Many things

Wow, alot has happened in less than a month. Yet, everything stays the same. We've got the Relay For Life of Lubbock County coming up in less than a week (May 8)..complete with the threat of things like Swine Flu, thunderstorms, etc...

Last weekend was special - did a bunch, but on Friday night got to spend some time with a friend who is in her second battle with cancer. It was alot of fun hanging out and seeing friends that I haven't seen in quiet a while.

Clear Channel is planning to lay off more employees. Radio continues to change.

Sports radio in Lubbock has drastically re-shaped itself (http://blogs.lubbockonline.com/centerstage/index.php?m=05&y=09). The fact that TTU/Learfield has decided to go with locally-owned Ramar Communications is very intriguing. I remember back in the day when all TTU football and men's basketball games were on KFYO-AM. At times, we would simulcast on Z102 big games such as bowl games for TTU football, but that was about it. Now, with the possibility of throwing TTU athletics across a wide spectrum of AM and FM stations; English-language and Spanish-language. It should be interesting for all involved.

Talk to you soon.

Random Thoughts About Today

It's been a really crazy world...thinking about all that's been happening -- both "big" and "small." From earthquakes to national basketball championships, life stays the same, yet it is chaotic. Electronic media plays a big role in delivering the messages, but has it really changed since the days of KDKA? As I was watching the events unfold in last night's NCAA basketball championship game, I was perplexed -- how many times have the announcers said the same exact thing 10 years ago, 20 years ago?

Sometimes life appears to have changed, but it really hasn't.

Fighting Back

The Relay For Life of Texas Tech event served up some interesting insights into the world of fighting back. The committee (made up of students who volunteer ALOT of time and effort) spent alot of time stressing over some major things this week (outside of the regular -- let's put on a gigantic fundraising event). On Monday, five days prior to the event, they were told that they would have to move the event to a different location...they've had it at the previous site for the previous six years (all six years of the event). They handled the situation, moved locations and really did a bang up job with what they had to deal with. In fact, it looked like this was the best turn out at a TTU RFL event that I've seen (my 4th this year). So, great job...terrific job.

I had the privilege of speaking during the Fight Back ceremony. I was going into the ceremony after hearing two inspirational stories of hope and courage a couple of hours earlier at the Ceremony of Hope. It's amazing what college students are dealing with these days. When I was in college, "cancer" was something old smokers got. Never really heard of any friends with the disease. Now it seems that every day we hear of a friend, a family member or a co-worker who is stricken or knows someone who gets told: "I'm sorry, but you've got cancer." The stats back it up -- 1 of every 2 men and 1 of every 3 women will get cancer at some point in their lifetime. 1500 people died YESTERDAY from cancer.

But, there is HOPE. Relay For Life has been around 25 years and has raised b i l l i o n s of dollars that go into the fight against cancer through research, patient services, advocacy and outreach.

In the past four years, I've traveled the cancer journey. I've been in the dark valleys and have lived in the moment of God providing beautiful and sunny mountaintop experiences. I know what it feels like to not want to go to radiation treatment number 21 (had to have 38). I know what it feels like when your five year old asks: "Daddy, are you going to be ok?" When I really wasn't sure that I would live to see her walk into her first day of kindergarten. I know what it felt like when just a couple of months ago my now 9-year old asked: "Daddy, will I ever get cancer?"

Wow. What a question. So, you ask -- why do you talk about Relay For Life so much? Because it is the only way I know how to Fight Back against cancer so that I can hopefully one day help my daughters live with knowing they will never have to hear those words....

Relay For Life 2009

American Cancer Society

Just some thoughts about the American Cancer Society and what the organization does and will do. Started to think about how long the organization has been in the business of fighting cancer. In the past few days, high school friends have been posting old pictures. There were a couple of pictures from "back in the day" when we had alot of events and fundraisers to stop smoking. Honestly, I remember some of those, but not alot. And, I for sure was one of those who thought: cancer will never be a part of my life...it's just for 2-pack a day smokers and old people. One of life's ironies, I guess. Now 43, I am proud to say I'm a 4 year survivor of stage IV squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue. Cancer. In the early 1980s, didn't know much about the American Cancer Society. Today, I do. And, I'm glad. Just wish I would have been passionate then as I am now. Thank you ACS! Thank you Relay For Life!

Relay For Life

Heard a great speaker this weekend at a Relay For Life event. She mentioned that some of her friends just don't "get it." They don't "get" why she goes away for the weekend, missing events, missing family stuff, missing friend stuff...There are many times that I feel the same. But, with Relay For Life and those that volunteer for that organization, I feel like I have a mission. There is no way that I will ever be able to find the cure for cancer and prevent my wife or our daughters from ever having cancer. BUT, if I can just take one more moment, one hour, one day or one weekend to spend time and collaborate with others..maybe, just maybe, those moments will help find that cure.

To find out more about Relay For Life, go to: www.relayforlife.org

20 million HH

Remember when 20 million sounded like a gigantic number? Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to try to *again* vote to delay the DTV transition. The voucher program ran out of money back near the end of last year and there are approximately 20 million HH (at least that is the current argument) that aren't prepared and/or not hooked in to cable or satellite. In class today, we discussed the implications of those 20 million HH -- do they really matter to marketers? Or the government? Think about the demographics of those HH -- elderly, poor, etc...Now think about current television programming. Any new shows targeted to the elderly or the poor? Does the local television broadcaster actively promote to clients: Hey, we are number one with the 75+ age demo AND we are strong with those with HH Incomes of less than $15,000!

Definitely feeling cynical. Apparently, the White House would go for the delay. Are you in favor or not?

Time and Friends and Technology

E-mail. Social media. Friendships.
It's funny how Twitter, Facebook, cell phones and everything "social media" should give us opportunities to communicate across great distances...renew friendships...cultivate new ones. BUT, isn't it amazing how that these great technologies, like just about every other one before these, have provided wonderful opportunities to communicate with great breadth, but with little depth. What is the courteous way to end a IM Chat? With a friend you've known for decades? With someone you don't know as well? What about a telephone call? Is it just a 42-year old who has changed? Or is it the technology?

Post Super Bowl Thoughts

Blogging every two years or so....not bad.

Next.

Just thinking about the Super Bowl and how influential it can be. Obviously, people are already talking about their favorite ad. For me, I really enjoyed the "Sweden/Conan O'Brien" ad...but what was it for? Great job getting 'cooler-talk', bad job getting people to have an idea about the brand.

As I'm watching The Office, I'm amazed at how far television has come. Yes, the Super Bowl provides a huge launch for the 'next' show. NBC needs The Office and is probably going to keep growing its audience for the next season or so.

Talk to you soon.

Wow...too long

It's been way too long for an update. Not much to say except that I'm back!

We've been going through a ton of emotions this weekend.

More later.

tc

I need to get a handle on this blogging thing

Let's see....I'm pretty good at waiting 6 months between posts. But, here's to doing better! I'm getting ready for my "Look Who's 40" high school reunion tomorrow. It's hard to believe that we are there. 40. What a concept.

We've had a great week at TTU -- life's been hectic, but the advertising sales class is going great and we've gotten alot accomplished.

A friend and his wife had a baby this week.

I was able to actually "do" my kid's hair for school pictures this morning.

I'm telling you .... life is good.

Talk to you soon.

tc

Comments

Hi there. I'm in Baton Rouge at an academic leadership conference -- it's been alot of fun.

Please reply to this message when you've listened to the lectures....more from LSU land later.

tc

Just some thoughts

The wind is blowing again....no rain.....Lubbock is approaching 100 days without any measurable amount of precipitation. As Aerosmith would say: "Amazing".

We have been enjoying the new year. Kids are great. Losing teeth, making science fair projects and hearing a two year old say: "You want a piece of me" (totally in context during a 'heated discussion' with her sister).

Life is good.

In the undergraduate class this week, we've been discussing the ethics of advertising. With the Superbowl coming up, it will be interesting to watch.

Another big topic this week: M E D I A C O N S O L I D A T I O N
The CW and Dixar (Disney/Pixar).

See you soon.

tc

It's been a while....

It's been a while since the last post. Actually, I don't feel too terribly bad because I've talked to a few others who have done the same -- and not posted. In fact, one of my favorite bloggers is snippets (http://www.robastewart.net/snippets/).

I just watched a segment on the Today show about a breast cancer survivor -- probably not the most appropriate term, but I consider myself a survivor, and I haven't even reached the 1 year mark yet. But I am and I think she is too. Her name is Kelly Corrigan. She has a website called Circus of Cancer -- (www.circusofcancer.org). I was particularly interested in reading her section about recurrence anxiety -- which I seem to be obsessed with lately. I talked to a prostate cancer survivor a few months ago and asked: do you ever 'not' think about it. I guess I'm not alone because his response was 'no'.

What a great day -- it's cool and rainy in the Hub! Could be interesting weather for the Joe Ely concert tonight. But it could be fun.......

Next Friday

Well, it looks like the EM&C 3380 students will be collecting funds for Katrina victims next Friday! It looks like we are going to take the angle of: let's see how much we can collect in sixty minutes! Students will be in teams and stationed *for sure* in the Mass Communications building, the College of Business Administration building and the Student Union. Of course, I still need to get permission to do this.

Anyone else who is interested, please join us!

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

katrina relief

Although it's been a few days (weeks) since the last post, I've been struck with an overwhelmed, heartbreaking feeling about what's happened in the aftermath of Katrina. In fact, I've asked my EM&C 3380 class to come up with an advertising campaign and a volunteer effort to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I can't wait to see what they come up with tomorrow in class. I'll let you know.

tc

is it just me...

What a day. Is it just me or am I the only one who gets frustrated when the phone rings and you hear that 1 second delay and then get your "telemarketing guns" ready. I've got to quit getting so fired up. Since February, I can safely say that I haven't let much bother me. But, in the last week, I've felt my blood start to boil and just get fired up -- especially at the people who shouldn't get my wrath...they are just trying to make a living. So if I've offended you, I'm sorry.

On a brighter note: THE OFFICE IS CLEAN! It's pathetic when someone who has been working at the same place you are (for 2 years) comes up and says: have you always had this desk?

I've been listening to someone who I wouldn't have imagined me listening to and liking -- Michael Buble. He's kind of a modern day Connick-Sinatra type. His version of Mack the Knife is excellent. Man, I'm getting old.

http://www.michaelbuble.com/

Emily wants to say this about kindergarten: it's good and I know a few people from it.

cleaning the old office

Believe it or not, I'm in the process of cleaning up the office. Honestly, I can safely say what others are probably saying: "It's about time." I found student papers stashed away in a box from 1999. GOOD GRIEF.

The girls are doing great. In fact it seems that Emily enjoyed day 2 just as much if not a little more than day 1. Her teacher is awesome. In fact, her teacher and I went to high school together. She's a little younger, but it's something I brag about way too much. I just think that I've known every caregiver/teacher that Emily has had since she was 6 weeks old!

We got an e-mail today from a friend who had surgery two weeks ago to have her thyroid removed. The initial samples were clear but they sent off some stuff to the Mayo clinic and it came back as 'cancer'. Man, I hate that. But, the good thing is they got rid of the thyroid and it looks like that's all they will need to do. Unfortunately, it brings back alot of emotions and I really wish that God would eradicate cancer. Just get rid of it altogether. Banish it from earth. Thump it out into the universe.

It's back to the final office cleaning tomorrow morning and then I'm going to try and get a manuscript out to a journal. Then...believe it or not, I'll start teaching Monday -- it's the week before classes officially start, but it's the IS 1100 class that meets the week before school starts.

Am I ready....heh, heh, heh.... :)

Getting ready to "hit the books" at preschool and kindergarten! 

1st day of kindergarten

It's amazing what today has brought -- our kid started kindergarten! What's up with that. Most of those who are reading this blog (well, as of right now there are probably only 3 others, all who are in my own age situation) probably can related to the fact that everyone else who is dropping off their kindergartner is about 10 years younger than me! OUCH.

Just when you thought that "money" didn't make you happy, check out this story published in the LA Times about happiness:
Keeping up with the Joneses

Great.