POSITIVE

He drenched himself headfirst into the cool water. Immersed. Complete. Sunlight, as it hit the water, shifted its forward march into a playful amble, and the particles of light tickled him. Below was only - swish, swish. The swish of columns of kelp, towers of long slender leaves floating back and forth with the ebb and flow of the water beating on the rocky shore.

And wasn't he lucky! All skin, no limbs, just a hairless, smooth back and belly. Nerve endings satiated. Cold bliss. Immersion. Completeness. God.  Next to him was a fellow seal tangled in seaweed, engaged in some sort of dance with light and water.

And he began to rise, letting his buoncy elevate him, riding the currents to the rocky beach. The sun hit him and the cold evaporated completely. Dozens of seals laid out, belly up with infectious grins under their wiskers. Now this is what life is about. His flippers applauded creation, a cute seal snuggled against his belly and they both were enveloped in sunlight.

NEGATIVE

The long-hair luddites high on marijuana and low on deodorant formed a tight line around the defensive animals. Ok - Julie thought - they weren't really luddites as she saw the guy with the spandex shorts arrive in a Ford Explorer. And he wasn't high. And his hair was short. And he smelled good, come to think of it. But that's besides the point! What the hell were these people doing on Children's Beach - the only place she couldn't take her kids because of the damn seals?

"Get the hell out of here! Julie roared at the six individuals toiling with some weird fuzzy fabric. Soon enough, these hippies dressed themselves as seals - all but one who beat on his drum for dramatic effect. Julie's 3-year old squealed in delight.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look at those seals, MOMMY!" Julie was angry. All she wanted to do was roll her towel out, unravel the latest Oprah magazine and count the clouds between her toes. Her stroller already was packed to the brim with beach gear and now she looked as menacing as a hummer. "MOMMY, MOMMY! Look at the seal, it's like Disney LAND!"

The hippies began their activist show with the real seals oblivious to the spectacle.

"Seals, seals! Let's keep this beach real! For the children, for the future!"

Are you kidding me? - Julie said, frustrated. It didn't stop her, as she forced her SUV stroller into the theater performance.

"DAMN you! Let my kid play with the seals!"

I recently took a look at some of the socio-economic trends in China, here are some of the findings:

Today China’s children are born into a country that is radically different to the China of just 25 years ago. The economy has undergone reform and is enjoying a sustained period of significant growth. It's also fair to say that China's politicians and business leaders are more outward-looking and starting to participate on the international stage in with more confidence in what they are able to achieve.

In the major cities, where only a decade or two ago most commuters still used a bicycle to get to work; commuters now drive their own motorbike or car, or use very efficient mass transit systems.

The economic benefits for the Chinese themselves are visible in the growing cities. China is no longer creating manufacturing hubs that just export goods. The home markets for cars, mobile phones, white goods, computers and fashion are all expanding at double digit levels. There are now massive shopping malls, many with brands commonly encountered in the luxury malls of America or Dubai.

The Chinese tourist is becoming a more common sight. For Chinese children, their country is advancing and exploring other historic boundaries - such as putting a man in space and hosting the Olympics. Chinese children must feel that the new century holds great promise and is all about them and their country.

There were, in 2006, about 312 million Chinese under the age of 15. But, while the rest of the population of China grew by about 7.5% since 2000, the 0-14 age group only grew by about 1%. China’s children are therefore entering an ageing population. This is a profound break with history and in stark contrast with other, more youthful, developing Asian nations, such as India and Vietnam.

As China develops into one of the world’s largest economies, and its consumer market grows in world significance, so the Chinese consumer of tomorrow has become the focus of huge amounts of product and brand marketing expenditure. If the children of today can be made loyal to a brand now, what potential for sales in the future, in a country where the economy continues to grow at over 9% a year?

China’s children are bombarded with media messages from all angles, all the time - advertising is all-pervasive in the urban centres. All of this is having an effect, and some of it detrimental. Childhood obesity rates are soaring and behaviour-related problems amongst school-age children are increasingly discussed.

At the more extreme end of child health issues, the rates of depression and mental health problems are also increasing. These symptoms are more common in Western cultures, where modern pressures and lifestlye contribute to such issues.

Yet, this new generation has a world view that their parents’ generation never dreamed of, has access to better healthcare, better education, more and better toys and electronic gadgets and not only a wider choice of careers to aspire to - they are enjoying far more freedom of choice. Not only can they aspire to own a home and a car, many are likely to have these provided for them by their doting parents.

While the One Child Policy has seen reform, the well documented “little emperor” syndrome is very real and present. A child is still usually the sole heir, doted upon by two parents and up to four grandparents, plus various aunts and uncles.

The lone children of a society where the hopes and expectations of a whole family are placed upon them are expected to perform and behave differently. The pressure to be successful and accomplished across diverse areas - particularly in languages, sport and music, in addition to areas of traditional academic performance, are being placed upon them.

All of this is affecting how these children see themselves within their society, and affects their behaviour as both people and consumers. The future is increasingly wealthy and bright, but will also be incredibly demanding for the disappearing youth of China.

One of the delights of the digital age is being able to check the terms people have searched for you under.

I was pleased to find one visitor to my blog today had typed in the term 'Kevin Sugrue, Stunt Double.' as they searched Google.

Strangely enough, there are a few plausible reasons why this search request has been legitimately made:

- It's true that I have volunteered to do stunt work on location whilst filming.
- My reputation for getting things done in a fearless manner has been commented on by other planners.
- I've recently discovered that I am in fact one of at least 3 Kevin Sugrue's in the U.K. - my surname originates from one small part of Kerry in Ireland. I guess there is a chance that someone needs a stunt double for another Kevin Sugrue. In which case I'd be honoured to help a member of the family clan.

I guess I better get some training in before the next stunt role comes along.

nandun sa loob ng kwarto niya parang shared accommodation ito...namiss ko siya nang makita ko siya tumibok ang puso ko...merun siyang certain look na nakakabighani...parang may sarili na siyang mundo at alam niyang merun na akong iba...

merun siyang bookshelf at nandun ay mga chick books girly stuff...semi long hair na siya gusto ko siyang yakapin nung makita ko siya...naalala ko na may nangyari nung dec 8 at may sinulat akong liham sa kanya....miss ko parin siya...malamang naiisip din niya ako...anu namang gagawin ko? eh di naman niya ako pinapansin???

yun ang aking panaginip

nung two night bagu yun...mayrun akong panaginip katabi ko si anthony habang nanaginip...nagmamaneho ako ng truck parang F150 at nabangga ko ang isa pang truck tumingin nang masama ang driver nito...bumaba ako at naglakad sa parang hilly pataas--may mga tau dun ito pala ay libingan ng mga aso...nakasaksi ko ng may inillibing na aso at sinasabuyan nila ito ng grainy things bits hindi lang lupa at marami ding flowers sa paligid...yan ang panaginip ko at ako'y nagising na kinuwento ko ito kay anthony...

Posted at 04:42 am by mgapanaginipko

6 November 2007

I've posted the item below; in case you haven't seen the article.

The issue that concerns me is that there is no clear indication that BARB will be testing the new TNS/Arbitron system live alongside the old system in order to gauge how closely the systems report identical data or in to enable the identification of differences in reporting.

The two sample sizes and methods are very different, so I'm interested to know how the new system magnifies or brings to light data that the current system is incapable of reporting.

It would also be useful to understand if any previously reported data needs to be recalibrated to allow direct comparison between old and new results from the change in systems?

Having gone through a change in data supplier and methodology myself a few years back, I recommend running both systems in tandem for 3 months to identify inconsistency and iron-out the teething problems. I hope BARB don't simply turn off the current supplier and switch overnight to the new supplier's system without a hope of understanding where any differences originate from.

The article:

BARB TV MEASUREMENT SHAKE-UP GETS COOL RECEPTION

21-Nov-07

The Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB) is set to switch its TV measurement contract to TNS/Arbitron – a move that is likely to lead to the biggest shake-up in quantifying the medium in almost a decade. TNS is understood to have won the contract to supply BARB with audience data from 2010 based on Arbitron’s controversial Portable People Meter (PPM).

While the PPM offers some advantages over Nielsen’s existing set-top system, concerns have been express- ed over its lack of rigorous testing.

PPMs are mobile phone-sized devices that panellists wear throughout the day. They work by detecting identification codes that can be embedded in the audio portion of any transmission. They can also measure TV watched on the internet, in stores and entertainment venues and at friends’ houses.

Data can be analysed on a minute-by-minute basis and the meters carry a motion sensor; if the device is not being worn the information is sent back to researchers who can disregard the “false” data.

Detractors say that despite pilots the system remains unproven, particularly for TV. Others believe the chance to measure out-of-home viewing will be a boon to some of the more specialised business and news channels.

They also say PPMs are more “futureproof” than the existing system, because of their potential to measure radio and TV – so far resisted by BARB and radio measurement body Rajar – as well as new media outlets such as the internet and mobile TV.

Yet one executive believes the new system could cause fluctuations in viewing figures for ITV, understood to be BARB’s biggest shareholder, which could exacerbate viewing problems on its flagship terrestrial ITV1.

Other BARB shareholders, the BBC, Channel 4, Five, BSkyB and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), may be similarly affected.
The executive points to the six months of “confusion and chaos” that followed the previous switchover in 2002. Others, though, insist that BARB, which is currently trialling a PPM system in London, is well placed to avoid such issues this time.

Another source points to the US, where last year Nielsen Media Research – a 50% partner in the UK’s AGB Nielsen with WPP – said it would not use Arbitron’s PPMs commercially for TV in the US.

Nielsen Media Research said that having spent “millions” on research it concluded the system did not “adequately fulfil” TV measurement requirements. The system is said to consistently under-rate 18- to 44-year-old viewers.

The cost of the system is also higher, leading to fears that the panel size may be reduced at a time when the rise in channels demands a larger panel. In 2006, BARB reported 227 channels, up from three in 1981 when it formed, with hundreds more too small to be counted.
One media executive believes that TNS may have offered the Arbitron system as a “loss leader” to clinch the lucrative contract it lost in 2002, after losing out to Nielsen in a 2000 tender. TNS had previously held the contract for almost 30 years.

It was not all pleasure though. When I woke up, I felt bad, but attributed it to the forced air heat in my house and allergies. However, walking those short blocks made me realize I was then weak and feverish. I deposited the boys at a back table where they happily played football with a Starburst. I answered a few IMs on my phone and hoped for the energy to make it home after eating. I ordered them both a grilled cheese sandwich, always safe, especially when the first thing they spied was a menu item that included the words lamb and curry! I was amazed at the variety of yummy sounding homemade soups concocted from locally grown/raised organic ingredients at superfine prices. In the end I got the creamy rosemary potato soup, which came with a tiny local green apple and little sesame roll. I was excited to see a small hand lettered sign announcing that they will be opening a second shop on the corner. That's all I could stomach so far today but it was exceptional.

After dinner we did something very "untraditional".  Since we will begin construction on our kitchen on Monday, we got out our crayons and everyone took turns drawing all over our walls!  We had so much fun and the kids couldn't believe they could actually do this without getting into trouble.  Things will be different next Thanksgiving.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving~  Gobble-Gobble!

But Plaxo have now firmly positioned themselves beyond the site for all your business cards, mobile phone and email address data to amalgamating some of the functions of both Facebook and Linked In.

Mash-ups continue to grab digital attention. As each of us has more complex relationships and business associations involving copious amounts of online data, it does sometimes become inconvenient having to switch from one system to another to access data and complete communication and management tasks through digital networks.

So take a look and see what Plaxo have done by adding Pulse - a tool to amalgamate your Linked In, Digg, del.icio.us, Yahoo 360, Windows Live, You Tube, Last.FM, My space, Xanga, Twitter etc. contact management. It's not perfect, but people want fewer and more simple digital systems to manage their connections with friends and colleagues.

Link to Plaxo Pulse here

How long ago did the first mobile internet connection take place?

I admit working on my first website in 1993 and advising a major brand to develop their first website in 1994. My first modem connection was 14kb - imagine my glee when I skipped the 28kb standard and soared up to 33kb! This was of course a time when ISDN was around 100 or 250kb. Artwork files only took a couple of hours to send!

But as to when the internet first went mobile? Well the answer surprised me.

Apparently it was 30 years ago today. Bon aniverse mobile internet.

This milestone seems frighteningly long ago don't you think? But also it seems to have taken an age for the technology to demonstrate the sort of functionality that the average digital consumer craves - web-browsing remotely at near broadband speeds or downloading music on their mobile phone where and when they want at low cost. Between the flop of WAP and functionality of HSDPA 3.5G (where you can get reception), there appears to have been quite a delay - a tech functionality gap between promise and delivery. If man can go from first achieving powered flight (1903) to actually setting foot on the moon (1969) so quickly; why so long from first invention to making the internet mobile? It's not rocket science!

Personally I find the mobile internet still has a long way to go in terms of offering the connectivity and speed I'm looking for to enjoy media on the move. Even with HSDPA, I can't imagine downloading a 2 hour movie on the move that easily or affordably just yet.

Let's hope the next 3 years are more dynamic in terms of performance leaps and pricing!

  View of the canal walk.

But last night, I was happy to see that there are two big improvements. They opened a Toad's Place for music, and adjacent to that is a low country-themed restaurant called the Highwater.   I'd been hoping to go see The Hold Steady and luckily my best friend came up with an extra ticket for me.   After a long day of work in Charlottesville I hiked over to Richmond and met at his house to get in the mood for music. We had a yummy dinner with southern biscuits and I had shrimp and grits with an unusually good sauce, and we got fried okra and sweet potato fries--mmmmmm----along with some Jefferson Reserve, one of my favorites.   The restaurant had screens to allow you to see what was cooking in the club. There was some opening band that we skipped in favor of trying to eat all our food, which was impossible due to its volume.

It's a semi-trapezoidal cavernous space with a balcony that only has room for one layer of spectators.  So we stayed on the lower level, on the concrete floor, and edged up pretty close.  Chris has a great method of scooting to the front via the side, then dropping back through the middle, thus encouraging folks to make space for us without resentment like you'd have if you pushed straight forward.   Brilliant and workable like many of his ideas!   (Of course he's mad that I've a) given away his secret and b) made him sound like a sneaky bastard!)   First up for us was Art Brut, full of humor and pop punk vigor--lots of short, snappy, funny songs and full use of the video monitors for sing along cues. They were fun if not original.

  Art Brut.

Next up was The Hold Steady, on their third album, and I liked the last 2 pretty well.   By the time they came on, I was just happy, plain and simple, and really liked their show, unpretentious bar band rock.    By their albums, I would have expected more posturing but no---they are old school.    Good thing, since my best friend and I are also old (school!)

  The Hold Steady.

It was a really great evening for me.  Seeing a live band, almost any live band, is on my top 3 list of favorite activities.  Chris and I have very complementary show-watching styles, just enjoying the moment as it is.   Neither of us cares if the other one is dancing around as silly as we want--anything goes.   Plus, we never fail to have a good time together and last night, we were just out to have fun and not even talking about work.  So I was happy and relaxed and ready for more.   Sadly, good things must end earlier than they should when a girl has to go to work the next day!   

Nate is out and about hunting for our Thanskgiving turkey as I write.  Well, he's at Byerlys "hunting" for it.  Looks like we'll need about a 12 to 13 pounder this year.  I can't wait to smell the aromas in our kitchen.

 We loved our movie, Surf's Up, last night.  I would definately recommend this and if you do watch it, be sure to watch the special feature of the Chubb Chubbs.  It's pretty funny.