May, 2011 Archive

Kirstie Alley & Dancing with the Stars in Times Square NYC

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Spotted Kirstie Alley and co from the US Dancing with the Stars show in Times Square yesterday morning. Not quite sure what the deal was, but there was quite a throng we had to wade though.

Can you spot her smack bang in the middle avec minder?

Posted this for Ashley who lets me “play on my computer” while she watches the show with gay abandon!

Mary Poppins at Paramount Theatre Seattle – Just the Medicine

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Saturday night was an all singing, all dancing affair for me and Ashley as we were treated to tickets to Mary Poppins at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.

I had the LP (remember those?) as a child so was looking forward to reliving some happy memories of precociously performing chimchimminy and supercala (not even going to try and spell it) etc for my family.

The mammoth set – 27 trucks were used in the “get in” – “load in” in America – was simply staggering for a touring production as buildings transformed into streets that transformed into parks – made me a little homesick too.

I’m writing this in a New York hotel room and don’t have the exact cast list with me, but I did have to ask how many of the Mary Poppins cast were English and I think we only counted one! So thumbs up for fooling everyone with the crisp cockney and received pronunciation.

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Did you know the writer – P. L. Travers – actually wrote a series of books about the gifted nanny? That’s apparently where the musical drifts off script from the film and adds in a few more twists and turns.

The 2 1/2 hours simply flies by like an umbrella in the wind and we’ve been humming the tunes ever since.

If you’re thinking of heading downtown for a bit of foot-tapping nostalgia for all the family, then do. Mary Poppins is just the tonic for cheering Seattle up after the coldest April on record.

No spoonful of sugar for me though. I have the Paramount Club to thanks for my latest tipple. They were serving Mary Poppins-themed cocktails and I devoured two “Chim Chim Cheeroos” which are simply Jim Bean and ginger ale deliciousness.

A man has dreams…..

Video: Microsoft Photosynth iPhone App

I’ve written about Photosynth a number of times and about Blaise Aguera y Arcas too.

In this video, the Photosynth guys introduce the iPhone App they’ve developed and show some really compelling demos.

I just love the constant revisiting of the verb “share”. As last week’s announcement by the Bing team shows, we’re accelerating towards a world where social integration in search will help us make decisions even faster.

With the world going more mobile, finding that restaurant, art gallery or park more quickly, means more time to take more photos and share the experience via technology like this.

Photosynth has come so far in the last 4 years, I can’t wait to see what guys come up with next….

Can’t view the video? Click Here!

Baby Carson at 23 Weeks

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Just got round to posting these photos of the little blighter 4 weeks after our last scan!

Looks like he/she has got my nose. Right little ski-jump! Ashley’s amazing cheek bones too.

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Ashley is now 27 weeks pregnant and doing really, really well!

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Thumb-sucker like me too!

I’ve been painting nursery furniture and Ashley’s been buying paraphernalia like “strollers” and “diapers”!

Just 3 months to go and counting………tick…….tock…….

Digital Advertising & Creativity Videos–Ad Vision

Seattle Japanese Garden

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Well today being the first sunny Saturday of the year here in Seattle, Ashley, her sister Colleen, baby Julia and I ventured 10 minutes from our house, near the Seattle Arboretum, to check out the Japanese Garden on Lake Washington Boulevard.

Anti-Chafing Lotion = Lady Anti-Monkey Butt

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One of the joys of moving to the USA is all the fabulous and quirky advertising and marketing I get exposed to that would NEVER wash in the UK.

Paying for some flat-pack furniture screws in a hardware store today, I spotted this product next to the cash register (till).

Yes that’s right, it’s anti-chafing powder for ladies being sold in a hardware store at the point of sale.

I asked if I could take a picture and the sales guy said, “Sure please do!”

So here it is, a picture of a pink bottle of sweat absorbing, friction fighting, anti-monkey butt powder WITH calamine.

Amazing!

Andrew Seffernick Memorial Ride on Alki

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As some of you might know, my wife’s brother – Andrew Seffernick – was tragically killed riding his motorcycle in West Seattle on April 13th.

The response from family and friends at this very sad time has been amazing.

Andrew was a remarkable young man. He was thoughtful, creative and very funny. He had an incredible flair for wood and metal work which has left a permanent legacy welcome in the homes and gardens of many people in and around the city.

He was also just 2 years into his new life adventure, bringing up, caring for and inspiring his young son AJ.

Andrew loved Alki and he loved his skateboards, many of which he fashioned himself.

The family thought a fitting tribute would be to combine his three loves, family and friends, riding and the beach, with a memorial at the Alki Bath House on Sunday May 15th between 1pm and 4pm.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Andrew’s life, see some of his art (bring some if you have any) and take a ride along the board walk in his honour.

A benevolent fund has been set up to help his son AJ which the family would prefer contributions to in lieu of flowers and cards.

Andrew Seffernick Jr Benevolent Account

BECU Account #: 3587324323

Donations can be made at the drop box of any branch or by mailing a check to:

BECU PO Box: 97050 Seattle WA 98124

We’re looking forward to seeing you this Sunday to celebrate Andrew’s life.

No tears. Only laughter……and maybe a few beers.

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