Lessons from the Big Project

Tonight we'll launch the project that my team and I have been developing for two years now.  It began with research and an RFP in the summer of 2011, and will conclude with the launch of a brand new website this evening.  

While the process was long, the really hard work has been the work that has been conducted in the past nine months.  During that time, my team has experienced a birth, death (twice) outside of the ups and downs of a very complex, very high profile project.  

Something this grandiose does not come with a foregone conclusion of success.  In fact, companies in my space with multiples more of financial and human resources have done ostensibly the exact same project, and not as successfully.  But our little team and it's work ethic did the work just the same.  Remarkable.

Some learning points from the process:

• Anytime there is a project this big, you'll see people at their absolute worst and best.  And you learn an awful lot about them that way
• You also see the best and worst in yourself, and there is a lot to take away with that.  I have much that I've been milling over, and there will be much more to come
• Once the strategy has been set, the work is all tactical at its best, and emergency fire fighting at its worst.  It is mentally and physically exhausting activity
• It is extremely lonely at the top.  Satisfaction has to come from inside as there is nobody there cheer-leading your efforts.  Our senior team and ownership expect results, and don't have time to prop me up when I'm having a really tough day
• Along with the above, my main job was to try and keep the wheels on the vehicle and keep it moving forward; all without letting my own challenges impact my team.  It was a very, very hard balancing act

While it was painful and not without its significant costs, it is something of which I'm quite proud. In reflecting on it, it's probably the biggest achievement of my career.  That's pretty cool.

But I'm still SO glad it's ending... 

Coffee With Jesus

I ran into a comic strip from Radio Free Babylon which portrays conversations that people (and Satan) are having with Jesus over a cup of coffee.

At first blush, these strips can be seen as irreverent, disrespectful, and in poor taste.  The Savior is shown as being kind of snarky and humorous.  His flip comments differ greatly from what traditional religion project.

But at the end, the message is usually always the same.  He is there for us.  He expects much of us.  He forgives us when we fail.  He wants us to try.  And most of all,  He loves us; unconditionally.  

Some may disagree with the irreverent nature in which the message is delivered, but one can't argue with the message itself.  

Here is one example of a strip that I like:

Guinness and the Not Your Usual Beer Ad

Like your luscious product, this is very well done, Guinness:

Neko Case's New Album

With one of the most awaited albums in a long time (for me, anyway) Neko Case hits a home run with The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You

From end to end, the album is very strong, and is well worth the download.  

Here's a recent live performance:



She's currently out on tour, and based on this performance, it looks like a ticket to get.

Obama's Case for War

Obama's proxy John Kerry has been everywhere lately, rushing us off to war with Syria.  And make no mistakes - we're not just going to drop some bombs and have the situation over.  Syria, a heavily armed foe and one in proximity to Israel, isn't going to be a punching bag without making moves of their own.  The powder keg that is the Middle East might finally ignite this time.

Syria claims innocence in the gas attack, and has called the Obama administration's bluff and demanded proof.  In return, we've been given John Kerry, master of the platitude, waxing eloquent and definitively that the Assad regime is at fault and needs war to set them straight.  Meanwhile, we have zero allies to help us.

If the evidence is so straightforward, why are we going alone?  Why are we the only country that wants this war?  Perhaps it is because the world saw this:

  

This administration flat out lied to its people and the world on what happened in Libya   100% pure undiluted lie.  And the reason they did was because it was politically expedient for them to do so.

So why in the world would anyone trust the Obama administration?  They've lied about Benghazi, Fast and Furious, siccing the IRS on their political enemies, and a whole host of other transgressions.  It is obvious that our allies neither respect, nor trust, this administration.

This is of your doing, Mr. President.  And as you wade into a military "punishment" all by yourself, and as the dominoes begin to fall, let it be known that this is your war - yours and yours alone.  

Congratulations, Mr. Peace Prize winner.

Dick Fowler, PI

Farmers Insurance has launched a new campaign:




Yeah, it's OK, but it doesn't reach the bar set by Reebok with the Terry Tate campaign:

Stevie Nicks and Dave Grohl - You Can't Fix This

While this is a bit dated - Grohl's Sound City was released early this year, it is never too late to appreciate Stevie Nicks knocking it out of the park.

Enjoy:



I had the biggest crush on her in junior high.  She's aged incredibly well.  Me?  The jury is still out.

Clinton - Easier to Buy an Assault Weapon than to Vote

At the recent MLK gathering on the mall in Washington, Bill Clinton addressed the crowd.  And just like his "I did not have sexual relations..." speech where he wagged his finger and spoke so very emphatically, he flat out lied again:



Sorry, Bill.  When buying a gun:

• You must have an ID
• You must have a background check

Period.  If you want to make voting akin to buying a gun, bring it.  In the meantime, do we really want this guy as First Husband for four years?