I’m currently in NYC for the month on business, and what Great Fun it is! So far I’ve been here a week getting use to the area and working. This is my third time –and longest- I’ve been in NYC. My first time was winter 2008 –a year and a half ago- Amazing isn’t it? I had a Great time then and I’m having a Great time now. My second time was just a one-day stint to audition for “War Horse,” which was Also a Great time.

I’ve been Adventuring around the city for quite a bit during my off hours, and Adventuring is one of my Favorite things to do! Of course my first adventure was journey here. My Dad and I drove from Michigan, which was only 10 hours. We arrived and he helped me settle into my apartment and then we went off wandering through the city and seeing the sites!

This clip/idea is just incredibly fun to watch. Especially if you're a fan of surf videos. It just looks So Cool! I love the part in the video - towards the beginning - when the "surfer" is touching the wave. 

Also included; an actual surf video, just to compare.

Thanks to Sean for showing this video to me originally.

I apologize for my delay in posting. The past week has been busy with various meetings, film shoots and puppet building. However during that time lots of fun blog worthy events have happened. One such is a S'More Extravaganza!

My younger brothers and I were walking through the grocery store picking up the usual eggs, milk and cereal. While pursuing the usual products we came across GIANT marshmallows. We were amazed...and so without hesitation we started gathering the essential supplies for making S'Mores, Honey Maid Graham Crackers and Hershey Milk Chocolate. We almost made it to the checkout line, but then I remembered that along with milk chocolate, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were Also really yummy on S'Mores, so we strolled down the candy isle once again and then I had a marvelous idea...since we had Giant marshmallows in our cart, why not use GIANT Reese's! THE REESE'S BIG CUP. Oh yes, we picked up a package of these monstrous treats as well as the regular sized version. 

Happy with our bounty, we returned home and started working right away on our gigantic treats. Luckily enough we took photos (included below) because we were so proud of our creation. 

Photo 1: The Giant Marshmallow and Reese's displayed proudly

Photo 2: This is a photo of the S'More assembled. Overall the complete S'More was about 4.5 inches tall. The Transformer is there for size reference, this is the conversation I had with my brother;

Me: We should take a photo of something next to it so people know how huge it is!
Bro: Yea! Lets use this Transformer!
Me: Why?...Why not use a VHS Tape or a Baseball?
Bro: Because this is a Basic Transformer. Everyone knows how big a basic Transformer is.
Me: ....Ok.

Photo 3: We were in too much of a hurry to start a fire to roast the marshmallow, so we microwaved it and it doubled in size!


All in all, this S'More was the Messiest and Most Scrumptious S'More I've Ever had.
Actually - The eating experience reminded me a lot of this scene from; The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: The Masked Offender (ep 19)

I enjoy watching and critiquing television advertisements, asking myself, "What was that ad selling," and "Who was that ad for," and of course, "Why did they choose to do/air that?" The new Esurance spots really make me ask the latter because the ads seem to reflect poorly upon the company and its employees. I realize that some would say that the mere fact that I'm talking about the spots and remember the company is successful advertising; "Bad press is better than no press," But in my opinion these ads go too far, in that they seem to portray a negative working environment within the companies headquarters.

Exhibit A: Lecherous Bosses

Some background, Esurance is re-branding itself and transitioning from the pink-haired animated "Erin Esurance" to a live action campaign created by Duncan/Channon. Chief Marketing Officer from Esurance, John Swigart has said; 
"Since Esurance has been providing that kind of experience since our earliest days, it was a great opportunity to highlight how we can meet consumers' needs. Our core strengths are reflected in the ads and a new tagline--'people when you want them, technology when you don't™.' It's a simple concept, but one that Esurance is strongly positioned for." adding, "Our new brand identity is modern and friendly, and conveys the approachability of Esurance."

The five new ads all replace workplace decency for a cheap laugh, which steps in front of the message that is trying to be conveyed. 

Exhibit B & C: Disrespect Between Departments - Spot B & Spot C

The spots also advertise workplace competition and strife between the two departments they are trying to sell to their customers. Which in itself seems weird to advertise a fictitious inter-company feud, which I wouldn't be surprised if it were to emerge (if not already) within the company because of the ads.

Exhibit D: Office Harassment

With a total nation-wide rebranding cost of $100 million, How could the people in charge at Esurance approve these ads that fictionalized their workplace and workers in such a poor light?

Exhibit E: Why Would You Want an Insurance Agent That Doesn't Seem to Know What's on the Company's Website?

What do you think? GetBrandWise.com is doing a poll on whether people like the new brand or not, they also ask if people think it works. Reading the comments left on that site is interesting. The main question that was brought up was "Who is their target audience now and do they hit it?"

Recently posted online/pulled from the CalArts archive is this Awesome short film filmed in the classic Disney style and narrated by the great Sebastian Cabot. The film was first presented at the 1964 gala premiere of Mary Poppins. The event also served as a fundraiser for CalArts. Make sure you check it out, because it's really interesting to learn the history. Originally the campus, which is now in Valencia, California was proposed to be in downtown Los Angeles, right across from the Hollywood Bowl. It would have been VERY different if the campus were to be located where it was proposed. Many of my friends from high school are amazed when I tell them how small the campus of CalArts is. My line is; "We have 3 buildings, 2 of which are dorms," which is true. I really like that CalArts is the size that it is, I don't think I would be able to do what I have done if at a larger school. Walt Disney had some thoughts along the same line;


"We've got to fight against bigness. If a school gets too large, you lose an intimacy with the students; they begin to feel they're just part of a big complex. I don't think you can create too well in a big plant. That's why I always tried to avoid bigness in the studio..." —Walt Disney

As well as,

"I want people to graduate from there really able to do things. I don't want a lot of theorists. I want to have a school that turns out people that know all the facts of filmmaking, I want them to be capable of doing anything needed to make a film - photograph it, direct it, design it, animate it, record it, whatever. That's what I want. Heck, I've hired theorists, and they don't have any knowledge I can use. I want to have everyone in that school come out capable of going in and doing a job. These dilettantes who come out with pseudo-knowledge, they give me a pain. I want it so if an actor is needed, they can get an actor right out of school. If a musician is needed, they can go to the music department and find musicians who can compose music."

"This is the thing I'm going to be remembered for."  —Walt Disney


Pretty Amazing/Neat stuff. If you're interested in reading a bit more about the history of CalArts, Click here. 

I wanted to do a plug for the Douglas J eXchange in Ann Arbor. Why you ask? Well....because they are great at what they do. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan this salon is both a professional day spa and salon while also providing a learning opportunity for the students at the Aveda Beauty Institue, (both owned and operated by Douglas J.) For the past six years I would have my hairs cut only once annually - leading to the "Classic Chase" (long hair & sideburns) - I have gone to the eXchange for this annual event for the past three years. The first time I went, my hair was at a record length (for me) leading me to look something like this; 

Sooo.......I took the journey to Ann Arbor, entered the building and was introduced to Jay the Stylist. What was interesting was that I was just a walk in to the salon, but the front desk still pick and chose a stylist to assign to me instead of just having anyone do it. Jay the Stylist was selected because one of his specialties is trimming the hair of long haired males. An interesting distinction I thought at the time, but totally made sense as he cut my hair. What happened was that he started leading "a class" of three students in "how to make a long-haird guy look good" giving tips and tricks while cutting my hair. After maybe 45 minutes or an hour of haircutting I left the salon with a great hair-trim (it wasn't really a cut) still having longish hair and feeling really good about it as well as learning a lot on how to keep it nice.

A year had soon past and my hair had grown out to a longer state, but not as long as before. So I decided to visit Jay the Stylist again because I still liked having long hair and knew it would probably be another year until a haircutting opportunity would arise and I didn't really want to have as long of hair as I did before. So again I made the venture to Ann Arbor Michigan and again I walked out of the salon really happy confident with the new do. The best part about visiting Jay the Stylist for this second time was that he remembered everything we had talked about the year previous and remembered what I was doing puppetry wise, so we were able to catch up really quickly.

About a week ago I decided it was again time to pursue a shorter hairstyle, although this time I wanted something way more drastic than just a trim, because I had become somewhat tired of having long hair. I arrived at the eXchange around 11 AM and talked to Jay the Stylist a bit about what I was thinking and trusted that he would know what would make me look good. Step one was cutting the pony tail off, which Jay the Stylist made fun by making it dramatic, pausing several times and asking "Are you sure?" which made the event fun. The tail was cut and I immediately felt freer, Jay the Stylist asked if I wanted to keep it.....it was tempting, very very tempting. (years earlier I started collecting hair to make a Wookie Suit) But I said no and moved on.

Good thing I did! My hair was donated to the Gulf to help the oil spill. Weird right? Well the salon was collecting hair for a non-profit organization to turn into mats to throw into the water and soak up the oil.

I'm not sure if this is the same organization or not, but the above video shows a demonstration of how the mats are used. Here is the Website with more information.

So after my tail was cut, Jay the Stylist proceeded to cut my hair, and cut, and cut, and cut, until.....

Yep! That's me! All cleaned up. Jay the Stylist did a great job and I'm really happy with this shorter hair. This is the shortest I've had my hair in a long, long time. The funny/frustrating part about cutting off long hair is the really strange feeling that comes after it. I have lost a handful of mannerisms. It's now a lot less maintenance though! 

So, we'll see how this haircut grows out. I'm really interested to see. I'm also wondering if I will need to break my habit of a yearly haircut and go more often....who knows.

* Special Thanks to Chelsey Coleman who photoshoped the first image a few years ago, after seeing me with my hair down at a party and taking a picture.

** A side note to this story: "BP Refuses to Use Donated Hair" If you read the article, the unfortunate thing is that they quote the president of the organization I linked to above.