Arkells - Blueprint
If my moves could match these words
And my heart beat like those drums,
I wouldn't feel the weight of the New Year.
I keep wishing time would stop
So I could figure some shit out -
I'd make a blueprint of what I plan to do here.
'Cause by next year if I regret another birthday,
Then I ain't going about things the right way.
I got a voice on my left. I got a voice on my right.
Lately I've been falling on the devil's side.
Hit the street, on your feet.
Don't retreat, let's go.
Never regret getting old.
Hit the street, on your feet.
Don't retreat, let's go.
Never assume what you're told.
Well, I ain't gonna fear the New Year.
I ain't gonna fear the New Year.
I ain't gonna fear the New Year.
I ain't gonna fear the New Year.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Is Anything Real Anymore?
Wow, 2 blog posts in one day. I guess I'm making up for the past while.
I was reading an article today in regards to a new ad campaign for a brewery. Creative types can be quite the fickle bunch, as the responses to the ad varied from, praise to insults.
I honestly don't understand why somebody would publicly squash somebody else's work. Verbally okay, but to publicly comment (especially anonymously) seems quite petty. Unless there is something that is universally bad about it (and in our business, nothing published is ever universally bad), then why comment on it. And if so, don't just say "I don't like it" or "been done before", in a business where we try to justify everything, these critics should as least justify their criticism with some sort of thoughtful support. Having said all this, who really cares? As long as the client is happy and it doesn't cause a loss of business to them, then everything should be at least satisfactory.
Another comment that is common amongst all of similar articles, is why is this even newsworthy?
First of all, campaigns come out all the time, why note this particular one? It's been duly noted that the same agencies get coverage and awards year after year. Does that make them better at what they do than most? Or do they just know the right people? A professor once told me that he completely shies away from the concept of awards of any type, not just the industry he's in, but all industries. Unless the award is based on quantifiable measured truths and facts, then it's just a popularity contest judged by a select panel. Because of this, it is completely subjective, where the opinion of an extremely small sample matters. Easily this is where pomp and politics come into play. Who knows whom, the glad handing, the support of particular associations or causes.
It's really all quite sickening when I think about it. How much reputation seems to come into play. While all the work is good and award worthy, how much of it is based on past performance? Or this person knows that person?
In a larger perspective, it really makes me question everything. How many decisions are influenced behind the scenes? Is anything believable anymore?
I was reading an article today in regards to a new ad campaign for a brewery. Creative types can be quite the fickle bunch, as the responses to the ad varied from, praise to insults.
I honestly don't understand why somebody would publicly squash somebody else's work. Verbally okay, but to publicly comment (especially anonymously) seems quite petty. Unless there is something that is universally bad about it (and in our business, nothing published is ever universally bad), then why comment on it. And if so, don't just say "I don't like it" or "been done before", in a business where we try to justify everything, these critics should as least justify their criticism with some sort of thoughtful support. Having said all this, who really cares? As long as the client is happy and it doesn't cause a loss of business to them, then everything should be at least satisfactory.
Another comment that is common amongst all of similar articles, is why is this even newsworthy?
First of all, campaigns come out all the time, why note this particular one? It's been duly noted that the same agencies get coverage and awards year after year. Does that make them better at what they do than most? Or do they just know the right people? A professor once told me that he completely shies away from the concept of awards of any type, not just the industry he's in, but all industries. Unless the award is based on quantifiable measured truths and facts, then it's just a popularity contest judged by a select panel. Because of this, it is completely subjective, where the opinion of an extremely small sample matters. Easily this is where pomp and politics come into play. Who knows whom, the glad handing, the support of particular associations or causes.
It's really all quite sickening when I think about it. How much reputation seems to come into play. While all the work is good and award worthy, how much of it is based on past performance? Or this person knows that person?
In a larger perspective, it really makes me question everything. How many decisions are influenced behind the scenes? Is anything believable anymore?
What Really Matters?
Sitting here at work the last few weeks, I've begun to wonder about what I'm doing with my life. Doing a job that is completely superficial, who's main purpose is to sell more product and benefits absolutely nobody other than lining a bunch of upper management's pockets, doesn't help. It's not the first time I've had these thoughts, and I'm sure it won't be the last.
Of the numerous professions that are available, how many contribute to society in a way, where you can go home at night and feel that you have contributed to society somehow? If we were to "trim the fat" in terms of jobs and occupations whose purposes in the grand scheme of things are useless, how many people would end up out of work? Would we be better off to have those people do other jobs where the contribution would profit not just faceless corporations, stock holders or CEOs, but humanity as a whole? I don't know, I guess it feels like there are so many "problems" in the world, and if we could all get our act together, maybe it wouldn't be so bad?
Think of all the brain power and man power that is going into things like how to build a better bomb, how to further increase profitability from already oppressed sweat shops, how to make chickens grow faster, how to market the next celebrity and the list goes on. If we could pool all those resources into things more useful, like renewable energy, sustainability planning, advancements in healthcare, research for incurable diseases, just to name a few, wouldn't the world be better? Why not place the focus back on things that really matter to humanity, shelter, the environment, education, health care and the general well being of people. The fact that the human race in general has placed its priorities so far from these essentials, makes me really wonder if there's any hope for humanity at all.
Of the numerous professions that are available, how many contribute to society in a way, where you can go home at night and feel that you have contributed to society somehow? If we were to "trim the fat" in terms of jobs and occupations whose purposes in the grand scheme of things are useless, how many people would end up out of work? Would we be better off to have those people do other jobs where the contribution would profit not just faceless corporations, stock holders or CEOs, but humanity as a whole? I don't know, I guess it feels like there are so many "problems" in the world, and if we could all get our act together, maybe it wouldn't be so bad?
Think of all the brain power and man power that is going into things like how to build a better bomb, how to further increase profitability from already oppressed sweat shops, how to make chickens grow faster, how to market the next celebrity and the list goes on. If we could pool all those resources into things more useful, like renewable energy, sustainability planning, advancements in healthcare, research for incurable diseases, just to name a few, wouldn't the world be better? Why not place the focus back on things that really matter to humanity, shelter, the environment, education, health care and the general well being of people. The fact that the human race in general has placed its priorities so far from these essentials, makes me really wonder if there's any hope for humanity at all.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Random Thought
A watched pot, never boils, but an unwatched pot, boils over. Hmmmmmm.... *scratches head*
Monday, November 22, 2010
Boring is Good?
My life is slowly getting back to "normal". I guess when I mean normal, I mean more like it was a few months ago. Things were slower, a lot more routine, I guess you could call it more boring. I certainly did. It didn't quite feel like being stuck in a rut, but more that there wasn't enough change to keep me interested. I thought that yeah maybe I wanted more excitement in my life, something different and new.
Little did I realize I'd be giving up a few things that I started to take for granted.
For starters, comfort. There's a certain sense of calmness and stability with routine. I know what to expect, when to expect it, and what's coming up ahead. It's like a soft cushy pillow. Secondly is control. There are a lot less variables when the only person I have to worry about is me. And for now, that's just the right amount of worry that I can handle. Returning back to these things, it almost makes me thankful for mundaneness of my life.
As boring as it may seem, I have to say, I kind of enjoy my life. Sure it's not glamourous or exciting, but I've come to realize, that's okay. Maybe it's just not for me.
Little did I realize I'd be giving up a few things that I started to take for granted.
For starters, comfort. There's a certain sense of calmness and stability with routine. I know what to expect, when to expect it, and what's coming up ahead. It's like a soft cushy pillow. Secondly is control. There are a lot less variables when the only person I have to worry about is me. And for now, that's just the right amount of worry that I can handle. Returning back to these things, it almost makes me thankful for mundaneness of my life.
As boring as it may seem, I have to say, I kind of enjoy my life. Sure it's not glamourous or exciting, but I've come to realize, that's okay. Maybe it's just not for me.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
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