Sober-October

It’s happening again.

No booze for the month of October.

Can it be done? Probably. Will it be done? Hell yes.

Since Project 10, I’ve noticed three things; beer tastes amazing. Beer…it tastes amazing and the amazing taste of beer is, well, amazing. No seriously, 3 things have happened; I’ve managed to find 3kgs, I have less money at the end of the month and beer, it tastes amazing.

Led's go...Soberville here we come.

With Summer rolling round and the awesomeness of the Rugby World Cup circle-jerk literally on our door step, there will be braai’s, braai’s and more braai’s which means one thing, wait…two things, wait, three things; roadblocks, drunken drivers and beer. Now, before you go scolding me for taking the beers name in vain, understand that even though I’m a lover of festivities, beer will be the main culprit of all that will go wrong over the next one and a half months.

Without beer, there’d be no need for roadblocks and douchey drivers on the road, wait, that’s a lie…there are always douchebags on the roads, but there is no doubt in my mind that they become even more of a hazard when they’ve sunk a few, so to speak. Embracing Sober October is and will be one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Yah sure, I might be missing out on all the rugby related shenanigans, but hey…I’m kind of keen on pouring myself a tall glass of responsibility each and every braai, pub crawl and well, you get the picture. What can you expect from me during this time? Basically the same old man you’ve come to love, adore and make a catheter replacement each and every time I need to go to the bathroom. I know, it’s an endearing image. Just go with it.

Awesome campaign from Oz! Click the image!

Saving money? Not really. Depending on one month to replenish that that has been depleted in the last couple of months is a little ambitious to say the least, but hey, every little bit counts right? Right? It’s not so much the money, nor the drunken driving expeditions that has and will inevitably rub me up the wrong way if I chose to embrace October like a “human being”, it more the fact that I don’t know how much longer I can sustain being a sub 80kg man.

Yes, I’m talking about weight and self-consciousness and yada yada, all that insecure non-sense that has basically consumed my blogging life for this entire year. So, brace yourself for a few more tales from a fattie over the next month or two. Will one month make much of a difference to my weight? I think so, as long as I stay away from the sugary goodness that is Coca Cola – yes – I am…addicted – I think that if I manage to stay away from the addiction, I think I might stand half a chance in losing a little over this festivity induced period. Who knows though, right?

This is where I end off, wishing you all the best of the luck and safety over this time. If you liked or at least related to any part of this post, do me 3 solids, okay:

1. Don’t drink and drive. Our cab services in South Africa, especially Joburg are pathetic, but use them anyway. Safe or sorry, you choose.
2. Don’t over do it. Seriously, everything in moderation…except if the Boks win the world cup, then I might just have a cranberry juice; oh yes!
3. Don’t text and drive. I recently watched this gripping documentary on YouTube from AT&T (Warning: it’s a little depressive, but lank eye-opening…) that told the stories of family and friends who lost loved ones because they were texting and driving. We all do it and it’s not worth it. Seriously. Remember this, if nothing else; “It Can Wait.”

Okay, this is the last word – promise – if you feel like taking up the fight, rubbing against the grain, which is not meant to sound dirty at all, support the cause by “going dry”, use the banner below to promote your own journey through Sober-October and tweet through your sobriety with the hashtags indicated below:

(I’m not attempting to start a movement nor take away from the amazing work “No Regret Friday” are doing, this is just me…doing what feels good. See you on the other side!)

Tweet sober this "Ocsober"!

My first WTF Talk

It’s done.

Some of you may know, others may not, but just last week I formed part of an incredible speaking panel at this year’s WTF Media Conference, which was held at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology down in Cape Town.

Firstly, I cannot begin to explain to you the nerves that truly took over when doing last minute preparation behind the scenes. Fortunately or unfortunately I was first up, that right…literally the first speaker to talk after the Dean of the Information Department at CPUT, which kind of made me feel like I was back at school – speaking directly after a member of faculty and all – regardless of which, it truly did nothing for my nerves.

The Talk was MC’ed on the day by the wonderfully elegant, Heidi Schneigansz or better known as SnowgooseSA on Twitter. She truly commanded the stage and was more than brilliant as she introduced each speaker before they came up. This year the WTF Media Conference was run in much the same style as a TED-Talk which basically means you had little to no time to speak. Apparently I got the memo about this – which I did – but subsequently ignored the different coloured lights from the back of the auditorium and barreled my way through my “Questions Time”. I know…my bad.

So, I set the pace and I’ll be honest with you, the feeling of being up there and speaking about something you feel this passionately about it fairly addictive. I regret not being able to shorten my talk to 10-12mins, being able to answer questions would have been a better wrap up to my speech than stmbling through my last 5 or 6 points, but as they say in France; “C’est la vie”. Maybe they’ll have me back next year to finish off the other half of my speech…*crosses fingers and other crossable appendages*

I promised I’d send those who were interested in seeing my Prezi a link, but instead managed to work a little magic and embedded my Prezi into my blog – oh yes – the man has a little basic HTML skills to. Check it out below…(you’re welcome to pan freely – simply click on the arrow button to “play” and click forward or backwards depending on your orientation.)

Just for good measure, I decided to take a couple of screenshot of the tweets I received while talking on stage. What? I’m sentimental, okay? Gimme a break. Thank you to all those who tweeted up a storm…feels good to know at least some people were listening.

Last but not least, thank you to the team from the WTF Media Conference for their professionalism and encouragement. I truly appreciate it. Also, a massive thank you to all my fellow speakers from the Conference, I am humbled to be in the presence of such experience, knowledge and talent.

Speaking

There’s a lot to be said about those who can speak in front of a crowd. I’m okay in small groups; motivating a team, speaking to a boardroom or simply talking in front of friends and family, but a crowd. Can’t say I’ve ever been that comfortable with it. I would compare it to the sudden frisking from a airport official – who I can assure you, doesn’t buy you a drink before giving you the jangle of your worst nightmares.

Recently I was given the opportunity to speak, that’s right, speak to a group of eager digital marketing students at what is now known as the WTF Media Conference (originally called the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Conference as it was spread over 3 days). Things have changed this year and the setup for the 2011 WTF Media Conference will be done in a TED-like speakers panel, giving each speaker between 5 and 15 minutes to speak about one of two key insights into their chosen industry, field or experience. Now, anyone who’s anyone has watched a TED-Talk at least once in their lives and what you’ll notice is that…well, they can all speak really well. Me…not so well. Well, I can write, eloquently, sort of, but talk…

Crisis: Engaged.

WTF Media Conference

So, we have three problems Houston:

1. I don’t speak well in front of people
2. I don’t speak well in front of people, and
3. What would I say?

Speaking about my industry conjures up both feelings of passion and cynicism.

Passion because currently, I’m doing what I love, every day. Be able to use tools to market incredible brands in some of the most innovative way possible on a daily basis truly brings out the best in me. I love working with creative people. Creativity is part of who I am and even though I’ve left my Photoshop brushes behind, being able to enthuse people through understanding a brand’s messaging, products and marketing strategy conjures up more personal creativity than I even thought possible.

Cynicism because, well, let’s face it…social media isn’t the most respected career path known to man. It’s not rocket science, even though sometimes navigating some of the Promotional Guidelines and Terms of Use on Facebook can seem like you’re attempting to launch your own version of Sputnik with little more than a paperclip and chewing gum, but the fact of the matter is, it isn’t as cut and dry as everyone make it out to be. There is more to the “Days of Our Lives of a Social Media Community Manager” than glorified Public Relations and putting out fires. Listening and understanding what your community needs is far more important that simply marketing nonsense to them on a daily basis, sometimes on an hourly basis.

The point I’m trying to make here is that, without even trying I managed to drum up a piece for my talk this Friday. Speaking from the heart and speaking from experience about “The Truth About Social Media” I hope will give those either considering going into the field or those wanting to work in digital advertising a swift kick in the face with regards to what happens when you naively think that Social Media will fall smoothly into your marketing strategy and if you have a Facebook Account you can just as easily implement a Social Media campaign. There’s more to it, trust me.

Hopefully some of my reader from Cape Town will wash off their Phuza Faces and come on down to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology at around 08h30 or so to listen to me while I do my best to be as honest and forth-coming about one of the fastest growing and controversial industries in marketing.

Errmmm...my thoughts exactly!

PS: This is not an industry related Blog post.

The times, they are a-changin’

There comes a time in everyone’s life when things begin to take shape, whether it’s in their professional careers or their personal lives, things are always changing. Yeah sure, things can get stagnant at times, but the only reason things are probably getting stagnant is because you’re more than likely ignoring the things in your life that are changing, everyday.

I was once told that, the world stops for no man and by guard, it’s true. When things tend to fall apart around you or you become flustered with one thing or another, life just soldiers on without you and it’s up to you to catch up or be left behind in the dust bowl known as “what if”. It’s a sad truth, but a truth nevertheless that I’m sure most of us have come to experience at least a couple of times in our own lives.

Times. They're like...changing and stuff.

How does this relate to me and this sad excuse for a blog? Well, things are changing. I’m not exactly sure how, but they are. You know when you know, right? Well, that’s what I just keep telling myself everyday. I’m not sure if I’m convincing myself of it though or if things are really changing. Changing for the better? Hell yes, I wouldn’t really be writing about it if it was a negative change, now would I? Okay, maybe I would, but I wouldn’t sound as upbeat as this…I sound upbeat, don’t I? Well, it is positive and things are definitely changing for the better. It’s weird, even though I can’t exactly put my finger on it, I feels reassuring and it’s something that I’m truly comfortable with.

Even though I might not be totally aware of the changes themselves or be able name them in alphabetical order, I’m okay with whatever’s happening because it feels good. Personal or professional? Both maybe, I’m not too sure, all I know is that at the moment, life is really good and maybe, just maybe the title of this blog post should have gone something like; “Hells yeah Life, gimme a high 5” or “Take that negative Nancy” – I have no idea who Nancy is and I’m certainly not that upbeat naturally, so let’s just stick with what we have, shall we? You see, there it is again, acceptance of an uncertainty. *shrugs*

I’ve never been one to shy away from change. Look, it’s not exactly the easiest thing to accept – the fact that things are changing – after all, with change comes new challenges, stress, responsibility, yeah…you know, all those adult things! Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for challenges and I have no problem with a fat pile of responsibility being plonked on my desk, in fact, I welcome it. The only thing that irks me though is, and I’d like to quote the late Biggie Smalls on this one; “mo’ money more problems…” Now, I’m not saying I’m in the running for “more money”, quite the opposite actually, but I am saying that it’s rather apt when it pertains to things you like, in my case, a challenge and responsibility. I no doubt feel that with this new change as it may, there will be a teething period that will fit much like a pair of new jeans – you know they’re your size, but they still need to be worn in…just ever so slightly.

Pass. It shall. And stuff.

Bring on the pain. Sounding moody again, right? Well, I’m no idiot and would be a fool to think that this change isn’t going to bring with it a delicious dose of pain. Emotional, physical perhaps or just mental, either way, something’s going to hurt and when it hurts, it’s going to suck. If it’s now sounding a little depressive, look at it this way…I’m trying to let go of the naivety of yesteryears and embrace all that life has taught me and what it’s taught me is that, with the good, comes the bad. Ever heard of that saying; “This too shall pass”?

A lot of literal Philistines use it when referring to something bad, as if to heed the pain someone else is going through and reassure them of the fact that it will eventually subside. Well, they’re wrong. The quote, “This too shall pass” is intrinsically linked to good times. Yes, good times. You know, when you’re feeling unbeatable, top of your game and so on. Well, it all passes and I have come to realise that the good times, they don’t last that long. Sure, they last a significant amount of time to enjoy them, but they rarely last for long enough…maybe that’s what we take photo’s, you know, to reminisce and stuff. With that said, my step away from naivety embraces the ideal that you, we, I should be truly relishing the good times for all their worth, because after all, “this too shall pass”. Hey, maybe that should be the name of this post…? Oh screw it.

To culminate – always likes that word – I urge you, my electorate, to embrace change, whatever it may be. There’s no reason to shy away from what will be, it’s going to happen one way or another so you might as well enjoy the goodness while it lasts in the understanding that kak is sure to follow and when it does arrive, take it on with no fear…and if it hurts, you know what?

It’s probably worth it.