RVA

I know I may have lost a few followers by taking a crippling break from the blogosphere but I am happy to report that I am officially settled into the new place and getting ready to start school this week.  For those that may be checking out adified for the first time I have included a little background on the topic:

Mar 2011 – After some serious self reflection, networking, and chats on the subject with as many people as I could get in touch with I decided to abandon my plans to pursue an MBA and go for a Masters program more suited to my personality, interests, and strengths.  Finished prepping for GMAT so I could get started on a pretty intense application to my new target program.

Apr 2011 – Completed my application to the Creative Brand Management track at VCU’s Brandcenter, the top advertising school in the Western Hemisphere.

May 2011 – Flew out to Richmond, VA to interview for a position in the class of 2013 and submit my application.  2 weeks later received my acceptance letter.  Elation.

Aug 2011 – Completed my last day as a Buyer for General Mills, packed everything I own (including a wife & offspring) into a truck and drove 1,200 miles to Richmond, vA (RVA).  Saw new parts of the country, beautiful and hideous.  Moved into an apartment we had not previously stepped foot in.  Were rescued by 3 saints from Arizona.  Overcame sickness.  Spent a lot of money getting ready for school.  Spent a lot more money paying for school.  Feel adequately (maybe…) prepared to start school.  Positive I have no idea what I got myself into.

With all that has taken place over the last few months I am somewhat surprised to be here.  It felt in some ways like the day would never come.  I’m glad it has.

In an attempt to bring things full circle and start off on the right foot, the reason I started this blog was to document my experience at the Brandcenter.  Hopefully it can provide some insight to what I think will be a very interesting 2 years for me.  I would love to be able to help inspire future advertising students considering applying in the same way I was inspired by the blogs of Brandcenter students in previous classes.  On top of that, I’m hoping to fill adified with cool ad, branding, and design stuff that I find noteworthy.

Below are some pictures I have taken over the past 2 weeks in RVA.  Considering I’m getting around exclusively on 2 wheels now I am hoping to keep snapping photos of what I am finding to be a very cool city.

I apologize for the extended silence but keep checking back and I’ll try to keep things updated.

Robert E. Lee School - An old school turned apartment building & our new pad

view coming into the new apartment

Home base - I'll be spending a lot of time here

the new ride

My neighbor - Virginia Historical Society

Stonewall Jackson Monument

my new barbershop...places like this are hard to come by

Here’s to the next 2 years!

Great RVA Shop

I recently came across a great little blog titled The Denim Debate through One Trip Pass, which I featured in a previous post.  While I don’t believe this was done as an advertising/publicity play (or perhaps it was and was done so well I as a consumer didn’t even recognize it), I found it to be incredibly interesting and have been following for some time. 

The jist is this – a bunch of dudes from all walks of life are asked to pick their ideal pair of jeans, wear the hell out of them for 12 months, and then document via regular blog posts.  Jay Carroll of One Trip Pass is a contributor at the Denim Debate and is killing it!  He picked a pair of Levi 1947 LVC 501xx jeans and needless to they are being pummeled to perfection. 

See what I mean?

I love how these guys  in all different professions and life stages are wearing their pants in differently and how unique each pair becomes over time.  Raw selvedge denim was selected almost exclusively by varying brands, many of whom I had never heard of.  Few have been washed.  I am now, and maybe for the first time, recognizing the value associated with investing in expensive, high quality denim.  They are literally indestructable and over time become so unique.  Each spot worn, stained, and scuffed associated with some life event or adventure.  100% custom.  I haven’t taken the leap yet but would love to get my hands on a pair like any of those featured at the Denim Debate, wear them to death, and maybe pass them on to one of my boys some day. 

Pipe dreams.    

Also, the guy that pulled the Denim Debate together apparently has his own branding blog.  He features a shop in Richmond, VA that looks so legit!  I can’t believe I missed the opportunity to stop in when I was in town last month.  I guess I will be back soon enough.  Unfortunately I will be broke again as a grad student and living off government cheese, so splurging on fine threads is unlikely.  Those in the area and interested in this kinda stuff should definitely check it out.  Shops like this are infinitely better than any major retailer. 

Click the picture below to see the post on Need Supply Co. in RVA…

Need Supply Co., RVA

 If you’ve been to Need Supply Co. or end up going after seeing this please come back and leave comment about your experience!

homeless no more

As many of you may have heard I have recently decided to go back to school.  This statement has acquired multiple meanings this week as we finalized a place to live in Richmond.  We will be living in an old school house that was built in the early 1900’s and converted into lofts and apartments about 5 years ago.

The apartments are very cool – big windows, exposed brick, hardwood or cement flooring.   We are very excited to have found a place in a great area in the city and are looking forward to our urban dwellers lifestyle for the next few years. 

Here are a few pictures of the new hood. 

Neighborhood

channeling my inner hipster…

Aside from finding an apartment in Richmond, one of the school related needs I have been addressing in my mind over the past few weeks has been transportation.  I have always wanted a scooter to zip around town on so I pitched the idea to the boss.  Needless to say I am now looking at bikes. 

I do have a nice mountain bike that I picked up last year.   However, due to the torcherous Minnesota winters it sat in my garage untouched from about October of last year until earlier this month.  It pains me to say even entertain the thought of gettting rid of the bike considering I’ve only put about 30 miles on it but the conclusion I have come to is that if I am going to be riding this thing 5-7 miles per day to and from school I think I need something more practical for urban commuting.  Those of you that have ridden a big knobby-tired mountain bike long distances on the street can certainly empathize. 

After much research I am in the process of putting together a deal with a dude I came across via craigslist for what I think may be exactly what I am looking for.  Cue Vampire Weekend — My first fixie.  He has a brand new fixed gear  by Specialized, still under warranty and in great shape.  Much like my mountain bike.  They are comparable in price so we may just swap bikes….no cash needed.    I am meeting him this afternoon so I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

Those of you that know me can attest that style is equally important as function in my mind.  Thats what I love about the Roll….I get the quality and dependability of Specialized bikes without sacrificing a sweet looking ride!  Look at these bikes and tell me they dont look amazing:

If I manage to make the swap I would be getting the black bike at the top.  It happens to be my least favorite color scheme of the 3 but alas it was all I could find.  It would be pretty sweet to put those blue rims on the black frame so maybe I can piece something together later.  

Coming from ultra conservative corporate america where hipsters, artists, and roustabouts are looked at only from the top of one’s nose this definitely feels like a transgression.  It also feels so good!  Perhaps I am just now embracing the real me and pursuing the life I have wanted all along.  I’ve already got the beat up Vans classics, Ray-Bans, and now this (Note: I still cannot grow a mustache).  It was only a matter of time I suppose after deciding to go to the Brandcenter that this would rub off.  I’m just getting an early start.  Whatever your opinion of this whole matter is just know that I am excited!  I have a good feeling about this whole thing.

On an related note I feel that the new bike will likely jeopardize my ability to heckle my kid brother Bert about being a hipster. 

If you can’t beat ’em join ’em!