Gin and Topics: Commencement Speeches and an Ultra-Talented Kid

Gini Dietrich | Email | 32 Comments

Happy Friday everyone! Summer has definitely arrived for most of the country (except for Lisa Gerber, who got snow this week), which means summer hours at Arment Dietrich!

That’s right. If you make up four hours during the week and you work here, you can leave at 1:00 on Fridays.

Hold on, hold on. Don’t send your resumes at once. We’re not hiring. And you’d have to be here for at least 90 days to take advantage of this little perk. So keep it in mind for next year! (We also close the week between Christmas and New Year’s … just FYI.)

This week’s Gin and Topics is a little less disturbing than last week. What can I say? Dead cat helicopters is kind of funny, in a very disturbing way. My apologies to my mom and Laura Petrolino who both took the time to tell me something is clearly wrong with me – bwahahaahah!

So we’ve gone a little more tame this week. Here you go!

5. 23 1/2 Hours. I was traveling with Martin Waxman earlier this week and he mentioned a cool video his doctor neighbor had done. He said the doctor has found a cure for diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, stress, and depression. I watched after, on his advice, and he’s right! There is a cure! It’s a pretty amazing video…you have to see it for yourself.

4. You Are Not Special. This is a commencement speech given to Wellesley High School graduating class and faculty. He starts by describing how ridiculous weddings and one-sided are, also describing how the Baltimore Orioles are more successful than marriages. He uses that story as a jumping off point to talk about commencement: None of us is special. It’s the best 12 minutes you’ll spend today. Thanks to Kevin Fawley for making sure I saw it.

3. Mrs. Doubtfire Recut. Howie Goldfarb knew I would love this. For those of you who are Mrs. Doubtfire fans, you’ll find this both entertaining and a bit disturbing. It’s amazing to me when people have the time and creativity to devise a new trailer for an old movie like this…just for the heck of it.

2. I Feel Dizzy. Alina Kelly sent this, by way of her brother-in-law who said, “I’ll have what he’s having.” I’ll admit if I were this kid’s parents, I’d be a little mortified. But it’s pretty darn funny for the rest of us!

1. Ali Alavi with His Son. Lisa Gerber sent this to me earlier this week and I had to watch it twice before I could respond to her. It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Ali Alavi plays guitar with his six year old son. If you watch only one of these videos this week, this is the one. You’ll see why.

Have a great weekend everyone!

About Gini Dietrich

Gini Dietrich is the founder and CEO of Arment Dietrich, a Chicago-based integrated marketing communications firm. She is the lead blogger here at Spin Sucks and is the founder of Spin Sucks Pro. She is the co-author of Marketing in the Round and co-host of Inside PR. Her second book, Spin Sucks, is due out in November 2013

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32 comments

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RebeccaTodd

I always look forward to this post each week, Gini. Love the 23 1/2 hours video. If you haven't read Ratey's Spark I highly recommend it.

ginidietrich moderator

1 Like

@RebeccaTodd You and I aren't going to talk about anything but books when I see you, are we?

RebeccaTodd

@ginidietrich I love meeting a fellow word nerd!

John_Trader1

Love the clip of dad and son playing guitar. It's a little humbling for me as I learn how to play and struggle with switching cords and singing simultaneously. This kid puts me to shame!!! Damn.

ginidietrich moderator

@John_Trader1 Kind of makes you not even want to try, doesn't it?

Hajra

I love how he keeps saying dizzaaaayyy... a little sad for the kid's parents; but funny nonetheless!

ginidietrich moderator

@Hajra Right?! Me too!

Julia19

Which was crazy because most of us were putting in well beyond 40 hours a week anyway. Thanks that you've shared.

KDillabough

I'm dizzayyyy. That was too funny! GREAT clips @ginidietrich . The commencement speech was played on a Toronto radio station today, with lots of controversy on a call-in talk show. "You're not special" drew lots of input. And @Howie HouseMusic , where do you find this stuff? And of course, you had me at the exercise/walk video.You just made my weekend Gini. Cheers! Kaarina

ginidietrich moderator

1 Like

@KDillabough That poor kid. I'd be mortified if I were his parents, but alas...it was very funny!

lauraclick

First, can I just say that I think it's AWESOME that you do summer hours? When I worked a non-profit in Chicago, I tried to encourage my boss do let our department do it. And, not every week, every other week. We would rotate so we would always have coverage in the office. Yeah, no cigar. Which was crazy because most of us were putting in well beyond 40 hours a week anyway. Anyway, it's crap like that planted the seeds of entrepreneurship in my mind.

Anyway, didn't watch all the videos, but love the first one. I'm sending it to some family members who REALLY need to see that. It's only 30 minutes a day! Not hard!

ginidietrich moderator

@lauraclick I love summer hours, even though I rarely get to take them myself. It's just the thought that you can that helps morale, more than anything. I got an email from one of our account supervisors on Friday that said, "I'm taking my summer hours" and that made me very happy!

richescorner

Thanks for these videos. I hadn't seen the commencement speech before this. I love how he is able to start off by telling everyone, you are not special and segway that into a positive. It's a level playing field, but that's a good thing because not everyone can be special. Now is your jumping off point to prove yourself.

ginidietrich moderator

@richescorner I also really loved his point about trophies - if everyone gets one, it's no longer a big deal.

WordsDoneWrite

I heard about that commencement speech, but got busy and forgot to track down the video. Thanks for doing the legwork for me! As for that Mrs. Doubtfire video, that is freakin' brilliant! Unfortunately, I saw the original one. The horror movie one, though, looks epic!

ginidietrich moderator

@WordsDoneWrite LOL! I loved the original. Poor guy just wanted to be with his kids and Sally Field was sooooo mean!

WordsDoneWrite

@ginidietrich Ok, I have to be honest. I really don't remember the original film much; even though I saw it. I guess it's just the thought of Robin Williams in a dress that makes me assume I didn't like it. However, I really liked him in One Hour Photo.