The Curious Case of Phineas Gage

Phineas Gage: a medical mystery. How did this railroad construction foreman survive an iron rod blasting completely through his skull and destroying much of his brain's left frontal lobe? Of course he suffered brain damage which affected his personality and behavior, causing his friends to be turned off by his mood swings, but for 1848, it is a miracle he survived the accident. "The accident," which took place on September 13 of 1848, occurred while he was working on the Rutland & Burlington Railroad outside the town of Cavendish, Vermont.

(Photo cred: http://scienceblogs.com/retrospectacle/2007/10/the_curious_case_of_phineas_ga.php)

Fast forward to the twenty-first century. The years of the Phineas Gage Project. Not to be confused with modern research on the medical phenomena, the Project is a band of Vermonters who play "music for happy brains."

(Video - YouTube: phineasgagevt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQGKe5QpJzk)

The band, composed of a Champlain College professor/Yak farmer, a Champlain College Alumn and staff member, and two musicians, performs cover songs from bands and singer/songwriters like Tracy Chapman (as seen above), Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Janis Joplin, The Bangles, Dave Mathews Band, America, Alanis Morissette, Guster, Toto, and even Outkast!

Rob Williams, my Media & Society professor who makes me blog monthly, below pictured in wacky antlers:

(Photo cred: Flickr)

Two out of three of his band mates, Kat Maund (CampChamp alumn) and Erica Stroem:

I was lucky enough to see the Phineas Gage Project perform at Champlain College's Accepted Students' Day on April 2nd. Although, I would have to say I am even luckier to have band members, Erica and James Kinne (not pictured), performing at my TOMS One Day Without Shoes event, "Attain Your Sole" Tuesday night, 6:00 at ECCO Clothes. Be there or be square.

To book the Phineas Gage Project, email rob@vermontyak.com

Can't Help Falling in Love [with Elvis]

What do you think of when someone says Elvis Presley?

Your grandparents? A bedazzled jumpsuit? Graceland? A pink Cadillac? Blue suede shoes? Viva Las Vegas?

Well at least you somewhat know what you're talking about. To many people, Elvis is so much more than that.

Screaming Elvis fans at the Auditorium in Ottawa, Canada on April 3, 1957. (http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/1957_april_3.html)

Elvis is a cultural icon that has lived on since his death in 1977. "The King of Rock n' Roll," as he was known, was interested in music from a young age. Elvis's unique voice achieved a combination of 1950s African American music, country, rhythm and blues, and even gospel. The way he moved his hips was too much for some to handle, but the young generation, especially the girls, loved him.

His first single released by Sun Records and RCA in 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel," soared to #1 on the Billboard charts. Some of Elvis's other #1's through the years included "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "All Shook Up," and "Suspicious Minds."

Soon after Elvis's music career began, he was wrapped up in movie contracts as well. His film, Love Me Tender, was the first of his 35 movies. He never loved filming movies because he was never taken seriously as an actor. The roles he was cast in were all very similar: seductive and juvenile.

My favorite scene from Elvis's movie Jailhouse Rock circa 1957 (www.youtube.com). The song is titled "You're so Square (Baby, I Don't Care).

After a highly successful debut in the late 1950s, Elvis was drafted into the United States Army and sent overseas to Germany. While in Germany, he met 14 year old Priscilla, who would later become his wife and the mother of his daughter Lisa Marie Presley.

Elvis in the Army.

While Elvis was overseas, his mother passed away. He came back to America strong for a good period of time, releasing many hit singles and booking some great performances. During the majority of the 1960s, Elvis left the stage and made the majority of his films. In 1968 Elvis had a huge comeback special. He was now older and more conservative in his performances. He was very popular in Vegas until stress and possible illness ultimately ended his career.

Elvis's legacy still lives on in his favorite city of Las Vegas. With the help of his ex-wife, Priscilla, they have made a Cirque du Soleil show called Viva Elvis which features modern arrangements of twelve of his biggest hits. It also includes video of live performances and television interviews. Also, it isn't uncommon to see multiple Elvis impersonators in Vegas. Please, let me appropriately end this blog dedicated to my idol:

Elvis Presley in Ottawa, Canada April 3, 1957 (http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/1957_april_3.html)

"Attention: Elvis has left the building."

There's no place like HOME

The cover to the 2010-2011 Annual Edition of Southern New England Home magazine.

Southern New England Home, an award-winning magazine published by lighthouse publications, is an annual magazine that highlights the newest breakthroughs and ideas for house decorating specifically in Southern New England. The Southern New England region includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

This magazine has appeared on the shelves of magazine carriers throughout southern New England and New York City for the past six years.

It acts as an ideal marketing resource for many local businesses. Architects, interior designers, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, contractors and builders, landscape designers, retail home goods stores, and even custom painters advertise in the Southern New England Home magazine. With all these trusted retailers and services, it is a great resource for homeowners in southern New England.

The magazine is visually appealing, targeting the limbic brain, with many advertisements and articles on featured designers and critiques on products and services. The magazine's gorgeous photography of homes inspires readers to do DIY projects on their own home and provides local resources to contact all the help needed to see a project through.

An interior featured in Southern New England Home magazine.

All of the looks within the 192-page magazine are upscale and custom, but they appeal to a wide range of personal styles. The designs are mostly nautical and light, but some are contemporary and modern.

Recently, the magazine is trying to expand into a television program. On YouTube, there are two pilots for the series that are pretty dry but show a remarkable transformation of a kitchen space. They use plain folk and beautiful people as an appeal.

Part 1 & 2 from Southern New England Home's Remodeling sample pilot.

Lighthouse Publications, out of Hyannis, MA publishes multiple regional and demographic edition magazines including: Southern New England Living, Southern New England Weddings, Golf & Leisure on Cape Cod, Cape Cod Travel Guide (Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket), and Home Remodeling (Cape Cod, the Islands & the South Coast).

The target market of Lighthouse Publications magazines is adults ages 25-65 who have an annual income of $100,000 or more. It also attracts recent homebuyers or people who are financially able to remodel their home to suit their needs. It is also for empty-nesters who are down sizing and remodeling new homes to finally have the dream home they always wanted. To appeal to empty-nesters, Southern New England Home focuses uses nostalgia. Finally, it catches the eye of designers and people who are equally interested in design, such as myself.

As a marketing major in the advertising track, the magazine's business model is of great interest to me. Lighthouse Publications' website offers all the scientific evidence, research, and feedback from Southern New England Home readers. It offers information on how to appear in the magazine and get an ad published, information on where it is distributed, and ensures an increase in revenue for a company if they choose to work with Lighthouse Publications.

This quote from a Southern New England Home reader best sums up the success this magazine has found in its six years of publication:

"We used to live in Rhode Island and I have been collecting your magazine since it's debut. I constantly reach for them for inspiration and I find something new each time I look through them. They are always fresh too, a hallmark of great design! We return to visit now and then and I enjoy shopping with many of your fine retailers. Keep up the good work, you are a cut above anything else I have seen!" - Mary - A Southern New England Home Reader

Feedback like this for any annual magazine is truly remarkable. Especially for a magazine run mainly on advertising.

My love of Football, Janis, and Advertising

What Time Is it!?!? --- GAME TIME!

Since the NE Patriots weren't in the Super Bowl this year, I could care less about the outcome of the game. Like many viewers, I watched the Super Bowl for the commercials and the halftime show.

First of all... Christina Aguilera! I cannot believe she messed up the words to the National Anthem. Oy vey! As a singer, I have always looked up to her as an idol. The girl can rip! Unfortunately she was trying so hard that she lost her place, and also may have tarnished her reputation. Carina Adly MacKenzie reported, "At least we know she sang it live."

Christina seemed embarrassed by her mistake, almost to the point of tears, but she continued strong through the Anthem.

For my advertising class, my professor Margo advised us to critique the commercials so we can discuss them in class. Of the commercials trying to use humor to catch the audience's attention, I think Doritos was pretty successful this year.

I really enjoyed this Doritos House Sitting commercial. It may have evoked sadness for some people, but none the less, it's clever and funny.

My personal favorite commercial this year was the Mercedes Benz Welcome commercial. Since Audi has been after Mercedes as the new innovative luxury vehicle, I think it was a professional response that keeps them on top and appeals to their loyal customers. It is a classic commercial featuring Janis Joplin's song Mercedes Benz, and P Diddy as a featured celebrity to appeal to the younger generation.

Janis Joplin sitting upon her car in 1970. (musicgaze.com).

The extended version of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Super Bowl commercial . (Mercedes-Benz USA channel on Youtube).

Overall, the Super Bowl was kind of a disappointment. There has been a lot of negative feedback online about the botched anthem, and many people on Facebook did not enjoy the Black Eyed Peas' halftime show. I didn't mind multitasking while watching the Super Bowl, doing homework, munching on goodies, and playing with my roommates dogs. Better luck next year NFL in putting on a good show!

Little Annie, my roommate's maltese, dressed up for the cold weather (photo cred, Erica).

Media & Society Class Evokes Fun Blogging!

Dearest CCM 120-2 Introduction to Media Class/World/Where ever this blog expands to,

My name is Kayla and I'm from a little town called Griswold, Connecticut (located near Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos as well as Mystic, CT).

My most fun media experience over winter break was skyping with my friends from both Champlain and home, and I got to fool around with one of my friend's new microphone to record some vocal music. I really love singing - when I'm home I sometimes perform with my Uncle's Band, and in High School I was part of the Chamber Choir.

This is us performing at the Berklee Jazz Festival in Boston last spring. It's pretty funny to look back on now. I'm the girl in white... oh wait... Video Credit: Mrs. May.

One thing I like about our 21st century media is the ability to keep in touch with people from different times in your life. Despite this convenience, I dislike how communicating over the computer and by texting is impersonal and the millennial generation is lacking personal social skills.

In my professional future, I want to intern at TOMS Shoes in California, then I hope to be employed as a marketer who is responsible for designing newsletters and/or magazines for an up and coming company or non-profit. Either that or I would love to be a Talent Manager for a professional musician. I would be happiest combining my interests of music, social responsibility, and creativity into one dream job.

To show my creative interest, this photo is the start of the mural I drew on my dorm wall. It's Simba and Zazu from one of my all-time favorite movies, The Lion King:

photo: Me

See ya lata alligata!,

Kayla