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A Dummy's Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Puppet (Mannequin American views and guidelines on marketing/PR trends plus bits of humor and interesting but useless information.)

Now This is Funny!

CareerBuilder (the company that uses monkeys in its TV ads) has launched a four part video series called "Office Worker Survival Series" which aims to "humorously instruct disgruntled workers how to navigate the treacherous waters of corporate America."  Trust me, it's funny. Every scene will remind you of yourself, your office environment or your co-workers. 
    In the first video, "Gauging Your Workplace Worth," your worth as an employee is examined based on how elaborately your birthday gets celebrated in the office. From the time of day to location to attendance to food to whether or not your co-workers sing Happy Birthday to You, the "CareerBuilder Birthday Celebration Observational System" gauges the likelihood you'll be considered for a promotion in the future.

It's worth a look and a chuckle. Click here to see the 3 minute video. Come on ... it's clean, it'll make you laugh out loud and you'll want to forward it to others.

Remembering Jim Henson
 

I was remiss in not recognizing the anniversary of Jim Henson's death earlier this month. He died on May 16, 1990.  

Although he was not a ventriloquist, his successful and creative use of puppets as sophisticated entertainment tools enabled ventriloquists to regain a legitimate position in the entertainment industry. Ventriloquists were able to modernize their acts, create new kinds of vent characters and play on a more level playing field with other entertainers. In short, he helped revise the image of ventriloquists from that of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy to Jeff Dunham and Peanut. Ventriloquists owe Jim Henson a lot. 

It seems like the more time passes the more people miss Jim Henson and the contributions he made. He was taken from this earth much too soon, but when you consider the new Muppet and Fraggle Rock movies going into production, a ventriloquist headlining Vegas, puppets on Broadway, the most popular stand-up comedian being a ventriloquist and a whole new generation of puppeteers' podcasts popping up everywhere on the internet, you realize that through both the people he trained directly and those that grew up entertained and inspired by his work, his artistic legacy continues to grow.

If a Robot Can Do it, So Can I

Honda's ASIMO robot this week conducted the Detroit Symphony in a performance of "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha. I know what you're thinking: "Detroit has a symphony orchestra?" I was shocked too.  But the clip is sort of fun to watch.

Personally, robots freak me out. They're like puppets, but without the "human" factor. But Honda puts its robot to good marketing use in this ASIMO commercial. Still, it's a bit creepy. Not warm and fuzzy like a Mannequin American.

Congratulations to Lauren Brown
I lost a bet to Dale, so I have to include the following announcement.

Last week Dale's daughter, Lauren, graduated Cum Laude from UW-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She majored in English and minored in Journalism. I bet her dad, who was a high school teacher and journalist, and remains a writer of sorts, wishes he had set a better example.
 

I was around when Lauren was born. In the photo above she is probably about 5 years old. Those were the days when she was "proud" to have a ventriloquist for a father. That opinion changed drastically as she grew older and more sophisticated.
 

Lauren has worked off and on in our office as a receptionist and administrative assistant since she was in high school. That experience, combined with her exceptional writing skills, means she could easily take over Brown & Martin, Inc. if she wanted to. (Believe me, she would be an improvement over our existing management crew.) But instead she is seeking employment as a teacher. (Send any leads you have to me and I'll split the finder's fee with you.)

I was at Lauren's graduation. I didn't stick out because there were so many faculty members there. As she walked across the stage to receive her diploma a flood of memories washed over me. Although the memories were sweet, I struggled with the emotions they brought on. I think Dale must have had a lump in his throat, because I couldn't speak. 

Everyone who has been part of Lauren's life is proud of her and proud of the person she has become. I'm proud just to know her. And in truth, although she has become an intelligent, winsome, caring adult, to me she will always be that 5 year-old girl who thought her dad and I were cool.