Wednesday Advertisements

So, Wednesday night I got home from playing 18 holes of golf. Nobody was home so I sat on the couch and turned on the tube. King of Queens was on, so I started to watch. The show just started so I was excited that I didn't miss much. Later, the first round of commercials started to play. The very first one was for Coke. It featured the old "I'd like to buy the world a coke" tune, but this one was different. I looked up and much to my surprise was a familiar face looking back at me. Featured in this commercial was my favorite band, G. Love and the Special Sauce. The tune was, naturally, funktacious and good. I was pumped.
Follow the link and look for the title "Chill": http://www2.coca-cola.com/presscenter/av_advertising_viewall.html
I have this feeling of happiness for the band because I feel like I "discovered" them. (which couldn't be farther from the truth, as they were around many years before I first heard them) In any regard, I still have followed them a lot. Purchased all of their cds (including some rarities via eBay), travelled to Cleveland and Cincinnati once, Columbus twice to see them and also have "tivo'd" a couple of their appearances on t.v. But I feel good for them because, for one, I think more people will tune into the band and find that there is some great original and different music out there beyond what we are allowed to hear today. Secondly, I feel like I got in on the "ground floor" in regards to, what appears to be, their imminent success. Much like the feeling I will have in late January as I stand at Ford Field (site of this year's Super Bowl) or more likely, in front of my television, with a tear in my eye as the Bengals are handed the Vince Lombardi Trophy...knowing that I am being rewarded and validated. The endless screams of "Whhhyy" and "What the F*** were you thinking?" as I stand in my garage listening to the games of season's past with baseball bat in hand and shards of whatever it was that I just took a swing at in my fit of rage will all be washed away.
So, on with my wednesday night t.v. story. Again, I'm all excited with the commercial and still basking in the warm glow of my friendly television when the next commercial comes on. It's for Chase Financial whatever. Basically this: Man is doing financial planning for his family's future. His Daughter (about 5-9 yrs. old) is nearby. Her wedding is closer than he thinks. Commercial is full of "flashbacks" of young daughter/current soon-to-be-wed daughter. Final scene, newlywed daughter asks dad for dance, as he walks to the floor it transitions into him walking with what was once his little daughter.
As a man with three daughters, I sat there quietly until a finally took a big gulp and swallowed that giant lump that had been rising in my throat. Listen, I have little money and my financial plan is based on trying to decide on whether or not to buy the cheaper canned beer or splurging on the bottles...but I was nearly ready to take out all of our money and call the Chase Financial guy. I asked myself "what is this salty discharge coming from my eyes" (paraphrasing Seinfeld).
But suddenly, my quiet time had ended. I looked out the window to see my wife and kids pulling up. It was too late, they were in the door faster than ever before. The wife stopped...looked at me and said "What's wrong". I immediately jumped up, held up my hand and said "Nothing! Allergies! Pulled a nose hair out. Bit my tongue" and I was out of the room as quickly as they had entered.
Once my composure was regained, I went to Chase's website. It was the only way to explain my little episode. Remarkably, amongst the painful drivel of "mortgage lending" "financial goals" and other financial goobledygook, I found that very advertisement.
I clicked on it and prepared it's viewing for my next subject. I called in the wife and had her sit. I pushed Play and walked out of the room. 30 seconds later, I reappeared to find my wife in a tearful mushy ball of emotion. Ha HA! I thought to myself. At that point, I found no need to explain my earlier reaction. I simply said to her, "See?".
Here is the link to that commercial (look for the title "wedding" and chose your preferred video player) http://www.jpmorganchase.com/cm/cs?pagename=Chase/Href&urlname=jpmc/about/adv_chase

New Addition

Many of my faithful followers of this world famous web log have already heard the news through various sources (People, ET, Hard Copy) but I wanted to officially announce the arrival of Ava Kathleen on June 20th. She popped out about 1 pm with a full head of dark hair. She's a real beauty and seems to get prettier every day. I believe it was Broadway Joe Namath that once said "I can't wait for tomorrow because I get better lookin' every day". She has to be thinking the same thing.
Of course, now the male species is an even larger minority in this house. Zeke and I are the only ones with testosterone racing through our bodies. But I feel good about being a minority (although the white male is the most persecuted being in America...don't argue). Now I have excuses for my stupidity or apathy. I can now say that I didn't get the last pork chop on the platter because "the womenfolks' is holdin me down"
In all seriousness, I feel extremely lucky to have what I have. I am fortunate to have three healthy, beautiful, smart, and lively girls in my life and now there is no doubt that Little Miss Ava is quickly becoming the fourth.