Sorry for the delayed response. I have spent the better part of my free time over the last week or so dealing with phlebitis, which as I am sure you know means inflammation of the vessels (or veins) according to Dr. Cheryl.
So here goes in quick succession.
1. Erectile Dysfunction post. Interesting that this is her drug type of choice. Myself, I go for the double anti-biotics to deal with potential MRSA complications from an IV in my hand for a routine exam. Oh, yeah - that's the phlebitis talking.
2. Mail Problem (clever segue, I know). I have no idea how to deal with your issue. But how bout this one, a certain former resident and now retired gentleman who shall go nameless set up a bank account with his second wife which for some odd reason has its statements sent to his former house. Again, that would be my own. How's that for an odd mail problem.
3. The Amazing Race. No comment. Just remember the Easter Egg Hunt. At the Chapman house all rituals (such as easter egg hunts) are competitive. So, even when we are adults - the Chapman and in-laws have a competitive easter egg hunt - full physicality allowed (although rarely, but not never used). Beth, who had a baby today (C-section style) has already said that she is planning on kicking everyone's butt. You might believe that - but then many of the things Beth does you may not believe. She has done a full Ironman on two bad knees (double ACL). Beth's a competitor - but Mary is known for her wily ways. She is sneaky like a fox and a bit like a convict - "participating" in so many ways that its a bit hard to capture in a six sentence quick blog.
4. Beer Bike. This is one tradition that I have never quite understood. I get the allure and why people enjoy it. I actually just don't understand the logistics. I always thought the chuggers and bikers were the same person - but apparently they are not. Which to me makes the whole thing a lot less interesting. Now if you told me that somebody had to chug 10 beers and then complete the circuit. I'd be both interested and impressed - but not particularly attracted to participate. More of a spectator sport.
5. Whiskey and Handball. How did you integrate the two concepts? It seems to me that this is the sort of thing that might not immediately make sense to people. However, few people know that the ancient ritual of the Nordic countries when preparing for a Handball match was to drop 10 whiskies and then play. This ancient tradition is actually the reason the Irish imported whiskey at all. Anyway, trip sounds "interesting", I hope that you don't run into too may ED experiments gone awry (or perhaps as your brother, maybe I hope that you do, I am not sure, I'll get back to you on that).
I also hope that you continue to integrate key MC concepts, like alcohol, sports, and family in the continued witty and brilliant fashion that is sure to be echoed by the judges of scholarship applications and the Amazing Race alike. Good luck, God Speed, Drink Some for Me, you see I have phlebitis.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Heard at SXSW
Here some things I learned at South by Southwest Interactive:
1. The average blog has an active readership of six.
2. The whole internet is really small. People kept saying (in exaggeration) that the entire internet was in the lobby. In fact, there was no one from Google, Facebook, Yahoo! or youtube in the lobby.
3. Pickles had a series of unfortunate events that makes me wonder why she wants to go back next year.
4. Austin is growing like crazy. Since I went there in 2000 - there are probably 10 or so new downtown skyscrapers.
5. The best sessions tended to be specific topics rather than general ideas. For example, crowdsourcing was terrific with Behance and Digg and Third Coast was awful.
6. I find certain things about media more interesting - open sourcing and data analytics - and somethings far less so - graphics and social media less so.
7. I really understand how Twitter can make a conference better. Great job on the hashtags and ongoing twitter talk.
8. Some people probably would prefer if I don't remember some of their not as good moments from this weekend. And honestly, I wish I could. However, Pickles and I have created some new googlesque verbs to refer to certain behaviors.
9. Surprisingly no discussion of mobile slaughterhouses.
10. Austin really is weird.
11. It seemed like a lot of discussion from everywhere was about capital and bootstrapping - not just poor Midwestern states.
12. I was surprised by the quality of the government personnel and NGOs in social media. I thought Architecture for Humanity was great as was were the space people.
13. Conversely, I was highly disappointed by financial services and US soccer. Neither seemed to "really get it" - although I do like Smarty Pig and Mint - still.
14. I felt like a duck out of water as a Chamber/Economic Developer guy - not because of what I do, but because so many people immediately cast me off as interesting.
15. Danah Boyd was fascinating. Evan Williams not so much.
16. There was a mouse in the Austin Airport last night and while I found it funny when I saw it running into the grill that I was eating at, I think it made me nauseous the whole way home.
17. Austin's airport is much nicer than the last time I was there.
18. Big Omaha could match SXSWi in a couple of years for content - but parties and clubs just aren't there yet in Omaha to match the non-conference part of the conference.
19. My favorite parts of the trip were remembering living in Houston and spending time with my brothers and sister on Selection Sunday - particularly watching my dad's awesome draw unfold.
20. I want to start a company because I think that I can beat some of the people I met at their own game. It really humanizes entrepreneurship and company creation to meet the entrepreneurs and see their fallibility and their true awesomeness (sometimes in the same person).
1. The average blog has an active readership of six.
2. The whole internet is really small. People kept saying (in exaggeration) that the entire internet was in the lobby. In fact, there was no one from Google, Facebook, Yahoo! or youtube in the lobby.
3. Pickles had a series of unfortunate events that makes me wonder why she wants to go back next year.
4. Austin is growing like crazy. Since I went there in 2000 - there are probably 10 or so new downtown skyscrapers.
5. The best sessions tended to be specific topics rather than general ideas. For example, crowdsourcing was terrific with Behance and Digg and Third Coast was awful.
6. I find certain things about media more interesting - open sourcing and data analytics - and somethings far less so - graphics and social media less so.
7. I really understand how Twitter can make a conference better. Great job on the hashtags and ongoing twitter talk.
8. Some people probably would prefer if I don't remember some of their not as good moments from this weekend. And honestly, I wish I could. However, Pickles and I have created some new googlesque verbs to refer to certain behaviors.
9. Surprisingly no discussion of mobile slaughterhouses.
10. Austin really is weird.
11. It seemed like a lot of discussion from everywhere was about capital and bootstrapping - not just poor Midwestern states.
12. I was surprised by the quality of the government personnel and NGOs in social media. I thought Architecture for Humanity was great as was were the space people.
13. Conversely, I was highly disappointed by financial services and US soccer. Neither seemed to "really get it" - although I do like Smarty Pig and Mint - still.
14. I felt like a duck out of water as a Chamber/Economic Developer guy - not because of what I do, but because so many people immediately cast me off as interesting.
15. Danah Boyd was fascinating. Evan Williams not so much.
16. There was a mouse in the Austin Airport last night and while I found it funny when I saw it running into the grill that I was eating at, I think it made me nauseous the whole way home.
17. Austin's airport is much nicer than the last time I was there.
18. Big Omaha could match SXSWi in a couple of years for content - but parties and clubs just aren't there yet in Omaha to match the non-conference part of the conference.
19. My favorite parts of the trip were remembering living in Houston and spending time with my brothers and sister on Selection Sunday - particularly watching my dad's awesome draw unfold.
20. I want to start a company because I think that I can beat some of the people I met at their own game. It really humanizes entrepreneurship and company creation to meet the entrepreneurs and see their fallibility and their true awesomeness (sometimes in the same person).
Monday, March 15, 2010
Why My Sister Needs a Boyfriend
Mary is afraid of commitment - but she needs massages. More importantly, for you would be suitors, you should know that Mary fears commitment. Yesterday, she revealed to me that she has relegated Spurs to a former favorite team status. Only an American could do this. Mary revealed that she has become a fan of Aston Villa - and more importantly, during this revelation, she admitted that she did not know how to pronounce the Lions name. Ridiculous. So, here are some factoids from Wikipedia.
Aston Villa - also called the Lions or the Ville or the Villans.
based in Birmingham - so archrival is cleverly Birmingham City.
colors are claret and sky blue - the uniforms are good looking.
the club has been in the premiership since its inception
the club holds the record for most goals in top flight
the club's top two keepers are both Americans - Friedel and Guzan
Okay - enough about Aston Villa as a club. Now some advice for you would be Lions fans hoping to jump with Mary on the bandwagon. She lasted less than a year as a Spurs fan. She chose the club because of their uniforms. So, all in - not exactly the foundation for deep commitment. I'd be careful of the Visigoth.
Aston Villa - also called the Lions or the Ville or the Villans.
based in Birmingham - so archrival is cleverly Birmingham City.
colors are claret and sky blue - the uniforms are good looking.
the club has been in the premiership since its inception
the club holds the record for most goals in top flight
the club's top two keepers are both Americans - Friedel and Guzan
Okay - enough about Aston Villa as a club. Now some advice for you would be Lions fans hoping to jump with Mary on the bandwagon. She lasted less than a year as a Spurs fan. She chose the club because of their uniforms. So, all in - not exactly the foundation for deep commitment. I'd be careful of the Visigoth.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
At SXSW
I am pretty sure that I just got peed on by a bird walking between the convention center in Austin and the Hilton hotel. Its possible that someone was playing a funny joke by squirting just tinkle off of a random balcony somewhere nearby. But really why me, why now. It was definitely a bird.
Anyway, SXSW is the handle for South by Southwest (which actually also goes by South by). I am here in Austin at the interactive part of the conference. Its pretty cool. There are lots of great panels and ideas. Austin has really changed since 2000 (the last time I was here). There are probably ten new buildings downtown and a new light rail line (I have crossed the tracks five times and not seen a train - so I can't confirm that there is a train).
I am also really happy to be back in Texas. I kind of missed the can-do attitude and surprisingly the sweet smell of oil (or spring - whatever).
Anyway, SXSW is the handle for South by Southwest (which actually also goes by South by). I am here in Austin at the interactive part of the conference. Its pretty cool. There are lots of great panels and ideas. Austin has really changed since 2000 (the last time I was here). There are probably ten new buildings downtown and a new light rail line (I have crossed the tracks five times and not seen a train - so I can't confirm that there is a train).
I am also really happy to be back in Texas. I kind of missed the can-do attitude and surprisingly the sweet smell of oil (or spring - whatever).
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
What's in a nickname
So, when my dad originally wrote the article that Mary posted on her blog, I helped him. So, I had some influence on the actual outcome of the original list - although not that much. However, it has long lived in my mind as one of the more interesting things about universities. I personally have always wished that universities without much tradition - read basically all of the schools in the ACC and Big East (football) - should have to rename themselves about every 10 or 15 years until something really sticks.
So, to honor Mary's request, I have analyzed the nicknames of the Big Six conferences. First, some ground rules - if your name came up more than once in this group - you were out. Or, if there was at least one other school that had your nickname that immediately jumped into my mind, you were out. Or if there was a professional team in any sport that had the same nickname then you were out.
So immediately, some schools simply dropped off the list:
Arizona, Kentucky, Northwestern, Kansas State Wildcats (OUT)
Missouri, Auburn, LSU, Clemson Tigers (OUT)
Georgia and Mississippi State Bulldogs (OUT)
Connecticut and Washington Huskies (OUT)
Texas A&M Aggies, Boston College Eagles, Oklahoma State Cowboys (OUT)
So 23% of the schools found themselves immediately out due to a lack of originality.
Next, there are some schools that fail the political correctness test. Note well, I actually like at least one of these nicknames, but you just can't name yourself something that is offensive to a significant group of people
Illinois Fightin Illini, Florida State Seminoles, Tennessee (and West Virginia - though that's just weird) Volunteers, and Mississippi Rebels (OUT)
Then, there are some odd nicknames that must be inside jokes to a group of old men who played a fraternity joke that led to a certain nickname getting chosen. I call this the Siena Green Plague phenomenom. In 1988, Siena was re-nicknaming itself when a severe illness swept the campus causing the school to have to close the games off to the public. Thus, the campus chose to name the team the green plague, the administration thought that might be bad for recruitment and called the team the Saints. Puh-lease.
Anyway,
Minnesota Golden Gophers (really an infesting rodent), Iowa Hawkeyes (not Hawks, just their eyes), Ohio State Buckeyes (again eyes of a buck, or how 'bout the tree), Nebraska Cornhuskers, South Carolina Gamecocks (definitely a fraternity joke), Kansas Jayhawks, Cincinnati Bearcats, South Florida Bulls (at least this animal exists...just not in Florida), Wake Forest Deamon Deacons, North Carolina Tarheels, Virginia Tech Hokies (possibly a category killer here), Maryland Terrapins, Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Syracuse Orangemen (I guess to be against the Notre Dame Fighting Catholics), Rutgers Scarlet Knights (uh-huh). Okay, these names are all terrible and a bit ridiculous. None are intimidating and worse, some are down right ridiculous. All OUT.
Okay, so now to my list of good ones - in reverse order:
Washington State Cougars 27 This is unoriginal - but not automatically out. See #3 for how to do this right.
Pittsburgh Panthers 26 This is also unoriginal - but at least there are pink and inspector clousseau
Louisville Cardinals 25 A bird is not tough or scary - weak. And if virtually every single other place in US could claim the cardinals then your mascot sucks.
Duke Blue Devils 24 Iteration on a theme - why not teal or aquamarine devils? Plus, I just don't like Duke.
There is no #23 - none of these deserve my lucky number.
Alabama Crimson Tide 22 This probably should have been eliminated in the last category.
Indiana Hoosiers 21 At least it is unique - but it has not mystery or meaning. Its like saying we're Indiana Tunglers or Modzillas.
Purdue Boilermakers 20 Engineering school - get it. This is actually pretty good - but not really good.
Stanford Cardinal 19 I admire a school that would make a sedentary - thought long living - thing your mascot
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 18 Yellow Jackets are pesky - kind of like Georgia Tech - which as a school, I admire.
Wisconsin Badgers 17 Mean animal that can do serious damage when cornered - plus its not dependent on an allergy (see yellow jacket) to have an effect.
Oklahoma Sooners 16 This is locational (like Hoosiers) but has a historical meaning. I think it also is great for every other school's sororities to be able to wear a crossed out sign that says "sooners".
Michigan State Spartans 15 Why not Athenians? Because Spartans kick ass.
Iowa State Cyclones 14 Tornadoes/Cyclones are devastating, geographical and a force of nature. Too bad ISU's sports teams are not.
Arkansas Razorbacks 13 Original, geographical and who can forget Dana Altman calling the Hogs.
Florida Gators 12 According to Bear Grylls there are millions of alligators (a fearsome predator) living in Florida. That's geographical and frightening. Plus, Gator Chomp is a good traditional way of integrating scary animal into cheering ritual.
Vanderbilt Commodores 11 The school was started by Cornelius Vanderbilt - so accurate. And this is about winning the academic struggle in the SEC since they won't ever win the athletic.
Texas Tech Red Raiders 10 Crazy people from lubbock deserve to have a nickname that threatens Oklahoma and the law.
USC Trojans 9 Trojans lost to Spartans - but the crimson and gold colors bury the green and cream. Trojans rule - until the wily Odysseus gives 'um a gift (oh wait that's what they do with their players).
UCLA Bruins 8 I am not sure if there were ever bears in SoCal. But Bruins is a good solid nickname.
Arizona State Sun Devils 7 Okay - so where the Aquamarine Devils of Duke got it wrong - here's an example of someone that got it right. Sun Devils. Great One - ASU.
Colorado Buffaloes 6 This is a good solid animal mascot - original, appopriate, powerful and integrated into the atmosphere.
North Carolina State Wolfpack 5 I love the idea of the team being stronger than the individual in this nickname.
Texas Longhorns 4 Solid, appropriate for the middle of nowhere Texas. Add Burnt Orange and the great logo - and you have an icon.
Penn State Nittany Lions 3 Again a regional iteration on a theme. If you are going to name yourselves - Tigers, Bulldogs, Bears, etc. own it with the adjective.
Michigan Wolverines 2 Great fight song. Great colors. Great nickname.
California Golden Bears 1 Best nickname - geographical (there are/were bears in NoCal). They are big, mean and powerful. They have the Golden adjective which suggests athletic success and sunshine. Perfect.
Sorry this took so long. I did a significant amount of analysis to get to this list. And, I did it in time for Selection Sunday - the party.
So, to honor Mary's request, I have analyzed the nicknames of the Big Six conferences. First, some ground rules - if your name came up more than once in this group - you were out. Or, if there was at least one other school that had your nickname that immediately jumped into my mind, you were out. Or if there was a professional team in any sport that had the same nickname then you were out.
So immediately, some schools simply dropped off the list:
Arizona, Kentucky, Northwestern, Kansas State Wildcats (OUT)
Missouri, Auburn, LSU, Clemson Tigers (OUT)
Georgia and Mississippi State Bulldogs (OUT)
Connecticut and Washington Huskies (OUT)
Texas A&M Aggies, Boston College Eagles, Oklahoma State Cowboys (OUT)
So 23% of the schools found themselves immediately out due to a lack of originality.
Next, there are some schools that fail the political correctness test. Note well, I actually like at least one of these nicknames, but you just can't name yourself something that is offensive to a significant group of people
Illinois Fightin Illini, Florida State Seminoles, Tennessee (and West Virginia - though that's just weird) Volunteers, and Mississippi Rebels (OUT)
Then, there are some odd nicknames that must be inside jokes to a group of old men who played a fraternity joke that led to a certain nickname getting chosen. I call this the Siena Green Plague phenomenom. In 1988, Siena was re-nicknaming itself when a severe illness swept the campus causing the school to have to close the games off to the public. Thus, the campus chose to name the team the green plague, the administration thought that might be bad for recruitment and called the team the Saints. Puh-lease.
Anyway,
Minnesota Golden Gophers (really an infesting rodent), Iowa Hawkeyes (not Hawks, just their eyes), Ohio State Buckeyes (again eyes of a buck, or how 'bout the tree), Nebraska Cornhuskers, South Carolina Gamecocks (definitely a fraternity joke), Kansas Jayhawks, Cincinnati Bearcats, South Florida Bulls (at least this animal exists...just not in Florida), Wake Forest Deamon Deacons, North Carolina Tarheels, Virginia Tech Hokies (possibly a category killer here), Maryland Terrapins, Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Syracuse Orangemen (I guess to be against the Notre Dame Fighting Catholics), Rutgers Scarlet Knights (uh-huh). Okay, these names are all terrible and a bit ridiculous. None are intimidating and worse, some are down right ridiculous. All OUT.
Okay, so now to my list of good ones - in reverse order:
Washington State Cougars 27 This is unoriginal - but not automatically out. See #3 for how to do this right.
Pittsburgh Panthers 26 This is also unoriginal - but at least there are pink and inspector clousseau
Louisville Cardinals 25 A bird is not tough or scary - weak. And if virtually every single other place in US could claim the cardinals then your mascot sucks.
Duke Blue Devils 24 Iteration on a theme - why not teal or aquamarine devils? Plus, I just don't like Duke.
There is no #23 - none of these deserve my lucky number.
Alabama Crimson Tide 22 This probably should have been eliminated in the last category.
Indiana Hoosiers 21 At least it is unique - but it has not mystery or meaning. Its like saying we're Indiana Tunglers or Modzillas.
Purdue Boilermakers 20 Engineering school - get it. This is actually pretty good - but not really good.
Stanford Cardinal 19 I admire a school that would make a sedentary - thought long living - thing your mascot
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 18 Yellow Jackets are pesky - kind of like Georgia Tech - which as a school, I admire.
Wisconsin Badgers 17 Mean animal that can do serious damage when cornered - plus its not dependent on an allergy (see yellow jacket) to have an effect.
Oklahoma Sooners 16 This is locational (like Hoosiers) but has a historical meaning. I think it also is great for every other school's sororities to be able to wear a crossed out sign that says "sooners".
Michigan State Spartans 15 Why not Athenians? Because Spartans kick ass.
Iowa State Cyclones 14 Tornadoes/Cyclones are devastating, geographical and a force of nature. Too bad ISU's sports teams are not.
Arkansas Razorbacks 13 Original, geographical and who can forget Dana Altman calling the Hogs.
Florida Gators 12 According to Bear Grylls there are millions of alligators (a fearsome predator) living in Florida. That's geographical and frightening. Plus, Gator Chomp is a good traditional way of integrating scary animal into cheering ritual.
Vanderbilt Commodores 11 The school was started by Cornelius Vanderbilt - so accurate. And this is about winning the academic struggle in the SEC since they won't ever win the athletic.
Texas Tech Red Raiders 10 Crazy people from lubbock deserve to have a nickname that threatens Oklahoma and the law.
USC Trojans 9 Trojans lost to Spartans - but the crimson and gold colors bury the green and cream. Trojans rule - until the wily Odysseus gives 'um a gift (oh wait that's what they do with their players).
UCLA Bruins 8 I am not sure if there were ever bears in SoCal. But Bruins is a good solid nickname.
Arizona State Sun Devils 7 Okay - so where the Aquamarine Devils of Duke got it wrong - here's an example of someone that got it right. Sun Devils. Great One - ASU.
Colorado Buffaloes 6 This is a good solid animal mascot - original, appopriate, powerful and integrated into the atmosphere.
North Carolina State Wolfpack 5 I love the idea of the team being stronger than the individual in this nickname.
Texas Longhorns 4 Solid, appropriate for the middle of nowhere Texas. Add Burnt Orange and the great logo - and you have an icon.
Penn State Nittany Lions 3 Again a regional iteration on a theme. If you are going to name yourselves - Tigers, Bulldogs, Bears, etc. own it with the adjective.
Michigan Wolverines 2 Great fight song. Great colors. Great nickname.
California Golden Bears 1 Best nickname - geographical (there are/were bears in NoCal). They are big, mean and powerful. They have the Golden adjective which suggests athletic success and sunshine. Perfect.
Sorry this took so long. I did a significant amount of analysis to get to this list. And, I did it in time for Selection Sunday - the party.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
