trentthurman-blog

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It's That Time Again: SXSW 2014

Believe it or not, my first SXSW experience was way back in 1990 and though the experience has completely changed since then, it continues to be one of my favorite events of the year.  For seven straight years now, I have attempted to help TEMBA students navigate the SX waters for maximum enjoyment and as much free stuff as possible.  You can find all of my old posts in the archives, but here’s a link to my first one back in March of 2008, http://trentthurman.com/post/44072907425/temba-gazette-march-7-2008. 

Note that in that post I recommended going to Antone’s to catch and up-and-coming act out of New York that had just released its first album a mere six weeks earlier.  I went to the show and caught the group, Vampire Weekend, with a couple of hundred other folks.  Fast forward to 2014 and the well known band is one of the headliners for Lollapalooza and other major festivals.  That’s what I love about SXSW.

 I usually post detailed descriptions along with my recommendations, but time got away from me this year, so you’ll have to trust me this time.  If you want to meet up next week, I’ll be at a venue featuring one of these acts.

1)      SKATERS – Their debut album, Manhattan, was released two weeks ago.  This is my pick for the band that will explode this year.  See ‘em while you can…you won’t regret it.

2)      Ski Lodge – This Brooklyn group is literally touring their way to SXSW.  They played Atlanta last night and hit Charlotte, Savannah, Columbus (GA) and New Orleans before hitting Austin next week.

3)      Phantogram – A lot of buzz about this NY-based electronic rock duo…for good reason.  They’ve toured, collaborated and done everything you should do.  Watch for the release of an EP with Big Boi later this year. 

4)      Meg Myers - Meg Myers is from the same part of the world as me, though she now lives in LA.  I love her.  Listen to her single, “Desire,” and you’ll see what I mean. 

5)      London Grammar – Speechless.  That’s the best way to describe me after hearing this UK trio’s ”Hey Now” single for the first time.  Expect similar reactions after next week. 

6)      Lydia Loveless – Rolling Stone said this about Loveless:  “Sounds like Loretta Lynn and Patti Smith slamming shots at a Midwestern dive bar while cowboys and punks brawl out back.”   Does it get any better than that?

7)      Greys – Carpark Records knows talent.  The label of Cloud Nothings (one of my favorite bands), Beach House, Toro Y Moi, Class Actress, Speedy Ortiz and others signed this group last year.  Description on their bio?  “A loud rock band from Toronto.”  Fitting.  Very fitting. 

8)      YC the Cynic – Underground hip-hop artist from the Bronx has released three critically acclaimed mix tapes since 2010.  Describes himself on twitter as “your favorite socially aware/socially awkward rapper.   He should get plenty of attention next week.

[trentthurman-blog]

The 23 Best Albums of 2013

A quick Google search of "Best of 2013 Music Lists" yielded 7,020,000,000 results, so I figured one more wouldn't hurt.  Below, I unveil my list of the 23 best albums of 2013.  My sole criterion?  I had to see the artist or group perform live.  Luckily, I live in Austin...

                                       Valerie June at ACL 2013

The 23 Best Albums of 2013

1) Valerie June - Pushin' Against A Stone

2) Autre Ne Veut - Anxiety 

3) Thee Oh Sees - Floating Coffin

4) Phosphorescent - Muchacho 

5) Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II

                                  Phosphorescent at SXSW 2013

6) FIDLAR - FIDLAR

7) Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold

8) Kurt Vile - Wakin on a Pretty Daze

                                               Kurt Vile at SXSW

9) Foxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of People & Magic

10) Happy Hollows - Amethyst

                  Sarah Negahdari of Happy Hollows, Houston show 2013

11) Portugal. The Man - Evil Friends

12) Savages - Silence Yourself

13) Chvches - The Bones of What You Believe

14)  Death Grips - Government Plates

15) NO CEREMONY/// - NO CEREMONY///

                                      NO CEREMONY/// at SXSW

16) Local Natives - Hummingbird

17) Surfer Blood - Pythons

18) Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City 

                             Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, ACL

19) Cayucas - Bigfoot

20) White Denim - Corsicana Lemonade

21) Okkervil River - The Silver Gymnasium 

22) Palma Violets - 180

23) Bleeding Rainbow - Yeah Right

                          Chilli Jesson of Palma Violets, SXSW 2013

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Next Chapter

My note to McCombs students, faculty, staff and alumni:

When asked why he was leaving Texas A&M to take the head coaching job at the University of Alabama, Paul "Bear" Bryant, an Alabama alum, simply said, "Mama called...and when Mama calls, then yu just have to come running."  

I'm writing today to let you know that my Mama has called and I too must “come running.”  

I recently accepted a position with the College of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee, my undergraduate alma mater.  I will be the Executive Director for Graduate Programs and oversee the full-time MBA program as well as several specialty master degree programs, including accountancy, business analytics and  human resource management.  Further, I will be charged with developing and implementing a new global studies initiative for the college.  

To say I am excited would be an understatement.  The University of Tennessee shaped me in so many ways and I view this opportunity as a way to give back to an institution that has given so much to me.  The college recently hired a new dean and I'm excited to play a critical role in helping the school's leadership elevate the performance and reputation of all degree programs.

 Now for the hard part.  I often say I have the best job in the world, and that is absolutely true.  I have loved every minute of it and am thankful to those who gave me this opportunity over eight years ago.  I’ve met amazing people, traveled the world and, hopefully, played a small role in helping some of you achieve your goals and dreams.  McCombs is an amazing place and I feel incredibly fortunate to count you all – staff colleagues, faculty, alumni and students – as friends.  It’s been an incredible journey and one that I will always cherish. 

 That journey’s not over yet though.  Thanks to the generous flexibility of both universities, I will assume my new role on August 1, 2014.  This will allow me time to fulfill my obligations and commitments to McCombs, including completing the current recruiting/admissions cycle, overseeing program completion and graduation for the class of 2014 and ensuring a smooth transition for returning students.

 It’s been said that you never really leave a place you love – part of it you take with you, leaving a part of yourself behind.  That’s exactly how I feel about McCombs and the University of Texas, and I have all of you to thank for that.  What started here certainly changed my world and, for that, I am forever grateful. 

With heartfelt thanks,

 Trent

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The JFK Motorcade Run - Friday, November 22, 2013

Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  I will be in Dallas and plan on commemorating the event by running the motorcade route taken that tragic day.  If you want to join me, I plan on leaving Dallas Love Field at 11 AM (Air Force One touched down at 11:39 AM) for the roughly 7 mile run to Dealey Plaza. 

It is highly unlikely I will be able to actually enter Dealey Plaza given the security for the official festivities, but I plan on getting as close as possible in order to observe the official events.  The President was shot at 12:30 PM and tomorrow's official commemoration will include the tolling of church bells followed by a moment of silence at that time. 

Here's the route:

Left turn from the south end of Love Field to West Mockingbird Lane

Right on Lemmon Avenue

Right at the "Y" on Turtle Creek Blvd

Straight on Cedar Springs Road

Left on North Harwood Street

Right on Main Street

Right on Houston Street

Sharp left on Elm Street

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Texas MBA Leadership Training

A nice piece in McCombs Today about our MBA leadership training with the Texas Army ROTC.

http://www.today.mccombs.utexas.edu/2013/08/mba-students-take-a-lesson-in-leadership-from-rotc

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SXSW Wrap-Up

On Monday morning, downtown coffee trailer Patika tweeted, “This is the Austin I remember,” likely expressing the sentiments of many others following the madness that is SXSW.  An estimated 300,000 visitors crowded into every nook & cranny large enough to plug in an amp and, in the process, pumped nearly $200 million into the local economy. 

The big names showed up.  At one point Saturday night, you could choose between Justin Timberlake, the Smashing Pumpkins or even Prince.  Well, “choose” may not be the right word as access to these shows was limited.  Prince played in front 300 people, perhaps his most intimate audience since the early days in Minneapolis.    

Palma Violets at KEXP Live Remote

Call me a SXSW purist, but I believe the event should gravitate back to its original intent – showcasing unsigned artists seeking that next break.  Sure, those bands were here, usually schlepping their own equipment from one venue to the next, but with nearly 2,000 total bands in town and media attention naturally attracted to the glitz of the bigger names, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for that discovery to happen.

Anyway, my highlights:

The Must Sees:  I managed to see four of my five “must see acts” and all exceeded expectations.  I have to put Palma Violets and Parquet Courts at the top of the list.  I saw both bands multiple times and each show seemingly got better as the week went on.  That’s saying something considering both probably played 10-12 gigs over four days.

Parquet Courts at Red 7

The Orwells at Scoot Inn

Biggest Disappointment:  The one must see I missed was Foxygen.  I had planned to catch them on Saturday afternoon at SXSJ on South Congress.  Earlier in the day, vocalist Sam France posted a note on Facebook lamenting the loss of his voice and apologizing to fans and his band mates.  Not surprisingly, they cancelled that final show at San Jose.  I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with listening to the We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic LP until they return to Austin.  

Best Discovery:  I’ll fully admit that the only reason I caught No Ceremony/// was because I had to leave the outdoor stage to use the indoor bathroom at Red 7.  Wow, am I glad nature called!  This was, without question, one of my favorite shows of the week.  Although the mysterious electronic group from Manchester, England has been around since 2011, there’s simply not a lot out there on them.   The group chose to skip the bio on the SXSW website and information on the web is very limited.  I did manage to snap a couple of pictures and can promise that the group’s post-rave vibe will soon make it next to impossible for the band to remain veiled.

No Ceremony/// at Red 7

Best Mistaken Identity Compliment (I think):  Following the No Ceremony/// set, two guys from London excitedly asked me if I was Roddy Radiation from The Specials.  Uh, no…but thanks, I guess?

Most Pleasant Surprise:  When I first heard The Mother We Share last year, I thought it might be the last time we would hear from Glasgow’s Chvrches.  I was dead wrong.  The electro-pop trio was seemingly all over Austin during SXSW and, after falling in love with Lauren Mayberry’s voice on Wednesday, I decided it wise to follow them around as much as possible.  I’m glad I did.   

Too Many Bands/Too Little Time:  I was fortunate to see many great performances during the week; including sets from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Phosphorescent, Cloud Nothings, Bleeding Rainbow, Metz, Cayucas and Allah Las; yet still only managed to catch 1% of the total number of bands in town.  Alas, that is SXSW.  Thanks to all the bands for making the journey.  I hope Austin was good to you.

Phosphorescent at SXSJ

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Texas MBA Ranks 7th in Latest U.S. News' Study

For the fourth year in a row, the Texas MBA ranked 7th in the U.S. News & World Report's study of part-time MBA programs.  I'm very proud of that.  You can see the full rankings here, http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/part-time-rankings

[trentthurman-blog]

SXSW 2013: On the List - The 5 Must See Acts

MBA-types call it onshore or domestic outsourcing.  My wife calls it me just being lazy.  I call it brilliant.  Whatever the case, I’m here to tell you about RSVPster.com.    

In previous years leading up to SXSW, I would spend hours researching hundreds, if not thousands, of free shows presented during SXSW.  I would then selectively RSVP for the ones I deemed the best and then meticulously catalog those in an elaborate spreadsheet.  By the time SXSW rolled around, all I had to do was execute the plan and enjoy the music.  It worked well.

This year, for whatever reason, my planning fell woefully behind.  I finally began my research for this year’s event about a week ago.  I frantically searched the web for shows that met my basic criteria:  strong musical line-up, solid venue and free Lone Star. 

After a short while, it became abundantly clear that I simply didn’t have the time required to carefully sort through the sheer volume of parties, shows and performance.  What was I to do?  Enter RSVPster.com.

RSVPster.com claims to be “your SXSW party assistant.”  For a nominal fee, the site will RSVP you to nearly all SXSW events.  I was initially skeptical, but given my predicament decided to give it a shot.  A few hours after I registered, I received email notification that I was “on the list” for the MidCoast Takeover at Shangri La, then came the confirmation for the My Secret Boston Northern Exposure show, followed by Spotify House, and on and on.  At last check, I was “on the list” for 84 shows for the music portion alone and the emails just keep coming.  Looks like this will be a fun SXSW after all.

Unfortunately for you, I am sharing this gem a little too late.  You can no longer register with RSVPster for this year’s showcase.  Ah, but never fear.  You guys are always on “my list,” and I would never let you navigate SXSW alone.   So, as has been the case for the last six years, I am pleased to take the hassle out of your SXSW experience by presenting the must see bands of 2013.  All free.  All fun.  Here we go…

The Orwells – These guys aren’t old enough to get into most of the venues, so good thing they are the ones performing.  Ranging in age from 17-19 years old, these Chicagoland teens finished high school early to start their first tour earlier this year, so here’s an opportunity to catch a rising rock group that’s going places.  Best time to see them:  Thursday at 1 PM at a free unofficial show at Scoot Inn.  For more info,  http://sxsw.ohmyrockness.com/VenueDetail.cfm?VenueID=512.

Parquet Courts – A homecoming of sorts for these Texans turned Brooklynites who turned some heads last year after releasing their second album, Light Up Gold.  The band’s lead vocalists and songwriters met while attending the University of North Texas in Denton, so look for a solid showing for the home state.  Best time to see them:  Friday at 3ish PM at Red 7.  For more info,    http://sxsw.ohmyrockness.com/showdetail.cfm?showid=79370.

Palma Violets – NME named this UK band’s first single, “Best of Friends,” the best song of 2012.  While their initial fan base was developed primarily online, a solid showing at CMJ last year brought them wider acclaim.  Best time to see them:  Friday at 2ish PM at Red 7.  Here’s a 2 for 1 special as Palma Violets will play immediately before Parquet Courts at the same venue.  For more info, http://sxsw.ohmyrockness.com/showdetail.cfm?showid=79370.

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside – I love Sallie Ford.  She can drink.  She can yell.  She can raise some hell.  Or so she claims in the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, Bad Boys.  Mashable compared Sallie’s voice to “Ella Fitzgerald and Tom Waits.”  How’s that for range?  The Portland group is a fave in their hometown and picked up quite a following after terrific shows at Bonnaroo, the Newport Folk Festival and as the opening act for the Avett Brothers in 2011.  Best time to see them:  Thursday at noon at SXSJ (between Hotel San Jose and Jo’s Coffee).  For more info, http://do512.com/c/sx2013/event/2013/03/14/south-by-san-jose.

Foxygen – While this psychedelic/classic rock duo from California has been around since 2005 (when they were both 15), they didn’t release a full-length album until last year.  Try listening to No Destruction (my favorite song of the year so far), without thinking Bob Dylan, which is fitting given Foxygen’s penchant for music from the 60s and 70s.  Best time to see them:  4 PM on Saturday at SXSJ (between Hotel San Jose and Jo’s Coffee).  For more info, http://do512.com/c/sx2013/event/2013/03/16/sxsj-2013-day-four-free.

There you have it.  Enjoy the shows. 

[trentthurman-blog]

Blogger to Tumblr

If you have found this page, you now know I recently transferred my Running Commentary blog from blogger to tumblr and hope you will follow it here.  

Over the last year and a half, I have been unable to keep these posts going on a regular, weekly basis as I originally intended.

My goal with the new site is to provide shorter, micro-blog posts with a lot more photos and graphics.  My first post will appear later this week and feature my music picks for this year's SXSW.

I hope you enjoy!

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Running Commentary, December 10, 2012

A recent study released by researchers at the University of Texas suggests that exercise makes us smarter.  The study, which was published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, found that students earning A's exercise at least 30 minutes 3.52 times per week compared to those making C's and below who, on average, exercise less than 3 times per week.  If this research is true, allow me to introduce you to the smartest man in the world, Paul Terranova.  

 What makes Paul so smart?  Well, in addition to being a graduate of the Texas Evening MBA program, Paul is quite the athlete.  A former Army Ranger, Paul is well known in the Austin running and triathlon community.  He's a fixture on the medal stand for many distance races and triathlons and even serves as an Austin Marathon pacer for those looking to break the elusive three-hour mark.  

 While those credentials alone are noteworthy, it is what Paul did earlier this year that makes him the smartest man in the world.  In fact, Paul's feat is so impressive that he is the only person in the world to ever accomplish it.  He calls it the Grand Kona Slam.  Others would simply call it crazy.  

 So, what is the Grand Kona Slam?  The "Grand Slam" consists of four of the oldest 100-mile endurance runs that make-up the "Grand Slam of Ultra-Running" - The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, The Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run, The Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run and the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run.  Since 1986, only 234 people have completed this ultra-running juggernaut.  Not only did Paul successfully complete these four races, but was also the top finisher for 2012 and the 8th fastest finisher all-time with a cumulative time of 80:53:58...and he wasn't done yet.   

Paul had one additional challenge remaining - the grueling Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.   The Ironman triathlon, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run, is generally considered one of the most difficult and challenging athletic events in the world.  Amateur athletes must qualify to participate.  Paul did so at Ironman Cozumel in Mexico last year.  Fresh off four 100-mile runs, Paul completed the Hawaii Ironman in 10:24:39 this October...an astonishing time all things considered.

 For those counting at home, that's 540.8 miles in 91:18:37.  Put another way, that's roughly the distance between San Antonio and El Paso, covered primarily on foot within a span of four months. Terranova?  Try Supernova.  

   I recently caught up with Paul, figuratively of course, and asked him about his impressive feat, the Texas MBA and what's next.  Here's what he had to say.

 So, how did you come up with the idea for the Grand Kona Slam?

 The concept for the Grand Kona Slam arose from three different sources of inspiration over the past couple of years.  The first being my friend Lee's shadowbox on his home-office wall containing just three items:  a Boston Marathon finisher’s medal, a Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championship finisher’s medal and a Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run silver buckle (awarded to those who break 24 hours).  When you already have the first two, attempting to get the 3rd is just a matter of time!  

          The second inspiration comes from another close friend Doug who completed the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning in 2004.  Hearing all the stories and tales of how singularly focused and epic his summer was that year, I knew that one day I’d like to give it a shot.  

         Finally, the third inspiration comes following a successful race at Ironman Cozumel in 2011 and re-qualifying for the Hawaii Ironman after having raced there previously in 2005 and 2009.  At the time, only 221 people had completed the Grand Slam since 1986, and none of them had also completed the Hawaii Ironman.

        And the follow-up that I'm sure people are wondering....why?

 Well, as the saying goes, you only live once and what better way to challenge yourself in a variety of ways than to try and do something that’s never been done before?

        Tell us about your training.  How many hours per week did you devote to the goal and what did you do?

 Well, this summer has been a culmination of many years of multisport training, starting with four years of lightweight rowing in college, six years of active duty in the Army, marathon running, adventure racing, triathlons, and, more recently, trail running of distances ranging from 30km to 100km.  My training log would not look much different from a typical marathon runner, except for the extra uphill and downhill repeat sessions, strength training, heat acclimation in the sauna, altitude acclimation treadmill runs, weekend trail runs, and monthly train-up races.  It’s not any one big workout that gets you there, but the compound effect of lots of little ones.  On average, probably 15 to 20 hours per week were devoted to training, not including routine physical therapy and massage sessions to help the body recover quickly.  Most of my runs were in the early morning hours before work with Rogue Running, gym work at Pure Austin, and weekend long rides with my triathlon teammates from Jack and Adam's Bicycles.

        How did you balance your career and family life with the rigors of training of training?

 I like to think that training keeps me from overworking and work keeps me from overtraining.  As a consulting project manager for HNTB Corporation, I get to work on some exciting mobility projects in Austin - projects that in some cases take years or even decades to complete.  It’s complementary to also have the balance of some relatively shorter-term goals to strive for in my personal life.  Fortunately at home, my wife (and dietician) Meredith has been my biggest supporter this summer and as a result we’ve spent more time together than we ever have in our eight years of marriage.  She’s more of the trail runner in the family, and I’m more of the triathlete, so I’ve been dabbling on her turf this year.  Plus we've learned to alternate who has priority for races each year, so when she decides on her next epic year, I'll be her number one supporter!

 What was the toughest part and was there ever a particular moment when you wondered if you could finish this feat?  

         No doubt the first 100-miler this year at Western States in June was my hardest moment.  It was my first taste of running over 100km and over nine hours, and my legs suffered mightily despite finishing well under the 24-hour mark.  My pacers, Matt and my sister Nicole, kept me moving forward and Meredith was eagerly waiting for me at mile 99 after pacing our friend Aliza to a 3rd place women’s finish.  She was not at all pleased to see me walking and properly motivated me to get running or else!

 I know you had pacers with you for some of the time, but I’m sure it got lonely at times.  What would you think about during those times?  Were you focused on the task at hand or did you try to take your mind off of what you were doing?  

         My strategy for most of the runs was to focus on each section from aid station to aid station, typically about 5 to 7 miles, or anywhere from 45 to 75 minutes of running.  Each section by itself is absolutely manageable, whereas the enormity of 100 miles can be bit harder to wrap your mind around.  Along the way, the views, scenery, and fellowship with fellow runners helped to pass the time...not to mention keeping up with nutrition, hydration, and electrolyte balance needed.  Many times I had to virtually pinch myself and give thanks to God for the opportunity to be happy, healthy, and still moving forward! 

 Turning to TEMBA, what about your experience at McCombs helped you prepare and complete the Grand Kona Slam?  

        McCombs definitely taught me the value of prioritizing the activities in your life, the importance of sometimes saying “no” to commitments that don’t or won’t help in achieving a goal, and of course, the eternal value of teamwork.  Very few business objectives are accomplished alone by a single person.  Trying to squeeze in 5 races in 16 weeks meant lots of coordination, planning, and adjusting by our entire team along the way.

 What advice would you give someone considering the TEMBA program?  

         Without a doubt, try and soak up as much information as you can while drinking from the proverbial fire hose.  It will go by so fast - sometimes taking a moment to soak it all in and reflect on the journey you’re on will give you much needed perspective.

 Each Friday morning, TEMBA students and alums meet at Lady Bird Lake for a run, affectionately known as the TEMBA Trot.  Is it true that the Grand Kona Slam was at least partially fueled by post-TEMBA Trot blueberry pancakes at Austin Java? (laughs)  

         Absolutely!  A weekly treat of mine this summer has been the post-TEMBA Trot blueberry pancakes with peanut butter and honey on top, and a side of egg-whites too!  It’s important to stay well fueled both while in the McCombs program as well as when training for ultra-marathons.  Offering some small incentives along the way doesn’t hurt either!

 Do you think others will now attempt the GKS?   

 2013 will definitely see a number of top professional trail runners attempt the Grand Slam, whether any of them are in a position to qualify or be accepted into the Hawaii Ironman remains to be seen.  If you know of anyone else, send them here for more information: http://www.run100s.com/grand_kona_slam.htm

 What’s next for you? 

 So far this fall I’ve been slowly catching up on the long list of home and vehicle maintenance projects that I deferred all summer.   After that, I will begin training in earnest for the 100km USA Trail Championships in Bandera, Texas in mid-January.  I placed 6th this year, so I’ve got some room to improve!

Thanks Paul and, again, congratulations.  

[trentthurman-blog]

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”

Satchel Paige

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Running Commentary, March 9, 2012

I think the origin of “Lightning Round” goes back about five decades to the game show Password.  On the show, winning contestants were given the opportunity to earn more money through a final bonus round, cleverly called the Lightning Round, in which they tried to guess five additional passwords in 60 seconds. 

I bring this up because some of you may have noticed that I haven’t written a Running Commentary since December.  Sadly, my writing drought has nothing to do with a lack of content.  Hey, I went to South Africa with some of you, so believe me, there’s plenty of material out there.  No, regrettably, I simply haven’t had the time to devote to the column, but that changes today.

It would be a real shame to waste all of those great stories and ideas, so today’s column is simply an attempt to catch up…a Running Commentary Lightning Round, if you will, to briefly – very briefly - cover some of what I would have covered if I had written a column on a regular or even semi-regular basis.    On second thought, in honor of the nickname I picked up in South Africa, let’s call this the Thunder Round.  Ready?  Let’s begin.   

South Africa.  Wow.  I could write pages about December’s trip to South Africa.  Great company visits, inspirational cultural tours, breathtaking natural beauty, clever nicknames, lifelong memories – just an incredible journey.    

Mandela's Robben Island Cell

Before the trip, Eric Hirst asked traveling students to write down the three things that came to mind when they thought of South Africa.  Students were then asked to do it again after the trip’s conclusion.  I’m honestly not sure how I would have answered this query before the trip, but post-trip I can tell you that I don’t think I fully comprehended the visionary and heroic leadership of Nelson Mandela.

Sure, I knew the history of apartheid and Mandela’s role in bringing the government’s racist policies to an end.  Yes, I knew his work with the ANC and his 27 years of imprisonment for standing up for what was right.  Of course, I knew his accomplishments as President in healing a bitterly divided nation.  What I didn’t fully comprehend, however, was just how crucial his magnanimous attitude and noble approach was in bringing a troubled and hostile nation together.  Only after seeing Mandela’s tiny cell on Robben Island and talking to people who actually lived through the horrors of apartheid did I truly realize the importance of his forgiving approach.  Few, if any, could have provided that vision, leadership and legacy.  I am, and will remain, in awe of his tremendous character and courage. 

On a much lighter note, I also learned in South Africa that Eric Hirst hates Journey and Kansas…the band, not the state.  Sad but true.  Don’t stop believin’, Eric. 

The Holidays.  You can come up with a lot of story ideas on a seventeen-hour drive from Austin to east Tennessee – even more when you realize around, oh, let’s say Temple, that you left the house unlocked and have to turn around.  Yeah, it was that kind of drive.  On the bright side though, I did get to see my family, caught an NBA game in Memphis, a college basketball game in Knoxville, went to the Liberty Bowl and ate at two of my all-time favorite restaurants, Gus’s Fried Chicken in Memphis and Big Ed’s Pizza in Oak Ridge.  If you are ever in that part of the world, give those places I try.  You won’t be disappointed.   

New Year’s Resolutions.  Usually, I devote the first column of the year to resolutions, so I thought I would share at least one of my goals for this year.    Number 3 on my list of 10 is to run 2,500 miles during the year.  This averages out to roughly 7 miles a day, so keep that in mind for the TEMBA Trots and Saturday morning runs in Dallas and Houston.  Believe me, I’ll need your help!    

Jaywalking.  Speaking of running, I actually got pulled over by a DPS officer for jaywalking – or, more appropriately, jayrunning - on one of my weekend runs in Austin last month.  He didn’t seem overly impressed that I was simply trying to chip away at my new year’s resolution.  I tried to get him to change it to a speeding ticket instead.  I would have framed that one.     

Alumni Reunions.  We had wonderful alumni events in Houston, Austin and Dallas last month.  It was great to catch up with alums from the three programs – many of whom I had not seen in several years – and find out about their lives post-MBA.  You’ll be happy to know that people do indeed survive and all speak very fondly of their time in school.  I’m sure we’ll be sharing a similar conversation in a year or two, so hang in there.   

Cowtown Half

Cowtown Half-Marathon.   What a team!  I was blown away by the participation from the Texas MBA at DFW gang in this year’s Cowtown Half-Marathon.  More than twenty of us tackled the challenging 13.1 mile course and our team placed 6th overall.  Next year, we’re winning it all. 

Jeremy Lin.  The only reason I bring this up is because I told some guys in Dallas that I would play basketball with them after class on Friday.  If you thought Lin was something, wait til the Trensanity begins this weekend.  See you Friday boys.  #stillaballer (that was for you, Greg)

Car break-in.  As some of you know, my car was broken into the last time I was in Houston.  If you run the Rice Loop very often, please be careful.  I was parked directly off Rice Boulevard on Whitley Street.  The break-in happened around 11:30 AM, which is amazing considering all the activity that goes on around there.  While the whole episode was frustrating, what I will remember most is the generosity of those who helped, especially the couple who contacted the police, let me use their phone, stayed until the police arrived and then wouldn’t leave until I agreed to accept a $20 bill.  I’ll probably never know their names, but am grateful for all the kind people out there. 

Styx

Styx.  Yep, I was front and center at a fundraiser for my sons’ school that featured Styx, yes that Styx.  I felt like I was back at my high school prom, minus the ill-fitting rented tux and aroma of wrist corsages.  I would tell you more, but I don’t want to upset Eric.  I’m sure he doesn’t like Styx either. 

SXSW.  For the first-timer, SXSW can be an overwhelming and intimidating affair.  With over 2,000 acts in countless venues spanning every possible musical genre, it’s simply impossible to see more than a fraction of the showcase.  Relax.  As his been the case the last four years, Running Commentary is here to help.   Here are the six must-see bands for 2012:    

Purity Ring

1.       Purity Ring.  Tired of the same old thing?  This duo is your band.  By far, my favorite show at last fall’s FunFunFun Fest.  I love Megan James’ voice and am amazed at the sounds coming off Corin Roddick’s pipe contraption thing (you have to see it to know what I’m talking about).  Multiple shows, but I plan to see them at Mess with Texas (www.mwtxparty.com).

2.       North Highlands.  I first heard this Brooklyn band after reading a post on one of my favorite music blogs, Austin Bloggy Limits.  I’ve been listening to them non-stop on Spotify ever since.   Still flying under the radar, so I can’t wait to catch them at the Jackalope on Thursday afternoon.

3.       of Montreal.  This Athens, Georgia band came out of the famed Elephant Six collective and has been around since the mid 90s, but I’ve never seen them live.  Looking forward to catching them at the Under the Radar party at Flamingo Cantina on Friday where they will be performing their 2004 album, The Sunlandic Twins, in its entirety. 

4.       Built to Spill.  Boise, Idaho!  I’m really, really looking forward to this show.  Yes, they’ve been around since the early 90s, so you’re not exactly catching an up and comer, but it promises to be a great show.  I may try to see them multiple times, but definitely Saturday at South by San Jose. 

The Henry Clay People

5.       The Henry Clay People.  Those who know me well will recognize this as one of my favorite bands.  The LA group missed last year’s SXSW, but will be back with multiple shows this year.  I plan on catching them at the Dear Austin:  Love LA party at Opal Divine’s on Wednesday…assuming my plane gets back to Austin on time. 

6.       Alabama Shakes.  I’ll jump on the bandwagon here.  This is the band that got a lot of attention at CMJ and will likely get similar buzz at SXSW.  With their first album scheduled to be released in April, here’s a chance to see the next big thing.  I’m probably going to squeeze them in at Aquarium Drunkard on Thursday afternoon.  

There, I’m all caught up.  Now, to get in those 7 miles. 

[trentthurman-blog]

Running Commentary, December 2, 2011

As some of you know, my first gig out of undergrad was on Capitol Hill.  I was a legislative correspondent for then Senator Al Gore and, in case you’re wondering, a legislative correspondent is simply a fancy title for someone who responds to constituent mail on legislative and regulatory issues. 

My research areas included healthcare, taxation, higher education, historic preservation and the arts.  It was a great way to stay up on current affairs and I responded to inquiries and complaints on everything from Medicare reform to Robert Mapplethorpe. 

On my first day, Senator Gore’s chief of staff, Peter Knight, offered me a single piece of advice.  “Remember,” he said, “anything you write can end up on the front page of the paper.”  I took that advice to heart and was always very deliberate in my research and responses. 

The only time the content of one of my letters did end up on the front page of a paper was a pledge of support to save a historic post office in rural east Tennessee – a pledge that was later fulfilled, so I’ll chalk that up as a good thing.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been reminded of Peter’s advice and that it is perhaps even more relevant today than it was when I was working on the Hill.  In fact, I would even expand it a bit to account for the changes in technology over the last twenty years.  In 2011, it’s important to remember that what you write, tweet, text or post can end up going viral and make the front page of virtually every paper or blog or message board or…you get the picture. 

You may have heard about Emma Sullivan.  She’s the 18-year-old Kansas high school student who last week tweeted, "just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot."  Yes, her tweet was rude and disrespectful, but I’m pretty sure she thought it was harmless at the time.  After all, it was only going to be read by a handful of her 65 high school friend followers, right?    

Think again, Emma.  The governor’s office takes this stuff pretty seriously.  One of his staffers read the tweet and promptly notified the high school.  Emma, who claims to have never been in any kind of trouble, was immediately called to the principal’s office and told bluntly that she was an embarrassment to the school and that she would be writing an apology letter to the governor.  

Of course, the story went viral with debates raging about Emma’s lack of respect and the governor’s critical response.  Eventually, the governor’s office retreated and admitted to overreacting to the teen’s snarky tweet.  Emma, whose pre-Brownback tweets were pretty much limited to the Twilight series, suddenly started quoting Gandhi and championing free speech. 

Her first tweet following her infamous one read, “I knew this day would come, but I didnt know itd be today #makingheadlines.”  This time, the message went to her 65 previous followers plus the additional 15,870 she had accumulated in one day with her newfound fame.   

Emma’s fifteen minutes could end up working to her advantage and, who knows, even impacting her educational and career direction as she prepares for college.   Jeff Toole’s headlines, on the other hand, could cost him his job. 

Toole, as you may know, is the Chief Financial Officer for Texas A&M’s athletic department.  Earlier this week, Toole inexplicably called A&M President R. Bowen Loftin a “putz” and an “unqualified puppet” on an Aggie fan message board.  Since he was using his screen name, UtayAg, Toole erroneously thought his comments would be anonymous.  Oops.    

In a previous post a few months before, Toole had revealed his identity and position with the athletic department.  His comments about Loftin were in the Houston Chronicle the following day and, you guessed it, went viral soon thereafter. 

While Toole maintains that what he wrote was his personal opinion and, in no way, reflected the opinions of the athletic department, the damage had been done.  President Loftin’s spokesperson said the president was aware of the comments and that the matter would be “dealt with internally.”  Yep, the dreaded HR-speak for time to brush up the ol’ resume.  

At least Toole did offer some sage advice to help others avoid similar blunders.  “Don’t mix beer and typing,” he said.  Thanks, Jeff.  Here’s some more.  Don’t write, post, tweet, or text anything that you don’t want the world to know.  

In today’s world, news, and even non-news, travels fast.  

[trentthurman-blog]

Running Commentary, November 18, 2011

A few years ago, shortly after I started my role with TEMBA, I boldly announced in this column that my goal was to make us the best professional MBA program in the United States.   At the time, I wrote that this would not be achieved “by following some arbitrary ranking system from a publication,” but rather by “providing one of the most challenging, meaningful and life-changing experiences a person can have.” 

I bring this up because one “arbitrary ranking system from a publication,” Bloomberg Businessweek, recently validated some of our progress in reaching this goal and I wanted to share it with all of you. 

Last week, Businessweek announced its top part-time MBA programs for 2011, and while I still have issues with the term “part-time”, I was intrigued with the results.  I should note that while this year’s ranking was based on information gathered from the evening program only – specifically the TEMBA Class of 2011 - I sincerely believe it is representative of the direction we are now going across the entire portfolio of working professional programs and, as such, applies to everyone. 

In this year’s ranking, the Texas MBA vaulted to #11 nationally, up from #37 in 2009.  Forty percent of Businessweek’s ranking formula comes from student surveys, so I focused more on those results than anything else.  Here are some of the key findings: 

•             #7 in overall student satisfaction, up from #48 in 2009

•             #4 in program outcomes, i.e. did the program fulfill expectations

•             #3 in teaching quality

•             #3 in enhanced learning from classmates

•             #1 in organization of overall program

•             #1 in staff support

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t pleased with those results.  It means we are on the right track.  It means we are making progress.  It means we are focusing on some important internal measures of success.  It means we have a dedicated faculty and staff committed to your success.  It means you made a good decision when choosing the Texas MBA. 

Of course, it also means we have room for improvement.  It means we can do better.  It means our work here is not yet done.  It means, for better or worse, you’re stuck with me for a while as I work with our team to ensure your Texas MBA experience is the best it can possibly be - challenging, meaningful and life-changing.  The goal remains, so let’s get to work.

[trentthurman-blog]

Running Commentary, November 4, 2011

Two score and seven years ago my mother brought forth on this continent, a new baby - me.  That’s 47 years for those trying to remember the definition of score and a big no for those wondering if I was around for the Gettysburg Address.   

When it comes to birthdays, I subscribe to the Satchel Paige philosophy.  The baseball great once wisely asked “how old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” That's sound guidance from a man who threw three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics when he was 60.  I’ve always tried to live by Satchel's advice, though my wife would tell you I often take this directive to the extreme given the frequency of adolescent behavior and general tomfoolery occurring at the Thurman household.  All I know is that I’ve still got a few years to blame it all on Sam and Ben. 

The average age in our three professional MBA programs is 30, meaning that, on average, I’m now roughly 17 years older than most of you.   Seventeen years ago, I was a newly minted Texas MBA settling in to my post-MBA job at Trammell Crow and ready to conquer the world.  It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago, but looking back, much has changed since my days at McCombs (then simply known as the Graduate School of Business) and I thought it would be interesting, and hopefully even humorous, to share some of those reflections from 1994. 

•     In 1994, with email in its infancy, I, and most other Texas MBA students, relied on physical mail folders located in the northeast corner of the atrium for program related news.  Several times a day, I would check my mail folder for notes from my study group, student organization flyers and other important notices.

"Classroom 2000" Back in the Day

•     In 1994, the Legacy Events Room was the very mysterious and futuristic-sounding Classroom 2000, home to the school’s information systems management program.  To this day, I remember Professor Tm Ruefli’s overhead slide showing a large dollar sign designed to highlight the market demand for ISM graduates as a way to entice incoming students to select this concentration.  At the time, graduates specializing in ISM and technology were averaging 3.5 job offers (much higher than the school average) at an average annual salary of…are you ready for this…$50,000.

•     Speaking of technology, in 1994 I was using a Dell 320 SLi notebook computer for all school-related work.  I was told at the time of purchase that the 2 MB of RAM and the 40 MB hard drive was “all I would ever need.”  The model was later recalled because of overheating issues that caused some computers to literally catch fire and blow up. I think mine is still in my car’s trunk which, ironically, was recalled for the very same problem. 

•     In 1994, the weekly MBA Think n Drinks were always at the same location, Nasty’s, slightly northwest of campus.  I may still have an open tab if you're interested.

•     In 1994, I bought my first mobile phone, the Motorola MicroTAC DPC-550.  It wasn’t quite as ancient as the “brick” phone used by Gordon Gekko in his “go to work” call to Bud, but it was close.  The not-so-smart phone had a seven-character LED display, spotty coverage, short battery life and, well, that’s about it.    

•     In 1994, I was still listening to Nirvana’s Nevermind album quite a bit.  Remember the baby on the album cover?  He’s now 20 and works as an artist at the Obey Giant design firm with Shepard Fairey.

•     In 1994, Rice beat Texas in football…yes, football.  It was the first time since 1965 and the last time, well, maybe ever.

•     In 1994, 4,258 people registered for the 8th annual SXSW conference.  Johnny Cash delivered the keynote address and provided a memorable acoustic set at Emo’s.   This year, official registration topped 19,000 and the economic impact to the city was estimated at $167 million.

•     In 1994, marketing professor Robert Witt was the dean of the Graduate School of Business.  Today, he is president of the University of Alabama. 

•     In 1994, the Texas MBA “cohort” experiment was well underway as the first class under that structure finished the core requirements with their assigned cohorts.  While the move caused significant upheaval for my class, history has shown that it was clearly the right thing to do. 

•     In 1994, I was reluctantly transitioning from cassettes to CDs.  I still have more than 500 cassettes in various boxes and have been pleasantly surprised to see a few indie bands return to the inexpensive format in the last year or so.  Cassette sales are up 46% this year, with 22,000 units sold.  Of course, in the early nineties, this figure was around 400 million.  Baby steps, cassettes.  Baby steps. 

•     In 1994, I was enrolled in an elective course entitled Business & Government.  The instructor was Admiral Bob Inman…that is until President Clinton selected him to be Secretary of Defense.  While he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration, it was still an exciting time to be in the class.

•     In 1994, my state-of-the-art 27” Sony Trinitron television weighed in at 107 pounds and required a shelf depth of at least 26 inches.  My current TV weighs 42 pounds and technically only needs about 2 inches of shelf space.

•     In 1994, Google, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Amazon, LinkedIn, Twitter, Craigslist, Blogger, eBay, Pandora, Foursquare  and Flickr did not exist.  Man, I should have been more productive.

•     In 1994, the Texas Evening MBA, the Texas MBA at DFW and the Texas MBA at Houston programs did not exist…neither did my job.  Since that time, the three programs have collectively produced more than 1,300 Texas MBA graduates and I now have the best job in the world. 

So, here's to the next 17 years and beyond, even if I'm not really counting.

[trentthurman-blog]

Running Commentary, October 7, 2011

I’ll admit that my hopes were a little too high.  Three years in a row was simply asking too much, I guess.    All good things must come to an end. 

Looking back, I should have known better.  Coke…done.  Frito pie…done.  Margarita…done.  Grilled cheese…done.  Pizza…done.  Butter…done.  Beer…yes, even beer…done.  There simply wasn’t a lot left.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m talking about the annual State Fair of Texas “Big Tex” Choice Awards for fried food.   Two years ago, it was Abel Gonzales’ deep fried butter taking the creativity crown – a delectable that inspired me to place Gonzales on an almost saintly pedestal. 

It’s hard to top fried butter, but just one year later Mark Zable did just that when he introduced deep fried beer at the fair.  I’ll admit that the concept was much better than the actual product (basically hot Guinness injected into ravioli), but hey, the guy did manage to fry beer without compromising its alcoholic integrity, so I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.     

This year’s winner for creativity?  Deep-fried bubblegum.  Nothing against bubblegum mind you, it’s just not…well…butter or beer.  Do you eat it or just chew it and, if you swallow it, does it take seven years to digest or is that just an urban legend?  Frankly, I just don’t get it.

O.K., to be fair, I discovered that the treat is not actually bubblegum at all, but rather bubblegum-flavored marshmallows that are battered and deep fried before being covered with powdered sugar and icing.  That’s a little better, but hell, I could make dirt taste pretty good if you gave me enough powdered sugar and icing. 

I honestly don’t know what I was expecting this year.  I pinned my hopes on Gonzales who, in addition to the butter, introduced the world to fried Coke and fried PB&J sandwiches, but even he disappointed me this time with his fried pineapple upside down cake.  C’mon, Abel…this is the freakin’ State Fair of Texas, not a Chi O rush party!

Just when I was considering putting my coveted TX-OU tickets on Craigslist, I received a tip.  Somehow lost in the flurry of fried fodder was a new entry from long-time fair vendor Ruth’s Tamales, a mysterious dish called Deep Fried Southern Hospitality.    With such an intriguing name, I had to learn more and, boy, I’m certainly glad I did. 

Ruth’s creation combines seasoned pork, collard greens and cornbread all placed in a cone, deep-fried and then served on a stick.  Hey, you can’t spell hospital without hospitality and this recipe is an express ticket to Parkland.  It’s pure genius!  How this one got overlooked in the creativity category I’ll never know.

So if you are looking for me this weekend, I’ll be the guy celebrating the Horns’ win with a stick in one hand, a non-fried beer in the other and a write-in petition for Ruth somehow cradled in my arms.  Hook ‘em. 

[trentthurman-blog]

Running Commentary, September 23, 2011

If you’ve read Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run, you’re probably familiar with Gordon Ainsleigh.  Ainsleigh is the guy who, on August 3, 1974, joined 198 other riders for the 19th annual Western States Trail Ride, a 100-mile horse ride from Squaw Valley to Auburn.  The original purpose of the ride was to prove that the modern-day horse could still cover a long distance over rugged terrain in a single day. 

Trouble was, Ainsleigh’s horse pulled up lame just before the start.  Game over, right?  There’s always next year, eh Gordy?  Not a chance.  Ainsleigh decided to cover the distance on foot.  You read right…on foot. 

23 hours and 42 minutes later, Gordon Ainsleigh arrived in Auburn with 18 minutes to spare and, in the process, invented the modern-day ultra-marathon.   The races in 1975 and 1976 attracted only one runner each, but it gained momentum in 1977 when sixteen runners attempted the brutal course.  Today, the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run annually reaches capacity as male and female runners from all over the world tackle the challenging terrain in a quest for the silver belt buckle given to finishers.

When Ainsleigh ran in 1974, ultra-marathoning was largely non-existent.  Sure, there were a handful of long-standing distance runs, but really nothing in the United States.  Today, there are several hundred races each year, most at full capacity, and it all can be traced to Gordon Ainsleigh’s decision to run back in 1974.

All of us face similar dilemmas in our professional, academic and personal lives.  Maybe it’s a lack of resources on a project.  Perhaps it’s an unrealistic deadline.  Possibly it’s the seemingly never-ending balance to maintain work, school and a personal life.  The roadblocks are inevitable.  How we handle them is what makes a difference.

I encourage you to reflect on this story from time-to-time and, when faced with these decisions, be willing to think like Ainsleigh and cover the distance by foot if necessary.  After all, that’s how we truly change the world.