Sun-Kissed Reflection

I was thinking the other day. I was laying on the carpet in my slippers, warmed by a shard of sunlight angling through the window. I was listening to Bonnie Raitt's Give It Up on a little record player and I realized that nothing since the time in 1972 when those hippies got together to record that record really needed to happen... nothing since the advent of windows and sunshine and carpet and dust motes and record players and Bonnie Raitt's Give It Up needed to happen to make that moment happen quite that excellently. Except of course my birth. But do you know what I'm saying? That makes one of us... Sometimes it's all already there, the perfection is just around the corner and you can't see it till it hits you, you needn't even seek it. But the years keep ticking by and we have to keep ourselves busy. Let's hope that 2010 is one of balance between satisfaction and seeking newness.

Tis The Season

Case study in marketing here. Tis the season for advertisement. We're all subject to them, no matter how much we try to steer clear. Those of us who are business owners or marketing types think about them a whole lot more... we want to get our messages across but (at least speaking for myself) we don't want to be a bother. Entertaining while selling is a great means to that end. I came across this example last night.

This, I believe, is my favorite advertisement of all time. It 's Mark Twain's advertisement for his first public lecture, and it's obviously from the pen of the man himself. I love how it simultaneously honors the intelligence of the reader, reveals the humility of the writer, and describes the spirit and humor of the enterprise. The tasty bits are transcribed herewith for your convenience:

A SPLENDID ORCHESTRA! Is in town, but has not been engaged.

A DEN OF FEROCIOUS WILD BEASTS! Will be on exhibition on the next block.

MAGNIFICENT FIREWORKS! Were in contemplation for this occasion, but the idea has been abandoned.

A GRAND TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION! May be expected; in fact, the public are priveleged to expect whatever they please.

May we all strive for such genius and humor in our lives!