H.G. Wells once said:
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"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race."
Something something
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Marge:
“Sweetie, you could still go to McGill. The Harvard of Canada.”
Lisa:
“Anything that's the something of something isn't really the anything of anything.”
License to Kill
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If you enjoy a quality turn of phrase as much as the next guy, or as I do, look no further than one of my favourite angry old men, Christopher Hitchens.
His book God is not Great is quite addictive and conveniently available as an audiobook. I like it not so much because I'm interested in the debate or the history, which is obviously highly engaging, but more because the debate is long gone and it's just nice to hear the burn. Listening to him read his own words is a treat not to be missed.
You should probably be somewhat of a fan already, though, and as one reviewer puts it, "he often delivers his ideas like he's trying to splash his martini across your face at a party." He is by no means for everyone.
While you may be inclined to listen while multitasking(!) you will likely find yourself stopping whatever you're doing and rewinding(!) certain parts over and over, just to bathe in his sparkling correctness. If you're not convinced yet, maybe this Amazon review will tip the scales:
Listen here
Aristotle once said
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Or more accurately, "All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind."
New vibe: Toning
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Reduce to the core, see detail - efficient, healthy, pure.
Oh it's new...
Overheard
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Girl to girlfriends:
"...and that's when I discovered Garnier Nutrisse."
"...and that's when I discovered Garnier Nutrisse."
Postcard from America
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Friends,
I hope this card finds you in good health. Things are well across the pond. Manhattan and its perculiarly evolved inhabitants have been more than hospitable to me and my work here. I have managed to immerse myself and mingle nicely over the months. In fact, I look forward to my first
blackout Wednesday
this evening in Pennsylvania - a tradition as old as pain itself I'm told.
While the physical threats and dangers of the African continent we know only too well, it seems instead that dangers here on the island are of the more emotional kind [I know!] and can creep up on a person faster than one can say
I feel like...
Thus, the local people are very generous with their prescription pharmaceuticals and many a time friends of mine have sent me on my way with a pocketful of Aderall or Xanax "just in case".
One thing, however, that will certainly not be tempered by such freely available chemical compounds, and of primary concern to me and my staff, is the positively cursed problem of "football". This rugby-substitute sport seems to have gained far too much traction here, especially on days such as Thanksgiving.
It seems that they simply choose to ignore the superior flow and complexity of rugby for lack of athletes capable of playing two forty minute halves without stopping. This cannot go on forever and we can only pray that the certain arrival of the metric system, and beer fit for consumption, will bring with them the great sport of rugby union.
During my time here I also noted a few things that might be of interest:
People stand in
lines
and only the office printer has a queue. If you ask someone if they are in the queue you will be met with only blank expressions.
The term
excuse me
is not meant to excuse any behaviour or to ask permission, it means
Get out of my way. Please.
Between the months of June and September the underground trains are as godforsaken as a Brazzaville marketplace, and are best avoided at these times.
German automobiles are entirely unknown and someone ought to bring them here immediately!
Fondest regards,
You need to watch this
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...if you haven't already.
A while back, my sometimes very inspirational mother sent me the transcript from J.K. Rowling's commencement address at Harvard in 2008. I really love a great speech, and this is way up there.
I've read and re-read it a number of times, and it still makes me mushy inside. I actually feel honoured to share a birthday with her!
This is the video. Full transcript here
A while back, my sometimes very inspirational mother sent me the transcript from J.K. Rowling's commencement address at Harvard in 2008. I really love a great speech, and this is way up there.
I've read and re-read it a number of times, and it still makes me mushy inside. I actually feel honoured to share a birthday with her!
This is the video. Full transcript here
Dam-age.
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My housemate John is Burmese and he struggles to say "dammit" if he stubs his toe or sees a hot woman in the street. Instead he says Dam-age..! Pretty hysterical, especially when he's referring to the latter. If you take a cruise around Soho on a sunny Sunday you will understand the damage being done.
Taglines
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Imagine a world without taglines.
How would you judge brands?
Firstly, you would be forced to judge them by their names. A great brand name is a gateway to all manner of brand success (and I will definitely be sharing more of my thoughts on that). Secondly, you would be forced to feel brands - feel the unique composite of their vibe, and not be limited by only verbal communication.
So often a perfectly reasonable 30 sec TV spot has whatever decent message it just tried so hard to get across replaced by a perfectly rubbish few words flashed across the screen right at the end. A picture is worth a thousand words? Well the word equivalent of 7500 frames of genius cinematic production has just been replaced in the viewer's mind by, wait for it...
Ford. Drive One.
Why not just shut up?
Taglines are one of those things that people feel forced to create and compete on because the next guy just did it. And now we have a whole new sub-medium where the primary call to action is a fear that a competitor might occupy the same territory if one doesn't grab it first.
Anyhow, in terms of brand personality, judging a person by their actions and not their words is regarded to be better, and one would normally avoid making judgements of a person by what or who they say they are. Especially if they babble the same sweet nothings at you every time.
Really?
HP – Expanding possibilities
AMD – The smarter choice
Way decent:
Virginia is for lovers
Alaska - B4UDIE
Scotland the brand
South Africa - Alive with possibility
Nike - Just do it
The Independent - It is, are you?
How would you judge brands?
Firstly, you would be forced to judge them by their names. A great brand name is a gateway to all manner of brand success (and I will definitely be sharing more of my thoughts on that). Secondly, you would be forced to feel brands - feel the unique composite of their vibe, and not be limited by only verbal communication.
So often a perfectly reasonable 30 sec TV spot has whatever decent message it just tried so hard to get across replaced by a perfectly rubbish few words flashed across the screen right at the end. A picture is worth a thousand words? Well the word equivalent of 7500 frames of genius cinematic production has just been replaced in the viewer's mind by, wait for it...
Ford. Drive One.
Why not just shut up?
Taglines are one of those things that people feel forced to create and compete on because the next guy just did it. And now we have a whole new sub-medium where the primary call to action is a fear that a competitor might occupy the same territory if one doesn't grab it first.
Anyhow, in terms of brand personality, judging a person by their actions and not their words is regarded to be better, and one would normally avoid making judgements of a person by what or who they say they are. Especially if they babble the same sweet nothings at you every time.
Really?
HP – Expanding possibilities
AMD – The smarter choice
Way decent:
Virginia is for lovers
Alaska - B4UDIE
Scotland the brand
South Africa - Alive with possibility
Nike - Just do it
The Independent - It is, are you?
What style is your life?
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Right, I'm claiming it. I am the first person to re-separate the term lifestyle into it's original parts, life and style.
Lifestyle is kinda meaningless now. From this point on we will only be using the term life style.
Pretty cutting-edge if you ask me.
Lifestyle is kinda meaningless now. From this point on we will only be using the term life style.
Pretty cutting-edge if you ask me.
Being prolific
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The Michael Jackson thing didn't really hit home with me until last night. A radio station was playing non stop hits of his the whole night and every track struck me as more classic and influential than the last. I suddenly realised how intense it must be to have left a trail like that behind you in the world. He's chilling there, buried, and all over the world people are listening to similar Michael Jackson tribute days and suddenly getting their groove on.
He was, as they say, prolific. Sure he had help at various times along the way, but it was his own emotional energy that was behind every last ounce of his supernova-like legacy. A generosity of spirit that was offered to the world for most of the late 20th century.
Don't "give it 100%", try to be prolific.
It's different.
He was, as they say, prolific. Sure he had help at various times along the way, but it was his own emotional energy that was behind every last ounce of his supernova-like legacy. A generosity of spirit that was offered to the world for most of the late 20th century.
Don't "give it 100%", try to be prolific.
It's different.
I'm too cool, you're too hot.
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Uh...where was I going with that...