This is our weekend edition of TheMarioBlog: It will be updated as needed. The next blog post is Monday, February 1.
A catch up: So I went away for a while — away from this blog, I mean — and so much of interest happened. I kept collecting front pages as newspapers across the world covered the end of the Trump presidency, then the horrific January 6 attack of the Capitol and the subsequent second impeachment of former President Trump.
In case you missed these: call this segment, The Power of Print, because it is through these front pages that we capture the magnitude of the headlines and can even collect the printed pages in our own time capsules for the future.
Headlines of an insurrection: The following front pages send a signal of how important and relevant this event was to Americans and people around the world.
From Norway’s Aftenposten: Another wonderful, creative front page about the siege of the Capitol, this one from the talented team of Norway’s Aftenposten, one of my client newspapers. Thanks for sending Ronny Ruud. The illustrator is Marvin Halleraker. The headline is a quote from today’s editorial: “A man without honor”. Art direction from my dear friend and former Garcia Media designer, Consti Eberle. (See point of reference, of the pro-Trump insurrectionist, the so called “QAnon Shaman”, dressed like a Viking as he ran thru the halls of the Capital.)
From Germany: Thanks to Nikolas Janitzki, Art Director Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger for this front page from Germany. Headline reads: Last act of wickedness
Then along came a second impeachment: President Trump suddenly became the only President in the history of the US to be impeached twice. The headlines echoed the story, big and bold.
Interesting cover concept: From Germany’s Der Spiegel following the US Presidential Election
Birds, a deserted beach, reflections and plenty of Zoom encounters!
While we were away: Several of you have asked me what I did during the 8 months of isolation. Well, I am one of the lucky ones who could escape to my beach condo, a little bit of paradise at Belleair Beach, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico, where I did long walks and interval runs on the edge of the Gulf, experimented cooking a variety of dishes in my Instant Pot (loved the Cuban picadillo and arroz con pollo recipes, and even ventured into cakes and banana muffins). Below a glimpse of Mario the chef, and proud to see my first ever banana muffins rise in the oven! They tasted good too, as per my grandchildren!
Sunset happy hour for one: Bubbly was a constant companion to see those smashing Florida sunsets from my balcony. Don’t know if I would have survived without them.
Overall I turned into a real beach bum: The transformation was quick and mandated by the facts of life. I went from flying almost one million miles per year, to not moving away from the beach condo. I even had the groceries delivered. I was the protagonist in my own version of The Old Man and The Sea, becoming acquainted with birds, talking to them, listening to the rhythm of the waves and a bit jealous of all those seagulls that would gather without any respect for social distance.
Why this isolation mattered: I also learned that it is best to stop and smell the sea and hear those birds sing and chat with each other. No need to be in such a hurry. If there is a silver lining to this horrific pandemic it is that it has made us get into ourselves, dig deep and ask questions: Do I need to fly one million miles a year at almost 74? Why am I always ordering digital books on Kindle when I can order a print edition that I can touch, and lie down on the couch with or by the beach, as if it was 1956 or even 1996.
But it was not all domesticity: I decided to do a series of what I called Zoom Quarantine Chats, in which many of you joined me for frank and informal discussions of the many topics of interest for our craft. I was lucky to have those chats to keep me informed and tuned in at a time when uncertainty, fear and bad news dominated our days. Not that we are out of the woods yet, but we see and we hope that there is an end to this madness. One of the reasons I am happy that this week I returned to in person teaching is because there is no substitute for an in person experience. Returning to my daily blog also gives me a sense of hope and optimism. Hope you feel the same as you join me here each day. I appreciate you. Let me hear from you and your own experiences. I plan to write about how the pandemic has affected all of us in this industry. Write to me here: mario@garciamedia.com
Launched two products from a distance; No, it is not the same, I admit, but my projects in Germany (Handelsblatt) and in India (Hindustan Times) were scheduled to lunch during the summer. I could not travel, so Zoom to the rescue for pre and post launch meetings, critique sessions and plenty of hand holding. All went well.
Read all about these two launches here:
29 years ago….
This was one of those moments that stays with everyone! The explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, the first to include a high school teacher in the crew. Here is how some major publications covered the events of that horrific day. The Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, Shuttle broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members aboard. Thanks to Steve Dorsey for these images and for reminding me of this anniversary.
Weekend reading tip: all you need to know about a healthy brain
Learning at any age, I like that: Well, I know that this book has nothing to do with what we do, and, yet, its content is essential to all we do, too. I am thoroughly enjoying Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s new bestseller, Keep Sharp: Building a Better Brain at Any Age. Dr. Gupta is the friendly, knowledgeable doctor in residence at CNN—he proudly writes that he wears two hats–neurosurgeon at an Atlanta hospital and journalist. He apparently handles both assignments well. This book is an easy read. Dr. Gupta manages to dwell on the most scientific aspects of how our brains function, but makes it all accessible, fun reading. At my age, almost 74, I rejoice reading that we can continue to learn at any age and that our brain is ready to adapt and to renew itself even when we are in our golden years. Two highlights for you here:
Professors: get your review version of The Story on time for fall classes
As an academic, I know the importance of having the right tools to advance our students, especially on the important subject of mobile storytelling. Please drop me an email if you would like to sample The Story in its digital edition: mario@garciamedia.com
Start writing or type / to choose a block
The full trilogy of The Story now available–3 books to guide you through a mobile first strategy. Whether you’re a reporter, editor, designer, publisher, corporate communicator, The Story is for you! https://amazon
TheMarioBlog post # 3264