn't respect myself. And yet, ironically, I come to find out today that Dow's campaign is all about respect.

Yup, "Dow Chemical Co. has a modest goal for its corporate ad campaign: to be acknowledged as the largest, most profitable and most respected chemical company in the world."

Oh how I wish I could just leave that one alone. Darn't, I've already talked Dow--a convo, mind you, where most disagreed with me--but that behemoth is just forcing my little hand. And since BtoB will not add commenting functionality (I've asked thrice), I'll need to talk it on my turf.

(psst: my original post on DOW is here, along with the commercial where you'll learn how water is made and how water falls really pretty).

Um, no comprendo. Please tell me WHAT the company is doing--not what they're SAYing--to better the human element (not just trying to look better to humans). For that matter, I can't tell you how much I'd also appreciate your explaining what, exactly, the "human element" is.

A work of (manipulative) art. The ad's writing? Extraordinary. The cinematography? Transporting. Watching these spots I yearn to trek across sand dunes and make love under waterfalls. But I leave them with a sour not sweet taste in my mouth for Dow.

How does one change...from the outside? Change is a word that's used a lot in your campaign. But I don't see any internal change, just external messaging. So the lessons your campaign have bestowed are that (1) hydrogen and oxygen bond to form water (see commercial, readers) and (2) afforded enough literary brilliance we needn't really change just say we've changed against nice background music. I again wonder why I spent that money on graduate school.

Falling for it? They're falling all over it. I'm not so much surprised that the business-intended audience loves this campaign (and consumers, to boot). But I am amazed at the industry salivating over it. We're marketers after all, so my thinking is that we see through the strings, ponies and prose. Yet we highlight this campaign as a best practice. Maybe the waterfalls did it for them, too?

Why yes, I work for Dow...do you come here often?!: According to the piece, Dow CEO Andrew Liveris reckons the campaign will be successful when "A Dow employee in a bar anywhere in the world can tell the guy next to him where he works and get the response, "Oh, Dow. That's good."

To the CEO I ask, this is your barometer? You spend $25 million on an external ad campaign (not internal organizational alignment) to get your ivy-league troops to feel secure enough to talk chemical companies when out socializing over beers? For the record, my barometer is that they'd feel proud talking their employer while not intoxicated.

Using charity as a crutch: I love charity and charitable endeavors..but find it particularly concerning when companies use them to compensate or obfuscate. According to the article: "Dow is addressing the litany of problems one at a time. To emphasize the need for clean water, the company is sponsoring a worldwide relay race with the Blue Planet Run Foundation. Ads running in magazines such as The New Yorker and Harper's are headlined, "This summer, 20 runners will cross four continents to bring someone a drink of water."

How does running a sponsorship solve any of the "litany of the world's problems?" How's about sponsoring an irrigation system instead and "running" that water to people in need of it? Insofar as your PR efforts, perhaps solve that pesky little issue with Amnesty being that's consistent with humans (thousands and thousands of them).

Companies may lie, but numbers don't. Dow's stock has surged 29% over the past year. Wow! Interesting that competitor Dupont--sans the use of waterfalls--has shot up 20%, too. Isn't it coincidental how a climate-out-of-control world makes for good returns for chemical companies? Also of note: Dow's brand equity increased by 25%. So brand equity is alive, well and, judging from what they spent on the campaign, bought at $1million a percentage point.

Alas, there will be wins for all. Dow will be the talk of bars and the agency--apart from being on the AOR short list of other companies seeking respect, like coal and oil--will win awards and be able to show how advertising gave this company its groove back (maybe this can be their new theme song?).

Writing this post I've been approached by a publisher who wants me to review a book on the "elements of persuasion." How's about we review a book that marks an end to persuading (and masquerading through waterfalls) and shift focus on adding real value (not more hollow ads)?

Nah, that would be crazy.

Simple things, really

If there were one "thing" I would urge marketers to focus on and create more of--regardless of medium, target audience or competitive environment--it's value (then we're pulling customers in rather than pushing communications out). If there were one thing I would stress marketers to build and hold sacred, it's trust (most don't know how important this is...until they lose it).

And if there was one thing I'd encourage marketers to do more it's listening (so many answers, insights and opportunities being handed to us).

Just the simple things, really.

(Interesting to me is that value, trust and listening apply not only to the professional world.)

Why yes, I bake homemade cookies for men who get naked for me (doesn't everybody?)

The things you learn, do and see through social media. I officially love Sean Howard...not love in the biblical sense but love in the naked sense--and definitely in the "don't ask what your community can do for you, ask what you can do for your community" sense.

For those who missed it--Sean Howard and his splendid team created a brave, bare-all video to promote the Age of Conversation (see vid below).  Now my southern momma taught me a whole lot--not the least of which is that sugary, carbed-up cookies are a "ladylike" way to thank good people who do good things for good causes (proceeds from the Age of Conversation go to charity). 

Actually pies are a good way to thank people too but they don't travel as well--though I should mention that Drew McLellan sent me not one but two pies earlier this year...but no, the deliveryman was not naked (apparently he didn't get Sean's memo).

So, when I witnessed the great lengths that Sean went to I needed to thank him so I sent him cookies--and that cutie got naked. Again (see pic above). It should not go without saying that Sean is one of those weird people who cannot eat chocolate so I sent his team chocolate-chip cookies and Sean some oatmeal raisin cookies.

Which just goes to prove that naked men are indeed high maintenance.

Here's the video of Sean's bare-all in case you missed it the first time (RSS readers go here)...and here's how you buy the Age of Conversation. Thanks again to Sean and his entire team for reminding me just how proud I am to be part of this brainy, ballsy community.

Gone Fishin' Again...

I'm pretty much offline for several days to connect with family and will be traveling. So...have a great week (and weekend!) and try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone.

That fish sure is cute, eh? Rest-assured, you're just as cute (if not cuter).