Issue #6: Spring Break
I roll the window down, and then begin to breathe in, the darkest country road.
A quick couple updates on the backside of Spring Break for you this issue.
My family and I took a roadtrip north into Canada for a few days to see a Calgary Flames game (it was great, though they will not make the playoffs 🙁) and do some skiing (it was not so great, due to a couple unnamed whiny children). Kristen and I have collectively lived in cities for what must be a majority portion of our lives, but for the last 5 years we have been here in rural Montana soaking up the nature and quiet. In this time, I feel like I have somewhat forgotten all the good that cities have to offer. Or, out of sight, out of mind I guess.
While in Calgary, we went to the zoo and science centers, ate great food, stayed up late, and met lots of nice people from all different backgrounds. It was great.
The biggest opportunity however was the availability of art. I forgot how much public art there is. EVERYWHERE.
It really is one of the great things about cities. There were painted murals around every corner, colored lights dancing in timed sequence on buildings, beautiful architecture, oversized sculptures everywhere, and even decorative manhole covers on the streets. My daughter even pointed this out, and at one point she excitedly said to me “There’s art everywhere, Daddy!”
That was a really extraordinary thing for her to notice, and it made the trip worth it just to hear that excitement.
While walking to breakfast one morning, I came to think of this multifunctional sculpture by artist Paul Cocksedge, whom I recently stumbled upon on the interwebs. We saw some pieces vaguely like this in the downtown business district, but none were really as good as this guys stuff. I love this type of public art, and when done well it can really be transformative to a space and encourage the type of gathering public spaces are meant for.
But it also made me think about all the times I hear people in Montana say things like “Oh you lived in San Francisco? That place has changed for the worse.” Or, “I don’t go to Seattle anymore, there’s too many homeless people there now.”
Which is just so incredibly short sighted. And annoying.
I often find myself immediately losing interest in these comments and the people who offer them. This pinpointed focus on the negative, when there is just SO much more positive to celebrate, has a tendency to just shut a conversation right down for me. And I feel my recent experience in Calgary has confirmed my reason to rightly do so.
Yes, obviously cities have grit and present different realities than we experience in our own comfort zones. But they have so much GOOD to offer, and way more good than bad by my calculations. And if you live in a city (many of you do) you know this already. My only ask is: don’t take it for granted, and enjoy it.
All this is just a long winded way to say that I’m so glad we went, and can’t wait to go back again. Any travel plans coming up for you?
Thanks for following along!
B
Work Update: New Client Shaped
I’m excited to be working with Shaped- an AI powered startup that is focused on the search and recommendation space. The Shaped team is revolutionizing the tools available to engineering and product teams with the goal of increasing engagement, retention, and conversion in product, media, and e-commerce experiences. I’ll be working on the brand side of things and focusing my efforts on product marketing and further developing the brand identity system with this small but might team of awesome people. A big hug to Landscape for their continued support and partnership- thanks again for the referral.
Speaking of referrals…
Have I told you about my referral network program? If you are a creative leader or do #bizdev at an agency or design studio, but can’t take on a particular creative project for this or that reason, I’d love an introduction to your lead. ☺️ There are real kickbacks ($$$), a contract to firm up the details, and ideally the referrals flow in both directions. It can be a real help in a volatile business climate. If you want to learn more, let’s chat.
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