Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Hard Ache, Part 2

Kids have a way of mangling our language in such an eloquent way. My youngest did in the aftermath of Katrina, calling a "heartache" a "hardache." And, indeed, as I wrote then...it was.

The ache is just as hard for our friends in New York, New Jersey and other destinations (like the Mississippi Gulf Coast then) that haven't gotten the media attention they should...but have been hit just as hard.

This time lapse video shows Sandy's impact on New York City from a single angle. You know the lights will go out...but, it's still disturbing to see when they do.

Time to rebuild...and we know you will.

That's It?

After reading all the raves and reviews, I guess I had expected a little more.

Jonny Lang

My friend Cole Carley recently stepped down from running a Destination Marketing Organization and has launched a blog. One of his recent posts reminded me of Jonny Lang.

For the uninitiated, this is a "kid" who, at 16, sounded like a grizzled veteran of the blues scene. Part of me thinks that's what drives the attraction.

But, then I realize...who the hell cares how old he was.

"Lie To Me" simply cooks.

Enjoy...on this Music Friday.

And wanna little more? My other fave from that album is the cover of Prince's "I Am."

Yeah...it's a two-fer.

It's All About the Comments

We have evolved (or de-evolved) to a point where the story means nothing. The media can't be trusted to not have a bias...so we go right for the comments.

Had to love this exchange beneath a story on the Top Ten Party Schools in America (click image to read).

Too freakin' funny.

Can't Make This Stuff Up

When it comes to Wireless Communications companies, the monthly invoice can be maddeningly infuriating (though, I will admit that, AT&T's has gotten much better). Trying to access support on their websites is even more so.

Trying to reset a password on my Verizon account...I get this prompt:

How to Locate Your Online Verizon Account Number

Typically, your Verizon Online Internet services are billed with your other Verizon services. The account number needed is not usually the one shown at the top of the bill.

Thanks, Verizon. Thanks for wasting even more of my day.

The Sadness of Struggling Heroes

I don't care where you live, what team you root for or where you go...there was simply something sensationally special about the '85 Chicago Bears.

That this was a team that has produced more NFL Head Coaches than any other squad says something about the character of the characters. But, they were like no other team to ever win a Super Bowl.

I had the honor to hang with many of them during my days in Chicago radio.

Sadly, one of those heroes took his own life this year, as he struggled with the lingering effects of the concussions he suffered during those halcyon days.

And now comes news that the Punky QB, Jim McMahon is suffering from early dementia. No doubt some of that came from a hit that should have disqualified Charles Martin from ever playing in the league again. But, so much was cumulative.

As we watch our heroes of old struggle with the consequence of playing this game we all love, I pray for them.

And, yet...every Sunday, we can't help but watch these gladiators cut their lives shorter and shorter with every savage hit.

Sigh...

A Class Act

We met Tim Brechlin a year or so ago at a tactical planning retreat with the Greater Madison CVB. We stayed connected via Twitter, Facebook, blogs, et.al. And, then hung out with him at this year's simpleview summit where he did a killer karaoke of Cheap Trick's "Surrender."

Cool guy. Lots of fun. But, a strategic re-org at the Bureau meant that his position would be eliminated. We saw him post that he was looking for his next gig. And, then were ecstatic that he landed one.

But...it sadly wouldn't be in Madison.

Re-orgs are a bitch. And, a lot of people that get let go wonder if it was them...or the true needs of the organization. Not Tim.

The following is part of one of the classiest "farewell" posts I've ever seen:

"However, even more importantly for right now, I have to thank Madison. Not just the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau and my amazing colleagues there, not just my family and friends here in town, but Madison itself, and everyone and everything that makes this an amazing place in which to live, work and play. I was dragged, kicking and screaming, into moving here, and I never imagined that I would call this city “home.” And yet now, leaving it is one of the hardest things I have ever done.

"And so I thank you, Madison. Thank you for being such an amazing community, from the people to the scenery of the lakes, to the vibrant arts to the farmers’ market, to the restaurants to … well, you get the idea. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the team that tells your story 365 days a year.

"The economic impact of tourism each year is staggering: Every convention and event here, no matter how large or small, brings temporary taxpayers to the destination, and those taxpayers sleep in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, drink at our bars, shop at our stores, and in general spend money here. In the massive engine that we call our economy, tourism isn’t just a spoke in a wheel, it’s an life-essential component — and I am supremely honored to have been a part of Greater Madison’s tourism effort for the past two years."

Tim...we'll miss you in the Mad City. Baltimore has scored a cool new recruit. And, you are a class act to the end.

 

Frogger meets Cirque

That's what I always thought about the video for the Fine Young Cannibals' kick ass "She Drives Me Crazy."

Anybody that ever played Frogger knows what I'm talking about. Those guys in the beginning are playing Frogger.

At roughly the same time, Cirque du Soleil was coming into its own...and I can't help but think that (and a touch of David Byrne) didn't round out this video.

On this Music Friday, enjoy the eye candy of the 80s.

And she does.

Will Men's Floors Be Next?

When some hotels began offering "Women Only Floors" a few years ago, I would, in my presentations on Tourism Trends, joke that the upside in offering a Mens Floor could be huge. I'd then click to a slide of a trashed room and suggest that hoteliers could save a bundle on housekeeping, 'cause most guys wouldn't notice.

But after reading a recent article on HotelNewsNow.com, I think there may be something to the idea.

Security was the driving reason behind early efforts...but it was security for the hotels and the men that frequented them, according to Stanley Turkel. "Women traveling alone created risk for hotels,” he said. The fear was these women might “bring shame or temptation to hotels,” and to avoid this, women-only hotels were created over a century ago.

Today, it's the security of the female guest...and the ability to increase market share by providing bath sheets, robes and slippers, makeup mirrors, women-friendly magazines, silk hangers, aromatherapy candles and more. And, covering the cost with an upcharge for those floors.

But, c'mon...fair's fair. There's not a hotelier in this country that would offer exclusive floors for different ethnicities. Why then a floor for only women?

I can see it now...Men's Floors. Every room with 60" Flatscreens and 100 channels of Sports, Porn and classic Action flicks. Cigars, beer and bourbon in every room...and a lounge where guys can swear, belch, fart and scratch themselves without fear of recrimination.

Hmmmm...on second thought? Maybe it's not such a great idea. Because, after they've gotten all liquored up, watched some porn and grown tired of scratching and farting, they'll figure out a way to access the Women's Floor.

Never mind.

Detroit in Pictures

We all ached and pulled for New Orleans in the months and years after Katrina. After all, New Orleans is one of America's most iconic cities.

As is Detroit. Yet, we didn't ache and pull for her.

Maybe because one catastrophe was sudden and unprovoked...and the other happened over decades as we watched.

But, Detroit needs our love and support just as much. And, just maybe, this amazing collection of photographs from Andrew Moore and Camilo José Vergara can show the world that, just as there is beauty in decay, there is far more beauty in rebirth.

We're pulling for you, Detroit.