Jeff Selis

For Colleen, our Travel Queen… I once asked Dan Wieden what his favorite commercial Wieden + Kennedy ever created was. His response left me quite surprised. I had been tasked with making a short video showcasing the culture of WK. I interviewed lots of fellow employees and asked them to share their favorites. The responses formed a long list that I envisioned as a quick montage highlighting our collective successes. But Dan’s answer completely changed the course of my plan. Instead of mentioning iconic ads like “Revolution,” “Instant Karma,” “Walt Stack” or any number of ads ending with the famous tagline he wrote, he simply said, “It’s always the next thing that’s the most interesting to me.” (Swipe, please.) As you step through the massive front doors of Wieden + Kennedy, you’re immediately struck by the weight of those doors. To me, they’ve always symbolized the immense expectations that accompany anyone who enters. Dan’s answer reinforced this notion, emphasizing that it’s not about what you’ve accomplished, but rather about what you’re going to achieve. At times, the weight of these expectations felt overwhelming. For me, there were a few places within the agency where I found solace. One was Kennedy’s wonderfully cluttered office, a haven of creativity and chaos where I would gleefully listen to him spin yarns. Another was Jeff Williams’ space, which famously has a candy drawer where everyone is welcome to take whatever they want whenever they want. I often grabbed a Snickers before sitting on his floor and chewing the fat long after my candy bar was gone. Then there was Colleen Baker’s travel hub, tucked away behind the front desk on the first floor, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the five floors above. I would visit with travel-related needs, but I would often delay my leaving, as if it were a long layover that I genuinely enjoyed. I could easily spend hours hiding out in Colleen’s lounge. In my earlier years, her space became a sanctuary for me. She was always curious about my life outside the doors, which was already filled with its fair share of heartbreak. She had faced her own challenges and had gained wisdom that she generously sha

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in my life. I am so thankful to be surrounded by so many great ones. Being an orphan makes me needy, but my actual mom woulda told you I was always that way.

El Maestro turns 40! I pinch myself to have befriended @diegovaleri8 when our daughters Stella and Connie played on the same volleyball team in 7th grade. I’ll never forget the day he sat down next to me on the bleachers in the Cathedral School gym and I blurted out, “Holy shit, your Diego Valeri.” The next thing I said was, “Have you seen Ted Lasso?” When he replied, “No, what is that?” all the moms in front of us turned in unison, completely aghast. From that point on, we became fast amigos. He would later introduce me to his bestie Federico and the three of us would form a bond that I didn’t realize could begin so far along in my years. They are both more than 20 years my junior, but they have never held it against me. When we are together, I always feel like a kid again. We play Bocce Ball at my house on what they believe with all their hearts is the “Magic Corner.” And they are right. Now they have introduced me to the game of Padel, which I will declare just like John Cusak did with Kickboxing, “the sport of the future.” But the coolest thing they have taught me is how to not only appreciate wine, but how to make it! What a thrill to be trusted to participate in such permanent decisions with how a bottle of wine is going to taste! Talk about pressure! By the way, if you haven’t yet tried @conurwines , what are you waiting for? It’s freaking delicious! Anyway, this is all just to say Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Diego, who wound up watching Ted Lasso after all, and loved it just like the rest of us.

Typically, Moose spends his morning on the front stoop watching the neighborhood kids go by on their way to school. Most are so happy to see him and call out his name. “Hi Moosey!” Moose just lays there with his stuffed @mudbay fish. But today he gave them a show. Maybe it was a form of protection, even. Moose spied a pack of coyotes across the street and raced his old body and ailing hips right at ‘em. Had the coyotes put up a fight, it woulda been a legendary way for him to go out. Alas, Moose returned unscathed. I missed the best part of the commotion while fumbling for my phone, but the children witnessed the whole thing and sung his praises as they strolled past. Crazy that Moose can still add to his legend this late in his twilight. A good lesson for all. #dog #dogs #saint #coyote #lifeisgood

Bout nine years ago I did a prom video for @samselis_ . I wondered where all the time went. At the time my Stella Boo was 7. Suddenly, she’s off to her own prom…in her mama’s prom dress, no less! I love my life. Just wish it would slow down. #godspeed

Can you imagine having Mrs. Selis as your grade school art teacher? Someday these kids will look back and realize how lucky they were. For now, they just love art and Mrs. Selis. The amount of work the best art teacher in the world puts into this show year after year is incredible. I’m so proud of @nicolemaryselis . What other art teacher can pull the likes of shoe dog @tinkahat into a grade school art show? Perhaps he left inspired to go make his next revolutionary Nike sneaker. You never know. Let’s Van Gogh! #art #artist #masterpiece

THE SLIDES OF MARCH Before diving into April, I want to tip my cap to March. In golf, practice may not make perfect, but it was enough for Duke to secure a spot on the Grant High School golf team! In volleyball, Scout and her talented teammates qualified for Nationals in June! Our beloved Moose receives a monthly injection to alleviate the pain caused by his arthritis. He’s turning 10 in May, which is considered borrowed time for his breed. We’re hoping he’ll make it to double digits, but I’m steeling myself for the inevitable, which won’t help. My favorite front man, @mattberninger , performed his stellar setlist on the ballbearing floor of the Crystal Ballroom, while my son, @samselis_ DJed the #1 house party during this year’s SXSW, halfway across the country. He has so many talents and gifts that I’d demand a DNA test if I weren’t so certain it would prove he wasn’t mine. We traveled all the way across the country for the 18th consecutive year for Spring Break in Florida. I’m grateful that I love my in-laws, but even if I didn’t, it would be worth it for the joy this yearly sojourn brings. It usually begins with catching an exotic fish off the dock with tropical tanned Uncle Tony, while, poolside, Mama immerses herself in her one book of the year. This year, we taught the grandparents how to play Mahjong! We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at the big table and took a short drive to Captiva Island to enjoy some early birthday cake at the renowned Bubble Room. The staff came out and sang me a birthday song, accompanied by a flaming piece of my favorite cake. With a contented belly, I headed to Atlanta for a quick shoot with a couple of star athletes from the US Soccer team. While going through airport security, I managed to make an ICE agent laugh. Humanizing him conflicted me, but I can’t help that I am so funny. The shoot with the athletes, who also share the funny gene, went way smoother than navigating airport lines. During a final weekend in Florida, we drove to our beloved beach on Boca Grande. A prominent new sign greeted us, declaring, “Welcome to the Gulf of America.” We waded into the turquoise-y waters but it still felt like the Gulf of Mexico to me.

Made it.

Today was the celebration of life for my dear friend, John Gritts. I was so saddened when I learned he died unexpectedly. I met him on my very first American Indian College Fund production in Navajo Nation. He was a giant of a man and a giant in the land of education. He was a dear friend and ally to David Kennedy, who once gifted him a treasured T-shirt that read: Just a Kid from Stillwell, IT. John was a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. If I had a T-shirt it would have read: Just a Sheltered Kid from NE Portland. John was everything I ever imagined a real Indian to be. He was larger than life. He was strikingly handsome. His hair was long and shiny and thick. His skin was tan and perfect. He may have been the most handsome man I ever met. Actually, I’m sure of it. More than handsome, he was warm and kind. He had a welcoming spirit that immediately put you at ease. When he talked to you, his words landed deep in your heart and soul. And immediately after meeting him, you knew there was no way in hell you would ever let him down. I spent the next 20 years trying to make him proud. Just like Kennedy, he cared so deeply for the College Fund, which is to say he cared so deeply for the kids who needed a little help affording college. John was tireless and always found a way. His was a life that had real meaning. And what I mean by that is that he had real impact on thousands of young lives. Thousands. He’s off to meet the Creator now, which surprises me because the Creator could use all the help he can get around here. People like John are hard to come by. Taking him away is a weird move, but as John always told me, “the Creator has plans for us.” I had been meaning to reach out to John because I needed his help navigating something. I kept putting it off though. That was super stupid of me. I know he would have had just the right words for me, and he’s the only one who would have them. I really blew it by waiting. I guess this will be John’s last lesson for me. Don’t wait. You never know when it will be too late. I will miss you John Gritts. Please give my love to Kennedy. For anyone out there who would like to honor John, please go to the link in my bio.

Florida, man.

STATE CHAMP ALERT!!! We are so proud of you @varrykhardges ! All the hard work. The hours in the gym. The hours on the road with your dedicated parents! It’s all paying off! We will take some credit for all of your recuperation naps on our couch! Way to bring it home, kiddo. Heart of a champion and a champion for life! We love you!

Rejection is redirection. Remember when I wrote that? I wrote it right after Duke got cut from the high school soccer team. Scroll back to August 25th for proof. It was a rough day. A tough pill. But rejection redirected Duke. He went all in on golf, and last week he qualified for the Grant Golf Team! We both wondered if he had made the soccer team would he have made golf? Not making soccer gave him time to work on his game to a point where he had confidence to perform well enough under pressure to make the squad as a young freshman. Now, just like his daddy before him, he’s on his way to being a 4-year letterman! Unlike his daddy, he’s got the goods between the ears that will allow him to go far. For now, most of his teammates are older, bigger and stronger, but Duke will learn from them and continue to get better. We have such high hopes for the kid. His coach is amazing. Duke is exactly where he’s supposed to be, and we are so stinkin proud of him. Thank you @golfbyjake and @hour.golf and @rorymcilroy and @nikegolf and @diegovaleri8 and @everyoneelse for the love and support along the way. Go Grant!