» San Francisco

Looking back…

staci baird — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:52:22 +0000

I remember the day I interviewed at Lucas. I spent almost an entire day in a conference room with various folks from the online and marketing teams coming in and out… I distinctly remember Pablo, Pete and Dennis sitting across from me and drilling me about Star Wars. Okay, not exactly drilling, but more than one person asked me what I knew about Star Wars, and I felt woefully inadequate.

Eighteen months later I know more about Star Wars than I ever dreamed possible and I have a new found respect for the men and women who dedicate their work lives to keeping the story alive.

Together, Web Producer, Brooks, and I brought social media and two-way communication into the marketing mix for LucasArts. We launched LucasArts’ Twitter, several Facebook fan pages, a Wiki, several social media widgets and more than seven Web sites.

In my position as Internet Marketing Manager at LucasArts I learned a lot about people, process and video game marketing. I will never regret adding Lucas to my resume. But I’m leaving to pursue a career in journalism and to dedicate more time to teaching digital media skills to future journalists.

I admit, it’s going to feel a bit strange come Monday morning when I don’t get up, login to Webmail and then rush to catch the 43 to the Presidio. But new adventures await me…

There are so many things I could write about, but I think the story of my career at Lucas is best summarized in pictures. Some of which, I can’t show you.

1. The view from the cafeteria.

2. Dancing with the snow beast at the Lucas Holiday Party.

3. Game launches.

4. The dry erase art wars. And the promos for HezChorba.com.

5. Comic-Con. Just look at the power in that little guy’s Force choke.

6. Comic-Con parties.

7. The ILM Halloween party.

8. Starbucks in the Presidio.

9. The toys. Many of which I have brought home. Guests can catch glimpses of Darth Vader, Yoda and Chewie tucked into bookshelves all over our apartment.

10. My crazy co-workers. An eclectic group of folks who work their butts off.

A Craigslist Happy Ending

staci baird — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:25:06 +0000

Two weeks ago, motivated by an impending visit from the in-laws, I decided we should get a new couch: a pullout with a bed. Jay agreed to get a new couch once I sold our current sofa. Less than 24 hours later, I had our overstuffed-too-big-for-a-city-apartment-sectional posted on Craigslist.

Fantastic, large, comfy sectional
We moved this sectional from Tennessee because we love it! But it’s just too big for our tiny San Francisco apt. We’re looking for someone to give it a good home. It’s not in perfect condition, dog was allowed to lay on the chaise, but it’s comfy and it’s affordable! Seats 5 comfortably. It’s a light tan colour, microfiber material that is easy to clean. Dark brown legs. Decorative pillows not included.

The next morning, I had five emails inquiring about the sectional. The first one was a woman from Berkley who said, “I am in desperate need of a couch. We moved two months ago and yet to have purchased a couch.” So, we arranged for her to come by after work and check it out. But she never showed up. Next! Second email was from a woman who thought we lived in Richmond, not the Inner Richmond. Next! The third gal, was a winner! A delightful young grad student who was moving to our neck of the wood with her roommate. She came over to check out the sectional one evening and declared it was, “Perfect!”

Today, they picked up the sectional and took it to it’s new home. I hope they’ll send me a picture once they get settled in. I was a bit sad to see it go, but excited about getting our new couch moved in! Unfortunately, it won’t be delivered for three weeks, but I think it’s worth the wait.

What’s the difference between a sofa and a couch anyway?
I have a feeling it depends on where you grew up. Some people might also refer to “a long upholstered seat typically with a back and arms” as a divan. Although, technically-speaking, a divan doesn’t have a back or arms.

What a great pitch!

staci baird — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:27:27 +0000

Lincecum pitched eight shutout innings against the Arizona Diamond Backs on April 18. It was our first trip to AT&T Park and although we both got burned, it was great to watch Lincecum in person.

We’re movin’ on up

staci baird — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:37:59 +0000

Well we’re movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.

–Lyrics from Movin’ on Up the theme from The Jeffersons TV show

We really did move up. Up one floor to the penthouse. Okay, only kidding, not the penthouse, but it is the top floor in our building. The new apartment has a better layout for entertaining and a much bigger kitchen. More pics of the new apartment posted on Flickr…

One of my friends thinks I’m destined to open a moving company some day.

My mother, and my friends swear I must hold some sort of world record for the number of times I’ve moved. So just for fun, I put together a list of all the places I’ve lived (that I can remember).

From 1992-1996
Lawrence, Kansas

My very first apartment was a one bedroom at Berkley Flats
Then my best friend came back from basic training and we moved into a two bedroom at Berkley Flats
Village Square basement apartment, which flooded not soon after we moved in, so we had to move to…
Village Square second floor apartment
Studio apartment at Trailridge Apartments
House on Ohio Street
Shared one bedroom at Sundance Apartments with best friend, Cary until we moved to a two bedroom at…
1241 Ohio Street. The apartments behind Yellow Sub/Glass Onion at 12th and Ohio
Attic level studio at 13th and Ohio then got lucky and moved to the bigger…
First level studio in the same house

1996-1997
Kansas City, Kansas, lived in a two bedroom in Lenexa. Had a series of roommates – Andy, Shannon, John…but I stayed put. Well, I switched bedrooms a couple times.

1997
Moved back to Lawrence and shared a three bedroom, three bath with Nina Jo and Larry. After summer school, moved to Topeka and lived with parents until moving to Seattle in December.

1998 – 2003
Seattle, Washington

One bedroom at 1st and Broad
Two bedroom, two bath on Capital Hill that I shared with “The Ponger”
West Seattle, shared two bedroom, two bath with LisaLisa Pisa Gumm
One bedroom in Issaquah but only for a few months, then upgraded to a…
Three bedroom in Issaquah
Stayed with James for the summer
Arkona Apartments (with indoor swimming pool in the basement. I always thought it looked and smelled like a petri dish
Two bedroom in Bellevue

Seven moves in five years.

2003-2006

Topeka, Kansas: Temporarily stayed with parents then it was off to…
Lawrence, Kansas: and an attic apartment at the bottom of 14th and Tennessee (walked up that damn hill to the J-School Monday through Friday)
Overland Park, Kansas: Duplex
Eudora, Kansas: Lived with mom for a bit
Lawrence, Kansas: Shared two bedroom apartment with Jay (before we dated) at Highpointe Apartments

2006
Knoxville, Tennessee
Awesome loft at Sterchi Lofts with awesome views of downtown Knoxville.

New York, New York

Stayed with Adam at Hudson Crossing until I sublet…
Charlie Pineapple’s “two” bedroom in Hell’s Kitchen
Cat sit “Sampson” for friend of a friend in Brooklyn near Grand Army Plaza
Back at Adam’s for a few days until I returned to Knoxville

2007
Knoxville, Tennessee
Back at the awesome downtown loft

2008
San Francisco, California
4540 – number five
4540 – number ten

I have moved a lot. But what can say? I guess I’m always looking to move up.

LEGO Indiana Jones – The Original Adventures

staci baird — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:04:36 +0000

We launched my second major project at LucasArts today. LEGO Indiana Jones The Original Adventures went live at 10:50 am.

I think we’re all pretty darn happy with the site. The game is a lot of fun and we hope the web site reflects that. See if you can find the hidden treasures on the site and earn points to download wallpaper, avatars, coloring pages and more.

The agency, Summit Projects was a dream to work with. Shoutouts to Jodi, Dave, Eddy and Lucas. Great work all! Also, once again I must give props to my colleague Nicole Love. Without Nicole this site wouldn’t be live today. Her patience and support keeps me sane. I know she smiles when I rant, but she also listens and sometimes that’s all I need (That and a little robot dancing.) I think we’ve both heard enough of the Indy theme song to last us a lifetime.

There will be some small updates in the next couple weeks, new trailer, maybe some more coloring pages (Hez, you got some time, right?) so be sure to go back to the site and download the PC Demo on May 12.