The Playaway Blog

A (Two) Week's Reflection-- "The Library Stud"

Okay, so the title of this blog was NOT my idea.  Regrettably, this is the nickname that I've acquired from two of my female co-workers.  I say "regrettably" not because I have anything against librarians.  Heck, I love librarians!  But I wouldn't necessarily consider myself "the library stud" quite yet.  Yet, I digress...

The reason that you haven't seen me on the 'blogosphere' in a while is because I have been SWAMPED preparing for the Public Library Association Conference.  This conference only happens every two years and is pretty much considered the "Super Bowl" of library conferences.  As a company, we've upped the ante and doubled our booth space-- and sent five Findawayers to represent ourselves compared to the two of us that attended the last library conference.  Frankly, I think it's paid off...

Findawayers Jackie, Carolynn and I have heard some really great things this past week from librarians:

"You're sitting on a goldmine!"

"This really is the "next big thing"-- can I buy stock in your company??"

"Are you hiring?????"

Considering that three months ago, we never even had a library program in place, I feel that all of this is so positive.  It also makes me feel good because I've really put a lot of hard work, creative juices, and general "elbow grease" into coming up with a concept that works for libraries.  In the past 90 days, we've signed on 6 of the top 30 libraries.  In the month of March-- there hasn't been one day where we haven't brought a new library partner on board.  I really feel that I have played a direct role in helping build the company...and that feels really, really good.

Although, it's definitely not just my efforts that have gone into this week.  Findawayers Carolynn and Jackie have been PHENOMENAL as "Assistants to the Library Stud."  Blake and Mitch even took time out of their busy schedule to make a day trip out to Boston.  Again, all in all-- this week has been great.  I even got to visit a few authentic Boston pubs!!  And tomorrow, Jackie and I are going on a "Haunted Tour of Boston."  Yep, I'm into stuff like that...

I sure hope this all leads to great things for Playaway.   I know it will-- but perhaps more importantly, I will forever be known as "The Library Stud."  Hey-- I suppose it's better than "Chicken Little!"

A Week's Reflection-- "A Collection of Playaway Homonyms"

If you don't remember the exact definition of a homonym-- don't worry.  I definitely had to google it.  For your reference (and convenience), a homonym is a word that has the same pronunciation or spelling  (or both) as another word, but a different meaning.  Whenever I google the word "Playaway" I always get a wild list of things that are related.  For instance, this morning I found a great story from Scripps Howard News Service.  But sometimes-- the things I find are completely unrelated.  And here's where the homonym connection comes in...

Some completely unrelated businesses that share our name-- Playaway:

Playaway Children Fitness and Fun Centers:  This website is probably accessed the most by unsuspecting Playaway Digital Audio Book seekers.  Why?  Because it is the proud owner of the domain www.playaway.com.  Although, this is a much different business than the digital audio books.  Think Bally Total Fitness for children.  It's claim to fame:  It was voted "#1 Party Place in Manatee County by What's Happening Manatee!"

Playaway Weekends:  From what I can gather, this looks like my college Spring Break meets Club Med.  Checking out their "About Us" section, they proudly admit that "Playaway Weekends is now a leading market player sending away many thousands of happy party animals every year." 

Playaway-- The TV Show:  This is listed as a UK "cult classic" from the 1980's.  Take a look at the video that's listed there and you'll see why.  I have once lobbied that the "on-hold" music when calling the Findaway World offices should be the theme song to this particular television show.  After all, it did star Jeremy Irons.  He's famous enough, but for people that grew up in my generation-- he's the guy that played the role of evil "Scar" in the movie Lion King.
 
The Playaway Toy Company:  This Bear Creek, Wisconsin brainchild may be the most interesting Playaway hononym yet.  As the Founders explain on their website, "...what started out as a toy for apartment dwellers has become an adaptable unit popular with individuals in the occupational and physical therapy fields."  This is all fine-- but is it just me, or are some of these products scary looking?? 

There are several other Playaway homonyms out there-- I could go on and on.  But for right now, I think I'll just stick to my Playaway Digital Audio Books.

Do you have a favorite Playaway homonym??  Feel free to email me at mike.belsito@findawayworld.com and let me know!