So yesterday at around 4pm I head down for a coffee and hear the sounds of a band who seem somehow familiar... walk around the corner to the meeting room best known as Boffo and who should be playing?.... Supergrass
Yup - the monkey resembling pop combo from the late 90s were all set up and rocking a select crowd of Detroit office drones on a Monday afternoon.
And that's why I love this business.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Much happening
So the posts recently have been thinner than a Bullemic's tooth enamel (my fave phrase at the moment) - partly because I've been stupidly busy. Partly because I've been knackered from being so stupidly busy. Which isn't a bad thing.
The gym continues - and the weight keeps rising; which has to be a good thing.
The mosquitos keep biting and the lumps keep getting bigger and uglier (which can't be a good thing, can it?)
The dog keeps getting walked longer and seems to be coping (yesterday's doggy companion got stung by a bee, bitten by bugs, developed diahorrea and seemed quite burned, Velcro just smelled a little worse)
People are still filling our days and spare rooms - we have Zenu for another week, then Bonnie and Lorraine and then my parents.
Work continues to focus on the launch of new cars, the putting together of a plan for new product for a toy company and the task of persuading more people to eat more cheese (or similar numbers of people to eat a lot more cheese)
So nothing major but the minute hands are moving fast at the moment.
The gym continues - and the weight keeps rising; which has to be a good thing.
The mosquitos keep biting and the lumps keep getting bigger and uglier (which can't be a good thing, can it?)
The dog keeps getting walked longer and seems to be coping (yesterday's doggy companion got stung by a bee, bitten by bugs, developed diahorrea and seemed quite burned, Velcro just smelled a little worse)
People are still filling our days and spare rooms - we have Zenu for another week, then Bonnie and Lorraine and then my parents.
Work continues to focus on the launch of new cars, the putting together of a plan for new product for a toy company and the task of persuading more people to eat more cheese (or similar numbers of people to eat a lot more cheese)
So nothing major but the minute hands are moving fast at the moment.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Today's mission
I have today off... which in 90f (32c) is a good thing.
Gonna spend the day on a photo safari.
Start with the art fair as it opens
Move on to the weird and wonderful things around us (like the anti-gravity hill)
Before finding myself a beach spot somewhere near a lake where I can sweat off some poundage.
Then tonight - if we can get tickets - Batman!
Good day, Good day
Gonna spend the day on a photo safari.
Start with the art fair as it opens
Move on to the weird and wonderful things around us (like the anti-gravity hill)
Before finding myself a beach spot somewhere near a lake where I can sweat off some poundage.
Then tonight - if we can get tickets - Batman!
Good day, Good day
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A good drive - a good day
So today as the sun beat down and the temperature climbed into the mid 30s I headed for America's 30th best small town, Bryan, OH to talk to the very lovely people at Ohio Art. And they really are very lovely people.
Ohio Art are the people that brought the world Etch-A-Sketch and while the manufacture of the toy may have moved overseas they're doing all that they can to keep the brand, the company and the people who rely on it healthy.
Right now I have everything crossable crossed (I've tied knots in the rest) that we're going to be able to figure out a way to work with them. Partly because I love the toy. Partly because I'd really love to work with the people there. And partly because I love the idea of helping come up with the next generation of Etch A Sketch toys and games.
Plus the drive home - through cornfields on roads that narrow enough to make overtaking a rush - is enough to make you want to holler.
Ohio Art are the people that brought the world Etch-A-Sketch and while the manufacture of the toy may have moved overseas they're doing all that they can to keep the brand, the company and the people who rely on it healthy.
Right now I have everything crossable crossed (I've tied knots in the rest) that we're going to be able to figure out a way to work with them. Partly because I love the toy. Partly because I'd really love to work with the people there. And partly because I love the idea of helping come up with the next generation of Etch A Sketch toys and games.
Plus the drive home - through cornfields on roads that narrow enough to make overtaking a rush - is enough to make you want to holler.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A 'merican Hybrid
This is the2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid AWD.
It does 20mpg in the city (that's 24 mpg to the UK gallon)
And a whopping 20mpg (24mpg UK) on the highway
Choose the 2WD and you can get 21mpg highway (25.2mpg UK)
I couldn't tell you what it's CO2 emissions are... mainly because nobody lists them here. Hybrid here is about MPG and nothing else. Mainly because the only disincentive to pollute is the price of fuel.
In the first three months of this year GM, the maker of the Yukon and the world's biggest car manufacturer (Toyota just overtook them) sold less than 850 hybrids in the US in total.
I guess you can see why.
It does 20mpg in the city (that's 24 mpg to the UK gallon)
And a whopping 20mpg (24mpg UK) on the highway
Choose the 2WD and you can get 21mpg highway (25.2mpg UK)
I couldn't tell you what it's CO2 emissions are... mainly because nobody lists them here. Hybrid here is about MPG and nothing else. Mainly because the only disincentive to pollute is the price of fuel.
In the first three months of this year GM, the maker of the Yukon and the world's biggest car manufacturer (Toyota just overtook them) sold less than 850 hybrids in the US in total.
I guess you can see why.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Body Dysmorphic?
I was watching a show on TV last night that dealt with Body Dysmophia and it started me wondering - what if you got past the fact that you didn't look the way that you thought you did in the mirror; but then realized that you were still hideous?
A childish thought I know - but while the show concentrated on beautiful people who could only see ugliness in their own reflection I couldn't help but feel for the dysmophic mingers out there - the ones who occasionally had their own self image re-inforced by the reactions of others.
Maybe dysmophia is my issue after all???
A childish thought I know - but while the show concentrated on beautiful people who could only see ugliness in their own reflection I couldn't help but feel for the dysmophic mingers out there - the ones who occasionally had their own self image re-inforced by the reactions of others.
Maybe dysmophia is my issue after all???
Monday, July 14, 2008
What a morning
So having gone to bed so early last night that I missed Ms USA falling during the 'walk and talk and chew' test on Miss Universe I then slept way too long - getting up for the gym an hour or so late and having to fly down there in the car (the rest of the week will see most of the roads closed as a million people flood in for the Art Festival so flying anywhere won't be possible)
At the gym a bunch of guys from the car industry were exhibiting admirable gallows humor against a background that might see this being the bloodiest of days. All of the big 3 US makers are looking to cut staff and many of those staff will find out this morning. Two of the guys even insisted on paying their membership fees today - so that the money was spent and they wouldn't have to cancel. It's that kind of a day. Still it was done with grim humor and good grace.
Work for me at the moment is still busy. Cars, toys, cheese, the future of transport and a host of other bits and pieces all seem to be occupying bits of my mind - and random pieces of solved puzzle keep emerging at unusual moments. Making me appear more 'rain man' than ever.
Phew... fun though
At the gym a bunch of guys from the car industry were exhibiting admirable gallows humor against a background that might see this being the bloodiest of days. All of the big 3 US makers are looking to cut staff and many of those staff will find out this morning. Two of the guys even insisted on paying their membership fees today - so that the money was spent and they wouldn't have to cancel. It's that kind of a day. Still it was done with grim humor and good grace.
Work for me at the moment is still busy. Cars, toys, cheese, the future of transport and a host of other bits and pieces all seem to be occupying bits of my mind - and random pieces of solved puzzle keep emerging at unusual moments. Making me appear more 'rain man' than ever.
Phew... fun though
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Another one bites down hard
One of the things with having been through cancer treatment and emerged flabbier but still intact is that you become a bit of a touchstone for other people. People that you don't really know. Friends of friends call a lot and say thing like "My neighbor's daughter has leukemia; would you talk to them?"
You know that they're looking for empathy, advice and most of all hope. You're the embodiment that all might be well after all. Like the 98 year old marathon running grandpa who smoked 60 a day.
I try to listen. And what I usually hear is simplicity. I want to live. I want to have more time with the people that I love. I want to enjoy more.
Of course it takes 6 weeks to turn back into the asshole you always were once cured but that doesn't matter.
I've watched people go through this. I've talked to them as they've had organ after organ hacked away - their bodies like Russia being burned ahead of the enemy. And while I want to be free of it I'm glad that I can help. I've said before that I'm not much of a candle carrier... but the responsibility for hope I can bear.
All of that said am allergy cough and swollen gland has me looking up chemo phone numbers today. The fear it seems takes a greater hold than a cancer ever could
You know that they're looking for empathy, advice and most of all hope. You're the embodiment that all might be well after all. Like the 98 year old marathon running grandpa who smoked 60 a day.
I try to listen. And what I usually hear is simplicity. I want to live. I want to have more time with the people that I love. I want to enjoy more.
Of course it takes 6 weeks to turn back into the asshole you always were once cured but that doesn't matter.
I've watched people go through this. I've talked to them as they've had organ after organ hacked away - their bodies like Russia being burned ahead of the enemy. And while I want to be free of it I'm glad that I can help. I've said before that I'm not much of a candle carrier... but the responsibility for hope I can bear.
All of that said am allergy cough and swollen gland has me looking up chemo phone numbers today. The fear it seems takes a greater hold than a cancer ever could
Friday, July 11, 2008
I love my job
Yesterday I was looking at the future of mobility (it's personalized mass transit btw) and at the way that 'Engines' are becoming 'Energy transfer systems'.
The next Prius for example will be a Tribrid - adding solar panels to run things like the a/c.Then there's an engine in a car that can create enough energy in its batteries during the day to power the lights in your house at night - a car you plug into.
So I was there sketching out a future where pods take you from mode of mass transport to connection point and train schedules are managed by the Blackberry in your pocket - so that you get delivered to the train about to leave. And it was all very Tom Cruise in a Spielberg movie and it was all very cool.
Then today I'm looking at cheese consumption. At why Americans are aftraid of real cheese and in love with creme cheese. And at snacking and the way that American sport is an excuse to eat uninterrupted for a couple of hours - from tailgate to hotdogs to drive-thru on the way home.
And the people are smart. And the data is good. And there's resource. And opinion. And suddenly I'm engaged. And smarter. And more engaging. And I love it. All over again.
The next Prius for example will be a Tribrid - adding solar panels to run things like the a/c.Then there's an engine in a car that can create enough energy in its batteries during the day to power the lights in your house at night - a car you plug into.
So I was there sketching out a future where pods take you from mode of mass transport to connection point and train schedules are managed by the Blackberry in your pocket - so that you get delivered to the train about to leave. And it was all very Tom Cruise in a Spielberg movie and it was all very cool.
Then today I'm looking at cheese consumption. At why Americans are aftraid of real cheese and in love with creme cheese. And at snacking and the way that American sport is an excuse to eat uninterrupted for a couple of hours - from tailgate to hotdogs to drive-thru on the way home.
And the people are smart. And the data is good. And there's resource. And opinion. And suddenly I'm engaged. And smarter. And more engaging. And I love it. All over again.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Crazy Busy today
I'm crazy busy today... so this is going to have to be shorter than Mariah Carey in flats. Even though see only ever takes her heels off to go to bed. If it's a water bed. Sometimes.
What am I up to?
Just been to a 7.30am meeting to talk Trucks
Then have to put together a proposal for building a toy shop.
After which I have a 'propulsion' strategy meeting
Then brief some people from digital on a new car
Before signing off on a brief for another car brief
A call in the afternoon on quant' researh
Then a 7pm meeting with the guy from 7.30am
Rush down to Ann Arbor, switch cars, get Jude's new plates, dinner with a friend, time with the dog.... and dog food, I need dogfood.
Damn
What am I up to?
Just been to a 7.30am meeting to talk Trucks
Then have to put together a proposal for building a toy shop.
After which I have a 'propulsion' strategy meeting
Then brief some people from digital on a new car
Before signing off on a brief for another car brief
A call in the afternoon on quant' researh
Then a 7pm meeting with the guy from 7.30am
Rush down to Ann Arbor, switch cars, get Jude's new plates, dinner with a friend, time with the dog.... and dog food, I need dogfood.
Damn
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Upside down
So with all the talk about how Gas Prices are turning America into a nation of truck hating agrophics forced to stay home eating economy tins of catfood (man that $4 gas... it's costing me an extra $15 a week over last year... best cancel the vacation) I thought that I'd take a look at what's happening with car sales.
Well of course they're down. But that has less to do with the cost of gas (people are still driving, they haven't abandoned cars - just the buying of new ones) and more to do with uncertainty in the economy. If it really is about to tank and with it take your job you don't buy a new car.
And if building stops then the construction industry starts to cut back and you see a slump in truck sales. So far so obvious. And looking at the top 20 sales chart born out by the data. Silverado down 25.6%, F series down 22.7%, Dodge Ram down 30.4%
So who else is losing? Well people are still trading in their minivans for something a little cooler... so the Dodge Caravan is down 26.8%. Probably not a fuel economy story per se, more a 'more modern ways to tote around the kids' story.
More interestingly are the small losses for Toyota Corolla and Camry and the big gains for Honda Civic and Accord. It seems that when faced with the stark option of a new, more efficient car people would rather go for the one with a hint of style and flair over the 'durable appliance' offering from Toyota. Honda have a lot right at the moment... though I'm no fan of the Accord which seems over big, over veloured and over rated.
Ford Focus and Chevy Cobalt also up. Cars in the smallest segment most people consider. The Focus is a 2.0L sedan or coupe here and that's about as small as the majority are willing to go. There's no room for Fit, Yaris or any 'B' cars in the top 20 yet.
This is dull for non-car people I know but the only companies that saw CAR sales increase in June 08 over June 07 were
Honda
Hyundai
Mazda
Kia
Mercedes
Audi
Mini
Maserati
Rolls Royce
Which leads me to believe that people are in the market for
- Luxury
- Fun
- Bargain Basement offers
If only British Leyland still existed... an Allegro Vanden Plas with lots of chrome, a mini chassis and kia price tag would go down a storm
Well of course they're down. But that has less to do with the cost of gas (people are still driving, they haven't abandoned cars - just the buying of new ones) and more to do with uncertainty in the economy. If it really is about to tank and with it take your job you don't buy a new car.
And if building stops then the construction industry starts to cut back and you see a slump in truck sales. So far so obvious. And looking at the top 20 sales chart born out by the data. Silverado down 25.6%, F series down 22.7%, Dodge Ram down 30.4%
So who else is losing? Well people are still trading in their minivans for something a little cooler... so the Dodge Caravan is down 26.8%. Probably not a fuel economy story per se, more a 'more modern ways to tote around the kids' story.
More interestingly are the small losses for Toyota Corolla and Camry and the big gains for Honda Civic and Accord. It seems that when faced with the stark option of a new, more efficient car people would rather go for the one with a hint of style and flair over the 'durable appliance' offering from Toyota. Honda have a lot right at the moment... though I'm no fan of the Accord which seems over big, over veloured and over rated.
Ford Focus and Chevy Cobalt also up. Cars in the smallest segment most people consider. The Focus is a 2.0L sedan or coupe here and that's about as small as the majority are willing to go. There's no room for Fit, Yaris or any 'B' cars in the top 20 yet.
This is dull for non-car people I know but the only companies that saw CAR sales increase in June 08 over June 07 were
Honda
Hyundai
Mazda
Kia
Mercedes
Audi
Mini
Maserati
Rolls Royce
Which leads me to believe that people are in the market for
- Luxury
- Fun
- Bargain Basement offers
If only British Leyland still existed... an Allegro Vanden Plas with lots of chrome, a mini chassis and kia price tag would go down a storm
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Mellow
Didn't get much sleep last night. With Jude away the time that I go to bed tends to drift - especially since Facebook added chat and friends in different time zones start to wander in and out. Didn't used to be a problem - but with the gym now a 6am fixture my nocturnal catching ups are robbing me of sleep.
Luckily the endorphins are fighting the 'lack of rest - tins' and I'm left feeling very mellow indeed. Despite the fact that the world is closing in around me, I seem to have hit a bit of a groove. Things are falling into place, I'm chugging along and Cruise Control is engaged.
Guess that a crash is inevitable... I'll try to stay awake at the wheel
Luckily the endorphins are fighting the 'lack of rest - tins' and I'm left feeling very mellow indeed. Despite the fact that the world is closing in around me, I seem to have hit a bit of a groove. Things are falling into place, I'm chugging along and Cruise Control is engaged.
Guess that a crash is inevitable... I'll try to stay awake at the wheel
Monday, July 07, 2008
Freedom
So last night with the sun shining and the town full of families in search of icecream I decided to head down to the final night of the Ann Arbor SummerFestival.
It was packed with people - and what was most apparent to me was the lack of self consciousness amongst them.
By the gate groups of teenage girls hung out, cell phones in hand, braces gleaming in the late afternoon sun, Hollister shorts just too short and tops revealing just too much muffin action. They threw their heads back and laughed with ease, while scanning the horizon for the football players with whom they had innocently fumbled.
Inside bikers mingled with professors (they had beards in common I guess) as dads hoisted screaming toddlers onto their shoulders and moms danced hand in hand with kids alive to the energy of the evening.
The first music and everyone was up. On their feet. Grandma was twirling, grandson was bouncing, too many people seemed to be on the verge of seizure but nobody - and I mean nobody was mortified.
Other than me. British-New Yorker that I feel I am. Who stood rooted, horrified and awed by the sheer mid-westerness of it all. The perfect town enjoying the perfect evening. Pretty cool
It was packed with people - and what was most apparent to me was the lack of self consciousness amongst them.
By the gate groups of teenage girls hung out, cell phones in hand, braces gleaming in the late afternoon sun, Hollister shorts just too short and tops revealing just too much muffin action. They threw their heads back and laughed with ease, while scanning the horizon for the football players with whom they had innocently fumbled.
Inside bikers mingled with professors (they had beards in common I guess) as dads hoisted screaming toddlers onto their shoulders and moms danced hand in hand with kids alive to the energy of the evening.
The first music and everyone was up. On their feet. Grandma was twirling, grandson was bouncing, too many people seemed to be on the verge of seizure but nobody - and I mean nobody was mortified.
Other than me. British-New Yorker that I feel I am. Who stood rooted, horrified and awed by the sheer mid-westerness of it all. The perfect town enjoying the perfect evening. Pretty cool
Sunday, July 06, 2008
What a furor
So our local theatre (theatre, thee-ade-orr) is currently running "The Little Dog Laughed" a not bad at all play about a young actor who might just make it big if only his agent can hide his 'slight case of recurring homosexuality'.
The image here was taken for the Portland version, but as it has now finished its run I'm not post the details here - just check out www.pcs.org should you be in the area - I'm sure they have some good stuff.
Now the issues with this play are twofold. When it showed in Chicago the director cut the nudity --- and the playwright was pissed.
Here the nudity stands (is that a mixed metaphor?) but the poster - showing two shirtless men holding in what appear to be the start of middle aged guts - has caused some local stores to refuse to display the ad in their window.
This is odd.
Ann Arbor, A2, is supposed to be a liberal town. It's supposed to be an opium scented oasis of liberal sensibility in a state full of 'hand me my gun Cleavis' redneckery.
The local rags are trying to make a story out of it. But I think that it's a matter of good taste rather than wounded morality. Those boys shouldn't be topless anywhere where they can be viewed. Honestly - are their no ripped regional actors?
The image here was taken for the Portland version, but as it has now finished its run I'm not post the details here - just check out www.pcs.org should you be in the area - I'm sure they have some good stuff.
Now the issues with this play are twofold. When it showed in Chicago the director cut the nudity --- and the playwright was pissed.
Here the nudity stands (is that a mixed metaphor?) but the poster - showing two shirtless men holding in what appear to be the start of middle aged guts - has caused some local stores to refuse to display the ad in their window.
This is odd.
Ann Arbor, A2, is supposed to be a liberal town. It's supposed to be an opium scented oasis of liberal sensibility in a state full of 'hand me my gun Cleavis' redneckery.
The local rags are trying to make a story out of it. But I think that it's a matter of good taste rather than wounded morality. Those boys shouldn't be topless anywhere where they can be viewed. Honestly - are their no ripped regional actors?
Saturday, July 05, 2008
The next president
So since the beginning of June support for John McCain has been dwindling and most polls now show Obama with a lead of between 4 and 5 points. Expect the alerst to head for Orange, the churches to post more "Obama - Osama... think about it" signs and for the world "Hussein" to be brought to the fore asap.
Meanwhile expect "supporters of Obama" to question McCain's heroism. Like Wesley Clark - who rightly pointed out that being held prisoner of war no more qualifies you for being president than say 'falling down a well' - both are unfortunate and both tend to get survivors labeled 'hero' - but neither requires heroism.
Gore Vidal in a fit of spite has of course said that he'll be "Very sorry" on "the day that they shoot Obama" and that McCain's prisoner of war status "should be more in line for court martial than President" (I paraphrase badly)
On the "Issues that matter" it seems that Obama is seen as weak on "Terrorism" and "illegal immigration" - at least as far as voters see it. He's strong on healthcare and critically on The Economy and Energy / Gas Prices.
So expect McCain to run a "Giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants" ad soon.
Weirdly with McCain for staying in Iraq "For 100 years" and Obama on the "Never in 100 years should we have invaded" side the two are dead level on the issue.
More Weirdly democrat Obama shades McCAin 44% : 35% on The Economy. Perhaps reason for McCain to bring in a figure as hated as Mitt Romney to show that he has some 'big business' onside.
McCain's only real advantage (19pts) is on Terrorism. So he needs it to be an issue. And right now it's running fifth.
The issues that count
1. Energy / Gas Prices
2. The Economy
3. Iraq
4. Healthcare
5. Terrorism
If McCain can tie Terrorism to high gas prices he might be on to something.
We shall see
Meanwhile expect "supporters of Obama" to question McCain's heroism. Like Wesley Clark - who rightly pointed out that being held prisoner of war no more qualifies you for being president than say 'falling down a well' - both are unfortunate and both tend to get survivors labeled 'hero' - but neither requires heroism.
Gore Vidal in a fit of spite has of course said that he'll be "Very sorry" on "the day that they shoot Obama" and that McCain's prisoner of war status "should be more in line for court martial than President" (I paraphrase badly)
On the "Issues that matter" it seems that Obama is seen as weak on "Terrorism" and "illegal immigration" - at least as far as voters see it. He's strong on healthcare and critically on The Economy and Energy / Gas Prices.
So expect McCain to run a "Giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants" ad soon.
Weirdly with McCain for staying in Iraq "For 100 years" and Obama on the "Never in 100 years should we have invaded" side the two are dead level on the issue.
More Weirdly democrat Obama shades McCAin 44% : 35% on The Economy. Perhaps reason for McCain to bring in a figure as hated as Mitt Romney to show that he has some 'big business' onside.
McCain's only real advantage (19pts) is on Terrorism. So he needs it to be an issue. And right now it's running fifth.
The issues that count
1. Energy / Gas Prices
2. The Economy
3. Iraq
4. Healthcare
5. Terrorism
If McCain can tie Terrorism to high gas prices he might be on to something.
We shall see
Friday, July 04, 2008
July 4th
Last July 4th I was getting ready to join Jude in NAmibia
The July 4th before I was recovering from chemo in Anguilla
This July 4th I'm running Jude to the airport so that she can get to Amsterdam in time for a conference.
All very 'jet set' I guess. Well from the outside. I'm always interested in how people's lives look from the outside. Yesterday we were at a BBQ and the people there had a great house, great kids, a really great hot tub and conversation to spare. And I wondered "Is this what perfection looks like?"
Which is an odd question. I guess.
Jude would say that perfection is close to her new Danish Architect inspired glasses. They are tres cool and a reminder that I need something new too.
Anyway Two questions for you - whose life do you look at and think "Sorted"? And why?
The July 4th before I was recovering from chemo in Anguilla
This July 4th I'm running Jude to the airport so that she can get to Amsterdam in time for a conference.
All very 'jet set' I guess. Well from the outside. I'm always interested in how people's lives look from the outside. Yesterday we were at a BBQ and the people there had a great house, great kids, a really great hot tub and conversation to spare. And I wondered "Is this what perfection looks like?"
Which is an odd question. I guess.
Jude would say that perfection is close to her new Danish Architect inspired glasses. They are tres cool and a reminder that I need something new too.
Anyway Two questions for you - whose life do you look at and think "Sorted"? And why?
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
More real life feeling
The bolg has been very heavy on very messy theory lately. A sign that I'm actually engaged with work - but also a sign that I might be living too much in my own head at the moment. I do that. Get excited by a theory and work it and work it until it makes perfect sense in my head - only to get too tired of thinking about it to ever write it down.
But there are things going on outside of my head too. The biggest change has been the gym. I'm 3 weeks in and have gained about 5 lbs while losing inches from my waist. I'm finally starting to see the difference while trying to avoid the "I can get into it therefore it must fit" trap so common amongst the recently thinner but not yet thin.
The gym means my getting up earlier - I try to get there by 6am. It also means my being sociable at that early hour as this isn't the kind of place that you can get buy on the occasional grunt and stench of sweat. 6am starts mean 11pm bedtimes - again weird for me. But I'm sleeping well.
Summer (though it's been a stormy and miserable June) also means getting out and about more. The dog is loving the trails that we're finding. I'm looking forward to kayaking (thinderstorms have curtailled our efforts twice now) and then there are the open air events every evening in front of glorious buildings.
We're starting to carve out a small group of friends too - though the problem with a university town is that everybody is transient; so you're constantly in mourning for lost company while never being short of new stories.
Weekends see people coming out in vintage cars and parking outside of the town's numerous Ice Cream Parlours and Chocolate Shoppes. The vintage car thing is a big deal here and after a short ride in a 1952 Chevy truck (to a small town where we bought icecream) I can see the attraction.
Michigan is also full of small dirt roads. Turn off any highway and you can head back 50 years (100 if you do it up north) - with the dust rising, the barns full, the horses grazing and kids playing in the dirt or with old tires. It's a weird and calming sensation. And one that I'm trying to take in through all of my senses rather than just the lens of a camera.
We have people arriving soon too - keen to see what's keeping us from small town mania and the thought of taking them out and showing them the stuff around us is really appealing. There's nothing like permission to be a tourist.
So that's where I am. Fitter, happier, finding a niche at work (at last) and relaxing into a pace that's calmer and a place that's full of bright people. Not bad, not bad at all.
But there are things going on outside of my head too. The biggest change has been the gym. I'm 3 weeks in and have gained about 5 lbs while losing inches from my waist. I'm finally starting to see the difference while trying to avoid the "I can get into it therefore it must fit" trap so common amongst the recently thinner but not yet thin.
The gym means my getting up earlier - I try to get there by 6am. It also means my being sociable at that early hour as this isn't the kind of place that you can get buy on the occasional grunt and stench of sweat. 6am starts mean 11pm bedtimes - again weird for me. But I'm sleeping well.
Summer (though it's been a stormy and miserable June) also means getting out and about more. The dog is loving the trails that we're finding. I'm looking forward to kayaking (thinderstorms have curtailled our efforts twice now) and then there are the open air events every evening in front of glorious buildings.
We're starting to carve out a small group of friends too - though the problem with a university town is that everybody is transient; so you're constantly in mourning for lost company while never being short of new stories.
Weekends see people coming out in vintage cars and parking outside of the town's numerous Ice Cream Parlours and Chocolate Shoppes. The vintage car thing is a big deal here and after a short ride in a 1952 Chevy truck (to a small town where we bought icecream) I can see the attraction.
Michigan is also full of small dirt roads. Turn off any highway and you can head back 50 years (100 if you do it up north) - with the dust rising, the barns full, the horses grazing and kids playing in the dirt or with old tires. It's a weird and calming sensation. And one that I'm trying to take in through all of my senses rather than just the lens of a camera.
We have people arriving soon too - keen to see what's keeping us from small town mania and the thought of taking them out and showing them the stuff around us is really appealing. There's nothing like permission to be a tourist.
So that's where I am. Fitter, happier, finding a niche at work (at last) and relaxing into a pace that's calmer and a place that's full of bright people. Not bad, not bad at all.
So Wall-E
I read one review that described this as "Gloom-E" - the man was an idiot. Wall-E is the best movie of the year so far. Not the best animated movie. The best movie. It's full of inventive physical humor, it has a message, a love story, some deft touches, amazing animation and real heart. What more can you want? Best of all are the end credits - done as Cave Drawings - that show the invention and attention to detail run through all that Pixar do.
It really is amazing what confidence (and sound financials) can do for a company. A movie for kids in which nobody speaks for 30 minutes? A sidekick that doesn't sing, dance or crack jokes in a hyperbolic whine? A sidekick who's a cockroach actually. A dystopian view of earth's (and humanity's) future? And still it gets made. Undiluted. And still it goes to no.1 (though with at 'cars' rather than 'finding nemo' levels)
Wall-E is great because Wall-E is art.
And you can't say that about many movies.
Anyway must run and catch up on a few things - as I'm leaving for Meow Meow (cabaret singer and performance artist) tonight
It really is amazing what confidence (and sound financials) can do for a company. A movie for kids in which nobody speaks for 30 minutes? A sidekick that doesn't sing, dance or crack jokes in a hyperbolic whine? A sidekick who's a cockroach actually. A dystopian view of earth's (and humanity's) future? And still it gets made. Undiluted. And still it goes to no.1 (though with at 'cars' rather than 'finding nemo' levels)
Wall-E is great because Wall-E is art.
And you can't say that about many movies.
Anyway must run and catch up on a few things - as I'm leaving for Meow Meow (cabaret singer and performance artist) tonight
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Avatar central
I found out yesterday that I have a couple of dozen identities. And that that's pretty normal. The internet it seems sees you dividing your time between "Real Self" on things like blogs and "Fragmented Self" - where you show only a fraction of your personality and build an identity around it.
For example readers here know about my health, my job, where I live, what I did yesterday and so on.
Readers of epinions where I'm known as "wholly_cow" know me as a snarky, sarcastic, premium brand lover with a taste for high design. That's very different to the people over at Rotten Tomatoes who know me as an enthusiastic lover of all things mainstream - and the people at flickr who have me down as a photographer of the scantily clad (by and large)
I'm working on a model that has four axis.
"More vs Fewer people"
"More vs Fewer ways to connect"
"Whole me vs Fragmented Me"
"Emotionally light vs Emotionally Deep"
And then on what to offer in each quadrent (octant?)
Contact, fame, fortune, real life contact, the chance to play with identity, open source development, amalgamation and connection and finally syndication.
Sounds complex here - it's not. I'll draw it and then post it.
And tomorrow I'll talk about Wall.E or something
For example readers here know about my health, my job, where I live, what I did yesterday and so on.
Readers of epinions where I'm known as "wholly_cow" know me as a snarky, sarcastic, premium brand lover with a taste for high design. That's very different to the people over at Rotten Tomatoes who know me as an enthusiastic lover of all things mainstream - and the people at flickr who have me down as a photographer of the scantily clad (by and large)
I'm working on a model that has four axis.
"More vs Fewer people"
"More vs Fewer ways to connect"
"Whole me vs Fragmented Me"
"Emotionally light vs Emotionally Deep"
And then on what to offer in each quadrent (octant?)
Contact, fame, fortune, real life contact, the chance to play with identity, open source development, amalgamation and connection and finally syndication.
Sounds complex here - it's not. I'll draw it and then post it.
And tomorrow I'll talk about Wall.E or something
Monday, June 30, 2008
Social networking
I'm giving a quick 15 mins on Social Networking and the power of 'Word of Mouth' tomorrow and at this precise moment I have nothing to say. Or rather I'm not sure what I want to say.
The problem I have with web 2.0 is that it offers fame but not fortune. I'm expected to work my ass off just for recognition - what the very smart Irene Hofman labelled "your 15MB of fame"
What I WANT is fame and fortune... a share in the spoils, reward beyond recognition. And nobody is doing that yet.
I've talked about this before - but I'm amazed that social networks haven't become monetized yet. They're being seen as media space - places that draw people to be sold to... rather than as incubators of ideas ---> places where something can grow wings and take to the air.
Maybe that's what I'll talk about... collective creativity, the hive mind and the need for fortune.
Cool --- that was easy
The problem I have with web 2.0 is that it offers fame but not fortune. I'm expected to work my ass off just for recognition - what the very smart Irene Hofman labelled "your 15MB of fame"
What I WANT is fame and fortune... a share in the spoils, reward beyond recognition. And nobody is doing that yet.
I've talked about this before - but I'm amazed that social networks haven't become monetized yet. They're being seen as media space - places that draw people to be sold to... rather than as incubators of ideas ---> places where something can grow wings and take to the air.
Maybe that's what I'll talk about... collective creativity, the hive mind and the need for fortune.
Cool --- that was easy
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