Yes, i have to admit that it’s totally random and pretty damn cool at the same time.  Basically was supposed to have dinner with AK and Kiyonaga-san, then AK called to say he was bringing some more people and that Eric wanted to buy me dinner!!  Eric Clapton is in town touring… he and Hiroshi-san wanted to join in… so we all ended up at Hama for some delicious Teppenyaki.  Basically, in some way or another, they are all friends of Nike and from the Music biz and Tokyo 80′s scene.  Honestly, it all happened so fast that I just went with the flow.  And for thos who know me, I have a pretty firm rule of no fan pictures in situations like this – sorry.

But we had a seriously nice evening.  The guys told stories and I tried to play Fly on the Wall as much as I could but couldn’t help but chat it up a little (no surprise to those who know me).  Some highlights included:

• Talk about his Family, lovely daughters and life in his hometown in the outskirts of London.
• Exploring the prospects of possibly playing a gig in North Korea and how shady that can be.
• Movies:  EC voted for Walle in the Academy Awards and thought Benjamin Button was solid but a little over-rated.
• His love for a good suit, fashion and Hermes couture.
• What life was like touring now.  He’s in Japan for a month playing 11 shows.  His “friend” Mark Knofler, the guitarist from Dire Straits just played 60 shows in 60 days and is over 60!  Tough!

As i said, it was indeed a wonderful night.  He is such a nice, down to earth guy – as you’d expect.  I have to admit, in my work and life, i get to meet a lot of interesting people/celebrities/athletes … but meeting Eric Clapton was one of the more special one.  For god’s sake – he sang my High School Prom song – “wonderful tonight”.  Crazy!!!  Thanks AK!!

Ok, so if you have not heard or or received one of these Facebook “25 Random Things” notes you’re either a Luddite, a facebook hater, just oblivious – or just don’t care.  I’ve gotten it a couple of times and just got around to putting my random list together.  Half thoughful, half spur of the moment – i’m not a part of the process.  See below and feel free to spread the randomness…

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Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1.  i love to talk but find these types of thing rather difficult (for some odd reason).
2.  over the last 10 years, has had 7 jobs at 4 companies in 3 countries.
3.  almost died when i was 7 and feel down 30 flight of stairs into a toolbox.
4.  snacking and junk food are my big weaknesses.
5.  i care more about things than most people think i do.
6.  has parents who moved to america from china with $500 and not much else.  Good job!!
7.  is impatient, hence boredom is my worst enemy.
8.  i have the ability to be mean beyond belief (but often restrain myself).
9.  used to think love was over-rated but have have changed my tune.
10.  thinks the little things can make a big difference.
11.  held a gun for the first time in second grade.
12.  there’s nothing more unattractive than disingenuous people
13.  i believe in fate, superstition, some fortune telling and other predictive devices
14.  i would love to work on a presidential campaign and eventually work in white house.
15.  thinks sexual perversion should be more out in the open (loosen up people).
16.  sleep about 4-5 hours per day.
17.  loves books but reads slower than a 3rd grader.
18.  has smoked pot in a drug-free school zone – once, after hours.
19.  thinks rottweilers, polar bears, baby girls and stuffed animals are super kawaii.
20.  has tried to skate a real halfpipe and learn to ride a fixed gear (but not successful yet).
21.  doesn’t think about the future too much.  i’m sure it will all work out.
22.  cries during sappy movies… but only during airplane flights for some reason.
23.  is random (but i prefer eclectic)
24.  wish i could stay in better touch with more of the wonderful people i’ve met.
25.  i can be old-fashioned, stubborn, un-reasonable and short-tempered sometimes – sorry.

PEACE_m

Aaron, an old friend of mine is doing a project called 45 Interviews in 45 Days where he virtually asks questions “industry luminaries” about the net, the future and whatnot.  I was flattered to be asked but more importantly, intriqued by the questions.  Made me stop and think for a second during the workday – a rarity at Nike :).  Please see my responses below and for more, check out his blog Stroutmeister.

In one sentence, please describe what you do and why you’re good at it.
chief propaganda director, cultural anthropologist, sport evangelist… aka, Nike Japan Marketing Director.  I’m good at it because I love what I do.

How did you get into the world of online community, social media or social marketing?
I’ve always loved technology and people.  I worked in a crazy advanced media lab my senior year of Boston College and worked on projects with Quicktime compression, experienced the first Mosiac Browser in 1994 and wrote code in HTML 1.0.  From then, I was hooked and never let go of the keyboard.  In the 15 years that followed “online” has blurred the lines between work and life for me.  Connecting and Engaging with people through digital technology gets me off!!!!!

If you had $10 million to invest in one company and one company only based on their use of “social,” which company would it be and why?
Facebook at $5b valuation?  Twitter at $250m?  Ning at $500m?  They are all definitely players and though I’m partial to facebook and believe they have the best chance for success, if I really had the money, I’d invest it in QQ.com, the chinese IM/SNS site.  It trades on the HK exchange at $47 and a crazy 54 P/E ratio but with 300m members, the opportunity for 1b more and $500m in revenue (only 13% from advertising), it’s my best bet for financial success.

Which business leader, politician or public figure do you most respect?
Obama is the too obvious answer, but for me, it might always be Michael Jordan.  He’s all heart.  He’s the guy you want next to you when it’s all on the line – and not just basketball.  He walks the walk.  Hungry, competitive, intelligent and focused.

Would you join a toothpaste community? Why?
No.  Why would I?  Maybe I lack vision but anything they could possibly offer me would be off-brand/category.  I honestly don’t even like brushing my teeth, why would I want to talk about it?  Maybe if their was an anti-toothpaste community, I’d think about it – but probably not.

For those of you who detest marketing as a deluge of crap that is forced down your through (commonly referred to in the industry as CRAP Marketing) you’ll love The Bubble Project.  A group of people who have taken it upon themselves to create more of a dialogue between consumers and brands.  It really shows some great insights and creativity on both parts…

Thanks Pat Law for the word.

A slick little video that cuts 40 inspirations movie moments into one 2 minute clip.

When they need to feed the pilots (or when they need to relieve
themselves) they pull this wire gate out. It truly is a Crazy world we
live in.

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