Archives for the month of: February, 2008

Thank You, Al Gore

February 7, 2008 //

…for inventing the internets all those years ago. Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to place the music of Anathallo in this Vick’s advert (or, at least, not as quickly):

While I do like the idea that this one, mentholated commercial singlehandedly financed the upcoming Anathallo album, it kind of offends my indie sensibilities to have massive corporations co-opt songs that have personal resonance with me solely for the purpose of trying to sell me more stuff. I did end up purchasing this box of Vicks flavored tissues at Target the other day, but only because they were on sale (or, maybe, these ads are working subconsciously).

Reminds me of other ads I’ve seen featuring music that I like. For example, nothing says, “I need more ink for my printer” than a slow jam from some mopey Brits (alright, so the song is called “Pictures of You” and the ad is for photo paper but what possible connection can we make between “How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths and a Nissan Maxima or “Stars” by Hum and a Cadillac CTS?).

I can’t get “doing things is what I like to do” out of my head. But there’s not a Dunkin Donuts anywhere even remotely near here.

EDIT: This particular Super Bowl ad from E-trade was kind of clever (“You know, me and the boys were talking about what to do with all this extra coin and I was like, ‘I’m renting a clown.'”) but creepy X2 [clown + superimposed-mouth talking babies = creepazoid robots].

Categories advertising, indie, music

What Can Fix A Broken Heart?

February 4, 2008 //

According to this story on NPR’s Morning Edition, a Japanese cosmetics firm offers “heartache leave” to its employees who have just broken up with a significant other. They even recognize different levels of grief employees might endure from breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, offering three days to older employees (while the presumably more resilient younger employees get one day to recover).

Although it might seem like just another Japanese cultural oddity (for those who hate getting their hair in their noodles! for those who need to blow their nose at all times! for those who must smoke mass quantities right now!) it is actually kind of nice for employers to recognize that the automatons filling all those cubicles are actual human beings. A little bit of empathy can go a long way.

Categories asian american, community, health, just grinning

Making Conversation

February 1, 2008 //

Because of my increasing introversion and shyness (and general mental sluggishness) I often find it difficult to make conversation with other people — strangers, in particular. According to this article, How To Be A Great Conversationalist, I’m on the right track because at least I’m not an interrogator or a braggart. Sometimes I worry about wasting someone else’s time with small talk. Other times I just don’t get the words out.

For example, here was a conversation I had awhile back at my daughter’s preschool. I was taking my daughter out of the car in the parking lot and we were just heading over to her classroom. Another parent was driving by, stopped and said out the window:

Person: Go Blue!
Me: ?
Person: I saw your Michigan plates the other day — we’re from Michigan too! (smiling)
Me: Oh. That’s nice! (grin)

In my mind, I was thinking, “Both my brother and sister are Wolverines! Hail to the Victors!” and I was all set to make the Michigan map on my right hand and ask where they were from. But, somehow, the words just floated away. I find this happening with greater frequency.

Should I worry, or should I just Wiki it?

Categories asian american, communication, community, just grinning