the MARTINI SHAKER

RECENTLY:

Making People Smarter

I spoke to Merlin Mann on the phone the other day. We had a great conversation, and he ended it with an interesting question:

“How do we make people smarter?”

I have a couple of ideas….
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SXSW 2010: I’m done stewing. Here’s the poop.

My very first SXSW experience is now in the history books. I had an amazing time, but the sheer volume of experiences and information that was crammed into 5 days was a little overwhelming. I needed a little time to …
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TweetStar

One of the refreshingly inspiring panels that I attended at SXSWi this year was about people who engage in “Slow Twitter.” These people take their time to craft most of their tweets for maximum entertainment value. Most of the time, …
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Spring Break for nerds.

Tomorrow morning, I’m headed on a plane to beautiful Austin, TX for the South By Southwest Interactive Conference, also known to some as Spring Break for nerds.

This is my first trip to SXSWi, and I couldn’t be any more excited. …
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A conversation that made me cry.

Nathan wanted to go on a car ride with me last night. In addition to being in the “me too” phase, he’s started his “Why?” stage early, so of course he wanted to know why we were taking an …
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I realize.

Shaken for you: April 28, 2009

I’m sitting on the roof garden of the agency coming up with ideas for an upcoming video. It occurs to me as I look out across the Kansas City skyline that, despite what I might feel during times of frustration or uncertainty, I’ve arrived at what many people would consider success.

I don’t stop to recognize this much, but I should. Because really, for all the mistakes and fuck-ups I’ve made througout the 1990′s, I could easily be digging ditches right now. It’s through the grace of God and an assload of perserverance that I’m able to enjoy the life I have.

Those of you who know me may be thinking that the above statement sounds odd for someone with as much ambition as myself. While I may have always been ambitious, I’ve made a number of poor, misguided decisions regarding my ambitions that have threatened to derail the whole train at least a couple of times.

That’s OK though. I’d like to think that my struggles through my 20′s made me a smarter person and that I can recognize bad ideas and opportunities as they come. I’ve had a couple occasions to test that recognition over the past few years, and so far I’m doing alright.

What about you? Do you realize that things are a lot better than they might seem on a given day? What will you do to recognize that more? Or, do you realize that your life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be? What are you going to do to help yourself get the life you deserve?

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  • I've been in the agency business for 27 years this summer...and I DO feel lucky. I've made a gazillion mistakes, came close to bankruptcy thanks to an alcoholic ex, and have emerged stronger and more financially stable than ever. To get the life I deserve is why I'm selling the business....(someone buy me!) Time to get away from it so I can see what I've really done. Nice, thought provoking post here.
  • I find it funny that you would tag this post with the word "luck." What is luck but another word for "life."

    If there's one thing I've learned, I am owed nothing. Everything I get is either through hard work or laziness. So the good and the bad is mine all mine.

    When I remember (and unfortunately, yes, I do have to remind myself from time to time) that I have a loving wife, a gracious and supportive family, two wonderful kids and a job that could never be categorized as dull or routine, then I always know that even the worst of days isa good day.

    (Especially when I don't have to use my AK.)
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