Another question regarding tonight's big event: focus on the game or the ads? Being involved in the business as I now am, should my full attention be in between touchdowns and what have you?
Super Bowl ads are a big deal, for those of you not familiar with the phenomena, even though some predict that our mobile devices will take up all our attention during commercial breaks. We will see. I might bring my computer along with me, so I can keep track of what's going on in the social game as well as that one out on the field.
Tonight's the big night [insert a ton of exclamation points]. Apparently. It is time for The Super Bowl XLVI; New York Giants vs. New England Patriots. I never watched a whole game of football before, but it feels kind of mandatory doing so tonight.
It's funny, something occurred to me the other day. In the middle of all this Super Bowl buzz, I realized how big football actually is around here – and the same goes for basketball and baseball. Back home in Swede land, we care about hockey (yea, I wouldn't necessarily include myself in that audience, but we as a country) and the NHL is huge. Of course, I thought that would be the case here as well. But it isn't.
Sure thing, there is a lot of hockey coverage, people see the games and read about the players who earn ridiculously high salaries, but it's not at all as important as the NFL, the NBA or the Major Baseball League.
Unfortunately, DC seems to hold some of the country's worst teams in all leagues, but I enjoy the overall sports experiences anyway. I've been to a baseball game – even though I never got to see the actual game, remember – and I've seen the Capitals practice at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Next week, I have tickets to the NBA and tonight, well, tonight I'm obviously watching The Super Bowl.
Sports lie the heart of every culture and what I have learned is that the NHL is not the one closest to the core over here, as I somehow had imagined. I guess picking out the darling is highly personal, but tonight it's all about football.
Earlier this week, I was offered two tickets to the annual Washington Auto Show, one of the capital's, and the country's, greatest exhibitions within the industry. I gratefully accepted them and visited the show yesterday. Know me and know that my car knowledge is rather limited, but still – cars. There is something about it. Everybody cares about cars. In their own way. Me, in good company and with my camera.
I enjoyed the 750,000 square feet big exhibition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with vehicles imported from Europe and Japan as well as the real American deal – the Muscle Car section being my personal favorite.
Friday night became movie night – Sherlock Holmes. The decision was made after weighing in the fact that even if the movie would be bad, we would get to look at two handsome men for two hours.
After laughing from brilliant dialogue and being aesthetically pleased by good looking photography, we concluded that the choice of film was the right one. To quote my movie companion: "The scene with the [I don't want to tell you what, 'cause it will give away the fun surprise] is epic!"
As always after I leave the movie theater: I should do this more often.
There are few better things than a real Saturday breakfast. Home style. This very day, that includes scones – with peanutbutter and jelly as side orders – and scrambled eggs. For drinks, I serve orange juice and coffee.
Can this be nothing but a good day? I believe not.
Cheers, mates! Good morning and good day to you all.
The power of music – I almost forgot about it. But today, when I was up on the treadmill, I re-discovered it. I was not the happiest camper, I must admit, and started walking slowly, when that tune came on. Into my ears. Something happened inside me and I immediately started smiling, running faster than I thought I had the energy to.
What is it with certain tunes? How can they get to you as they do? There are a few ones that always bring me to my happiest place of all times – gymnastics. Today, these songs made me smile like an idiot:
#1. Rocky Training Montage. So weird, I know, but it takes me back to the time when gymnastics was all about those local competitions, braided hair, perfect handstands, no nail polish and starting the routine outside of the floor. Those of you who were there know what I'm talking about.
#2. I believe – Yolanda Adams. A bit corny, I know. But it reminds me of the first RM with my kids and an outstanding tumbling performance by the winning team. Aesthetic group gymnastics at its best. Also, the gist of the song is cheerful and sometimes what I need. But please, don't tell anybody I admitted that I like it.
#3. Det snurrar i min skalle – Familjen. Because it's the family! My kids! Those lovely ones. How I miss them, sometimes. How I think about them, quite a lot. How much they gave me and how much I hope that I also gave something to them. Something they will always carry and remember.
Ah. The power of music. And the sweet, sweet memories of gymnastics. The combo made me work out very well today. It was almost like back in the old days. Almost.
Going through a paper – don't want to mention any names, since that is completely irrelevant – when I come to the ad section. And this is where my jaw falls down to the floor and my eyes pop out of my head. I kid you not.
Wheels, Music –Adult services?! What does this mean? What does this include? I will tell you now:
"College student in need - 26. My name is [So and So]. I'm seeking a generous man to help me out to make my ends meet and I can help you out in return. I'm a sexy blonde with a killer body. You can contact me at [don't want to pass forward any kind of contact information, thus encourage this kind of activity]. Only serious guys please!"
Oh, wow. For this particular "[c]ollege student" I only feel compassion. This poor thing claims to be in need and yes, I can tell. However, what amazes me the most is that it is actually legal to advertise these kind of services, exchanges. What?!
From what I have learned, prostitution – because that's what it's all about, no doubt about that – is illegal in America. So how can it be legal to advertise it? I am out of words. Just wanted to pose the question: what?!
Evenings come to M Street and I leave the office. Evaluating my day. Thinking about what I have done. What I have learned and what I have realized about myself. With everybody else, I walk towards home. Another day to history. Hopefully, it has been a somewhat memorable one.
Today's intern tasks included reading about Google+, familiarize myself more with this social network, sending out emails to TV and radio stations, reading advertising news and getting inspiration from YouTube videos while having coffee and cookies.
Well, having coffee and cookies was not really mandatory. However, I had already prepared the coffee for my colleagues and the cookies were leftovers from a meeting and who knows when they would have been eaten, had I not taken one (two, actually)!
Definitely a good day.
Lunch break in the sun. It was 62°F (17°C) outside today!
