The "Talented" Mr. Kennedy

Undrafted.

2009-10-15T13:28:00.002-06:00

It's been 4 months since my last post.
And almost that long since I graduated from Brandcenter.
Since then, one might say I've been AWOL.
Missing in action.
Simply avoiding the hard-nosed truth that I'm just like 16 million others.
That I'm simply unemployed.

Well, that's not far from the truth.
I have been missing.
Not from rebellion or reflection.
But for action.
For fighting the good fight.
Whether that means reminding myself,
"It's the economy. You don't suck completely, Kris."
Keeping from the ledge by convincing myself,
"I wouldn't have been happy if I didn't quit my job and gone to grad school."
Or surfing the job boards like a junkie searching for one last hit.
It's been a fight.

I've been forced to move home to sunny Wilbraham, MA.
A pretty place where no one knows my name.
Except my parents.
Me, a 26 year-old writer, stuck at home.
My parents like to jokingly add that not only am I living off their dime,
but that I'm doing so with three degrees.
All in good fun, for sure.
But like all good jokes, its roots are in truths.
And my truth is that moving home marked defeat to me.
At least it did.

Alas, this isn't a sob-storied rant.
Nor some Mighty Ducks, Rudy-flavored inspirational crap.
This is a declaration of a change in mindset.
Fuel to keep my sanity in tact.
And keep the good fight going.
A weathered realization, if you will.

See, all summer long I've refused to sit on my hands.
I've had the good fortune to work freelance.
I've worked on projects for a French international event planning client.
I've worked on the launch of a new Creative MBA school in India.
And worked on various ad agency projects,
like the launch of a new Taco restaurant.
Even a new beer.
I've had the chance to enjoy my family for the first time in a long time.
And have been blessed with the opportunity to hang with my little bro,
now miraculously recovering from a cancer relapse
that a year ago had a 10% chance of survival.
It's been good.

When I graduated 4 months ago,
it was not unlike draft day.
That day when professional sports franchises reek
of the over-promises of superstardom.
Where hard-working, talented kids
are looked to shoulder the futures of whole organizations.
And like draft day, so many went home empty-handed and forgotten.
Left to ponder what the hell all their dedication was for in the first place.
But I've always been interested in those untold stories.
Those underdogs forced to work harder and smarter to make up for what they lack in talent.
And do so with passion.
I've always loved people who love the game not for what it can give them.
But what they can give to it.
The Kurt Warners of the world.
That's why I refuse to sit on my hands.
Refuse to be considered AWOL.
Unemployed.
Defeated.
I'd rather be called undrafted.
And I hope others do, too.

I want a cool iPhone

2009-04-30T07:54:00.003-06:00

I don't have an iphone.
I only dream of having such a cool contraption.
Instead, I rock the same phone I've had since senior year of high school.
And that was 7 awesome years ago.

My girlfriend sent me this.
Made it hurt that much more that I don't have a cool iPhone.
But if you have a cool iPhone,
I hope you do cool stuff with it, too.

Spinning vinyl ipod app from Theodore Watson on Vimeo.

I don't understand twitter. But I do understand mustaches.

2009-04-29T10:14:00.002-06:00

What could be better than Cinco De Mayo?
Cinco De Mayo with mustaches.

That's why you should follow Cinco De Mustache on twitter.
Doesn't make sense? Neither does twitter.

http://twitter.com/cincodemustache

Follow them. Because that's what cool kids do.

Can crack make you a genius?

2009-04-09T20:03:00.002-06:00

Found this on one of my favorite blogs Graphicology,run by Adcenter alum and Miami Ad School instructor, J. Jason Smith. Enjoy.

light show gone wild

2009-04-09T10:43:00.003-06:00

Found this on Kanye's blog.
It's a simple idea.
Architecture. Design. Light. Taken to the next level.
I can't even think of the implications.

Apparati Effimeri ShowReel 2008 from Apparati Effimeri on Vimeo.

Dopeness from an underground legend

2009-03-28T13:13:00.001-06:00

N.A.S.A. "Gifted" (feat. Kanye West, Santigold and Lykke Li)

2009-03-27T17:20:00.003-06:00

Found this on Kanye's blog.
It's too good for me not to post it.

Samsung Sheep Art

2009-03-27T09:49:00.000-06:00

Sometimes all it takes is a simple idea executed to perfection.
A simple gift of smile.
A small taste of happiness if even just for a minute or two.
Sometimes that's all it takes.
Samsung did it.
Over 3 million smiles in about 11 days to be exact.
Now, it's our turn to enjoy it.

Yes!

2009-03-25T17:38:00.004-06:00

What's bad about this is that it has my hopes up.
Please don't disappoint me, Spike.

(P.S. Thanx to everyone who reads this blog. Ya'll rock. That's right, I said it.)

Sickness

2009-03-22T19:25:00.003-06:00

I considered titling this post "Hope".
Because the acts I've been running across lately
make me believe.
That music can mean something again.
That music can be art again.
That we are progressing.
But I didn't think it got across the feeling
that washed over me when I heard this.
His album is too sick.
Enjoy.

New Age Diplomacy

2009-03-20T14:16:00.002-06:00

This feels like a step in the right direction.
It feels like the world is starting to realize something important.
That diplomacy isn't about winners or losers.
It's about together.
All fighting does is destroy.
A flexing of muscles and all for very little gain in the big scheme of things.
But building. Now that is something to be juiced for.
Building.

Mr. Leslie is killin' it.

2009-03-20T13:50:00.002-06:00

Yeah, I'm jealous.
I miss rockin' out the way I used to.
The way Ryan Leslie does.
Definitely better than I did.
Point is, I miss it.
And it's kats like Mr. Leslie that makes me question if I still have it.

Ryan Leslie - I.R.I.N.A
by wonderful-life1989

The Future's Future

2009-03-18T19:48:00.003-06:00

Remember that time when you watched Minority Report?
You remember that time, when you thought, "Wow, wouldn't that be cool?!"
And you were jealous of Tom Cruise.
And not for his crazy or his good looks.
But because he always gets to do cool stuff in movies.
Like control a cyber-surreal mash up world with his fingertips.

Eat this Tom Cruise.

Funny commercial.

2009-03-09T10:49:00.001-06:00

Check this out. It's from Wieden + Kennedy.

Remember Once Upon A Time

2009-02-28T15:36:00.001-06:00

It's been a long time since my band, Crux, released music.
A lot of reasons for this.
I (aka NuSol) moved away to go to grad school in Richmond, VA.
Trey (aka spa3) moved to Austin, TX.
Rick (aka Rick Luv) is in his last semester of architecture school out in Lawrence, KS.
Geography alone would be reason enough.

And it is a shame.
But too our fans, both old and new, a good chunk of the wait is over.

Crux's very own spa3 released his solo album, My Life Right Now.
It is a great bridge of where we've been and where we are going.

Download here.

You will not be disappointed.

Crux is back. And spa3 is running point.

athoughtaboutart

2009-02-25T11:52:00.002-06:00

What have I learned in the two years here at Sadcenter
(playful slang we sometimes use for Brandcenter)?
I've learned my view about art.
2 years ago, I wouldn't have cared.
I liked art.
I looked at art.
But I didn't have an opinion.
I didn't understand it at all.
(Not saying I do now, just saying I'm trying to).
I just liked aesthetically pleasing things.
Everybody does.
But that doesn't make art good.
I spent a couple hours thinking about art yesterday at a coffee shop.
And this is what I came up with.

Art must say something.
It must.
Or else it's just non-sensical drivel.
Music must sing.
Film must tell and explore.
Books must inform and inspire.
And art must observe.
It must comment.
'Cause w/o an opinion
Art is just drivel.
A clueless line on a desolate page.

And as I, myself, work my way through the drivel.
I found yesterday,
there in that coffee shop,
that one day I hope to make art.

A New Chapter

2009-02-23T10:22:00.003-06:00

As many of you know,
I am co-founder and member of the record label Stratified Vibe.
And although my contributions have been slim,
(with grad school eating up most of my time)
We are still around.
We're still making moves.
And in fact, we're in the middle of a rebrand and reposition.
We've changed the label's philosophy.
Details of which will be released at a later date.
We've hired business manager, old friend and one of our biggest fans, Jaime Zazove.
And we have big plans for this year.

One of our plans/goals has already been accomplished.
We've been blessed with Stratified Vibe artist, Nick West,
Releasing his new EP, "Future's Mystery," this past January.
He's shown tremendous growth as an artist.
And I'll be darned if it doesn't show.

Give it a listen.
And PLEASE GO GET IT!
(available on iTunes)

Be on the look out of what's coming next.

Why another music post

2009-02-23T10:07:00.001-06:00

The answer is quite simple.
I miss my former life.
I miss late nights in the studio with the crew.
I miss the lettin' loose on the mic.
I miss the rush of hearing what pushing the line sounded like.
I miss it.
So, whenever I hear or see something that reminds me
Of my former "rock star" days, I can't help myself.
Call it nostalgia.
I call it love.

Enjoy Tony Williams' newest video.

Gotta Love Freshness

2009-02-19T08:41:00.006-06:00

Okay.
Say that Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel had a love child.
And say that the Collins/Gabriel offspring fancied Prince.
Say that they started dating. You know, dinner and a movie. The whole bit.
Now say that the Collins/Gabriel child and Prince got married.
And after living the happy life together touring the world,
that Collins/Gabriel and Prince had a baby.
Now say that the Collins/Gabriel/Prince child grew up
and decided to go into the family business.
Yeah, that's this guy, Francis and the Lights.
Enjoy.

A Modern Promise from Francis and the Lights on Vimeo.

The Top (Music Video) from Francis and the Lights on Vimeo.

Wow.

2009-02-17T17:09:00.001-06:00

(Note: For the author's thoughts about this piece, please check the title above.)

KANYE WEST "Welcome To Heartbreak" Directed by Nabil from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

We've been Googled.

2009-02-01T10:50:00.005-06:00

This week, we,
along with The Martin Agency,
were lucky enough to host Google Campus.
For those not familiar with Google Campus,
it is essentially the Google crew from
Google's year-old Google CreativeLab venture.
They feed ya.
They edu-ma-cate 'cha on Google apps
and how they can be used for brands.
They even idea jam with ya on current brands your working on.
Very cool, indeed.

One of the very cool products that they showed us is SketchUp.
It is a super-cool and super-intuitive.
It's perfect for everything from package design to drafting the Taj Mahal.

Download it for free by clicking the pic below.

I was also amazed by the amount of cool products
that Google has for free that no one knows about.

Check them out HERE.

Yeah, it's a shameless plug for Google.
But I can't help it.
They're just so damn cool.

All In Good Fun

2009-01-23T23:42:00.002-06:00

My roomie bestowed this spoof on me tonight. He found on Perez Hilton. Remember, it's all in good fun folks. First the original:

Beyonce - Single ladies from morespace.webs.com on Vimeo.

Now the spoof.

Night.

I don't wanna like it.

2009-01-23T12:21:00.003-06:00

A cool lookin'-movie preview I found on Kanye's blog. What can I say, I'm a sucker for an interesting, almost semi-confusing concept.

Raw Talent

2009-01-20T19:14:00.002-06:00

There's raw talent, then there's raw talent with swag all over it. That is what Ryan Leslie is. He's a producer, singer/songwriter, rapper and musician. And I know when I've been put in my place. B/c it just happened. watch.

I Know What You Like! from Ryan Leslie on Vimeo.

New Year, New Day

2009-01-19T10:41:00.002-06:00

Although I've been away from my blog and e-voice for sometime now, I have not been far away. I appreciate the understanding and patience with me. As I gather myself and prep myself for new dialogue in the new year, I give you this nugget. It is a great discussion of putting things into perspective.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-25T14:09:00.001-06:00

Well, break has definitely been trying.

Little bro, who was let out of the hospital on his birthday, Dec. 15, was re-admitted to the hospital Dec. 19th for fevers. Everyone was concerned that it might be an infection of some sort, which is potentially deadly to someone in his condition.

But the fevers subsided and he was able to come home yesterday.

However, when Darren was in the hospital, he showed me an outstanding YouTube clip. One I am now more than obliged to share with ya'll. Consider it my family's gift to you. I present the LA Rams.

Have a very blessed holiday, ya'll. I know we will.

Remember when Adcenter, i mean Brandcenter had a voice?

2008-11-11T08:30:00.002-06:00

Last night, our beloved 2nd year AD, Shane Knight,
brought a couple of handfuls of students together.
The subject wasn't a lack of work space or even the mess
we have been collectively leaving around the building.
It was our voice he was after.
Finally.

What came out of the meeting was this overwhelming
need for a unified voice for Brandcenter students.
Finally.

The proposal: a student union.
Two students from each track from each year.
Not to get our spaces back.
But to open up communication between students and faculty,
all with the intent of having a better school.
One that lives up to its bleeding-edge hype.
Finally.

And don't worry, alumni.
We don't want to keep ya'll out either.
We want to include you more than ever.
Hell, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for ya'll.
The way I see it, it's never been about Adcenter this or Brandcenter that.
No, it's always been about the students.
Students that aren't afraid to fail.
Aren't afraid to try.
Aren't afraid to dream.
And that spirit hasn't changed since the first class.

Prayers Wanted.

2008-11-02T09:30:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was my little brother's stem cell transplant.
We like to call it his new birthday.

I'd be lying if I said that I'm being a complete rock.
My head is definitely swimming in a sea of emotions.
And to tell you the truth, I'm not even sure what to think.

All I know, is that we are blessed.
That every day and every breath is something to cherish.

And now that my family has nothing left to do but wait,
I ask the lord for mercy.
I ask for kindness.
I ask for prayers.

Say what you want about stem cells.
Although I may snap at you if you're one of those whiny, scared,
conservative-ass individuals who think that stem cell research is
fundamentally wrong.
I understand that ignorance may be bliss,
But ignorance is also ignorance.
And if one is ignorant, he/she shouldn't be allowed to talk so passionately
of things they have no knowledge about.
Don't worry, I'll get off my soap box soon.

Say what you want about God.
I believe that there is a God.
People may call it something different, like Allah, etc.
But to me, it's all the same God.
The nickname one uses is just semantics.

Say what you want about miracles.
But, I am related to one.
Read his BLOG, and try to prove me otherwise.

Foggy Day at Monticello

2008-09-26T17:44:00.008-06:00

I had the privilege to venture an hour and change south to Charlottesville, in particular, Monticello, aka Thomas Jefferson's ol' crib. Mostly thanks to a Culture Class assignment. We reached the fog-drenched colonial mansion not really knowing what to expect. Well, aside from armies of gray hair that is.

Surprisingly, we were far from disappointed with the tour of Jefferson's lil' mountain. The tour, great. The gardens, great. The things I learned, great.

One thing I was disappointed with was the curator, along with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation still struggling with the fact that Thomas Jefferson could have possibly fathered the children of his slave, Sally Hemmings.

Now don't get me wrong, I could care less whether he did or not. But the fact that a credible historical society thinks that it might tarnish his name even after DNA tests proved it bothered me. But it did remind me of something I heard once. Draw your own conclusions.

"It's historical.
People like they historical shit in a certain way.
They like it to unfold the way they folded it up.
Neatly. Like a book.
Not raggedy.
And bloody.
And screamin'."
- Suzan-Lori Parks

Sometimes it's the little things

2008-09-21T16:52:00.004-06:00

This time last year, I was so deep in it.
All I wanted was to be good at advertising.
And I worked like my life depended on it.
What came from it was a bruised ego, bad health and a cynical attitude.
This year, I vow it to be different.

Like today, for example.
I just enjoyed the privilege to read a book to my friend Jay's little girl, Gwen.
Not only was she cute and curious, but hilarious.
I think she liked the book I got her, too.

DJ's and drummers can be friends. Promise.

2008-09-17T18:39:00.005-06:00

First and foremost, thanks for everyone's kind words and prayers. Please keep tabs on my little bro's journey at his blog. We can't fight cancer alone.

I've been on a bit of a mixtape kick as of late. The newest one keeps me from sleeping. All I can do is groove. Thus, I must share it with ya'll. I'd be a bad friend if I didn't.

The mixtape, "Fix Your Face," is a bomb jam session from Blink 182's tattooed drummer savant, Travis Barker, and under-rated DJ and Nicole Richie's heartthrob, DJ Am. All I have to say is, Damn. See for yourself. Download it for FREE here.

DJ AM aka Adam Goldstein and Travis Barker
2008 MTV Video Music Awards - Press room
Los Angeles, California - 07.09.08
Credit: Jody Cortes / WENN

Much respect. Pz.

How else should one spend a Friday night in Richmond

2008-09-17T18:39:00.001-06:00

This past friday marked a milestone for me.

Along with my cohorts from Kelly O'Keefe's Cultural Exploration class, we ventured 20 minutes south from the familiar confines of rugged downtown Richmond. After barreling through the toll booth gauntlet of the Powhite Expressway, we made our way to a amplly-lit clearing in the woods, middle of no where, VA.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the smells of tread-marks, sweat and global warming that only a Friday night in the South can deliver. Unlike the rare venture or two to the drag races and demolition derbies of my high school days, this was different. This was the Southside Speed way.

I expected the same blandness that comes with drag races or demo derbies, but was pleasantly surprised. I actually had fun. I know, sounds crazy. But this equivalent of minor league NASCAR earned my respect. I was taken back by how talented the drivers were. And how much fun the crowd was while watching their friends, family or compatriots master 15 second laps along with 29 other cars on a track that was made for six.

All in all, you can't really go wrong with a few brews and a few good friends watching the tamer version of those oh so fun COPS the TV show high-speed chases, can you?

Where did Kris go?

2008-09-16T10:19:00.002-06:00

That’s a great question. And a long, complicated answer. But I’m gonna try my best to sum it up as short as possible.

1) Went to intern at DDB Chicago this summer. Had a great time. Met a lot of great people, people I can’t thank enough for everything. A special thanks to Jaime Zazove, Nick West Maciag, Nikki Konkac, Kate Tarnowski, Nate De Leon, Emily Shepard, Lisa Koening, Jane Ackerson, my girlfriend Sarah and all the Brandcenter crew who were up in Chicago this summer.

2) 3 days before the end of the internship, we found out the worst possible news—that my little brother, Darren, a cancer survivor, had a relapse. That his cancer was back.

3) Moved back to Richmond to finish my second year of the VCU Brandcenter. A twist is that Sarah got in as a first year art director. It’s going to be fun watching her grow in the program.

4) My little brother, on top of his current condition, caught pneumonia.

5) Now, found out last night that his right lung collapsed.

Now you’re caught up.

All I can do is ask for your prayers for my lil’ bro. And please keep in touch with him on his blog as he journeys through this second bout with cancer.

God bless, ya’ll.

This is for my Auntie

2008-07-16T22:13:00.005-06:00

I’ve ignored my blog most of this summer.
Not from a lack of wanting to.
But from a lack of time.
I’ve been busy immersing myself in Chicago
With love.

I’ve spent time with old friends.
And with new friends.
And my girlfriend,
whom has lived 1100 miles away for the last 9 months of school.

I’ve immersed myself in my internship at DDB.
I’ve been working late nights,
Pre-sunrise early mornings
And loved every second.
Heck, even got a decent amount of work produced.
Although, I’m hoping for more.
Call me greedy.

And to be honest,
I’ve been busy enjoying all that.
And not writing on my blog.
Mostly on purpose.

But around 4am this morning
I found out that none of the above really matters all that much.
Who cares if I love Chicago,
Or my internship?
Who cares about art exhibits,
Cool concerts
Or deep dish pizza?
Who cares about the late nights?
Summer festivals
Or hot dogs without ketchup on ‘em?
Who cares about any of that?
I sure as hell didn’t around 4am.

B/c at 4am,
I found out that my Aunt Mae died from complications.
A huge part of my life,
A huge part of who I’ve always been
And always will be
Is no longer with us.

That love/hate relationship I have with the Brandcenter
I’ve recently found holds true for advertising in general.
That is, sometimes you’re too busy to experience the world
And conversely, sometimes you’re too busy to let your world affect.
Too busy to be anything but numb.

But tonight I refuse to let this be the case.

Tonight, I’m gonna take some time.
Tonight, I’m gonna reflect.
Tonight, I’m gonna pay my respects to a lady
who always cared about unconditionally.
A lady that never judged.
Always smiled.
Always sacrificed everything she had.
And always loved.
She deserves that.

Here’s to my Aunt Mae.
I’ll love you forever lady.
And thank you for everything.

Yay for tomorrow.

2008-06-01T22:40:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow, I start my internship at DDB Chicago. I'm super excited about it. Almost as excited as this guy.

More detail to come about Chicago tomorrow night.

Here goes nuthin'

2008-05-28T06:16:00.002-06:00

Today, I leave the happy confines of my parent's place
just south of the Berkshires.
No more home-cooked meals
or morning runs with pops.
No more relaxing.
Time to do the work again.
Time unsheathe my weapon of choice,
my pen.
Time to shine.
Today, I leave for Chicago.
And I'm looking forward to it.

CHARLES SCHULTZ PHILOSOPHY

2008-05-08T17:46:00.002-06:00

I read about this on some blog somewhere and thought it was interesting.
It kind of keeps things in perspective. Ya know, just life in general.

Just read straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

(Charles Schultz)

--Happy Creating

This commercial I dedicate to me.

2008-04-27T21:10:00.001-06:00

Damn the writer who did these.
Bless the writer for inspiring me.

I wrote and shared this in class today.

2008-04-23T20:46:00.003-06:00

Sometimes the candy-coating tastes better
By Kris Kennedy

There he is
Candy-coated Kris
With his candy-coated shell,
Such a sweet guy
Sweet like candy
Pay him no mind.
He’s just a treat
A sweet treat
Just a buck deep
He doesn’t mind.
He’s nice
So nice
Easy and free.
I can see him going far in life,
He’s just so charismatic.
He's gonna be somebody.

Please pardon me, but fuck that.
Please don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.
Politeness as invitation to speak your mind
And not expect anything in return.
Don’t mistake my nonchalant-ness for some silly snot-nosed kid
Who doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about
Or takes things lightly
Or breathes in good air
And breathes out sprinkles.

Inside is reds, oranges and then some.
Flames, tears and then some.
Bruises, scars and then some.
One big middle finger
And then some
And then some.

Do you know what it’s like to go hungry for weeks
Living in a one room motel for years.
Me, mom, dad and baby brother.
Or having both sets of neighbors taste
Gunpowder-laced homicides
Or gun shots
Or tears
Or screams
And then some
And then some.

So, Please pardon me.
Pardon me
For the always being the new kid
And so on and so forth
The always having to change to fit in
And so on and so forth
For the smiling to make the pain go away
And so on and so forth
For the broken spirit and bones
And so on and so forth
The trampling, the fears, the being left to blame
And so on and so forth
The words left unsaid, the shame and handcuffs
And so on and so forth
The emptiness found in the words “I love you”
And so on and so forth
The lies and STDs
And so on and so forth
The being told with fists and bats that I’m nothing but a nigger
And so on and so forth

The drugs ripping family, from the seems
And so on and so forth
Having no place to call home
And so on and so forth
Staring at death’s face in the shape of a gun barrel
And so on and so forth
Asking why little brother has to die
And so on and so forth
All the times I cried to myself on bathroom floors
And so on and so forth
The me trying too hard and still failing every time
And still carrying everyone’s
Burdens on my back
Like a rock
And then some,
Do you know what’s it like?

So, Please Pardon me
For all that I am
And all you don’t know.
I smile
So you don’t have to see
what I have to.
Because no one deserves that.

Maybe a writer just made me jealous

2008-04-19T15:58:00.002-06:00

I saw this commercial for the
first time today.
As bad as bad advertising can be
(please refer to Wendy's campaigns,
Matthew Lesko commercials, and any
Head-On product promotions),
It is the good ones that make it worth it.
It is the good ones no one can deny is good.
It is the good ones that I want to make someday.

Lemme know what you think of this commercial.

I wrote in my thought book

2008-04-17T11:16:00.004-06:00

I had a random thought yesterday.
Something I thought was interesting.
It came out of nowhere.
Which made it all that much more powerful
to me.
I'm not saying I live by this.
I just want to.

"Writing doesn't mean anything if you don't mean it."

Lemme know what you think of that thought.
Lord knows I'm still trying to figure it out.

Later days.

Here's to the alma mater

2008-04-07T22:24:00.003-06:00

I spent five fruitful years at a school that gets little credit.
I cried there, died there, and gave that school every single drippy
drop of me. I have the hardware and scars that say so.

So here's to my old alma mater.
Here's to the 4am late nights in the library.
To the blistering early morning presentations.
To the learning what love is.
And the learning what a broken heart is.
Here's to the music. The late night convos.
The learning what it is to be a man.
Here's to my heart.

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk. Go KU.

Congrats on the National Championship.

This is what happens in a creative team meeting

2008-04-06T12:26:00.004-06:00

What happens when you mix three creatives working on the X Games account with a pitch that is but 3 weeks away? You get us silly kids talking about thriller.

Then you get one of these silly kids bringing up the funnier, Indian version.
Enjoy.

It’s a rainy day in the dungeon

2008-04-06T11:39:00.008-06:00

It’s wet outside.
It seems like it always is
when I write on this blog.
And that’s fine, because
rainy days are probably
some of my favorite days.
Something about the feeling
that comes with a gray day.
They are relaxed from the start.
The lazy,
stay-in-bed just a little longer
stare out the window and dream,
reflect,
breathe in the world outside my window.

The world is beautiful gray.
The ground glistens,
rain drops adorn car windows
like tiny Christmas lights if
the sun hits them just right.
I love it when it’s rainy.
Just thought I’d share.
Time to get to work.

Yesterday was fruitful, for lack of a better adjective

2008-04-05T14:10:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was a good day.
It was the Brandcenter Prom.
And everyone came decked out in their best.
A fun time, filled with dancing, eating, drinks and revealing talks.
Just like regular prom.
With adult beverages.
And no one having to hide them.

Yesterday was also our weekly graduate seminar, Culture Crash.
It was and interesting talk about Ethics.
Important, sure.
But moreover, they brought a bunch of cool commercials with them.
Here were the two coolest I saw.

Enjoy. And leave a comment to let me know what you think of 'em.

Just so we're all clear.

2008-04-03T07:17:00.002-06:00

Of course, Coach Self isn't going to leave. Who do you think he is? Roy Williams?
We're in the Final Four for the first time in years. Why the heck would he trade that to go to a struggling Oklahoma State? Get real people.

73 degrees. Partly cloudy.

2008-03-28T11:42:00.003-06:00

As much as I'm not a fan of the South,
I must admit that it’s blessed me
with a beautiful past couple of days.
Toasty, but not too toasty. Windy, but not overly windy.
If days had flavor to them, the past couple days were delicious.

Great weather for reflection.

As one of my professors, Charles Hall, alluded to,
"who took the fun out of advertising?"
Well, I couldn't agree more.
But I'd like to make this statement a little more personal.

"When did the fun get taken out of me."

Well, I haven't been fun this semester.
I've failed a lot. A whole lot.
And because of that it has been
a very tough semester for me. But all for the better.
Without failure, there is no learning.
And in my case, there's been
a whole lot of learning going on this semester.

With this new weather comes a new perspective.
Toasty, but not too toasty. Windy, but not overly windy.
If it had a flavor to it, this new perspective would be delicious.

My new perspective is to take it all light-hearted.
To stop trying to get everything right
and instead just do. Do what I know.
Do what I like. Do what I feel.
'Cause isn't that what I'm in this business for anyway.

The reality check is
that it is a lot easier to say it than do it.
But to hell with that,
I'm gonna keep trying.
It's my time now.

It's been a bad week

2008-03-21T18:59:00.005-06:00

It's not been the best week. Tons of work. Just as much failing. And a shit ton of learning. That was the only good part. My body, my self-esteem and my friends probably all hate me for this week. But, next week is a new one. So to celebrate. I thought I'd share two poems I wrote this week. I hope you enjoy. Tell me what you think. Not that I care.

I'm not perfect
By Kris Kennedy

I used to be a lover,
a rock star, a kid
I used to be a songwriter,
a singer, a dancer, an artist.
I used to be a friend.
I used to be an economist,
a journalist, a leader
I used to be a catalyst, a role model
I used to have my own special place in the world

and I'm not what I what I thought I would be.

'Cause truth is
I'm still struggling to find my voice.

All I know is that I love creating.
I love thinking, telling stories and building culture.
I love being me.

And I would apologize that
it might not show up in my work here,

but I'm not sorry.
I can't be sorry.

‘Cause everyday I’m still fighting to find it.

------------------------------------------------------------

Here's poem #2. Funny, I wrote it almost right after.

Richmond, VA 6:24pm
By Kris Kennedy

Butt asleep against wooden bench seat
Two people, two tables down speaking French
sounds like politics, religion
maybe romance

Runnin' through my own mind
trying to catch a glimpse of something brilliant
but it's just florescent light
not sunlight
like a trickster

Stopped to breathe
watercolor and pencil doodles on the wall
but not for me
not for
what I need

I need brilliance
not French

Today I decided to write a poem

2008-02-21T16:35:00.004-06:00

I woke up this morning in a sour mood. Grumpy. Sick. Feeling very hack-ish.
So, for my daily writing exercise, I decided to write a poem.

Poetry used to clog my bloodstream. All through high school and most of college blessed the world with notebooks full of poetry and songs. But for some reason, I stopped. And those notebooks are sittin’ in a box somewhere in my parents' basement I’m sure.

Anyway, here’s my thoughts and feelings from this morning. Well, at least how I felt at my core.

I used to write for me
Poem by Kris Kennedy

When was the last time I wrote from my heart
The last time I gave my brain the day off
And listened
With my eyes closed
When was it?
When was it last my heart lived on my sleeve
With conviction
And left to bleed
Like a declaration of independence from giving a damn
When was it?
‘Cause last I checked,
I’ve been working my rear to the bone.
Just check under my fingernails
The tree rings under my eyes
Or the limp in my heartbeat's syncopation
But what good is that?
What good is jumping
Still staring at the cliff behind me.
Not the clouds.
Not the sky.
Not the patchwork ground below me.
I ask, what good is that?

It's a gray day in richmond

2008-02-17T13:38:00.000-06:00

This town can be spooky at times.
Especially, at the end of winter.
Trees creep into the sky, naked and frail.
The sweet scented air tells of coming rains.
Maybe more. It is an interesting place.

Now, it's days like this that are the hardest.
The hardest to stay on task. The hardest
to get busy. The hardest
to sit down, shut up and write.

Today is extra special,
because I'm sick. Now don't take that as an excuse.
Instead, consider it another obstacle.
One that comes in mucus form.

Even on days like this, when it is hard
to get my mind wrapped around my chosen profession,
I can't help but be inspired by creativity.
People like Luke Sullivan.
If you’ve never heard him speak,
I suggest you read his book “Hey Whipple, Squeeze This”
or listen to the newest podcast from American Copywriter.

And no,
I'm not gonna go on some sort of rant about
how much he has inspired me to enter the industry.
(Although, he has.)
I'm just saying love what you do. And when
you can't remember why, keep tabs on people who love it, too.
They'll remind you why you're doing what you're doing.
Even if looking in the mirror doesn't help.

Happy Commercial Holiday, everyone.

2008-02-14T18:37:00.001-06:00

In honor of this gloriously dividing holiday,
to the have and have-nots of love, I give you this timely classic.

Enjoy.

Last night Lupe saved my life.

2008-02-02T14:59:00.002-06:00

Last night, I decided I'd take a break from
the pressure cooker that is the Brandcenter.
And by break, I mean going to VCU's Homecoming.

Now after four hours of
ho-hum opening acts and dudes flipping on trick bicycles,
the show started.

What lasted a little more than an hour seemed like much more.
It was an escape. One that I was in dire need of.
Connecting to real music. To real stories.
To anything other than advertising.
And it was beautiful.

If you've never listened to Lupe Fiasco's music,
I highly recommend it. Examine every word,
not just his cadence and the beat. If it helps,
read them while he spits them.
Delve into what hip-hop means and what music should be.
Hell, you might even be surprised what you find out.
I guarantee it has nothing to do with Rims, Tims and video hoochies.

The Brandcenter has its good and its bad.
It makes the outside world disappear when life gets rough.
But, it also makes it disappear.
And its nights like last night that is a welcomed break.
And it reminded me why I love his music. It reminded me
why he's one of the greatest,
if not greatest musicians of our generation.

For everyone who ever was curious

2008-01-29T11:23:00.000-06:00

For everyone who ever wondered what the heck I'm doing here in grad school. Here is a small taste. I think its funny, that i'm even going into this silly industry. I guess that's why I stay in it.

BradyBill.org - "Basketball"

Krispy Kreme - "Burglary"

Holy matrimony, baloney

2008-01-13T17:52:00.001-06:00

Saying the words “I love you” is hard enough,
let alone saying the words
“I do.”

Two evenings ago, someone very close to me’s little sister announced her engagement. To her family’s dismay.
She’s freshly twenty-one. Her fiancé, the tender age of twenty.
Young.

It isn’t their age or the lack there of
that has inspired this post. No, it’s the setup.
But when questioned what each other’s eye color was,
they were wrong.
When asked favorite colors,
they were not even close.

And when asked what it was about the other person
that indicated they should spend the rest of their lives together,
there was silence, stumbling-bumblings
and “I don’t knows, I just can’t explain-ems” from both parties.

What makes this scary is
that their first date was Dec. 21, 2007.
They were engaged a week and a half later.
Their wedding day is March 22, 2008.
For those bad at math that’s three months.
Signed. Sealed. Delievered. All in less than a semester.

But, when is the right time to say,
“let’s spend together forever”?
Hell, if I knew that answer Dr. Phil’s
secret love affair with Oprah might be bamboozled.

I do know, however, you should at least know whom you’re marrying.
Unless you’re really into sadomasochism.
Or drive-thru Vegas weddings.

Hey, remember when I used to blog

2008-01-10T08:25:00.000-06:00

Nothing says it is time to write like puddles adorned with rain ripples,
somber clouds and my girlfriend apprising me
all break that I “really need to update my blog, dang it.”
So, here it is. The first installment of the year.
Ladies and gentlemen, please hold your applause till the end.

First, let’s answer some common questions?
1) How was the 1st semester at Adcenter?
a: Hard as crap.

2) How’s the girlfriend?
a: Beautiful and amazing. She smells good, too. Lucky me.

3) How’s the fam? The lil’ bro?
a: Good. Silly. They smell good, too.

4) What’s been goin’ on all break?
a: Breakin’. Not the dance from yesteryear wherein I’ve gracefully retired. Nor the 80s cult blockbuster starring Shabadoo and Boogaloo Shrimp. Just the resting kind. The kind involving the opposite of working hard.

5) How’s the music thing going? How’s Crux (my band)?
a: Rockin’. Give it time. What’s up with all the questions?

There. All caught up. Well sort of.
There’s a lot more to say, but that’s after I learn how to say it.
But in the interim, please hold that applause.
You’ll thank me later.

Anyway, Happy New Year everyone.

In a different life, I'd be a warrior for Lupe

2007-09-30T12:58:00.000-06:00

This is for me
And this is for everyone else
Please listen to this song closely
Very closely
'Cause music needs real folks for a change
Sure, the video is raw an unattractive
That’s the point
Let the words speak for themselves
Maybe you’ll find out something about music
where it needs to go, what it needs to do
Maybe you’ll find out something about yourself
But, who knows. I’m just a snot-nosed kid
Trying to find the real.
Maybe one day, right?

Coffee, Sugar & half and half

2007-09-27T17:06:00.000-06:00

Just when you thought,
scratch that, just when I thought
I would never find time to post on this darn thing
again till Winter Break, here I am.
Willing and able, however I apologize for my lack of coherent thinking.

Why?

Simple answer. The Adcenter is just
that demanding, that challenging, that difficult.
Sleep misses me, as I miss it. My relationship
with my dearest Sarah is heavily invested
in the telecommunications industry. And, if wisdom
is measured in number of wrinkles on the brain, let me inform you
that the process to developing those is a mentally tiring one.
Funny that I’m not even getting any wiser.
But, that is a different story in and of itself.

Well, it might be time answer a question that I’m sure I’ll hear from more than just my parents. “Did I make the right choice?”

Don’t let my late night rants, my lack of
being a good enough friend to call you all back,
my 20 hour work days seven days a week, my new
found appreciation for my gray hair, my now
apparent addiction to my coffee lifeblood, my disconnect
from the current events, my being dehydrated and still
living to tell about it,
my lack of time to grocery shop nor exercise,

my intense familiarity of what
both sunrises and sunsets look like, my daydreams
of being in my girl’s arms fool you.
No, not at all.

I made the right choice.
Just waiting for the rest of life to catch up is all.

8/30

2007-08-25T11:39:00.000-06:00

That was grumpily plastered on the whiteboard of my first class at the Adcenter, Conceptual Thinking in Copywriting with legendary Coz Cotzias. He told us to write this date down and we followed his order with fervor and intense anticipation.

He soon shattered our excitement with this simple paraphrase— “you have no f---ing clue what you just walked into. This is the date to get all your money back from the school. I expect at least four of you to not be here by the end of the semester.”

After being yelled at like tattered young sailors for the first 30 minutes, our ship’s captain continued by letting us know that this is the biggest group of copywriters that the school has ever admitted, twenty-four. He also belted that this was also the most diverse group of writers they’ve ever admitted. It seemed as if he was licking our wounds from the razor-tongued lashing we received from the class intro. But, he sucker punched our egos by letting us know a little secret.

The secret? According to our great leader, a leader with the awards, work and years to prove it, our ’09 class of writers is the most untalented group of writers ever admitted. Sure, we have plenty of talents, work experience, even a law degree. That’s not what he meant. He meant that our applications were complete SH*T. Of the 24 people in the copywriting program, 8 of us are considered long shots and need to be working our buns off to keep up. All of us had crappy samples that we turned in. Simply put, we were the worst group of writers the school has ever seen.

He did comfort us by saying that it is all going to change. For the better.

The one thing we did have, the reason we all got in was the amount of cream factor we have for our chosen craft—we love advertising and creative communication.

We started bombarding the legend with questions, and the vibe of the class completely changed. He sensed we were getting “it” a lot faster than he anticipated—so fast that he decided to extend class from three hours to just a smidge past six hours, covering our first three lectures on the first day, instead.

The funny thing is I loved every minute of it. The cursing. The rants and raves. The doubt. The realization. The passion. The promise that if we work our buns off we are going to be amazing. And really, isn’t that all that any of us ever really wants, to be amazing?

Steve is a brave, brave soul

2007-08-20T10:40:00.000-06:00

I’ve never met the guy. I’m kind of glad I haven’t. His breath probably smells like old gym socks with a dash of sewer water. I apologize for the visual.

My older brother sent me a link to a blog called The Sneeze, and in particular, a section lovingly titled, “Steve, don’t eat it.” This section of the blog is part Fear Factor, part stupid and part balls. The dude goes on a culinary adventure, if you could call it that, and documents his experience for us less willing, weaker-stomached folk.

One of my favorite posts is when Steve the insipid decided to try Beggin’ Strips. As he listed of the ingredients, he realizes that one of the ingredients is “meat.”

That’s it. “Meat.”

No specific meat. No turkey, ham, nor anything that moos.

Just meat.

And really, if you think about it, it is probably composed of the same “meat” that was so jocundly served to us as high school kids and undergrads in school cafeterias. When it comes to this “meat,” the Charms Blow Pop Owl is probably right, “the world may never know.”

So, Kris, what does this have to do with any of the themes or literary motifs that are normally presented on this blog?

Well, to be honest, not too much. I just found it interesting. You could rack it up to the life category. Or you could wrap your brain around how to be interesting/remarkable/viral for you Purple Cow fans. I mean damn, I couldn’t stop reading what Steve was going to try next. Just think of the potential a random, weird, yet interesting website can entail. Mmm, I can smell the cash.

All I know is that I’m sure as heck not going down on a can of Cuitlacoche (pronounced (kweet-lah-KOH-chay), or “black fungus infected corn” anytime soon.

Richmond is a long way from Lawrence.

2007-08-17T11:34:00.000-06:00

I’m here. Richmond, VA.

And wow, I didn’t miss Southern humidity. It feels like I’m trying to breathe underwater and we all know how successful that can be, right? Right?!

Thus far, I’ve been a little overwhelmed with new names, new faces and some of the most interesting life stories I’ve ever heard. Folks from Thailand, India, Mexico and yes, the good ol’ U.S. of A. Oh, and let me clarify, overwhelmed in a good way.

I’m excited to get jiggy with the program and work my buns off all for the love of my craft. I’m also excited about finding opportunities to use words that no one uses anymore, ie. jiggy. I smell a resurgence, that is, unless Will Smith has it copyrighted.

I still can’t believe I’m here. It doesn’t feel like home. It feels like I’m just on trip or something; as if I’m coming back to KCI any day now. I’m sure it’ll set in that I’m in the deep end of the pool once my classes start up and my sleeping habits become worse than undergrad all-nighters could ever hold a candle to. Damn, I hope I packed my floaties.

One last thing to do before I get this show going, how am I suppose to come up with $40,000 to pay for this again?

Last Day in Wilbraham

2007-08-11T20:08:00.000-06:00

10:08 PM.

Six hours from now I'll be on the road trying to beat the sun to Richmond. Of course the sun will win. It always does.

At least 10 hours is how long the finally leg of what has seemed like a summer long journey will take. The road and I have always been fond of one another, but tomorrow starts a new layer to our relationship. Bring on the miles.

I'm sure I'll have lots to think about, which is good. Remember where I've been. Smile at where I'm at. Find where I'm going. Just me, the road and the crimson sun. That and my parents and prolly a phone call or two to my lovely girlfriend.

Goodbye Wilbraham. See ya in Richmond.

Rainy Wilbraham, MA

2007-08-10T14:45:00.000-06:00

Remember in elementary school when we used to sing and taunt the rain to “go away and come again another day.” Yeah, well, in Wilbraham, MA, it ain’t going away. Not all day, at least.

I’m in my parent’s house. Granted, I’m not from MA, nor have I ever lived her for more than a month. Geez, they’ve only lived here a little over two years. So, what is there to do in a quaint township on the outskirts of Springfield, MA, which sometimes seems as generic as its Simpon’s-esque name?

Not a damn thing. And that’s good. Monday morning I will be a Richmonder.

So, in honor of a happier, more colorful time (that and I’m bored) enjoy this music video from Zero 7. I guarantee you’ll like it, unless you like “Pop, Lock and Drop it.” Then, I just can’t help ya.

Damn, I hate it when Richard Ashcroft is right.

2007-08-08T11:11:00.001-06:00

Today is it. Well, 4:55pm is it.

That’s when this journeyman says farewell. Farewell to a place that I now claim as my home, even though I’ve never considered any place home. Farewell to dear friends and dear foes. Farwell to all the good times and the bad. Farewell to all the fun times and the sad. Farewell to the best summer of my life.

Farewell to my reason. Farewell to the love of my life, my girlfriend, Sarah.

She is everything I never knew existed, but always wanted. Someone who is Mother Theresa-caring, but Goof Troop-silly. Someone who is as down-to-Earth as she is sexy. Someone who whole-heartidly, unconditionally loves me for me and not the pseudo-glitz and glam that sometimes comes with me. Just loves me, Kris.

And for that I cannot thank her enough.

I know I’ve mentioned her amazing-ness on this blog before, but no, my friends, it isn’t to kiss her buns just because I know she reads this sometimes. No, it is because I mean it with every ounce of me, every centimeter of me, every nano-whatever. My whole being. I love her.

She’s been so supportive of all that is going down and what will be happening in the next 60 weeks. And I’m making damn sure to make her part of every minute of it, although she’ll be 1100 miles away. Shit, that’s just a phone call and plane ride with the occasional layover.

Point being is that it feels like I’m going off to war, creative war, and damn, it is amazing to know that she’ll still be in my life in a place I never thought I could call home. That is my home. My parents are in Massachusetts and that’ll be home. But home is where the heart is as well. Call me cliché, but you’d agree if you got to hold her the way I do.

So, as I sit here next to her—her clueless that my last entry in Kansas City is completely about what I hold most dear, her—and I think about Southwest Airlines and I dancing later on this afternoon, I can’t help but think that Richard Ashcroft is right. That bastard.

It’s a bitter sweet symphony.

I love you, Sarah. Thank you.

Wichita tastes like hell, but the wedding sure was nice

2007-08-06T11:25:00.000-06:00

This weekend, my girlfriend and I hopped in the car and took a lil’ trip down to Wichita, KS to see my best friend tie the knot. After almost 4 hours of some serious car bonding time and all the dully beautiful, open spaces Kansas can offer, we made it—Wichita, KS.

Now, if you don’t know me yet, let me fill you in on a little secret. I hate Wichita, KS. I’ve never had a good experience there. I always performed like crap there for state track meets in high school. Last two times I’ve been down there my dad almost got in fist fights with some of the most trailer-y people I’ve seen since….the gut bucket of Alabama. (no offense…but Alabama isn’t the most advanced place in the world. I mean come on, car insurance isn’t even required in that state and I guess neither is having your wife not be related to you. Cliché’s aren’t bad if they’re true, right?!)

This time started off the same way my stints in Wichita always start off, horribly. For the first two hours we were lost, frustrated, hot, anxious and upset. Classic Wichita.

But as the rehearsal dinner started and toasts were made during day one, I started to realize a couple things:

1) This wasn’t my girlfriend and mine’s trip. It was a trip to see my best friend get married and be the happiest man on Earth for at least a day.

2) There is a kick ass, swanky wine bar named Oeno in Old Town down in the heart of Wichita. It doesn’t even fit the rest of the Wichita motif.

3) That my girlfriend is the most awesome gal ever and that she keeps me level headed when I act like a whiny three-year-old in K-mart who just can’t seem to take “no, you can’t have it” for some reason. I can never tell her how much I love her, nor can I ever express how much I appreciate her in my life. Cheesy, but true.

The wedding was beautiful—traditional and fancy, stress-free and well-run. It was a chance to see folks that I hadn’t seen in years, reminisce, make new friends and realize just how great it is to see someone I care about so much be so damn happy.

So, to keep it short, sweet and real, I want to wish Mark and Jaclyn all the best in their journey through life together. May God bring you all of the world’s best and may you cherish every last breath. Love ya guys.

I still hate Wichita, though. My gal and I, we ain’t goin’ back.

Trading in He-Man underwear for boxer briefs: smells like transition

2007-07-30T08:18:00.000-06:00

UPS has all my stuff. On a truck somewhere. Or in a warehouse. All nice and neat, packaged in dull, sandpaper brown cardboard boxes. That’s where my life is.

I’m not talking about my stuff. No, those are just shiny trinkets. I’m talking about the transition my life is sipping on right now.

Yesterday was my last day in Lawrence – home to the Jayhawks of the University of Kansas. I didn’t think I would miss all my lil’ hawklings.

It really hit home as I was enjoying my last Jimmy Johns sandwich for a while. I’m really doing this. I’m really hopping on a jet plane. And for the really cliché, I really don’t know when I’ll be back again. (hopefully for homecoming or something)

I’ve always been the kind of fella to live life with no regrets; everything is a learning experience. As I savored one last delcious bite, hit I-70 and trucked it to my AMAZING girlfriend’s (she’s uber-neato) place in Kansas City, which will be home for the next week and a half, my mind became driftwood on a river. In reflection, did I regret anything in my time at good ol’ KU?

The answer was yes. Is yes.

I never did write that one last song with my group the Crux. That song that made folks nod their heads in both agreement and appreciation. That song that shook tail feathers and still tugged heart strings tighter than facelifts on Dr. 90210. That song that made folks whisper, “I heard that,” to themselves. That perfect song. Sure, the fellas in the group are kind enough to continue to try to include me in their perpetual trek through the music game. I’m glad they are. Those are my boys. That’s my crew.

The reality is, however, that life at the Adcenter will probably not allow such things to happen. Not for the next two years anyway.

About a year ago, before our group’s successes, the group (Crux) was getting very little attention and/or love from the Lawrence/KU community and music scene, despite all of our hard work. It was so damn frustrating. Up all night to pour our souls on the mic and over beats like gravy over 8am biscuits, all in an attempt to shatter the stereotypes that Top 40 garb saturates in all our minds, tastes and beliefs. It brought up the question, “What if this was my last song?”

What if that was my last song?

The first four lines of my verse still burn in my skull.

“What if this was my last line, my last time/ On the mic to say my peace and get my mind right/ Would I be like Lil’ John screamin’ that’s right?/ Or would I be like Jay-Z and make this song cry?”

I’m hoping for the latter of the two options. Even though Lil’ John does make me laugh.

So what’s all this have to do with anything? What am I leading to here?

Well, what I’m trying to say, however unsuccessful it may be, is that as my life is transitioning from my college undergrad He-Man under-roos to a much more sophisticated grad school boxer brief, I pray that I remember who I am, what got me there and who still has my back. (note: THANK YOU to all my former KU homies, by the way. Big up to my old record label, Stratified Vibe Ent. Keep doin’ big things.) I pray that I keep on working my buns off for everyone who believes in me, for my loved ones, for my lost ones, for my future ones, for myself. I pray that I don’t sell out. ‘Cause even though I don’t think I have sexy eyes, I’d still like to look at them in the mirror every morning.

Oh, and UPS better not lose my shiny trinkets. Where are my damn tracking numbers?

Wendy's: It's not just pigtails anymore

2007-07-15T12:22:00.000-06:00

I just want to know who in the Hades wrote this one? It is one of the funniest commercials I've seen in a long time.

Just imagine giving a pitch to sell a bunch of people kicking trees in order to sell hamburgers, and, well, the client buying it. Wow...that's some serious awe-factor. I guess Wendy's isn't just pigtails anymore.

Okay, I like you Stanley. I guess I freakin' like you.

2007-07-15T11:43:00.000-06:00

So in my attempt to be pithy, I found another Stanley Steamer commerical that is almost as comical as a dog rubbing its ass on the ground. Almost. Check it, check it out.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

2007-07-15T11:37:00.000-06:00

My dad told me to take a look at this commercial. From my own studies of my upcoming career in advertising, I've found that the idea of "finding the common human truth" of a product or service as being the key to stay working in this industry. I wish my contribution was this funny. Maybe I'm just a little childish...damn it, the joint is hilarious.

Richmond is beautiful city after all, maybe Dr. Kelso was right.

2007-07-13T16:50:00.000-06:00

I’m a bit of a Scrubs nerd. I love it. I have all five available season on DVD and watch it whenever life allows such a delectable treat. However a fourth season quote from Dr. Kelso rang in my mind loud and true while I was in Richmond looking for a place to call home for the next couple of years.

“Anything in life that is worth a damn won’t come easy. You gotta work for it. So, get up off your ass. Get out there and do the work.”

Two days to find a place to live is challenging enough as it is. But doing for myself and for my two roomies in a town I know nothing about was, well, let’s say it was big set of growing pains. Mike Seaver, eat your heart out, my friend.

I was in Richmond, VA to fend for myself. No friends. No family. And thanks to Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, no rental car. Just my luck; it was a hundred some-odd degrees that blistering Tuesday. I only had two appointments lined up and every place I saw on the Internet must have thought I was kidding when I very politely asked, “please call me back when you have a chance. Thank you so much.” I’m still tryin’ to figure out just why I was thanking them.

8:30am to 4:30 I trekked across the rainforest of a city that was Richmond as the Sun licked me up and down. Kept my chin up, kept placing one foot in front of the other and kept my eagle eyes open for places better than what I saw on the Internet. I’m sure I lost 10 pounds of water weight, but the Scrubs quote kept echoing and I kept going with a stiff upper lip. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, the heavens decided it’d be a great idea to pour its soul on me. I was drenched.

I got leads from everyone and everywhere, but every place I saw became worse than the previous. A funny one was when a lady from Waybright Properties showed me an apartment that looked like part of WWII was fought in it. Windows were broken. The refrigerator door was missing a handle. Floor boards were missing. Paint was peeling everywhere, as if the even the paint hated being associated with the place. There was a hook latch for the front door’s lock. It looked like someone started a fire in the restroom. Debris was crumbled all around my feet.

I ran into luck. A very nice waitress named Heather at the 821 Café over in the Fan district of Richmond saw me drag into the restaurant, slump in my chair from dehydration, exhaustion and just being soaked. We got to talking and she was kind enough to tote me around for a tour of Richmond for two and a half hours.

It was a blessing. Suddenly, through Heather’s kindness, I was able to learn about the town, some of its history, where not to look for places to live, who not to rent from (Waybright, Pollard & Bagby, etc.) and what there is to do in the town. I felt like I was becoming a local. No worries, I paid her gas money.

Well, moral of the story is I put in the work, to little avail. I was blessed with undeserved kindness. Then on the following day, found a place to live. I’m not sure that chain events would have happened if it weren’t for just going out and doing the work, even if I’m still dehydrated from the whole affair. Thank you for you words of wisdom, Dr. Kelso. Thank you.

Just weeks till I pee myself from the anticipation

2007-07-13T15:50:00.000-06:00

Click-click. Click-click.

That was always my favorite part of roller coaster rides. That first climb. That anticipation. It pounds one’s chest, sweat beads one’s brow and a rock of a lump forms in one’s throat, all in anticipation of the dips, loops and corkscrews to come.

It seems like after five years, two degrees, a minor and a lifetime of experiences that occurred in my time at the University of Kansas, I’m still on the climb. I’m on my way to portfolio school.

It wasn’t an easy decision. I was close to sticking with a “real,” corporate job at a highly respected greeting card company in Kansas City. But for me, that was the chicken exit. I was hours and inches from making mid-40k a year, rollin’ a brand new, non-college clunker car and sportin’ a sweet new pad. That was safe. I always made fun of the folks who couldn’t handle the burn of anticipation of those roller coaster rides. Chickens…

No chicken exit for me. In fact, I like to put my hands up and feel gravity try to rip my insides out. That’s fun. That’s happy. That’s scary, but still, happy. So, when I found out I was blessed with the opportunity to go to the Adcenter (http://www.adcenter.vcu.edu/), which is the best ad school around, I had to put my hands up and wait for gravity take control.

Well, my friends, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Sure, I thought twice about it. Damn, I thought seven or eight times about it. The whole idea scares me. I’m leaving a lot more behind then I thought. A great job, a great, huge group of friends/support base, an amazing and loving girlfriend (who I can’t thank enough for being so supportive of my two-year trek. Thanks, darling.), the reigns to my budding indie record label, my two brothers, my rockin’-azz music group (the Crux—www.cruxcrew.com) and did I mention my awesome girlfriend?

To me, that means there’s nothing to lose. To me, that means freakin’ go for broke. To me, that means I have no choice but to, with the help of my fellow future classmates, kick some serious ass, or die trying.

There’s always the chicken exit. But, I’m less afraid of the Adcenter than I am of looking myself in the mirror if I had played it safe. So, I say bring on life. Bring on the roller coaster. Bring on that first dip. Because, like I said. I always loved that first climb.

Time to set it off...

2007-04-24T01:52:00.000-06:00

This is the inagural post for my blog. I hope to write about both serious and fun musings. However, in all actuality, this is just a test post. Holla at ya boy.