Random Musings at the Association Symposium

[dlgood]

Drew short straw and had to work the company booth at one of the events. There were some interesting moments, but I was very bored. So I scrawled down some musings on a napkin while bored.

1. I no longer find collecting schwag nearly as exciting as I once did. But still, it's become something of a challenge to find the perfect marketing pen. Cap pend, twist pens, click pens. Metal, plastic, etc. Grip, design, line... It's a thing, and keeps us from going insane while we repeat the same company marketing points.

2. The Lockheed-Martin folks have a way bigger budget than us. They bring their own coffee and smoothie bar, and serve from a vast selection of pastries. (I'm partial to the chees danishes...) It's not like the association doesn't provide - there are nice coffee setups throughout the space, and usually they have bagels out, but I am still impressed.

3. Listening to Samuel Alito, I'm struck by how similar his voice and intonation is to Vince Vaughn. An older, more boring Vince Vaughn. I don't know what to make of that.

4. For those of you who know who John Feinstein is, I've come to realize that what John Feinstein is to writing about sports... that's what one of my bosses is to writing about the Navy. In terms of how prolific he is, in terms of him pissing people off because he's opinionated, and also because of his very sloppy mode of dress.

5. Maryland at Duke, tonight. I sure hope we don't get stomped. Not like the women got stomped by the Duke women last week.

6. So I brought my old toaster into the office. We had a toaster over that only works if you stand around and hold the door closed. And a vertical slice toaster, that doesn't really work. So now, I add a third. A toaster oven, that bakes, but doesn't actually toast. Though at least the door stays closed.

Comments

[mistress-mab.livejournal.com]

6. So I brought my old toaster into the office. We had a toaster over that only works if you stand around and hold the door closed. And a vertical slice toaster, that doesn't really work. So now, I add a third. A toaster oven, that bakes, but doesn't actually toast. Though at least the door stays closed.

Toaster = pop tarts = nummmmmmmy

[thelastgoodname.livejournal.com]

A surprisingly large part of my dissertation research involved collecting marketing pens — I have no idea how that was supposed to fit into the write-up, though.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

What did you get your PhD in, again?

[thelastgoodname.livejournal.com]

The field is called Science and Technology Studies, so I suppose writing implements are marginally connected.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

Especially if you are studying the science and technology of writing implements... like those space pens...

[ann1962]

I no longer find collecting schwag nearly as exciting as I once did

Still can't get over that name you call that stuff. Anyway.

You obviously haven't seen the breast squeezie that is available. I would google but I will leave that up to you if you decide to take a look. No male equivalent that I have seen yet!

The best giveaway I ever saw were MIT sweatshirts last year at a recruitment fair. The really expensive $60-80 ones. Hundreds of them. I guess that is what having huge endowment money means. LOL I give away candy, highlighters and my happy smile!! /snerk

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

The best giveaway I ever saw were MIT sweatshirts last year at a recruitment fair. The really expensive $60-80 ones. Hundreds of them.

Woah! That's awesome. Just so you know, I wear size XL.

Should we make a thing this year for AtPO to start collecting from our various tradeshows and fairs, and trading the giveaway crap? Pending what travels well? I have to keep my eye open for more of those fleet and ship posters. I didn't take any this time, but I'll try to remember for when the Navy League Sea-Air-Space Expo comes up.

[ann1962]

We so should. I have highlighters. The best thing I saw from the Council on Aging was a pink fan that said in huge letters "HOT FLASH". I just took one, but that was just so funny.

Packability and portability is important. Frisbees are fun, but really way to big to transport.

Sean put that poster on his wall in his room. He likes it very much btw.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

Packability... very true. That was easy last year, because I drove. Carrying posters might be an issue this year...

[ladystarlightsj.livejournal.com]

Chiming in to say that Eldest Spawn put that poster up as soon as we got home. He loves it.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

Cool. Am glad the kids like... I will definitely have to keep my eyes open, in case Raytheon or one of the other builders has something good this summer...

[ladystarlightsj.livejournal.com]

Ooo, thank you! And the spawn pre-emptively thank you too.

Schwag . . .

[(Anonymous)]

The best that I eve saw was the Ogilvy-Renault law firm cereal they were handing out at the job fair thingy for law students. Although there were some nice knapsacks, bags and t-shirts. I also once got a pen that came with batteries for its green LED and a spare ink change. Very nice. Also, a law firm slinky. Which I think is the best handout ever.