VivaGlam!: March 2006

Farewell Moon

#165: To an Adopted Member of HAGS

There will be no record of that Friday night at Bondi when toe-less seagulls formed a wall around us by the cold sand and threatened to ruin the conversation on imagery, market research and various strategies.
No proof of the yellow moon that he pointed out but which turned pale when I left him at the bus station.
But I will hold him close even as he flies across the globe back to his world.
Good friends are hard to find, harder to lose.
And so I'll keep him.

Hope to cross paths with you again someday, Padawan.

Escape

#164: To Freedom

Last Feb 25, I celebrated by 6th year of freedom. I was in Darling Harbor with a group of friends. One talked about her emotionally-abusive relationship. One talked about how he learned housework early in life because his mom fell ill when he was 11. Another one was briefing us on cycling. I sat quietly and listened. These were all good. I'm learning laundry. I'm planning to buy a bike so I can cycle to Maroubra Beach on beautiful Saturdays. And inside, I'm celebrating being free from a long emotionally-draining and manipulative relationship.

When my mother asked me at some point if that relationship was traumatic for me, I quickly and casually said no. It wasn't. I cried once after I've told my parents and my pastor and that was it. That was the end of that. I quickly moved on. I have a talent for brushing the dust off and walking away easily.

Now, I'm looking at myself and I'm finding it a bit strange that I seem to be very cautious in dealing with anything that may potentially threaten this freedom. Whereas before, I could maintain friendships freely with guys, now I do a lot of analyzing of motives and drivers. I have learned in the past 3 or 4 years (thanks to Cathy, Justine and guys X,Y,Z) that most guys will not invest time on someone they are not considering a potential mate. Once they find their answer (whether they come to it on their own or it is directly given to them - better if they come to it on their own. It suggests thought.), they either cross over to become really good friends or they disappear from the face of the earth. Suits me either way. The only thing that doesn't is the awkwardness of finding that middle ground between being genuinely interested in keeping a friendship (and just that, nothing more) and pulling the plug to avoid erroneously leading someone on. Would you rather lose a friend now so that you can avoid having a pursuer down the line or keep the friend now and potentially invite a headache later on?

I've always had the rule of not assuming anything until something is concretized in words. As a marketer, I ought to be wiser than that. It's the things consumers do not get to verbalize during research but which natural ethnographers pick up that have the potential to make great impact. Once you are able to observe them, then you can decide on your next move.

Ok then, which way is the fire escape?

Freestyling Friday

#163: In Lieu Of A Thousand Words

I love our Marketing professor.
At the start of the term, he made a bet that if our team ended up first in this Marketing Simulation game, he'll buy us champagne. Well, well, well. I always love a good challenge. The simulated 8-year period ends today. The firms and brands have been erased from the face of the fictional Sonite and Vodite Markets. Guess who won. (Too bad I don't even drink champagne. Maybe I'll just print out our results and frame them. I love MarkStrat.)

He also gave this as an advice for marketers wanting to advertise,
"If you have nothing new to say...sing it!" How true. Who can shake the Seiko Wallet jingle out of their heads? What about YC Bikini Brief? And Sun-Glo! Even more than 20 years after.

Anyway, my version is, "If you have nothing new to say, post pics."
So here goes another one of those useless posts severely wanting narratives.

Mar.10.2006: At the Australian Graduate School of Management vs. Melbourne Business School Sports Face-Off.

Mar.10.2006: At the Harbor Cruise with Scrubbed Shiny Ladies

Mar.10.2006: With Hodgie! Star Soccer Player of AGSM.

Mar.10.2006: Hanging out with the enemies. Two blokes from Melbourne.

Mar.10.2006: Hanging out with two mates from class.

Torrents

#161: Of Unexpected Pain

It is that pain that takes you by surprise with its disproportionate strength.
That comes without warning and in torrents that do not hesitate.
That takes the breath from your lungs and drains away your spirit.
That mocks you and crushes you under its weight.

It is the pain that laughs while you are left with no recourse but to weep.
That challenges you to shed more tears knowing that it's not worth it.
That dares you to stop, knowing that you cannot.
That makes you bow to the weakness you've carefully masked.

It is the winner's failure when he knows he loses not.
That 2-point pain from 1.5 short hours of life.
That matters not in a year or two
But means the whole world now to you.