ZachIsHere

Technology + Food + Adult Beverages

// April 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Thoughts

I spent the day at the office of some friends from a company called LightThread. They have a fun office space in an art house type movie theater. They are nice enough to let me come around to get work done and bounce ideas around.

Later that evening a lot people involved in the social media technology scene in KC met at Brio to have dinner with a pretty big name in the industry who happened to be in KC at the time Shel Holtz. It was a last minute deal. It is great to interact with people who have done a lot of heavy lifting for an industry I am breaking into. There was great food and even better ideas being passed around the table of 16 or so people. I feed off of people that are passionate about what they do, whether that certain niche is an interest of mine or not.

Looking around the table I saw a lot of friends. People that I look forward to seeing, asking about their families, seeing what projects they are getting into. Building these relationship was such a slow process. It didn’t hit me until we were at the table (or earlier that day at the office) how close a lot of us have become.

Chris and I have been working really hard on Ideas and Angles for a long time putting ourselves on the Kansas City Social Media map. It has been exciting but it is also a grind. I don’t always sleep that much, we deal with the weight of having to be pretty good at so many different things to make this business model work, and separating people from their money in this economy is a monumental task. As I said in an i+a blog post if going forward we didn’t make any more money from this company it would have been all worth it. Getting to know and collaborate with so many fantastic people has allowed me to grow as a person.

I can’t think of a more exciting time in my life than this moment.

Take some time out to check out our social media consulting business website. If there is something i+a can do to educate and empower your business with social media techniques drop us a line.

The Nadas @ Record Bar 03/27/09

// March 30th, 2009 // No Comments » // Thoughts

Long time without a post.

This past Friday Chris, Dustin, and I walked down the street to Record Bar to watch The Nadas. Chris and I first encountered The Nadas at Highlight Midwest from meeting the lead singer\guitar player Jason Walsmith. The Des Moines based group has been going at it for 15 years and that maturity came through in their show. I have seen a lot of great shows and talented groups at Record Bar but a lot of times you run into up and coming groups who are trying too hard and not just playing music, there is nothing gimmicky about The Nadas.

It all started pretty laid back and as the show went on the energy picked up. One thing that I really love in a group is good harmonies. The strong focus on clear vocals and great harmony was obvious. They play songs with “easy to take in” lyrics that just feel good. Listening to The Nadas is like a lazy summer afternoon with a few empty beer bottles thrown on the lawn and few more on ice waiting for you. It is a comfortable sound that makes you feel better than you did before you heard it.

You can check out their website here, their music is also available on iTunes. I recommend spending time at their discography page that has links to where you can get their music as well as the ability to listen to a few songs from their most recent album “A Ghost In Between These Walls”.

Chiefs Improve Team And Put Clown Shoes On Denver

// March 1st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Thoughts

Chiefs fill needs. Bronco fans consider canceling season tickets over debacle…

The word is out on the Chiefs acquisition of Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel. In Cassel there are hopes the franchise QB Kansas City has been seeking since the dawn of time is here bolstered by Todd Haley’s love of intermediate passing and saying brutal things to Brian Waters in the hallway.

The really interesting part is the mushroom cloud that went off in Denver. There are conflicting reports, but it seems as though the former Patriots offensive coordinator now newly crowned head coach in Denver wanted Cassel as their QB and was willing to trade Jake Cutler to get him.

Here is how the information trickled out…

- Chiefs trade for Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel for a 2nd round draft pick in 2009. (Via KCChiefs.com)

- Adam Schefter then reports via NFL Network there were other teams trying to get Cassel but deal with Chiefs is done and in place. (Via KFFL Patriots Wire)

- Then there is the WTF moment of the day. John Clayton reports on NFL Network that Jay Cutler is upset and wants to be traded.

- Vic Lombardi reports that the Broncos are actively trying to shop Jay Cutler and he got upset about it when he heard. The Bucs were trying to acquire Matt Cassel so they could trade him for Jay Cutler. (Quote below and information via CBS 4 in Denver)

The Broncos had a three-way deal in the works late last night with the Patriots and Buccaneers. The proposed trade would’ve sent Cutler to Tampa and Matt Cassel to Denver. That deal fell apart when Cassel was traded to the Chiefs earlier this morning.

Broncos GM Brian “Colonel” Xanders came out and says “”We are not trying to trade Jay Cutler. We will not trade Jay Cutler. He’s a Pro Bowl Quarterback.” (Via CBS 4 in Denver)

Cutler thinks he is still on the trading block and is upset about the whole deal.

Back to the present.

I can’t believe Xanders is sticking to the “we only fielded calls and didn’t actively try to trade Cutler” line. It just so happened 3 different NFL teams were interested in the same exact idea on the same exact day?

It is funny the Broncos let word get out that they wanted what is now KC’s QB and seemed to alienate their own franchise QB as a result. Cutler is a skilled QB even if he is immature and lets other teams get in his head. They love him in Denver and they see him as the future. When word surfaced that their new coach was trying to shop their golden boy they wanted to burn Dove Valley down. Some fans even considering cancelling their season tickets. (Via Orange Mane)

It is intriguing to think about all the different players in this game and how well they know eachother. Maybe Pioli sensed McDaniels’ fondness for Cassels and how much he would like the QB to run “his system” in Denver. Pioli has of a understanding of a deal under the table with NE and then lets other teams try and and battle for a player he already has? Getting a few laughs at a division rival in the process.

Carly + Brian

// February 3rd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Photo News

I don’t have time to put together some sweet flash sideshow action so I am just going to post a few of the better shots of Brian and Carly’s portrait session. These two were lots of fun, it was hard for everyone to keep a straight face during the course of the day.

I really appreciate their trust and flexibility. A lot of shots that seem fantastic can be a little strange to make happen in person.

Chiefs Sales Guy: “Long list of people who will Buy As Soon As Herm And Carl Are No Longer Here.”

// December 5th, 2008 // No Comments » // Thoughts

A message board community for Chiefs fans had a great thread showing a conversation between someone working in sales at the Chiefs (poor guy) and a potential ticket buyer.

The Chiefs fan got an e-mail talking about how there were still tickets left for the two remaining home games this year and that this was a good time to reserve season tickets for next year. He replied that he should be put down for tickets when Herm and Carl are fired…the sales person said verbatim “I have a long list of people who will buy as soon as Herm and Carl are no longer here.”

This is where we are right now with the Chiefs. Pretty amazing. Source info via Chiefs Planet. Feel free to check out the actual e-mail conversation (with the names changed to protect the innocent) after the jump.

(more…)

Halloween In Kansas City’s P+L District

// November 1st, 2008 // 5 Comments » // Photo News, Thoughts

Quite a night of shooting in Kansas City this evening…all kinds of “interesting” costumes out there. Fun had by all. The first few pictures are there to paint the picture of just how jampacked P+L was. Pretty amazing.

Enjoy the photos…

John McCain Visits Kansas City By Way Of Belton

// October 20th, 2008 // 5 Comments » // Photo News, Thoughts

No matter what my political affiliation may be I had to jump at the chance to cover this high profile event. Political events bring together some of the most interesting visuals and wide ranging groups of people. McCain had a great energy, I couldn’t help but have a lot of respect for the guy keeping up the schedule and high pressure situation he does at his age. It really is amazing. Feel free to read up on the event (Via KCStar’s Prime Buzz) and remember high resolution photos are available for licensing. Contact zach [at] zcphotography [dot] com for any inquiries.

Destination Go @ Record Bar | September 11, 2008

// October 11th, 2008 // No Comments » // Thoughts

Forgot to post these fun pictures of DGo doing their thing.