I have written in the past about how satisfying it is to do something new. To go out and create your destiny. What may have been mentioned in between the lines is how difficult that type of activity can be. It’s easy to do nothing and watch life roll by. Case in point, my latest…
I am still in shock and awe. It was a couple of years ago on Easter weekend, when my Nephew Marcus told me that his school doesn’t have a woodshop, metalshop or even auto shop! How can this be true. Apparently the local school districts have replaced the shop classes with computer labs. The kids…
For many of us Writers Block can be a devastating state of affairs. We sit and look at a blank screen or sheet of paper. We procrastinate. Check our messages. Cruise social media. Trying to find a spark somewhere. The spark never comes. Or maybe it has and we just didn't see it because we…
I just finished listening to Kelly McEvers interview of David Hepworth about his bookNever a Dull Moment, 1971 The Year that Rock Exploded. Hepworth backed up his hypothesis that 1971 was the best year in rock and roll because in 1971 there were more musicians in their peak creative time (thank the baby boomer generation). The musicians were…
Last week I had the opportunity to review some student's portfolio's for the AIGA/OC. It has been a while since I have been involved in the design community in such a way. It was very rewarding. I saw a couple of student's who reminded me of when I was in their shoes, 25 years ago.…
As I was making my morning walk, I saw a landscape truck making his way around the Orange Plaza. I thought, he is ready to put in a good days work. I hear the voices of past mentors, my father, and my nonno as I udder those words in my mind. Interesting how a snap…
Maybe you heard the entire dialog, but as I turned on the radio in my truck, I caught the tail of a conversation regarding Bravery vs Fear and the options you have available to you (in your mind) when you are feeling brave, vs when you are feeling fearful. I have certainly felt this, as…
Here at the Blacktop Media Network, we are very fortunate to work for clients who appreciate the value we have to bring to their brands. Blacktop Branding has developed a consistent and robust “Brand Standards” program. The program starts with a review of your current brand equity. Basically, we work to answer the question: “How do people…
We all need a place to go to and break away from the stresses of the day, the week, the year. This private space becomes our sanctuary. I was hanging out in my sancutary the other night. Looking at some items that were as old or older than my grandfather. My Nonno came here from…
I have been told that I am a great storyteller. Depending on the situation, that can be a compliment or not. One-time while on a road trip through the backroads of Vermont in search of covered bridges, I would make up ghost stories about driving through a road very much like this one, and when…