I am thankful for much in my life
Things that endure.
I’m so excited about this find for our house. It is a RCA Victor television circa 1959/60. I’ve been looking for a Philco Predicta but alas, nothing so far. Still, I love this RCA.
Why am I blogging about this? Well, I guess that I’m nostalgic for the 1960s (perhaps a desire to return to childhood) because I long for things that are authentic and enduring. This television weighs about 150 pounds, is so solid it could bring down a charging bull and the best part … it still works. After 50 years.
Unlike newer things. I have a laptop I bought 4 years ago that is worthless. Ready for Mac-tirement. Few things endure anymore. TVs, computers, cars, people. Even brands. Think Chuck Wagon dog food. In 1950 something, that covered wagon appeared out of nowhere and screamed across my television almost every other minute when I was a kid until late in the 1970s. I loved that commercial. Thought that brand of dog food would be around forever. So what executive somewhere in 1980 one day said “stick with the chuck wagon, people know it and love it,” until the brand seemed dated, obsolete. I don’t even know if Chuck Wagon sits on a shelf in the grocery store anymore. Anyone know?
Unwillingness to evolve while at the same time remaining the same (huh?) is the enemy of endurance.
So what does that have to do with this television. Like the chuck wagon, it hasn’t changed. Yet it endures. Because while the commercial was an “idea” the TV is a thing. Ideas have to mature, grow and be flexible to change. Things just have to be what they are. Stand proudly until the day they seem obsolete. Sit in a basement until one day someone realizes it still is beautiful, it still can be loved and it has endured.
I want to be like this television. Reliable. Sturdy. Beautiful even after 50 years and above all else to endure. So like the television I will be a thing and stay true to myself. My character though, my “idea” if you will, I will keep flexible and light on its feet so that the Tony I want to be, will be … and endure.
Vocabularious
So I was talking to my sister yesterday and asked her to tell me the most recent funny story about my God son Evan. He is always doing and saying something hilarious. Evan is an intelligent and creative 7 year old (I know, I’m biased, but seriously, he is). Cheri tells me on Halloween night when they were trick-or-treating Evan went into a neighbor’s ‘haunted’ house. After exiting he expressed his anxiety by saying: “Well, I vowed never to go into one of those again and there I went ahead and did it anyway.” Vowed. Ha!
Still amazes me a 7 year old has this kind of vocabulary.
Contrast that against last night’s episode of The Amazing Race, where contestants had to find a candelabra with a special number on it and then hunt down the corresponding door marked with that number. One of the players (a 30-something guy) was completely confused and had no idea what a “candle bra” was, going so far as to ask someone in the room if he was a “candle bra.” Of course, ultimately his team came in last place. In my opinion, a well-deserved placing.
Am I being elitist?
You see, when I was a child, my mother read to us from the classics: Treasure Island, Peter Pan, Call of the Wild. To this day I am thrilled when I read Jane Austin. Her dialogue and descriptive narrative are a challenge to read, yet ultimately satisfying because of her wit and command of language. She is arguably one of the greatest English writers in history.
Watch practically anyone on TV and they can barely speak, and forget sports figures (presumably college graduates) who can barely grunt, let alone form grammatically correct and sensible sentences.
Sounding intelligent. When did that become something to which few aspire? Even still, something to ridicule as is often the case?
I don’t know. But thankfully, we have a new generation like Evan who speak creatively and sensibly. And whether or not their vocabulary is extensive, at least it’s expressive and cause for a smile. And by the way, to my friend from the Amazing Race, a candelabra is used to illuminate one’s way, much as a book illuminates another kind of way … the path to intelligence.
Thanks soldiers
Tomorrow is Veteran’s day and I’ve spent a good part of the day locking down interviews for a client who is handling the character balloons for the parade. It wasn’t until I started filling out the segment sheet that the meaning of the day hit me. Two of his employees are veterans, both brothers, 2 and 3 tours to Iraq respectively and one whose wife is also a marine, served 2 tours in Iraq.
I’m not going to get “all political” here. This isn’t the forum. I just want to take a minute to say thank you to all of the men and women who serve our country now and in past wars who have lost their lives, or have had their lives irreversibly changed forever because they stood in the line of fire to protect me and the idea of freedom.
The Neo Barber
My friend and colleague Geff Sellers has branched out to a new business venture.
He’s starting a new service called G:Lux at Dylan’s barbershop in the Arcadia district of Phoenix. Forget what you know about Barbershops. Forget the dog-eared pin up magazines, peeling linoleum, wall calendars from 1952 and no women to be found. Instead, think Chelsea or SoHo New York, where glass and exposed brick meet modern garage doors that roll up to usher in Phoenix’s beautiful weather. Think urban hip lofty chic, where you can get a cappuccino from La Grande Orange or a glass of wine and a board of bruschetta from Postino and then stop by for more than the expected trim-and-go. Dylan’s pulls out all the stops for both men and women for everything from a quick hair cut to a lingering style consultation, cut color and style. Skincare and oxygen facials are an unexpected surprise. Or if you’re a guy, you can still expect the same affordable barber cut, style and shave.
I like things that honor tradition yet bring a new and fresh approach. Things that are beyond what is usual and better than what is expected. Congratulations to Geff and to all the entrepreneurs out there who inspire us.
Fond memories
Tony A came up with a fun idea to promote CT on Facebook. We’ve asked FB fans of Community Tire to tell us their favorite (G-rated) back seat sweetheart story. One winner each day will get a free oil change. That guy is always thinking!
Perspective
For my Jewish friends, today starts the beginning of a new year. Sort of paraphrasing what I’ve heard before, I think a great way to start any year is to remember:
Each of us, is a piece of this world, a part of the whole package, individually not very important. So it’s not about what we think we deserve, it is about what we can give and what we can share, that’s when you become significant as a piece of the whole.
Give your time, your energy and your talent (when you can and even to the point it hurts) and you will be surprised at the impact you have.. Whether it’s you personally or your company. If you do it without thought for what you will receive in return, everything you ever wanted comes to you in time.
What kind of footprints are you leaving?
Turning over a new … doorhanger
Yesterday I took a poll about a door hanger design for a client. Yes, believe it or not doorhangers are actually delivering great results for my retail clients, followed closely by social media.
You’ve seen those door hangers at home, waiting for your notice before one of two futures: the recycle bin or hanging on the fridge until you make a purchase decision. The point is, it needs to be memorable and clever enough to be picked up and turned over.
Take a look at the design below and click on it to reveal its back side.
What do you think? Be sure to look at it before reading on.
Click the image to see it's backside-placeholder graphic from dreamstime.com
Our idea was to create something funny and completely unrelated to auto repair. It’s ridiculous, but in a good way. We’ve received a mixed reaction. Nearly 75% like the concept and the humor and would turn it around if they found it on their door. That’s a good number in our opinion. If 75% of 5,000 turned it around and found it clever and at least half were interested and 1% ready to make a buying decision today the ad would have paid for itself and generated a return on investment of nearly 8%…pretty darn good.
Phoenix New Times – Best of List
Congratulations to our friends, clients* and colleagues who were listed to the Phoenix New Times Best of Phoenix List.
Local First’s Small Wonders Map (Kimber Lanning is our inspiration)
Nate Anderson — Ear Candy Productions
Gallo Blanco Cafe’ (Tony A. eats there almost everyday)
Postino on Central (Troy is our favorite bartender)
Red Hot Robot (Jason we knew you would get this!)
