The Tooth Fairy

A lot of people ask the question: Dave when are you going to grow up? Well, on a recent trip to the dentist I discovered a way new way of knowing when I need to grow up. I still have a baby tooth. The top x-ray shows the front left adult tooth still hanging out.

The tooth fairy is going to not only going bring me a dollar but, bring my adulthood. I hope she comes around before I start to have kids that is just embarrassing if your kids have all their adult teeth while you are still waiting for that stupid dollar.

The new Hayward is right on.

Nike's new Hayward running shoe or the new Pre shoe is awesome. I was so disappointed with the first attempt at putting Pre on a shoe. There was nothing cool about it. They just threw Pre's face on a crappy heavy shoe. Now the new shoe is based on a drawing that Pre had for a running shoe. I don't know if I believe that but, the shoe has a great feel to it. The Hayward has a retro look to it and it is light weight. The shoe's stability is pretty good as well.
This is going to be my next shoe purchase in getting ready for the Monument Ave 10k. I say that because the light weight nature of the shoe would make it a good racer. The Hayward has restored my respect a some what for Nike in fixing a shoe that bares the name of one of the greatest track athletics of all time.

NOTE: I still feel that the Nike brand has been hurt by losing touch with the runner. The fact they launched the Pre line with such little thought says something about how they really have forgotten were they came from.

This is what an ad shop should look like...

Can you see the ad agency in this photo? Talk about a gear change from W+K Portland. After visiting Wexley School for Girls I can see why they have such a following. This is a smart shop that I am not cool enough to work for. Yes it has happened yet again, much like the time that we visited Droga5 in New York. They are having fun. Are you having fun in what you are doing? If so, is it any good? That is it. Thats all you can do. But, you already knew that.

Protest this.

I ran into this protest for a free Tibet this morning. Hey, remember how Tibet is still being occupied by China.
Why did I forget?
Because I listen to the media?
I am all about the green movement.
Why?
Because the media told me?
Maybe so and that is not a bad thing. I think the bad thing is when I forget. When I turn peoples lives into a side project is when things go wrong. The goal is remember that change for good is not just a side project but, a everyday project. That the media is not always evil but I need to have my own opinion and do the research.

What I learned today.

I learned that I need to act more. There are so many opportunities to change and create. I have been asking the wrong questions.
I was able to spend some time with John Jay of Wieden and Kennedy Portland this afternoon who was able to give some good advise. The first eye opener I had was that John attended Ohio State. I also attended Ohio State. An even bigger opener was that we shared a professor. The professor was an old Swiss designer who would allow only four typefaces. This was big because it help me realize something about my thinking. Swiss type and poster design is not that interesting. Graphic design is only the start. It's just one of many languages you can use.
John reminded me that people are different. Common knowledge right? (Just a note. I felt really dumb by the time this was all over.)
But sometimes when you become so wrapped up in something you fail to see what is right in front your face. It's not about being a designer or an art director. Its about doing what you want and what you think is cool and let others try to put tags on you. I need to worry less. Live my life more. Create. Create. Create.

A Grand Old Opening

Rick did it. He built this thing that we can all go to class in and to kick it off lets all get hammered.
The building has now be properly showed off so lets get back to work. I think Kevin Proudfoot of W+K New York gave the best advise to the students there. "Live up to the hype." Anyone at ESPN can tell you this is one of the hardest things to do as an athlete. Ask David Beckman who had more hype coming to American than any other athlete in sometime. Who on his coming out did very little to help his team in LA. I think we can do it. Good luck everybody.