Brandalism

Why?

2012-02-17T17:19:00.000+00:00

‘’Whoah, that is powerful!’’ he said to me, nodding his head and thinking. He is a software engineer employed by a client of ours. And I was talking about the most important thing one should ask a designer, or a design team.

Why?

If you own a corporation then you have a Brand manager who knows this already. But if you own a SME and ‘’all you want is some’’… logo design, a banner, a flyer, a website or a newsletter, when the designer returns some mock-ups… ask them WHY?

With branding is crucial to know the answer to why. Why a certain font, certain colour or colours, a certain shape, a motto or character. If there is no reason behind the why… then you have a problem.

Creating a new website and the designer cannot explain why he or she decided to put the menu on the left or on the right, why your social media icons are in the footer and not the header, why your call to actions are in the middle and not on the side and which call to action is more visible than the other and what message goes where?

If there is no good enough reason behind how you communicate then you have lost before you opened your mouth.

‘’Yes, we know we should invest more into marketing’’.

2012-02-10T12:54:00.002+00:00

But it was not marketing we were talking about. It was and it wasn’t. But mainly, it wasn’t.

See… the world is changing. Smart technology - phones or tablets have created a paradigm shift. Social media has done exactly the same.

What does this mean? The way the world is interacting has changed and it is continuing to change, technology is pushing us towards different avenues of behaviour, social media has changed how we do things ~~online~~, how we see things ~~online~~, how we share things ~~online~~… but it has done a lot more than that… it has been creeping into the way we do business ~~online~~. Sorry. This last bit about business is wrong. And THIS is where our big challenge lies, when we really do want to help our clients SEE. Actually, the whole things is wrong. Scrap online and just think... life.

The world has changed. And this is affecting your business. Not your online business. Scrap online.

‘’Yes, we know we should invest more into marketing’’… a client was agreeing as we sat in a conference room not long ago. We were talking about rebuilding their online/digital presence.

Broken down into different services, we were talking about development and SEO and design and branding and advertising and business strategy. But if one took a good honest look at what we were actually doing… it would have concluded that we are bringing their business into 2012. It is an update, an upgrade, a strategic position that will insure, first of all: survival and... continuity.

It was not about marketing, or design or development. It was about being current. About being where the world is in 2012. About being functional.

Understand that and you will see the rest as tools to grow your business. Not your online presence. The difference is key and thinking of your www as ‘’something up there’’ is something that you need to reassess.

Day 30.

2011-06-26T23:54:00.002+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is my final day of the task: day 30.

This was not about photography. Clearly. This wasn’t even about blogging. This was about something I read a while ago. About changing behaviours. About discipline. And self control.

So what did I learn in 30 days? One of the things I learned was something that I knew already. I learned that when I HAVE to do something, I will do it, but I will not put 100% into it. Force me, get me into a rut, give me this MUST DO task and I will do it. But it will be a copy/paste. It will be dry. Lifeless. It will not move me. Excite me.

I need the opposite to flourish. This is why I am unemployable. Sometimes selfish. Bratty.

Stubborn. Give me time, flexibility and no boundaries and it works for me. It doesn’t for everyone. Some people need structure. They perform better within boundaries. And that is fine too.

I also learned that I can do whatever I set my mind to. Well... I knew that already too. Sometimes, people like me need structure too. It’s painful and less than fun but it works.

Do something for 30 days and you can do it for a lifetime. But pick carefully. I definitely do not want to blog everyday for the rest of my life. *laughs*

Do something for 30 days and you’re behaviour will change. Try it.

You want to stop over eating? Don’t go on a diet, just don’t eat after 6 or 7 pm for 30 days. See what happens there. Don’t want to say things, do things, think things but you can’t stop? You have read all the self help books in the world and they are useless?

It’s simple. Try something for 30 days. See if you can do it. Seriously? What do you think? That you CAN’T? Really? You are that weak? That you can’t do this or that for 30 days? I doubt it.

In these 30 days I have learned something else. That whatever other 30 day task I will put in front of myself, I will not fail. I just know that. How amazing is that? Mhm.

My next 30 days are without sugar. And day 1 starts tomorrow. I will not blog about it every day, I will just do it.

But I am happy I started this 30 day thing in front of you guys. Why?

Because it seems I have inspired a couple of friends to start their own 30 day somethings.

This is it. I will go back to blogging, real blogging, when I feel like it.

30 days and subtracting. This is day 29.

2011-06-25T22:46:00.000+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 29.

Sheila Rock.

I look at one of her photographs every day, as I go from the kitchen to the bathroom or one of the bedrooms. I never really put much thought into who she was, her name visible on the very romantic print hanging on our wall.

Today, I decided to Google her name.

She is a well know photographer with a lot of merits to her name (see below).

This photo cover of Enya’s 2000 album called ‘’A day without rain’’ also belongs to this very talented photographer.

Interesting what you discover when you start looking around in your very close proximity. :O)

30 days and subtracting. This is day 28.

2011-06-24T22:54:00.001+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 28.

Dinner time is nigh. Open fridge. Have a look around. Sigh.

Scratch your head. Yawn. Stretch your back.

Open your cutlery drawer.

Look at the contents for a while without doing anything else.

Stretch your back again and mumble ‘’f***en hell’’.

Look back at the rest of the people in the room. Wait for their approval.

Get the main ingredients out:

Pick your food.

Bonne appetit!

Day 27

2011-06-23T23:38:00.001+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 27.

Our kitchen mats from the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo.

If you feel helpless, go and help someone.

Good advice.

http://www.volunteeringireland.com

Day 26

2011-06-22T23:15:00.000+01:00

One picture or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 26.

This blog is about helping. Please help if you can.

Cognitive Semiotics is science of recognizable signs. Cognition relates to the process of thought, and the word "semiotics" is derived from the Greek word "semiotikos" meaning "interpreter of signs (or gestures)." Cognitive semiotics can be said to be the study of how meaning is constructed and understood through the communication of signs and symbols.

The main research areas in semiotics are meaningful gestures and symbols, while recognizable gestures and symbols are a part of cognitive semiotics.

Usability has much interdependency with cognitive semiotics. Users can relate to most easily understandable signs and symbols.

John Locke would define cognitive semiotics as doctrine of recognizable signs.

Emmm.... ok... you all got that, yeah?

Well this guy here (look down) is a brilliant mind that is off to study cognitive semiotics at an official elite masters course in Denmark. There are a few thousand masters courses in Denmark but only 6 official elite courses. Yes. Elite.

Help him find a summer job in Dublin so he can try and go study cognitive semiotics. Some of us should stay brilliant. For the sake of humankind. :O)

Pass it on. Thank you.

P.S.: He also happens to be my brother.

Day 25

2011-06-21T23:06:00.000+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 25.

5 days left and then I'll go back to Blogging about all things... marketing-ish.

Today is one of those days... when one needs to end it with:

The cupcake evolved in the United States in the 19th century, and it was revolutionary because of the amount of time it saved in the kitchen. There was a shift from weighing out ingredients when baking to measuring out ingredients.

In the beginning, cupcakes were sometimes called "number" cakes, because they were easy to remember by the measurements of ingredients it took to create them: One cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, four eggs, one cup of milk, and one spoonful of soda. Clearly, cupcakes today have expaned to a wide variety of ingredients, measurements, shapes, and decorations - but this was one of the first recipes for making what we know today as cupcakes.

Day 24

2011-06-20T22:54:00.002+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 24.

Going to keep this short. Not a cat person, do not even own this cat... but it now has its own little bowl, has its own food and is also the proud owner of a flea collar. Got it Saturday, forced it onto poor Cecil(ia) today.

In this pic below Cecil is actually trying to take a look at the collar.

Day 23

2011-06-19T22:27:00.003+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 23.

And this is Stha.

Stha is originally from Zimbabwe but has moved to Ireland over 10 years ago. We went to college together.

Stha is a media planner and buyer at Mediacom. Mhm. And a Wally.

Stha is also the organiser of the Africa Fashion Weekend in Ireland. The 1^st event was held in 2010, in April. Hopefully, despite recession and lack of sponsorships, she will be able to put something together for this year as well!

Day 22

2011-06-18T20:36:00.002+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 22.

The Street Performance World Championship is an annual competition for the best street performers in the world. Since its 2006 inaugural year, it is held at Cork, Dublin and Portlaoise in Ireland in mid-June. The competition is free to attend and runs for three days.

This was today, the 18th of June. In Dublin.

30 days and subtracting. This is day 21

2011-06-17T21:56:00.004+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 21.

Today, while walking through the Jervis Shopping Centre I stopped by The Cake Boutique. My eyes smiled at the site: creamy, chocolaty, rich and fluffy cakes were staring back at me, hypnotically whispering: ‘’buy me, buy me’’. I looked closer and I read ‘’Savarin’’, ‘’Diplomat’’....and some other cake names that sounded very familiar to me.

I turned my eyes onto the girl behind the counter ‘’Are these Romanian cakes’’ I posed my question as her eyes turned all curiously on me. ‘’Yes’’ she muttered, somewhat apprehensively. ‘’Are you Romanian?’’ I continued, getting another confused ‘’Yes’’.

I smiled, uncovering my braces and addressed her in her native language. I am always happy to find successful Romanians doing their thing... and doing it well too.

I left with two tiramisu cakes and two éclairs filled with vanilla crème, adding ‘’Best of luck with all this. I will come back to... support the cause’’. She smiled with all her face. I did too.

http://www.thecakeboutiqueshop.com/

Cake shops are pretty popular in Romania. They are called cofetarii (cofetarie – sg.).

30 days and subtracting. This is day 20

2011-06-16T23:19:00.002+01:00

One pic or series of, one thing, for 30 days. This is day 20.

Well... it's back:

Trouble is... we need to kick this lil bugger out every night. Been thinking of getting some cat gear stuff and allow it to sleep here sometimes. Seems it doesn't really have an owner...

I am not even a cat person... *sighs* There is flippin cat hair everywhere... But look at it... I mean....

P.S.: It's still sleeping, in this exact position now @ 11:21pm Irish time

P.S.S.: We call it (we don't know what this lil bugger is lol), so anyway, we call him (?) Cecil. *laughs* Cecil ate those meatballs you see under this post.

30 days and subtracting. This is day 19.

2011-06-15T22:29:00.000+01:00

One picture or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 19.

Today, he cooked for me. He makes really good meatballs.

Today I would have set myself and the house on fire if I would have cooked, unable to focus, too tired and just busy..

Anyway, if you feel like having some too, seems you can find the best recipe here.

Wiki:

The chiftele and pârjoale from Romania are usually deep fried and made with pork or poultry, moistened bread and garlic. Chiftele are smaller and contain more meat. A crude, plain meat variant is used for sour soup, making ciorbă de perişoare.

In Spain and Latin America, meatballs are called albóndigas, derived from the Arabic al-bunduq (meaning hazelnut, or, by extension, a small round object). Albóndigas are thought to have originated as a Berber or Arab dish imported to Spain during the period of Muslim rule. Spanish albóndigas can be served as an appetizer or main course, often in a tomato sauce, while Mexican albóndigas are commonly served in a soup with a light broth and vegetables.

In Sweden, köttbullar (meatballs) are made with ground beef or a mix of ground beef, pork and sometimes veal, mixed with breadcrumbs soaked in milk and finely chopped (fried) onions, some broth, and, occasionally, cream. They are seasoned with white pepper or allspice and salt. Swedish meatballs are traditionally served with gravy, boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam, and sometimes fresh pickled cucumber. Traditionally, they are small, measuring one inch in diameter.

In the United Kingdom, faggots are a type of spicy pork meatball. A faggot is traditionally made from pig heart, liver and fatty belly meat or bacon minced together, with herbs added for flavouring, and sometimes breadcrumbs.

In the United States, meatballs are commonly served with spaghetti as in spaghetti and meatballs, a dish in Italian American cuisine, assimilated from Italian immigrants coming from southern Italy in the early 19th century. Over time, the dishes in both cultures have drifted apart in similarity. In the southern United States, venison or beef is also often mixed with spices and baked into large meatballs that can be served as an entree. Another variation, called "porcupine meatballs" are basic meatballs often with rice in them.

30 days and subtracting. This is day.... I don't know anymore. 18?

2011-06-14T20:49:00.001+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 18.

If you ever happen to be in Bucharest and you are looking for something to do at night, check out KULTURHAUS Club. They always have something interesting going on: great bar prices (supermarket prices, would you believe and they are pretty posh otherwise), interesting events, the most helpful staff and a great venue altogether.

30 days and subtracting. This is day 17

2011-06-13T19:16:00.000+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 17

Koliva (also transliterated Kollyva) (Greek, κόλλυβα, kólliva; Serbian, кољиво, koljivo; Romanian, colivă; Bulgarian, коливо, kolivo) is boiled wheat which is used liturgically in the Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches.

This ritual food is blessed after the memorial Divine Liturgy performed at various intervals after a death; after the funeral; during mnemosyna - memorial services; on the first Friday of the Great Lent, at slavas, or at mnemosyna in the Christmas meal.

A similar food item is widely popular in Lebanon where it is known as snuniye and, more commonly, as berbara as it is prepared for Saint Barbara's day, December 4th, which is celebrated with Halloween-like festivities.

While recipes may vary widely, the primary ingredient is wheat kernels, which have been boiled until they are soft, and then sweetened with honey, sugar, and some fruit. It may also contain sesame seeds, almonds, ground walnuts, cinnamon, sugar, pomegranate seeds, raisins, anise and parsley (Romanians also decorate the coliva with crosses of cocoa, chocolate or candy). The practice of offering coliva is frequent in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, and is known in Russia and other Balkan countries.

Nobody died. :) But I just ate some. I am not sure why dad had some made. I know it looks a bit dodgy but it tastes really good.

30 days and subtracting. This is day 16.

2011-06-12T21:18:00.000+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 16.

Black Tape for a Blue Girl is an American darkwave band formed in 1986 by Projekt Records' founder Sam Rosenthal. Their music takes on elements of dark cabaret, darkwave, ethereal, ambient and neoclassical music. Director David Lynch, former pornographic actress Sasha Grey and writer Poppy Z. Brite are some of their more well-known fans.

I, on the other hand, I am one of their unknown fans. *laughs*

We are putting together an event with this cult band so I’m flying home in a few hours to see that through.

Almost packed, passport inside the bag, clothes on the chair and me... well I’m on the couch still.

See you there!

30 days and subtracting. This is day 15

2011-06-11T22:33:00.002+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 15.

Today I found Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in a drawer. I zoomed into his smile and could not help but smile as well.

A lot of us have him listed as our hero, Facebook profiles are filled with Gandhi admirers, but most of us never really had a good look at him... Not at his skinny frame, but beyond...

Did you know he had a set of false teeth, which he carried in a fold of his loin cloth? He put them in his mouth only when he wanted to eat. After his meal, he took them out, washed them and put them back in his loin cloth again.

Mhm.

I bet you had no idea that he spoke English with an Irish accent, for one of his first teachers was an Irishman. :)

Mahatma Gandhi inspired millions of people world over to take the path of non-violence and civil disobedience. 5 world leaders who got Noble Peace prize viz. Martin Luther King Jr. (USA), Dalai Lama (Tibet), Aung San Suu Kyi (Myanmar), Nelson Mandela (S. Africa) and Adolfo Perez Esquivel (Argentina) have acknowledged the fact that they were influenced by the philosophy of Gandhi. Yet, Gandhi; the man who inspired these Nobel Peace Prize winners, never got a Noble Prize!

There are lots and lots of pages on the internet dedicated to this amazing spirit, lots and lots of pages featuring his words. I am only going to quote one little thing...

As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it.

I know a couple of people struggling to balance this particular ‘’anything’’ with the rest of their life. Humans should re-evaluate what ‘’selfish’’ really means I think. Might surprise ourselves.

30 days and subtracting. This is week 2

2011-06-10T21:49:00.004+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 14.

‘’Storm is coming’’ I said to myself looking out the window, turning my view towards D ‘’Was that thunder, did you hear that?’’. We both stopped and listened. And then it happened again.

I love storms... Thunder and lightning, heavy rain...

I grabbed my camera and ran out to see if I can ‘’catch some cool clouds’’. ‘’Don’t get electrocuted’’ I heard as I exited the house.

Not longer after.... hail stones were chaotically bouncing outside the now closed glass door. With me on the other side. The dry side.

A bit of science...

30 days and subtracting. This is lucky number 13

2011-06-09T21:56:00.000+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 13.

I came home with a few flyers from the MONO gig in London. They were handed to me while walking into the venue and I just stuck them into my bag, planning on checking them out later. Some interesting events on there, some I missed and had no idea... like... SEINFELD!!!! Live in London and I had no clue... Well... living in Dublin might have something to do with it *laughs* but still.... Can’t believe I missed this opportunity, I love that guy. First show in the UK after 12 years...

Steve Martin has a band? I had no idea to be honest... I wouldn’t really go to see his act but I guess it’s worth a mention.

I like this picture (see below), haha.

A good few events, some big, some small, some interesting, some maybe not so much... well worth to have a look at the flyers if you are around London (or if you are prepared to travel to the UK).

Day 12

2011-06-08T22:34:00.002+01:00

One picture or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 12.

Some businesses do not know how to use Facebook so they just don’t. Some businesses use Facebook as they can understand how to make it work for them. Some businesses use Facebook... and... emm....

I’m amused.. By them.

I was amused and pleasantly surprised to see the Facebook logo painted onto their age old shop front. According to their About Us page: David Heather Footwear, known to many Irish people as “Heathers” is a part of Irish history. Established in the early 1900’s, the shop is still owned and run by the Heather family. In the mid 90’s, David Heather recognized a gap in the market for large size mens shoes and rapidly became the largest and most respected retailer for this niche market.

Needless to say that their website doesn’t link to a Facebook page. But hey, I do appreciate them trying. It is a start.

30 days and subtracting. This is day 11.

2011-06-07T07:49:00.001+01:00

One pic, or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 11.

Post-rock is a subgenre of alternative rock and progressive rock characterized by the use of instruments commonly associated with rock music, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock. Post-rock musicians typically produce instrumental music.... like... the band called MONO.

Monos are a Japanese instrumental rock band, formed in 1999 in Tokyo, Kantō, Honshū. The band consists of Takaakira Goto (electric guitar, glockenspiel), Yoda (electric guitar, glockenspiel), Tamaki Kunishi (bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, glockenspiel), and Yasunori Takada (drum kit, glockenspiel, synthesizer).

The band's style of instrumental rock music is influenced by the genres of experimental rock and shoegazing, as well as by both the classical and contemporary classical periods of classical music, and also by noise and minimalism. Mono's sound is characterised by the lead and rhythm guitars of Goto and Yoda respectively, both of whom make extensive use of reverb, distortion and delay effects. The band's live performances are noted for their intensity, both in the playing and in the dynamics.

Today, MONO are playing in London with the Holy Ground Orchestra. MONO and The Holy Ground Orchestra performance is incredibly special as MONO will only perform in this capacity once every few years. So far they have performed it in Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and New York (as documented in the Live CD/DVD release ‘Holy Ground’ on Temporary Residence) only. If past live experience or the Holy Ground:NYC Live With The Wordless Music Orchestra CD/DVD release are anything to go by, then this promises to be a truly transcendental and unforgettable show.

Passport... check! Tickets... check!

...see you tomorrow; I am off to the airport!!!

30 days and..... Blah. This is day number 10.

2011-06-06T22:03:00.001+01:00

One pic or series of, for 30 days. This is day number 10.

A bit late with endorsing the ‘’Say No To Ageism Week’’... but never too late really.

Be kind and consider old age for a moment... Analyse your behaviour relating to this topic...

We all have our moments... we all discriminate one way or another, even if we know that we would give our life for the right cause...

http://www.equality.ie/

30 days and subtracting. This is day 9.

2011-06-05T21:40:00.002+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 9.

Having a lazy day today... have not left the house at all... The weather didn’t help much really, it was a dull day until an hour or two ago when the sky has finally cleared into a lovely baby blue with fluffy white patches, otherwise known as... clouds.

Sitting, thinking, surfing the net, I have remembered something... just a couple of weeks ago, on the 25^th of May we celebrated (did we?) the National Fish and Chips day... you know... the stuff you must try when visiting Ireland and asking for ‘’local cuisine’’. : ) Either that or Irish Stew (but I’d go for the fish & chips).

Wiki: In Ireland, the first fish and chips were sold by an Italian immigrant, Giuseppe Cervi, who had stepped off an America-bound ship at Cobh and walked to Dublin. He started by selling fish and chips outside pubs from a handcart. He then found a permanent spot in Great Brunswick Street (now Pearse Street). His wife Palma would ask customers "Uno di questa, uno di quella?" This phrase (meaning "one of this, one of the other") entered the vernacular in Dublin as "one and one", which is still a way of referring to fish and chips in the city. Is it? I have to try that *laughs, picturing some very confused faces across the counter*

I had some today too. A bit greasy, not enough vinegar on the chips and not the best potatoes for them. Just your local chipper type of thing... so I’ve decided to have a look online and see what are people saying, which is the best fish & chips place in Dublin.

But what makes a fish & chip meal... best?

Well... fresh and tasty fish (cod maybe), crispy, well cooked batter (not too thick either), tasty and not so oily chips, good vinegar... all served.. hot. : )

And where would one find the best fish and chips? Well seems like the most mentioned ones are: Burdocks - Christ Church, Beshoffs – Howth, Apriles – Stillorgan, Borza, Fuscardi, Matassa and some more but blah.. I got bored with looking. Suggest some maybe?

30 days and subtracting. This is day 8.

2011-06-04T21:18:00.001+01:00

One pic or series of one thing, for 30 days. This is day 8.

Another lovely day, less warm than yesterday, but beautiful nonetheless... A few walks to different places, laughter, silliness, sheep and the fresh smell of sheep poop. But I digress.

Another great day for being outside... and outside I was... for a good while.

This is the War Memorial Garden – about 10 minutes away from where I live.

This is it.