Instagram story viewer> @selis> Posts

Jeff Selis

@selis

3.1K

followers

1041

following

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Ok, the day has passed. Stella is an adult now, and I’m still here. I get to have all my memories and, god willing, I get to watch this next part not only as a fan but also a parent. I’ve done this once already. I remember crying like a baby when we dropped Sam off at college. I can’t even imagine the blubbering mess I will be letting go of my baby girl. She’s always going to be my baby girl. And I’m always going to be her daddy. Nicole’s dad is a great example of remaining a dad throughout life. Of course, I won’t have the “fix it” skills that Chuck has. Man, it’s so fun listening to those two talk about fixing shit on the FaceTime. Nicole will play the role of Chuck with Stella, for sure, but I’ll have my role, too. And it never stops. Nicole’s parents are still parenting to this day. But it’s still sad that the next thing that will happen is that she’ll finish high school and move away. I’ll miss not getting her balloons on her birthday. I’ll miss her bellicose laugh. I’m not sure bellicose is the right word, but it’s big and powerful and comes from a place deep down inside and it’s genuine and booming and could probably start a war. I love how she says out loud, “I love my life.” I love that she loves her siblings more than anything on Earth, even candy and ice cream. I love that she’s always been exactly who she is. I love that she could give two fucks what anyone else thinks. (She had to have got that from her mother. Or maybe mine.) I love that she loves design and fashion. I love that she’s always gone to bed on her own and that she makes her bed every morning. I love that she doesn’t take things for granted and that she takes such good care of what she’s lucky enough to have. God, I could go on and on. I told my friend Colleen that she and our friend Amy prepared me for Stella. Colleen and Amy treated me like shit sometimes. It bugged the hell out of me, but I knew deep down they really loved me. (Amy might disagree.) But sometimes Stella just isn’t in the mood for me. She’s amazing at brushing me off with the simplest of, “Bruh…” And I don’t take it personally. I just wait my turn, which I’m good with because I know she’ll never make me wait too long. by @selis

144

3

3 days ago

We all know by now that I am a man of many words, but on this very special day, I’m going to let my pictures do the talking. My Stella Boo is 18 today and every time I try to write I just start crying. Let me just say that I love her dearly. I think she might be the most filmed and photographed person on the planet. Here is a mere smattering. I love you baby girl. And as much as it pains me to say it, welcome to adulthood. by @selis

161

19

4 days ago

Now that September is nearly over, here’s a 20 picture recap of August! Some highlights: Scout spiking her way to a 3rd Place medal at the epic Seaside Beach Volleyball tourney. Duke and I playing 9 at Gearhart with the reigning State Champ. Ball go far! Yo, if Say Anything were filmed today, John Cusak’s character would say, “Padel, sport of the future.” Elliott’s team raced their way to first place in Nike’s heat at the Mt Tabor Soapbox Derby. Never count @nike out! Never count Brian out either. His heart is strong but he popped his Achilles in his first game back at Soccer. The month’s only L. My amigos @conurwines celebrated enthusiastic scores in the 90s for their latest vintages. @samselis_ and @thetrinitycook came home from NYC to race in the Hood-to-Coast. Their squad finished with a PR in both time and post race beers. Trin then chugged her way through her boyfriend’s grandma’s memoir and she’s still with us! Ronnie is the forever champion of dentistry and he’s also and all-star bartender. He served purple G&T’s at our 47th annual 22nd St Block Party. Props to Sue for the winning gin. The month ended on a positive note as Scout’s X-rays were negative and Moose somehow survived another dog days of Summer. He continues to win at life. by @selis

134

7

6 days ago

If you happened to read my previous post about Janet (and Fincher) (and Bill) (and impostor syndrome), here are the two videos we made for her. Here is the first one, which introduced her to the room of advertising luminaries. by @selis

102

16

16 days ago

This second video was played in place of a real life speech, which Janet opted out of. Alas, the applause in the room for her seemed to weightlessly carry her to the stage where she managed to find a few more of all the right words. Huge shoutouts to editors @peter.wiedensmith and @mack.dadi for their tireless efforts and true talent. And to follow up on me, I felt exactly how I thought I’d feel sitting at the table. Man, I sure hope there’s not a hall of fame for impostors. I might be first ballot. by @selis

132

22

16 days ago

I went to a funeral the other day for one of the coolest men I ever met. Griff had style to burn. He was so quick of wit. He seemed to live every moment to the fullest. He was always in a good mood and I never saw him without his wonderful wife Margaret at his side. In the years I knew him he went from a slow, steady gate, to a cane, to a walker and finally he had to move to assisted living. His last night in the neighborhood I went to his place and shared a whiskey—one of life’s necessities. He was 96 when we clinked our glasses to the good life. He was kind of excited about the move. I was sad to see him go. He hung in there for a while before succumbing to the merciless matter of time. With Margaret resting her head on his chest, he took his last breath at 98. One of his six children delivered a beautifully touching eulogy. It was about how his dad was always a worthy man. He listed all the reasons. But what made him most worthy of all was that he had chosen Margaret to be his wife, and that he lived their 75 years together being worthy of HER. It was an amazing tribute. His dad was worthy in every way, but none of it would mean anything if he wasn’t worthy of the mother of his children. As I sat there in my pew with tears rolling down my cheeks, all I could think was that this is all I would want my own kids to say at my funeral…that I was worthy of their mother. I still have time. I love you @nicolemaryselis. Happy Birthday. by @selis

146

4

17 days ago

Swipe left if you dare.

#advertising #nyc #knicksin5 taken in New York, New York by @selis

182

33

19 days ago

For the first time in over 100 years the Grant High School football team played a night game in the bowl. And let me tell you…it was glorious. The Generals marched to an easy victory over a rather raw Benson High School squad, but to my eyes, the game itself was secondary to the spectacle of it all.

It felt like the entire community showed up. And the new lights lit up every smiling face. As I entered, I promptly ran into familiar face after familiar face who were so happy to be there. I conversed with complete strangers who talked to me like we were old friends. Then I saw some men who in my youth weren’t quite yet men but may well have been Gods. They were the larger than life athletes I cheered for while I was still in grade school and they were all at Grant. I introduced myself as the little brother of Ronnie Selis. They were a year or two older than Ronnie but remembered him fondly, as he was an athlete, too. I’m surprised I didn’t ask for their autographs, but I excitedly thanked them for bringing so much joy to my youth.

I continued meandering my way through the crowd—everyone beaming. The fact that this community was denied these lights by a tiny few in the community who remain fiercely against it, is a shame. As I surveyed the sight I said to another friend who had stopped me in my tracks, “I think this is supposed to be how it’s always supposed to have been. This community gathered around together on a Friday night under lights.” As my eyes panned left I spied my oldest daughter dressed in a toga sitting in the trunk of a convertible along with four of her besties about to cruise down the track at halftime with one of Grant’s top teachers at the wheel. I skipped down the hill for a quick visit. They took off and about 8 or 10 young girls—grade schoolers, for sure—ran after them. To those young girls, I could tell that my daughter and her friends were the Gods now. Everything felt just right. And 100 years felt worth the wait. by @selis

3

4

21 days ago

Last first day of grade school. Thank you Scout, for always being my willing subject. Moose will miss your constant company now that Summer has ended. We await your triumphant return a few hours from now. Now go crush 8th grade just like you’ve crushed all the grades prior.

Last first day of grade school. Thank you Scout, for always being my willing subject. Moose will miss your constant company now that Summer has ended. We await your triumphant return a few hours from now. Now go crush 8th grade just like you’ve crushed all the grades prior.

Last first day of grade school. Thank you Scout, for always being my willing subject. Moose will miss your constant company now that Summer has ended. We await your triumphant return a few hours from now. Now go crush 8th grade just like you’ve crushed all these grades prior.

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

First day Kindergarten!

Pre-K. Time flies when yer having fun. by @selis

116

5

25 days ago

July. Great friends. Old and newbies. PDX. NYC. Sandpoint, Idaho. Ba da da da da da da, feelin’ groovy. by @selis

135

9

a month ago

Trigger warning! Stella’s LAST first day of school picture. As she departed from this final pose she said, “I love you, too.” My eyes welled up thinking back on all these snaps. Damn, what a journey. Swipe left if you’d like to see a proud daddy’s dedication to his craft. Might want to grab some tissue.

Junior.

Sophomore.

Freshman.

8th.

7th.

6th. (Covid)

5th.

4th.

3rd.

2nd.

1st.

Absolutely dreading Kindergarten.

And for old times sake, the best first school picture EVER. We love you so much @stellaroseselis and are so so soooooooo proud of you. Thank you for suffering me and “my craft”. by @selis

276

17

a month ago

Dolly was famous my entire life. My first memories of her are not her songs or talent, but her big breasts. I remember seeing her on Hee Haw and Johnny Carson and other variety type shows and the attention always seemed to be on her bust, which for an adolescent boy was kinda funny. I was never a country music fan but Hee Haw was the best option in its Saturday night time slot. It wasn’t really until she stole all her scenes in Steel Magnolias that I really came to appreciate her talents. In these later years I’ve just come to appreciate her love for life and everyone and everything in it. And most recently, the story of how she held her ground when Elvis wanted half her royalties if he recorded I Will Always Love You. If you haven’t heard about it, go find it. She was so much bigger than her breasts.

#dolly #dog #life #death #butterfly by @selis

3

1

a month ago