copywriter comments.

the city of beards.

2009-08-20T15:09:00.007-04:00

this is a little side project my partner [mr.wheeler preddy.] and i did at Crispin.

basically we were inspired by the amount of beards here in boulder [seriously, it's ridiculous. even half the women have them. ok maybe not.] and decided to make this interactive poster to hang at CP&B with a disposable camera and see what happens.

join the beardom of boulder, the city of beards. i'll post the camera photos once the experiment is over. for now, here are some pictures from the making of.

the instructions. hard to read on the real pictures.
going to kinkos for the third time to print the poster.
waiting for the poster at kinkos.
cutting and pasting precision.

midnight posting at CP&B on their news board.
the final product.bad ass partner.
i'm thinking about growing a real one.
the makers of.

wow i have been a blogging slacker.

2009-08-13T15:56:00.001-04:00

i'm currently working on a campaign about being lazy. i think it's rubbing off...

first boulder post.

2009-07-14T13:29:00.001-04:00

so i know it's been awhile. i've made it to boulder, finally settled in and getting started on my last quarter of miami ad school. with that said, everyone in this industry is values their weight in awards. this youtube video is absolutely hilarious and i think sort of represents how the rest of the world [outside of the advertising community] views our awards.

the future of advertising.

2009-06-04T11:59:00.003-04:00

i met with someone to review my book last night for the first time. with only three months of ad school left i knew this time would come and it was inevitable. the first is always the hardest and i think it went quite well. but one question she asked me was: what do you want to do? traditional or digital?

i knew this question was coming. its one of the main things they ask new people in the business. however, i still wasnt sure of what my answer to the question is. however, today i am. i want to do effective advertising. if i'm targeting to teens, then i want to do digital. if i'm targeting wallstreet big wigs, i want to do print, and if i'm targeting the average joe on his commute home, i want to do outdoor. maybe its just my ideal, not yet jaded, fresh out of ad school attitude, and that'll soon change, but i want to work on good creative solutions. whatever media that may be in.

however that is leaning more towards digital and interactive solutions. i think this is absolutely hilarious. to normal people, it might not be funny, but to anyone in the ad business, it's right on the money. and freakin hilarious.

karma.

2009-06-02T16:18:00.003-04:00

this morning i read a really good blog from a leading female copywriter. she was talking about karma in the advertising sense. i've never thought about it too much but i think its something interesting.

today has been a terrible day. i woke up late, not much sleep. then coming to work my ankle gave out and i fell in the street. a car almost hit me, then it started to rain. it couldnt have been scripted better in a movie, except they forgot to write in the part where matthew mcconaughey runs out and saves me. because he didnt. instead i stand up, bloody knees, scrapped hands and bruised pride, umbrellaless and continued to work. it pretty much set the tone for the rest of the day.

just now i walked down to pret to get a cup of coffee. a deal i've made with myself is i can get coffee if i pack lunch. oh the life of a frugal student who is paying to work. but i smiled and said hi, just the coffee the nice girl behind the counter smiled and said "don't worry about it." i'm not sure why she did, maybe she was too lazy to ring up just a coffee or maybe she was one of the 1,000 new yorkers who saw my little show this morning, but it made my day. somehow, i feel like its a little bit of karma. because damn it, i've done a lot of things that deserve a free coffee every now and then.

a NY update.

2009-05-31T11:46:00.003-04:00

NY has definitely been amazing so far. it's finally getting nice out and we've had a chance to get out and do a lot of stuff despite working a lot. [i work on the train wherever i go so i don't feel as guilty]

i also went to boulder, co last weekend for memorial day and to see old friends. it was totally amazing and i fell in love, which is a good thing because friday i received confirmation that i will be spending my next and FINAL quarter of miami ad school in boulder. :) i can not wait. however, i'm going to be extremely sad to leave NY.

here are two albums of what i've been up to including a visit from sab, boulder, and a beautiful beautiful day in coney island:

album 1
album 2

profession of the day: bike messenger

2009-05-29T11:58:00.002-04:00

i mean, can't we see the resemblance already? despite this being NYC trend, i think it could be an awesome job.

pros:
-forced to exercise.
-low stress [minus the chance of dying by dodging car]
-chance of dying dodging cars is exciting.
-spend all day outside.
-don't sit in an office all day [especially large perk on days like today when i'm hungover.]
-you can legitimately use the phrase 'don't kill the messenger.'

cons:
-forced to exercise.
-monetary compensation is not quite what i'd hope for.
-rain. [i'm sure i can only call in sick a few time before they realize it's because it's raining.]
-chance of unknowingly participating in illegal activities. [i at least want to know about it.]

overall, i think it could be a good time.

what i would do if i didn't do advertising.

2009-05-26T16:15:00.009-04:00

so there are few people i know in this business, especially still in school, who haven't questioned their loyalty to this profession. unfortunately i'm way too devoted to actually do anything else, but fantasizing about it makes me quite happy. i'm considering starting a new blog purely listing all the new professions i'd like to try other than advertising. but until i'm fully committed, or have more than 5 minutes of free time daily, i'll post them here.

today's profession:
selling caipirinha's on the beach in brasil.

this could be me. except slightly smaller melons.

positives:
-you're everyone's favorite person. [at least the guy incessently selling them to me was my favorite person in camburi. then again, i was confused why it was daylight at 5pm.]
-spend all day on the beach. all day in the sun.
-easy access to booze.
-relatively stress-free. [relatively in the sense that dealing with drunk people is never completely stress-free.]
-it's a lot less physical work than the guys walking up and down the beach carrying things.
-minimal expenses on clothing. uniform is bikini.

negatives:
-minimal expenses on clothing. uniform is a bikini. [potential danger to business.]
-skin cancer. [which let's be honest, anyone who knows me and how much i loathe sunscreen knows i probably have it already.]
-must learn portuguese. [i learned this was critical when i ordered a chicken caiprinha instead of a strawberry one. frango instead of morango. which are very similar words to a drunk gringa. however, i dont think the locals are a fan of meat and cachaça.]
-little to no pay. [who cares? i spend everyday on the beach in brasil.]

the list could go on and on. unfortunately, my five minutes is up.

future lions submission.

2009-05-26T12:49:00.001-04:00

2009-05-18T23:08:00.001-04:00

so i know it's been awhile [sorry aunt kath] but ny has been so crazy busy. i never thought anything could be busier than london. i was wrong. i promise to update with my adventures and more pictures soon, but until then, i threw together a little website to highlight my book. i'm still working out some kinks but i wanted to get feed back. let me know your thoughts.

Carren O'Keefe Portfolio

enjoy!

carren in avatar form.

2009-04-19T19:02:00.001-04:00

cute website compliments of tara. this is my creation of self-avatar.
make your own.

my new idol.

2009-04-16T09:49:00.001-04:00

Inspiration

happy easter AIG

2009-04-11T14:36:00.000-04:00

EASTER AIG HUNT from ABOVE on Vimeo.

first day.

2009-04-06T11:26:00.002-04:00

so we're officially at our first day at Y&R. and any rational adult can assume that we aren't busy yet considering i'm blogging. i've come to the conclusion that i hate first days. in college they were amazing. go, get your syllabus and it's see ya next class.

it's a little different in the real world. first of all, no syllabus. thus far we are still clueless as to what we will be doing. i'm really hoping there's not pop quizzes scheduled. and second, regardless of your lack of things to do, you have to stay. so we're sitting here. devon of course is being productive, looking through source images and creative websites. i, on the other hand, have been on twitter and facebook approximately 40 times each and it's not even lunch yet.

however we met with our coordinator, got the grand tour, and gorged on some free monday bagels. but now we wait. and it's always awkward. you don't know people. but they know your the new kids. so you do the introductions and you'll remember about two of the twenty names you got. you want a cup of coffee but youre afraid youll have to talk to someone and sound like an idiot. you kind of stick out like a sore thumb with a huge sign over your head that says 'clueless new intern.' [or at least you feel like you do.]

i'm really excited and i think this is going to be an amazing opportunity once we get started. but until then, i'll be the awkward girl on facebook sitting on floor 7 without coffee.

first weekend.

2009-04-05T20:29:00.004-04:00

so i'm officially in NY. and while i haven't blogged, and one would assume i was busy over break, i actually spent it sitting on my couch at home, drinking coffee and watching morning shows. it was quite amazing.

but i'm finally in NY and i'm loving it. for the first time on quarter away, i feel like i'm living somewhere. the victor house is perfect. even though i'm sharing a room we have plenty of room and gigantic vanities help when youre a girl.

my room:

without needing a period of adjustment like in brazil and london, ive actually done and seen quite a bit of the city in the first few days. saturday we went downtown to the pillow fight on wall street.

after that we went to ground zero and walked around lower manhattan. then we made our way to chelsea and headed to the chelsea brewery. there we took a free tour of the brewery and samplled all of their microbrews. finally we ended the night by heading to an amazing karaoke bar in the east village complete with eye of the tiger and r.kelly remix to ignition.

today i met up with tara downtown for lunch at a cute little french place. then after a few glasses of wine we wandered down to rockefeller center. we walked all over manhattan, went to the trump towers for coffee and up to central park. i also acquired my first fake handbag. i'd say all and all it was a very successful day.

later london.

2009-03-22T09:01:00.002-04:00

so i've officially been back in the states for four days now. i was extremely sad to leave london. while brazil i was ready to come home, i wanted to stay in london forever. in fact, i may try to go back there after graduating. but we'll see. but the last few weeks were an exciting whirlwind. between the last week and people sleeping in the agency along with sab coming, it proved for many pictures. five albums worth to be exact. so instead of posting a few, ill just post the albums.

album 1
album 2
album 3
album 4
album 5

so far being home has been exactly what i'd hoped it'd be. lots of laziness and seeing the fam. although i'm hoping some of that is jetlag that will soon be worn off. i needed this recoup before heading to the concrete jungle they call ny. here's to a good quarter and hopefully the start of another.

london is winding down.

2009-03-04T04:56:00.003-05:00

so i havent updated for awhile, mostly because things have been so crazy. in fact, i dont really have time to update now so i just thought id post a few pics from the last few weeks. its our final work week here and everyone is going crazy. sab comes on tuesday which will be amazing and stressful at the same time. i promise many pictures and proper commentary after the madness is through.

2009-02-25T10:08:00.001-05:00

hello new york.

2009-02-23T05:30:00.004-05:00

so the verdict is in and next quarter i'm going to: NEW YORK.

i have to say, i'm more excited about this than the past two. mostly because i pretty much knew for sure i would get brazil and london, but this one had a lot of steep competition. i'm also relieved because most people haven't heard yet. we were one of the first teams. so thank good.

i also have to say, i'm ready to come home for a little. traveling around is exciting and all, and ive heard so many times how people are jealous, but honestly it wears on you. i'm ready to be done and settle down in one city and actually have a home to go to, not some flat with bunk beds and 9 other roommates. thank goodness NY has its own housing. at least i know that is already set and secured. all i have to do is get there early so i can get my own room. not to mention, the housing is free. i dont think too many people in their life have a chance to live in NY for free. so i'm definitely excited about that. plus i have a friend who lives in astoria, where the house is, and she loves it. i'm driving up to PA so i'll have my car there, which even if i don't use it, makes me feel a little more at home and in control of my life.

the internship is at Y&R. i have two friends who already work there so that's good. i can't wait. it's on madison avenue. i guess i'll get a real taste of what it's like to live and work in NY, which is good in case i decide to stay there post-graduation. another thing i'm so excited about is having so many friends living in the philly/NY area. it'll be nice to finally have people around that i know.

so on that note, i'm going to celebrate tonight by seeing Wicked. supposedly one of the best shows on broadway right now. i'm going by myself, working on my independent womanhood. i can't wait. i'm actually pretty excited about going by myself. all is well in the london world. three weeks of the internship left, sab will be here in two weeks. and i'll be home in PA for two weeks before heading to NY.

cheers. :)

ads of the world.

2009-02-16T03:56:00.002-05:00

some of my work got picked to be on ads of the world. check it out.

The campaign is for goobers peanut butter and jelly.

Classic Pairs:
Lucy and Desi
Lennon and Yoko Ono
JFK and Jackie Onassas
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

advertising is harsh. at least a few comments are good, and they got picked.

cabin fever set it.

2009-02-15T17:10:00.005-05:00

so yet another glorious week has come and gone in the queen's country. [proof is in the pay phones.] we are entering our 7th week this week and only have about a month left, which is crazy. so things are really starting to pick up. last weekend we spent fri, sat and sun in the office everyday until at least 11pm. so i began to feel a little stir crazy and realized i only have a month left and i really havent done that much so far here. so this week, while we did our work. we had to get out.

[we are going crazy spending too much time in the basement]
tuesday night devon and i went to see quidam, the cirque du soleil show. it was absolutely amazing. it was its final week and london and we happened to catch it. its just absolutely mind boggling what these people are capable of doing. the music, the acrobats, the entire show was just amazing.

and no, there are zero saftey nets and harnesses. a large part of the show was acts done very high in the air with the performers on ropes, hoops, etc.
this is the view of the shrine outside the theatre.
this is royal albert hall where the show was.

luckily, we were in the cheap seats very high up, so everything was right in front of us.
then on friday, a bunch of us from school went to see avenue q. the puppet show for adults. the show is about everything from internet porn to racism and it is so so good. the soundtrack is amazingly hilarious, so if you get a chance check it out.

then for valentines day, devon bought my rose petal tea and soap. everyone decided to go to an anti-valentines day comedy show at barcode [a gay bar]. it was absolutely hilarious and we had the best time. then we all went out to drown our sorrows of being single.

devon and i also went to camden market on saturday morning. it is by far the best open air market i've ever been too. it's located on the camden locks so its also beautiful. the range of stuff is astonishing and its huge. you need about 8hrs to really go through and look at absolutely everything. i forgot my camera that day, but i'm sure ill be back. we had some mulled wine and called it a day. amazing week. glad i finally did many of the things i wanted to do including simple things like walking through hyde park. i'm even more in love with london and unfortunately i'm an addict. sorry dad, but i've taken theatre crack and i'm addicted. london is definitely the place to go for theatre. you can get decent seats for cheap. hopefully before i leave i want to see wicked, the lion king and phantom of the opera. so we'll see. i'm giving up drinking and spending all of my money on theatre. [ha if only that were true.] amazing week. hopefully the next will be just as good.

oh advertising.

2009-02-05T07:34:00.000-05:00

weekend rendezvous in paris.

2009-02-04T06:33:00.004-05:00

so i went to visit alyssa in paris this weekend and it was absolutely amazing. not only was is so nice to be around a good friend and someone whose known me for longer than a month, paris is all its cracked up to be. its an absolutely beautiful and amazing city. i took about 170 pictures while i was there. but here are a few of them:

escargot and wine for my first meal in paris. not bad.
the eiffel tower twinkling every night on the hour. absolutely amazing from far away, absolutely amazing from the top.

one of the best things about paris is how local everything is. alyssa lived beside a bakery, a crepe place, a fruit stand, wine shop, and cheese shop. the camanbert was to die for.
this is why i want to live in paris. baguettes, cheese, and croissants.
the hotel de ville. beautiful building at night.
we took a touristy boat cruise up and down the siene. it was beautiful seeing paris from the perspective of the river, and a fast way to see most of the sights.
picture off the back of the boat.
we went to the louvre and saw the mona lisa.
notre dame. unfortunately we didnt go in, but its size and detail are so impressive.
of course we drank plenty of wine the entire weekend. but when it was freezing out side we had vin chaud. [hot wine.]
in front of the main triangle outside of the louvre.
the back part of the louvre. just the outside of the building is absolutely amazing. not to mention the fact that it houses 35,000 pieces of artwork.
but then london decided to get the most snow its had in a decade. paris had a few inches as well. this in turn, led to me being stranded and spending an extra day in paris.
BBC just kept reporting about "The snow came and the UK stopped"
See all of the pictures on my facebook albums:
Album 1
Album 2
Album 3

so paris is the new love of my life although i have to say i'm glad to be back in London. i will definitely be visiting paris again though, and hopefully at a warmer time of year.

ninja obsession.

2009-01-25T18:52:00.002-05:00

so devon and i are slightly obsessed with ninjas. my obsession is recent, perhaps its because he's asian. the world will never know. but because of this video from the onion, i love them even more.

Ninja Parade Slips Through Town Unnoticed Once Again

i mean honestly, who doesn't want to be a ninja?

i've been here for three weeks already?

2009-01-25T05:20:00.003-05:00

we've successfully completed week three. i can't believe i've been here for three weeks, but i think back to things i did in the first week, and they feel like they were years ago. next week we have to start making decisions about next QA and i feel like i'm just starting to get settled here. anyway, the week was amazing. busy, but amazing.

all of us went to vapiano for dinner. [minus martha and mafe, the m's have something against us.] it's this amazing restaraunt that makes fresh pizza pasta and other italian food right before you. the have fresh basil plants in the middle of every table that you can just pick leaves from and put in your pasta. behind is us where they grow them.
then friday night we decided it was time for some fun. so all of us, [minus devon and mafe. we just can't seem to get the whole group.] went to koko club. it's a club in an old theatre. its absolutely amazing. although i have to say, those steep inclines are very dangerous with drunk people, i wouldnt be surprised to hear something falls at least once a weekend.

this friday they had a live band. british rock of sorts. but they also had other music playing in other rooms. the place is absolutely huge.

my favorite part was the gigantic disco ball. it doesnt look that big is this picture, but it was HUGE.
yesterday devon and i went on an inspiration walk. it was a beautiful day. this is in SOHO square. i think he knows this guy or something.
then we made our way to the national portrait gallery where theyre currently having the annie leibovitz exhibition. very cool gallery.

this is my favorite piece. it was a submission for a photo contest.
then we hit up china town. with today being the chinese new year, it was very happening. we are going to go have chinese food for dinner to celebrate, but china town is a sweet part of london. [minus the smell of dried fish.]

These are just some of the pictures.
You can see all of the pictures from Week 3 here.

still in love with the city. still don't want to come home. next weekend i'm off to paris, so we'll see how i feel about that.

the things that most excite me.

2009-01-21T18:32:00.001-05:00

this picture encompasses the two things i'm the happiest about right now and the two things i wish i was in the US for right now. i mean, how could the steelers not win the superbowl. obama has a steelers jersey.

advertising and pop culture.

2009-01-21T08:54:00.003-05:00

so like i posted before, saatchi just released a new t-mobile spot inwhich they created a stunt in liverpool station. well that stunt/ad has hit mainstream blogs all over the place, giving the company, the agency, and the commercial tons of free media.

one of the blogs is the highly acclaimed Perezhilton.com

another being The Cool Hunter.
while some may argue the ads originality with flashmobs and recent things being similar, such as dancing prisoners, i think it's a great example of how pop culture and advertising can influence one another. next time i'm in liverpool station, i won't be surprised to see a group of people dancing.

i have to admit that while we had no part in the ad, being at the agency through this is very exciting. being at the launch, seeing it live on tv, talking to the creatives and planners who made it, and now seeing it hit mainstream is all very cool. kind of ignites a renewed sense of excitement and purpose of why i'm here.

london hair cut.

2009-01-20T08:44:00.003-05:00

so since its been about 4 months since i had my hair cut. it was about time. ive been so blah ever since i got to london. so i decided [after doing research for a hair company for a class] to make an appointment at the toni&guy academy.

5 pounds got me any hair cut i wanted. all they needed was 2-3 hours of my day. so this morning i went. my london hair cut looks very similar to my miami haircut, however this one has a lot of little differences that make it so much better.

cheers.

2009-01-19T10:57:00.004-05:00

so we are into our third week in london and things are starting to get very busy. however, we've still been able to get out and see some of the city. it's definitely much more inspirational than sao paulo

this is art that is sold all along hyde park on sundays. i walk along this park everyday going to my tube station.
then i walk past this church, which i think is gorgeous.
normally the tube is covered wall to wall with advertisements. but right now our tube station from our house is bare.

this is my tube station. say hi.

its was beautiful last sunday so i stopped in hyde park to take some pictures. the park is huge and considered 'the queens' park. these fountains are right by my house.one of our classes we receive a brief each week and also a creative assignment. last week it was to do something our hands to represent something creatively. i learned to make origami butterflies to represent the butterfly effect that i want london to have on my creativity.
so then after class we all went to a pub of course. i was very proud of all the beers.
i think the pubs are gorgeous.
on friday saatchi had the premiere of their first tvc with t-mobile. the commercial was shot on thursday afternoon and aired friday night during big brother. [which is HUGE here.] it was a very big deal, so they had a party for the airing in the agency pub. open bar and a dj. it was so cool to be their when it aired live on tv. the people who made the commercial were dancing along with the ad.

this is them dancing.

and this is the ad.

then on saturday devon and i went to the saatchi art gallery. museums and art gallerys are funded by the government so the majority of them are free. which makes a really nice, cheap thing to do to get inspiration in such an expensive city.

this man was his own piece of art.

one exhibit were elderly in wheel chairs set to automatically roll around. they represented particular political powers. like an aged U.N. it was very interesting.
i was helping one out.
while devon stared one down.
then we went to see slumdog millionaire. we ate so much candy our stomachs hurt, like little kids. but we got to get it out of this cool dispenser so we couldnt help ourselves.
sunday i went to portobello market in the morning by myself. which is part of what i'm loving about london. you can be independent here. very much unlike sao paulo. devon and i get along great, but when we want to do our own thing we can. so it was nice to just go and check it out. although i have to admit i was thoroughly unimpressed. someone suggested that saturdays are better than sundays, and im sure it being the dead of winter didnt help.

overall, amazing week. i'm still loving it and i feel like ive learned so much already. we have to choose within the next two weeks where we want to go next, and i feel like im just getting settled here. who knows where it will be. maybe ill ask if i can just stay.

HERE WE GO Steelers. Here we go. Pittsburgh's Going to the Superbowl.

2009-01-19T03:20:00.002-05:00

So of course it would pan out that the year I'm gone, so many exciting things happen that i'm not home for. first there was the Obama election. i mean yeah i got to cast an absentee ballot, but it's not the same as being there.

on tuesday, i'll be missing Obama's inauguration.

but now, the pittsburgh steeler's are going to the SUPERBOWL and i'm in england where all they care about is futbol. not football. i missed the first part of the season because i was in brazil. the ONE game i was home for, was a pathetic loss. and now the superbowl. not to mention i will be in paris on that day, where they REALLY don't care about football. if i was england i might have been able to at least find a pub somewhere that would have it on. but not now. oh well. if they win, i at least get bragging rights against all of my eagles friends for the remainder of the year.

best movie i've seen in a long time.

2009-01-17T18:57:00.004-05:00

so today devon and i did a mish mash of work and weekend activities including the saatchi art gallery and then to see a movie. we went to see slumdog millionaire.

its the story of a kid from the slums of india who goes on the india version of who wants to be a millionaire. he knows all the answers. the film documents how he knows all of the answers, through his experiences in life. hearing the plot i didnt have much of an interest to see it, but devon really wanted to and it's been getting really good reviews, so we went. [i wanted to see bride wars.]

it was absolutely amazing. the cinematography, the story, absolutely everything. its one of the freshest movies ive seen in a long time. i was on my seat with intense anticipation the entire time. you are taken through such extreme emotions the entire movie. it's absolutely fantastic and everyone should see it. [yes, my name is carren okeefe and i am in advertising.]

well hey there london.

2009-01-11T07:12:00.004-05:00

so i've officially completed my first week in london and i have to say it was a complete success. i already feel so much more at home here than i did in brazil [it took nearly a month there] could be the english or the ability to actually be independent here. we've already done so much work and being in the city wise and we're finally getting settled into our new place.

this is me having my first pint and fish and chips at a pub. i believe i will be having many more of these.

same night we walked all over. this is the eye of london at night. we also saw big ben, trafalgar square, soho, and much more.
welcome to the saatchi basement. this is where we spend our days. say hello to my partner devon.
there's me. say hi.
and now for the brand new, finally clean, apartment. this is the kitchen/living room.
this is the bedroom. it's small but very nice. and the area is amazing. its right along hyde park in west minster.
and of course, my very first home cooked meal. [as home cooked as i can make.]
dream team.
on the way home from the club, first night out with all the students, we had to take the bus home. the famous two story bus. i was very excited about it and made everyone sit up top and at the front.
the view from the front of the bus.
yesterday devon and i went to the tate modern museum to get inspired for some work. amazing, huge museum right on the banks of the thames.

this is in the turbine hall. its the 2058 exhibit.
inbetween two of the galleries. timeline of art handwritten on the walls.
on the way to the tube station we found st.paul's cathedral. absolutely huge. absolutely gorgeous.
yes i do believe london will do for now. in fact, i may never leave.

my beef with london.

2009-01-08T04:31:00.004-05:00

[cozy and quaint english pub which is officially my favorite place to drink.]

my total infatuation with london was slighty interrupted last night when we were told the pub where we were having pints was closing. it was 11pm. ok, so lets go to other. but no, they were all closing. i'm baffled here. for people who supposedly love their pints so much, how can this be? people warned me before coming but i guess i had to see it with my own eyes to believe it. what

did the queen set a curfew? because if you do happen to find an underground pub that stays open later [which we did last night] it doesn't really matter much because the last train on the tube is around 12:15. so you can stay later, but youll be taking an infamous black cab [which are by no means cheap] or walking it. un-believable.

we're fighting london. but i'm sure ill get over it.

in the words of a very dear friend: proof that advertising saves lives.

2009-01-07T04:21:00.001-05:00

a first day of work surprise.

2009-01-06T11:15:00.003-05:00

so yesterday was our first day at saatchi. pretty good. got a live brief. but the excitement didnt happen until after work when we were in the lobby waiting for the other students to go and grab a few pints. the kid we currently live with called and said that we were all being evicted because the landlord sold the house and we had one day to vacate. [um excuse me?] luckily, devon and i had already found a new place to stay because that place was a total shithole. but the new place is brand new. so brand new that it isnt finished yet. but we called the landlord and said it was emergency. so this morning we moved in all of our suitcases to the new apartment. the new apartment is perfect. its in west london, westminister. the old one was in bethnal green, east london. east london is the working class side and the west is upper class and politicians. i mean...the queen lives there. as the minicab drive said "wow you went up in social statue really fast." working to high class all in one day. but its not just that. we are along hyde park, closer to the tube, have a beautiful view of a courtyard, and its just all around and much better place. westminster is so cute and exactly what i thought of when i imagined london. not the bethnal green slums. while it was close to brick lane and some very cool places, ill take west london. and, its closer to work.

below is a map of the london tube. the red square is where we first lived, the blue square is where we now live, and the green circle is saatchi&saatchi where we work.

all and all things have been quite crazy thus far, but theyre all finally starting to come together. now if they just deliver the beds and refridgerator before we get home, that'd be great.

just touched down in london town.

2009-01-05T08:47:00.002-05:00

so i'm finally in london. have been for about three days. sorry for the blogging hiatus, but christmas was crazy. i went to pittsburgh, lock haven, williamsport, philly, and baltimore all in two weeks, not to mention the whole christmas thing.

but its officially the start of a new quarter at the saatchi and saatchi greenhouse in london. i arrived friday and almost wasnt allowed in the country. apparently they didnt believe me that i was going to be working here. but they let me threw. then on to the atrocious flat we had arranged for. it was quite awful. but we've sublet that and found a brand new one that is very small with bunk beds, but closer to the agency, brand new everything, and right next to hyde park in bayswater, a much MUCH nicer area. so we'll be moving there until tomorrow. which also leads to why i havent blogged here yet. no internet. i'm currently at the agency on lunch break. the new place has internet so hopefully ill have time for some late night blogging, but something tells me i'm not going to have quite at much time here as i did in brazil to do so.

so far we've been all over the city. oxford street, trafalgar square, soho [or as i like to call it 'sex shop alley'] and we've seen the london eye and big ben from afar. much more than that, but i cant remember everything. i just can't wait to get settled into the new place and stop living out of a suitcase. although the roommates at the old place are very cool. B, a scottish fashion student and his swedish girlfriend, and two swedish kids here studying english for ten weeks. the new place we will be living with three spanish couples so we'll see how that goes. i just have my fingers crossed that there will be some paella in the mix.

saatchi itself seems very cool. its located in camden on charlotte street. about a 40min commute from the current residence. a few less tube stations from the other. theres coffee machines everywhere and we're currently in the basement in the kids room. but hey, we get to color on the walls. plus theres a pub on site. with hot meals and multiple choices everyday for very cheap. today i had an amazing goat cheese and mango chutney on ciabatta bread sandwich for 1.70. plus people go there and drink in the evenings. i believe i'll be spending quite a bit of time at this place. anyway, time to get back to work, although we havent done much thus far. typical first day.

reasons why clients suck.

2008-12-04T12:36:00.003-05:00

so everyone told us in ad school that pretty much clients, for the most part, suck. and that to do good advertising, a big part is the client. well being here as absolutely reconfirmed that as a fact. i 100% understand what they mean when they say 'have your fun now, while you're still in ad school.' if it doesnt suck, clients don't like it. ok, so this is a judgement coming from my long time run in the real world [2 1/2 months] but still. i was so excited to work on big name corporate clients, until i realized the reality of it. big names have a lot to lose and are much less willing to take risks. i suppose its a good thing that i'm learning/realizing this life fact now, but that doesn't mean i have to like it. now i understand why people get so excited about doing awards work, youre actually allowed to be creative. luckily here, we've been able to do both. my fear is that once i land the high anticipated job of my dreams, it's not going to be all it's cracked up to be. one thing i know, i will take a mom and pop account over corporate america who thinks they can copywrite, art direct, and produce everything much better than you [note to corporate america: using the same adjective twelve times in a spot is NOT good copywriting.] i know that logical advertising is the real world, and i have to live with it, but as a young creative i'm going to exercise my right to be naive and keep my fingers crossed to have good clients. either that, or can i just stay in ad school?

hello rio.

2008-11-24T04:53:00.004-05:00

this weekend, well wednesday to sunday, nicole, lalo and i went to rio de janeiro. we had absolutely the best time. it was amazing. i don't know if it was because i needed it so much or what, but it was fantastic. everything was perfect and worked out in weird ways. everything from flagging down a cab to take us to the cristo and he happens to be a tour guide that gave us a deal for literally half the price to taking a cab to the samba club and the cab driver knows the people at the door so we skipped the two hour wait to me not dying hang gliding. all and all a very, very successful trip. and considering i took over 200 photos. i cant post them all, but here are a few highlights. check out the links to the four facebook albums i posted to see all of the pictures. if there is any reason at all to come to brazil, it's definitely for rio.

Album 1
Album 2
Album 3
Album 4

asa delta. ie hang gliding.
stumbled upon a samba street party in beautiful historic centro.
the cristo.
pao de azucar.
back to work today. sad face. [ps my body physically rejected coming back to sao paulo. i'm quitting advertising and selling balls on the beach in rio.]

happy birthday from the gringas.

2008-11-19T12:57:00.000-05:00

today is a very special occasion brings us back. it's anselmo, executive creative director's, birthday. he happened to be in atlanta the day before, so we left him a few surprises in his office for when he returned.

feliz aniversario anselmo.

[he's really quite happy.]

london ice box vs. brazil beaches.

2008-11-14T08:10:00.011-05:00

well the verdict is in. i'm going to london next quarter! i'm so excited. bring on the tea and biscuits and beatles. i'm going to be here:

however, amid my excitement is the sad realization that i will be going to london in the winter. [shudder] ive been avoiding winter for the past two years like the plague. but i guess sooner or later i would have to face it after all. maybe miami wasn't all that bad after all. so until i make my voyage to the ice block called europe, i'll be enjoying this:

last weekend we went to camburi beach. it was gorgeous. unfortunately the weather was not, but it we still had an amazing time.

this is the pousada we stayed at. very nice. quaint, free breakfast and a pool, and only one block from the beach.
this is patriota teaching lalo how to do copuera on the beach. [copuera is a mix of dance and fighting.]
we were introduced to the wonderful world of caipirinhas. it's pretty much the national drink of brazil. fresh fruit, sugar, and cacacha [brazilian sugar cane liquor]. until the beach i didnt like the drink, but it seemed fitting. a little too fitting. this is about half of how many we drank. [that's what happens when there's no sun.]
but we swam. sort of.
and i dance, sang shania twain with some new friends i made. and overall had an amazing time. i love brazil. maybe i'll pack this beach in my suitcase to london.
i'm not the only one who had one too many caipirinhas.
loving brazil more and more everyday. and very sad and excited about the news to london. can't believe we have only a month left here. seems like just yesterday we were three crazy Americans in the airport trying to find each other at a McDonalds. however, i feel quite certain brazil will never miss the gringas locas.

My Next Adventure

2008-11-06T07:25:00.002-05:00

so yesterday quarter away choices were due. after long, and i mean long deliberation the final line up is london, hamburg, then ny. so we'll see. i maybe in shell shock going from my money being double its worth to half, but hey, its not like we're in an economic crisis or anything.

anyway, where i really want to go is here.it's a new hotel being built in sonyjang, china. it's built into the side of a quarry complete with underwater rooms and an elevator behind the waterfall. i found it on coolhunter. so if i disappear, i've been kidnapped or i'm here.

The Long Awaited Nov. 4th 2008.

2008-11-04T06:42:00.003-05:00

It's election day. I have to admit I'm really sad I'm not in the US right now. Everyone here is really into the election as well. We're going to Nicole's friends for lunch so we can watch CNN. Unfortunately with the time difference, we won't know the results until like 3 or 4am here. So the absentee ballots have been cast, and we wait.

In the meantime, a friend of mine from New York, Stefan Haverkamp, is doing this cool project for the election. He's german and he can't vote so he figured out this way to get involved.

in the office.outside the office.
we'll see how today goes. either way, go vote.

Sunday in the City.

2008-11-03T07:40:00.035-05:00

this sunday nicole and i went to see a few museums and definitely saw the better side of sao paulo. after taking two metros trains we arrived at the portuguese language museum. while understand portuguese would have been extremely helpful, it was still very interesting to see the evolution of the language including the influence english has had on brazilian portuguese. then across the street was pinacoteca park and museum. we sat at the cutest cafe and had the best coffee. then we visited the three story museum. it was enormous. rooms and rooms of art, from sculptures and 20th century to pop art and 18th century. after a good 2 1/2hrs we still didn't see anything.

the park.

an exhibit on the paint of the teatro en rio de janeiro. including all the underpaintings he compiled to paint the entire thing.
underpaintings:

this entire piece of art is made from...

...numbers.

the main exhibit was of marie bononi. a sao paulo artist most known for creating art using impressions of things like wood and metal. not only are her prints beautiful but the sculptures themselves are works of art.

the seven layers of humanity.

these molds are made from textures throughout the city of sao paulo.

it poured on our way home. the glory of opposite seasons and it being spring here.
the train ie subway here is really efficient. it's also very clean. we were surprised. we used it to go everywhere for only $R2.40.

the language museum. the kiosk that allowed you to explore all the words that have influenced Portuguese.

Like x-burguer.

or, in English, Cheeseburger. [x in portugeuse is shees]

then we hit up Liberdade for the street fair in Japan town. they had the most amazing food for really cheap. shrimp skewers for $R1 and Yakisoba for $R8. complete with meat on a stick and beer.

graffiti in japan town.

the street fair.

it's still no rio, but overall an amazing day that made me fall in love with sao paulo just a little bit more.

halloween gringo style.

2008-11-02T07:29:00.017-05:00

halloween is one of my favorite holidays. here they don't really celebrate it. a little bit. so we thought we'd bring halloween to them including costumes and bobbing for apples at the office. followed by a halloween party at our flat.

we're basically just a bunch of bad asses.
our resident unicorn in the office.
elephants and walruses.
and rabbits.
then we bobbed for apples. even one of the creative directors did it. they thought they could get an apple without sticking their head in. they were wrong.

then we had to carve a pumpkin. although pumpkins are hard to find around here, we got this interesting looking one.
then it was party time. i was clearly party police. and lalo, well, he was seamen.
definitely a good holiday. strange thing. because there is no thanksgiving here, it's officially christmas season. complete with bar decorations and a christmas tree in our lobby. last night we ventured to Liberdade. [Japan town.] Definitely one of the cooler places we've been so far. The authentic Japanese was amazing followed by karaoke at a dive bar with the craziest decorations.

laterns down all the streets.crazy decorations at karoake bar.

complete with cheesy 70s christmas decorations. love it.

the land of fresh fruits and gaining fifty pounds.

2008-10-27T20:18:00.018-04:00

so this weekend consisted of eating, eating, working, eating, and more working. welcome to brazil. it started with friday working until 9:30pm. then going to the most amazing french bistro with fantastic quiche, amazing wine, and the cutest decor. it was in an old house. i tried escargot. looked disgusting, tasted amazing.

finally had time for some sun. only an hour but enough for some color and hideous sunglass lines. this is our pool at the apartment.

we live waaaay up there:

then we went to mercado. famous for their fresh fruits which they are over eager to let you try and mortadella sandwiches.

the sandwich: [mortadella is a brazillian ham which is more like bologna.]

the market had hanging olive oils, spices, meats, cheeses. the whole works. if we lived closer i would definitely by fresh every day.

saturday night we went to a jazz bar called 'teta' which coincedentally means 'tit' in portuguese. the live music was amazing but the best part was the new waitress who thought you filled wine glasses this full. yeah..we had a few of those.

sunday was devoted to the most amazing lunch ever at an italian restaraunt called 'massimo' thanks to a few family friends of nicole. it was exactly what we needed. then we went the rest of the day working at our new office, suplicy. a little italian [what is it with us and italian place while being in brazil?] most importantly they have free wireless, which is a huge plus when youre three girls sharing one internet cord.

plus they put hearts in my caffe latte.
here's so a new week of eating and working. maybe at some point we'll get away to the beach for a weekend, if our swimsuits still fit.

wassup 2008.

2008-10-24T17:41:00.002-04:00

working hard in brazil. playing harder.

2008-10-24T09:30:00.001-04:00

so we're coming to find that people work for 12 hours then party for 12 hours. just to show up, refreshed. i've always had pride in my irish and native american decent [ie engineered to be an alcoholic] but i shamefully admit, i can't keep up. we're sitting at work and the 'kids table' is hating their lives while everyone else who drank as much or more, is going about their business being productive.

at a samba bar. the live samba band.

how the end of the night looks.

if anybody needs me today, i'll be at the water cooler.

i forgot my absentee ballot.

2008-10-23T09:19:00.001-04:00

the making of...

2008-10-22T06:15:00.011-04:00

...an ass [for pg viewers 'butt'] piñata. for friday distraction, we whipped up this little concoction. funny thing, everyone in the office said it was a dream come true. they had seen it in movies but they don't have piñatas in brazil. it was definitely a good time.
obviously piñata making can't get in the way of drinking wine:

ta da. complete with a purple brazillian thong.

the weekend and coke pitch.

2008-10-21T19:48:00.001-04:00

probably one of the best things about såo paulo is the people who work at the agency. friday night was a party for a few people at the office's birthday. ogilvy definitely believes in working hard and playing harder.

speaking of hard work. nicole and i's first project when we got here was working on a coca cola pitch for the US hispanic market.
we got a call from atlanta today: WE GOT THE ACCOUNT! this is huge for the agency. especially after the news last week that they scored the burger king account. [which meant whoppers for the entire agency.]ogilvy definitely has it's perks. fingers crossed for an endless supply of coca cola tomorrow.

new briefs in the work: orient xgame watches, and mattel Myscene dolls [very good friends of barbie, incase you didnt know.]

death by caffiene.

2008-10-16T10:53:00.002-04:00

every knows i'm an addict. but a website has brought to light just how much of an addict i am.

It would take 107.93 cups of Brewed Coffee to put you down.
You could drink 257.83 cans of Diet Coke before croaking.

that is exactly how much of my addictions it would take to kill me. now i know. so i won't overdose.

a few cultural observations.

2008-10-16T09:03:00.002-04:00

so obviously being in brazil a few things are different culturally and this morning, because i'm avoiding work, i feel they deserve mention. first and foremost, you don't flush toilet paper. none. you throw it in the trash beside the toilet and it's taken out various times throughout the day.

second, maids or housekeepers are very common here. most houses even have a room built in for them and it's not included in the bedroom count. i have to say not only is it saving the marriage between roommates, but i'm becoming spoiled. we leave in a rush in the morning with 500 dishes in the sink, comforters thrown everyone, stuff all over the floor. and when we return after a twelve hour work day, dishes are done, beds made, entire house picked up and organized. i may have to live in south america for the rest of my life based purely on this fact. when i go home for christmas i'm going to be very upset, when i come home and my stepmom hasn't made my bed.

if you are a carnivore, you will love the cultural difference of meat, meat, and meat. meat is the primary food of choice. usually grilled and all you can eat. all you can eat buffets are huge here. that or you pay by the kilo. while place exist where you just go and order, 'rodizo' [where they come to your table with endless meats] and buffet are the norm. breakfast is usually small here, with a cafe com leite [coffee and milk] and a pastry. lunch is the main meal of the day. at the office we get a two hour lunch, usually taken at the mall thanks to a bus provided by the agency. an hour to eat and an hour to shop. i think i'm in heaven. lunch is also the biggest meal of the day. you can forget just eating a sandwich. then they have a light dinner usually around 9pm. we thought our eating schedules were totally thrown off when we first got here, until we realized it was the culture. also, noone eats anything with their hands. if they do, they wrap it in a napkin.

you might as well drink beer because its cheaper than water. here you don't drink the tap water, so you order agua com or sem gas. flat or bubbly. a cerveja, will run you just as much. here a beer from the tap is called a 'chopp.' it's super fresh and the best kinda. it comes in light and dark. there is bottled beer too, but its very different for some reason. they tried to explain to us why, something about freezing then unfreezing. i just said, ill stick with the chopp. and some helpful information to know: 'cheapest beer' is cerveja mais barata.

speaking of beer, the club format is a little different here. when you go in they take your name and give you a card. then when you go to the bar to order a drink, they put it on your number. you pay everything at the end when you leave. this is a good thing and a bad thing. to them, its more convienent not to have to pay everytime. to an american girl who only takes so much money to control her drinking, not such a good thing. you even pay the cover at the end.

the biggest cultural difference: everyone is nice. and i'm not just saying that. everyone here is so nice and tolerant if you don't know the language. not just at the agency, but everywhere. i was at the mall trying to buy a pillow case and i told the lady i didnt know portuguese, a line you will soon learn to say, and she used the point and act method to explain everything. then took me to the register with twelve pillow cases and rang them all in so i could see the prices instead of trying to understand her. people are just nice for the sake of being nice. i think that has been the biggest culture shock of all so far.

our first week as davids.

2008-10-13T10:29:00.001-04:00

we survived the first week. let me just say, if you want real world experience, ogilvy såo paulo is the place to go. since the moment we stepped foot in this office last monday, we've been treated as equals and given real work to do. not just bitch work and getting coffee. but the hard work is definitely mixed with play time. like samba lessons in the office:

we've come to learn that ogilvy is fueled by two things: coffee [cafezinho] and tequila.

[note the lollipop. we are still the kid's table]

we've done everything this week from family photos:

to eating ice cream in ibirapuera park.

it's been stressful and amazing but every night we get to go home to this view from our balcony.

hellooo sao paulo. we're ready for week 2.

new kids on the ogilvy block.

2008-10-10T15:01:00.004-04:00

meet the new davids. [as they call us at work]

the creative kid's table.

2008-10-10T14:19:00.002-04:00

so at the agency, the desk where the four of us sit is officially called 'the kid's table.' im going to do my best to keep up with this blog so everyone knows what's going on, but things are crazy busy already and its only the first week. so, we have to keep up a blog for the internship. so if you want check that out. it's called the kid's table.

2008-10-08T19:22:00.001-04:00

first day.

2008-10-06T09:03:00.001-04:00

first day at ogilvy. all the kiddies are dressed in their new outfits sitting in our flat waiting for the bus to pick us up. ie some dude from work. let the madness begin.

welcome to the cat house.

2008-10-05T12:15:00.007-04:00

we are officially in brazil. and our flat is officially dubbed, the cat house. it could be that three girls live here, but no no. thats not it. its because of these.the stairs to the upstairs loft and outside patio where jessy and i are living.

so far so good. the language barrier is larger than i thought it would be but luckily we have nicole who has been learning for awhile. but ive learned the basics: hello [oi], goodbye [chau] and beer [cerveja]. beer is very abundant here and they drink it ice cold. people were having beer yesterday when we went to breakfast.

we still aren't quite settled in. we need a few odds in ends like a coffee pot [obviously crucial] and a few groceries. luckily they have walmarts in brazil. phew.

then last night, for our first night in brazil. we went to 'london station' where there was an american cover band and everything was in english. except for everyone speaking, including the bartenders. luckily after you order the first one you can just put the bottle up and they get you another one.

the set up of clubs is very different here. when you walk in you get a credit card with your number and name. then you pay the cover and your bar tab at the end. even if youre paying with cash. its a crazy system.

we still have so much to figure out and learn. but we're getting there. tomorrow is the first day at the agency, and we can't wait.

en route.

2008-10-02T16:59:00.003-04:00

well i'm sitting in baltimore airport waiting for my connection to jfk where i'll fly straight to sao paulo. this is my first international adventure and i'm doing it alone. go big or go home right? after being 6lbs over on one bag, smashing my toe, going into the wrong security line, i'm finally sitting at the gate. other than that it's been smooth sailing thus far. then again. i haven't gotten on any planes yet. after a two hour layover in new york ill be brazil bound. its an over night flight so after a few glasses of wine, or ten, i should be set. sorry to the person sitting in the aisle seat, i will apologize in advance for thirteen hundred trips to the bathroom. ive never been on a plane for longer than 3hours and if this is anything like a car ride, my 12hr flight should lend itself to at least six bathroom trips. and thats without alcohol. my real concern is customs. i dont know why but im scared to death. not to mention i'm sure the police will be there ready to aprehend me for the syringe in my suitcase [my birth control] but a syringe none the less. then let the free for all begin. rumor has it we already have a brief they want us on. we have to go straight to the agency to get the keys to our apartment, [thank goodness we finally have an apartment] and to talk about the first assignment. all after i find jessy and nicole in the airport without phones. what did people do before cellphones? i guess we're about to find out. either way, i can't wait. i can't wait to get there. i can't wait to start. i can't wait to speak portuguese. i can't wait to meet some hot brazilian men. i can't wait to stick out like a sore thumb. i can't wait for everything. it's going to be amazing.

small town girl returns from big city.

2008-09-22T11:47:00.003-04:00

being home the past week has really opened my eyes to just home different miami is from podunk PA. now don't get me wrong, i love them both. but its interesting to see the stark differences. first and foremost, politically. i went to the beach with my aunt and some of her friends this weekend and to hear them talk about politics almost made me cringe, but think of how in miami, you will not hear a person say they are for mccain. but here, everyone is. complete with lawn signs and even a "she can do it. rosy the rivettor" with sarah pallins tshirt. [from some random dude at the rodney atkins concert.] i just found it fascinating. then it made me think. where the hell did i come from? i grew up in the middle of nowhere with a super conservative family who kept the camo industry afloat. how did i end up so liberal and anti-camo if you will. either way, i see both sides rationale. and i think i take the best that both sides have to offer and bring them together. at least thats what the narcissitic side of me likes to think. regardless, sometimes i think i shouldve gone into anthropology.

home sweet home.

2008-09-16T20:48:00.002-04:00

back in PA for two and a half weeks before heading off to sao paulo. the last few weeks have been such a whirl wind with the end of the quarter, the comedy show, and moving that it hasn't hit me i no longer live in miami. i also forgot how cold pa is in sept. 68 is not ok with me. which maybe a problem in brazil considering my widget says its only supposed to be a high of 59 this week. looks like i need to go shopping for some new, warmer clothes. regardless, i cant wait.

ps i think hatred of moving is a plausible excuse to live with your parents for the rest of your life.

[insert original content here.]

2008-09-01T21:04:00.004-04:00

so it's official. i'm going to sao paolo.

nicole, jessy and i are heading to brazil for quarter away. i'm so excited i can't even explain. to think two months ago i would've never even considered it. i have a feeling, it's going to be amazing.

on a side note, i just had the best weekend in south carolina with sab for a 'weekend away' before the end of the quarter. and i went to richie rich's house, aka the biltmore estate.
this picture doesn't do it, or the 8,000 acres, justice. that or the winery that is on the estate. cause let's be serious. that's the real reason we went. we took a class on red wine and chocolate pairing and a behind the scenes tour where we learned to make wine and the difference between red and white and american and french barrels. it was basically my dream sunday afternoon. we also went to a gamecocks football game where we got to scream go cocks [i'm very mature] a tapas restaraunt, stumbled upon a free country concert where we drank beer and watched drunken girls being arrested, then finished off the evening with some karaoke and $1.25 beers. all and all an amazing weekend. soon to be followed by an amazing three months in brazil. it can't come soon enough.

much love ikea.

2008-08-31T23:06:00.003-04:00

another stumble upon find. i'm starting to feel like my blog is just a huge rip off of stumble upon. original content to come soon.

why did the chicken cross the road?

2008-08-31T23:02:00.002-04:00

i love stumble upon. sometimes you find rare treasures that have to be shared. i have no idea who wrote this, but its a hilarious take on an old question.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Plato: For the greater good.

Aristotle: To fulfill its nature on the other side.

Karl Marx: It was a historical inevitability.

Machiavelli: So that its subjects will view it with admiration, as a
chicken which has the daring and courage to boldly cross the road,
but also with fear, for whom among them has the strength to contend
with such a paragon of avian virtue? In such a manner is the princely
chicken's dominion maintained.

Hippocrates: Because of an excess of light pink gooey stuff in its
pancreas.

Nietzsche: Because if you gaze too long across the Road, the Road
gazes also across you.

Oliver North: National Security was at stake.

Carl Jung: The confluence of events in the cultural gestalt
necessitated that individual chickens cross roads at this historical
juncture, and therefore synchronicitously brought such occurrences
into being.

Jean-Paul Sartre: In order to act in good faith and be true to
itself, the chicken found it necessary to cross the road.

Albert Einstein: Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road
crossed the chicken depends upon your frame of reference.

Aristotle: To actualize its potential.

Buddha: If you ask this question, you deny your own chicken-nature.

Salvador Dali: The Fish.

Darwin: It was the logical next step after coming down from the
trees.

Emily Dickinson: Because it could not stop for death.

Epicurus: For fun.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: It didn't cross the road; it transcended it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: The eternal hen-principle made it do it.

Ernest Hemingway: To die. In the rain.

Saddam Hussein: This was an unprovoked act of rebellion and we were
quite justified in dropping 50 tons of nerve gas on it.

Jack Nicholson: 'Cause it (censored) wanted to. That's the
(censored) reason.

Pyrrho the Skeptic: What road?

Ronald Reagan: Well,...................

The Sphinx: You tell me.

Henry David Thoreau: To live deliberately ... and suck all the marrow
out of life.

Mark Twain: The news of its crossing has been greatly exaggerated.

Mishima: For the beauty of it. The chicken's extension of its
sinuous legs sent shivers of a dark despair into the souls not only of
the silently watching hens but also the roosters, who felt a sudden
sexual desire for their exquisite comrade. The dark courage of the
chicken was as beautiful as drops of dew upon jade at midnight, struck
by a partial moon, its light filtered through clouds. One of the
deeply aroused roosters could stand the intensity of the moment no
more and bit off the head of the beautiful, courageous chicken-hero,
whose wine blood was deliciously drunken by the road, and he died.

Johnny Cochran: The chicken didn't cross the road. Some
chicken-hating, genocidal, lying public official moved the road right
under the chicken's feet while he was practicing his golf swing and
thinking about his family.

Siskel: I don't know why it crossed the road, but I loved it. Thumbs
up!

Ebert: I disagree. The whole thing left the audience wondering; the
chicken's crossing the road was never clearly explained and the
chicken didn't emote very well. It couldn't even speak English!
Thumbs down.

2008-08-27T00:17:00.001-04:00

this is my theme song for my roadtrip to south carolina this weekend thanks to anthony. most people know beef [my dad] is a truckdriver, but its no joke that he says 'come on' and 'hammer down' on the phone to me without even realizing it. and that friends, is why ill be driving 10hrs each way as opposed to flying.

9in diet.

2008-08-25T09:47:00.002-04:00

so alex bogusky is at it again. this time apparently writing a book called the 9in diet, blaming americas fat asses on 12in plate sizes as opposed to the old 9in size. there has been lots of speculation that this new book is just a stunt to introduce dominos new 9in pizza or something of those sorts. i wonder how bogusky feels about this. but what does he expect after the release of the angus diet for burger king. its hard to take this one seriously. but maybe he's on to something, i'm a big diet/health conscious follower and ive heard this theory before. here is an excerpt from the book:
time will tell.

hilarious microsite for english as a second language program.

2008-08-24T23:06:00.001-04:00

http://www.poptranslator.com/

the perks of the job.

2008-08-24T16:02:00.002-04:00

one thing i love about advertising is all the useless knowledge you get about a product and discovering products you never even knew about. for headline writing this week, well last week thanks to tropical storm fay, we had to write lines for Chimay beer. its a beer brewed by trappist monks. i bought some for research and it's probably one of the best beers i've ever had. it's amazing and i would have never know. at $9 a bottle i'll save it for special occasions, but i highly recommend it. i had the cinq cents [white] but i've heard the blue is the best.

motto of the day.

2008-08-22T21:33:00.000-04:00

twitter shut me down.

2008-08-16T11:16:00.003-04:00

i went to tweet today and twitter told me it was over capacity. has twitter really become so popular that at 9am on a saturday morning it's over capacity because so many people are twittering? and as if i couldnt get the concept, they provided this lovely visual metaphor. thanks for that twitter.

random thoughts.

2008-08-14T09:19:00.002-04:00

it's been awhile since i've actually written something. i've been busy writing things for school between headlines and standup comedy. comedy should be interesting. i'm scared to death but i'm getting excited. hard to believe the show is in less than a month. also hard to believe i've been in miami for almost a year. wow.

i'm so excited for QA. i have my fingers crossed for sao paolo.
i should have more interest in the olympics than i do.
my new addiction is twitter. great.
i'm so excited to go home and see my family.
i want to go to the kenny chesney concert that's in two weeks.
if i go to sao paolo, i'm going to miss not having fall again.
i put my notice in at work. in two weeks i'll no longer be employed.
i feel like this quarter went in reverse. super busy at the beginning, and now it's starting to slow down.
i need more coffee.

have a great day kids.

funny.

2008-08-11T12:45:00.000-04:00

omfg.

2008-08-08T11:18:00.002-04:00

hilarious. [from geekologie.]

2008-08-07T20:44:00.001-04:00

create your own barcode.

2008-08-07T09:21:00.003-04:00

this is my barcode. it's created using information specific to you. in advertising we're asked to consider the potential possibilities of barcode advertising and design. this website has barcode art and more.

http://www.barcodeart.com/art/yourself/yourself.html

scan me baby.

i find this fascinating.

2008-08-06T16:22:00.002-04:00

it's not a new thing. but i still think its so interesting. the way our mind work fascinates me.

80s bday party.

2008-07-28T19:37:00.002-04:00

nicole put together this video for the 80s bday party we had on friday for alyssa, bhavin and i. this is what happens when MAS kids play dress up.

my new car.

2008-07-27T16:56:00.002-04:00

sab is currently on a two week jaunt through ireland, but today she sent me this picture. it's the car she's buying me for my birthday.
i hope it fits in her suitcase on the way back on the plane.

my new dunny.

2008-07-25T11:34:00.003-04:00

meet my new dunny Mist. i bought her doing research for our interactive class this week for kidrobot. say hi. she's nice.

jess's wedding.

2008-07-23T08:45:00.003-04:00

jess's wedding was gorgeous, and the reason i've been mia from mia for the past week. she looked gorgeous and it was at a winery so there was tons of free wine, which made it gorgeous to me.
here's to another one of my bestfriends getting married.

the most perfectist birthday card ever.

2008-07-20T18:14:00.002-04:00

today i'm officially old. 23. at 22, you were still just a year from 21, young and crazy. 23, thats officially all over.

miss christy pregont sent me probably the most perfect birthday card ever made. someone obviously had me in mind when they made it.

so here's to 23 and no cute animals.

deep thoughs on hedonism.

2008-07-18T10:07:00.003-04:00

lots going on recently. haven't had time to blog between coming home to PA for the weekend for jess's wedding and my birthday, and finishing up my door for review. [also on my birthday] check it out and tell me what you think at:
http://thedoor.miamiadschool.com/portfolio/carren_elizabeth_okeefe

on to a more interesting topic. ad school always has crazy assignments getting us to think differently but develop skills. this week we have to write headlines for SuperClubs Hedonism Resorts in the style of jack handy thoughts. this should be interesting. researching i found a few videos that pretty much say it all. although I shouldn't have too much difficulty getting into the frame of mind considering where the bikini video places south beach and then hedonism.

any ideas. feel free to contribute.

what do you look for in a copywriter? -john mccreery

2008-07-11T10:30:00.002-04:00

an article on talent zoo talked about the traits that make a good copywriter. i thought they were interesting and definitely see myself in some, and know that if that's what it takes, i need to work on others. here's the list. what do you think? is it me?

Nishimura lists 34 traits that make up the copywriter's natural gifts:

Assertiveness. Must have faith in the copy he or she writes
Cockiness. Must be lazy and cheeky. Not distracted. Reluctant to give up first idea.
Must be willing to do research. Digs deep into what he writes about.
Mental agility. Not stuck in one perspective. Must be able to see things from different angles.
Calligrapher. Presents ideas in his own handwriting. Writing shows the person.
Good memory. Must remember what other people have written in order not to repeat it.
Skillful word choice. A basic skill for a copywriter.
A strong stomach. Mustn't get a stomach ache after having ideas rejected two or three times.
Neurotic. Neuroses make the man.
Team player. Must be able to work with people with different skills.
Be able to take a punch. The toughness not to be hurt by a client's criticism.
Physical strength. Needs the stamina to be able to work through the night.
Easygoing character. Doesn't panic as deadlines approach.
Curiosity. Must be curious about all sorts of things.
Kanji (Chinese characters). Large vocabulary. Can't always be writing the same thing.
Loud voice. You can't be successful if you don't speak up.
Strong sense of responsibility. Gets things done on time.
Notetaking. Has to be able to listen and take notes quickly.
Insight. Nobody is going to tell you exactly what they want.
Understands quickly. Doesn't need long meetings.
Likes people. You can't be a copywriter without being interested in people.
Likes to work. You can't do this work unless you love it.
Likes to play. Work is play. Play is work.
Gloom. Why is it that most first-rate copywriters are gloomy people?
Aesthetic sense. Must be concerned with the quality of the image as well as the quality of the words.
Computer skills. Nowadays, if you can't use a personal computer, designers will hate you.
Ordinary tastes. Great copywriters may look strange. But in fact they tend share ordinary people's sensibilities.
Psychological education. The ability to read people's feelings.
Hardworking. Earnest about everything.
Suspicious. The ability to doubt everything.
Open to flashes of insight. In the bath, on the toilet, wherever.
Good at keeping things in order. Needs to know lots of stuff. Also needs to know how to put aside what is interfering.
Imagination and empathy. Must be able to imagine what is bothering other people.
Above all, perseverance. Sticks to it.

regardless, we're through week one of quarter 4. i have most of my work posted to the door site with the exception of a campaign or two and some descriptions.

cocktails, hour d'ourves, and botox.

2008-07-08T14:31:00.002-04:00

so working at david barton gym we get invited to a lot of premieres and parties whether its from members or partnerships the gym has, or ones we put on for promotion. i have to tell you, this one tops them all. after returning from PA today [land of missing teeth and weekly bathing] i find an invitation to a party at the mandrian oriental downtown. i was kind of excited, swanky little place. then i read on 'there will be gold medalists and other professional athletes, cocktails, hour d'ourves, and each person in attendance will receive a free session of botox.' i was like.. is this for real?

welcome to miami. and why im so excited to go on quarter away. so if anyone wants to go, let me know i'll put you on the list. but i think personally, i'm busy that night.

miss me?

2008-07-08T00:20:00.006-04:00

it's been a while. i was so excited for quarter 3 to be over that i spent the last three weeks celebrating. despite lots of plans to get some work done, i did nothing. although the quarter didn't turn out too bad [one short list and a gold award] im glad its over and ready/excited/nervous for 4th to start. im getting anxious for quarter away. im ready. im ready to get out of miami, ready to go study somewhere else, ready to meet new people. this probably stems from seeing some of my bestfriends moving on to bigger and better things this quarter, but im still ready. but im excited for this quarter and im going to try and enjoy it and not spend it rushing to get to quarter away. which i need to start thinking about. i had my mind made up about hamburg, but now im not so sure. either way, i cant wait. anyway, here are a few pics of the family from over break. im tired and will write more about it later. its a brief summary: i was in a three car pile up on the way home from the airport with my dad and stepmom, crystal was attacked by a hive of bees and her stings got infected, and my sister set herself on fire. all and all a normal week in PA.sleeping in the camper with snuggles. i still like the stupid dog.

one of my babies. kylie. youngest niece: age 2.

both of my girls. kaitlyn: age 9. at least for ten more days.

missed the family. missed PA. not extremely happy to be back, but good things to come.

name that celebrity.

2008-06-19T13:12:00.002-04:00

we were going through an email about things that are signs you grew up in the 80s. ie. banana clips, fraggle rock, oregon trail, tshirt ponytails, just to name a few favorites. and apparently im a shame to the 80s kids because i've never heard the song 'we are the world' anyway, so to solidify my shame they made me watch a youtube video of the song, upon which we stumbled an even funner game. see how many celebrities you can name in this video. [pay special attention to michael jackson's socks and glove.]

and if anyone can figure them all out. let us know.

flash website.

2008-06-13T14:49:00.002-04:00

check out my portfolio website i designed in flash. not that i'm biased or anything, but i dont think its half bad for a copywriter. although, i've already decided i want a different one for real. and while this one needs a few tweaks, check out the first draft fully functioning and on the web.

www.carrenokeefe.com [because we all know how narcissistic i am]

i'm basically a clone stamp master.

2008-06-11T14:47:00.001-04:00

a favorite tutorial on the only tool in photoshop i know how to use: the clone stamp. basically, if it can't be done with the clone stamp tool, i can't do it.

i need motivation.

2008-06-10T11:27:00.003-04:00

for some reason, i've been completely boycotting doing my final radio assignment. it's due tonight at 7pm, i've had a week. and i finally opened the document. this is not good. heres a little motivation from alyssa:
thank you for the inspiration alyssa. unfortunately it caused me to blog about my procrastination rather than actually doing it.

just a little something we threw together.

2008-06-06T16:46:00.005-04:00

so here's a few videos i helped out with for fun this quarter.

how dew does diet: surprising facts campaign contest.

post-its contest: there's a note for that.

i like my friends. we're fun.

2008-06-05T17:15:00.004-04:00

here's a little video made by the one and only christy pregont capturing our memorial day celebration this year.

happy hurricane season.

2008-06-01T23:15:00.004-04:00

so today kick's off the first day of hurricane season. now i consider myself a pretty strong, independent person who can handle just about anything, but i have to admit that i'm terrified of hurricanes. my only thought when considering the move to miami was the hurricanes. so far so good. only a few semi-bad storms. but now its officially hurricane season and i heard the first tropical storm is already on its way over the yucatan peninsula. people tell me i'm crazy for being so scared, but tell me this isn't intimidating.

looks like the eye is heading right for miami. anyway, in light of the opening of the season here's a checklist for hurricane survival:

FOOD SUPPLIES
Get enough nonperishable foods now for two weeks. Then put them in a box and leave them alone Don't buy foods that are salty or dry or high in fat or protein; they'll make you thirsty.

Water: 2 quarts to 1 gallon per person (get a week's supply)
Ice
Shelf-package juice and milk boxes
Canned and powdered milk
Beverages (powdered or canned, fruit juices, instant coffee, tea)
Prepared foods (canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, chicken, ham, corned beef hash, packaged pudding)
Canned vegetables and fruits
Dried fruits
Snacks (crackers, cookies, hard candy, nuts)
Snack spreads (peanut butter, cheese spreads, jelly)
Cereals
Raw vegetables
Sugar, salt, pepper
Bread
Dry and canned pet food
Extra formula, baby food

HARDWARE
Hand tools - hammer, screwdrivers to use now, shovel and pickax for after the storm
Power screwdriver
4-by 8-foot sheets of plywood 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch thick to put over your windows. Make sure you ask for exterior plywood.
1/4-inch machine screw sockets and screws
Plastic sheeting to cover furniture
Rope
Sturdy working gloves
Duct tape to waterproof items. Masking tape isn't strong enough
Canvas tarps
Nails. There are many kinds, so look over your home now and determine what you will need. A nail too small, the wrong shape or hammered in wrong will fail, and that will give the storm the breach it needs to get into your home.

EMERGENCY TOILET
Small can or garbage can with tight lid
Plastic bags for liners
Disinfectant or bleach
Deodorizer

HURRICANE KIT
Assemble this now. Put aside in a special box in garage. Keep heat-sensitive items inside home and rotate stock throughout season. Batteries can go in refrigerator.
Flashlights and extra bulbs
Battery-operated TV or Radio
Fully charged battery-operated lanterns. Don't get candles and kerosene lanterns. They are fire hazards.
Extra batteries
Matches
Clock (wind-up or battery- operated)
Plastic garbage bags
Working fire extinguishers
Scissors
Toilet paper
Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots you won't mind throwing away later
An inexpensive rabbit-ears television antenna to use when cable goes out
Map of the area
List of phone numbers
Copy of insurance policy

KITCHEN SUPPLIES
Manual can opener
Bottle opener
Matches in a plastic bag
Pocket knife - preferably Swiss Army-style
Camp stove or other cooking device and plenty of fuel. Use canned fuel, not charcoal or gas
Ice chests or coolers
Paper plates, napkins
Plastic cups, knives, forks, spoons

so there you have it kids. my apologies to morgan now for the stock pile of supplies that will soon be appearing in the living room. i intend on completing this list. twice over.

minnie plays for the colored team.

2008-06-01T09:41:00.004-04:00

despite how glorious i look after a day at disney [and a drenching at splash mountain] i made sab take this picture in honor of all my girls who play for the colored team. those past [ming mei, tara] and present, this is for you. because even minnie mouse plays for the colored team.

last soccer sunday til the end of the summer today. color for life.

miami ad school gets a face lift.

2008-05-31T15:07:00.005-04:00

so many from home have often wondered if i 'dreamed up' this miami ad school that i would have thought of, [and lets be serious, i wouldve come up with a better name than 'miami ad school'] i finally have proof that our school does exist.

so while our school spends our tuition money on many beneficial things like kegs, Heineken soccer sunday prizes, just to name a few. the new addition to miami ad includes numerous flat screen tvs to 'showcase' our work instead of hanging it on the old boards. all in a movement to 'go green.'

the lobby: [points of interest: clocks from all miami ad locations, giant giant screen for soccer posters.]

work space in the gallery: [points of interest: seven televisions not including the two mounted to the side with the Xbox 3 and Wii]

gallery/stage for guestspeaker: [points of interest: orange foam seats.]

so there you have it. it's real. and congrats to miami ad for going paperless to be green. let me know how much CO2 those new tv's emit with all the new electricity needed.

next picasso.

2008-05-27T00:46:00.002-04:00

to try and unlock some creativity and showcase other creative talents on my portfolio website, i've decided to get back into painting. starting with water color
beef would be so proud.

dun dada daaa, dun dada, dun dada daaa, dun dada da daa!

2008-05-21T09:10:00.005-04:00

in light of the indian jones movie coming out tomorrow, or in 14hrs, 44mins, and 46 secs according to the beautifully crafted flash site, i thought i would share a very insightful someecard.com [an obvious current obsession. but hey, nothing makes you feel better than some glorious cynical saracastic humor. at least me anyway.]
just a little something to ponder. funny part about it, i don't even like indiana jones. or burger king. so i guess the fact that im blogging about it is the power of advertising.

what i DO like however is sex and the city and all the new advertisements and trailers for the release of the movie are getting me excited. [just about the movie] thank you hugo for rescheduling another glorious radio class from 6-9 on the night it opens. because this isn't a movie you can just see. this is monumental to a lot of people. i think a cosmo, manolo blahniks and about 3 girlfriends is required for entrance.

so while i may not one to be a girly girl, this is one day/event i'm all about it. cheers girls.

sinking.

2008-05-20T09:35:00.003-04:00

this may be the first post where i actually rant a little. sorry i havent posted in awhile, i've been too busy spending ours of my time doing fruitless labor. i'm just so frustrated at this point in the quarter. this time last quarter i was finishing up a few solid campaigns and feeling really good about the quarter. that was only q2. here i am in q3 where we're supposed to get the most stuff for our book and i see potential in one maybe two things, when i ended up with 5 campaigns from last quarter. all ones im excited about.

i keep trying to make excuses like 'im so uninspired by this brief. and this wont go in my book anyway. or we arent supposed to have nonprofits.' but maybe i just suck and got lucky the first quarter. i got all of my good ideas out the second quarter and im washed up. it really shows me how working with a good partner can make or break you and even still, if they're a good partner and they don't inspire/motivate you through your brainstorming, the ideas will never come. or maybe it was just the partner that did all the good work and i suck all together.

the thing that has been getting me recently is im starting to feel like all of my ideas are being used up on other peoples projects. not projects i'm working with them on, that i could then in turn use in my book as well, cause thats one thing. but people run things by me and im like oh what about this or this, and then it completes their campaign and makes it a really good one. now don't get me wrong, i dont want credit, i just wish i could get some reciprocation. or maybe i'm just finding another excuse for why i suck. i feel put in the hours, hours and hours of hours, and still nothing.

i just don't understand what was working for me last quarter that isn't this quarter. one, i took more vacations. i had so many visitors and people coming i prioritized. maybe i'm putting in too many hours. but if you dont crack something you cant just give up on it. and when you have four days to do three full briefs actually being presented to the client, there isnt time to take a picnic and relax. maybe it was less pressure, because i really only had one demanding class and it wasn't demanding, i just made it so. or maybe it was i had a partner that i knew i worked good with, but after this quarter, i didnt realize just how well.

regardless, i need to figure out what it is or stop wasting my time and money in ad school. and some people may say 'well you had something presented to the client', but really that doesn't mean much. because while what i've been producing is 'smart' or 'strategic' its not creative. i may as well go to the account side.

so with that said, i'm going to keep some words of advice from our friends as someecards.com in mind:

dreams.

2008-05-13T11:00:00.003-04:00

so i dreamt last night that i had really bad cancer and less than a year to live. creepy. so while having my coffee this morning i decide to use a dream interpreter to see what it meant. i think our mind is too complex for dreams to be completely random. dreams themselves are so sophisticated that i really believe there's some meaning in at least some of our dreams.

so this is what it said:
Cancer - Dreaming of cancer is not necessarily a negative thing and does not mean that you have or will have cancer at any time. However, to dream of cancer often indicates an unfortunate condition in your life that has been consuming you physically, mentally, or emotionally for too long.

hmm... wonder whats been consuming me for too long? because i obviously need to get rid of it. theres numerous possibilities. input or ideas welcome.

shameless indulgences of the day.

2008-05-12T23:51:00.002-04:00

one thing occurred to me tonight as i sat drinking a glass of wine, watching an educational lecture from a french buddhist monk on TED about what it means to be happy. my freshman-year version of myself would think i am so lame and make fun of my ass hardcore.

but i love it. it's indulgences like these that get my through the 12 hour days of work. that and the duck hunt i just downloaded to my igoogle homepage. along with a 'fishtank' with five fish that i spent ten minutes watching swim around and i feed about fifty times. i like these fish because i know i wont kill them. and if i happen to, i dont have to flush them. basically its win, win. in honor of coke and diet coke back home, thats what i'm going to name two of them. but three fish are still nameless. opinions welcome.

congrats kids.

2008-05-12T19:02:00.002-04:00

d&ad finalist were released today. congrats to branden, jan, brig, tara, jermey, and everyone else who got short listed that i don't know about. so exciting. while awards may not mean but to some people, everyone has to admit it brightens their day a little and being shortlisted for d&ad is definitely something to be proud of.

in other news, the one show was this past thursday. congrats to everyone who received awards in that too. brent, olle [or karl, whichever you prefer] and i finished up with a merit. while its only merit, i'm still very satisfied with it. especially with only being a second quarter at the time. we've got at least one more shot at it before we're done with miami ad. i have to admit it was super exciting to see our work and our names on the one show website.

to check out our stuff on the site go to: http://www.oneclub.org/os/osc/showcase/?year=2008&id=7303

or to see the full site and all the videos go to:
http://www.olandnorthshore.com/doritos/

ok. enough patting myself on the back. time to do real work. because despite all the effort and endless hours of work this quarter, i feel like it just hasn't been paying off. it's time to mend that, because we've got our sights set on future lions now.