Art & Life for September 2006

Photo of the Month

September is…the real "new year", standing on the verge of new beginnings, there's a waft of excitement in the air, mysterious because you can't quite pin the why's and how's down. It simply exists.

Oh the humanity of it all…

This month's featured humanity is Literature. Let's interpret some common marketing & advertising phrases.

We treat you like family - If you are considering buying from a company that has this (and any variation) as a slogan - run! You know how family treats one another.

Newly designed - The old parts won't fit the new parts, so pony up the big bucks, Boyo.

Unique - This usually means there is no other way to differentiate the product. In short, it's not particularly any better, just different.

Empower/Empowering/Empowered - Translation: Don't expect help from Customer Service, you're on your own.

The following two expressions comes courtesy of JWT Toronto, via Strategy Magazine.

Out of the box - If you're still using this expression, you're way too far in the box to ever get out. So, please stop saying this. You don't really mean it.

Pushing the envelope - A variation on "out of the box." Except instead of a big, roomy box, you choose to put your agency in an itty bitty envelope. Let's be honest. We know you're not expecting much. Clearly you want to see some pushing on the envelope. But for heaven's sake, don't try to break out of it. Oh, no. This envelope is sealed. And you, my friend, are on an overnight delivery to mediocreville. Besides, if you did manage to break out of the envelope, you'd still find yourself stuffed in the bottom of the proverbial box.

Wine of the Month

2004 Terra Burdigala's La Vigne d'Argent
Bordeaux, France

Imagine cantaloupe, lemongrass and freshly mowed hay combined with a bracing citrus punch. All together now: "Yum!" This is a superbly fresh and fruity Sauvignon mixed with rich Semillon, resulting in a lively wine that can hold its own. Great value for the moolah. $15.35 - 4 stars out of 5

2004 Poderre Castorani's Coste delle Plaie

For those of you who are into the cult of the big wine, this is a softer and more refined red, but still qualifies. Swirling the inky purple wine (yes, you'll get "red wine teeth") reveals a strong cherry and strawberry nose.

$21.95 - 3.5 stars out of 5

Cool Sites for Wasting Time

Suething Mosaics- Okay, I'm biased. This is my sister-in-law's site, but if you are looking for Christmas gifts, these functional art pieces are real gems.

Stuff That Disturbs Me

Food advertising is always a constant source of amusement. I love it that plain ol' fashioned canned soup is no longer soup, but repackaged and rebranded as a "wellness product." Not to be left out, Frito-Lay is taking an up-market approach with the launch of Tostitos Sensations. Frito-Lay says, "Today’s consumers crave special and distinct flavors giving us the opportunity to marry new, gourmet seasoning combinations and our most popular snacks." The product line includes Southwestern ranch, red chile & lime, lime & cracked black pepper, and sweet chili & sour cream. I think it takes a lot of chutzpah to call pepper or ranch flavour a "new gourmet seasoning" but that's marketing for ya. However, the packaging is pretty bon-diggity.

Stuff I Love

This month? This month I am grooving on:

Music

• Bullet and a Target by Citizen Cope
• I Feel Like a Child by Devendra Banhart

Places

• BU (Montreal)- a fantastic wine bar on St-Laurent, perfect for a little gathering of friends
• York Bar & Grill (Toronto) - I missed an opportunity to join Chico (god-mother to my child) here on Niagara St. for her birthday, but, honey, I'll see you soon in my old 'hood!
  

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