Blog Archives

Halloween’s Friendly Host

Casper is a scary fun family Halloween movie, while Halloween is just scary.

The celebration of carving pumpkins, brushing away cobwebs, avoiding black cats, ghosts, goblins, vampires and witches and watching kids (and adults) dress up as superheroes, athletes, musicians, celebrities, current event phenomenons and virtually any character is a great time to gauge society’s preferences and pop-culture’s influences. Culturally speaking, All Hallows’ Eve is an entertaining annual snapshot of who we are.

And on this “Throwback Thursday,” we can never forget the classic (and sometimes underrated) stories that bring this tradition to life with an unmistakable impression.

Well played 1995!

30 Minutes of Heaven

This video is nothing short of miraculous.

If you are a ’90s kid (right here!), the 30 for 30 style reporting on the 1994 Disney classic Angels in the Outfield (with all-star cameos) is perfection. College Humor brought to life the reasons why we loved ESPN in the ’90s on channel 11 with its creative take and intertwining of sports, entertainment and pop culture.

“da da da, da da da”

Yes J.P., that just happened.

I’m Lovin’ 10:30 Again

“McDonald’s has given us so much. We wouldn’t know when breakfast ends if there was no McDonald’s…Thank you McDonald’s.”
–Jim Gaffigan

Starting today, McDonald’s is giving us the unthinkable in 2015. In short, breakfast norms be damned!

After years of requests and frustration over the pesky 10:30 a.m. barrier that separates us from amazing hash browns and the impossibly delicious french fries, executives at the McDonald’s headquarters are finally releasing the most anticipated toy for their consumers.

Breakfast foods will now be offered all-day long.

To say this is a cultural revolution is both foolish and completely accurate. As is customary in revolutions, consequences will surely follow after the initial glows of success. For instance, longer lines in the drive-thru and inside the restaurant will almost surely happen. Our “usual” go-to meal in the afternoon is being directly challenged by our morning routine. This will cause an initial delay in the “fast part” of fast food.

An Egg McMuffin v. The Premium Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich? Filet-O-Fish v. Fruit & Maple Oatmeal? Hash Browns v. French Fries?

For the latter, here’s the mind-blowing solution: One Hash Brown and a Small Fry.

Boom! Success.

Most importantly, we will never have to experience this hardship again…

If McDonald’s marketing department wanted this campaign to go crazy viral, they would have focused on that memorable video clip that we can all relate to in some way. They could have bought the rights to use that exact clip or, better yet, they should have hired Adam Sandler to re-shoot that scene with a different, happier (but still funny) outcome and a clever tie-in/cameos from the original movie.

That would have been brilliant.

The best marketing and advertising tells a story and in the age of social media, pop culture/comedy icons and ’90s nostalgia, incorporating that scene from the 1999 film Big Daddy would have turned a promotion to the consumer into something we would connect with and share with our friends and family (consumers) voluntarily with excitement that goes beyond ordering food.

Talk about a happy meal.

Where Am I?

The sun is shining, with gorgeous views,
the water glistens and sparkles, with a hue so blue
Then all of a sudden, a torrential storm will pop-up,
raining enough to fill more than one shaking cup
Detached from the daily grind it is, an envious trait,
be sure to apply sunscreen and bring along some bait
But beware of the sharks, as well as this dangerous park,
their footprints leave terrifying, scream-worthy marks
Don’t think so literally, let your imagination sway,
now take a deep breath and enjoy your playful lay by the bay!

I am in…

Kaua’i!

Used for filming the 1993 cinematic masterpiece Jurassic Park and scenes in the 2015 box office champion Jurassic World, Kaua’i is a breathtakingly beautiful destination, with or without genetically-engineered dinosaurs. As one of the Hawaiian islands, it’s a spectacular place to vacation. Allowing the sights and sounds to overwhelm you is a well worth the price of the airline ticket and journey to the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

(Kauai Landmark Realty)

(Kauai Landmark Realty)

(Courtyard Kaua'i at Coconut Beach)

(Courtyard Kaua’i at Coconut Beach)

Aside from Jurassic Park, Kaua’i is also where my family and I met Pierce Brosnan waiting in line at a local lunch spot! And yes, he was 007-level cool. Hawaii is a special place for me, and this island in particular. It’s been a wonderful destination and the halfway point in flying to Australia. Just simply incredible.

And Kaua’i is where I am so often when daydreaming…