Archive for June, 2009
Like a Sailor, Inked For the Very First Time
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
Freshly posted on uwishunu.com – my piece on “Skin and Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor.” Now you have the perfect excuse to visit the Independence Seaport Museum and indulge your love of all things maritime-related.
Philly’s a tattoo, town, all right. Just throw a rock (or a can of PBR) and you’ll probably end up bruising someone who’s sporting ink. It’s only fitting, then, that the Independence Seaport Museum is hosting “Skin & Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor,” an exciting exhibit that examines the tradition of tattoos among the seafaring Americans who introduced skin art culture to the masses.
Tags: "Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry", "Skin and Bones", Erich Weiss, Independence Seaport Museum, Sailor Jerry documentary, uwishunu.com
Posted in philadelphia, writing | 2 Comments »
billy mays was a pitchman “with confidence!”
Monday, June 29th, 2009
I always thought Billy Mays was cool and kitschy; hey, he was so good at his job that he made me believe I couldn’t live without OxyClean (turns out he was right – that stuff really does work). It wasn’t until my eight year old daughter, Stella, became obsessed with him that I really started paying attention, though. Stella called herself “Billy Mays’ Number One Fan,” and I don’t think she was kidding. She referenced him at least 10 times a day, recorded every episode of “Pitchmen” and did a fantastic impression of him. She thought he was handsome and smart. Billy Mays made my little girl happy, and that made me happy, too.
Tags: Billy Mays, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Megan Porter, Michael Jackson, Rian Thal, Steven Wells
Posted in branding, celebrities | No Comments »
michael jackson: the brand, the myth, the legend
Friday, June 26th, 2009
Michael Jackson was one of the most important men in my life from the time I was 8 until I was about 13. The “Thriller” video came out on December 2, 1983, almost a month before I turned 10, and I would sit in front of the TV for hours, waiting for MTV to play it again so I could memorize the zombie dance. We played the entire album at my birthday party; imagine 20 4th graders invading a pizza parlor and belting out the hits at the top of their lungs. I even saved up to buy a pair of red parachute pants because my mom thought they were tacky. His later behavior was absolutely strange and questionable, and even though my taste in tunes (and fashion) evolved, I always found joy in his music…
Tags: DJ Deejay, MMP
Posted in branding, celebrities, identity, words of wisdom | No Comments »
175 miles of billboards on the wall…
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
It’s a terribly long, dull drive down I-95 from Philadelphia to Murrells Inlet, SC. A “let’s leave at 5:30 am and drive all day by myself with my two kids,” kind of drive. The landscape is dotted by countless Cracker Barrels, truck stops, surly State Troopers and the occasional outlet mall. Oh, and a couple of billboards for this low-key joint called “South of the Border” that’s totally trying to fly under the radar…
Posted in advertising, brand positioning, branding, identity, photos by carrie estok, words of wisdom | 1 Comment »
what time is it? it’s inventory time.
Monday, June 22nd, 2009
I took this photo on my most recent trip to LA a few weeks ago. My obsession with taking pictures is at an all-time high, and now my trusty camera goes wherever I go. This isn’t so good for my back (it feels like I’m smuggling a newborn in my bag) but it’s great for my imagination and my spirit. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I want in my life, which then leads me to making decisions about what I need to get rid of. Here are a few things I’ve come up with…
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Tags: Los Angeles, personal inventory, Photos
Posted in identity, photos by carrie estok, words of wisdom | 3 Comments »