The RE/MAX Balloon occasionally floats through my neighborhood and I admit I notice when it does. It was a successful campaign the real estate company used to create brand awareness. Hot air balloons are pretty exciting to see anytime, but we were fortunate enough to attend the 2012 Balloons Over Paradise Festival in Immokalee, Florida this past weekend where 26 hot air balloons were showcased. It was spectacular! However, sitting among the many vibrant balloons was the RE/MAX balloon - the ugly duckling! It dawned on me that it was the perfect next post when I realized how many times I tried to avoid getting it in the photo. Evidently out of date (by apparent balloon standards), the once clever and effective marketing tool looked more like a bad billboard among the innovative and colorful designs. Like myself, other people some of which represented the press, were just trying to cut it out of their shots. That's truly unfortunate for RE/MAX who missed a perfect opportunity to stand out from or, as their slogan states, 'above the crowd'. What could have been a breath fresh air for their once vibrant campaign ended up being nothing more than blowing hot air.
Marketing campaigns, even great ones, need revitalization or retirement. The irony here is that what would have stolen the show could have been a flying house instead of a flying pig. Capitalizing on their "real estate" business, their past success with the balloon campaign and the recent popularity of the movie Up, they could have shown up with floating house illustrating that they are still 'Above the Crowd'. A slam dunk in my opinion, but at the very least a step toward continued success. Instead they were overshadowed by a giant daisy, a purple alien, a flying pig and a host of vibrant others. On this day RE/MAX definitely lost altitude! Updating and adapting would have paid off big! If perception matters make your presence a strong one.

 

Thanks Giving

I thought long and hard before writing this post. Most of my blogging is very light hearted. Maybe some will think this inappropriate. I think it's important. I hope it will inspire even one person to visit a memorial this week. It can inspire true thankfulness.

I remember visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and being so moved by the way it spoke to me, as I think are most. No matter what your thoughts on war, "The Wall" as it has come to be known, is an extraordinarily moving experience; simple, powerful. Back then I was pretty certain my generation would never really understand, the way that older generations did, what war felt like. We had not even so much as hidden under a school desk or heard civil defense sirens in our neighborhoods. Those were the times of the generations before ours. War was only something I had vague glimpses of through the conversations of veterans in my family or from the news of places far, far away. Fortunately, I have never lost anyone I knew to a war and I live in a country where civil disobedience is not life threatening. 

Veterans, at least the ones I knew, didn't talk openly about the bad stuff and most of my family members who were currently serving their country had not seen combat so we didn't worry about them. Not to make light of what they did, but we were lucky, it was just their job. We never thought they would actually get shot at. September 11 changed that for all of us. 

None of us will ever forget where we were that day, or who we were frantically trying to reach, or the feeling of what might be next. 

Even if we have not behaved that way of late, we remember without much provocation what it felt like in that span of time; what was important, WHO was important. We held our loved ones as if it could be our last breath or theirs. 

It felt then as if the sorrow leaking from my face would not end. I know it has profoundly changed me in a good way, oddly, but my prayer is that future generations never experience what it is like to know terror, that our world goes back to naiveté. That they never experience such hard life lessons.
Still, I hope in times when it is so easy to be skeptical we remember what really matters. That we teach future generations hope and gratitude. This week I choose to be hopeful. And to express how grateful I am to all the men and woman who have sacrificed for our freedom and our safety.
The 9/11 Memorial needs no words.
It is something we each have to experience in our own way.
I hope you go one day
to pay respect,
to grieve, to heal,
to teach.

To all veterans, soldiers, police and firemen out there who go into battle for us everyday I give thanks. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I love and miss you dad and I honor you,
Phil Shiver - dad, soldier, lifeguard, fireman
Assistant Chief, Pompano Beach Fire Department
1959-1983
Pompano Beach Fireman of the Year 1975
State of Florida Fireman of the Year 1976

Amazing!

Okay, so I told you about the Sarasota Chalk Art Festival (it was wonderful) and the American Sandsculpting Championship (also, wonderful) but think BIGGER! Really BIG! AMAZING really describes how great I think this next event will be.

Fort Myers Beach is hosting the World Championship of Sand Sculpting (Solo Division) November 17-27. If you like this kind of thing at all you have to go! Bring the family or your friends because of course you'll want to share the experience but, if you have to go alone. They'll get what they've missed once they've seen your smart phone photos. This event is not to be missed! And if my intel is correct it has only been hosted in the United States twice. 

Although there are bigger, more easily accessible beaches along Florida's vast shoreline we apparently have really great sand! I've always thought of beach sand as something I had to cross barefoot (at times as if walking across hot burning coals) to get to the good part, the water, but in the last few years I've had to change my mind. Sand isn't just that stuff you can't keep off your blanket or that you can never completely get out of your swimsuit. It's art!

2010 World Solo Sand Sculpting Champion, Thomas Koet

In it's 25th year the World Championship attracts sculptors from places like Italy, Switzerland, Singapore, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Lativa, United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, Kenya, Canada and the United States. And starting this week they are all competing for the "WORLD TITLE" on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. 

If you don't think these folks are true artists you couldn't be more wrong. One glimpse of the winning work from 2010 will convince you otherwise and a further glance will leave you hooked. Putting this much dedication into something so temporary undoubtedly means you are truly passionate and dedication to your craft. Someone put it like this, they're sand surgeons. Interestingly enough, many of these artists have trained in other fields that are far afield of sculpting.  And this work is not for wimps. You definitely have to be in great physical shape to shovel then mold the massive piles of sand into sculpture. But don't take my word for it - see for yourself!

One last thing take the trolley from Lover's Key to get to the event. You may still be stuck in the long traffic line to get in but at least you won't be part of the problem and you'll avoid the $5-$10 parking fee. I promise it is well worth the trip! 

If you want to see more photographs from 2010 check out the Worldsfans Facebook page photo album.

A Great Way to Spend This Afternoon!

Get there! Don't say I don't have enough time to plan it. If you live within 2 hours of the area it's so worth it. Just do it! The 2011 Sarasota Chalk Festival is incredible! Yesterday, Friday, it was just gearing up so there's still plenty of time. If you wait you'll miss the opportunity forever 'cause this art is truly temporary! 

It was great being there Friday and I plan to see the completed works, but I felt very fortunate to be there during the creative process. Almost everyone loves to draw or doodle so I'll stay this with certainty, even if the last thing you'd spend a weekend doing is touring an art museums this event is still for you. It was nothing short of inspiring for kids, adults, serious artists and, yes, even you doodlers. It was truly exciting to see the different techniques and approaches to this medium. And the 3D work gets everyone's attention! There were also wall mural examples of chalk art and graffiti art - some on the wall and some on plastic sheeting. The following is a pic-tour.  

 

So if you're looking for something very cool to do outdoors? I highly recommend the 2011 Sarasota Chalk Festival through Nov. 7th on South Pineapple Avenue in Burns Square, Sarasota. 

I'd forgotten how pleasant it is in this part of Sarasota. There are ample shops and restaurants to stroll by to suit any taste. Nancy's BBQ smelled divine if you love BBQ. For me however, when I'm forced to choose, it took just one locals recommendation of Owen's Fish Camp to head me in that direction. I love seafood and I love to go local. Next time I've got to try Nancy's. 

Just a minute away is Marie Selby Gardens a beautiful place to spend an afternoon or hold an event.