Thoughts on hyper-reality

Let me preface this post with what I’m defining hyper-reality as, or what not. I’ve noticed that we live in two realities that of the tangible and that of the ether. We are surrounded by people and things all day long and yet there is a secondary discourse that takes place through our emails, facebook accounts, twitter feeds, sms… the list does go on. At this would still be tangible reality, but these medium connect us to thoughts, people, conversation of people we do not even know. Then there is also the persona’s we adopt, the ‘avatar’, ‘handle’ or ‘nick’ we use to introduce ourselves to this second reality. Where we can send messages to ‘super stars’, command fleets of space ships all manned by real people scattered across the world. I realise that this is in no way a new thought, and I do not apologise for that. This thought though is running through my mind and I’m starting to rethink about how we think about the world. Noticing the slow shift about how success can be predicated by the ability to tap on a keyboard, how you communicate, time and of course internet access.

I would like to add a comment there that since I have moved from South Africa to the UK I do notice the presence of this Hyper-reality more where internet access is cheap and fast and smart phones are common.

Quotes that suited today…

“…genius lasts longer than beauty. That account for the fact that we all take such pains to over-educate ourselves. In the wild struggles for existance, we want to have something that endures, and so we fill our minds with rubbish and facts, in the silly hope of keeping our place” – The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

and

“Then I feel… that I have given away my whole soul to some one who treat is as if it were a flower to put in his coat, a bit of decoration to charm his vanity, an ornament for a summer day! – The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

Infectious; panic and happiness.

Little universes collide when we meet.

Small to large impact, irrelevant irreverent regardless.

Today I will try to be better and if I fail I will try again tomorrow.

For Janine

Empty Plot outside my kitchen window

It is quiet in the office today and it is cold outside.

This time of year requires reflection and optimism for positive change. A decision to be better.

Every year I make these resolutions and every year I get to this point and realise that I have not kept any. How does one counter this. I guess most realise that the resolutions they make are just social pressure and do not really commit to effect any change (whether this is a conscience or subconscience desicion is really immaterial), this could be why we get to the end of each year and realise we are exactly where were were 12 months ago.

So here we go, fully aware that these ideas and concepts might and might not reach its full potential.

1. Work life Balance (an ongoing challenge, I need to visualise this better, at this point it is only really still a concept.)

2. Be healthier, eat better, go to gym, sleep well … the usual…

3. Spend more time with friends and family

4. Travel more, and when traveling for work, take some time to explore. Life is not just about offices, hotels and airports.

5. And blog more… for Janine

two days till SA Holiday

There are several things I want to do in the next two weeks on my holiday. Essentially I want to make up for a year of working 100% and not having a life.

So far the list contains:

• Take lots of photos
• Drink good wine
• Spend time with friends and family
• Read a plethora of books
• Get a bit creative and do some drawings
• Not think about work
• Go to gym
• Drink some more good wine

I’m hoping this list will grow and that there will be enough time in the little to weeks to achieve lost of this. I’m also open to some suggestions on how to capitalise on my holiday

Stratification and the inane tasks I’m required to do…

Marcoms… has anyone ever come across this term? Well those who actually manage to study this at Uni might have a slight clue what this entails, but for me it is all hot air.

How do you sell a product?

1. Have a good product (check)

2. Have people who need the product (check)

3. Have a platform to sell the product (check)

4. Tell the people who need the product about the product and the selling platform (uh…)

I think this is where I’m getting stuck, as I’m all about step 3. Have a platform. I’ve created the platform, surely (SURELY) it is the client’s prerogative to now tell their prospective customers about it…. why should I be telling them how to tell their customers. I just design stuff.

I have a headache and am tired.

Morning walk to the office…

Regent street, next stop coffee then work

Life Deferred,

If you asked me what I did on me weekend I would reply with a shrug and say nothing much. What I do not tell you is that I spent all of Saturday start to finish in my pyjamas. I don’t tell people this mainly, because I am mildly embarrassed that I wasted another day lurking at home and doing nothing truly constructive.

I live in a very exciting city where there is always something exciting and innovative happening and there is no excuse for not taking part. Yet, my excuse is that I am tired and over stimulated at work. I relish in the peace and quiet I have when staying at home.

I mean do not get me wrong, I enjoy parties, movies and general going-out. It is just that the main hurdle to overcome is my general inertia that kicks in the moment I step through my front door and kick off my shoes.

Warning! Sulk to follow…

About a month ago we got this new wizz bang project manager on my team. First impression: wow someone to help us out and take a bit of the load. So far, this had not happened taking into account last weekend I worked ANOTHER weekend because of a screw up in the project plan and every day this week so far I’m up at 6am and on getting back to my hotel room at 12! Colour me not impressed!

The main excuse that has now being flung my way is that Marina cannot communicate and that Marina makes idle promises to the client and that Marina does not tell people what they need to know. Bearing this in mind, I have since written three Functional Specification documents on this project (with wireframes / site diagrams), have had countless meetings and the cherry on the cake (which is the instigation of my very sour mood) had to sit for three hours literally reading my functional requirement document BACK to the project manager. Apparently people cannot read!

Green Tea is to detox as Red wine is not

Last week I had clients visiting our offices in London. This meant a week of wine-ing and dining. Needless to say; I feel bloated and toxic at this point. Although all the eating and drinking was quality sustenance it really is on the opposite axis of gymming and healthy eating. So this week is (again) the beginning of (another) a new leaf.

Lets see how that goes !