So, what do you do?

I like when people ask me what I do.
I start by telling them I’m a writer, and then they immediately ask what it is I write.
I say, “Well, I write for a small word of mouth marketing firm. I write for their blogs and newsletters.”
And if they’re still listening, I explain how we teach word [...]

Hello

Hello?
Anyone still there?
Sorry ’bout that. I didn’t expect a month-long absence from here.
It’s a goofy thing, but the longer you’re away from something like this, the easier it becomes to push it off further. The harder it can be to come back. It almost becomes initimidating. You start to feel like you need some grand [...]

Dylan and creativity

Check out this slideshow of Bob Dylan on creativity, writing and storytelling.
Favorite lines:
“The world don’t need any more songs. There’s enough songs. Unless someone’s gonna come along with a pure heart and has something to say. That’s a different story.”
“They say, ‘Dylan never talks.’ What the hell is there to say? That’s not the reason [...]

The Law of Threes

I had been planning to write a post about Bill Simmons–ESPN’s “Sports Guy”–as one of my storytelling heroes for some time (and I will), but his latest ESPN column demands immediate linking as it had an awesome note on how the New York Giants’ head coach handles the “three types of players.”
Check it out:
Our friend [...]

Never gets old

Eric Welch has started a pretty interesting company. You go to his house, you cook up your own recipe for wine using grapes from around the world, allow it to ferment and then go pick it up.
In addition, he also hosts informative wine making sessions as well as special events allowing you to get a [...]

Different with meaning, the cello metal edition

Apocalyptica is remarkable.
They’re a Finnish band comprised of four cellists and a drummer–and they cover Metallica.
I tagged along with a few buddies to see them perform in a small venue this weekend, having no idea of what I was getting into.
I was blown away, and clearly their fans were as well.
And for me, perhaps the [...]

Ten reasons today is a good day

I’m compelled to share this and I’m not sure why.
It’s a video of Stephen Petranek’s TED Talks speech on the 10 ways the world could end.
It’s scary.
But at the same time, I don’t think I can ever be reminded too much of the grand scheme of things. Maybe it’s the journalist in me, but I [...]

An interview with two former college roommates who are changing the business world

John Moore of Brand Autopsy points (in giant letters, multiple times) to this interview with Kip Tindell (CEO and co-founder of the Container Store) and John Mackey (CEO and co-founder of Whole Foods Market).
It’s a long and fascinating conversation with the two former college roommates.
Some highlights:

One of the Container Store’s six guiding principles is the man in [...]

A few photos from South Dakota

I’m back from my adventures in the wilderness of South Dakota and thought I’d share a little bit on my experience.
Heading west from Minnesota, you spend the first 5 hours assuming South Dakota is a giant, endless prairie. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – of all the prairies I’ve seen, this one is right up [...]

Headed out – but first, two amazing links

I’m headed out on vacation this evening – headed to the Black Hills of South Dakota.
I have no idea what to expect on this little journey, but everyone I talk to says it’s awesome. I’ll try to upload a few photos if I get the chance.
In the meantime – taking a break from all this [...]