Brian Laesch .com

Right before the Cowboys game

Happy Thanksgiving Eve Eve. I hope you are ready for a great meal with family, friends or loved ones. If not, I hope you have somewhere good to go, or good people to be with. And, if not, I wish I could help you out…but I’m too busy being underemployed…

Here are some creative links from around the “creative world.” This is the blog post that updates you on the intangibles, tangibles, and intangibles wrapped in a tangibles’ clothing. Some of these links are business-related, but most are reviewed under the criterion known as “cool.”

• ABC is halting production on “FlashForward.” My initial reaction was that the general public learned their lesson from “Lost” (myself included). But apparently, the work stoppage was built into the production schedule from the beginning. In related news, the fact that Daily Variety calls ABC “the Alphabet” irks me.
• Speaking of production, general public, and irking–in no particular order–FX has won the rights to air the first Twilight film. (I only included this link for SEO purposes. )
• Apparently, Axe body spray is stronger than destiny. Just buy it and you’ll be stealing someone’s soulmate in no time!
• HootSuite has added support for Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter lists. Good for them. I’m a fan.
• Mashable: 5 Important Tips for Successful Web Meetings
• German government officials believe Google Analytics is illegal. I’d say, “nein,” but I don’t speak German.
• Domino’s Noid is back. In my opinion, you can thank those idiotic former employees who posted disgusting videos that I won’t link to.
• Oooohhhhh. Apple throws a grazing hook in the direction of Verizon. (I told you this feud is getting good. Let’s get it on.)
• OTB New York has won the right to show a hot chick in their ads.
• Is Foursquare the next Twitter? (I think it all depends on whether or not CNN’s Rick Sanchez embraces it.)
• In closing, since this is the “Creative World,” here’s a Yahoo! Digital Short called “The Creatives.” I’m glad these three don’t actually dress like hipsters. It gives me hope that I can someday be a normal creative guy. But then again, I also have a big problem with the whole “we actually don’t pay them very well at all” thing.

Brian Laesch is a blogger who compiled this list of links for Eleventh Hour.

Hi, my name is Brian Laesch. A few years ago, while living and working in miserable conditions in “Hollywood” (Hollywood and Burbank, respectively), I was inspired by the Phoenix Suns beating both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2006 NBA Playoffs. I was inspired because, to be completely honest, I hated my life in LA, and the Suns were my #2 team after receiving my undergraduate degree from Arizona State. (I’m still a diehard Chicago Bulls fan. Always will be, and still hope to live in Chicago, someday.) So, somehow, that gave me a little bit of vindication. And, for whatever reason–maybe because I was an aspiring actor taking improv classes, and the fact that I love basketball–that inspiration transpired into a little something I like to call, “The Steve Nash Video Blog.” The production value was horrible. The improv was hit or miss. It was OK. I liked it because I literally came up with it on the fly, in one or two takes. But, apparently, you don’t get signed at CAA after one YouTube video. Go figure.

Anyway, what started with me playing the role of an overly-cocky Steve Nash, knocking off both LA teams in the playoffs, turned into everybody thinking I hated Steve Nash. My friends thought it was funny. I had a little bit of random support on the Internet. But, people didn’t get where I was coming from or why I was making it. Heck, maybe I didn’t even know. My life was very interesting at that point, but I was also struggling to find my way.

Based on the somewhat positive reaction from friends, and YouTube, I felt obliged to continue to make these videos…even though I was pretty much over it. So, over a period of two years, I made a few more. Some were OK. Some sucked. Some could have used more than one take. Anyway, that’s what happened.

But now, I find myself back in Phoenix, in graduate school, and wanting to make up for any ills I caused Steve Nash and/or the Phoenix Suns. (I still think my video blog inspired those Vitaminwater commercials…

…but that’s another story.) Plus, I’m a huge basketball fan–especially good basketball. So, after watching a Phoenix Suns infomercial one Saturday morning, I made a call, got a tour of the U.S. Airways Center, and was sold. I bought half-season tickets. And I must say, between the free Suns scrimmage I watched courtside, and the games so far, I’m extremely happy that I did. The Phoenix Suns’ brand of entertaining, TEAM basketball is back. Steve Nash looks like he did 2-3 years ago, Grant Hill is playing like he’s 28, and the bench is promising for the first time since D’Antoni left. I’m still a diehard Chicago Bulls fan, and always will be, but I’m excited about Phoenix Suns basketball.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t really believe that by purchasing these season tickets, years after creating the “Steve Nash Video Blog,” I’ve magically reversed the fate of the team… But as I mentioned, I’m a Chicago sports fan. It’s fun to make these kinds of connections.

Brian Laesch promises not to buy an extra seat to a playoff game for his Steve Nash costume, be denied entrance by security, and place a Billy Goat-style curse on the team.

I know what you are thinking:

• “You are being weird again, Brian.”
• “Were you on something?”
• “Were you drunk?”
• “You are just looking for attention.”
• “This is why I broke up with you.”

Nay. None of the above apply.

While driving back to North Scottsdale last night on the 101 North, I was enjoying a pleasant evening after attending a preseason NIT Arizona State Men’s Basketball victory over TCU (securing a trip to Madison Square Garden in NYC for the Semifinals), bumping some Drake, coming down from the free Monster energy drink I drank before the 9:30 p.m. tip-off (because it was free), when, all of the sudden…I saw this:

Well, something like this, at least. It was on a much smaller scale, but it looked like a bright green firework falling from the sky. Except, when it hit the ground, the sky lit up like a green, dimmer version of lightning. I’ve never seen anything like it. In fact, my initial reaction was to duck, exclaim, “what the f***?” and think to myself, “is Phoenix under attack?” I kid you not.

It didn’t totally scare me…but it did leave me completely perplexed. (I was going to say it “blew my mind,” but that’s overused.)

I immediately searched for “green light falling from the sky” on Google when I got home (after tweeting from the road, of course.) Eventually, I found this article on Wikipedia, discussing green fireballs. I am about 99% sure this is what I saw. So, unless I’m reading the Wikipedia entry incorrectly, I officially saw a UFO last night in the desert sky.

Anybody out there seen the same? I knew I shouldn’t have gone on a date with a girl who grew up with the kids of the guy from Fire in the Sky (seriously). Oh well. I’ll let you all know how the flight is. I hope probes are old technology in alien society these days.

Until next time, I’ll be building green fireballs with chives in my mash potatoes, and with a pile of dirt and sod in the park area of my apartment complex.

Brian Laesch is thinking about changing his cell phone ringer. You know the tune.

I wonder what this guy does for money.

Today is Tuesday, November 17th, 2009. Did anybody watch last night’s Monday Night Football game (Cleveland vs. Baltimore)…?

Good, me neither. I’m going to go ahead and forget it happened, and imagine the Sunday Night Football game (Colts comeback against the Patriots) was the Monday night game. The mistake by the lake has major problems with their football team. I’m really glad I missed the game.

Anyway, that was just the obligatory small talk I like to throw out there before I get to the meat and potatoes. I like to treat my posts like the Regis and Kelly show (minus the housewife audience). I’d tell you some light stories about my weekend, but all I did was move. It wasn’t too exciting. Although, I did tweet that I think Budget Rental Truck is now better than U-Haul (based on price, at least) and a U-Haul representative on Twitter responded within a couple of hours, stating, “Next time you need help, let us show you how U-Haul is the better choice.”

Now that’s good brand monitoring right there. But unless U-Haul starts offering me the same 20% discount that Budget does, I beg to differ. At least, for my moving purposes, I just need the extra cash.

Here are the links:

• 2012 easily won the weekend box office, taking home $65 million domestically. It will be interesting to see what it does this weekend, after everybody discovered they were lured by an awesome trailer to a horrible movie. (I haven’t seen it…but I did see The Day After Tomorrow, which was the worst movie in the history of movies, let alone apocalyptic movies.)
• Speaking of This Week’s Sign That The Apocalypse Is Upon Us (shouts out to Sports Illustrated, y’all), Boyz II Men is back with a new album. (OK, maybe that was a bit  harsh. I bought Colleyhighharmony and bumped it in elementary school like everybody else. “End Of The Road” is the number one 6th grade slow jam of all time. Of all time!)
• CNN: Dictionary word of the year: ‘Unfriend’
• South Park spoofs the upcoming James Cameron biopic sci-fi epic, Avatar, with “Dancing With Smurfs.”
• “YouTube Direct” plans to make it easier for “citizen journalists” to get exposure with online and TV news outlets.
• Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek has a little bit of captain in him, $10,000 was donated to charity, Captain Morgan received great brand recognition, and the NFL still stands for the “No Fun League.”
• Oxfam and 15 Ideas of Chicago want to spread a very special message this holiday season: You should give a sh*t.
• Miracle Whip vs. Stephen Colbert. Who you got?
• Verizon vs. AT&T. This is getting good.
• Me vs. Twitter. Crickets.
• In closing, a U.S. Marine urges us to fight terrorism by fighting extreme poverty… This probably should have been the first link. Matter of fact, here is the video:

Brian Laesch compiled this list of links for Eleventh Hour.

This blog written for

Last week, I worked at the The Spirit International golf tournament in the secluded, heavily-wooded, wildlife-abundant Trinity, Texas. It was by far the most unique, cool, international amateur golf event I’ve attended (not that I’ve attended many). And by “event,” I mean “event,” because that’s exactly what it is. It’s not just another amateur golf tournament. It really is special.

First of all, let me give you full disclosure: I worked the tournament this year, so I am biased…but with good reason.

The Spirit International, played every other year at Whispering Pines in Trinity, Texas, features the top amateur golfers from around the world, and truly is one of those golf events that not only entertains you, but makes you feel good down to your core. Your soul feels great after you emerge from the densely-wooded town of Trinity, Texas, after a week of working/watching golf (in my personal experience, at least).

I could go on and on. I could try to be the beautiful writer that I know I’m not. Bottom line: this is a college golf event that brings top men’s and women’s talent from around the world to the heart of Texas, and the heart of the country. It’s a week-long showcase of golf, but, more importantly, an embracing of the international community, and a showcase of what’s right in America. The Spirit International at Whispering Pines, right next to Camp Olympia, combines the best of both venues. Top-flight? college golf by day. A campy, family, fun atmosphere (with beer for the adults) by night. It really is a special event, and a special place. They do a great job putting the event together, and it should only continue to grow.

I’m not sure that I even want to publicize the tournament with this blog. (As you know, I receive 2.3 million readers a day.) I don’t want to ruin a good thing. But if you are a sportswriter, a wildlife enthusiast, a fan of multi-national sporting events, and/or a golf fan, you would love The Spirit International.

Brian Laesch is the Sports Editor for BrianLaesch.com.

Rest in Peace to the 13 American heroes who were senselessly murdered at Ford Hood, Texas by the hands of a terrorist. That’s right: terrorist. Not because of his “faith,” but because terror is no doubt what this murderer set out to cause: terror in the hearts and minds of his former comrades. Despicable. Keep these 13, and their friends and family, in your thoughts and prayers.

Here are the links:

• Gawker destroyed Nikki Finke of DeadlineHollywoodDaily and AdAge is talking about it. I started reading that blog when I was working for the manager of Brian Dennehy and Kathy Bates. (That was an unimportant detail. I just wanted to namedrop.)
• Speaking of Ebenezer Scrooge, in an indirect and unclear way, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” easily took home this weekend’s Box Office title with $30 million.
• Happy Birthday, Firefox. You are 5 years old today. Before you know it you’ll be graduating kindergarten, reading and buying Ninja Turtle action figures… Or are you just a reincarnation of Netscape, possessing knowledge beyond your years? Eh, whatever. May the browser wars never end.
• You ever wonder what happened to that kid in your high school who was really weird, kind of creative, somewhat witty, and did a lot of drugs. Well, I’m assuming that kid is either doing nothing, or doing this.
• Hollywood still can’t get this whole new media/DVD/Internet era thing right…
• If you don’t feel like making a new Twitter list, no worries. You can let Conversationalist do it for you.
• Eleventh Hour is on Twitter. My bad. I always forget to tell you guys.
• Visit Times Square in New York City, get free Wi-Fi Internet access from Yahoo.
• Andy McKenna, of my home state of Illinois, is running a campaign for Governor against former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s hair. It’s so ridiculous (and well-produced) that I have to say, I like it.
• Michael Jordan’s son decided that $3 million was no big deal for the University of Central Florida.
• In closing, here’s a disturbing “Smoky the Bear” ad (not sure if Hulu spelled it wrong or if it’s a copyright thing).

Brian Laesch has compiled this list of links.

This blog written for

I’m currently working The Spirit International golf tournament at Whispering Pines in Trinity, Texas.

Where is Trinity, Texas? It’s in the middle of a densely wooded area, about an hour and a half north of Houston. Basically, it’s in the middle of nowhere by a summer camp called Camp Olympia. It’s an awesome place that makes you realize that wilderness still exists in this country. You really can get away from it all. There are deer and all kinds of wildlife everywhere. But anyway…

My dad is doing color commentary for the live webcast of The Spirit International. There are 20 teams from 20 countries. Which means there are people from around the world tuned in to watch it live on the internet. It’s a great event…and the best food I’ve ever had at a golf tournament. You can watch the webcast, courtesy of Indianapolis-based WebStream Productions, here.

Enjoy! The webcast will run live daily for each round until the final round this Saturday, November 7th.

Brian Laesch is professional blogger, specializing in Laesch family promotions.

Wait a minute…it’s November? What the?

Anyway, here are some links to the creative worlds of entertainment, advertising, marketing, Internet and more. But first, I have to go pre-heat the oven for the turkey.

OK. I’m back. Here you go:

• Johnny Depp is in talks to star with Angelina Jolie in “The Tourist.” I have no idea what “The Tourist” is about, but I hope it’s nothing like “Secret Window.”
• CollegeHumor.com. A Ben Silverman joint?
• Get a free Weezer Snuggie with Weezer’s new album… Seriously.
• BrandFreak: Beatles to be made available digitally, just not the way you want
• Now you can fly to Australia via Qantas and hear Elmo’s voice! I’ve done that flight without Elmo’s voice. It’s long enough.
• You know those Verizon “There’s a map for that” ads? AT&T isn’t happy, at all.
• Taylor Swift is set to host SNL. Here are some promos that are actually funny–including a Kanye West joke that is funny because it’s obvious.
• Twitter has a new feature they are testing with select users…in case you care. It’s not like Eleventh Hour or I am on Twitter, or anything.

Brian Laesch compiled these links from the middle of nowhere, Texas… Seriously.

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