Too cute

My nephew and my niece are too cute. That's all. Cute overload.

The "LiveStrong" Lady

Today I met the woman credited for the Lance Armstrong "LiveStrong" campaign. Aside from ever meeting the man who developed "Just Do It" this opportunity was actually pretty dang cool.

One of the best things about my program is the opportunity the Sports Marketing Center creates for us to network and to learn about the business from real professionals in the industry.

Since starting the program, I have met people from:
- UnderArmour
- Nike
- Adidas
- Seattle Seahawks
- Seattle SoundersFC
- San Francisco 49ers
- Sports agencies
- Marketing agencies
- and others

It is always interesting to hear about the work these people have done and it is especially fascinating to hear from the individuals that have created some of the most prominent marketing campaigns in the industry.

The lady who created "LiveStrong"! So cool.

Adidas Heaven and Back

Ever since high school I have had a mad infatuation with the adidas brand. I don't know where it came from, I don't know why it is (was) so strong, but for the longest time, I have always loved everything adidas. A lot of the obsession has worn off in recent years, but adidas still holds a prominent place in my heart. So much that in the past:

1. My first email address was: ohadidasgirl@hotmail.com
2. My password I used to use most often was a version of the word "adidas".
3. All of my workout gear, with the exception of shoes, were adidas and I violently shunned everything Nike.
4. Anytime I saw an adidas logo I had to take a picture in front of it.
5. Since I couldn't find any adidas stickers I made my own (they were pretty dope).
6. At the Olympics and at the World Cup I stalked the adidas reps to learn about their jobs and to score swag.

My friend Holly (Sellers) Chamberlain from college tells a story about me that I only mostly remember, and every time I hear it, I just laugh at myself.

We lived together sophomore and junior year at BYU in Provo, UT. In Draper, UT, just 24 miles north is a pathetic outlet mall with one awesome redeeming quality, an adidas store. For me, it was a sanctuary and regularly "to get away" from college life, I would drive there just to bask in adidasness. Yes, it was quite ridiculous.

Holly was used to me working out all the time and seeing me in my workout clothes. I guess one day I came home from school and went to my bedroom. I came out into the living room head to toe in adidas gear and grabbed my keys. She asked me what I needed my keys for since I usually just go running, to which I replied, "I'm going to the adidas outlet."

"Are you working out?" she asked.

"No."

"What are you buying?"

"Nothing."

"So you put on all of your adidas stuff just to go there?"

"Yes."

It was laughable at the time.

I have always had this dreamy little cloud in my head of working for the company that I have obsessed over for so long. Part of my coming to Oregon was decided with that pipe dream in mind.

As I was applying for school in March, I made contact with a key individual at adidas whom I have hoped would make those dreams a reality. In reading an article about sports business, I came across the name of an individual at adidas whose job title encompassed the kind of work I wanted to do. I Yahoo'd her name and was able to track down her email address. After a couple of email exchanges, we ended up chatting on the phone for a short informational interview. Turned out she was an alum of my program and graduated with my current academic director.

This past Friday I had the opportunity to meet with her and I can only say that it couldn't have gone better. We had a good chat and she seemed confident in my dedication and abilities and offered to help in obtaining an internship and even a job.

Going to the adidas campus was almost overwhelming. When I first pulled into the parking lot, I really couldn't believe I was there. There was a small little soccer field in between two of the four main buildings of the office campus. Murals of prominant athletes looked down on me as I walked into the visitor's lobby. Adidas logos surrounded me. It was quite awesome to be there.
As I waited in the lobby for my new friend to find me, I absorbed as much of the atmosphere as I could. Everything was bright, open and light. The newest shoe and apparel products lined the corridors and the spiral center stairs. It was like a candy shop and fluffy pet store all in one. Heaven!

After my meeting, I was given the privilege of shopping at the adidas employee store. I could have passed out. As a guest for the day, I would receive anything I bought for half price. Had I the money, I totally would have gone to town! Everything was so cool! Instead, I was able to limit myself to a couple of shirts and some cute little pink adidas booties for my new little niece.

It was a pretty great day. I wasn't wearing anything adidas for my visit, but basking in the wonder adidas was kind of like a dream come true. I am looking forward to see where I will land this summer, hopefully adidas will be it.

How Can I Be

A couple of friends of mine turned me on to this song not too long ago. It was written by Nela Otuafi for his mission farewell 11 years ago. Several versions of it have circulated around the internet since then.

I think it's a nice song.

Oh Clocks

Going home is like walking into a time vortex. Literally. I don't know why it is, but my father always had a thing for clocks. In every room, on at least one wall, including the bathrooms, kitchen and garage, somewhere there is a ticking clock.

I grew up with the tick-tock of clocks all around me. Memories of my childhood seem to include a faint ticking sound in the background of all of my thoughts. When I hear the ticking of a clock, I picture myself at home in a room with a clock. The funny thing is, I don't know where he gets these clocks. I have never seen him buy a clock. They are all totally random in style. They are of no particular color or shape. Some clocks I know he has received as complimentary gifts and as schwag, but I just don't really know where they have come from. The clocks just seem to materialize from some unknown origin and are ineviteably hung crooked.

I just get a kick out of all of the random clocks around and the fact that whereever you are in my parent's house, you know exactly what time it is. I suppose that is something to be grateful for.
In addition to the clock fettish, my parents also manage to collect other random objects to add to their household decor. Their style of interior design could be categorized as "unique".

The best addition to the decor is this awesome clock. Not only does it fit the random clock category, but it also meets every standard of their interior design scheme. It is also in the main room of the house in the most prominent position in the house. It is kind of like the featured item.

Every hour, on the hour, the clock chimes. It's not a bird that pops out, it's not a simple church bell ding-dong, it's not just a little beep or ring, but oh so much more. I had to capture it and share it. It is quite awesome. "Killing Me Softly"? Really? (Note: I recorded it sideways by accident. Just imagine it upright.)

Depending on the hour, the clocks also plays "Like A Bridge Over Troubled Waters" as well as a variety of Christmas songs.

Priceless.