As most of you know it was Thanksgiving on Thursday and it's traditional to say what you are thankful for. Here's my list of the things I'm thankful for at the moment:
- My friends, family and everyone I love - blah, blah, blah.
- How I Met Your Mother (especially Neil Patrick Harris)
- South Pacific (the cocktail bar around the corner from my flat)
- Twitter and YouTube
- John Simmons
- Cheryl Cole
- FIFA (any year)
- Whiteboards and Markers
- Tesco Pizzas (3 for £5 - Bargain)
- My Super Jazzy Bed Sheets
- Match of the Day
Friday, 26 November 2010
Monday, 22 November 2010
The Boy and his First Hot Chocolate
Perhaps writing here was a bad idea- there's already a chocolate smudge on my page before any ink or words of wisdom land on the page. I'm sat in Starbucks, sipping down my hot chocolate, while trying to think straight with all this chit chat going on around me. I thought that this would be the kind of place to get some peace and quiet. Oh, how I was wrong. With the gift of hindsight that thought makes me chuckle a little bit (with sadness).
This wasn't the first 'Bucks' I've been in today. I'd say it's about the eighth. The first one I went in was busy, so I thought 'it's about lunchtime' so I wandered around Monday-afternoon London until I found the next one. Apparently they are all busy. I don't know where I got the idea that I could find peace in this place but I doubt it was based on anything I found in reality. Perhaps a dream? Probably some opportunistic residual 'Friends' memory I thought I had forgotten.
Anyways, I realized (disappointingly slowly) that it wasn't going to happen and I gave up peace in exchange for the caramel-hot chocolate I'd been craving since Starbucks number 1.
It was alright. Just alright.
It's the classic 'want-something-so-long-and-when-you-get-it-you're-disappointed' scenario. I am however enjoying creating brand new adjectives to describe just how chocolaty my hot chocolate is- chocolicious? choctacular? My personal favourite is supermegachocochoctastic- get that in scrabble and you have won, my friend.
I'm sharing my table with a blonde-haired chap with skinny jeans and the world's most colourful shirt. It's like he just returned from the world's most unsuccessful bout of paintball, ever. But it's actually quite jazzy and trendy and yes, I do want one. He's alternating between poking his nose into a tatty, dog-eared book and checking facebook for updates. I detect a hint of providence that we are sat at the same table. We seem to be the only people in this place who are being quiet.
There's not much else here worth mentioning. It's the quintessential cosmopolitan coffee house. The wall are all warm oranges accentuated with rich brown elements and mint green armchairs. There are photoboards of artists hanging everywhere, although I think I'm using the word 'artist', well, incorrectly because one board is Sharon Osbourne. Everything in here looks 'natural' which is ironic considering it's a replication used for a multinational corporation.
This afternoon I have noticed something about my writing- it has the tendancy to go off on tangents. It never goes A to B. It's always A to G, back to E, circle around that hippo thing there and then canoe the rest of the way to B. I've heard that the way you write is a reflection of the way I think, but it never really dawned on me until now. My writing, like me, somehow has a short attention span. I can't tell if that's my weakness or what makes me special. Either way, that's the closest thing to a lesson or a point this session will come. Aside from that consider it point-less, like hot chocolate, or Sharon Osbourne.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Bored
There's a word that's been on my mind a lot today - bored. It tends to be seen as a negative feeling but is it? Does it have to be seen like this?
Why can't it be seen like this?
Isn't that better?
My opinion is that bored should be redefined. It can be positive, perhaps even exciting, as contradictory as that sounds. Bored is an opportunity, it's a challenge. It's the interval between one memorable moment in life and the start of the next. It's a hunt for something interesting. The recognition that your current activities or lifestyle are not stimulating enough to warrant your full attention and effort. It is the availability of time, coupled with the desire to use it more productively. The motivation to change our lives for the better.
When you think about it, wouldn't the world be a better place if more people were bored?
Why can't it be seen like this?
Isn't that better?
My opinion is that bored should be redefined. It can be positive, perhaps even exciting, as contradictory as that sounds. Bored is an opportunity, it's a challenge. It's the interval between one memorable moment in life and the start of the next. It's a hunt for something interesting. The recognition that your current activities or lifestyle are not stimulating enough to warrant your full attention and effort. It is the availability of time, coupled with the desire to use it more productively. The motivation to change our lives for the better.
When you think about it, wouldn't the world be a better place if more people were bored?
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Declaration of Intent
I talk too much about advertising. I don't like people in advertising who only talk about advertising but my posts have all been advertising, advertising, advertising. I can't even open a post without talking about it. It's what's on my mind but it isn't what this blog was for.
It was for all the things I find creative, inspirational and wonderful on this ride through life. It was to motivate me to go explore and wander until I found things that make my heart excited. It didn't have boundaries. It wasn't for anything. It was just a document of my hunt for beauty and eccentricity.
I got off course and wandered off, much like I do in real life so I'm going to try to somehow find my way back. Write about things that interest me. Advertising interests me but so does design, music, photography, technology, philosophy... pretty much everything.
This is a declaration of intent. To expand my horizons a bit. I am somewhat trapped in London, one of the richest cultural places to be so I am going to try to soak up a bit more and find some inspiration.
It was for all the things I find creative, inspirational and wonderful on this ride through life. It was to motivate me to go explore and wander until I found things that make my heart excited. It didn't have boundaries. It wasn't for anything. It was just a document of my hunt for beauty and eccentricity.
I got off course and wandered off, much like I do in real life so I'm going to try to somehow find my way back. Write about things that interest me. Advertising interests me but so does design, music, photography, technology, philosophy... pretty much everything.
This is a declaration of intent. To expand my horizons a bit. I am somewhat trapped in London, one of the richest cultural places to be so I am going to try to soak up a bit more and find some inspiration.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Christmas, Ads and Rock 'N' Roll
Not many people know this but I studied 'Music Placements' on television for my dissertation. The point was to determine if it was an appropriate method of promotion for music artists. However my study only looked at tv shows. It didn't look at adverts. I can't help but notice, a lot of the adverts today (literally- today) have popular music in them so, I thought it might be worth some pondering. I guess that happens when you watch as much tv as me.
Personally I think it works best when an independent, upcoming artist is used because their songs have a degree of flexibility with regard to their perception and understanding. They can be easily manipulated by the cinematography and imagery to depict a particular feeling or story.
This is my favourite at the moment. It's the new (and very early, in my opinion) christmas advert for Matalan. The spot features 'What I Wouldn't Do' by A Fine Frenzy in the background and it works so well. Its warm, it's natural and it's baked full of christmassy goodness. Alison Sudol's voice can only be described as beautiful, which only enhances the feel.
The same goes the BT 'Infinity' advert. The song in this is 'Corner' by Allie Moss. Similar music and feel.
In contrast, the ad for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is awful. Not just the music but the whole presentation just lacked that element of finesse that makes an advert shine. Tinie Tempah was a poor choice for it. It's a great game and good song but it doesn't fit and I think part of that is due to having a song that listeners have already heard an interpreted with their own meaning.
I personally would have used something like 'Koyaanisqatsi' by Philip Glass as it creates more of an epic atmosphere that Assassin's Creed deserves.
Personally I think it works best when an independent, upcoming artist is used because their songs have a degree of flexibility with regard to their perception and understanding. They can be easily manipulated by the cinematography and imagery to depict a particular feeling or story.
This is my favourite at the moment. It's the new (and very early, in my opinion) christmas advert for Matalan. The spot features 'What I Wouldn't Do' by A Fine Frenzy in the background and it works so well. Its warm, it's natural and it's baked full of christmassy goodness. Alison Sudol's voice can only be described as beautiful, which only enhances the feel.
The same goes the BT 'Infinity' advert. The song in this is 'Corner' by Allie Moss. Similar music and feel.
In contrast, the ad for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is awful. Not just the music but the whole presentation just lacked that element of finesse that makes an advert shine. Tinie Tempah was a poor choice for it. It's a great game and good song but it doesn't fit and I think part of that is due to having a song that listeners have already heard an interpreted with their own meaning.
I personally would have used something like 'Koyaanisqatsi' by Philip Glass as it creates more of an epic atmosphere that Assassin's Creed deserves.
Monday, 15 November 2010
What If Advertising Sucks?
Everyone keeps telling me advertising is great...
"It's fun"
"It's creative"
"It's the best job in the world"
... but what if it's not? What if they are full of shit? What if they are so full of shit that they can't even smell what they are shoveling? I've heard lots of numbers being thrown around, "four years", "six months", "18 months" with regard to how long it takes to get into the industry.
That's a long fucking time.
How can a job in advertising (or any job for that matter) be worth that? I done some thinking and I currently have a theory- It's not. It's not worth it at all. It's possible. If we consider how human beings rationalise their own behaviour, it's very possible. Let's say the chain of events goes as follows: man decides he wants to go into advertising, studies at college/university for a few years, applies around for jobs for several months/years (perhaps working as an intern/on a placement) and finally gets the call they've been waiting for.
Now, that job, be it amazing, average or downright awful will still be perceived to be amazing. Regardless of the experience he will be blind to any drawbacks because his ego is tied to their position and the hard work it represents. God bless repression!
It has all the makings of some twisted psychological form of employment Stockholm syndrome. Like a child with an abusive parent that convinces themselves Daddy hits them "for their own good"
I must confess, that I am new to this game and haven't suffered much at all in terms of rejection, but I've done my research. I know what to expect. I can't imagine after 12 months, much short of spectacular would be worth my while yet I still want this career, this chase. There are much easier ways to go with easier success so why go for it? Maybe, I'm just stupid. Most humans are stupid most of the time and I am human most of the time.
My alternative theory is this. I want to take a chance, take a risk. I don't care if I get destroyed! Winning all the time makes it meaningless so winning once means everything. I hate playing it safe, because ultimately, reward is proportional to the risk we take to get it. By this logic, maybe, advertising actually could be worth it. Only one way to find out though.
"It's fun"
"It's creative"
"It's the best job in the world"
... but what if it's not? What if they are full of shit? What if they are so full of shit that they can't even smell what they are shoveling? I've heard lots of numbers being thrown around, "four years", "six months", "18 months" with regard to how long it takes to get into the industry.
That's a long fucking time.
How can a job in advertising (or any job for that matter) be worth that? I done some thinking and I currently have a theory- It's not. It's not worth it at all. It's possible. If we consider how human beings rationalise their own behaviour, it's very possible. Let's say the chain of events goes as follows: man decides he wants to go into advertising, studies at college/university for a few years, applies around for jobs for several months/years (perhaps working as an intern/on a placement) and finally gets the call they've been waiting for.
Now, that job, be it amazing, average or downright awful will still be perceived to be amazing. Regardless of the experience he will be blind to any drawbacks because his ego is tied to their position and the hard work it represents. God bless repression!
It has all the makings of some twisted psychological form of employment Stockholm syndrome. Like a child with an abusive parent that convinces themselves Daddy hits them "for their own good"
I must confess, that I am new to this game and haven't suffered much at all in terms of rejection, but I've done my research. I know what to expect. I can't imagine after 12 months, much short of spectacular would be worth my while yet I still want this career, this chase. There are much easier ways to go with easier success so why go for it? Maybe, I'm just stupid. Most humans are stupid most of the time and I am human most of the time.
My alternative theory is this. I want to take a chance, take a risk. I don't care if I get destroyed! Winning all the time makes it meaningless so winning once means everything. I hate playing it safe, because ultimately, reward is proportional to the risk we take to get it. By this logic, maybe, advertising actually could be worth it. Only one way to find out though.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
London Photo Diary: Numero Uno
I should probably make more an intro for this but I think it mostly speaks for itself. I have a thing for interesting words and images (obviously!) so I've decided to start building myself a little collection, a small sample from the catalogue of life that is London City.
This is an electronic advertisement in Piccadilly Circus from McDonalds. It randomly chooses Rock, Paper and Scissors and people touring London play along with it (after staring at it in confusion for a while).
I really love words so I can't help but appreciate this is clever turn of phrase in the underground.
I went to an underground gym with a LOT of stairs with my housemate Mike. About halfway down there was this cheeky message on the wall.
The best thing ever to happen to a sheep? I'm not so sure...
Cutest, invasion, ever!
I love innocent. They are the most charming brand around at the moment I think. This says 'we love our orange juice because it tastes very, very good. But enough about that, heres a squirrel looking terrified.' How sweet!
I, I can't remember where I buried them
This is an electronic advertisement in Piccadilly Circus from McDonalds. It randomly chooses Rock, Paper and Scissors and people touring London play along with it (after staring at it in confusion for a while).
I really love words so I can't help but appreciate this is clever turn of phrase in the underground.
I went to an underground gym with a LOT of stairs with my housemate Mike. About halfway down there was this cheeky message on the wall.
The best thing ever to happen to a sheep? I'm not so sure...
Cutest, invasion, ever!
I love innocent. They are the most charming brand around at the moment I think. This says 'we love our orange juice because it tastes very, very good. But enough about that, heres a squirrel looking terrified.' How sweet!
I, I can't remember where I buried them
Finding Somewhere
'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to from here?'
"That depends a great deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat
'I don't care much where-'
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat
'- so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation.
'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the cat, 'if you can only walk long enough.'
I am once again delving into Wonderland but once again for a valid reason. You see, for all my research and education in marketing, advertising and communications in general I'm still not sure where I'm going. That is why I have kicked up my roots and shot down to London Town. My thinking being a lot easier to judge a landscape if you can see it. Makes sense right?
I have to say it feels good to be here. I'm filled with equal parts excitement and gut wrenching fear (Ok, maybe 40-60) but that's the healthy thing to aim for. I couldn't take sitting on the sidelines of Norfolk, watching everyone try and not give it a go myself. I went out for a few drinks last night to celebrate my new housemate's birthday (and on a sub-level, my arrival) and there was a bit of awkwardness when people asked me what I do:
Well I do advertising... well, not yet... but I want to do some... not like Mike (who does facebook ads etc)... but creative ideas and writing... and stuff... well kind of... so what do you do?
It, is, awful. I suppose the good thing from my point of view is that my overthinking mind already compared having a job I don't like but pays and being unemployed for a while until I get what I want and I stand by it's decision. Still, I have to say it will be made painful by the fact that my current social circle consists of almost exclusively economists and bankers. Still I think it will work in the long run... I think.
So from here on out, it will just be me, my boots and this road without any signposts. As I don't know where I'm going I have the luxury of being unable to take the wrong path - as long as I get somewhere.
"That depends a great deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat
'I don't care much where-'
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat
'- so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation.
'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the cat, 'if you can only walk long enough.'
I am once again delving into Wonderland but once again for a valid reason. You see, for all my research and education in marketing, advertising and communications in general I'm still not sure where I'm going. That is why I have kicked up my roots and shot down to London Town. My thinking being a lot easier to judge a landscape if you can see it. Makes sense right?
I have to say it feels good to be here. I'm filled with equal parts excitement and gut wrenching fear (Ok, maybe 40-60) but that's the healthy thing to aim for. I couldn't take sitting on the sidelines of Norfolk, watching everyone try and not give it a go myself. I went out for a few drinks last night to celebrate my new housemate's birthday (and on a sub-level, my arrival) and there was a bit of awkwardness when people asked me what I do:
Well I do advertising... well, not yet... but I want to do some... not like Mike (who does facebook ads etc)... but creative ideas and writing... and stuff... well kind of... so what do you do?
It, is, awful. I suppose the good thing from my point of view is that my overthinking mind already compared having a job I don't like but pays and being unemployed for a while until I get what I want and I stand by it's decision. Still, I have to say it will be made painful by the fact that my current social circle consists of almost exclusively economists and bankers. Still I think it will work in the long run... I think.
So from here on out, it will just be me, my boots and this road without any signposts. As I don't know where I'm going I have the luxury of being unable to take the wrong path - as long as I get somewhere.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)