The Woodshed

9 September

2011-09-09T13:37:00.002+02:00

Dad, i miss you.

You Breathe Me (1987)

2011-05-25T07:44:00.002+02:00

Perhaps the first in a series where I share some of the fine art I created whilst in my younger years.

I am always aware of balance or lack of it. The yin and the yang. Good and evil. Light and dark. Male and female.

I wanted to create a piece that left the viewer feeling moved - perhaps even uncomfortable – and chose to portray an image of the horned god (who, in common Wiccan belief, is associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, hunting and the life cycle) in a tender embrace with the goddess. So those less informed may feel uneasy but cannot ignore the sense of devotion, love and tenderness.

Im happy with the way it turned out. Hands and feet are a real challenge and I think I could have done better with the detail (her feet are off camera for this very reason ... hehe). It's pastel on card. 1987. Rhodes University, free study.

I've dedicated it to @mandybryce on our 10 Anniversary 12 May 2011.

Why "The Woodshed?"

2011-03-08T23:01:00.002+02:00

It's been over four years since I started blogging. Can you believe it.

I chose to call my blog 'The Woodshed' for a very simple reason: everyone deserves one.

The reason I gave over four years ago still stands today. And that's what I love about intuition. If you listen to it you wont have to change your mind down the line.

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Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Why "The Woodshed"?
Because everybody deserves one.

Let me explain. The notion of The Woodshed was first introduced to me in John Kao's 1997 book Jamming where he discusses the art and discipline of business creativity. Something that's very close to my heart. In Chapter 5 he discusses the need for clearing a space for creativity and introduces the reader to Charlie Parker's woodshed. Or, more specifically, whenever the great sax player needed to work out new musical concepts, he would withdraw from the usual people, places and things and "go to the woodshed".

This may seem an odd phrase, but if considered for a short while you will find that you've probably been to your woodshed without even knowing it. When I was 7 yrs old there was a river a block away from our house in East London. I would run to it every other afternoon and spend the day either trying to catch crabs, doing homework, building bridges or playing in the mud with my Star Wars collection. The spot at the river was my woodshed.

Later on, when I was in Pretoria, there was an old industrial pipe that ran across a large trench. Under this pipe (it was huge) was a small grassy embankment. I would sit there and write songs (or poems) listening to my Walkman. The grassy knoll under the pipe was my woodshed.

Of course the challenge now is to turn your whole company into Charlie Parker's woodshed.

Briefly let's look at a wish list of characteristics that I might ask for in such a place. Safe, casual, liberating. Not too large as to kill intimacy. But not too small so as to stifle ideas. Stimulating. Although free from distractions and intrusions. Not too open ... but then again not too closed. Sometimes bound by schedules and appointments (meet me at the woodshed in half and hour ...), sometimes not.

It's a troublesome list, isn't it? Full of ambiguities and innuendoes. Let's just say that in turning your company into Charlie Parker's woodshed you may run into some paradoxes. But that's exactly where the fun lies.

Enjoy the jamming. :-)

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The Brentwood Effect

2011-03-03T00:30:00.003+02:00

My Mom and Mauritz bought me 'Hitchhiker' for my birthday on the 1 February.

It's the biography of Douglas Adams: Genius. Legend. Notorious misser of deadlines.

I was fortunate enough to meet him in London at a book signing many, many years ago. Told him I was a hitchhiker. My bum was shaking. He was a gentle, tall, solid man with a broad friendly welcoming grin. He asked me whereabouts I had hiked from ... I said "Cape Town". He said, "you're a far way from home". He signed my 3 copies of Mostly Harmless. I told him that I had my towel and my peanuts. He laughed and shook my hand.

It was magnificent.

Almost 10 years later (he died, tragically, on 11 May 2001), I am deep into his life story, thanks to the book. One of the gems so far include his time at Brentwood. A boarding college he attended that afforded him the opportunity to write. A professor at the time awarded him 10/10 for a literary piece he delivered ... commenting that it was "technically and creativity brilliant." The man had never granted full marks before. And, I don't believe, did so again.

Douglas is documented in later interviews saying that when he is deep in writers block (he always performed, effortlessly, in teams and terribly solo), he never reached for the fact that he was a worldwide bestselling author with many awards .. but rather the fact that Mr Halford gave him full marks at Brentwood because 'at some fundamental level I have what it takes."

I love this. A lot.

The other day I attended my son's parent / teacher meeting. During the session the mom's and dad's got an opportunity to look through the work books of their children. The masterpiece above was created by Jagger Bryce who is now 7 years old and in Mr Oxley's class, Grade 1.

After a day like I had, having to negotiate, persuade, convince, calm, instruct, listen, apologies, nurture, motivate and delegate, I am given strength. Not from my position or sense of security. Or my boss.

But by the fact that Jagger wrote 'dad' in cobalt blue at the tippy top right hand corner of this magnificent expression. He show's immense restraint as an artist. I mean ... someone else would've used Helvetica Bold 96pt. I'm sure of it.

But not Jagger.

He's cool.

His art makes me get up and go to work. He is my Mr Halford.

My Unique Creative Abilities

2010-11-03T01:24:00.003+02:00

I believe my unique Creative skills* to be communicating, inspiring, coaching and empowering.

Communicating (i have mastered the art of communication)
Inspiring (i look for story-telling to drive important messages)
Coaching (i have the patience of Job. And 4 kids!)
Empowering (i have released the Ego, who has already served his purpose thank you)

What are yours?

(*inspired by @DeepakChopra)

Pic: Taken whilst watching my daughter, Emma (14), fly off to visit her cousins in Johannesburg.

And the winner is ...

2010-10-05T16:31:00.004+02:00

Ever wanted to know what it feels like to present an award at the countries largest gathering of creative's - from backstage nerves to onstage hysteria?

I had the honour of handing out the Gold Loerie award for Excellence in Mobile Advertising at the Goodhope Centre in Cape Town, SA on Sunday night at the annual 2010 Awards (it went to gloo Digital Design for their client, Cosmopolitan).

I did my best to record the experience in true 'Strange Days' style.

Put yourself in my shoes ;-)

be warned: the filming is not exactly steady. ;-)

take a deep breath and point your mouse here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0PhvpXll58

Aaait!

9 September

2010-09-09T13:14:00.002+02:00

Dad, i love you man.

i joined Quirk.

2010-08-03T09:20:00.002+02:00

i'm super excited as I step into a brand new chapter in my life: Chief Creative Officer of Quirk.

i guess a lot of peeps would like to know how the journey transpires - this is a screenshot of my gmail yesterday.

Vuvuzela Moment – Blow your Vuvuzela at 12 Noon Today

2010-06-09T10:41:00.001+02:00

The moment has come for Mzansi to stand up and create history. Let us unite with the sound of vuvuzelas today at 12 noon.

Lets go out there and do what Mzansi does best… blow our Vuvuzelas and show our support of Bafana Bafana and for the 2010 World Cup.

Vuvuzela Moment

“Vuvuzela moment” is an initiative which will bring Mzansi to a standstill, make the world stand up and take notice of Mzansi’s pride, its own heritage!

On the 9th of June 2010, 2 days before kick-off at exactly 12 o’clock, for 5 minutes, stop what you are doing, get your Vuvuzelas, and blow on it like never before. If you are in the car, hoot and let the sound be heard from Cape to Mpumalanga to KwaZulu-Natal and from KwaZulu-Natal to Limpopo!

article: http://tinyurl.com/33efjxe

25 YEARS OF DOT-COMS

2010-03-16T22:43:00.000+02:00

1985 Symbolics became the first company to register as a dot-com, on March 15. The domain survives today, but the Massachusetts-based computer manufacturer failed to keep up with the evolution of the PC industry. Of the six dot-coms registered in its first year, only one was not involved in computing: defence contractor Northrop.

1990 Barely a few hundred dot-coms were registered during the 1980s, but after Tim Berners-Lee put up the first website in 1990 (info.cern.ch) from his base at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, the concept took off.

1995 The flotation of Netscape ushered in a dot-com boom, after its value rose to $2.8 billion in one day. A year later, while the PhD students Larry Page and Sergey Brin were busy working on the nascent Google, Yahoo!’s share price tripled on its first day of trading.

2000 Two months after AOL.com acquired Time Warner in a $164 billion deal, the dot-com boom reached its zenith on March 10. Nine weeks later, the fashion website Boo.com collapsed after an 18-month lifespan during which venture capitalists had invested £135 million. In 2000, there were 63 dot-com millionaires on The Sunday Times Rich List; a year later, there were 26.

2005 Three PayPal employees launched the video sharing site YouTube.com with a clip entitled:“Me at the zoo.” Just 19 months later, it was bought by Google for $1.65 billion.

2010 Ten years after Nasdaq’s index of tech and biotech stocks peaked at over 5,132, it now hovers around the 2,300 mark, having bottomed out at 1,114 in 2002. Google is ranked as the world’s biggest brand, and in 2009 was valued at $100 billion, according to the financial consultants Millward Brown.

Movember Reign

2009-12-01T09:16:00.002+02:00

Okay ... so I did my bit for MOVEMBER. You know - the month when every red blooded male gets to grow the biggest baddest tash in town?

It's for a good cause - men's health. But it made me 'look far too serious'.

Aparently. Should I shave or should i grow? too late. it's gone. :-)

The Final Countdown

2009-06-10T14:43:00.002+02:00

We took a trip to the local Greenpoint MacDonalds today. We heard that it is smack-bang in the middle of the Greenpoint Soccer Stadium project and is practically a hard-hat zone all by itself. Can you imagine how the owner must be holding on to his little piece of paradise. Come next year .... man oh man.

Although we didn't need to wear hard hats i thought this countdown clock was interesting. Exactly one year ... do I see those project managers sweating? Or are they placing an order for BigMac?

Interview with 10and5

2009-05-29T13:17:00.003+02:00

I had loads of fun answering a few questions from the good folk at 10and5. They made me realise:

[1] I wouldn't trade my job for anything

[2] I'm getting, well, old.

check it out here.

Tip 'o the bowler hat to Uno for his sharp questions.

8 incredible years

2009-05-12T10:53:00.002+02:00

I've been married 8 years today. 8 incredible years. It doesn't feel like 8 years ... sometimes it feels much much shorter, and at other times it feels like it's all i've known. Strange.

But one thing is certain: it's great to be eight.

(*pic taken whilst on a family mountain walk in Glencairn)

Disney Star Wars weekend posters

2009-05-11T13:40:00.003+02:00

Every now and then 2 loves collide. In this case creativity and Star Wars. Take a look at the simple, but brilliant, concepts behind these posters for Star Wars at Disney's MGM Studios.

Join me in the dark for the benefit of enlightment

2009-03-19T09:44:00.004+02:00

Since no-one really reads this blog, except maybe for my friends eatmorecrayons and RAT, I've kept my sign up target relatively low.

Saving Face.

2009-01-24T01:52:00.002+02:00

Okay. So Facebook has saved faced. I've recently connected with an old friend who was instrumental in my varsity studies and overseas travel. We haven't been in contact for almost 7 years. And yet ... when I logged in .. there he was! Yes! Of course I want to confirm him as a friend. Hell I didn't know what happened to him. Fantastic!. Pity he is in Australia now. Man I would have loved to share a draft at the local. But after all these years we back in touch. Facebook - I forgive all those ridiculous application requests.

My goodness how the time has flewn.

2008-12-18T14:58:00.001+02:00

How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday Dune

2008-12-03T10:06:00.002+02:00

My son, Dune, turns 7 years old today.

It's hard to believe. Seven years ago, on this day, he entered our lives and for what it's worth ... i don't think he wanted to. It was a whole day affair. And true to character, Dune insists on making the rest of the world see things well ... different.

I believe he is responsible for introducing Mandy and myself to the notion of Indigo and Rainbow children. I also believe that he brought the Angels into our lives. I believe that although as parents we have a lot to teach Dune he has been teaching us all along. And I'm very blessed that he chose me to be his dad.

Happy Birthday Dune. Send love to your heart ... because you have certainly filled ours.

Dad. XXX

One Touch Beyond

2008-11-28T09:02:00.002+02:00

The Space Patrolers are attending an open day at Wireframe today. My good friend Paul Tooze promises to educate, entertain and enlighten. Paul and I have been in the industry for over 13 years and he remains one of the most gifted individuals I have ever met. I'm really looking forward to it.

Happy Birthday Jagger

2008-11-12T22:28:00.002+02:00

My son, Jagger turns 5 today.

This is a big deal. The big F-I-V-E ... er. Well. Five.

It's wonderful to watch the the behaviour of a 4 year old the days before he turns 5. He seems to bewitch himself. An inward ritual starts taking place and he rises above the self doubt. He no longer accepts the teasing and usual playground banter that might dent the ego. He chooses to look at the situation through another lens. The lens of someone older than he already is. The lens of someone who is now 5. And not 4. It's a powerful thing - as far as I can see. Because each time he mentioned the fact that is was his birthday in '3 more sleeps' a bright smile lit up his face and nothing else could possibly bring him down. To the extent that the rest of the world around him decided to join him.

Jagger turned 5 before his birthday.

The day began with the tradition Bryce ritual. Chocolate cake for breakfast for the sugar rush. This time it was a home-made Dinosaur cake. The best there is. The present; twin blue clam-shells and 3 bags of sand for a magnificent sand pit was carefully placed in the centre of the lounge as the weather decided to completely ignore the importance of a 5 year old birthday with a sand pit present. And Jagger woke up last ... still vehemently fighting off the last of the whopping cough gremlins. He blew the candles like a champ and relished all the attention.

But I still marvel at how he changed weeks before today.

And somehow, somewhere, i think there's a lesson for us all in there. Be yourself before waiting for the world to tell you that you're arrived.

Validation

2008-10-15T08:35:00.002+02:00

It's now official.

When the family first felt the desire to return to Cape Town we didn't know where to start. What about jobs? Houses? Schools? The logistics of a relocation seemed overwhelming. So we didn't bother with the detail.

Instead I kept seeing my car with CA plates. And did little else.

The pic above serves as my final validation in the power of visualization.

Aaait!

Happy Birthday Tyler

2008-10-01T11:57:00.002+02:00

It's my son's birthday today. Tyler turns 10. Those of you whom read this blog from time to time will recall that one of the Bryce traditions is to indulge in chocolate cake for breakfast on one's birthday. Today was no exception. This morning at 6am we were frosting the cake and added the 10 candles. The family sang and we each had a piece. Emma, who is now 12, swears that being 10 was the best year ever ... she's managed to give Tyler that little bit to look forward to. Perhaps this has been his best present so far. A whole year of being the best ever. Can you imagine that? Maybe you and I should take a leaf from Emma's tea and do the same. Make your current year the best one ever ... the only person who decides whether that will be the case or not is you.

iPhone 3G is coming September 26.

2008-09-22T10:53:00.002+02:00

it's here.

Alex and the Talking Ants

2008-09-18T16:14:00.003+02:00

Guess what I'm doing whilst on the train these days?

Here's the Big Idea.

'Stories from The Train' are a series of children's tales that introduces us to the spiritual laws that govern our lives – but told in a way that makes them easy to understand for children between the ages of 4 and 10. The first in the compilation; "Alex and the Talking Ants", introduces young folk to the power of intention and visualization.

Meet Alex, a 6 year old who is anticipating his 7th birthday. Alex has informed everybody that he would like a Spaceship. Not the kind that comes with 2 AA batteries mind you ... but the real deal. He wants to visit the stars. And he has promised his younger brother to take him the moment the big day arrives.

But Alex is in for a big surprise when he sees a bright light outside his window in the early morning of his birthday ...

I was first introduced to the spiritual laws almost 3 years ago when my wife, Mandy, attended a Deepak Chopra conference for executive leadership. She came home with an armful of Deepak literature, included a signed copy of 'The 7 Spiritual Laws to Success'. The little book packs a mighty punch. And it's one of those that will always be lying on the bedside table or in your briefcase. It's amazing. In fact law number 6 - The Law of Detachment - is possibly responsible for my relocation. I say this because after fighting long and hard for our dream house, it finally manifested. IN Johannesburg. So we had to let go, in order to move on. We 'detached' ourselves from our home. In order to create something even grander one needs to practice the fine art of involved detachment.

Heavy stuff? Not really.

But if you think so, wait until I've completed 'Stories from The Train' and hopefully each law will be unpacked and easy to grasp. They're for children after all. Gotto run now .... there's a train to catch.

What a beautiful noise ...

2008-09-12T08:15:00.002+02:00

Recently I've had the opportunity to commute to and from the Space Patrol Car HQ in Greenpoint, CT by train.

The journey snakes along the Southern Line and for a short distance hugs the coast of False Bay. For the past few mornings I've witnessed the most magnificent sun rises over the water and rock formations.

The decision to commute on the line is a no brainer when you look at it:

[1] Productivity
I have 2 more hours in the day where I can draw, write, create, listen to Podcasts, plan, internalise, structure and organize. You will find me deep in my Moleskine.

[2] Travel Expenses
A quick calculation shows that I am saving over 600% on costs. A monthly ticket costs me R190. Whereas I was spending approximately R1 200 on unleaded petrol.

[3] Carbon Footprint
Speaking of unleaded - I am also reducing my Carbon Footprint by catching the train. One less car on the M3.

[4] Excercise
The distance form the station to Greenpoint is about a brisk 15 - 20min walk each way. So I do get the blood going for about 40min each day. Granted, it's not at the gym but hey - I'm so happy I need to walk even if it's incidental.

[5] Mental State
Choosing significant iPod material - creative Podcasts, audio books or playlists - allows you to mentally move in the direction of your goals. You spend time improving your current state instead of listening to the radio noise whilst in bumper to bumper traffic.

It's been terrific. And I'd like to dedicate this post to my late dad who crossed over 10 years ago ... "Dad, when you were playing all those Neil Diamond tracks little did I realise that the clickity clack of the train on the tracks would have such relevance now. What a beautiful noise ..."

Internet Memes

2008-08-07T13:45:00.002+02:00

I'm not a huge fan of simply posting articles or links that I have found elsewhere with no insight, recommendations or personal comment. But this one has surely got to be the exception. Thanks to Uno via Twitter we may have the mother load of what's been missing! A full history of the mercurial internet meme. Do you remember "all your base are belong to us!"? This site visually charts over a hundred memes into a timeline, list, flipbook or map. It is a collaborative effort run through Dipity.

Enjoy.

I know I will.

Remember 27 July 2008.

2008-07-29T14:33:00.002+02:00

The day the digital drought broke. Thanks to Net#work BBDO and digital design agency Gloo, we have another Loerie Grand Prix awarded to digital to celebrate as an industry.

Loerie's 2008 was the bomb.

Nothing was spared. The service, the entertainment, the freekin' sound system! and even the pop-up loo's had dedicated cleaners after every visit. From cheerleaders, to Reddy D, to pole dancers, to a massive Philharmonic Orchastra, to Madamé Zingara diva's ... I even met The Parlotone's and Sonia Herald (but not at the same time mind you ... ).

The audio visual work was outstanding, and could have been entered on it's own merits.

From a digital perspective, I thought the number of entries was well up from last year - a good sign. The process was relatively uncomplicated and each jury member judged remotely - making it possible to judge the entries and keep your day routine (more or less - you find yourself viewing work in the wee hours for a couple of days). IMHO there was some very very strong work - but i could count the pieces on one hand. A funny-thing has occurred though. I thought the strong contenders were well above the pack. We have a gap between the leaders and the runner upper's ...

I was pleased to see the glory bestowed upon Gloo on Sunday night. I think that sticky lot have working hard over the past 4 years to grab the honey. And Pete has been a campion voice for the industry at large - something I don't think everybody is aware of. But I must admit feeling disappointed at the results for Hello Computer - whom I thought delivering outstanding work - to walk away with (only) 3 Bronze Awards does not do the work justice. You guy's should've at least had a gold sounding the metal detector off flying home on Monday. Someone else that deserves a mention is Pixel Project. Goodness your stuff rocks! But I think your art is so remarkable, it play's in an entirely different sandbox to that of the rest of us. You make amazing applications - which is very difficult to judge remotely. Your Bronze for the Hansa Expression Session is testament to that. If each jury member had experienced it for themselves it would have been different.

And as for the pathetic number of finalists for the Online Advertising category - four. What's up with that? Kudu's to Ogilvy SA to scoop a Silver - but really. We need to embrace the display space far more aggressively than currently.

And where was Stonewall+? huh? or even Prezence. What about some of the veteran's in the industry ... Red Shift? or Wireframe? Even Aqua Online had a mention at the 2007 Construction Awards last year. Perhaps the stranglehold of budgets, number of projects and project management is too sever to put the care back into the projects that you want to? I would love to know.

Digital is clearly delivering locally - but it seems that this space is only being reserved for the special few. Rubbish! I know there's very clever folk out there. I've worked with you before. Come out come out from wherever you are ...

Mom, you're not invited

2008-07-26T10:36:00.005+02:00

After spending a grueling 3 weeks judging over 220 digital entries I'm finally sitting at the Cape Town International Airport enroute to the sleepy town of Margate. This year there was some outstanding work, although I could count them on one hand. There's still much room for improvement overall. Bit more on that later.

I believe we have secured a few VIP tickets for the Loeries this year and I'm looking forward to the treatment, which I believe is outstanding. Tonights spotlight falls on the print and design industries. It should be a good show. Tomorrow evening is dedicated to television, radio and the digital industry - which is my area of interest. Hope I've packed enough outfits.

If all go's well I will be posting my views on the whole process, from the judging through to the event itself and a comment or two on the lucky ones who did the shake and take.

To the grandfather of our nation

2008-07-18T12:23:00.002+02:00

Happy Birthday Madiba. We are deeply blessed to have had you hold our hand and guide us all to freedom with your immeasurable love and compassion for humanity. You remain an icon for all leaders around the world. And you're ours. The Woodshed wishes you a very happy 90th birthday ...

"Please hold ... "

2008-06-05T09:21:00.003+02:00

When oh when will the iPhone be 'officially' available and supported in SA? That's the question that's being discussed at the local water-cooler these days. Of course everybody is keeping a keen eye on Apple's up coming Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9 for the official release dates.

My first Mac product, a Mac SE, landed on my desk in 1990. Well, truth be told, it landed on my creative directors desk - a fiery italian by the name of Luca Menato. But I used it on the weekends and decided we were best friends. So i consider myself somewhat as an Apple product connoisseur ... hell you would too if you managed to put an entire women's magazine together using the Mac SE with 4mb memory and 40mb hard drive. And the software? PageMaker 1.0 and MacPaint.

If Apple is expecting to sell 10 million iPhones this year then please reserve one for me. And please be kind enough to tell me when I can buy one, fully supported, from my local store. If Apple wont spill the beans then perhaps you know. Kindly comment if you do. Thank you.

Keep Left Pass Right

2008-04-08T08:30:00.005+02:00

Police on horseback. A tradition which is still maintained in the city of Cape Town. Every other morning I'm greeted by this troupe of four horsemen trotting through the streets nearby the Space Patrol Car offices. Of course there's something special about hearing the klip klopping of the hooves, something that stirs the senses. Another reason why I love this city.

They're Beautiful!

2008-03-19T22:24:00.000+02:00

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

2008-03-14T15:32:00.004+02:00

Last week Wednesday I sat on the patio sipping some crisp Stonehaven Savignon Blanc whilst online. The journey eventually lead me to LinkedIn and I realised that my profile still sat at a disturbing 85% ... which it had done for almost 2 years. Further investigation indicated that I needed a 'Recommendation' to order to increase this rating to 90%.

I decided to open a second bottle and ask all my connections to recommend me in an effort to complete the process ... (note to self ... quite clever trick ...)

I'm happy to report that this worked a treat! After only 3 recommendations my profile now stands at a healthy 100%.

Thanks to thescott, Claudio and Guy my profile on LinkedIn now sits at a very healthy 100%. I can move onto my next challenge: joining more tweeters ...

Back to the future

2008-02-22T10:37:00.007+02:00

Whilst trawling through some backup Dvds I stumbled across the old tinderbox home page designs I worked on. You gotto love the old Netscape browser. Boy those were the days.

tinderbox homepage 1996

tinderbox homepage 1997

tinderbox homepage 1998

tinderboxes

2008-02-08T09:41:00.000+02:00

My mate sent this über-cool short video clip of us shopping for T-Shirts during one lunchtime. Many years ago. Before the dot-bomb. Before Web 2.0. Hell even before Web 1.0 was mentioned. Or the word 'blog'. It was a terribly exciting time and in many ways I believe that the team we put together has been one of the best teams I've had the privilege of working with. Thanks to Gareth for the clip. Shot on Super8. Yeah it's cool .... it's freeken awesome!

a celebration

2008-02-01T09:55:00.000+02:00

today is my birthday.

as our annual ritual dictates, we all had our sugar-rush at 6:30am with a thick slice of the most decadent chocolate cake from Milissa's this morning. i think my sons even managed to sneak in seconds. at least they have the entire day to expend their energy level after that.

i guess i have a lot to be deeply grateful for. and although i didn't hold any high expectations this year for presents, messages and cards (omg do you think the passing years are starting to mellow me out like a barrel of old no. 7?) i must say that mandy and the kids still surprised me with 2 months guitar lessons and a boogie board. gifts that portray the cape town lifestyle i suppose.

so it's a day in the office and an evening on the beach with family and friends.

it's great to be alive.

Captains Log

2008-01-25T11:02:00.000+02:00

As a child we would all make-believe we were prince’s and princesses. Cops and robbers. Cowboys and Indians. In the late 60s and 70s we chose to be astronauts. We grew up surrounded by movies, comics and stories brimming with science-fiction themes. In those early days of space travel and the Apollo program, toy-shops were full of robots and rockets. Science was the stuff that dreams are made of.

Whenever we got a toy we would play with it all day long. If it broke, we would keep it in our collection and use it in our imaginative play as battle-damaged. We would inspect it closely and we tried to figure out how it worked. All too often taking a robot apart and attempting to put it back together. There were always pieces left over. But that didn’t matter.

Twenty five years on, as an adult, I can still recall the excitement, smell, texture and magic of discovering a new item. But that recollection is something much stronger than mere nostalgia for the toys that had once fired my childish imagination for many many years.

One of the curious attractions of rediscovery lies in re-noticing the colour and texture of the material, and the insane eye for detail with which many were made. I never fail to be astonished at the idea of toy companies of yesteryear investing so much passion, technology and high quality material in creating a toy space station computer control centre, let alone a radio-controlled robot. It is probably this design approach that makes them more than mere toys, giving them solidarity and material presence that comes across even in two dimensional graphics and photographs.

Many technological advances that were once confined to the field of dreams and all possibilities are now within our grasp and more are yet to come as the century progresses. Little did we imagine in those early days when a pencil stuck in the back of a pencil case became a space-age walkie-talkie, that our children would soon be chatting on their mobile phone on every street corner.

This care .. this passion .. this love seems to be missing from the creations of today.

My new interest is called Space Patrol Car. And we believe in creating with fanatical care. Most of us understand that a great idea can change the world. But when it is done in a Delorean it's so much better. Put the k back into creativity.

take a deep breath

2008-01-18T15:42:00.000+02:00

After writing my version of the Jo'burg chronicle's - a chapter lasting almost six years - I have returned to the Mother City. [ ... meaningful pause]

I think the only way to truly appreciate where you are is to have some frame of reference - many many years ago my art lecturer (George - a short and bearded man that always seemed to wear a pair of blue garage overalls) at Rhodes University sat us down and shared this with us: To taste life one needs to develop tastes that are on both sides of the spectrum. Truly decadent and downright awful. The decadence would not be understood if decadence was all you ever had.

Granted - I'm still in the honeymoon phase of breathing in this city, and by NO MEANS do I want to create the impression that good 'ole energetic Jozi is 'downright awful' on the contrary BladeRunner City was fantastic - but man the air certainly seems sweeter when you're driving 10m from the Ocean. It's as simple as that for me.

Stay tuned for (hopefully) more regular postings this year. Perhaps the idea of 2 hours more daylight will provide the incentive to savour the setting sun and put some thoughts onto The Woodshed. And i do have some exciting news to share.

It's good to have you along for the ride.

Nation United

2007-10-19T21:57:00.000+02:00

On the eve of the World Cup final it appears to me that when the microscope is exchanged for the telescope, our rainbow nation seems to carry a single voice.

Last night my wife and I acknowledged that we needed a little help with all the versus in our national anthem. Our daughter, Emma, knows the anthem and sings with effortless ease. We, on the other hand, are amongst the 30-something odd that start to hum along at the bits when it runs aways with you. We called upon Elda to help us out and practiced around the dinner table in the hope that tomorrow night at the final we wont embarrass the kids.

This act united the household. We stood as a single unit, laughing at our thick tongues collectively. (BTW Elda needed as much assistance on the "Uit die blou" part .. so we laughed at that as well ..) There is something special in the air when a single event becomes larger than the individual sects. Only then is there nothing to grab the big picture and cause the crap. Hence the telescope.

I like the idea of creating uniformity amongst everybody. Like wearing a funny hat. No matter who you are it's a great leveler. Everyone feels the same. Stupid. I often look for this when asking a creative team to tackle a job. We need to feel part of something. And when you're not familiar with what everybody is talking about, or if you don't support that point of view, you distance yourself and either attempt to convince everybody otherwise or walk away. A single event thats important to everyone can cut through the bullshit. But it takes an important event like the World Cup to do this. Everybody remembers 1995. And i'm hoping the same magic will happen tomorrow. In the meantime I'm thrilled to see every individual in the country take out the telescope and as a united nation view a single goal. It's apparent in the fact that no matter our colour on the outside it seems to me that on the inside our blood bleeds green.

Be Mindful of The Now

2007-07-11T23:51:00.000+02:00

If you're on facebook you would know that my family is away. This is the first time in almost 15 years that i have been alone. Really alone. For those that don't know I am blessed wth a beautiful wife and 4 kids. It's a noisy, messy household with laughter, tears and the proverbial "why you home so late?." But not this week. This week was different. This week my family went to Cape Town. I went Home Alone.

So I avoided it.

It's not fun going home to a big empty house. Yes. I was excited about the freedom. Yes. I thought that I would get some sleep. Yes. It seemed like a a wonderful opportunity to catch up on everything. Uninterrupted.

The reality?
I avoided going home. I stopped over at pubs. When I got home, it was exactly the same as as I left it, and I switched on all the lights, radio and every TV in every room. I connected my MacBook and got online as soon as possible. I blogged. I read. I watched CSI. I walked into every room and looked around. I also had a scotch and smoke. Then I ran into every room and jumped around shouting. I didn't go to bed.

Why?
My connection wasn't there. The rhythm was out of sync. My usual routine was interrupted. I had no responsibilities other than tending to myself and our golden labrador, Maddy. It was pretty cool, but also sad. Bittersweet.

The lesson is this: use every moment you have to experience the now. Mine, at the moment, is freedom. But with this freedom I experienced a paradox: I usually long for me-time and now that I have it I urgently need the laughter, tears and noise my family make around me. Although I should be sitting quietly and allow the present moment to simply be - clear headed and meditative, I've chosen the pour another Scotch and get online. This, I think, I will regret when things get busy again. Because being mindful of the now is the only way you can be the architect of your future. And that requires some quiet time.

In the meantime I'm going to run around the rooms again shouting.

Glory to the highest

2007-06-15T23:27:00.000+02:00

Thousands of things go right for you every day, beginning at the moment you wake up. Through some magic you don't fully understand, you're still breathing and your heart is still beating, even though you've been unconscious for many hours. The air is a mix of gases that's just right for your body's needs, as it was before you fell asleep.

You can see! Light of many colours floods your eyes, registered by nerves that took our creator some millions of years to perfect. The interesting gift of these vivid hues comes to you courtesy of an unimaginably immense globe of fire, the sun, which continually detonates nuclear reactions in order to convert its body into light and heat and energy for your personal use.

Did you know that the sun is located at the precise distance from you to perfect service? If it were any closer, you'd fry, and if it were any further away, you'd freeze. Here's another one of the sun's benedictions: It appears to rise over the eastern horizon right on schedule every day, as it has since long before you were born.

Do you remember when you were born, by the way? It was a difficult miracle that involved many people who worked hard on your behalf. No less miraculous is the fact that you have continued to grow since then, with millions of new cells being born inside you to replace the old ones that die. All of this happens whether or not you think about it.

On this day, like almost every year, you have awoken inside a temperature-controlled shelter. You have a home! Your bed and pillow are soft and you;re covered by comfortable blankets. The electricity is turned on, as usual. Somehow, in ways you're barely aware of, a massive power plant at an unknown distance from your home is transforming fuel intro currents of electricity that reach you through mostly hidden conduits in the exact amounts you need, and all you have to do to control the flow is flick small switches with your fingers.

You can walk! Your legs work wonderfully well. Your heart circulates your blood all the way down to replenish the energy of the muscles in your feet and calves and thighs, and when the blood is depleted if finds its way back to your heart to be refreshed. This blessing recurs over and over and over again without stopping every hour of your life.

Your home is perhaps not a million-dollar palace, but it's sturdy and gigantic compared to the typical domicide every culture that has preceded you. The floors arn't crumbling, and the walls are holding up well, too. Doors open and close without trouble, and so do the windows. What skillful geniuses built this sanctuary for you? How and where did they learn their craft?

In your bathroom, the toilet is functioning perfectly, as are several other convenient devices. You have at your disposal soaps, creams, razors, clippers, tooth-cleaning accessories: a host of products that enhance your hygiene and appearance. You trust that unidentified scientists somewhere tested them to be sure that they're safe for you to use.

Amazingly, the water you need so much of comes out of our taps in an even flow, with the volume you want, and either hot or cold as you desire. It's pure and clean; you;re confident no parasites are lurking in it. There is someone, somewhere making sure these facilities will continue to arrive for you without interruption for as long as you require them.

Look at your hands. They're astounding creations that allow you to carry out hundreds of tasks with great force and intricate grace. They relish the pleasure and privilege of touching thousands of different textures, and they're beautiful.

In your cupboard are many clothes you like to wear, Who gathered the materials to make the fabrics they're made of? Who imbued them with colours, and how did they do it? Who sewed them for you?

In your kitchen, appetising food in secured packaging is waiting for you. Many people you've never met worked hard to grow it, process it, and get it to the shop you bought it. The bounty of tasty nourishment you get to choose from is unprecedented in the history of the world.

Your many appliances are working astoundingly. Despite the fact that they feed on electricity, which could kill you instantly if you touched it directly, you feel no fear that you're in danger. Why? Your faith in the people that who invented it, designed, and produced these machines is impressive.

It's as if there's a benevolent conspiracy of unknown people that is tirelessly creating hundreds of useful things you like and need.

There's more. Gravity is working exactly the way it always has, neither pulling on you with too much or too little force. How did that marvel ever come to be? By some prodigious, long running accident? It doesn't really matter, since it will continue to function with astounding efficiency whether or not you understand it.

Meanwhile, a trillion other elements of nature's miraculous design are expressing themselves perfectly. Plants are growing, rivers are flowing, clouds are drifting, winds are blowing, animals are reproducing. The weather is an interesting blend of elements you've never before experienced in quite this combination. Though you may take it for granted, you relish the ever-shifting sensations of light and temperature as they interact with your body.

And yet there's more. You can smell odors and hear sounds and taste tastes, many of which are quire pleasing. You can think! You're in possession of the extraordinary gift of self-awareness. You can feel feelings! Do you realise how improbably stupendous it is for you to have been blessed with that mysterious capability? And get this: You can visualise an inexhaustible array of images, some of which represent things that don;t actually exist. How did you acquire this magical talent?

By some improbable series of coincidences or long-term divine plan, language has come into existence. Millions of people have collaborated for centuries to cultivate a system for communication that you understand well. Speaking and reading give you great pleasure and a tremendous sense of power.

Do you want to go someplace that's at a distance? You have a number of choices about what machines to use in order to get there. Whatever you deiced - car, plane, train, bus, bike, ship or helicopter - you have confidence that it will work efficiently. Multitude of people who are now dead devoted themselves to perfecting these modes of transport. Multitude who are still alive devote themselves to ensuring that these benefits keep serving you.

Maybe you're one of hundreds of millions of people in the world who has the extraordinary privilege of owning a car. It's a brilliant invention made by highly competent workers. Other skilled labourers put in long hours to extract oil from the the ground or sea and tun it into fuel so that you can you can use your car conveniently. The roads are drivable. Who paved them for you? The bridges you cross are potent feats of engineering. Do you realise how hard it was to fabricate them from scratch?

You're aware that in the future shrinking oil reserves and global warming may impose limitations on your ability to use cars and aeroplanes and other machines to travel. But you also know that many smart and idealistic people are diligently striving to develop alternative fuels and protect the environment. And compared to how slow societies have been to understand their macrocosmic problems in the past, your culture is moving with unprecedented speed to recognise and respond to the crises spawned by its technologies/

As you travel, you might listen to music. Maybe you've got an MP3 player, a fantastic invention that has dramatically enhanced your ability to hear a stunning variety of engaging sounds at low cost. Or maybe you have a radio. Through a process you can't fathom, music and voices that originate at a distance from you have been converted into invisible waves that bounce off the ionosphere and down into your little machine,where they are transformed back into music and voices for you to enjoy.

Let's say it's 9:30am. You've been awake for two hours, and a hundred things have already gone right for you. If three of those things had not gone right - your toaster was broken, the hot water ran out, there was a fatty stain on the shirt you wanted to wear - you might feel that today the universe is against you, that your luck is bad, that you got out on the wrong side of the bed. And yet the fact is that the vast majority of everything is owrking with breathtaking efficiency and consistency. You would clearly be deluded to imagine that life is primarily an ordeal.

Dealing with tension

2007-06-13T23:16:00.000+02:00

I've found myself talking about tension a lot recently. I don't why. Maybe it's because people around me simply want to win. They feel so strongly about their point of view and that it's too precious to them not to be accepted. They fight. They argue. They do what it takes. Tension fills the air.

At home there's tension: Why didn't you feed the dog? Why did your brother hit you? What did your sister say when you stole her doll? What sort of time is this to come home? At work there's tension: I told you do this 3 days ago! What has taken you so long? Didn't you get the mail? It's due today. If we don't have the presentation ready for tomorrow we're all done for.

What I find interesting is that nobody seems to understand that tension isn't there to be resolved. It doesn't exist to be won. No-one realises this. Tension simply exists to be played with. Nobody wins ... or loses. What matters is how you play the tension. What did you do to tighten the string? Did you have a reasonable argument? Were your facts in order? Did the debate swing in your direction?

All this leads to my understanding that tension is there to be played with. It's like jamming. With your friends. Each individual is responsible for a particular sound. An instrument. So if the project manager is responsible for the bass guitar, the lead designer works the piano and the developer bangs the drum, then each in their own right contributes to the overall sound of the project. Each member of the team seems to think that they need to win. To walk away satisfied. Leaving only the dum dum dum dummm dumm left. Thats no good for the sound of the project. Each instrument is vital for the overall mix. So the players need to bulk and squawk, have their say and start to jam. Only then will the sweet spot be found.

The debate, issues, argument needs to be played for all it's worth. With every instrument in the spotlight. Some will shine, others will fall ... but at the end of the session each will have been heard and find a place. And they all need to be there. The argument is simply a way of organising each instrument. It is never won, nor lost, but played. Remember this.

The next time you feel tension in the room, take a look around you. Who are the band members? What instruments are they playing? Do you hold an instrument? Then understand this: the purpose of the gathering is to jam as hard as you can and find the sweet spot. There are no winners or loses. You are part of the team. And try to orchestrate the sweetest possible sound you've ever heard. Then ... and only then .. walk away feeling satisfied.

Being a Dad

2007-06-12T22:09:00.000+02:00

1. Dads are constant. We are always in the mood for sex. If we ever turn sex down we regret it immediately. And for weeks afterwards. On the rare occasion that we may have something else to attend to (see point 3.) we regret it instantly. If you are ever offended that we did not accept the proposition, find some comfort in the fact that we regretted saying no ... and are still regretting it.

2. Dads are young. I say this because we live through our young son(s) or daughter(s). We see the world through their eyes very very easily. More easily than you do. In fact, I think one of the reasons we decide to have children is because we need an excuse to be childlike. And this is the perfect one. The chance to spend an extra 15min studying the action figures. The opportunity to examine those extras that come with the Baby Born. Looking at the detail. Reading the packaging. Marveling at the advancement of the toy. We remember what it was like when we were young and we're living the moment as if it were ours. Without kids we would never have the opportunity without being called really weird. This makes us young at heart.

3. Dads fix things. Tons of things. We fix bikes, dolls, balls, swimming pools, play-sets, swords. But we also fix doors, light-bulbs, mirrors, hose-pipes, chairs, frames. We fix accounts, business mergers, organizational structures and teams. Because we're build to fix things we naturally do the same for relationships, friendships, family arguments, diets that have gone wrong or the dress that doesn't fit. The moment we have the detail, we set out to fix it. One of the greatest lessons that I've come to learn as a Dad is that I don't always have to fix the situation .. sometimes all I need to do is listen to it (that still leaves me a little empty, but the results are amazing) ... I feel as if I didn't do anything but everything works out. We're the fixit-up-chappies.

4. Dads are martyrs. They believe that the whole bloody thing all exists because of them. Everything. This is probably because of the stereotypical breadwinner. If I had to be hit by a bus tomorrow it would all fall apart. So this leads us to behave in way that nothing would continue without us. We're omnipotent. Sadly, Dads, this is not the case. Yes, we're a very important part of the whole mix ... and to this point I've agreed with my wife that I'd like my kids' kids to have a great big grandaddy that tells wicked stories one day ... but without us, life (sadly) would find a way to survive. Here's the thought on this one: don't give so much of yourself that you run dry. You're not a martyr. You're important, without a doubt - but you're allowed to take time for yourself. Things will carry on.

5. Dads love technology. The new plasma TV. That Sola-dom in the kitchen. Playstation, PSP, DvD, PvR. WHOOOARRRGHHHH. It all turns us on. We love the gadgets, gizmo's and remotes that turn this world around. We don't necessarily know how it all works ... but the new polystyrene box that just arrived feels the first Jedi Knight action figure we bought when we were 12. Leave us alone while we figure it out.

6. Dads will protect. Period. We're built to serve. And serve our family we will. And if this means practically securing the perimeter fence against any evil-doers, then it will be done. If this means cross-examining the boy that just arrived at the door and is asking for your daughter, then it will be done. Our family will in no way be harmed. Whatever it takes. Remember we're always out to fix things ... and safety of our castle come first.

7. Dads can cry. Yes. We can. The funny thing about being a Dad is that I can cry now. I can cry when a situation is sad. I can cry during a movie. I can cry for joy. I can literally sob in happiness when I'm sharing a moment of joy with someone close. I call it 'through the looking glass syndrome'. The moment you've lost yourself and have become part of another emotion. And it's only happened after I've witnessed the birth of my kids.

8. Dads accept gifts. Any gifts. Because we've dealt with nappies and bottles we graciously accept any gift that comes from the heart. It can be a crayon scribble or a flower with no stem. It's a gift and our heart swells the moment it is given. This means that we don't expect the latest greatest expensive au du toilet or bottle of wine. We will equally accept something that is handmade and given with feeling. We accept gifts from the soul ... because we've seen a two year old preciously holding a crumpled bit of paper with a red heart of it in crayola. Precious.

9. Dads love company. We need our friends for the sake of sanity. Typical bar-room banter helps keep us grounded. The talk about the bar-lady with the big breasts and the rugby score with our mates is security for the soul. It's our comfy blanket. A well-timed evening with the boys is an investment in our role as Dad. It's the typical talk at break time all grown up. It's nothing more than that. Give us a night out every now and then and you will see the benefits.

10. Dads are constant. Did I mention that Dads love sex?

The Genius Whisperer

2007-05-07T20:59:00.000+02:00

In my last post I felt ashamed that I had so much to say, but never actually sat down and wrote an entry, that I decided to think about The Woodshed as a regular publication rather than an open diary. So here I sit on a Monday evening after a jam-packed day with a Scotch thinking I should honour that contract.

Let's start with an interesting insight.

I often feel that intuition is like a muscle. The more you practice it, the stronger it becomes. Imagine signing up to your local Health Club and the only muscle you work out regularly is your intuition. Loyalty points are simply a windfall benefit. In a few weeks you would be following your gut and through some unexplainable miracle things would be working out for your greater good.

Let's take a closer look. Have you ever had to make a decision that when you rationally weigh up the options there can only be one solution? You then make that decision because, hey, you'd be a fool not to. But although it was an obvious choice, you feel terrible. Something about your decision does not sit well with you and you can feel it. Recently I had a bright, talented and gifted designer in my studio call me over and share this uneasy feeling she had with me. A few short weeks ago we had opened up an opportunity for her with a more senior position that entailed growth in other areas. She decided that the opportunity was not for her. It was, at the time, an obvious choice. And she had solid, honest reasons why. But things didn't sit well. She had restless nights. In fact, her decision felt so wrong, she probably thought she was going a little crazy.

This experience is incredibly common. It happens because our brains are trying to tell us something but are unable to in our everyday 'rational' language. Our subconscious is speaking to us through our intuitive feeling, which often has a much better grasp on the information our brains gather and what to do with that information to our best advantage.

How do you learn to listen? Quite easy. You go back to school. You are, very simply, the student as well as the teacher. Set yourself tasks ... and complete them. Then check yourself. Repeat. Once you feel you have become Aware (with a capital A) you have already set the curriculum in motion. The next time 2 friends who don't know each other call you asking for the same advice you're not going to ignore the content. You've listened to your intuition. And although there is no solid, factual, sane reason to do what you feel is right, you go ahead regardless.

You've listened to the genius that whispers.

Reasons to be cheerful

2007-04-30T23:59:00.000+02:00

Part 3.

I've always figured that blogging would make me happy. C'mon. The ability to be instantly published? The tools to make your word global? Every single letter! Every single thought - available to every single reader with a net connection and your blog address? Hurrah! Happiness.

Not so. First of all: You have to have something relevent to say (and you have many relevant things to say thoughout the day - the only problem is that you remeber them when you have them ... not when you need them).

Secondly: you need to set time aside to sit down and post. Time? Aside? WTF? ... is that?

4 Kids. Wonderful demanding job. Learning to play the guitar. I rest my case.

So. I'm thinking this is the new strategy: Why not consider your Blog like a magazine of sorts? ... You know ... it's regular. Not this weird monster that always needs feeding ... but rather like regular controlled publication that is always there on a Monday morning. Sounds good innit?

I've got LOADS of material! And the only thing I'm guilty of is not posting the stuff. Figure this: I've been around the Kayalami course in a BMW M3 cornering at 160km/h. I've been missing in action at a top-notch engagement party in one of Johannesburgs well-to-do suburbs. I've plantered some Avacardo pips in big jars on the kitchen sill with tooth-picks. I've even DIY'd my daughters chip board cupboards - the ones that always pull out. Oh ... and I've also accepted the honour of judging this countries most respected creative advertising awards.

So there's been loads to talk about. But have I? No. Not in the least. I've been too busy being busy. And that's the bloggers biggest mistake. I'm guilty. And I humbly ask for your apology.

Thanks.

claiming and technorati

2007-03-13T19:17:00.000+02:00

I decided to claim my Blog. Which is silly really - because the Blog is mine afterall. So why should I claim it? Well .. I'm finally going to take technorati out for a spin and with the registration process I see that they can track and measure and remind and do all sorts of really really nifty things with my Blog.

So I goes.

ahem ... "I claim this Blog now!"

Technorati Profile

Happiness

2007-02-17T00:01:00.000+02:00

I believe that we are all in the persuit of happiness. Each day we eat our wheetbix. Drink our milk and drive into the office to improve our lives. To get that bonus. To reach that goal. To be recognised. Awarded. Promoted. That will make us happy.

Is that really the case?

Is this it?

I'm leaving that with you. But if you're thinking that this isn't the country to make you happy you should consider this:

The twenty happiest countries are:

Denmark
Switzerland
Austria
Iceland
The Bahamas
Finland
Sweden
Bhutan
Brunei
Canada
Ireland
Luxembourg
Costa Rica
Malta
The Netherlands
Antigua and Barbuda
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
The Seychelles

Other rankings: USA (23), France (62), China (82) Japan (90), India (125).

Notice that our beautiful sunny South Africa doesn't feature. I guess a braaifleis isn't the ingredient to happiness ... funny that. I wouldn't have said so.

"Selfish Me" part deux

2007-01-05T16:12:00.000+02:00

Last night I started.

During the holidays I bought myself a Yamaha acoustic classical guitar. It wasn't expensive. Just the basics. And that's all I need at the moment.

I had my first lesson. Printed off the net. You know. A beginners lesson. The basics. This is the nut. This the first fret. Here's the body. There's the hole. But when do you get to play?? Okay. Here is is. Practice your scales. Next there's the C, G and D Majors ... cool! :-) I even printed out Brown Eye's Girl.

So I got off the ground. About 30min of strumming around until my finger's hurt.

But today I had a thought. My non-calloused finger tips are serving as a constant reminder to the agreement I made myself last year. Learn to play. I'm conscious of them all the time ... like when a newly-wed groom notices his wedding band for weeks, even months after The Big Day. It reminds you of your commitment.

I hadn't thought of that. And all along it was at my finger tips.

Four Agreements to take us into 2007

2007-01-04T12:50:00.000+02:00

Let's start this year with a contract to ourselves. A contract that contains 4 principles ... or agreements ... we need to make with our family, our friends, our work colleagues ... with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves.

In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible. One single agreement is not such a problem, but we have many agreements that come from fear, deplete our energy, and diminish our self-worth.

These Four Agreements are an extract from the powerful book by Don Miguel Ruiz - a book that is almost always found by my bedside ...

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

++

These agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. Now isn't that the nicest thing to wish anyone for 2007?

Dear Santa

2006-12-22T14:26:00.001+02:00

Here are a few suggestions for under the tree this year:

[1] Apple's iPhone (with independent network choice)

[2] The vintage Kenner Star Wars figure collection (in the boxes)

[3] A Mac Mini for all my MP3's

[4] The new book by Tim Saunders - The Likability Factor

[5] A PS3. Ahead of the rush.

[6] A BMX that won't break when I ride it.

[7] The sea. (I live in Johannesburg).

[8] An opportunity to meet Guy Kawasaki.

[9] More time to Blog.

[10] Lastly please please please get your elves to provide a compatible PCMCIA card for my MacBook Pro. It's the Express 16 slot - much smaller than that of the PowerBook.

I've been good.

Promise.

XXX

Lovecat On A Hot Tin Roof

2006-12-06T15:53:00.000+02:00

Think about it. Imagine yourself walking barefoot over 4.5m of glowing coals. You've heard about it. You may have even briefly considered doing it. But have you actually seriously put your mind to the test?

It's a little like training your brain to forget everything you've been conditioned to believing. This in itself is a wonderful exercise. But when we were rudely interrupted in an otherwise fun-but-routine workshop last week, I had no idea that the ritual can be so exhilarating. Granted, when you are told that in exactly 60min we would ALL have walked barefoot over 4.5m of burning coals - things take on a different perspective. You panic.

Then you deal with the panic. The energy in the room was immediately raised.

We were informed that to overcome any fear there are usually 3 simple conditions that need to be satisfied:

1. Environment
What you think tends to become your belief quicker when everyone around you also believes. This is illustrated beautifully in Finding Neverland when a small group of boys were trying to fly a kite one afternoon. When it was the youngest boy to run with the kite the point was made that the kite would never fly unless everybody believed it would. And it did.

2. Visualisation
Through the simple act of visualising the end result you are naturally drawn to it's conclusion. In this case the challenge was to see snow capped mountains and a large frozen lake outstretched in front of me. I must admit that although you can hold the image it gets reeeealllly difficult when all you can feel is the heatwave radiating off the coals. Fun indeed.

3. Facts
This was interesting. And you may want to try it. Apparently if you put a plastic bottle filled with water in it upon some glowing coals the plastic will not melt. The water begins to heat up and eventually boil .. but until such time the plastic remains unharmed. Now consider yourself. Water constitutes 2/3 of the human body. A grown man 65% and a grown woman 58%. So with each step the energy is transfered from the coals to the water leaving your feet unharmed.

So armed with those 3 simple principles we all stepped outside and wandered down to where the fire was smoldering.

Well.

It's a very different story when you actually watch the instructor lay the coals out in front of you and the heat is so overbearing your group stands 10m back.

But after some mental gymnastics and group cheering I took the brave step in front of the glowing runway. With the instructor holding my left upper arm and his other hand on the small of my back I looked up and saw the most glorious picture of a New Zealand frozen lake and snow capped mountains ahead of me. I heard everyone chanting "Frozen Lake. Frozen Lake ...". And I took a deep breath and stepped forward ...

The most magnificent part of this is a strange sort of surprise hits you when you realise that each step feels as if it's on soft cool ground.

Try it.

"Selfish-Me"

2006-11-01T16:39:00.000+02:00

Russell Crowe said that the birth of his son gave him a new set of priorities. Hollywood wasn't as important anymore.

The one thing that you lose when your priorities change like Russell's, is your 'me-time'. Most husbands give so much of themselves that their emotional cylinder runs dry. And this situation doesn't help anyone. I know. It's happened to me.

So here is my "Selfish-Me" list for fuel:

1. Buy a Classical Guitar and learn to play.

My dad had a guitar. He never seemed to carry a tune through to the end but that didn't matter. He strummed and jammed and seemed to be so content at that. My sister and I would simply sit listening bobbing our heads. I intend to pick up where dad left off and at least get to the chorus. :-)

2. Go back to Tai Chi.

I've lost contact with my first Tai Chi Master. Raph. This amazing man had the balls to negotiate a contract with me I will never forget. I was in my mid 20's and he suggested that we agree to the following terms: Every time I attended a class I would not be held liable for payment. On the other hand for every class I missed I would have to pay him a forfeit. He got rich. Clearly a man ahead of his time. It's time for me to find a Raph.

3. Draw.

Simple isn't it? I have been given a gift. I can draw. Uncomplicated sketches. Pencil. Ink. Charcoal. Pastel. But do I sit down and use it? No. I'm too busy in front of my beautiful MacBook Pro. Selfish-Me no. 3. Take out the crayons and draw something.

4. Crazy Golf.

"This golf is crazy dad". On a few occasions I've taken my 2 boys (aged 2 and 4) to the local crazy golf. It's a magnificent exchange for a Psychologists couch. And cheaper too. We get there early and I never keep score. That's not the point. The point is to walk around the courses and talk. They poke their clubs into the Koi Pond and chase the ducks. They loose their balls in the ponds and start on the wrong end of the courses. It's messy. It's adventurous. It's fuel for the soul. Take a tip. Let 2 toddlers show you how to play golf and you will drive home with a heart the size of Kansas.

5. Give toys to charity.

Okay. Maybe this one doesn't belong to Selfish-Me. But let me explain. We have tons of toys way past their sell-by date. Many are perfect in every way. Dolls, cars, stuffed, puffed, trains, planes and games.

I would love for my kids to collect them all and with their blessing give them away to a charity of their choice. This will be like driving up to the local service station and filling up with high-octane-super-de-dooper emotional fuel. I rest my case.

So there you have it. 5 'Selfish-Me' goals. What might yours be?

Addendum:

Have you ever listened to the emergency procedure on any airline before take-off? "In the event of an emergency an oxygen mask will drop from the overhead structure above you. Pull the mask nearest to you and place it firmly over your nose and mouth before helping your fellow passengers." I love this. An immediate reaction would be to grab a mask and place it over your 3yr old toddler .. or 85 yr old grandmother. But what good are you if you run out of air?

My oxygen often comes from spending an evening with my wife. This is therapy.

+++

Angel or Devil?

2006-10-27T01:07:00.000+02:00

We're throwing a birthday celebration for Mandy. It's fitting really because every year I'm usually the one that gets the birthday bash. And this year was none the different. But this year Mandy is going large. It's called 'Angel or Devil? You decide.'

Things got exciting once we had made the decision - on many levels.

One. Instantly you have something to look forward to. This reminds me of Enid Blyton's classic Noddy series. On a dreamy sunday afternoon we were reading stories to the kiddies and Noddy became soooooo upset because he was the last to hear about Big Ears' birthday party. What fascinated me is that what upset him wasn't the fact that he was the last to find out ... it was the fact that he was robbed of the excitement that led up to the celebration. I learnt something there and then.

Two. For sometime now I've been wanting to throw a 'mad hatters tea party'. You know. Invite someone dangerous to tea? My idea of this is to throw all the incredible people you know into one room - understanding that they don't necessary know each other. Sit back and see what happens. This is the perfect opportunity to do exactly that. I can't wait.

Three. It's creative. Not only the brainstorm session to figure out what the theme should be, but also the ideas that spin off from that. What props will we have? How will we dress? Should we have Angel cakes and Devils eggs at the door? Feathers all over the house? Brass gates in-front of the fireplace? Wings on the hat stand? Hmmm. Nice ideas.

Four. It's a good reason to see so many friends and family you've been wanting to get around to, but haven't. Get them to visit you. Sorted.

So for the next 3 weeks we will be putting on a pointy blue hat with a brass bell on the end and give Noddy the excitement that he was robbed of. I can sleep easier now.

All You Need Is Love

2006-10-25T21:22:00.000+02:00

I had a visit from a school friend of mine that i hadn't seen in 19 years. 19 years is a long time after spending every single day from Sub A (Grade 0) to Matric (Grade 12). We only had one evening together - and did our best to pack 19 years of our past into a few glasses of excellent scotch.

But before I share our evening I don't believe it would be fair not to mention The Beatles. So here's my tip 'o the bowler hat: I'm not a huge fan of The Beatles. I don't own any of their albums. However, when I hear a Beatles number being played, I sing with gusto and enthusiasm. And I mean it. Admittedly, I prefer the slightly more obscure numbers ... I Am The Walrus .. and Maxwell's Silver Hammer ... And I certainly acknowledge the genius that is John Lennon. There you have it.

Now back to the reunion. After looking at dusty albums and laughing at ourselves 20 years younger, it became apparent to me that my dear friend had something still to prove. Granted, we weren't exactly the jock team at school - but we had fun together and we navigated the social rapids of our youth successfully. Or so I thought. It felt to me that he almost needed to go back in time and prove to all his peers that he had become a success. This didn't make sense to me. He has a beautiful wife, a loving daughter and is recognized in his chosen career. At school he was slightly dopey, and non-descript. After a few hours I asked why he had this desire to change the past and the answer was slightly vague. But when we got down to the brass-tax, I learnt that his mom and dad never .. ever .. told him they love him. I'm sure they do (and did then) but he never heard those few words spoken. And so he felt like wallpaper at school. I find this a cardinal sin. I tell my 4 gorgeous children I love them as often as I can. Sometimes even when they sleeping.

Here's the advice: become a thundershower. Rain down love on the people you care about. And in so doing you will be changing their history. Now thats power.

20 Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

2006-07-06T09:20:00.001+02:00

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label it "In".

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Smuggling Diamonds".

7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy".

8 dont use any punctuation

9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go".

12. Sing Along At The Opera.

13. Go To A Poetry Recital. And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme?

14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.

15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.

16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.

17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream "I Won! I Won!"

18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling "Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!"

19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."

20. Adopt A Healthy Attitude Toward Pronoia - The Antidote For Paranoia: The Belief That The Whole World Is Conspiring To Help You.

Rules For Living*

2006-06-20T13:58:00.000+02:00

A Survival Kit.
By Mariana 'Oumi' Bryce

1. Never panic. Stop, breathe, think.
2. No one is thinking about you, they’re thinking about themselves, just like you.
3. Never change hair cut or colour before an important event.
4. Nothing is either as BAD or as GOOD as it seems.
5. Do as you would be done by, e.g. Thou shalt not kill.
6. It is better to buy one expensive thing that you really like than several cheap things that you only quite like.
7. Hardly anything matters. If you get upset, ask yourself: “Does it really matter?”
8. The key to success lies in how you pick yourself up from failure.
9. Be honest and kind.
10. Only buy clothes that make you feel like doing a small dance.
11. Trust your instincts, not your overactive imagination.

When overwhelmed by disaster, check if it really IS a disaster by doing the following:
Think …. “Oh fuck it !”
Attempt to turn it into an amusing anecdote.
If none of the above work, then maybe it IS a disaster, so turn to items 1 and 5.

13. Don’t expect the world to be safe or life to be fair.
14. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
15. Don’t regret anything! The only thing you can change is the present, so learn from the past.

Be Diligent.
Be Meticulous
Be Honest
Account for every variable
Acknowledge that which you do not know, and then at the first opportunity, learn it.
Believe in yourself

Honour this ... and it will support you like a rock.
-
* Inspired by Helen Fielding

There And Back Again.

2006-04-18T13:44:00.000+02:00

Might I recommend something for tired minds.

A trip south. A trip to a breathtaking country. A trip to New Zealand.

We arrived in Auckland around 9:30pm local time but it felt as if we completely skipped a day. Wide awake at night and unable to keep our eyes open in the afternoon. But that's jet lag for you. A small price to pay to breathe in life .. as it were.

The people are very friendly. Very proud. And make their guests feel respected, safe and at home. Most of the time we were situated in the city centre itself but we did manage to take two day trips out. One was to the Island of Waiheke and the other 3 hours south to Rotorua.

I think in spite of my previous posting regarding a visit to the Shire ("let it go, Clint" someone commented ...) the highlight of the trip was a visit to a Maori cultural site.

We were greeted by a charismatic Maori who passionately shared with us his heritage ... and had a wicked sense of humour to boot. Top stuff.

Some of the booty we returned with included 3 lightsabers (yup. they sell them there ... ), a Kiwi bird (not real, of course), some fine white wine from Waiheke Island, hard to find DvD's and a plethora of memorabilia.

It's good to be home though. Rested. More experienced. And somehow ... at peace.

Bon Voyage!

2006-03-30T14:58:00.000+02:00

I'm off to New Zealand on Sunday.

I don't think the idea of international travel has really sunk in yet. We had the usual trouble with booking flight tickets this week ... first we were set to leave Sunday ... then we weren't and the flights had changed to Thursday ... then 12 hours later we were on a different Airline and it was back to Sunday. But I'm not complaining. It's tremendously exciting.

I owe all this excitment to Mandy. She did so well meeting her targets at the office that every year we're treated to an International flight somewhere exotic on the house. Last year was Cape Town (a bit close to home but boy what a beautiful place). The year before Mexico. But on Tuesday I should be sipping XXX lager in Auckland, New Zealand. The City of Sails.

One of the more important things on my growing itinerary list of 'Things We Must Do!' is to take a 2 hour trip south and sit down amongst the rolling hills of the Shire where Bilbo Baggins celebrated his birthday and promptly disappeared. That should be something to remember. I believe the old site and movie props have long since gone, but the idea of being in the same place strikes a cord with me nonetheless.

Furthermore, I feel that this excursion will probably give me time to think, breathe and take life in. I haven't been doing much of that lately. There's been the usual pressures at the office and home and little time in-between. So this is going to be like a big bowl of ice-cream. Incredibly cool.

I would love to send some posts from abroad but I will have to wait and see whether I can get access to The Woodshed from way way down under.

E noho rā :-)

The Best Of: # 1 - Accidental Discoveries

2006-03-17T08:57:00.000+02:00

I love the notion of being open-minded. Very often we tend to seek specific results ... and in our desire to achieve these results we fail to investigate surprises that present themselves along the way. This is a mistake. Follow your planning, but be prepared to off-road when something unexpected catches your attention. To honour this thinking, and to end this week off, here's a Top 10 list of the best accidental discoveries.

1. Viagra Men being treated for erectile dysfunction should salute the working stiffs of Merthyr Tydfil, the Welsh hamlet where, in 1992 trials, the gravity-defying side effects of a new angina drug first popped up. Previously, the blue-collar town was known for producing a different kind of iron.

2. LSD Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann took the world's first acid hit in 1943, when he touched a smidge of lysergic acid diethylamide, a chemical he had researched for inducing childbirth. He later tried a bigger dose and made another discovery: the bad trip.

3. X-rays Several 19th-century scientists toyed with the penetrating rays emitted when electrons strike a metal target. But the x-ray wasn't discovered until 1895, when German egghead Wilhelm Röntgen tried sticking various objects in front of the radiation - and saw the bones of his hand projected on a wall.

4. Penicillin Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming was researching the flu in 1928 when he noticed that a blue-green mold had infected one of his petri dishes - and killed the staphylococcus bacteria growing in it. All hail sloppy lab work!

5. Artificial sweeteners Speaking of botched lab jobs, three leading pseudo-sugars reached human lips only because scientists forgot to wash their hands. Cyclamate (1937) and aspartame (1965) are byproducts of medical research, and saccharin (1879) appeared during a project on coal tar derivatives. Yummy.

6. Microwave ovens Microwave emitters (or magnetrons) powered Allied radar in WWII. The leap from detecting Nazis to nuking nachos came in 1946, after a magnetron melted a candy bar in Raytheon engineer Percy Spencer's pocket.

7. Brandy Medieval wine merchants used to boil the H20 out of wine so their delicate cargo would keep better and take up less space at sea. Before long, some intrepid soul - our money's on a sailor - decided to bypass the reconstitution stage, and brandy was born. Pass the Courvoisier!

8. Vulcanized rubber Rubber rots badly and smells worse, unless it's vulcanized. Ancient Mesoamericans had their own version of the process, but Charles Goodyear rediscovered it in 1839 when he unintentionally (well, at least according to most accounts) dropped a rubber-sulfur compound onto a hot stove.

9. Silly Putty In the early 1940s, General Electric scientist James Wright was working on artificial rubber for the war effort when he mixed boric acid and silicon oil. V-J Day didn't come any sooner, but comic strip image-stretching practically became a national pastime.

10. Potato chips Chef George Crum concocted the perfect sandwich complement in 1853 when - to spite a customer who complained that his fries were cut too thick - he sliced a potato paper-thin and fried it to a crisp. Needless to say, the diner couldn't eat just one.

Smile

2006-03-14T15:51:00.000+02:00

She smiled at a sorrowful stranger.
The smile seemed to make him feel better.
He remembered past kindness' of a friend
And wrote him a thank you letter.

The friend was so pleased with the thank you
That he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
Bet the whole thing on a hunch.

The next day she picked up her winnings,
And gave part to a man on the street.
The man on the street was grateful;
For two days he'd had nothing to eat.

After he finished his dinner,
He left for his small dingy room.
He didn't know at that moment
that he might be facing his doom.

On the way he picked up a shivering puppy
And took him home to get warm.
The puppy was very grateful
To be in out of the storm.

That night the house caught on fire.
The puppy barked the alarm.
He barked till he woke the whole household
And saved everybody from harm.

One of the boys that he rescued
Grew up to be President.
All this because of a simple smile
That hadn't cost a cent.

By Barbara Hauck, age 13

Living The Dream

2006-03-10T15:28:00.000+02:00

Granted. This blog doesn't have many readers. That may change in the future ... or it may not. I haven't published the URL or spammed my address book. That's not my intention. A few family members, colleagues and lovecats are part of the network. That's it. And that's just dandy.

So ... being this early in the game, you can image my delight (and surprise) to receive an eMail from an old friend (now residing in the U.K.) that had somewhat of a success story he related back to a previous posting here on The Woodshed. Truth be told, he decided to 'get back to where he needed to be' after reading 'The Great Thing About Cleaning Up'. So he went out and applied for his dream job. The fact that the position offered less than his current earnings didn't deter him from pursuing his personal goals. Lo and behold ... he was made the offer!

Open yourself up to the opportunity and the opportunity will find you. Adopt a creative mindset and believe that the universe has abundance to offer. He sounds likes a teenager again. He sounds like he has found creative freedom. He sounds magic. And I am proud.

He ended his mail like this: "Anyway, I thought that you would be proud of me and I wanted to thank you for the great advice on the Woodshed. Of course I may turn up on your doorstep in 6 months time with my cap in hand, but until then I'm living the dream, Whoahhhhhhooooo."

I could never have put it better.

The Point of Power is Always Current.

2006-03-09T09:30:00.000+02:00

It's been a while since my last post. 14 days. And in those 14 days the new moon that fell on February 27 seemed to force all sorts of unexpected developments - anything could ... and did happen. This was challenging to say the least.

In situations like this most of us tend to adopt a knee-jerk attitude and behave in a reactionary manner. Exactly what I did. It took a weekend away for something that I believe in to slowly re-awaken:

The point of power is always in the present moment*.

Let me elaborate. The past has no power over us. But it often clouds our thinking. We become very judgmental of past situations. Of others. And of ourselves. We enjoy playing the victim. But that's so stupid. There's no fun at all in being a victim, but it grants us the excuses we look for because we're unhappy with our current situation. But what we should realise is that it doesn't matter how long we have had a negative pattern ... the point of power is always in the present moment.

What a wonderful thing to realise!

The past is over and done. We cannot change that now, yet we can change our thoughts about the past. We can begin to be free in this moment. Believe it or not, we do choose our paths. We can refuse to think certain thoughts. We can change our attitudes toward the past. How foolish for us to punish ourselves about the past in the current moment. When it's in the here-and-now that we can create our desired future.

If you feel that you are not in the right place, do not act too hastily in trying to get into another one. The best way, generally, to change business or environment is by growth. There is never any hurry on the creative plane, and there is no lack of opportunity. Realise this.

Excercise:
Spend a day or two in contemplating the vision of what you want and in earnest gratitude for what you have and will attain. Then behave in your current environment as if you are already living this vision.

* These words are taught by Louise L Hay.

tra•di•tion # 2

2006-02-23T12:41:00.000+02:00

On the topic of birthday anniversaries, see previous post, it's my sister's birthday today!

So here's a special birthday-wish-post to Thurla who is (hopefully) celebrating with Depeche Mode and Carrot Cake from Melissa's. Wish we were there.

For our part, however, we managed to source a copy of Life Magazine published the week she entered this world. A rare thing indeed (and thanks to a colleague for arranging the pick-up). Now all that remains, is for us to frame it in glass and send it to you. Keep your eyes on the post Thurl and make sure everyone spoils you today. ;-)

All our love
XXX

Green Is The New Pink

2006-02-17T11:20:00.000+02:00

Brown is this year's black. What's hot? What's not? Wired? Fired? In and out. The pace of change today (particularly when you're thirty-something ...) is sometimes dizzying. And blessed be - I'd hate to walk into the office wearing something that's "oh so 80's! dude." (read: those super-naff Hyper T-Shirts that leave an imprint of your hand - or other warm body part).

Trend spotting is big. And, up until now, I've always watched from the sideline thinking that the Trends World is dominated by grey trousered analysts crunching statistics. Wrong.

My good mate past this on to me this morning: Trendwatching.com. An independent and opinionated trend firm whom scans the globe for the most promising consumer trends, insights and related hands-on business ideas. With a network of over 8 000+ 'spotters in more than 70 countries worldwide you can bet the main meal is mouthwatering. And not only is the content rich, absorbing and useful but the good folks have taken care to ensure the course is served with superb presentation. The design works beautifully.

At first glance the language may seem a bit Area 51 with terms such as Insperiences, Minipreneurs and Tryvertising but soon you will get the hang it. I've downloaded the Trend Unit PDF and bookmarked the site.

Take a look and decide for yourself if you should too.

Steve's Commencement Address

2006-02-08T08:05:00.000+02:00

Yesterday a colleague popped an Mpeg of Steve Job's Commencement Address on the server for me to download. It's the video version of the following transcript which i have kept for almost a year ... as soon as I figure out how to attach movie's to my blog i'll share that too :-) it's well worth a listen.

++

This is the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.
I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?
It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.
And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.
It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:

Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.
None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, its likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
My second story is about love and loss.

I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.
I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I retuned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

My third story is about death.
When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.
This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope its the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.
Thank you all very much.
- Steve Jobs

tra•di•tion |trəˈdi sh ən|

2006-02-01T08:08:00.000+02:00

noun 1 the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way • a long-established custom or belief that has been passed on in this way.

One such tradition in our family is that on your birthday we all have chocolate cake for breakfast.

And so it was this morning. At 5:30am, bleary eye'd, I was opening presents in bed with my two boys, gorgeous daughter and beautiful wife. Amongst the spoils were a Yoda keyring, Dark Horse graphic novel of the first 3 Star Wars episodes (stunning!) and an Obi-Wan collector figurine. Spoilt indeed.

After the unwrapping the family gathered around the dining table, tea's and coffee in hand, and each helped themselves to a slice of chocolate cake.

Happy birthday to me. ;-)

FlashBack Tribute # 1: Kai's PowerTools.

2006-01-26T11:57:00.000+02:00

Over coffee this morning, the conversation led me to recall a particular moment in my past where I was challenged to present (to my peers) what I believed was creative and inspirational. I think it was during '92 or 3. At the time I was a Mac evangelist at TBWA / Hunt Lascaris.

My colleagues all had great references to Bob Dylan, Calvin and Hobbes and Nicolas Cage's intro sequence to Red Rock West. It was all very impressive and overall a great exercise. The folks called it a Creative Jumboree. I had very recently acquired a set of Photoshop filters called Kai's Power Tools. At the time there were a few Mac's in the studio but many of them lay idle whilst traditional art directors and copywriters locked themselves away in room's full of beanbags squirting water pistons at each other. Not many were converted at the time.

I stood up, and behind me, on a large projector screen was the interface for KPT Texture Explorer. This, for me, completely threw the interface design rule book out the window - for a start there was hardly any labeling, words or text. And what's more, the software kit came bundled with 'an explorers guide' not a user manual (i remember reading that Kai always thought a Users Manual sounded like it had to do with drugs). All of this blew me away. I spoke feverishly and passionately about the 'gene tree', the 'lens filter' and ultimately about the user's experience being similar to being in the same room as the software itself ... and not akin to many rooms in a hotel.

I was met with blank faces and silence.

So our first FlashBack Tribute goes undoubtedly to Kai Krauss and his team in developing the ground breaking Power Tools. He may not have helped me with a standing ovation that day. But I forgive him.

Interestingly enough, today Kai lives and works in a 1000-year-old castle, Burg Rheineck near Bonn in Germany which he calls ByteBurg. In February last year he was acknowledged as one of the Top 15 Innovators of the last 15 years.

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

2006-01-20T16:57:00.000+02:00

My Amazon order arrived yesterday. This, on it's own, is a reason to celebrate. Does everybody share the same sense of excitment? Anticipation? Sheer childlike joy when the box finally arrives? It's almost like when you used to empty the entire box of cornflakes to find those amazing spoons that glow in the dark ...

But I digress.

The contents? Guy's latest book "The Art of the Start", 3 DvD's (one being 'How to get ahead in advertising' - oh the joy!), and the classic hardcover "Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?" by the infamous Dr. Seuss. The reason this is so special is because i have one already. You see, my folks gave me this in 1975 (and i can prove it - I scribbled my name on the inside cover in ballpoint, and put the year next to it). For the past year or so, storytime with the kids has been dominated by the Dr's wise and wonderful words. Even my 2 yr old yells "Daddy read Dyuif evyttr khhuy YOU ARE!" ... and we all run upstairs, pull the book out, jump under the covers and read away.

This spanking brand new hardcover will be dedicated to Jagger, Dune and Emma. And guess what. We will write their names in the cover and put the year next to it. One day each generation may, just may, have a copy.

Now. You don't have to tell ME how lucky I am. :-)

Why "The Woodshed"?

2006-01-18T08:07:00.000+02:00

Because everybody deserves one.

Let me explain. The notion of The Woodshed was first introduced to me in John Kao's 1997 book Jamming where he discusses the art and discipline of business creativity. Something that's very close to my heart. In Chapter 5 he discusses the need for clearing a space for creativity and introduces the reader to Charlie Parker's woodshed. Or, more specifically, whenever the great sax player needed to work out new musical concepts, he would withdraw from the usual people, places and things and "go to the woodshed".

This may seem an odd phrase, but if considered for a short while you will find that you've probably been to your woodshed without even knowing it. When I was 7 yrs old there was a river a block away from our house in East London. I would run to it every other afternoon and spend the day either trying to catch crabs, doing homework, building bridges or playing in the mud with my Star Wars collection. The spot at the river was my woodshed.

Later on, when I was in Pretoria, there was an old industrial pipe that ran across a large trench. Under this pipe (it was huge) was a small grassy embankment. I would sit there and write songs (or poems) listening to my Walkman. The grassy knoll under the pipe was my woodshed.

Of course the challenge now is to turn your whole company into Charlie Parker's woodshed.

Briefly let's look at a wish list of characteristics that I might ask for in such a place. Safe, casual, liberating. Not too large as to kill intimacy. But not too small so as to stifle ideas. Stimulating. Although free from distractions and intrusions. Not too open ... but then again not too closed. Sometimes bound by schedules and appointments (meet me at the woodshed in half and hour ...), sometimes not.

It's a troublesome list, isn't it? Full of ambiguities and innuendoes. Let's just say that in turning your company into Charlie Parker's woodshed you may run into some paradoxes. But that's exactly where the fun lies.

Enjoy the jamming. :-)

No Pain No Gain?

2006-01-13T16:40:00.000+02:00

How many times have you heard the phrase "No pain, no gain?"

The implication is that if you want to make something of yourself you must work hard. Nothing wrong with that. I agree. But the message of that small mantra is also very clear: if you are not hurting or struggling, you're not moving forward. Gaining. Growing. Expanding. This is what I have a problem with.

Get this. Anytime you are struggling, you are miscreating.

Think about it. Anytime you feel pain, discomfort, frustration or struggle your magnetic point of attraction is (usually) directed to that which you do not want, rather than to that which you desire. How you feel determines what you attract.

Actions are also very necessary, but they are the last component of the creation process. Actions cannot be used effectively to initiate results, because initiation is first a function of being, then thought, and only then, action.

In the short ebook, "The Shocking Truth About Action," Dr. Robert Anthony says, "If you focus on what you want instead of what you don't want, you will know when it is time to take action."

Taking action on your dreams and vision should feel right and natural. Focus on the intent, then, take action when it feels like the correct thing to do.

101 Things To Do

2006-01-11T09:24:00.000+02:00

(Before you're old and boring)

Granted. It took 15 days after receiving the incredibly beautifully designed and inspiring book by Richard Horne and Helen Szirtes to mark off my very first Thing To Do: Start Your Own Blog. :-)

And you're looking at it right now.

Perhaps you could argue that I've missed an opportunity in that we never Sent a Message in a Bottle whilst at the coast ... you could even suggest that in the distant past I have done a number of the Things To Do. But the fact of the matter remains that apart from being foggy on the details, the notion is to start from a blank canvas. So this is where it's at.

I have officially completed Thing To Do No. 36: Start Your Own Blog.

And that, my friends, means the race is on.

For more about 101 Things To Do (Before you're old and boring) check out the official website: K101

What My Children Have Taught Me.

2006-01-10T08:51:00.000+02:00

Wisdom often comes in the most surprising places. Of course I always look for it in books, newspapers, Google and The History Channel. But instead of sipping on your gin 'n tonic whilst reading the latest finance publication, you should tune into the sandpit talk when you're watching your kids at the local park for some knee-high insights.

Top 10 things I've learnt since being a dad:

1. Everything is more fun when waters involved

2. If you wake up in the night, hold hands with the person next to you

3. Father Christmas, The Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny will only visit if you believe

4. Pizza tastes better when it looks like a face (and dipped into creme soda)

5. Always keep it 'loosey goosey babe'

6. It's only the daddy monkeys that are c-r-a-z-y

7. Running around naked after a bath / shower / sauna is mandatory

8. The moon also goes to sleep

9. Anything that moves in the sky is absolutely incredible

10. It's O.K. to jump on the bed as long as you pull off all the bed linen

[this posting dedicated to Jagger (2yrs), Dune (4yrs), Tyler (7yrs) and Emma (9yrs)]

How to fill a 250MB memorystick

2006-01-05T14:32:00.000+02:00

Step 1:
Take a crazy road trip around the country with your family.

Step 2:
Do it caravan style and follow your mate's red Peugeot 307 convertable.

Step 3:
Stop frequently. Pee. Drink. Snap.

Here are some of the results:

Right. On the count of three.

The Wanderers.

January ... February .. March ...

mmmmmWha!

The Great Thing About Cleaning Up ...

2006-01-05T12:50:00.000+02:00

... is that you find things that remind you of who you are. Not were. But are. If you ever need reminding of why you got into this business in the first place, simply purge all those papers and files around your woodshed, hard drives and iPod and re-arrange them taking care to open the ones with interesting titles.

Preamble:
This 10 minute message was actually delivered to the Concept Interactive Cape Town SA graduates in December 2001.

I found this while cleaning up:
++

Hello.

Thank you very much.

This message is for students … such as yourselves whom have recently graduated and will be knocking on doors soon … now. How would that make you feel? …

The assignments, lectures, projects, exams … all over! Wow. How do you feel? Relieved? Anxious? Excited? Nervous? Thrilled? Did you do your best? Maybe you believe you’d like to go back and pay more attention? Hopefully it wasn’t a waste of time and your parent’s money? Or worse. Your money! Maybe you’re energized and roaring to go …

But now what?

Well. Short-term goal: to have one hellava party I guess. But what happens on the proverbial Monday? You’ll find that the skills you’ve acquired, the creativity you’ve adopted and will soon practice, will most surely be evaluated in the most toughest, most unambiguous term I know. Money. Believe me. People will soon be putting a hard cash figure on what they believe your talents to be. And most businesses do not even understand how to manage your talents. So why do we do it?

I’d like to spend a few minutes this afternoon attempting to answer that question. For some it will hopefully ring true … for others not so. But then again, I’m up here and you’re sitting down there so I can pretty much say what I want. [hmm]

So! Why do we do it? Why do we get up in the mornings? Why, in the midst of the economic casualty that was last year and the better part of this year … do we still find a way to do what we do? Design. Create. Build. Promote.

I must be honest here … the answer came disguised in the form of an eMail from a friend whom was an unfortunate casualty in a recent spate of layoffs.

The mail read:
“Guys and Girls
I will leave you with this one sentence
People always say that they envy me because I could honestly say that I loved my job.
Cheers”

This brought everything into focus. Here’s someone who’s just been booted out … and this is what he sends. It made me think. On the one hand I felt terribly sorry for him … but on the other he is one of the luckiest guys I know. How many people do you know that can truly, honestly, say they love their job? Many say they ‘enjoy’ what they do. “Yeah, I dig it”. “My jobs cool.” Or “It’s okay. It pays the bills”. But to use the word ‘Love’ in context to ones job. There’s the Mojo. And something each and everyone should relentlessly pursue.

Now I realize that the majority will certainly be looking for a position which will allow you to stretch those creative muscles, a fortunate handful may already have such positions and the rest will probably scrape together every nickel and dime and will either travel or continue learning. And I’m afraid I’m compelled to report that it’s a battlefield out there. The Rock ‘n Roll years of ’97, ’98 and ’99 (as far as New Media is concerned at any rate) are over and the hangover has set in. I feel a little bit like a Mick Jagger … having enjoyed the grand party of ’98 and now a little older, a little battered and still trying to pump hits out. It’s a bit disconcerting but hey, I love what I do so I’m not going to stop now.

After reading the eMail, I thought back along my somewhat brief history of so-called ‘New Media’ and realized the moment my job became my hobby was when I was re-imbursed for purchasing a pile of magazines at the kilo store. That was back in 1995. The truth is I would’ve bought the magazines anyway, but I told the Financial Manager that it was reference material. The titles of the magazines read like a prepubescent teenager on too much caffeine: “The Official Sega Magazine, Mondo 2000 – A Users Guide to the New Edge, Gaming World, WiReD, The Unofficial Playstation Bible and so on”. But … I pulled it off! It was then that I had successfully blurred my hobby and my day job. What a feeling!

In the end – the MONDO 2000 users guide changed my life (and my career) pretty much the same way Star Wars did when I was 9 years old. I mean, the copy on the back was enough to make me believe that the book at recently falling clean out of the sky. I could instinctively tell it was very cool. I didn’t understand it, but I knew I was onto something. Listen to this:

“MONDO 2000 will introduce you to your tomorrow – and show you how to buy it today! From the creators of America’s most exciting new magazine, Mondo 2000 will help you surf the bleeding edge of the coming revolution in art, technology, media, chemistry, science, and music – The New World Disorder. Rope the internet worm with Digital Outlaws …. Boost your brain and body with amino chemistry … eat the quantum sandwich of nanotechnology … and immerse yourself in high-tech paganism, teledildnics, homebrew multimedia pranking, cyberpunk jockeying, and pleasure-pulse implants.”

Hey? And that was back in 1995. I kid you not. I had found what I was looking for. This was it. And fortunately for me, a company called TINDERB*X had just opened it’s doors and was looking for a Creative Director. A lot of the early stuff we did at TINDERB*X was very brave … and the reason we pulled most of it off was probably because we were so naïve. No one could tell us it was impossible. We were literally off the map. And believe me it was very cool. It wasn’t about the money or the small company benefits. It was about being part of something much bigger. It was about contributing toward the newly emerging digital landscape. It was also about having ownership.

I have seldom met folk whom are so passionate about what hey do, and whom they do it with. Folks that are prepared to drop all corporate bullshit and collaborate on projects together for the pure adrenalin. It doesn’t matter which company you work for, but give me an opportunity of jamming with Paul … or Andries … or Tom .. or Yugo. You know what I’m saying. You wont find this kind of soul in advertising. No way.

So who else truly loves their job?

Tom does! Tom Roope. For those that don’t know Tom … he is a brand unto himself. Tom forms part of the London-based design collective Tomato, and over the last four years has skyrocketed to digirati-fame as one on the most influential and talented multimedia designers the world has seen. I met Tom at last year’s Design Indaba and have been chatting to him last week as well. From the moment I saw him I could tell. He loves his job. In fact Tom went so far as to tell me that his job ‘makes him moist’. I couldn’t have put it better.

So to answer my question, “Why do we do it?” Why do we get up in the mornings, every day, and work insane hours? Why do we persevere in the midst of a recession? Because we love our jobs.

And that’s exactly what you need to do. Don’t stop until you find something you love doing.

You need to find YOUR Mondo 2000 Users Guide and perhaps you too, will one day stand up in front of a bunch of folk telling them that “ Your job makes you moist!”.

That is the single wish I’d love to grant you this afternoon.

Thank you very much for inviting me to share this message and to those whom thought I’m a total prat but remained silent anyway. Best of Luck to everyone. Cheers.

What do YOU want?

2006-01-05T12:48:00.000+02:00

I want to be healthy and happy. I want to be financially free. Rightly rich. I want to invest wisely. I want to enjoy my wealth selflessly. I want money to flow into my life in an abundant way. I want to retire financially independent. I want a house on the coast and I want a sports car. I want an alternative book store and a coffee shop. I want my children to have the best education I can offer. I want to travel and I want to see the world. I want to leave my children financially secure. I want to ensure they have nothing to worry about. I want them to enjoy life and I want them to find their calling. I want to be proud of them. I want them to feel loved and secure at all times. I want to provide. I want to support. But i want to have time to myself. I want my family to be healthy, happy and loved. I want my family to be proud. I want my children to love me. Respect me. And live until old age. I want to live in a happy home. I want to spend time with my family. I want Mandy to be happy and successful. I want to share my life with her. Always. I want to draw, paint and write. I want to play a musical instrument. I want to play more. I want to love what I do. I want to transfer the energy. I want to remain truthful and be honest. I want to be real. I want to live with purpose. I want to show everyone that I have nothing to hide. I want to grow and I want to be successful. I want to laugh, love, inspire, motivate and encourage. I want to have integrity and I want to remain true to myself. I want to teach, coach and mentor. I want to speak in front of crowds. I want to learn. I want to enjoy myself everyday. I want to experience new things and I want to discover and explore. I want to help. Offer direction and have time left over to reflect and meditate. I want to train. I want to adopt a positive outlook and I want to engage in a balanced lifestyle. I want to find peace and harmony. I want to be safe. I want to feel joy, enthusiasm and happiness. I want to relax. I want to be excited. I want to share the vision. I want to read. I want to understand. I want to listen and I want to know. I want tell stories and I want to live stories to tell. I want to grow old. I want to stay married. I want to live closer to earth. I want to practice and I want to master. I want to be recognised. I want to feel passion and I want to be focussed. I want to make the right choices and learn from the wrong ones. I want to move forward and I want to expand. I want to meet people whom inspire me. I want to grow my network of people and ideas. I want to connect. I want to be part of something special. I want to breathe. Properly. I want to remember. I want to let go. I want to be the power and authority in my life. I want to claim my good. Now. I want to be confident. I want to be certain. I want to benefit. I want to give and I want to attract. I want to have time to live.