A minor in finance?

Now, six weeks away from the half way point of my MBA, I find myself more more and more interested in marketing. Welcome to the marketing tag, where I'll be posting little advertising and marketing tidbits that strike my fancy.

Below is an ad for MyFinanceLab.com, a site (marketed to both teachers and students) making it easy for teachers to grade and hard for students to cheat. That's all well and good but....

Wow, what a boobtastic "college student!" Hands on? This is not subtle and not appropriate. I don't want to sound like an old man but this girl looks 15. Yes, sexy women sell lots of things, usually beer. But this is a bit much for an academic site. I'll stick to the hands-off part, thanks.

Bloody Parachute

Yesterday Jets speedster RB Leon Washington suffered a season ending compound fracture to his right fibula. In the last year of his rookie contract, Washington had a lot to lose from an injury like this. Good thing he bought insurance from Lloyds of London.

Well played, and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Wells Fargo, for once you rock

I bank at Wells Fargo (among others). For the most part this bank has run under expectation and has caused me to dislike them.

Example 1: When someone bounces a check that I deposit, Wells Fargo charges me $5. WTF? This is not my fault. I have no control over someone else bouncing a check. Not cool, Wells Fargo.

Example 2: Their cards have failed to work in small Croatian cities. This is a problem for me.

HOWEVER, today the nice people at WF Fraud Protection Services called me up and told me that someone had hacked my debit card. (Ha ha to the haxors, I'm a broke grad student. They got $20.) Anyway, WF noticed the dastardly deed, is refunding my $20, and will be issuing me a new debit card. Well done, people.

B-56, O-MyGod

So the Washington Redskins, perennial bottom dwellers in the NFC East have stripped Head Coach Jim Zorn of his play calling duties. For Monday night's game against division rival Philadelphia Eagles, 'Skins owner Daniel Snyder has turned now to a man with a great deal of experience making calls:

Last week, newly minted Offensive Coordinator Sherman Lewis was calling Bingo at a senior center in Novi, Michigan. Volunteering is perhaps the coolest thing one can do with one's time and I don't want to disrespect it here.

That said, this man has been out of professional football since 2004. The game has changed a great deal since then. When Sherm retired, the offensive scheme he is familiar with (West Coast Offense) was in a state of decline and offenses like the pistol, the wildcat, and the matchup based schemes that Josh McDaniels runs were in their infancy. More importantly, defensive schemes are more complex now too.

I admire Sherm for giving this a try on short notice but I don't envy him. The West Coast Offense calls for quick decision making and accurate passes, something Skins QB Jason Cambell has struggled with. What the Redskins really struggle with though is an overactive owner, one who has no business evaluating talent for the sidelines or between them. Rather than hire offensive masterminds like Josh McDaniels, Cam Cameron, or Dan Henning, the owner has put his offense in the hands of a very nice, very old, very retired Sherm Lewis. I'm rooting for you, Sherm, but there is no free space in the NFL, old man.

Walk It Out

This is one of my all-time favorite YouTubes. Pretty impressive.

Kind of a gold mine for solo jazz. Anyone wanting to learn boogie forwards need look no further than 0:19.

Plant43

I finished my Finance midterm and spent the rest of the evening in repose.

Step 1: Laphroaig with GNightMoon

Step 2: Discovering new music (more soon) and new art:

I've stumbled upon Emile Facey, aka Plant43. A freelance graphic designer, Plant43 designs book and cd covers. Scars and sepia: the dark arts. I call the top piece Lightning Beard with Pot Leaves and Cello Parts. The lower one: Orbital Fissures.

(Trade) Deadlines

I am hours away from my Finance midterm but my eyes have glazed over. Quick blog then off to sleep.

The NFL trade deadline is today (Tuesday). Traditionally most teams stand pat but here are some moves I'd like to see teams make:

Redskins: Your season is over. Your players are old and bad. Trade CB DeAngelo Hall for whatever you can get.

Raiders: They should have traded CB Nnamdi Asomugha before he got hurt on Sunday. But he got poked in the eye. He'll be fine.

Something tells me the Ravens would still be interested.

Rams: Totally out of it. Trade RB Steven Jackson now to the Falcons for a number 1 or a 2 and a 3.

Broncos: Trade with the Lions for LB Clint Avril. This guy can replace MarioHaggan who just went down. Lions could get Brandon Lloyd and a 3rd rounder.

Vikings: Trade Head Coach Brad Childress for some green bean casserole.

His prevent defense is trying to sabotage a damn good season.

Bills: Trade "Old Popcorn" Terrell Owens to the Bears for an O-linemen.

Panthers: Trade DE Julius Peppers to the Bengals for WR Andre Caldwell and a 1st rounder.

Jets: Trade (again) with the Browns to get NT Shaun Rogers. Give them anything they want.

McDomination

Two people I have been publicly down on: Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton.

Is there still room on the bandwagon?

Shawndell Oliver

Welcome to the latest artist featured on Art That Doesn't Suck.

I love Denver. Here you find an artist as fascinated with the old west as she is with the far east.

This image doesn't do the painting justice but you'll have to take my word for it, these Western paintings are some of the most colorful ones I've seen. There is another image not listed on her website of two bulls staring the viewer down. It's quite powerful. If bulls and Buddha are your thing, Shawndell Oliver is your girl.

Allow myself to introduce... myself.

For the weekend of October 16-18, the Master of Ceremonies for the Lindy Diversion Weekend will be yours truly.

Things I will do

• Have a drink for courage
• Wear a bow tie or ten.
• Make fun of other swing dance MCs (Wolfman, Nick Peterson, odd guy who does Camp Hollywood nights)
• Make fun of myself
• Hype the band.

Things I will NOT do

Mention the words "iPod of Destiny"

Read from the script

Take part in any Beyonce tribute dances.

The real Chris Lee?

Word through the grapevine is that my competition for MC was a man I have not met, someone named Chris Lee. A quick google search for Chris and Lee and Dance tells me that this man may be:

• A NY congressman
• "Da Nuevo King Salmon" (horrible myspace page, not really worth your time)
• A man who wears boxing gloves and tweets under the handle "Trojantraining"
• Someone who advocates "Non-violent Eco-Warriorship."

One thing he is not, is the Master of Ceremonies for Lindy Diversion. Owned.

Reposting from Bronco Talk: The Awesomeness that is Brandon Stokley

Very cool piece about a very cool guy. Get well soon Stoke.

Original post here.

Josh here is one lucky kid, and probably Brandon Stokley's biggest fan.

Brandon Stokley is an awesome example of everything that is good in the NFL. He’s a big team-player, a hard worker and great role model for the younger generation.

This email from Matt in Pittsburgh hit our inbox the other day and has stuck with us since, for two reasons — first, Matt’s son is one lucky kid! Second, Brandon Stokley “gets it.” After the Immaculate Deflection, being on top of the world, and probably making the biggest play of his career, Stokley took the time to meet and greet fans with an impromptu “thank you.” Sometimes it’s the little things… We pass Matt and Josh’s story along to you, joining them in saying “Thanks, Stokes!”

My name is Matt and I am a long time Broncos fan who lives in Pittsburgh – Imagine that!

My son’s name is Josh and he is 8 years old. And if I could I’d like to give thanks where I believe it is due.

Last year I took my son to the Browns vs. Broncos game – a nail biter that the Broncos pulled out in the end. After the game Brandon Stokley made his way over to the fans and handed Josh a pair of his game worn gloves. You’ll never know what that meant to a young football fanatic or to his dad.

What is even more amazing is, we were at the game yesterday (at Cincinnati Week 1). During warm ups, Brandon Stokley again came over to the sideline and again made a big impression on my son. He tossed a football up to him and smiled at him. It was huge. It’s so amazing to me that he took the time on 2 separate occasions, in 2 separate cities, to make an effort to interact with the fans.

In a society that tends to shine light mainly on the negative things that athletes do, I would like to shine some light on the positive influence that one athlete had when he took the time to do the right thing. In world of whiny wide receivers who don’t have time for the fans, and always want more money, as a parent, I think more attention needs to be given to guys like Brandon Stokley – not only did he make the game winning play, but he touched my son’s life in a unique way and will be my son’s hero for years.

I would love to give Stokley some attention for doing something awesome – is this possible?

Thanks,
Matt