---

Now there’s a guy with a call to action. Snapped quickly as we walked by with an iPhone was one of the people in the ‘old’ Vegas casino area responsible for saving Vegas and mankind, possibly in that order. He’s probably known as ‘The Jesus Guy’ by locals. The sign in his right hand has a list of everyone Jesus hates. The usual suspects like: Homosexuals, Muslims, bloggers, etc. Say what you will, but the overall messaging is direct. And with two foot letters, he didn’t have to shout a single word. (He also had Jesus schwag like flyers and shirts.) Always be branding people!

Labels: interesting people, las vegas, lifeontheroad

posted by mtlb at 3:29 PM 0 Comments

---

After a quick visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park, we took photos with Merv Griffin, Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Jack Lemmon, and Burt Lancaster.

We met the cemetery's groundskeeper, who had the most amazing stories (and who's working on a book.) Did you know that the guy who is buried on top of Marilyn Monroe (!) was exhumed to be turned around and facing her?

We decided that Westwood would be the perfect location for the 11:40 show, and set up for broadcast. 3...2...1...and, we're live! Fifteen seconds into broadcast, a fiery beast came squelching across the cemetery "stop taping! You have no business here!" It wasn't a ghost. Just a really mean lady who trounced across all the graves to stop the 11:40 show. We continued the broadcast, but moved to the inside of the van. Until the mean lady came by and insisted that the Plaid van was not welcome anywhere near the cemetery. (Real friendly cemetery lady.)

We finished the 11:40 show from the van. You can see it in it's entirety here. We're hoping that the mean cemetery lady gets locked in at night.

Labels: 11:40 show, hollywood, interesting people

posted by darryl ohrt at 6:27 PM 0 Comments

---

Trying to catch up on the 50,000 blog posts and came across a great find from David at Ad Pulp on problems the traditional vs. interactive media crowds have. Regardless of what people call themselves now, and whether you’re an interactive freak or TV dude, something this tour reinforces applies to both worlds: Leave your desk.

Get out and see places. Flyover country. The smaller markets. Places where you’re a minority for a change. The people on brands who don’t have TV money to spend, let alone do a ‘cool’ Flash site. See what customer service is like in other states or how small companies compete for business using untraditional methods. See a car in a Super 8 with a cam, a helmet and a log in the rear window. All of it. How can you be better at what you do if you don’t fully understand things you try and convince your clients to do?

Leave your desk—and go sit in a van. You will not have a better time, I promise.

Labels: interesting people, lifeontheroad

posted by mtlb at 10:43 PM 0 Comments

---

Our second meeting for today led us to Seesmic, the ultimate video conversation tool. Want a real explanation about what it's all about? Check it out - or listen to the one and only Cathy Brooks talk to us about how people are using Seesmic and how brands are integrating it into their social media plans. The full interview will be available tomorrow on the Plaid tour dashboard.

We also got to see their space, meet their dog Truman (who knows how to obey crosswalks!) and trade swag.

Labels: interesting people, san francisco

posted by darryl ohrt at 10:27 PM 0 Comments

---

We've made visits to some awesome companies while on tour so far, but today was the first time that we made a stop at someone's house. Not just anyone. Robert Scoble.

Robert invited us in, and we chatted about Twitter, search engines, social media, the iPhone, the Nokia phone, and oh, so much more. We also got some great insight into personal brand building. We'll have the interview in its entirety on the dashboard soon.

Because we were there during the 11:00 hour, Robert invited us to broadcast our 11:40 show from his front yard. Pretty sure the neighborhood association is going to write him up on that one.

Thanks Scoble!

Labels: interesting people, san francisco, video

posted by darryl ohrt at 10:24 PM 0 Comments

---

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 at 6:21 PM 1 Comments

---

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 at 5:00 PM 0 Comments