RIP Lucky
We have a fish tank in the lobby, but there are no fish in it anymore.
Six months ago, all but one of our pet fish died. We couldn’t figure out why. We tested the ph levels, changed the water, cleaned the tank, threw away the old plants, and installed new decorative driftwood.
We named the last fish swimming Lucky. And he thrived, actually growing much bigger than we imagined he would. Perhaps it was due to feeding him the same amount we were feeding six fish.
Last week’s deep freeze, which knocked out our HVAC unit, also knocked out Lucky. Think about this. The office was so cold over the weekend that our fish tank had two inches of ice in it. Locked in that ice was Lucky. He had a surprised look on his face, which reminded me of the scene in Star Wars, when Boba Fett froze Han Solo in carbonite.
I tried to reassure kids and colleagues that Lucky would be just fine when he thawed out. But as the office slowly heated up, the koi remained coy. Armed with a ice pick, small net, and a waste basket, I freed Lucky from his icy lair and gave him a burial at sea (a.k.a. flushed him down to the toilet). I told colleagues that I had returned him to the James River, which is partly true. #RIPLucky
Monday, January 8 – They say “Brandy…”
The good folks at Southern Goodman Mechanical installed a new HVAC system for us
on Monday. Everyone, except Lucky, was thrilled that our office was back to double
digit temperatures.
We were also thrilled that Brandy Seay, our new Business Manager, was able to join us for her first day as a Madison+Main-iac. Personally, I was so thrilled, I wrote a song just for the occasion:
There’s a shop down on Cary Street
You know they build brands that are really neat
And there’s a girl in this capital town
And she works bringing business ’round
They say, Brandy, it’s another win
She gives them all a grin…
The clients say: “Brandy, you’re a fine girl” (you’re a fine girl)
“What a good friend you would be” (such a fine girl)
Dave says, “you’ve done a such good job for me”
(da do doot do da do)
Brandy works at Madison+Main
Where all the kids are not too sane
The office sign still bears the name
Of a biz that Brandy loved
She came in the winter chill
Bringin’ talent from Mechanicsville
And she made it clear that she always will
‘Cause she had found a home
The clients say: “Brandy, you’re a fine girl” (you’re a fine girl)
“What a good friend you would be” (such a fine girl)
And Dave says, “you’ve done a such good job for me”
(da do doot do da do)
Awards season is right around the corner. We’ve created some great stuff for our clients over the past year and we can’t wait to show it off. To help get us in the award submission zone, Communications Manager Kent Brockwell attended PRSA Richmond‘s “Winning at the Virginia PR Awards” workshop and learned all the tips and tricks we’ll need to load up on some new hardware!
Meanwhile in Kansas, an anonymous neighbor shoveled Molly’s show-covered driveway. #RandomActOfKindness
Wednesday, January 10 – Welcome to the Real World
This week, we welcomed our two new copywriting/PR interns — Daniel Green and Taylor Burress. Both join us from VCU and both are also Fredericksburg natives. Daniel is an impressive young writer with a gift for videography (he’s produced several music videos for local rappers) and Taylor is a PR major with experience helping small businesses (like The SCUBA Shack in Fredericksburg). They’ll be working directly with Mr. Brockwell, so I’m sure they’ll learn something.
On Wednesday night, Sr. Graphic Designer Katiy Carr and her lucky husband Russell invited me and the bride to dine with them at Stella’s. We had a great time and shared some great food. How do you say “meat sweats” in Greek? Hey, Alexa…
Thursday, January 11 – Rolling Out Some Awesome
On Thursday we met with the team from River City Roll and delivered their grand opening marketing and PR plan. Trust me when I tell you this — this is not your grandfather’s bowling alley. RVA’s latest and greatest dining and entertainment venue is coming to Scott’s Addition this April!
The Calendar!
CowanGates Memorial Blood Drive
Salisbury Country Club
January 19 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CowanGates has partnered with Salisbury Country Club to host their first Blood Drive of 2018. Please call Jenn Luck at 804.794-6481 or email jluck@salisburycountryclub.com to reserve your time to donate. #donateblood
New Kent Winery’s Trivia & Pizza Night
January 19 | 6-9 p.m.
Trivia Night is back by popular demand! Join our friends at New Kent Winery for a fun night of trivia, great wine, and delicious pizza. They will be selling cheese, pepperoni, and vegetable pizzas, which you can pre-order online.
Virginia Home Show
Meadow Event Park
January 27-28
Calling all homeowners, DIYers, and honey-do list tacklers! The Virginia Home Show returns to the Farm Bureau Center at Meadow Event Park. This exciting two-day event produced by Marketplace Events offers attendees a convenient chance to shop, compare, and save with hundreds of experts in remodeling, kitchen and bath, flooring, and more all gathered under one roof. Use promo code DAVE to save $2 on tickets!
Friday, January 12 – Wellness and Wellman
After a Friday morning visit to Wellness First in Midlothian (and 45 minutes of therapy on my aching back) I had a meeting with Tom Earle, who introduced me to Scott Wellman, president of Logic Depot. It was interesting to see what Scott and his team do with information automation and webware.
All of my fiends have been losing weight recently. Good news: I found it. This is what five pounds of unwanted fat looks like.
“No good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise.”
– Lewis Carroll