As some of you may know, I was at the home opener for my Portland Thunder Arena Football League this past Friday. Besides just being there as a season ticket holder, I was there to see my first real ad campaign set into motion. To add icing to the cake, I was able to give out 30 tickets to friends and fans. It was a lot of stress for me as I waited for my turn as a featured sponsor. When it happened, I was a bit overwhelmed. Besides the fact that I saw my book's logo on the big screen, I could also hear my little legion of people that I invited as they whooped it up.
Even more of a bump to my happiness, I saw that logo in lights on the display screen that circle all of the Moda Center. My name...in lights...in front of an arena with a respectable attendance. This is only the second year, and many people do not even know that Arena Football exists. Most do not realize that Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner was discovered in the AFL.
I do know that winning will change that. Portland is a one-team town with the NBA being the only thing here for quite a while. And while this is not the NFL, it is still an exciting event to watch. Winning the home opener is a step in the right direction as we defeated the team owned by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS.
It was still hard to get over seeing my name up there and being able to share it with some great people and some very dear friends. As an added thrill, the players have submitted to becoming zombies and vampires on the big screen. Apparently the first draft of one player was so frightening that they re-worked it and toned it down so as not to scare anybody in the crowd.
This was just the first week, but I already feel great about this. When I handed out the copy of DEAD: Snapshot--Portland, Oregon to the people seated in the special zombie row, I was blown away by how excited the people were. Even better, I have never seen anybody read one of my books in public. To look across and see one of the fans taking time at each break to read a few pages...absolutely priceless. So, as the week begins, I close with an obligatory picture of the dance team for the fellas...
And one of our section's personal favorite players in action for the ladies...Bryce Peila.
That's awesome Todd. Congratulations dude!
ReplyDeleteThanks, it was very exciting and had me a bit blown away by the response.
DeleteThat is so exciting! You've made it to the big time, Mr. Brown. Congratulations. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sure feels that way. I don't see it, but that is what others keep saying. I am just happy to be along for the ride.
DeleteThis is so exciting! Very happy for you, Todd!
ReplyDeleteThanks, it was simply an amazing night for me and even better being able to share it with others.
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