May 2
I'm procrastinating writing a huge brief this morning so what better than to write down something I was thikin about this weekend. We got a newspaper this week--- like actually bought the folded wad of musty ink-smelling newsprint. I read through it section by section, ended the experience feeling nourished. Satisfied. It reminded me of reading the Sunday paper B.K. (before kids) where my boyfriend and I traded sections, I always started responsibly with the Week in Review and ended with the tiramisu of the Styles section. I read my iPhone version of the NYT totally differently. Sporadically. Top emailed. Click business section. Maybe check Technology. But I read what I am already affiliated with, interested in. Flipboard is an extreme and wonderful extension of this----news and content curated by your social network. I love it, can't stop using it, put that thing down Mommy. But what happens when we stop reading the Week in Review because Dad always did and we are limited to consuming the content within our own echo chamber? At a recent PSFK conference a bright young woman from Google said perkily "the future is about curation, not creation." My heart sank. What a depressing prognosis. I hope for both---yes, more custom curation and push content, but also the wander through the library. The two pounds of newsprint on the bedsheets in front of me. The forced or accidental exposure to something I didn't know--to something no one I know or no one who knows who I know---has ever heard about.
Apr 29
Now don't get me wrong, I love advertising magazines and obsessively read my Adweek and Adage alerts, but the thing about the New York Times writing about a campaign you work on is you can finally legitimize what you do to your Dad.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/business/media/29adco.html
Nov 16
In these days when it's almost politically incorrect to say "Motherhood" vs. "Parenting," it is certainly more fun to play by different rules when dividing up duties. The diaper changing is the easiest--alternate poopies, wet ones are less weighted, whoever notices it first usually works. Cooking is an interesting one chez Cheevers. I am a lousy cook, so for me I strive to check the food group boxes as simply and quickly as possible vs. having any culinary ambitions. Grapes, Green Giant frozen greenbeans, a quesadilla that might be a little well done, and I'm so pleased with myself I'll probably let them eat it while watching Nick Jr. My husband, however, creates wonderful meals for our kids, for which I am eternally grateful. Under my menu-ship they'd quickly become those freakish kids who only eat one thing like dinosaur shaped chicken nuggest. But I'm working late tonight so Bart made hand crafted broccoli cheddar ravioli, pumpkin tomato sauce, and Tat Soi greens. I bet they get soy milk at bedtime too.
Nov 2
I love my Bravo TV. I was thinking about why the reality shows on Bravo are more satisfying and addictive than, say, a Big Brother. They all have one important element in common: low scruples. At the end of the day you have to feel better than, superior to these people to get the thrill of the trainwreck. But Bravo shows have more culture than the others. It's camp culture, but it's of a decent heft and intensity. We thrill at the art AND the trainwreck.
I really miss Queer Eye, the show that arguably set Bravo up for its future camp domination. A writer from the New York Times summed up the secret to the satisfying nature of this show. It's not seeing gay guys lovingly mock the clueless straight one. It's not even the thrill of the makeover, although Thom Filicia is amazingly talented. No, it's really about men everywhere and their daddy issues. Remember the show is not just about the exterior makeover, the guy also has an emotional hurdle to overcome. Propose to the long suffering girlfriend. Move out from Mom's basement. That's the real satisfaction, in the final scene where five proud fathers gush over the achievements of their wayward son.
I miss you Carson.
Oct 6
Since a lot of folks have asked I'm reposting this presentation with the notes section included. Not exact VO but gives some detail. Take em and use em!
Oct 4
Watching Bored to Death on the DVR last night. Ted Danson has reached William Shatner proportions of self-character---since playing Ted Danson on the Larry David Show, Arthur on Damages, and now George on Bored, he is perfecting being Ted Danson. John Slattery also seems to be getting there fast too. Betty White crushes Betty White and now has sit coms created around her. Is this an option for latter day career path in advertising I wonder? Donny seems to be making it work.
