After School Snack: 8 Memorable TV shows from the 90's

Ah, the 90's. Such a great time to be a kid. Also a great time to be a couch potato. The inspiration for this post came from a freaky and terrible nightmare I had about one of the following shows--but we'll get to that later. However, thinking about them makes me feel great. Hopefully this will do the same for you.

1.) Rugrats

I don't what about these talking, ingenious babies was so fascinating that made their pointless adventures so captivating, but they were. Maybe I just answered my own question.

Rugrats from Matt on Vimeo.

2.) Boy Meets World

To this day, Topanga is still one of the strangest names I've ever heard.

3.) The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

10/10. A+. Will Smith. 'Nuff said.

4.) Doug

Doug was such a loser, but a lovable loser nonetheless. Still don't know why all the characters were such bizarre colors. They looked sickly.

Doug's Theme song from bellbee86 on Vimeo.

5.) Bobby's World

Even though I'm fairly certain Bobby was on LSD all the time during this show, he was frikin' adorable. "Dontcha know".


6.) Gullah Gullah Island

You can front like you didn't watch Gullah Gullah island, but we know you did. As I eluded to earlier, the inspiration for this post came from a nightmare involving that big yellow frog. And if you're wondering, it didn't end well.


7.) The Wonder Years

This is really old school, but I couldn't help but love this show. Such a real show with some depth. So much we didn't comprehend at the time of watching it though. Sucks that Kevin didn't end up with Winnie too.


8.) All That

"Who loves orange soda?" You know? Such a classic.
P.s. Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the movie Goodburger?

I'm curious to know what shows from your childhood made your day? Drop a comment and let me know.

Sexy Sales People: 5 Things I Love about Advertising People

At some point in your life, you all stumble upon something you're passionate about. Sometimes it's at 5 years old when you get your first two octave keyboard, take your first dance class or pick up a basketball. Sometimes you figure it out later down the line in college, like me.

I fell in love with advertising sophomore year in Jason Chambers advertising history course when I decided that marketing was one of the most powerful skills to master if you want to actualize change.

Beyond the possibilities and the paycheck (given you're willing to put in the work), I was truly inspired by the people. Here are a few recurring traits I've noticed about them that made me fall in love with advertising.

1.) Motivated

I love how intensely passionate and driven the students are. Watching the Illinois NSAC (National Student Advertising Competition) team spend countless hours in the lab this past semester working on campaigns for the competition was extremely impressive. I wasn't even involved, but I worked with some of them in other group projects and they made me feel guilty going to sleep before midnight.

2.) Vibrant Personalities

I'm sure you could probably say this about a lot of major groups, but each individual I've actually gotten to know is not only bright and ambitious, but has such intense personality. Never short of a witty remark and rarely a dull moment with these guys. I can't recall a group meeting that didn't have at least 20 minutes of goofing off and laughter before getting down to business--which leads me to my next point.

3.) Fun

Everybody I've ever crossed paths with in advertising is down for one hell of a good time. They might be all business in the day time, but you haven't been on a bar crawl until you've been on an AAF bar crawl. Maybe it's the inherent nature of the field that requires a sense of humor, a bit of wit and a knack for dealing with people, but they enjoy a good time as good as anybody--maybe more.

4.) Persistent

Could it be that advertising is essentially a sales job? Could it be that to get a job in this economy, you have to follow-up, and follow-up again? Maybe so. Regardless, people in advertising are persistent. I think it's because they have to be; to win clients, to find jobs, to get survey/experiment participants, and to do great work. I think it's just who they are, and I love it.

5) Attractive

I don't know if it's just my personal opinion or not, but I've come to notice that a good majority of people in advertising are pretty attractive. It could be that good account people are typically well-groomed, charming, suave and/or confident. That could be clouding my judgment but in my undergraduate career, I found it pretty easy to attend class--and not just because the lectures were interesting.

Maybe it's just University of Illinois Ad Folk though. You tell me. =P

Workout Woes: 3 Hardest Things about getting in Shape

How many of us can say that we are honestly in the shape we want to be in? Not many. But why? Because it's hard. It's not that we don't always put in the effort, but it's no easy task. Here are some of the reasons I think it's so difficult to not only get in shape, but to keep it that way.

1.) Dieting

Why does it seem so hard for us to consistently eat things that are healthy for us? Let alone enjoy eating them. I feel like diets only last for a few weeks at a time for most people. Then they "cheat" a few times and their diet goes on a vacation--along with that "summer body" you had planned to have, and the workout regiment you started last week.

Dieting is an essential part of getting in shape, yet it's so easy to neglect. A lot of times it's because we jump right into it. We start cutting things out of our diet on a whim and expect to be able to handle those cravings. It just doesn't feel natural.

I would suggest setting a goal, mapping out a plan, and slowly phasing out the things you don't want it your diet. It should make the transition a lot smoother.

2.) Motivation

Another hard part about getting in shape is staying motivated. The decision to start going to the gym the morning after a night of heavy drinking usually doesn't stick; and your "Operation Washboard" playlist and Kanye's "New Workout Plan" are typically only temporary motivation for a more long term issue.

However, it doesn't hurt to have a partner with similar goals that you can lean on to help you stay motivated. You should be there for each other to hold yourselves accountable and make sure you stay on top of your regiment. It works, and depending on the individual, can make working out more fun.

3.) Time

Time is a huge problem for many people when it comes to getting in shape. Schedule's are constantly changing and as a society, we keep getting busier and busier. Fitting the gym into that schedule gets evermore difficult.

But here's the thing. Your personal health is more important than a lot of the things we typically put before it. If there's no time allotted for a workout, you need to make time for one--consistently. Your body will thank you for it. (Not to mention your significant other, if that's an issue)

NBA Fever: 4 Things to Look Out for in the 2010 NBA Playoffs

This years NBA playoffs is looking to be one of the best of All-Time! Mark my words. Teams 2-8 in the West are virtually inseparable. Los Angeles is still slightly a cut above the rest, but they haven't been playing well recently. They will be tested. Out east, the Cavs, Magic and Hawks are forces to be reckoned with. However, players like D-Rose and D-Wade don't lay down easy. It should be exciting.

Amidst all the craziness though, here's 4 things to look out for in this years playoffs.

1.) Michael Beasley in the Celtics-Miami series

As crazy as it seems for the Heat to take out the ailing Boston Celtics in the first round, it's very possible. We already know Dwyane Wade won't lay down easy, that's a given. Bill Simmons announced his unofficial playoff bet that he would have the highest first round scoring average. However, if the Heat are going to have any chance of beating the C's, Flash is going to need some help. That help is going to have to come in large part from Michael Beasley. If Wade's teammates show up, look for another 7 game series for the Celtics this year.

2.) The Spurs

Should we really be surprised that the former champs are making a push right around playoff time. It's what they do. The Spurs have been one of the toughest teams to beat in the playoffs for a number of years and this year won't be any different. Ginobili is playing like it's contract year. (Which it was) Tony Parker is getting back into rhythm. Dejaun Blair and George Hill are emerging as key role players. And then there's Tim Duncan. If the Spurs get a rhythm early, look for them to cause a ruckus in the playoffs.

3.) Shaquille O'neals impact

Lebron will be Lebron, and the Cavs will likely make their way to the East finals with relative ease. But when it comes to the East finals where they will likely be matched up against Superman and the Orlando Magic, Shaq's presence down low will be imperative to success. Last year, the Cavs were destroyed by Dwight Howard because Big Z and Varejao couldn't hold their own. The Cavs made the move for the diesal to counter that this season. Let's see if it works out.

4.) The Return of George Karl

The Nuggets are matched up against the Jazz in the first round this year. In a hard nosed series between two gritty teams, I think they Nuggets will come out on top in six or seven games. In the second round though, they will likely see the LA Lakers and The Black Mamba (Kobe Bryant). If they want any chance of winning that series, George Karl will have to return to the sidelines. The Nuggets could be fueled by the return of their beloved coach who is the heart and soul of the Nuggets team. If that happens, look out for a game 1 steal and one hell of a series.