I discovered the campaign when one of my co-workers tweeted that the Old Spice Man had sent a get well video to Kevin Rose (he’s been down with pneumonia). It went on for two days, with over a hundred videos produced and posted on their youtube channel.

Keeping up with the internet buzz is pretty much our job at Revision3, so fittingly The Digg Reel did an episode about Old Spice Man & did an informal poll of the office ladies involving a blindfold and a sniff test. — Quick, what is the first thing this scent reminds you of? — Check out what my co-workers and I came up with:

And for giggles, here is the final video entry of the campaign. Enjoy.

Growing up on a cul-de-sac meant kickball games in the street, hide and seek, hop-scotches that stretched around the block, and in general running around the street with the neighbor kids ’til the street lights came on, which signaled it was time to go in, or mom would come looking for you.  Perhaps most memorable of all, it meant an annual block party for the 4th of July.  Years ago the parents would pitch it to pay to block the street off, then I think they realized everyone who lived there was out, so there was really no point.  The 4th was almost as exciting as my birthday, at least that’s always how I felt when I woke up in the morning, with anticipation for the fun day ahead.

At first things were pretty chill, just wheel out your grill and cooler and something to share.  Then things got more organized, bike parades, face painting etc.  Then we grew up, started going to college.  New families moved in with younger kids, a new generation of Vera Circle (I think last year they had a bounce house!).  There are still the old faces, neighbors who have lived there for 20, 30 years.  And even if a year went by, just waving when I saw people drive by, I loved going out on the block and catching up, enjoying a summer day with friends.

This was the first year since my parents have lived there that no one came out for the 4th.  I have to say I was a little disappointed to see such a tradition not happen.  My mom had this picture hanging on our fridge recently, can you spot me?  Hint, I’m still the shortest one.  Anyways, the 4th of July will always have great memories associated with it for me.  Wherever you were this year, I hope it was memorable.

On Saturday I enjoyed a night at the Hollywood Bowl with my family for their Fireworks Spectacular.  Thought I would share a bit of the magic – something about The Battle Hymn of the Republic always gives me the chills.

We had a lovely extended week-long vacation in May, spending half the trip in the rain forest at the Arenal Volcano doing all of our adventure activities – ziplining, white-water rafting, canyoning etc. Such a rush that all was!  Then we spent the second half of the trip at the beach on the Pacific coast at Playa Hermosa. If it weren’t for the rain and mosquitoes it would have been perfect, but we still managed to enjoy ourselves – really difficult when you wake up to the sound of the ocean every morning, right?

So here is a little video I put together documenting the highlights of the trip. I wish I had more video to include, but I need to get back in the habit of taking it! As they say in Costa Rica, Pura Vida!

I’ve started a new job at Revision3. For those of you haven’t heard of it, they are an Internet TV Company, producing about 20 shows a week, and growing quickly! They’ve got a super talented group of individuals putting out really great work, which definitely makes for an exciting and fun work environment. I am joining their established Ad Sales team, and am looking forward to diving in and contributing to the sales effort. With my background in ad sales, combined with my interest in web video and time as a producer, I think it is a great fit, and it is definitely exciting to be closer to the production side of things.

Rev3 is celebrating its 5 Year Anniversary this Friday, June 25th with a party and live taping of Diggnation. Even though I haven’t been here long, it will great to celebrate such an accomplishment in such a competitive field. If you are in the Bay Area and are interested in coming out, click on the poster for deets!

After I got over the initial sticker shock of my text book (how quickly I forgot about college bookstores being out of school for only two years!), I was quickly intrigued and captivated by not only its textual contents, but, would you believe it, the design! I guess it would be a bad sign if your graphic design book wasn’t easy on the eyes, but it has definitley reinforced how interesting this topic is to me.

Given I can make the time, and my projects aren’t overly tacky and embarrassing, I will share them here. Hopefully when I look back at the three months of the course, I will have grown as a designer, a creative thinker, and visual communicator. If not, at least I will have increased my knowledge in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. And I’ll have done something more productive then re-watching season 1 of Gossip Girl on DVD, not that there’s any shame in that ;)

This image is the professional example I selected for my first project illustrating asymmetrical composition. I’ll save my observations for the class message boards, but I do think its worth noting the copy, “Time is change happening.” Chew on that for a while.

Image taken from my calendar by artist Rodney White

I’ll leave you with a quote: “Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.” – William Plomer

Clicker’s own words on the Best Live Shows of the year:

Refresh those pages no more! Talk about technological progress. What was once pre-recorded is now streaming live, and it’s happening more often than you think. We collected a list of the web-exclusive live programs that we found most worthy of a Clicker Award. So check out our winner and the runners-up and quit living in the past!

The Stream also recently celebrated its 1000th Episode with a Red Carpet event. Unfortunately it was right after I moved and I wasn’t able to celebrate with everyone, but I lived vicariously through their video recap of the Party! Congrats to Brian and everyone involved in the production process every week.

I also just found out this morning that after many emails and attempts to get the show on to IMDB, it actually happened! That means I will get producer credits for all episodes I had a hand in producing. I know, I know, don’t let your fame go to your head Lauren. Maybe when people google me now, I’ll come up as a legit producer.

In all seriousness though, I am so happy for the show and for everyone who works so hard on it. It really is a great feeling to know that you are being rewarded and that people enjoy what you make. Keep it up! Tune in Tuesdays @ 8pm PST on Thestream.tv!

This year was a tough one for many people, especially many recent grads who found it a tough time to be thrown out into the working world. I was fortunate enough to be able to depend on my family for support and encouragement, and feel I have thus far staved off my quarter-life-crisis for another year.

In 2009 I got a job as producer, was introduced to the ways of new media, I turned 23, moved to San Francisco, unpacked my belongings in my first post-college apartment, and started a new job. Those were the big things among many many more exciting, fun, silly, & ridiculous happenings over the course of the last twelve months — many of which are documented in my 2009 Memory Bank video below. Thanks to all who made this year memorable, you know who you are!

Also, just because I really liked this video, I thought I’d share it. Refresh your memory on what happened this year as we wave goodbye to 2009, and welcome in 2010!

On the First Day of Christmas Lady Gaga charmed us with her crazy ways. According to the Lady herself, we all became her little monsters that night. She definitely put on a spectacular show and, behind all the flashing lights and glittery costumes, she is a very talented singer and musician.

– The Lady slices in our Gaga Glory –

– My View at Lady Gaga, would have been better if I were 6 ft tall –

– Showing our Teeth & Gaga Monster Claws –

On the Second Day of Christmas we enjoyed the Martini Media Network (My Company) Holiday Party. My co-workers and I had a great time celebrating the successes of this year with our friends, family & clients. Concoction choices included the “Nice,” the “Naughty,” or the “Martini” Martini in celebration of the success of the Martini Life Newsletter. If you aren’t subscribed yet, get on it! Just click HERE!

– Candid of Caitlin & Matt –

Prior to the cherry stem tying race (see below for evidence of the photo finish)

– Record breaking performance I’d say –

On the Third Day of Christmas we celebrated Hanukkah. Ironic? Kara, being half-Jewish, had enough with the Christmas decorations covering our apartment and decided we needed some Judaism in this joint! She invited a bunch of friends over, including the few fellow Jews we know, and we had a festive time making (and the devouring) three trays of Potato Latkes! Thanks to Susan Jancourtz (Kara’s Mom) for sharing this recipe and making my first Hanukkah experience a success! While, we were lacking a dreidel, we did have a Menorah and lit the candles before we ate.

Oh, and don’t forget to get your holiday doorbell: Ding Dong, Hanukkah House! Thanks SNL.

– We were Latke making machines! Enough for a small army, or 15 of our closest friends! –

– Lighting the Candles –

On the Fourth Day of Christmas we had roommate holiday dinner. Rather than exchanging gifts, we decided to treat ourselves to a fancy meal. Being a Thursday, we thought we would stay close to home and chose a local place. Only a 5 minute walk, we opted to try out Beretta, a cozy Italian place, and were not disappointed! Along with a tasty bottle of Sangiovese we enjoyed Fava Bean and Pecorino Bruschetta, Tomato & Basil Gnocchi with mozzarella, Baked Polenta with Gorgonzola, Roasted Butternut Squash with walnuts, & Broccolini, Pancetta, and Tomato Pizza. Oh and I can’t forget to mention dessert: panna gelato with extra virgin olive oil & sea salt, sounds like a strange combination, and I admit I was skeptical at first, but trust me when I say it was delicious.

– Half of the Casa –

– And the other half –

– Panna Gelato with Olive Oil & Sea Salt, a.k.a. heaven –

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, we ended the week with a bang at our holiday formal party! Our friend Zak recently got a suit, and like anyone who gets a new suit, wanted to have an occasion to wear it. The cards just sort of fell into place and we threw a lovely little shindig over at their apartment (Robert, Zak, Vaibhav, & the honorary roommate, Pascal). It was a great way to celebrate the holidays with friends, and who doesn’t like to put on a party dress?! ;)

– Family Photo –

– Candid of Robert, Pascal, & Zak –

– Audrey, Matt & Me –

Such a fun, eventful week! I am so grateful to have wonderful friends and be blessed with the opportunity to do so many enjoyable things. I am looking forward to heading home in a few days to celebrate Christmas with my family and friends in Southern California, then back up to the Bay to ring in the New Year! Wow, 2009 is almost over, 2010 will be here before we know it!

I am pretty sure my brother has taken the liberty of “Elfing” my family in the past, but I only remember the traditional or “classic” dance. Now they have upgraded to Hip Hopping, Carol singing, disco dancing elves. I mean really, what more could you want from elves this season? They need a break from the hard work making toys just as much as we all do.

Hope these bring you some holiday cheer, they sure brought me some giggles!

Funky Hip Hop Elves:

Holiday Carol Singing Elves:

Night Fever Disco Elves:

The Classic Elves:

When the museum recently opened I read a lot about it in the California Alumni magazine and was fascinated by the “Living Roof” and how eco-friendly/green the entire building is. Every Thursday night they open up from 6:00-10:00 for a 21+ crowd. You can visit the exhibits (including the aquarium, rainforest, roof, and planetarium), grab a cocktail if you so please, groove to the DJ’s tunes, and just enjoy one of the unique things Golden Gate Park has to offer!

Thanks for visiting, Nat, wish you could have stayed longer! So who will my next guest be?

Caitlin, Nat, and I on the Living Roof — That’s light from the rainforest shining out!

That’s a tall giraffe

Starfish and Sea Anemones, the view from above

Checking out the very large Bass

A Sea Apple, cousin of the Sea Cucumber — Looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland