Like the rest of the country, and especially those in North Carolina, I've been glued to the TV, watching March Madness. North Carolinians go crazy over their college basketball, and having gone to an ACC school, I've now become a part of this culture. I love Wake, hate Carolina, and am indifferent about Duke. It doesn't help that most of the people at the firm I work in graduated from Carolina. My week would be complete if Carolina lost today...
...but I digress. Because I'm glued to the TV, I've watched a lot of commercials. Some of them aren't confined to the March Madness season, but I just haven't seen a whole lot of commercials until now. There are two that stick out: the new Marine commerical and a Nike commercial, both of which are below.
I like the Marine commercial (other than the bias of my father being a Marine Colonel) because it's moving and inspirational. And every time I watch it, I notice something different. It wasn't until the third time that I realized they are spanning the United States, from Times Square, the mid-America, to San Fran. And it's not just the big cities, it's the small towns. The music, the uniforms, the landscape. It's just a very effective commercial. I've read somewhere once before that the Marines have the smallest advertising budget of the branches, but are the most effective in recruiting, dollar for dollar. I don't know who their ad agency is, but I think they put out some great stuff, overall.
The Nike commercial is kind of similar to the Marine one. I'm probably biased again because Chris Paul is in the commerical. But it really speaks to hard work and dedication of teams and individuals. The idea that, while everyone wants to win, it's those who put in the blood, sweat, and tears that are able to overcome even those favored to win. And that that work starts at an individual level. What's effective about this commercial is that there is no voice-over - just the chiming and the images.
Enjoy!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Give my regards to Broadway
The Wedding Singer. Legally Blonde. Spamalot. Titanic. Footloose. The Rocky Horror Picture Show. All these titles have something in common: they are movies that have been made into Broadway musicials.
I am bothered by this trend. Broadway has a certain mystique, a class about it that has created classical musicals. To bring a movie script onto the stage seems demoralizing and almost sacrilegious. I don't see Legally Blonde worthy of sharing the same circle as Andrew Lloyd Webber. Making a movie into a musical cheapens the value of Broadway.
(The Disney movies weren't included in my initial list. The Little Mermaid and The Lion King have made their debuts onto Broadway, as well. But Disney is in a different world, and almost shares that same mystique as Broadway. For some reason, I'm not as bothered by these animated movies becoming singing and dancing numbers on stage).
Could it be a societal issue? Are we becoming so secular that we are disinterested in those shows that we haven't already seen on the big screen? Are we trading the classics for the best sellers? Are we in danger of those famous Broadway musicals going dark, only to make their appearance again in brief revivals, a la Cats? What happened to the "good ol' days" when it was the silver screen that was honored to host a Broadway musical, and not the other way around?
I refuse to support any musical that has it's roots in a movie. I'll still go to Broadway musicals, but to see the quality shows, not just one that's hoping to extend its commercial value on 42nd street.
I am bothered by this trend. Broadway has a certain mystique, a class about it that has created classical musicals. To bring a movie script onto the stage seems demoralizing and almost sacrilegious. I don't see Legally Blonde worthy of sharing the same circle as Andrew Lloyd Webber. Making a movie into a musical cheapens the value of Broadway.
(The Disney movies weren't included in my initial list. The Little Mermaid and The Lion King have made their debuts onto Broadway, as well. But Disney is in a different world, and almost shares that same mystique as Broadway. For some reason, I'm not as bothered by these animated movies becoming singing and dancing numbers on stage).
Could it be a societal issue? Are we becoming so secular that we are disinterested in those shows that we haven't already seen on the big screen? Are we trading the classics for the best sellers? Are we in danger of those famous Broadway musicals going dark, only to make their appearance again in brief revivals, a la Cats? What happened to the "good ol' days" when it was the silver screen that was honored to host a Broadway musical, and not the other way around?
I refuse to support any musical that has it's roots in a movie. I'll still go to Broadway musicals, but to see the quality shows, not just one that's hoping to extend its commercial value on 42nd street.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Money, Money
I just couldn't do it. I was in a small boutique in Wilmington, hoping to find a few new additions to my wardrobe. With the warm weather, I've been itching to update my wardrobe and buy some new clothes.
So I picked up a soft t-shirt, with a pretty neckline and in a dark fuschia. Pretty and feminine. And all mine for a mere $72. For a t-shirt. I just couldn't do it.
I always asked myself if one day I would make enough money where I could stop looking at price tags. Where spending a few extra $50 on a t-shirt would be beans to me. The answer is...no.
Luckily, Scott and I are in a position where it wouldn't hurt us to spend $72 on a t-shirt. But I still can't bring myself to spend that much money on a t-shirt, or much any other piece of clothing. I think, no matter how much money I make, I will always look at the price tag and think twice about how much something is worth.
Maybe that makes me cheap (it probably does). But I can also think of many other things I'd rather spend that extra money on - things that are much more valuable to me than a soft, pretty t-shirt.
So I picked up a soft t-shirt, with a pretty neckline and in a dark fuschia. Pretty and feminine. And all mine for a mere $72. For a t-shirt. I just couldn't do it.
I always asked myself if one day I would make enough money where I could stop looking at price tags. Where spending a few extra $50 on a t-shirt would be beans to me. The answer is...no.
Luckily, Scott and I are in a position where it wouldn't hurt us to spend $72 on a t-shirt. But I still can't bring myself to spend that much money on a t-shirt, or much any other piece of clothing. I think, no matter how much money I make, I will always look at the price tag and think twice about how much something is worth.
Maybe that makes me cheap (it probably does). But I can also think of many other things I'd rather spend that extra money on - things that are much more valuable to me than a soft, pretty t-shirt.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Quote of the Day
I stopped by Starbucks again this morning (tall, vanilla latte, skim milk) and came across this quote on my cup.
I really like that quote. And it got me thinking about how often television and make-believe can take center stage to those real relationships. I think about the times where Scott and I eat together in front of the TV, instead of sitting at the table without the distraction of the TV. Or how we can even get engrossed in the internet, surfing the web for celebrity gossip, instead of talking to each other.
Of course, there's a balance, right? For example, we're currently watching the John Adams mini-series on HBO, which is not only educational, but inspires conversation between us about that time of our country's history. But I think we need to be careful - we all need to be careful - that our relationships in the flesh and blood always trump our relationships with a 2-D image.
"In a world where celebrity equals talent, and where make-believe
is called reality, it is most important to have real love, trust and
stability in your life."
--Bernie Brillstein
Film and television producer
I really like that quote. And it got me thinking about how often television and make-believe can take center stage to those real relationships. I think about the times where Scott and I eat together in front of the TV, instead of sitting at the table without the distraction of the TV. Or how we can even get engrossed in the internet, surfing the web for celebrity gossip, instead of talking to each other.
Of course, there's a balance, right? For example, we're currently watching the John Adams mini-series on HBO, which is not only educational, but inspires conversation between us about that time of our country's history. But I think we need to be careful - we all need to be careful - that our relationships in the flesh and blood always trump our relationships with a 2-D image.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Mr. Photogenic
I haven't really been following this whole Spitzer thing, other than what I've read in the headlines. I don't really care about it all that much, other than I think people in power tend to do really stupid things that they wouldn't otherwise.
However, I think it's absolutely hilarious that every picture I've seen of Spitzer and this ordeal has been less than flattering. I don't know if Mr. Spitzer is just not very photogenic or if it's that every newspaper photographer has a gentleman's agreement to make Spitzer look as comic as possible. Just a few of my favorite photos:
That's quite a face, Spitzer!
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