The Smoking Blog

My old friend, Rickey the Rookie

Smoking Mouse — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:54:02 +0000

When I was 15 years old, I had an opportunity to embark on a journey every kid desires as a fan of Baseball. I was in the prime of my involvement with collecting the coveted pieces of cardboard and signed memorabilia; each new acquisition replacing the last one on my shelf of fame.

Growing up, I was in awe of this stocky phenom from Chicago, IL named Rickey Henderson. Not a game went by that I didn’t watch his Cooperstown bid become more and more reachable, 90 feet at a time. Not many people were fans of Rickey; he was cocky and arrogant, on and off the field. But as Forrest Gump says, he could run like the wind blows. Rickey was considered the greatest lead off hitter of all time, earning an MVP award in 1990, 10 All-Star appearances and most notably, the all time Stolen Base leader; surpassing Lou Brock’s record on May 1, 1991 with his 939th career base steal.

So, back to my 15th birthday. My parents, Tom and Lana, took me to the Arlington Convention Center for a baseball card show. With a budget of $150, they told me I could get anything I wanted. As a side note…an unknown rookie Running Back named Emmitt Smith was there signing autographs as well along with a few other no-name Cowboys. So we spent the $10 to get his autograph on his $1.50 rookie card.

With a now depleted budget in hand, the chances of landing a Henderson Rookie card were getting slim. But after several hours and several negotiations, we finally found the one we were looking for – and let me tell you, it was a thing of absolute beauty! I was a 15 year old kid with his hero tucked securely in his hip pocket.

I should have kept it there…

Seven years later, Rickey was gone, along with every other hero I had invested in over the years. But none was more sacred than number 24. I won’t go into detail about how I lost them all, but let me assure you, it was in devastating fashion. I will never forget the day I received the card, nor will I ever forget the day I lost it.

And yesterday, my friends, Rickey returned.

My wife is such an amazing woman. For those of you who know her, you’ll agree. After hearing my story of loss a while back, it seems she set out on a mission.

I returned home last night after a long day of work, tired and beaten, only to find a piece of mail I had been dreading waiting for me. The day just didn’t seem to want to get any better. Then, my loving wife, Heather, asked if I’d like something that might cheer me up. I’m thinking a soft kiss on the cheek, maybe a shoulder rub or even a simple “I love you.” Complying with her offering, I said that I would love to be cheered up. She then handed me a plain manila envelope containing bubble wrapping and something inside that I couldn’t quite make out at first glance. Upon further investigation of the contents, a concerned look on Heather’s face, I extracted my old friend, Rickey the Rookie. Adorned in a hard plastic protective shell, was the 1980 Topps Chewing Gum card #428, Rickey Henderson Rookie Card in Mint Condition.

Immediately, while tearing up, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was absolutely beautiful. I’m still in shock. And for me, at this point in my life, its not about the value of the card. It’s not about the condition or even that it’s a baseball card at all. It’s the fact that my wife did this for me. That she felt my loss and was so generous in her giving. It’s not about the card. It’s about this new day that I will never forget.

I’m a 34 year old kid, with his hero tucked securely in his hip pocket, and the love of an amazing, wonderful woman.

Oh the commerce

Smoking Mouse — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:54:07 +0000

So I’m sitting in a Starbucks close to downtown Dallas in my old digs waiting for a potential new client and I’ve just learned from my referral contact that he may or may not show. While in the holding pattern, I’m amazed at the banter and conversational happening of my java flavored surroundings. There are no available tables at the moment and I think I’ve been given the stink eye a time or two because I have a third chair pulled up to my table, patiently awaiting the backside imprint of my potential new client.

Why does working class america prefer to meet in such places I wonder? Is it because it’s neutral ground. A place to grab a cup of joe, flavored and named with 13 different words nicely packed into a 10% post-consumer recycled fiber container, seems like a cozy place to meet new faces, develop relationships or close the deal – so it seems.

I’ve had many-a-meetings in Starbucks across the metroplex. Today is no different. When a client asks for a meeting, we always end up here. But why? Maybe I should offer Starbucks at my office…or maybe I should just move in here. Seems like a valid choice. Anyhoo – the meeting is upon me – I must prepare. Happy Java!

No shoes for the Cobbler’s kids

Smoking Mouse — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:47:04 +0000

So there’s this old saying that says the “Cobbler’s kids never have any shoes.” Why is that I wonder…? I mean, he knows how to make the shoes, his kids toes are chilly, but they have no shoes! Does this make him a bad father? Probably so -

But the point is, why is it that we always neglect ourselves when it comes to doing for ourselves what we do best? (if that was a run-on sentence, I appologize – but it’s the only way I could say it)

I AM GRAPHIC DESIGN. I AM SECOND.

The fact of the matter is, I have a business to run. I’m stuck in the middle of taking care of my own clients while also trying to push towards the finish of my own company’s rebranding and new marketing campaign. Insert Cobbler’s Kids. While my own projects seem to be going nowhere, I find myself increasingly busy. Not one to complain for the blessings God has bestowed upon me with faithful clients, I need to find balance in this tangled web.

So, please bare with me as I try to do just that. Those who are waiting for the new and improved Smoking Mouse will just have to take a number. Number 1…serving number 1….

Mike

9/10/2010 Old Dog+New Tricks = Me

Smoking Mouse — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:13:27 +0000

I’m quickly remembering what it is like to be back in school. My wife, Heather is back in school, learning things old and new and I’m gaining an appreciation for the effort she puts into learning what is required of her. Well, I’m doing the same thing right now, learning a new coding language that will propell my skill sets in business. Wished I had learned this stuff when my brain was a sponge. I’ve just spent a total of 6 hours over the last two days working on one stupid little exercise from this programming book only to have it blow up in my face, MY FACE! The problem is, I can simply copy the example files to correct my errors, but then I wouldn’t be learning now would I? So now I’m gonna jump back into the code to find the err of my ways. I should have been a gardener…

Mike

9/7/2010 It’s that time again

Smoking Mouse — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:21:06 +0000

So, every September, I get a bug up my butt to launch a new marketing campaign for Smoking Mouse, which usually leads to a rebrand of the company. It’s a small company; my wife – THE Board of Directors and me – the guinea pig. This year, as with most in the past, we’ve decided to go in a new direction with our brand. The name, “Smoking Mouse” was conceptually a reference to our turnaround times being so fast…thus, a mouse (computer device, not an animal) that was on fire (or previously because of the friction caused between desk and plastic molding) and therefore smoking. It’s no secret that I, myself am a smoker. My nickname in high school was “Beaver.” Smoking Beaver just didn’t sound right. So, Smoking Mouse it was, it is, and always will be.

But what do you do with that? Our brand used to be a woman dressed as Minnie Mouse with a Mortisha Adams style cigarette holder spilling from her pursed lips. This was a little to harsh and literal for most in public and they didn’t know what to do with it. We’ve evolved since then and so saith the wife, we have our cute little mouse now.

So, the new site is in the works, getting ready to launch a massive attack on clients old and new with material that usually makes for good bathroom reading, but none-the-less, we gotta get the word out. We’re offering a new line of printables this year as we’ve been working on an industry partnership with a great printer over in Arlington. We’re also going to focus on honing in our PPC (pay-per-click) skills this coming year and offer a wide range of landing page and keyword specific marketing tools for our clients.

I’d say we’re off to a good start and looking forward to the growth that comes with venturing out into new territory. So now it’s back off to work and try to make some of this stuff work! Talk to you soon!

Mike