Tuesday, September 16, 2014

No Comment

So, I write quite a bit (not as much as I would like to) both privately and on sites/blogs that I have such as my personal website (adamhclark.com), on LinkedIn, Tumblr, and here on this blog. I also do a bit of writing as a guest blogger at times for other businesses.

I think I'm a pretty decent writer, but I'm delusional like that at times. What I am sometimes confused about is why there are almost no comments on my posts - regardless of what I write about. It's not really a big deal, but I do think about why that is the case.

Anyway...so, I think I've figured it out...

I think that at the point I am at in life, I am included in the demographics of so many lists of things that you cannot say to someone, that people literally can't say anything to me without violating those rules - and rather than offending me, they don't say anything.

For instance, I clearly fit the demographics that are included in these types of lists...

1. I'm a dad, so there are at least 8 things you can't or "shouldn't" say to me...





And 3 more things for that one...





And 5 more...






2. I have 5 kids all age 8 and under, so I've been the parent of a newborn a lot in the past 10 years...there are 9 things you should not say to me...




















And I guess that "new dad" fits in this category, so here is 5 more things...sorry






3. I am the father of two girls (daughters), so add 5 more things...







4. I'm a husband, but to only one person, so sorry Amy, this one is for you. but at least it's only 7 things...phew.






5. I'm...um....someone? So all of you have to add 7 more things...






6. Wow, I can't even talk to myself anymore...10 things! that's a long one for someone like me who can't stop talking to himself.






7. Sorry girls, your list is getting longer. 10 more things...wow...I didn't think we guys got that much protection...





8. I have ADHD, so keep adding to your list. 11 things.






Apparently having ADHD gets me great protection from you talkers. 7 more items.






And a few more (adding 10 here). Boy this category makes it pretty quiet out there.





9.  And since I have kids with ADHD, well, add that to your list. 20 WHOLE ITEMS just on this one list. Oh Sweet silence!






10. And having Tourette's gets me a bunch more...20 to begin...








and 7 more things - hey,Tourette's is on this list.





11. I've been an entrepreneur for several years, so if you're thinking about telling me something about my wife, check this short list of 3 items.






12.hey, who knew musicians had such privileges of protection! 25 things!





And another 12!





13. Being Christian also gets me a few extra protections from free speech.





14. And I thought not drinking only gave me protection from ever having a hangover and making stupid decisions while drunk (I do plenty fine sober). Nope. Now you cannot say certain things to me either. I can't imagine 22 things you could even say about the subject, honestly...





15. Ryan Gosling...sigh...wait, nevermind. This one isn't me...




16. Mom and Dad, there's a list for you too..sorry, I didn't write it.






Anyway, so, I guess that since I fit so many demographically protected categories, that it is just too darn hard to say anything to me. But I'll keep talking - because if I didn't who would be the model for all these lists?

But, thanks world, for protecting me from so much free speech - my feelings couldn't take it.

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

A Cougarfan Fan

In 1997, I started a club at BYU called Superfans. The first year, Superfans was an informal club consisting of people who signed up for weekly emails about sporting events and opportunities to serve the Athletic Department at BYU. I made and paid for the first shirts myself ($700 worth of awesome royal blue shirts). I believe we might have been the first weekly sports email at BYU (if I remember right) and we ended up with about 350 email signatures that first year. The next year, it became 1,500 paid members and a lifetime of memories.

Anyway, this isn't a post about our club and its accomplishments (I'll talk about that later). This IS a post to publicly thank one person many of you don't know about (even most of you involved with Superfans) who was one of the first supporters and contributors to Superfans and its success.

That person is long time BYU Cougar fan and friend, John Ahlander. John and I met in 1997. He heard about my club and contacted me to chat. We met up and talked for a while about what my vision was for the club at BYU and about his project, a website called, Cougarfan.com.






His site was way ahead of his time - It was the best curator of news on the internet concerning BYU sports - and still is, in my opinion. His concept was so simple and perfect. And to John's credit, it has remained true to its simple and perfect form ever since.

From the day we met, we promoted his site in our emails and he promoted our club back. It was a great compliment to our email and a great resource for fans. While Superfans came and went after 8 years, Cougarfan has kept it up without fail.

I think BYU underestimates how key his pioneering efforts have been in promoting BYU sports online and influencing other BYU sports sites - and even official BYU online efforts too. It's been great to be a visitor of his site for so many years. I still visit it almost daily.

I encourage you to give him a shout out on Twitter (@cougarfandotcom) or by email (contactus@cougarfan.com), check out his site (and the great updated design).

Thanks to you, John, for being an early believer and supporter of Superfans, and a loyal Cougar fan. You've made my experience as a fan better and you've been a good friend. Thanks for everything.

Adam