My life of leisure

Anyone who knows me knows I quit my job last fall. End date 12/31, exteneded to 1/31, extended indefinately. I've hired a new Associate creative director, who is starting in a couple of weeks. My terms being get me out of day to day management and I want more flexibility and less stress.

So, how's that working for me?

1. This week I've already logged over 40 hours of work, two more full days to go.
2. Past two weekends, I worked.
3. The highlight of my social life was taking home Pot stickers from Fresh Market and two movies last saturday night.
4. Facebook accounts for the most interaction I have outside of my office with people and friends.
5. Canceled a trip to see my daughter in philly, because I'm too tired from working too much.
6. hurrying through this blog so I can get to the office for the third in a week back to back presentations.

Now my new guy hasn't started yet, he will be a sort of replacement for me. I'll check back in month a let you know how it goes. That is if I am still alive.

it's check-up time

Have you ever tried to comparison shop the cost of healthcare. It's basically impossible.

I hate the medical system. I really hate hospitals. I'm not sure what healthcare reform has done for the cost of healthcare. Oh wait.. now I know... NOTHING. The real problem was never addressed because the insurance industry got thier way in the end.

I need to have my yearly mammogram. I used to go to an imaging cetner. mamaograms cost about $150, ok,maybe $200. Then the radiologist and so on... That place doesn't do mamograms anymore. I can't find anywhere to go get one done. Except of course, the hospital outpaitent. Now, my health policy doesn't cover maintenece. The new health plan may have solved that, I think by law they need to cover mamograms if you meet the criteria. But still, I don't want some $600 bill for a mamogram. Even if insurance does pay. So, I'm looking for a center I can go to, and trying to find out what it costs.

Oh my goodness, they're is a pause on the other end of the phone. Dead silence. They have no idea. No one. I mean NO ONE ever asks that question. None of us would buy a car and just pay what they say it's costs. We negotiate for homes, mortgage rates, home improvements, comparasion shop for appllances. Basically, none of us pay retail. it's sort of like bringing home the kill to brag about the bargain we got.

Yet, like lemmings, we blindly just go where we're told, follow the path outlined by our physician, no questions asksed. The virtual cliff of financial ruin.

I'm on a mssion. I won't put money before my health. But, think about it, isn't that where they get you?

The idea is dead

Everyone knows I'm in advertising. I don't have million dollar budgets, and I don't work for a national boutique agency where the creative rules either. But I have been in the business for a while, and I came up in the industry where the idea ruled. I've won my fair share of awards, even on a national level. I've even judged award shows, looking for that great idea that you say "wow, I wish I had thougth of that!" Those are the best.

Now I interview art directors and writers, and I'm always dissapointed. The books i see are all schtick. The computer seems to be taking over. The designs are getting complicated, or they're just stupid or silly just for being stupid and silly.

Is the idea dead?

Most of the super bowl commercials were all about special affects, stupid for the sake of stupid, or crazy sensationlism. Void of ideas, or relevenece to every day life. It was quite reflective of the books I'm seeing these days. The art directors who start with technique and then it takes over. Pure noise, with no relevence to me. I used to think, we'll, I'm out of hte demographic. But no. It's not me. It's a degradation of the art.

I was thrilled to hear Donny Duetsch this morning on the Today Show. His agency was one of the advertising meccas when I was coming up in the business. And it was one of the few agencies to maintian their creative integrity while still growing into an international giant.

Their VW ad was brilliant. It resonated across demographics. Took an every day life situation and put a humourous twist on it (relevence) and sold something at the same time. Of course, Donny Duetsch is from my era of advertising. I'm sure there's descension in his ranks. Some young art director or writer thinks he's old, washed up and his ideas are dated. They're frustrated they dont' get to play with the toys or do that outragious advertising.

I have news for anyone climbing the ad ladder. Ideas are never dated. Trends are short lived. Good ideas live on forever. As a creative director I plan to keep forcing my art diretors and writers to have an idea. Dated? maybe. Right? YES!