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Colorful vans have a magic ability of attracting interesting people. You should just paint your car like a rainbow today, and drive around.

While at a rest stop off freeway 5 somewhere near exit 603, we met Mad Tea Party. (Ironically, they're from Asheville, NC, a favorite stop of ours on last year's PlaidNation tour.)

The Mad Tea Party plays Uke-abilly. Or Retro-Pop. Or Rock 'n' Roll. Or whatever you call a duo that plays drums with their feet while strumming a guitar and singing.

Check them out in San Francisco on Saturday, at Amnesia or the Sonoma County Fair on Sunday 7/27.

Labels: interesting people, lifeontheroad

posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:21 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=8874210322299102999;0 comments

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From a random country music song, overheard on the radio somewhere between Oregon and California.

Yep. Lots of country music on the radio up here. (Not everyone in California is super progressive.) We expect that to change a bit, when we reach San Francisco. We're looking forward to some good times and fun people in the hilly city.

Labels: lifeontheroad, quote of the day

posted by darryl ohrt @ 5:26 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=1409817725624333899;0 comments

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Today we encountered the longest drive of the entire tour. Five and 3/4 hours, if you're driving non-stop.

But we can't drive non-stop. There's caffeine stops. Mexican food stops. Photo opp stops. So this is a seriously draining drive.

Things encountered so far:
+ Really cool signs
+ A super massive mountain/volcano (Mt.Shasta)
+ A lake that we've deemed houseboat city
+ A Cuervo bottle chandelier
+ A semi-truck with a severed Jesus arm "he spilled his blood for your sins."
+ Loads and loads and loads of country music on the radio. And some oldies.

At this moment, we're about 112 miles from San Francisco. Blogging, tweeting and driving our way down highway 5.

Labels: lifeontheroad

posted by darryl ohrt @ 5:19 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=4192182178209168160;0 comments

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While in Portland today, we got to meet the crew at Ascentium. They're one of AdAge's Top 50 interactive firms. And some really cool people. And we're not just saying that because they greeted us with a ginormous box of cupcakes. (Plaid runs on cupcakes and donuts.)

After a tour of their offices, we got to chat with Mason and learn more about some of the cool stuff that they're doing. They're a unique firm that's a mix of great creative people, backed by a massive crew of back-end geniuses that could write code that would launch missiles, if they wanted to.

They also have one of the most impressive internship programs that we've ever seen. Their interns get stints at several firms, work with a real creative team and real clients. We met intern Christine Vo, who was video taping the Plaid visit. That's a hell of a lot better than the envelope stuffing crapwork that interns get at a lot of bigger agencies. If you're a student out west, you should be looking them up.

Mason not only played awesome host at Ascentium, but gave us the best rundown of what to do in town too. He helped us discover the Rogue Brew Pub. Mmmm. Beer and cupcakes all within 24 hours. Good times.

Thanks Mason, and the entire crew at Ascentium!

Labels: agencies, portland, yummy food

posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:20 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=7113355996532524629;1 comments

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One of the things that we've learned to do on tour is to stop interesting people whenever we see them. Just to say howdy, and introduce ourselves. Really.

Today we met Victoria, after complimenting her on her sweet helmet and ride. Victoria had a really cool voice and inflection that you just can't peg - but you'll swear that she's a character in a film waiting to be written.

She just got her new bike (with a banana seat!) yesterday. And she had this to say about Plaid: "Plaid is God's favorite color. She told me so, on the phone today." Yes Victoria - we're in complete agreement. And kinda wish that we had your magic cell phone, too.

Have you met anyone interesting today?

Labels: interesting people, portland

posted by darryl ohrt @ 5:00 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=4602691691804047105;0 comments

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If you mashed up punk rock with a doughnut, it would look a lot like Voodoo Doughnuts.

This is the hottest, coolest doughnut shop in the entire world. Definitely check out their website, and our photos on the tour's Flickr page.

While at Voodoo, we met two awesome people:

Bill Baker, from Baker Communications Group stopped by for some sugary goodness. What's especially funny is that Bill's shop is about a 20 minute drive from our agency in CT. We never have time to get together while at home - but we did get to share a doughnut in Portland.

Aaron Draplin from Field Notes also stopped by. (And thanks Mitch, at Fitch for turning Aaron onto the Plaid tour). Aaron has invented something that you need in your back pocket right now. Field Notes are these sweet little notebooks that fit handsomely into your back pocket or purse. Perfect for jotting down that quick idea. Or taking notes about whatever you're doing right at this moment.

What cell phone cams are to digital photography - Field Notes are to note taking. We've got a bunch for the van, and we're all already hooked on them.

Today's experience at VooDoo was exactly what this tour is all about. Meeting interesting people. Sharing creative inspiration. And making connections with people across the country and next door. Hoooray for Voodoo!

Labels: portland, yummy food

posted by darryl ohrt @ 4:11 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=5524383395295792034;0 comments

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Today we were rock stars.

While gassing up with energy drinks and snacks at some random Shell station in the middle of Washington state, a gaggle of teenage girls saw the van, and wanted to know what it was all about.

Of course, we told them we were a rock band. From the UK.

Girls: The UK? What's that?
Plaid: Look it up on the internet.
Girls: Can we have your autograph?

Sensing danger, we put the pedal to the metal and hit highway five.

Labels: lifeontheroad

posted by darryl ohrt @ 11:02 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=9005248310004210146;0 comments

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The crew at Jones Soda totally rocked Plaid today.

While we were waiting for a tour of their headquarters, Chris at the front desk gave us the scoop on the cool neighborhoods in Seattle, and shared some pretty funny stories about some lunatic woman who calls him daily.

Zack gave us a full on tour of their facility, and we met some of the faces behind the brand. Even better, we got to peek inside the secret refrigerators, where they keep the test flavors and soda experiments. We can't say anything or they'll send the Jones police after us.

A really relaxed vibe, where you can tell that people are proud of where they work, and believe in their brand. Always inspiring. Especially exciting to hear that pretty much anyone in the company can suggest new flavors.

Swag was traded, and then we loaded the van with Jones Creme and Apple soda. Woohoo Jones!

Labels: seattle, yummy food

posted by darryl ohrt @ 10:07 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=2194191388078364926;0 comments

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Our first greeting of the day was at agency Fitch. Cool that we're visiting a mix of small and larger firms along the tour. Fitch is big. Like sweet offices-with-killer-views-and-penthouse-patio big. Like Microsoft as a client big.

But don't let big scare you. Harmony, Annie, Shelley and Mitch were completely friendly and welcoming of the Plaid crew. We got to see some of their incredible package work, their digs, and their patio. Thanks Fitch!! (Special thanks to Julie who introduced us to Harmony!)

Labels: agencies, seattle

posted by darryl ohrt @ 9:36 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=4181878190220231853;2 comments

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While hanging out at Bauhaus Coffee and Books in Seattle, we were approached by a guy in a new suit, holding a tie. He had a job interview, and didn't know how to tie it. So...he approached a group of dudes wearing t-shirts and cool jeans.

Could a bunch of agency people who don't wear ties help him out? You bet.

Don't know if you've ever tied a tie for someone else, but it's not that easy. Unless you're facing the right way. Which meant that I put my arms around a guy today. Of course Renato captured it all on video, so that I could be totally embarrassed in the wrap up video tomorrow. Hilarity will ensue.

Tie dude: good luck - we're hoping that you got the job.

Labels: darryl, seattle

posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:49 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=132718362388793372;0 comments

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Today we met the crew at SmashLAB, and genius blogger Eric Karjaluoto of Ideas on Ideas.

They have some beautious office space in one of the cool neighborhoods in Vancouver. They immediately friended us, with shout outs from their 4th floor digs, to our van, as we were attempting to parallel park the Plaid beast.

And then they bought us donuts. Yep. The one thing Plaid likes more than big projects with big budgets. Donuts.

It's always cool to hang with other creative people, and especially another independent shop. SmashLab does some fantastic work - and they even have a pretty sweet side project, called MakeFive. You have to check this out, if you haven't already heard about it. You can make your own top five list. On anything. Or read others. And become a part of interesting conversation. These guys not only GET social media - they're producing new tools for all of the internet.

We met the entire SmashLAB crew and fell in love with their ULTRA NEAT offices. We're still convinced there's a big closet somewhere, filled with all of the junk that normally sits on desks in messier offices (like ours.) You'll see Eric, Eric and the rest of the SmashLAB crew on the wrapup video later tomorrow.

Right around the corner from SmashLAB was none other than Andy from A Million Monkeys Typing. Andy was watching the tour from the dashboard, and saw on the webcams that we were around the corner, getting ready to broadcast the 11:40 show. He popped down to say howdy to the Plaid crew. Totally awesome.

Labels: agencies, vancouver

posted by darryl ohrt @ 9:49 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=114463675012408275;0 comments

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A few thousand miles is never too far to travel for a good cupcake. So today we visited Cupcakes Online.

Cupcakes online in Vancouver is one of those really sweet places. Sweet because the entire facade is pink and frilly. With pink furniture on the sidewalk. And the inside is filled with more pink magic and super sugary goodness. It's the type of place that makes a guy who'd rather be at a Yankees game (not naming anyone) a little uncomfortable.

But Plaid has a sweet tooth. And the Plaid van must stop at every awesomely delicious donut or cupcake joint along our journey. (And we promised the cupcake queenie, our coworker Sara that we'd at least get some yummy photos for her.)

While enjoying the most scrumptious cupcakes on earth, sitting on pink frilly furniture, we happened on a suburban mom and her little girl.

Mom: (pointing to Renato, with a shaved head and kick ass goatee) "See?? Even tough guys like cupcakes."

And there you have it. Our quote of the day.

Labels: vancouver, yummy food

posted by darryl ohrt @ 9:23 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=683055319980181312;1 comments

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Here's a few things we learned while crossing the Canadian border twice in two days:

+ When they ask what you're going into Canada for, don't answer "to meet with a blogger."

+ Don't greet border patrol with a video camera. Taping.

+ When they ask if you captured their facilities on video, don't answer "no."

+ Don't smile, or be jovial if the guards are frowning.

What an experience getting into Canada. We happened to arrive at the border just as every Canadian on earth decided to return to their country. So there was a very entertaining 65 minute wait to get to the gate. And then the real fun began...keep in mind that the van is wired with cameras, equipment, powerpacks, laptops, plus loads of luggage and five gnarly guys.

"I have an idea. Renato, get in the back seat, and video tape the guard as we approach the gate!"

Guard: "Why are you visiting Canada?"
Plaid: "We're here to visit a blogger!"
Guard: (Grimace) "Are you video taping me??" Please pull the van over to bay one."
Guard 2: "Get out of the van."
Guard 2: "How much of our facility and guards did you video tape?
Plaid: "Not much, really."
Guard 2: "Why are you here?"
Plaid: "To meet with a blogger."
Guard 2: (Super grimace) "What's a blogger??"
Plaid: "Ummmm"
Guard 2: "Go wait inside while we search your van."

Renato was pulled aside and questioned further, and then reviewed all of our video tape with the guards. We erased any offending footage. The van was searched in detail. Luckily Matt left his firearm collection at home.

We're pretty sure that we're on watch lists, permanently now.

Labels: bloggers, van, vancouver

posted by darryl ohrt @ 9:13 PM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=8065276282042974808;0 comments

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We're here. In Vancouver!

It was a long night at the border, but we're finally here. Canadian border guards don't quite share the same sense of humor as Plaid employees...more on that on this morning's 11:40 show.

We settled in to the glorious Travel Lodge - which to our surprise was actually really nice. We're not accustomed to "nice" on the Plaid tour, when it comes to hotels motels. The view from my room is pictured above.

Today we're meeting with another sweet creative firm in Vancouver, and talking to Eric Karjaluoto, the awesomely intelligent blogger from Ideas on Ideas. There are some other fun meetings and activities planned, too. And we'll be eating the most delicious cupcakes in all of Canada. If you're in Vancouver, please join us.

Stay tuned for so much more!

Labels: travel lodge, vancouver

posted by darryl ohrt @ 9:39 AM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=4334889942810191696;4 comments

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GEEK ALERT: This post is all about cameras and technology. Politely ignore if those types of things bore you.

Here's proof that even with advance testing and preparation, things can go wrong.

We've planned for three live webcams when the van is rolling. Each camera has a laptop dedicated to it, to maximize streaming. Of course we're rolling with Macs. Since Mac laptops come with a webcam built in, they're picky about which webcams they'll recognize.

Apple made a webcam years ago (the iSight) that works seamlessly with Apple laptops. Only one problem. Apple stopped producing iSights many years ago. We had purchased two of them on eBay prior to the tour, and had another Logitech camera in the office, successfully running off a Mac. Figured that would be no problem.

Luckily we arrived in Seattle with a pre-production crew so there was time for one last road test. After wiring the van, we fired up all of the cameras for a test broadcast. But the Logitech camera wouldn't work.

Made a quick stop at BestBuy, for another "mac friendly" cam. Which didn't work. Next stop: the Apple store in SouthCenter Seattle. Purchased another Logitech that is guaranteed Apple friendly. Nope. Two hours and two Apple "geniuses" later, we're all stumped. After attempting many scripts (thanks Brian!!), drivers and patches, we've concluded that the iSight is the only camera guaranteed to work for our situation.

We put out a tweet to our Twitter friends. Asked the Apple fanboys at the store in Seattle. And called the team at home on the east coast.

Sara found a used iSight in Derby, CT. And spent her Saturday evening on a wild adventure through Connecticut purchasing a camera from who knows who. It's on a JetBlue flight with Matt as we speak, who joins the tour this afternoon.

So tomorrow morning - we'll be live. With three cameras. We'll dedicate the dashboard cam to Sara. The SaraCam. Thanks Sara, for saving the day!!

Labels: dashboard, technology, van

posted by darryl ohrt @ 10:28 AM   location.href=http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7387120238541080615&postID=3910882524916311688;0 comments