I think I put it in the title because it was like ripping a band-aid off. Now you know. Lost Angeles Blog for an unknown period of time will be based out of Portland, which for those of you who are unsure, is in Oregon, which I recognize is near where the Ducks play. Let’s be fair, it’s also where Prefontaine is from and right off the bat that is making it make more sense. I can’t say much about the Beavers. We’ll focus on Pre. And this fucking waterfall. I endorse this waterfall:
Those of you who read this blog religiously know that advertising is one of the great loves of my life. I love the people. I love the constant terror of having no ideas and how through pure bourbon and brain hurricanes, suddenly you press the coal into a diamond. I have met the smartest, funniest, most insane people working in this field and I get a kick out of Mad Men sometimes because for me those days never ended. Well, some of it did, but the huge attitudes and the driving yourself 200 mph directly at disaster is still so very much there. And the brown liquor, at least when it’s 5pm somewhere and your team is spent and there’s nothing left to do but let your project cast off into the sea of public opinion where you find out if it’s a turd or a tyrannosaurus. It takes a sick person to want to be in a room with people that are smarter, funnier and more attractive than you all day. You’ve known me for a long time. I’m that kind of person. I welcome your genius, comedy and general hotness. Let’s sell things.
So, you might get where and why I am going.
I’ve had the opportunity to work at some amazing agencies in Los Angeles and I’ve met my best/worst (depending on your definition) friends here, but in the back of my mind I always wanted to give one shop a try if the timing ever made sense, if the opportunity was there. That shop was Wieden+Kennedy. They are worth a Google. For me, in many ways, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The agency, not Oregon.
It’s been a dream of mine to work there since I got into the business and the chance to work there with some amazing people I’ve known for some time (and many I just met) was too much to pass up. It’s nearly inconceivable to think about not being in Los Angeles, near my family and my friends. I mean, look at the title of the fucking blog. But it was even more inconceivable to not take a great opportunity to make some great work at W+K and go on an adventure in Cascadia with my bearfighting wife.
So, in all honesty, for the first time in almost two decades, I will have apparently “Lost” Angeles. See what I did there? Hell with a pen.
For my Bachelor readers, I am guessing this is not going to impact your enjoyment of this blog. Despite 10 months of grey and drizzle, I am told ABC broadcasts in Multnomah County, so you are good. Some of you may live in Portland. Some of you may even work at Wieden+Kennedy. By all means keep an eye out for me. There’s plenty of bourbon in that town and you can still buy it for me (this time, without sales tax!).
To Arrogant Nation, I know this will come as a shock. The Bearfighter in Duck country.
It’s a tough one to swallow initially, but I want you to remember I am the Bearfighter. What do you think I will be like up there? Portland is kind of magical in that you really can’t go any direction without running into a brewery or restaurant that butchers their own pork. I am going to be wildly powerful in a cool misty climate and with less people to be distracted by, I will be in prime physical condition.
My commitment to you is that I will stand tall in the face of so much pate. I will not hide my colors. I bleed Cardinal and Gold (and so do Duck fans, literally, I mean between blood and plasma, that’s just facts. It’s just science). I will do our school proud by being a purveyor of class, fine cocktails, sports banter and our Arrogant Nation.
In so many ways, this is the sequel in the blog. The first chapter closed nicely hitting 2,000,000 views, beyond my expectations. Next, something new. I expect a lot to stay the same on here and a lot to change. Either way, I hope I’ve earned your reads in the future.
Speaking of which, wow Lost Angeles readers… We hit 2 million. Almost a million of that this year to date. What. A. Trip. This is why Lost Angeles will still be Lost Angeles. The blog is me, wherever I go and you, wherever you may be reading it. I’ve always felt like I was writing to my friends and from the emails I get, even from fans of other teams (the human ones that can take a joke), confirm that this is just a small, hopefully super-fun-ichiban part of your day. It is for me.
I will no doubt return some day (beyond the fact I’ll be down here a lot if nothing else for my doctors), but until then, it’s a new adventure. Thank you so much to all my readers, friends, family, enemies, strangers and vagrants who frequent this blog. It has truly transformed my life and #humblebrag I am truly honored so many of you care.
So, now what? Nothing. Same old thing.
If you live in PDX, work at W+K and somehow know this blog, hit me up. My tree roots are stretching to the misty Northwest. We might as well kick it off with some drinks. And probably some locally raised and cured pork products. And a Pine State Biscuit. The Reggie please.
I’ll see you for the AGP tomorrow. Everything changes and yet, nothing does. You know where to find me. Right here.
Love,
Zack, the Bearfighter.
