A Complete Overanalysis

Ryan and I tried to watch Across the Universe again last night at home. We agreed that it's hard not to love a film at the premiere when you have the director and cast watching in the balcony above you and you’re wearing a cute little red vintage dress (I wore this, not Ryan).

Regardless of this, I still can't stop myself from watching the movie because it contains some awesome Beatles covers. If nothing else, this movie was just one big music video. And yes, of course the originals are better - the best. But what's wrong with paying homage? What's wrong with revival?

Creative Zombies Will Always Walk this Earth Forever

I'm not even a very nostalgic person (compared to most people I know). I grew up in an age when pop music was worse than it's ever been - the mid to late 90s were even worse than the 80's. I have no memory of any cartoon storyline. I didn't have very many toys except a Lite Brite and Play-Doh. I should be violently against everything that Across the Universe stands for with its lazy storyline and Beatles remixes.

But the fact is I'm really thankful to Julie Taymore for bringing their music back in an eventful way that we can enjoy at this contextual moment. The Beatles aren't around anymore to go on tour - most of us were not lucky enough to have been born in their time, and even less likely to have seen them in concert. So while I don't think Across the Universe will become a cult classic, artists of all forms will continue to be inspired by the Beatles for generations to come.

The Fountainhead

My love-hate relationship with Across the Universe is such a perfect example of the struggle between "classic" and "progressive" architecture in The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. What is right? Should we continue to re-purpose old styles and ideas because we have always loved them and are pretty much guaranteed the love and support of the masses? Or is this a bastardization of our god-given talents?

You Either Get it or You Don't

Classics because it's familiar and comfortable will always be easier to be accepted and loved. But luckily for us - in modern day North America, we are hungry for originality. However, unlike the setting in The Fountainhead, I suspect that we're starting to love original things because that's what's expected of us - and not necessarily because we have developed an understanding of it.

It just doesn’t matter whether you're into classic or progressive things - I think the point is to get it and know it and own it.

Job Title: Miscellaneous

On January 20th, when I go to my school reunion where everyone will be passing out business cards and talking shop - I'm fairly certain that no one will have any idea what I'm talking about. Sometimes when I try to explain to people what I'm striving for - I can see their eyes sort of float off in boredom and I change the subject. What's the point?

It used to be so easy - "I work in advertising - I work on such-and-such brands" and mock-modestly saying how being an exec is a less glamorous job than it sounds.

The truth is, trying to be strategic in your career is like playing chess. It's slow. It's fucking complicated. But you have to look several steps ahead of the game in order to checkmate.

Oh the glory of it all!

I left a really fun agency job for a not-so-fun anti-agency job when I decided that I really wanted to be an interactive strategic planner. I've never heard of such a thing - and there wasn't such an opportunity at my last agency.

I want to learn so bad. Coming out of school, my quest for the Big Idea has been incessant. And now I've landed in a situation where I've sacrificed:

1. My pride (a cushy agency job)
2. My job title (account executive)
3. My agency connections (I try my best to keep in touch)
4. My cubicle (I sit on an island visible to all the VP's of this company)

Running on Faith

A part of me is very sad at this job. There's none of the razzle dazzle I miss so much. Sometimes I get so fucking tired of myself for ALWAYS being so goddamn demanding on myself. As I sit here while my ass gets fatter every day... when I'm about ready to just fucking be done with it - I'm confronted with a vision.

I see myself one day collaborating with other energetic, inspired people pumping out brilliant and elaborate strategies like it's nobody's business. It's this vision that keeps me going when I'm putting together Powerpoint presentations or talking to voicemails. I'd very much like to see it come true. Sooner rather than later would be nice.