Lobster Bisque

A Few Pics

2009-02-16T05:17:00Z

I know you all want them, so here they are. Some pics from the Convention... I was having a few issues with the internet and uploading the photos so there's more to come I promise!

Also, I spent some time in a meeting today planning for the next Convention in my hometown of Boston. Let me tell you, it is going to be awesome. We'll be adding some more information to our website over the course of the next year, but you can already check out our 50th anniversary page here. I had to leave my central command post temporarily to attend the meeting, but I think it was well worth it. I mean, how can you plan for NACA's 50th anniversary, in Boston, and not have me present at that meeting? You can't. Good things are being planned let me tell you.

I'll add some more pics later, for now, check out Chris' reaction to how many years Member Relations Manager Gordon Schell has been working at NACA Conventions...

Behind the Scenes

2009-02-15T16:41:00Z

So apparently there are a number of people (including NACA staff) who keep asking where I've been since the Convention started, and all I can say is I'm a behind the scenes kind of lobster. I'm not going to say that the Convention would fall apart if I weren't here working, but things would be ugly. Some people think that becuase they can't see me I'm not working, but that's the furthest thing from the truth. The truth is, I have been in my room a lot but that's because my room is a sort of "central command" for the entire Convention. Let me explain: A lot of NACA staff members have walky talkies with them this week... guess who's on the other end of those talkies. Me.

You see, everyone has a job to do here at the Convention and my job is to make sure everyone else is doing theirs. It's a big repsonsibility, but I don't mind doing it because I know it's what is best for NACA. Late nights, early mornings, missing meals and little sleep, but hey, I'm taking one for the team. NACA needs me.

So if you don't see me walking around, don't worry, this Convention is in good ~~hands~~ claws. So far things have been running pretty smoothly. And I plan to keep it that way.

Back by popular demand...

2009-02-13T20:38:00Z

So it's been a while since I've written all my fans, but I figured the National Convention would be a good time to share some of my deep wisdom about NACA and the Convention experience. And for my first golden nugget that I want to share with you all is this:

DON'T ride in the truck to Nashville with Adam and Chris from the NACA office. Those guys are crazy.

There I said it. I didn't want to, but it had to be done. Why you ask? Well, I'll tell you why... first of all let me say those guys a couple of good guys, I like 'em. Geniuses they're not, but OK guys just the same. The trip started out fine, we were taking turns driving, I drove first (pics coming soon) but then Adam and Chris starting wondering what all the lights on the dashboard meant. I didn't think anything of it at first, but all of the sudden Chris is asking Adam what the "light" icon means... the "light" icon!?!? C'mon man, maybe it means that the lights are on! Well, Adam wasn't satisfied with that answer so, with his love of looking up all kinds of boring information in books, he proceeds to take out the truck manual and look up what the light icon indicates. And wouldn't ya know, the light icon meant... wait for it.... daytime running lights. Big surprise.

As is if that wasn't enough, these two jokers starting getting curious as to why the truck didn't have cruise control! I sat there quietly driving while they talked amongst themselves. And wouldn't ya know it, before they were twenty seconds into the conversation the book was back out and they were looking for it! Meanwhile, I glanced down at the dashboard and see three buttons clearly indicating cruise control settings. Unbelievable.

It wasn't all that bad though, we had some good times driving through the Smokey Mountains, Chris kept pretending he was a real trucker (which is the furthest thing from the truth) and Adam kept us entertained with his jokes. All in all, let's just say that I'm glad I have a week to relax from that trip. I can never get those 7 1/2 hours of my life back, ever. Oh, I almost forgot, we stopped at Arby's for lunch and they forgot to bring me something to eat. I'm just saying.

I can't complain though; I'm here in Nashville and I'm ready to get my Convention on! It's going to be a great time this year and I can't wait for it to start!

Digital Library, oh how do I love you? Let me count the ways!!

2008-11-12T19:42:00Z

I love NACA’s new digital library. You want to know how much I love it?

I love the digital library so much that I am going to give away one free day to view this members-only area to everybody. On November 18th, 2008 I am going to get into trouble and let everybody have access the digital library. That’s right, non-members will have the opportunity to view all the digital education and entertainment resources that NACA has to offer. Just go to the Digital Library and try it on November 18 and search through hundreds of articles and websites. Shhh...it's a secret, but spread the word!

Don’t forget that not only is the Digital Library a great resource but YOU, YES YOU, can contribute to the digital library too!! This is a shout out to all my peeps that have been submitting new resources for the digital library. Gracias! It shocks you the a lobster knows spanish, doesn't it? Keep the resources coming!

Much Love,
Larry the Lobster

Pssst...... hey content guy, take that!

Bacon & Eggs

2008-10-31T19:34:00Z

Who doesn't love NACA on Halloween? Great costumes so far - Mr. Potato Head, Bacon & Eggs, a few princesses. Conference Coordinator/Foreman Gerome is wearing a shirt that says "costume" - love it!

No lobster costumes though. Guess I'm still an original.

Can't beat the weather in Peoria. Nice enough that students are hanging out in front of the Peoria Convention Center.

Great session this morning by one of our Featured Speakers - Danielle DeSawal. She talked about advising advisors and managing student organizations. Great topic for all you campus activities professional out there.

Peoria!

2008-10-31T01:32:00Z

Hello NACA Land! I'm in Peoria this week for my very first regional conference. Great so far - was on the plane with a certain illusionist who showed his talents during the flight. Very impressive. The girls from John Carroll University loved it! (and a shout out to John Carroll and all that luggage those girls brought with them)

This region has really had fun with the Digging Deep theme - everyone's dressed up. Dessert -- "dirt cake" in plastic construction hats. Very clever!

Very energetic Marketplace Opening tonight. Lots of students ready to book. Lots of talk about Block Booking - associate members who do promotional materials and non-showcasing kinds of things are getting very smart and creative with Block Booking!

More to come - showcases, educational sessions, networking and more! If you're reading this and you're at the conference, let me know what you think.

(PS - Check out Bob the Builder)

The weather's so nice, everyone's hanging out outside!

Larry: 2 Content Guy 1

2008-09-11T14:58:00Z

It has been a treat to come back to work at the national office for me. We have many exciting ideas about how to improve our online services. Speaking of which, have you seen the new website? It is a great step forward from our previous sites and we hope you enjoy the changes. While you check out the site don't forget to check out the Digital Library or the DL for short. This is a great new feature that we hope you will help us with. Together we can grow the DL into a resource everybody can be proud of and use in the campus activities community. I don't want to you to go away from reading this thinking there are no resources in the DL now, that would be a mistake my land loving friends.

Enough from this lobster, go check out the website and the Digital Library!!

For those who know me but are keeping score, I don't normally pat myself on the shell but all I am saying; Larry: 2 Content Guy: 1

Watch out NACA; the LOBSTER is BACK!

2008-07-15T18:08:00Z

Many times in one's life decisions are made that force your claw. Today happens to be one of them so I say go ahead punk make my day. I had been living the life of royalty in retirement eating king-sized prawns on the reef when I overheard some young crustacean start rambling on about the new web content guy at NACA. How he had new and refreshing ideas, like blogs, forums, and layout design. What! I had these ideas years ago! Who dares take credit for this lobster's work? The challenge was laid out before me, the gauntlet thrown down like avoiding fishing vessels in the sea, to come out of retirement and take back my pride.

No more MR. Nice Lobster, the rubber bands are off the claws.