Those words were written by Dr. Bob Frederick in a column posthumously published today in the Lawrence Journal-World. They were written by Frederick about the University of Kansas.
http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/jun/17/frederick-what-it-means-be-jayhawk/
Frederick, of course, died this past week from injuries suffered in a bicycle accident in Lawrence. He was 69. The long-time Athletics Director and faculty member at KU leaves a legacy of caring, humility and genuineness which touched the lives of many.
He will be missed. And, his life is indeed a part of the University of Kansas forever.
Frederick's memorial service is today at the Lied Center in Lawrence.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Save Pontiac?
General Motors is planning to sell three of its brands and kill one--Pontiac. But, in a new survey from an online car community called CarGurus, the Pontiac brand was chosen as the one consumers would like GM to keep.
Nearly 1,700 respondents participated--44% of them named Pontiac while 27% said Hummer, 20% Saab and 9% picked Saturn.
Pontiac was credited with starting the "muscle car" craze with the 1964 GTO, so maybe that nostalgia is behind consumers' reactions. What's surprising to me is that so many selected Hummer, a gas-guzzling, poor driving machine. And, what happened to Saturn's former appeal as "a different kind of car company?"
Nearly 1,700 respondents participated--44% of them named Pontiac while 27% said Hummer, 20% Saab and 9% picked Saturn.
Pontiac was credited with starting the "muscle car" craze with the 1964 GTO, so maybe that nostalgia is behind consumers' reactions. What's surprising to me is that so many selected Hummer, a gas-guzzling, poor driving machine. And, what happened to Saturn's former appeal as "a different kind of car company?"
Monday, June 15, 2009
Monday morning quarterbacking
Yes, I know--it's now Monday afternoon, but there is still time left in the day for a bit of second-guessing and re-capping from the weekend.
- Let's hear it for the old dudes. Mark Martin, at 50 the oldest driver on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit, won the 38th victory of his career at Michigan Speedway yesterday by outlasting Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle, both of whom ran out of fuel on the last lap. It was a fun ending.
- Eddie Murphy now appears to have two consecutive bombs on his hands. After "Meet Dave" disappointed last year, his new film, "Imagine That" opened this past weekend with a paltry $5.7 million in ticket sales.
- Say what you want about Phil Jackson, but the dude can coach. Yes, I know he had Jordan and Pippen and Shaq and Kobe on his championship teams. But, he also had guys like Bill Cartwright, Steve Kerr, and Luke Walton on his squads--not bad players but guys who Jackson coached to understand their role. His 10 championships is an NBA record--and winning 10 championships in anything is impressive.
- No, the term "Blue Monday" does not refer to the depression many feel when they have to go back to work. The term "Blue Monday" started because the first day of the work week used to be set aside for doing the laundry. Bluing was used to keep white clothes from becoming gray and dingy. From that product, the term "Blue Monday" emerged. See, you can learn interesting stuff from this space!
- Let's hear it for the old dudes. Mark Martin, at 50 the oldest driver on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit, won the 38th victory of his career at Michigan Speedway yesterday by outlasting Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle, both of whom ran out of fuel on the last lap. It was a fun ending.
- Eddie Murphy now appears to have two consecutive bombs on his hands. After "Meet Dave" disappointed last year, his new film, "Imagine That" opened this past weekend with a paltry $5.7 million in ticket sales.
- Say what you want about Phil Jackson, but the dude can coach. Yes, I know he had Jordan and Pippen and Shaq and Kobe on his championship teams. But, he also had guys like Bill Cartwright, Steve Kerr, and Luke Walton on his squads--not bad players but guys who Jackson coached to understand their role. His 10 championships is an NBA record--and winning 10 championships in anything is impressive.
- No, the term "Blue Monday" does not refer to the depression many feel when they have to go back to work. The term "Blue Monday" started because the first day of the work week used to be set aside for doing the laundry. Bluing was used to keep white clothes from becoming gray and dingy. From that product, the term "Blue Monday" emerged. See, you can learn interesting stuff from this space!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Bob Frederick
As usual, Kansas City Star columnist Joe Posnanski hits it out of the park. Posnanski's column today on the death of Bob Frederick is a touching tribute to a friend and colleague.
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1250833.html
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1250833.html
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Analog to Digital switch
Here's proof that no matter how much press and advertising support is placed around a newsworthy item, there is still a substantial portion of the public who won't "get it."
Nearly 700,000 people called a federal hotline this week, confused about the nationwide switch from analog to digital TV. The switch occurred yesterday.
According to the FCC, nearly 30 percent of the calls were about how to operate the digital coverter boxes needed to receive signals on older TVs.
It will be interesting to see if sales of televisions spiked this past week since now all hardware will be digital-ready.
Nearly 700,000 people called a federal hotline this week, confused about the nationwide switch from analog to digital TV. The switch occurred yesterday.
According to the FCC, nearly 30 percent of the calls were about how to operate the digital coverter boxes needed to receive signals on older TVs.
It will be interesting to see if sales of televisions spiked this past week since now all hardware will be digital-ready.
Saturday morning coffee
- Quote of the day: Former President George H.W. Bush, the elder, who after sky-diving on his 85th birthday said, "Just because you're old doesn't mean you need to be sitting over in the corner drooling." Happy Birthday--and go get 'em, Mr. President!
- Quote of the day II: From former First Lady Barbara Bush who explained to a journalist that Bush's sky-dive took place over a Kennebunkport, ME church so that they wouldn't have far to go should the former President not survive the fall. (I'm pretty sure she was kidding...)
- Our condolences go out this morning to the family of Bob Frederick, former Athletics Director at the University of Kansas. Bob died from injuries sustained Thursday in a fall from his bicycle; he was 69. I had the good fortune of working with Bob earlier in my career. He was a kind, gentle, soft-spoken man who was smart, conscientious, a good father and a caring soul. We will miss him.
- Conan O'Brien did a spoof last night on the surprise visits that Bob Hope used to make to The Tonight Show when Johnny Carson was host. It made me realize again how much I miss Carson and the quality, and unpredictability, of that late-night programming.
- Kids, the new Palm Pre, exclusively from Sprint, is the real deal. Seriously, it's a terrific smartphone--go get one now.
- It's the Olsen twins birthday today. I just thought you'd be interested. OK...I'm sorry for bringing it up.
- Jamie Foxx announced that negotiations are underway for him to star as Mike Tyson in a possible Tyson biopic. And, in the biopic space, still no word on who will star as Frank Sinatra in a planned film on the singer's life.
- Quote of the day II: From former First Lady Barbara Bush who explained to a journalist that Bush's sky-dive took place over a Kennebunkport, ME church so that they wouldn't have far to go should the former President not survive the fall. (I'm pretty sure she was kidding...)
- Our condolences go out this morning to the family of Bob Frederick, former Athletics Director at the University of Kansas. Bob died from injuries sustained Thursday in a fall from his bicycle; he was 69. I had the good fortune of working with Bob earlier in my career. He was a kind, gentle, soft-spoken man who was smart, conscientious, a good father and a caring soul. We will miss him.
- Conan O'Brien did a spoof last night on the surprise visits that Bob Hope used to make to The Tonight Show when Johnny Carson was host. It made me realize again how much I miss Carson and the quality, and unpredictability, of that late-night programming.
- Kids, the new Palm Pre, exclusively from Sprint, is the real deal. Seriously, it's a terrific smartphone--go get one now.
- It's the Olsen twins birthday today. I just thought you'd be interested. OK...I'm sorry for bringing it up.
- Jamie Foxx announced that negotiations are underway for him to star as Mike Tyson in a possible Tyson biopic. And, in the biopic space, still no word on who will star as Frank Sinatra in a planned film on the singer's life.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Microsoft versus Google
Here is an interesting story on Microsoft Bing, the new "decision engine," versus tried-and-true Google and that brand's pervasive search offering.
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=137267
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=137267
T.G.I.F. musings
Last night's TV fare highlighted why the summer months are hit-and-miss in the programming department.
Perhaps the most entertaining content of the evening was over on Bravo. How many have watched The Fashion Show? Goodness, where do they find these people who are "contestants?" Merlin is a real-life incarnation of Chris Kattan's "Mango" character from SNL and Johnny R. is what John Belushi would have looked like had he done "Samurai Fashion Designer." As we've written before, this knock-off on Project Runway is not even in the same league as the Heidi Klum/Tim Gunn-hosted version on Lifetime.
Prior to The Fashion Show last night was a "reunion" show for Real Housewives of Orange County. It's the first time I've caught even a few minutes of the show--lots of big blond hair. And, the Mom whose solution to her daughter's desire to go into the military--"why don't we take a trip to Greece!?" Huh?
Cruising the channels, we had a special on fast food joints in the U.S. on one of the food networks. The first vignette focused on a doughnut shop in Portland, OR where marriage ceremonies are also performed. Interesting and entertaining. The next, though, was a segment on a Sonic in Tyler, TX. OK, so the carhops skate out to the cars. But, it's a Sonic! Not exactly unique.
My point--Mad Men, Runway and other quality summer programming can't come soon enough. The third installment of Mad Men begins in August as does Runway. I wish it was sooner...
Perhaps the most entertaining content of the evening was over on Bravo. How many have watched The Fashion Show? Goodness, where do they find these people who are "contestants?" Merlin is a real-life incarnation of Chris Kattan's "Mango" character from SNL and Johnny R. is what John Belushi would have looked like had he done "Samurai Fashion Designer." As we've written before, this knock-off on Project Runway is not even in the same league as the Heidi Klum/Tim Gunn-hosted version on Lifetime.
Prior to The Fashion Show last night was a "reunion" show for Real Housewives of Orange County. It's the first time I've caught even a few minutes of the show--lots of big blond hair. And, the Mom whose solution to her daughter's desire to go into the military--"why don't we take a trip to Greece!?" Huh?
Cruising the channels, we had a special on fast food joints in the U.S. on one of the food networks. The first vignette focused on a doughnut shop in Portland, OR where marriage ceremonies are also performed. Interesting and entertaining. The next, though, was a segment on a Sonic in Tyler, TX. OK, so the carhops skate out to the cars. But, it's a Sonic! Not exactly unique.
My point--Mad Men, Runway and other quality summer programming can't come soon enough. The third installment of Mad Men begins in August as does Runway. I wish it was sooner...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Danica and NASCAR?
The rumors are growing that Danica Patrick will take her non-championship Indy Race League record and high-profile endorsement personality--and looks--to NASCAR next season. Patrick's contract with Andretti Green Racing ends at the conclusion of this season and she has done little to squelch speculation that she will make the move to America's premier race car series.
http://adage.com/article?article_id=137186
http://adage.com/article?article_id=137186
Ellerbe Becket versus Frank Gehry
Frank Gehry would probably claim the title of the most famous living U.S. architect. His buildings are known throughout the world and have become tourist attractions. These famous works include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; the Experience Music Project in Seattle; Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles; and the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis. And, his private residence in Santa Monica, CA is another of his more famous structures.
Yet, Gehry is on the outside looking in once again when it comes to sports architecture--and a Kansas City-based architectural firm.
You may recall that Gehry was involved in the initial discussions on the Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO before the city ultimately chose a "dream team" of architects from local firms. (Kansas City is the acknowledged home of sports architecture given the headquarters status of Populous--formerly HOK Sport + Venue + Event--Ellerbe Becket and others.) It is now Ellerbe Becket who has wrestled business away from Gehry.
The new Nets (NBA) arena in Brooklyn was designed by Gehry but Forest City Ratner, the developer, recently scuttled plans for the design and went with a new approach provided by Ellerbe Becket. That decision has not set well with some including Nicolai Ouroussoff, a writer for the New York Times, who blisters the developer on this change in direction.
Ouroussoff writes that the decision "...is not just a blow to the art of architecture. It is a shameful betrayal of the public trust, one that should enrage all those who care about this city."
To read more, here is the story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/arts/design/09arena.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Frank%20Gehry&st=cse
Yet, Gehry is on the outside looking in once again when it comes to sports architecture--and a Kansas City-based architectural firm.
You may recall that Gehry was involved in the initial discussions on the Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO before the city ultimately chose a "dream team" of architects from local firms. (Kansas City is the acknowledged home of sports architecture given the headquarters status of Populous--formerly HOK Sport + Venue + Event--Ellerbe Becket and others.) It is now Ellerbe Becket who has wrestled business away from Gehry.
The new Nets (NBA) arena in Brooklyn was designed by Gehry but Forest City Ratner, the developer, recently scuttled plans for the design and went with a new approach provided by Ellerbe Becket. That decision has not set well with some including Nicolai Ouroussoff, a writer for the New York Times, who blisters the developer on this change in direction.
Ouroussoff writes that the decision "...is not just a blow to the art of architecture. It is a shameful betrayal of the public trust, one that should enrage all those who care about this city."
To read more, here is the story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/arts/design/09arena.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Frank%20Gehry&st=cse
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