Monthly Archives: May 2010

Goose bumps

You know what’s a weird thing?  Goose bumps.  You know what I’m talking about – that phenomenon when your skin gets all bumpy and the hairs stand up.  Sometimes it happens when we’re cold.  Here’s the basic explanation:

Goose bumps, also called goose flesh, goose pimples, chill bumps, chicken skin, or the medical term cutis anserina, are the bumps on a person’s skin at the base of body hairs which may involuntarily develop when a person is cold or experiences strong emotions such as fear or awe. The reflex of producing goose bumps is known as horripilation, piloerection, or the pilomotor reflex. It occurs not only in humans but also in many other mammals; a prominent example are porcupines which raise their quills when threatened, or sea otters when they encounter sharks or other predators.

I get these most often when listening to music.  In fact, that’s my litmus test for how good a piece of music is – if the hair on my arms stands up, it pretty damn good!  Lots of Clapton solos do that, plenty of moments at a Bruce concert – it’s a long list.  Which of course got me thinking.

What do you and I do that gives others goose bumps?  No, not the kind from fear, but maybe awe?  Do our products do that to customers?  How can they?  In my mind, that’s a great goal.  How about in yours?

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Awards Shows

NASA Television 2009 Philo T. Farnsworth Prime...

I started my career in TV, home of the Emmys. Lots of folks I know won them and it’s great that they got recognized for how good they were at their jobs. Of course, anyone whose ever entered a competition like that will tell you there are an awful lot of politics involved but nevertheless, the shiny award looks great in your office.
I used to call on ad agencies, and that business is home of the Clios, Effies, and a bunch of others. the media buyers didn’t win them – usually I’d see them in a creative’s office or on some account person’s shelf. They too got recognized for being good and having the scratch to afford the entry fees. Continue reading

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The Blues Brothers

Cover of "The Blues Brothers  (Full Scree...

As you’re reading this, I’m heading down to Myrtle Beach for a few days of golf with a dozen of my closest friends.  One of the things we do there besides play golf is eat, and since the food in Myrtle, with a few exceptions, is not very good, we cook a lot.  While cooking is going on, we generally watch old movies.  “Guy movies.”  You know – stupid comedies from which almost any guy can quote a line or two.  Animal HouseCaddyshack (hey, it’s a golf trip!).  And usually The Blues Brothers. Continue reading

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