Foggy Day at Monticello

I had the privilege to venture an hour and change south to Charlottesville, in particular, Monticello, aka Thomas Jefferson's ol' crib. Mostly thanks to a Culture Class assignment. We reached the fog-drenched colonial mansion not really knowing what to expect. Well, aside from armies of gray hair that is.


Surprisingly, we were far from disappointed with the tour of Jefferson's lil' mountain. The tour, great. The gardens, great. The things I learned, great.


One thing I was disappointed with was the curator, along with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation still struggling with the fact that Thomas Jefferson could have possibly fathered the children of his slave, Sally Hemmings.


Now don't get me wrong, I could care less whether he did or not. But the fact that a credible historical society thinks that it might tarnish his name even after DNA tests proved it bothered me. But it did remind me of something I heard once. Draw your own conclusions.

"It's historical.
People like they historical shit in a certain way.
They like it to unfold the way they folded it up.
Neatly. Like a book.
Not raggedy.
And bloody.
And screamin'."
- Suzan-Lori Parks

Sometimes it's the little things

This time last year, I was so deep in it.
All I wanted was to be good at advertising.
And I worked like my life depended on it.
What came from it was a bruised ego, bad health and a cynical attitude.
This year, I vow it to be different.


Like today, for example.
I just enjoyed the privilege to read a book to my friend Jay's little girl, Gwen.
Not only was she cute and curious, but hilarious.
I think she liked the book I got her, too.

DJ's and drummers can be friends. Promise.

First and foremost, thanks for everyone's kind words and prayers. Please keep tabs on my little bro's journey at his blog. We can't fight cancer alone.

I've been on a bit of a mixtape kick as of late. The newest one keeps me from sleeping. All I can do is groove. Thus, I must share it with ya'll. I'd be a bad friend if I didn't.

The mixtape, "Fix Your Face," is a bomb jam session from Blink 182's tattooed drummer savant, Travis Barker, and under-rated DJ and Nicole Richie's heartthrob, DJ Am. All I have to say is, Damn. See for yourself. Download it for FREE here.

DJ AM aka Adam Goldstein and Travis Barker
2008 MTV Video Music Awards - Press room
Los Angeles, California - 07.09.08
Credit: Jody Cortes / WENN

Much respect. Pz.

How else should one spend a Friday night in Richmond

This past friday marked a milestone for me.

Along with my cohorts from Kelly O'Keefe's Cultural Exploration class, we ventured 20 minutes south from the familiar confines of rugged downtown Richmond. After barreling through the toll booth gauntlet of the Powhite Expressway, we made our way to a amplly-lit clearing in the woods, middle of no where, VA.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the smells of tread-marks, sweat and global warming that only a Friday night in the South can deliver. Unlike the rare venture or two to the drag races and demolition derbies of my high school days, this was different. This was the Southside Speed way.

I expected the same blandness that comes with drag races or demo derbies, but was pleasantly surprised. I actually had fun. I know, sounds crazy. But this equivalent of minor league NASCAR earned my respect. I was taken back by how talented the drivers were. And how much fun the crowd was while watching their friends, family or compatriots master 15 second laps along with 29 other cars on a track that was made for six.

All in all, you can't really go wrong with a few brews and a few good friends watching the tamer version of those oh so fun COPS the TV show high-speed chases, can you?

Where did Kris go?

That’s a great question. And a long, complicated answer. But I’m gonna try my best to sum it up as short as possible.

1) Went to intern at DDB Chicago this summer. Had a great time. Met a lot of great people, people I can’t thank enough for everything. A special thanks to Jaime Zazove, Nick West Maciag, Nikki Konkac, Kate Tarnowski, Nate De Leon, Emily Shepard, Lisa Koening, Jane Ackerson, my girlfriend Sarah and all the Brandcenter crew who were up in Chicago this summer.

2) 3 days before the end of the internship, we found out the worst possible news—that my little brother, Darren, a cancer survivor, had a relapse. That his cancer was back.

3) Moved back to Richmond to finish my second year of the VCU Brandcenter. A twist is that Sarah got in as a first year art director. It’s going to be fun watching her grow in the program.

4) My little brother, on top of his current condition, caught pneumonia.

5) Now, found out last night that his right lung collapsed.

Now you’re caught up.


All I can do is ask for your prayers for my lil’ bro. And please keep in touch with him on his blog as he journeys through this second bout with cancer.

God bless, ya’ll.