Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Naomi

We lost one of Country Music's most iconic figures this past week with the passing of Naomi Judd. Mother of Wynonna and Ashley, she wasn't shy about sharing her story of the mental illness that apparently robbed us of this talent. Through the music she made and the books she wrote, we were always drawn to her art and story.

As we say farewell, it's a 2-fer on this Music Friday. One of my favorites...and, from 1991, the seemingly appropriate "River of Time."

Oh yeah...and the time she sang halftime at the Super Bowl.

The Beauty of a Sunflower

If you travel through DTW and ever traverse the subterranean passageway between concourses, you no doubt have experienced the light and sound show that has delighted travelers for years. Unless somebody has turned it off.

The option appeared a few years ago as officials at the airport became aware that the light show and sounds could be distressing for some people with hidden disabilities. The work-around? Buttons at each end of the tunnel that allow visitors to turn the show off for a few minutes as they make their way through to the next concourse. 

Airport officials at TPA, along with partners such as TSA, the Airport’s Police Department, airlines and others who assist passengers – have taken another step and became one of only a few dozen U.S. airports to launch the Sunflower Lanyard Program as another way to help visitors address the sometimes overwhelming stimuli faced by people with autism, PTSD, epilepsy or other conditions.

The Sunflower lanyard, which got its start in the UK, is starting to find adoption in the States. And it's an exploratory conversation that every DMO should be having with its airport and industry partners.

Playing the Exclusivity Card

Last month, the island of Barbuda launched a new campaign that acknowledges the destination's limitations...by turning them into a strength.

We just spent a few days in a coastal destination where walking the beach was, at times, a struggle because of the crowds. While we were elated that business was booming for our client's partners, we'd prefer a little more laid back vibe when we take some us time. And, with "one ferry, two flights and ten taxis," that's exactly what we're looking for in a beach destination.

Throw in 11 miles of pink sand? We're so there.

Enjoy the simple joy of this video.

Brilliant.

 

Taylor Hawkins

We lost a musical (and cultural) stud last Friday with the untimely passing of Taylor Hawkins. And, what can be said that hasn't already?

For me...only that he was one of a handful of players that were exceptionally fun to experience because they were having such a good time. And it showed!

So many artists are performing to us or for us. Taylor always struck me, not unlike Carlos Santana and Sam Bush, as if he was playing for himself and we got to ride along.

And, that's somebody you wanna hang with, right? Like this interview with Machine Gun Kelly.

On this sad Music Friday, we hafta go with the track so many have seen. It's Taylor singing Queen backed by Dave.

What a freaking shooting star.

Sigh.

Here's To Us

OK...we start this Music Friday by cautioning that this is so NSFW.

And we also must tip a hat and offer prayers for those we have lost over the past two years.

But, as it appears we are emerging from the worst of the plague, is it time to raise a glass?

Indeed, it was two years ago this month that this shit became real (though I did note it a month earlier).

But, here we stand and "Here's To Us."

Raise a glass...because the past two years have kicked our ass. But, here's to us.

Standing tall.

The Last Good Day

I have no earthly idea how this story made it into my feed...but it gave me pause.

Last summer, Sarah Fullard had apparently spent an afternoon assembling some lawn furniture in her back yard. She celebrated her accomplishment with some drinks and dinner...but then fell and died of asphyxiation.

At first glance, the story hints at a Darwin Award...but the more I thought about it, I decided that this was far more.

Sarah nailed her last day on this globe by doing something she was proud of and celebrated with a few glasses of wine. 

I can't think of a better last day on earth. N'est-ce pas?

Come Away Melinda

Soldiers sign up for being targets. Innocents don't.

As the war crimes being committed in Ukraine become more and more documented, songs like last week's Music Friday post continue to play in my head.

I shared this song a couple years ago in a listing of songs that often bring a tear to my eye...but it wasn't the featured tune. That changes today.

On this Music Friday, we offer Uriah Heep's version of "Come Away, Melinda," a heartbreaking lyrical conversation between a father and his young daughter in the aftermath of war. The late David Byron pulls off the anguish in this song by singing the daughter's part high and then dropping an octave for the father's response.

And, like Melinda, we all are asking, "Why can't things be the way they were before the war began?"

End this War.

Do the Russians Love Their Children Too?

It was the mid '80s when Sting originally penned the ominous song that asked the existential question. It was a moment in time when we actually had to question whether we were facing a mutually assured fate.

And here we are again, when the same nuclear power again rattles its sabres.

As Sting said, he typically hasn't performed the song anymore because it hasn't been relevant.

But, on this Music Friday, it is.

And we ask the question...Do the Russians Love Their Children Too?

Circumventing Trepidation

Jake Steinman's TravelAbility Summit (which we featured on the DMOU Podcast in 2020) has pivoted to become the Emerging Markets Summit...and is scheduled for Orlando in June.

Within its most recent e-mail compilation of relevant content, Jake shared the "why" of the name (and content) change. When launched, the Summit's goal was to create a travel industry conference to educate travel organizations about how they can prepare for the emerging market of the 40% of Baby Boomers that self-identify as having a disability after they turn 65. But, over the past couple years, he recognized that his presentations on TravelAbility weren't getting the attendees that they should have. Perplexing, to say the least.

"Perhaps it’s the fear of saying the wrong thing, or the daunting prospect of being accessible for a range of disabilities or that people in the industry consider accessibility a training issue more appropriate for someone else in their organization," he mused. Which can also be said for how some approach conversations around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as Sustainability. But, by combining all three topics under the "Emerging Markets" banner, maybe that trepidation can be mitigated.

You can learn more about this Summer's event here.

 

Don't Give Up

I've been thinking about that guy in Chicago who said that he might never eat pizza again, upon the closing of the iconic Gullivers on Sunday.

And, I know how you feel, brother. But, I also think back to the pizza joints of my youth, my early adult years, my family years, my travel years and now. In each stage of my life, I found a 'za that became a new fave...and that hasn't changed. As good as the pizzas of my past were (and Gullivers was right up there)...I've found two joints north of the Mad City that you should try before you swear off pizza forever.

You'll find our new faves at Gem City in Baraboo and On the Rox in Roxbury. Check 'em out. We all have different tastes in pizza...but these are pretty orgasmic.

Just sayin'