Brooke White went on this week's Idol.
The 'celebrity mentor' was Neil Diamond - the result... everyone sounding as though they were on between the salmon and the cutting of the cake at a ritzy wedding at which at decoration had substituted for beauty and extravagance for taste.
Brooke made the mistake of leaving the comfort of her piano. I liked her as a poor man's white bread Tori Amos.
Still we won't have to put up with her Cheez Whiz, Gee Whizzery anymore. So there is a silver lining - though I'm sure that any day now people are going to find out that silver linings are toxic.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
I've started playing
I've started playing marketing bingo in meetings.
The three 'gimme's seem to be
"White Space"
"Cadence"
&
"Heavy Lifting"
In a bid to make the game a little harder I now shout each of these words right after anyone says them
"I think that what we're searching for here is 'white space'
"WHITE SPACE!"
"Excuse me?"
"WHITE SPACE, I just got a line on bullshit bingo"
This of course makes me a little unpopular but it also stems the tide of marketing terms for a while, making the game harder and my life a little more pleasant.
Now if I could just find out what "Cadence" means...
The three 'gimme's seem to be
"White Space"
"Cadence"
&
"Heavy Lifting"
In a bid to make the game a little harder I now shout each of these words right after anyone says them
"I think that what we're searching for here is 'white space'
"WHITE SPACE!"
"Excuse me?"
"WHITE SPACE, I just got a line on bullshit bingo"
This of course makes me a little unpopular but it also stems the tide of marketing terms for a while, making the game harder and my life a little more pleasant.
Now if I could just find out what "Cadence" means...
Monday, April 28, 2008
A lot to be proud of
Torch Lake, Michigan "World's 3rd Most Beautiful Lake" license plate
Originally uploaded by Jeff Smith's Pictures
By all accounts it's beautiful
And very proud of being "The world's 3rd most beautiful lake"
The ranking was supposed to have come from National Geographic Magazine, though National Geographic flatly denies ever publishing such a ranking"
Locals have been pushing this National Geo. story for years and I have to say - I'm intrigued enough to book me a place there
Mad Busy
I'm crazy busy today.
Have all kinds of things due and as ever it's a race to get the data in enough time to actually analyse rather than merely copy it.
I'm looking at the way that the US car industry breaks down (not literally) and at the growth in segments and the expectations within those segments ---> then trying to predict desire 5 years out.
I love this kind of stuff ---> but pulling the 'how are people feeling outside of the 0.002% of the time they spend thinking about cars" is tough. We're data rich to the point of excluding the outside world.
I want to know what effects daycare has had on 16 year olds, what Viagra will do to aging boomers (again not literally), what the democratic design movement has meant, what sustainablity will mean for design (if we get a Green president will saving the planet by this generations 'going to the moon' and what will that do to car design?). I want to know what the overprotection and overscheduling of kids is going to mean in terms of transport and of course what expensive fuel will do to the commute.
And I can get all of that stuff. It just takes time. And co-ordination. And I'm getting itchy as I wait.
Have all kinds of things due and as ever it's a race to get the data in enough time to actually analyse rather than merely copy it.
I'm looking at the way that the US car industry breaks down (not literally) and at the growth in segments and the expectations within those segments ---> then trying to predict desire 5 years out.
I love this kind of stuff ---> but pulling the 'how are people feeling outside of the 0.002% of the time they spend thinking about cars" is tough. We're data rich to the point of excluding the outside world.
I want to know what effects daycare has had on 16 year olds, what Viagra will do to aging boomers (again not literally), what the democratic design movement has meant, what sustainablity will mean for design (if we get a Green president will saving the planet by this generations 'going to the moon' and what will that do to car design?). I want to know what the overprotection and overscheduling of kids is going to mean in terms of transport and of course what expensive fuel will do to the commute.
And I can get all of that stuff. It just takes time. And co-ordination. And I'm getting itchy as I wait.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
This lovely car
This lovely car had only one previous owner - a famous Arab collector who had the car delivered in the shiniest of conditions. Okay so it needed a service before it was taken out - but with only 9000 miles on the clock and with a sticker price of around $20k it wasn't bad value.
The cars were going cheap today - kinda wish I'd raised my numbered lollipop now
Ho - hum
The cars were going cheap today - kinda wish I'd raised my numbered lollipop now
Ho - hum
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Getting jiggy with it
Woke up this morning with my back killing me and a refusal on my application to take shots of fetish models in an abandoned Detroit hotel. It's a professionals first event and all of the spots are now filled - so I got turned down. Never mind - there are other women in latex out in the world, I'm sure.
It's graduation weekend here in A2 - so lots of parents in posh frocks and not so posh suits wandering around campus in the unusual warmth. It makes for a lovely atmosphere actually - though the sudden stopping without warning on the sidewalk gets wearing after a while.
Another venue with no tickets for me is The Ark - a lesbian folk haven staffed by muscled women with cropped hair wearing wifebeaters (is that PC for lesbians?). Wanted to see The Proclaimers there - will now have to take my chances with Craigslist. We'll see.
Not much of a plan for today. Erotic Expo in Detroit has a seminar on piercing parties (a la Janet Jackson) which has perked my interest, I have a massage booked for later to try to beat this pain in my back (I can feel the vertabae grinding) and then maybe a jackie chan . jet li movie later.
Tomorrow is a vintage car auction with Andy - a friend of Jude;s. Should be fun - I even have my eye on something for our vacant parking spot.
It's graduation weekend here in A2 - so lots of parents in posh frocks and not so posh suits wandering around campus in the unusual warmth. It makes for a lovely atmosphere actually - though the sudden stopping without warning on the sidewalk gets wearing after a while.
Another venue with no tickets for me is The Ark - a lesbian folk haven staffed by muscled women with cropped hair wearing wifebeaters (is that PC for lesbians?). Wanted to see The Proclaimers there - will now have to take my chances with Craigslist. We'll see.
Not much of a plan for today. Erotic Expo in Detroit has a seminar on piercing parties (a la Janet Jackson) which has perked my interest, I have a massage booked for later to try to beat this pain in my back (I can feel the vertabae grinding) and then maybe a jackie chan . jet li movie later.
Tomorrow is a vintage car auction with Andy - a friend of Jude;s. Should be fun - I even have my eye on something for our vacant parking spot.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Good day yesterday...
...started when I got up at 7am, showered and set off for the hospital on a route that took me right through central park. Then blood work done straight away (the lab tech still knows me) and across the road for scans... alas posh facility booked so back to the old building and the corridor of long waits to drink liters of bloating drinks and generally kick my heels whilst watching "Mad Men" (excellent btw) on the i-pod.
Then back to the Park to meet up with Jude, lunch with a friend then on to a leaving party for my friend Kajsa who's leaving the US to learn about hat making, dress-making and 'trimming' and then moving to Brazil. Gotta love that.
From there it was on the the Theatre to see a performance / read of another friend's play - The Beauty Project. It was actually rather good.
Then on to a bar where low cut tops, a tertiary grasp of English and hotpants to make a Camel Chiropodist blush were much in evidence.
Ride home today was uneventful. My evening will be spent with data.
Happy
Then back to the Park to meet up with Jude, lunch with a friend then on to a leaving party for my friend Kajsa who's leaving the US to learn about hat making, dress-making and 'trimming' and then moving to Brazil. Gotta love that.
From there it was on the the Theatre to see a performance / read of another friend's play - The Beauty Project. It was actually rather good.
Then on to a bar where low cut tops, a tertiary grasp of English and hotpants to make a Camel Chiropodist blush were much in evidence.
Ride home today was uneventful. My evening will be spent with data.
Happy
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
back in the old routine
I'm writing this from Touchdown 4 - the computer used for visitors and floaters at my old company in New York.
After blood work and scans delayed by paperwork I met Jude in central park where we watched tiny kids playing baseball and a movie being shot (an old woman walked a small dog - it was thrilling!)
Then we split up. I headed to Grace for lunch with my friend Gareth whilst Jude headed uptown for lunch with our mutual friend Ali.
I have drinks with a futurologist this afternoon (weirdly she sensed I was in town and invited me) and thought that I'd fill in a little time with a visit to the office and a cup of tea.
It feels very different here to Detroit. The people are younger. And more energetic. And less afraid. The music is playing out loud. Two people just left to buy fruit for a 'cooling' sangria that's being made. And generally the vibe is one of 'we're enjoying this'
Of course the atmosphere in the office was never my issue. The work was. And I LOVE what I do now. Weirdly I've worked out that I'm an ad guy - by trying to leave advertising twice.
It's good to know that some decisions you got right
After blood work and scans delayed by paperwork I met Jude in central park where we watched tiny kids playing baseball and a movie being shot (an old woman walked a small dog - it was thrilling!)
Then we split up. I headed to Grace for lunch with my friend Gareth whilst Jude headed uptown for lunch with our mutual friend Ali.
I have drinks with a futurologist this afternoon (weirdly she sensed I was in town and invited me) and thought that I'd fill in a little time with a visit to the office and a cup of tea.
It feels very different here to Detroit. The people are younger. And more energetic. And less afraid. The music is playing out loud. Two people just left to buy fruit for a 'cooling' sangria that's being made. And generally the vibe is one of 'we're enjoying this'
Of course the atmosphere in the office was never my issue. The work was. And I LOVE what I do now. Weirdly I've worked out that I'm an ad guy - by trying to leave advertising twice.
It's good to know that some decisions you got right
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Weird morning
First the decidedly grannish woman who was appraising my Mustang for damage told me that removing the dent from the hood of of my car would mean removing the hood, stripping it, beating it and respraying it. Total cost $400.
Then my New York hospital told me that I may not get scans after all because they don't have recent blood work. Well that would be another $1000 in flights wasted. Much haggling and pleading led to a morning blood bath - I'll be phlebottomized, analyzed and certified at 8am for 9am scans. Maybe.
Bought two 'space chairs' for the balcony (it's 24c and sunny today and on the roof it's 10c warmer) - noit sure I'm fully adepyt at shifting my weight and levering my legs as counterbalance yet - but it will come.
And finally day 2 of the pre Cyprus shirt off diet has me feeling strangely full at all times. Jude's saying fiber, I'm saying tumor.
Then my New York hospital told me that I may not get scans after all because they don't have recent blood work. Well that would be another $1000 in flights wasted. Much haggling and pleading led to a morning blood bath - I'll be phlebottomized, analyzed and certified at 8am for 9am scans. Maybe.
Bought two 'space chairs' for the balcony (it's 24c and sunny today and on the roof it's 10c warmer) - noit sure I'm fully adepyt at shifting my weight and levering my legs as counterbalance yet - but it will come.
And finally day 2 of the pre Cyprus shirt off diet has me feeling strangely full at all times. Jude's saying fiber, I'm saying tumor.
Suddenly spring
suddenly in A2 it's spring,
but we don't really care because today we leave for New York
yup it's Cancer Scan time again
which means admitting that somewhere amongst all the blooming, sprouting and growth of daffodils I may also be sprouting malignant cells and growing tumors.
not that the scan causes that - but it does bring up the issue.
that said if I'm clear today then it's getting very close to the 2 year - 'safe' mark. The point at which relapse becomes less likely and we can breathe easy again (bar the spring pollen)
So fingers crossed
but we don't really care because today we leave for New York
yup it's Cancer Scan time again
which means admitting that somewhere amongst all the blooming, sprouting and growth of daffodils I may also be sprouting malignant cells and growing tumors.
not that the scan causes that - but it does bring up the issue.
that said if I'm clear today then it's getting very close to the 2 year - 'safe' mark. The point at which relapse becomes less likely and we can breathe easy again (bar the spring pollen)
So fingers crossed
Monday, April 21, 2008
A word on Love from my friend Gareth
My Friend Gareth
said this about love today
"For me, love means doing something terrifying and not being terrified at all."
Check out his adventures - and send a check if you can - here
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Dalai Lama is in town
... so I thought that I'd try out Buddhist 'hair' for the event
Whaddya think?
Whaddya think?
More Idol Nonsense
So I missed Idol for a week and it seems that they booted the Castrated Hutchence wannabe Michael Johns. Shame - the benchmark seems to have been - "Well I have to last longer than Kristie Cook" and of course he didn't.
This week's guest coach was Mariah Carey - who came across as a slutty Oompah-Lumpah, only a tad more orange. She loved everyone, they loved her, the show was duller David Cook's eyes (and they're DEAD)
What did people do, I hear you shrug half heartedly.
Well Cut Priced Whitney (I like to think that she'll be a Crystal Meth Gal married to a backing singer) Syesha coasted through that well known shoulda been a B side "Vanishing" and promptly vanished from memory.
The Bruiser kept the bat wing wobble in check as she attacked "Without You" and I mean attacked. The song later reported the assault to the police and is recovering from the severe bruising she gave it. All credit to the girl though - she did attempt a full 'power squat' at one point.
David Cook did his angsty thing on "Without you" and just failed to recognize that it could be the most awesome stalker song of all time done right. He was getting there but as ever the bigger picture evaded him as he tried for a vibe that's Radio Friendly.
The Mormon's magic pants were working as he did something soppy to immediately forgettable effect
Jason Castro on the other hand is turning into a poor man's Sanjaya. "I don't wanna cry" was sung with such tender virginity that you could hear hymen in the audience tearing. Either that or he missed a couple of notes horribly.
Two left - Kristy Lee Cook did an adenoidal version of "Forever" (which FINALLY sent her home) and Brooke White piled in the vanilla with her anodyne version of "Hero"
It's all toe curlingly wondreful
Saturday, April 19, 2008
It's getting hot in here
In fact as I look up at the temperature gauge I see that right at the desk it's 88f... no wonder I'm sweating. I'd take my shirt off but if Jude gets back to see me sitting near naked at the computer she'll be checking the History folder faster than you can say 'spyware'
Dalai Lama in town tomorrow. Lots of parents in for graduation today. So the bars are full. The outdoor tables coveted and the locals slightly snarky.
Me? I'm just taking pictures, walking the dog and trying not to eat
Dalai Lama in town tomorrow. Lots of parents in for graduation today. So the bars are full. The outdoor tables coveted and the locals slightly snarky.
Me? I'm just taking pictures, walking the dog and trying not to eat
Friday, April 18, 2008
That time of year again...
Well Michigan certainly seems to switch weather gears fast. Last Sunday we were sitting inside watching the snow whoosh horizontal past the windows. Today it's 24c, there's the smell of summer in the air and the window boxes are being moved outside.
The dog, predictably, loves it. Yesterday we took her to The Arb' (a kind of wild flora and fauna refuge in the middle of town) and she sniffed, scurried and bounded her way around with an abandon that some would have called gay (were they over 70)
Tonight we're off to see Natalia Zuckerman who is described thusly by the venue "(She has a) voice that could send an orchid into bloom, while her guitar playing can open a beer bottle with its teeth."
I'll test that theory later.
The dog, predictably, loves it. Yesterday we took her to The Arb' (a kind of wild flora and fauna refuge in the middle of town) and she sniffed, scurried and bounded her way around with an abandon that some would have called gay (were they over 70)
Tonight we're off to see Natalia Zuckerman who is described thusly by the venue "(She has a) voice that could send an orchid into bloom, while her guitar playing can open a beer bottle with its teeth."
I'll test that theory later.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Bad repair
Well after Jude's first attempt to fill the suicidal bird's scrape on the hood of the car I had her redo it - and maybe I was wrong.
Never mind will have dent taken car of at 10,000 miles and may use the scratch repair as a justification for getting the stripes that Jude's wanted forever.
Mad at work today - wanting to prove that one of the reasons that people got into SUVs were that they were high - and when people feel threatened (say post 9-11 or by the number of huge cars on the road) they tend to look for safety by trying to get above imminent danger (they used to climb a tree). There are other reasons of course - but it's odd that in a culture of engagement we have an automotive culture of disengagement. Or so I'm hypothosizing.
Steve
Never mind will have dent taken car of at 10,000 miles and may use the scratch repair as a justification for getting the stripes that Jude's wanted forever.
Mad at work today - wanting to prove that one of the reasons that people got into SUVs were that they were high - and when people feel threatened (say post 9-11 or by the number of huge cars on the road) they tend to look for safety by trying to get above imminent danger (they used to climb a tree). There are other reasons of course - but it's odd that in a culture of engagement we have an automotive culture of disengagement. Or so I'm hypothosizing.
Steve
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
In the wars again
On my way to work this morning I had a suicidal bird swoop down and hot the hood of the car. Result - small dent that ruins the lines, big scratch that we've just tried (and failed) to disguise.
Will hit the dealer on Saturday about the dent but it seems as though hard objects are drawn to this car - at speed.
Will hit the dealer on Saturday about the dent but it seems as though hard objects are drawn to this car - at speed.
Long drive for a home run
This morning I was invited to join a hundred people on a trip up to Toronto to see a baseball game. Sounds like a riot, but all are driving up there in their own cars and it's about four and a half hours.
Of course part of me says "screw it, head on up" while the other says "work, long drive, overnight stay" and of course "you don't like baseball" - which side will win I have no idea.
Last night we went to a gallery opening. Photographs of Alabama taken over 40 years by a guy whose technique didn't seem to improve. Most of the people there seemed to be asking the same question "This guy is famous because....????"
It's one of the great statements of the upload age. People used to say "I could do better than that" ---> now they say "I HAVE DONE better than that" and in many cases they have.
I was reading an interview with Sir (!) John Hegarty where he was talking about being the chair of an art committee. He said that he can easily search for "picture of woman holding a baby" and the search engines and stock photo sites will give him 10,000 options. The only problem is that they'll all be rubbish. And what he wants is one GOOD pic of a woman holding a baby. Alas "Good pic of woman holding a baby" isn't a search engine friendly term.
As he said if you search the art world for the same pic you may not find the exact image and angle that you want but you're much more likely to stumble upon something that shows you something new or that invites you to think about the subject in a new way - and that's more valuable.
Also last night 38 Drinks with the very lovely Rebecca, who looked amazing swathed in the diffused glow of my favorite bar in Ann Arbor. I may have had more thatn I thought though -as this morning I'm feeling weirdly weak and out of sorts. Blaming the allergy patches for that though.
Of course part of me says "screw it, head on up" while the other says "work, long drive, overnight stay" and of course "you don't like baseball" - which side will win I have no idea.
Last night we went to a gallery opening. Photographs of Alabama taken over 40 years by a guy whose technique didn't seem to improve. Most of the people there seemed to be asking the same question "This guy is famous because....????"
It's one of the great statements of the upload age. People used to say "I could do better than that" ---> now they say "I HAVE DONE better than that" and in many cases they have.
I was reading an interview with Sir (!) John Hegarty where he was talking about being the chair of an art committee. He said that he can easily search for "picture of woman holding a baby" and the search engines and stock photo sites will give him 10,000 options. The only problem is that they'll all be rubbish. And what he wants is one GOOD pic of a woman holding a baby. Alas "Good pic of woman holding a baby" isn't a search engine friendly term.
As he said if you search the art world for the same pic you may not find the exact image and angle that you want but you're much more likely to stumble upon something that shows you something new or that invites you to think about the subject in a new way - and that's more valuable.
Also last night 38 Drinks with the very lovely Rebecca, who looked amazing swathed in the diffused glow of my favorite bar in Ann Arbor. I may have had more thatn I thought though -as this morning I'm feeling weirdly weak and out of sorts. Blaming the allergy patches for that though.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
What a feeling
I went in for the second of my allergy tests this morning.
The guys took a bunch of panels, attached them to my back, bandaged me up and said "see you Thursday". Before they said that though they said "You're probably going to itch like hell. Don't scratch. Even if it becomes unbearable"
Now maybe it's just me but there has to be a better way of doing this. A blood test perhaps. Or stem cells. Or cloning. Just all seems a tad old fashioned to me.
Also got a call from the New York hospital... I'm due scans for cancer again. It's weird that every 8 weeks or so I have to start planning a New York scan trip. It kinda throws you off balance and I know that it's too much of a reminder for a lot of people around me - having my mortality questioned with such regularity.
Still it's a trip to New York - a place I adore, so (for once) I won't be complaining - unless of course it's about the itch that seems to be coming from directly under the bleach tab on my back
The guys took a bunch of panels, attached them to my back, bandaged me up and said "see you Thursday". Before they said that though they said "You're probably going to itch like hell. Don't scratch. Even if it becomes unbearable"
Now maybe it's just me but there has to be a better way of doing this. A blood test perhaps. Or stem cells. Or cloning. Just all seems a tad old fashioned to me.
Also got a call from the New York hospital... I'm due scans for cancer again. It's weird that every 8 weeks or so I have to start planning a New York scan trip. It kinda throws you off balance and I know that it's too much of a reminder for a lot of people around me - having my mortality questioned with such regularity.
Still it's a trip to New York - a place I adore, so (for once) I won't be complaining - unless of course it's about the itch that seems to be coming from directly under the bleach tab on my back
Monday, April 14, 2008
Stupidly Busy
I'm ridiculously busy today, which means that this will be shorter than Obama's "Mission Accomplished" list.
I have to say that my interest in the Hillary / Obama thing has been dampened by the descent into politics as usual. Hillary claiming that she'd been under sniper fire, Obama attending the church of somebody that some people don't like - each claiming that they're not about smearing the other and then having proxies apply liquid manure.
It's a shame really - this was an election that I wanted to care about. But I do have a weird feeling that McCain is going to drop dead before November... he's just SO old. And it's a real strain. And he's not looking good at all. Weird that he's leading in the polls too. Though with his age and health being what it is his choice of running mate is going to be critical - as we're all imagining the President being upable to fulfil his duties at some point over the next 4 years.
Scary
I have to say that my interest in the Hillary / Obama thing has been dampened by the descent into politics as usual. Hillary claiming that she'd been under sniper fire, Obama attending the church of somebody that some people don't like - each claiming that they're not about smearing the other and then having proxies apply liquid manure.
It's a shame really - this was an election that I wanted to care about. But I do have a weird feeling that McCain is going to drop dead before November... he's just SO old. And it's a real strain. And he's not looking good at all. Weird that he's leading in the polls too. Though with his age and health being what it is his choice of running mate is going to be critical - as we're all imagining the President being upable to fulfil his duties at some point over the next 4 years.
Scary
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