LFS: The Storyteller

©2015 by LeeZard What better way to study human nature than wearing the famed Green Apron in one of the cafes that is part the world’s favorite coffee chain? Not only have I learned to take an order in 30-seconds and make – in less than a minute – a grande half-caff soy 130-degree no foam add sugar free caramel and extra caramel drizzle caramel macchiato, I’ve also observed the human condition across every socioeconomic line. It’s been quite a show. I’ve served Super Bowl champions, millionaires, homeless people, TV personalities, doctors, lawyers, nurses, soccer moms, cops, laborers, po’ trash of every stripe, a few certifiable crazies, a wide variety of canines (“A puppaccino, please.”) [1] , the sight and hearing impaired – you name ‘em, I’m their caffeine fix. Most of them are just plain ol’ folks – just as nice as can be. All they want is their cuppa java, tea, frappachino or smoothie. As in the rest of society some of them take themselves way too seriously. M...

©2014 by LeeZard Let’s see, the last time I was in a crowd of any size was November 1999. It wasn’t nearly as much fun; the air was filled with pepper spray and I was dodging rubber bullets fired by the ill-prepared Seattle Police Department during the WTO riots – but that was “only” about 50,000 people. In 1979 I joined 300,000 to cheer the NBA champion Seattle Supersonics. I’d have to go back another 30-years to the original Woodstock and a pair of massive anti-war marches on Washington, D.C. But those crowds were “only” about half-a-million. This week I was at the heart of The 700,000 , The Seattle Seahawks screaming, cheering, adoring fans, their storied 12 th Man, massed for the team’s Super Bowl parade through downtown Seattle. I love big events. I go as much to observe – and write about – the people as I do for the event itself. This one provided plenty of fodder; it was a singular life experience. I knew as soon as the final whistle blew on Seattle’s thrashi...

©2013 by LeeZard Are you tired of hearing The Richard Sherman Story, the one about his explosive interview with ESPN’s Erin Andrews after the Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game? I am and yet, I feel compelled to write about it. Well, not so much about the interview – that was (and is) pure Richard Sherman. I want to write about the man-child – because that’s what he is and that’s why he said what he said and said it the way he said it. The Play - Richard Sherman tips the ball intended for Michael Crabtree. It’s not difficult to parse his tweeted apology. He didn’t apologize for what he said, per se; he apologized for taking the limelight away from his team and teammates by declaring himself the best cornerback in the game – which he is. What he didn’t apologize for was his comments about the abilities of 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree. Again, that’s pure Sherman. In the interest of full disclosure, I love Richard She...

©2013 by LeeZard Advertising, more than anything, reflects the current state of society – for better or worse. Unfortunately, IMHO, it’s usually for the worst. What has me thinking about this is the brouhaha over the recent Cheerios ad featuring a mixed race child. I love it because the commercial is so sweet and child-like. I love it more because General Mills did it and stuck to it after the reaction from the whacko right-wing reactionaries. Both sides represent a clear mirror of where we are today.  What hasn’t changed since the dawn of advertising time is the mix of funny, touching and brilliant with the stupid, inane and insulting. I’m thinking primarily about the mass electronic media. Oh, let us count the ways. When I sat down to write this piece I thought I’d take the time to insert examples of everything I’m talking about, the good, the bad and the ugly. I’ve decided not to sully my blog, or your senses, with the trash that often spews from the ad a...