Today marked the last time I would measure picas and ponder Pantone chips as a member of the TARGETmedia team. Founded in 2004 by Richard Ellis and Ed Zamkotowich, the specialized advertising agency focused on what was once a burgeoning recruitment sector offering creative marketing solutions to many of Manitoba's top employers. Sadly, it has now become yet another statistic of the recession (one that has been particularly unkind to those in media and related satellite industries).
I worked closely with the firm since conception developing all marketing materials, consulting on effective B2B communication methods, researching industry-specific trends and advising on successful brand implementation. Through our collective drive, determination and individual talents, we built TARGETmedia into a palpable contender in the local market, liberating customers from the archaic strategies used by competing agencies. High client retention was the greatest measure of our success but the most personal satisfaction came from forming strong friendships with clients and co-workers alike.
Our last get-together as work associates was a bittersweet affair. I am saddened at the end of an era which was truly enriching in every facet of the word. There aren't many employers that give carte-blanche to their talent; with the added perk of working from a home office, my entire tenure was an exceptional rarity. However, I am also excited at the possibilities that lie ahead. At the crossroads awaits a future that is boundless by occupation or geography. It's time for a sea change.
To everyone at TARGETmedia - we have a lot to be proud of. It has been my utmost pleasure collaborating with you over the years and I wish you all nothing but the best. May the wind always be at your back. May the road rise up to meet you.
I'm trying my hardest for this to not turn into a music blog, but gosh-darnit, rock and roll is in my soul. I had aspirations to be a rock star in my youth. The only thing holding me back from being the next Dylan was my propensity for saying things like "gosh-darnit". Oh yeah - and stage fright...and also lack of any discernible musical talent. But that hasn't stopped others from achieving worldwide fame. Many would argue that one of the most celebrated icons of our time made her way to the top by sheer luck (and the more misogynistic would argue she slept her way there). I, however, see a woman who encapsulated the very essence of what a good rock star should be: confident, controversial and cool armed with ear candy that rates second-to-none. I grew up wanting to be her. I STILL want to be her. Viva Madonna!
I recently bought 'Celebration', and spent most of this evening watching old clips from the 80s. The first I heard of Madonna was in 1984 when 'Like a Virgin' hit the airwaves. I was four-years-old and didn't know what the song was about...but even still, I sensed this woman was obscene. The accompanying video, possibly subsidized by the Venice Tourism Board, confirmed my suspicions. Regardless, I was intrigued. Madonna was like no other performer I had ever seen. The opposite of submissive, whether that be considered honest or brash, she appeared to always be in complete control. Predatory. A mix of enlightenment with entertainment. In addition to owning a replica 'Thriller' jacket, to my parent's dismay I now also wanted lace clothing to mimic the first female I idolized. I was met with a strong, firm "no". Good thing I didn't discover her music during the infamous cone bra phase.
My favorite Madonna song - then and now - is 'Like a Prayer'. I'm impressed not only by its aural arrangement, but also the fact that a 5 minute ditty could piss off SO many people: Prudes, Puritans, Pepsi. Sure, the song is about fellatio and the accompanying video did depict burning crosses and Jesus...but it was catchy as hell! Let the choir sing!!! This era was also my favorite in Madge's history as it consisted of more lyrical depth. After the 'Sex' book and those pictures of her getting down with a dog (and I don't mean Vanilla Ice), things just got weird.
Some may find her influence questionable, but I must say that I'm probably a more well-rounded person as an adult than any Debbie Gibson fan. And that is why I love Madonna.
It's 2:00am on a Sunday morning and I can't fall asleep. The cappuccino I foolishly consumed a few hours ago has left me with the hippie hippie shakes, and I am now forced to find an alternative form of entertainment to my regularly scheduled dreamscape. Which leads me to Youtube, probably the greatest time waster ever created (next to the Rubik's Cube and learning French). A little Bowie is always good. And Bowie dueting with Mick Jagger should theoretically be the most epic thing ever, right? Almost. It's 2:00am on a Sunday morning and I can't stop laughing at this video:
I think the art projects I created in elementary school had a higher budget than this. Unless all the money was diverted by way of Columbia...which would explain everything from Bowie's pajamas to Jagger's own hippie hippie shakes. For goodness sakes though, these guys will never not be cool! 1:52 - 1:58 is my new raison d'etre. Good music videos end with pop culture resonance. Great music videos end with a butt shot.
It's 2:00am on a Sunday morning. And I'm about to hit repeat.
Well, I survived. Perhaps it was God's punishment for attending a Britney Spears concert, but I recently suffered from a potent strain of the flu. I'm not sure if it was THE flu du jour (H1N1), but I will state that I have never been so sickly in my life. Well...not including the after-effects of eating mystery meat from a street vendor in Shanghai (which I highly suspect was soylent green). But that was a fate suffered at my own hands. This flu was a curse passed on from a family member. One who has also miraculously survived days of agonizing pain and discomfort while further enduring the mercy of daytime television. I swear, if I am forced to watch one more Proactive commercial, bad things will happen. Very bad things. Life is suffering, indeed.
In terms of ability to devastate the human body and infract social chaos, swine flu is not as epic as, say, the Black Plague (which is good because death is rather unfortunate). I predict it will be more like the Molly Ringwald of the viral world: a media darling one day and completely forgotten the next. And just like viewing '16 Candles' allows us to reminisce, in the future we will all have fond memories of that one Autumn in which we bonded over puking our guts out while suffering from a fever of 110. Good times.
I've got a lot of new projects to post, including this illustration for an upcoming Red River College textbook titled 'Algonquin History: Through Our Eyes'. I will be creating eight unique illustrations in total for the tome, in addition to designing/typesetting the pages.
I posted my concert videos Sunday night and now, three days later, I've already reached over 2500 views! That's amazing. And I finally taught myself how to edit video clips in iMovie; one handycam magnum opus coming soon...
Video from 'The Circus Starring Britney Spears', taken on September 12, 2009 at Alerus Centre, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Review below. View is from the second row in the stands (reserved seating, floor was general admission). Sound quality was poor in person as well because of all the screaming...'cuz hey - it's Britney, bitch.
Mid-afternoon Saturday, I passed by Alerus Centre and realized that the circus had indeed already begun. Hours before doors opened, concertgoers formed a line that snaked around the buildings perimeter while enterprising businessmen aggressively hawked t-shirts and other unlicensed merchandise. The police presence didn't care - they were too busy escorting a middle-aged man carrying a "Britney Spears is the Anti-Christ" placard off the premises.
From the time I got ready back at our hotel to the time spent walking back to the arena, chants of "Britney, Britney" filled the air. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. I felt like I was transported in time to ancient Rome, about to witness a pagan sacrifice or something (instead of more blood the crowd cheering for more blonde). There was Dynasty-level dressage on show with pearls and sateen a plenty. I felt completely underdressed...or should I say overdressed, as there was also an abundance of high heels and short skirts. This was definitely going to be an event to remember, if not for the concert, for the sheer enthusiasm of the fans.
My seat offered a very good, unobstructed view of the three-ring stage. A countdown started after the opening acts finished their set and as I watched the seconds make their way to "0", I wondered what reincarnation of ultimate pop star I would encounter tonight. There's been Lolita Britney, Pregnant Britney, Gas Station Britney, Pantiless Britney, Bald Britney, Bad Weave Britney, Badder Weave Britney, Britney on a Gurney and, of course, the KFed era which miraculously in retrospect seems downright innocent. I wouldn't have to wait long for my first glance of the tabloid fixation: as various sideshow performers diverted everyone's gaze, a large group of people wearing black cloaks walked past me making their way to the stage including one Ms. Spears. It was the best part of the night and completely humanized her. Here was one of the biggest stars in the world within 5 feet of me just getting ready to do her job like anyone else.
The concert was your standard pop spectacle with lots of lasers, pyrotechnics and glittery costumes. Britney is well-known for lipsynching so I wasn't expecting much there (but she did appear to belt out a live cover version of "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morisette). I was looking forward to watching her dance, and was disappointed that most of her moves were just hair flips and textbook booty shakes. It wasn't exactly this but it was still nowhere near this. The back-up performers were ace though. I normally never bring a camera to a concert wishing instead to live in the moment, but for some reason this one was different. Watching the show through a viewfinder seemed natural. Perhaps Britney's destiny is truly to live her life through a lens.
While it was hard to make out most of the songs because of the omnipresent screaming, I also have to fault Alerus Centre. It definitely was not built for concerts. Overall rating: ***1/2 out of *****.
I decided to make my way out to Grand Forks a day early to partake in a little retail therapy before attending the Circus. It's a strange feeling entering the U.S. of A. At first glance, North Dakota is not much different from its provincial counterpart to the north. But I can't help but sense a sinister aura lurking in the air. Perhaps it's the omnipresent contrast between NRA bumper stickers and roadside billboards praising Jesus. Or it could be the physical sensastion of fat cells multiplying. Maybe it's just the juggalos (the greatest case against Darwin ever known). As beautiful and welcoming as it is, I confess that America intimidates me.
First stop after checking into my hotel is Super Target, purveyor of my favorite shopping experience. There are those that claim Zellers is a comparable Canadian alternative...but those people are morons. Target is unrivaled in style, selection and price. The fact that people use their bullseye shopping bags as a status symbol is testament to how finely-tuned their retail brand is. In comparison, I'm pretty sure there's a family of rats living in the toy department of my local Zellers.
Super Target wouldn't be super without their grocery section. I'm always amazed by the vast quantities of food and flavor combinations offered. The first item to make its way into my cart: P.B. Loco Peanut Butter infused with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. I have been eating healthier over the last few months, but will admit that my celery sticks will now be smothered in this shit - cookie dough is the most sinfully delicious concoction ever! I also purchased a bottle of cupcake-flavored ice cream sauce, candy apple-flavored Hershey's Kisses and a large tube of Crest toothpaste. Lord knows, after this weekend binge I'm gonna need it.
The thing about being a reformed junk foodie is that the yearning never really goes away. My stomach craves carbs like Amy Winehouse craves heroin. To satisfy my fix though, I don't have to meet someone in a back alley...I just have to head over to slightly less questionable Dominos Pizza for one of their new breadbowl pastas. I admit, I was highly skeptical that it would be edible, but in the end I was greatly impressed and am trying to justify repeating the same order tonight. Sure, I can no longer fasten the button on my jeans but neither can half the people here. When in Rome...
Spooky Tooth 'You Broke My Heart, So I Busted Your Jaw' album release: (Rolling Stone issue 136, June 1963)
HearMuffs™ Headphones: (Rolling Stone issue 137, June 1973)
Copy reads: "The worst thing you could take to bed when you're feeling warm and cuddly are cold, lumpy headphones...HearMuffs don't look like headphones; they look more like a giant fuzzy doughnut with a bite missing."
Gibson Guitars: (Rolling Stone issue 151, January 1974)
Fender Guitars: (Rolling Stone issue 169, September 1974)
Holy phallic symbol!
"Wipe Your Face, You Just Swallowed My Soul" written by Hugh Prather: (Rolling Stone issue 174, November 1974)
Believe it or not, this is billed as a philosophy book. I'm surprised the title hasn't been used in a Nickleback song...yet.
Winston cigarettes: (Rolling Stone issue 175, December 1974)
Fender Guitar fairy tale campaign:
