I’ve been doing research for a few self-directed copywriting assignments. Part of the research involves visiting retail environments to see what kind of ads and marketing materials are on display. I’ve noticed that the stores usually have none of the magic that the advertising possesses. For example, the Levi’s – Go Forth ads create a feeling of adventure and individuality but when I walked in the store, none of that power existed in the retail setting. It was just a store with no soul. The advertising tapped into an idea that spoke to me, but the store setting completely turned me off. Apple is pretty consistent with their messages in advertising and retail. What other brands have bridged that gap?

Is it true that family traits tend to skip a generation? I find my interests aligning with my Nana’s more frequently. The writing and reading books. Do I do those things because it’s a genetic influence? Or because I’m inspired by her dedication to those things? Probably a bit of both.

End note, this song is fantastic. Can’t wait for the new record to come out.

Father John Misty – Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings from thatgo on Vimeo.

I’ve set up a new morning routine for myself. When I wake up, I usually spend 30-45mins on my iPhone catching up on my Twitter and Instagram feeds. Surfing the web first thing is not a bad way to spend the morning, but I would like that time to be more productive. There is time to be creative before the work day gets rolling, and I’m not taking advantage of it. When I wake up, I will put my feet on the floor, get out of bed and go to my writing table. I will write for an hour. Looking at email, Twitter and Instagram is not allowed until the writing is done. Those are the rules. I’m re-training myself to write every day. I had a good habit with this a few years ago, but I’ve been less consistent with it lately. Time to revive this routine.

I’m reading Don DeLillo’s Libra, published in 1988, which is a speculative account on the events leading up to the JFK assassination. It’s a bit challenging, I’m taking it slower than White Noise. There is a character who I’m particularly intrigued by, a modern-day CIA archivist named Nicholas Branch. Branch is hired to analyze all the JFK case evidence and reports to make some sense of the storied crime. The amount of information in front of him is ominous. DeLillo adds further unease by putting this character in a cramped room. It seems possible for our current culture to feel over-saturated in this way too. The essence of an event or idea is now easier to access but the amount of commentary makes it difficult to distill. The world hasn’t changed much in size since 1988, but the amount of accessible information filling that space in 2012 has and it can be overwhelming.