If You Think It, Do It

I keep a Moleskine notebook on me at all times. In it I write down every intriguing thought, insight or idea I have, or any interesting observations or sights I see.

Most of it is stupid bullshit that will probably never (nor should ever) see the light of day beyond those pages. But some of it I've used before in my work.

Last week I was sitting at Crossroads, the local coffee shop (and subsequent grand prize winner of over $250 on my last credit card bill), and saw a dalmation lying next to his owner. A fire engine wailed in the distance and grew nearer. As the sound picked up, the dalmation lifted his head and wailed along with the fire engine, getting louder and louder as it came closer, and then drifted away. When it was out of earshot, the dog lowered his head.

It was one of the most captivating and amazing things I've ever seen in my life. People were awestruck. Into the book it went.

Another thing I put in my book, about a month ago, was an idea for a full length TV or viral spot shot entirely from the viewpoint of someone. I didn't know for what product, why or who, I just thought that device would be great for literally putting viewers in the eyes of the protagonist.

I wrote it down in my notebook and forgot about it.

That is, until I checked Creativity today and clicked on this:



It's the newest nasty effort from LA's 72 And Sunny and director Guy Ritchie, and done much better and with a much better purpose than I ever would have. It's a fantastic spot and will be the talk of the town soon.

But that's still not the point.

The point is something I've said before and will probably say again: If you don't do it first, it will be done by someone else.

So go do it.

dubs. out.

I Don't Know Why

but I love this.



dubs. out.

Quote of The Week, Hayden – 4/27/08

Copywriting is perhaps the only non-criminal activity that allows you to make a comfortable living off your character defects. These will usually include, but are not limited to pride, anger, gluttony, greed, lust, envy, sloth and fear. All of them are useful, depending on he circumstances, so make sure you’re familiar with each in all its facets.

-Steve Hayden, former Vice Chairman, Ogilvy Worldwide

I like to think I'm pretty familiar with my characted defects. Luckily there are many to work with.

Although I don't consider myself a slothful person, what I don't have in that area I make up tenfold in the other six.

dubs. out.

Sound Is Sweet

First the spot (from DDB London):



Now, how they did it:



Our time will soon come to make things like this.

dubs. out.

Vladimir Kush

Was in a terrible mood this morning while checking Ffffound and stumbled on this Russian-born painter. It immediately made me feel better for some reason.

Great stuff, very surreal, dreamlike and relaxing. He refers to what he does as "metaphorical realism."

Here are some I particularly liked:












To see the rest of his work, click here.

dubs. out.

Quote of The Week, Rilke – 4/20/08

Go into yourself and test the deeps in which your life takes rise; at its source you will find the answer to the question whether you must create. Accept it, just as it sounds, without inquiring into it. Perhaps it will turn out that you are called to be an artist. Then take that destiny upon yourself and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking what recompense might come from outside.

-Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Not to sound flighty or overstated, but we need less approval from the outside world and more from inside.

The teachers always say that's it's what you think that matters. Now I believe it's up to us to start really believing it.

dubs. out.

Maybe Now That Charlton Heston is Gone...

...we can finally take the guns from his cold dead hands.

Today marks the one year anniversary of the shootings at Virginia Tech. Most people seemed to agree that it doesn't feel like that long ago.

While I'm sure every school in the country had some sort of vigil, actually going to school in Virginia with a good amount of Tech alums, things felt pretty sombering around here.

A few students posted up the following, which I found very touching.




They also put this up, which, although powerful, didn't affect me in the way that it probably should have...














...And then I came to this picture:


There are a lot of things we take for granted in this world. And ironically enough, our lives are probably what we think about least.

dubs. out.