Star spotting

I've been a bit slack updating this, mainly because I've been quite busy working! Damn work - gets in the way of everything. I've been working mainly on a few Eastern projects and also one in the glamorous world of Tunbridge Wells. Mobile Business, the magazine I've started consulting for, has been bought by Miles Publishing, a successful publishing house. Miles Bossum, its founder and owner, is a pretty ambitious guy and we share a couple of mutual friends, which is always a good sign.
I also found time to catch up with Andy Oakes, publisher of respected digital title NMA. We were gossiping like old women with the guys from Freestyle in Soho Hotel [where I seem to hold most of my 'meetings] when who should we spot? Keira Knightley. Looking a bit like a bag lady, IMHO, but gorgeous nevertheless. The boys were of course like meerkats trying to see who she was with but, bless 'em, they are celeb whores.
Mr Oakes was kind enough - and sexually confident enough - to allow me to go through his 'manbag'. I wasn't looking for it, but stumbled across a magazine. Apparently it's his guilty secret. I wouldn't DREAM of telling you the subject matter......

correction

Clearly I should have said - on my post on China - "I'm NOT so sure" in relation to the One Child Policy.

Damn gremlins. :)

China

I'm finding it difficult to come to terms with what's going on in China, with the earthquake. I have thought for many years the One Child Policy was a good thing - apart from the obvious, if you're a girl you're not really wanted - but now I'm now so sure. As much as I disagree with all of what went on in the Cultural Revolution, I feel really sad for all these families who've lost their one chance of carrying their name on. Sorry. Feel a bit down about it.
What I don't feel down about is the fact that suddenly - according to The Independent - wedding days are no longer just for the bride. As a single woman - who has never felt the urge to get married or have kids - I fear the day (if it comes) where I become a monster in wedding shops. Surely the whole thing is about the person you love and your loved ones coming and witnessing you pledge your love to that person? Is it really about cakes, favours, photos and venue? Not to mention the dress. Having said that, I have a really personal fear that I'd want a sleek Armani/Ralph Lauren outfit, but will get swept away by the rest of the people. Maybe I should get married on a mountain, or something. I spent my 30th birthday at Edinburgh Zoo so there could be a trend there.....

Musings

Just off the phone to romantic entanglement. Not sure whether he wanted me to call or not - but either way, it's done. He's intriguing.
Bad result for the 'gers tonight. Thought they could've mad better use of the opportunities than they did. Getting Novo on at the last minute was a serious mistake.
Have to be up to interview someone at 10, so best be off.

Busy busy busy

Have had a busy few days, so no time to post. Monday night was spent at The Arts Club with the delightful Phil Jones and old time buddy Jane Austin, who runs http://www.austinobrien.co.uk/. There were a few others there too, but I'll spare their names to protect the innocent! Even had a romantic entanglement, which was v nice. Let's see how long he's nice for.
Yesterday was spent talking digital. Had a meeting with an agency in the morning, which hopefully will result in some work. Then had lunch with Amanda Harrison, another old friend who runs a very good PR company, http://www.amandaharrisonmedia.co.uk/. We spent a good couple of hours dissecting the media industry at the Med Kitchen, in Charing Cross road.

All this meant that I was late for my last meeting in Croydon.
I've finally got to the bottom of the Olympics saga. It seems NBC is not selling digital only space, instead it will sell a package, which is quite astute. Brands that want to get the huge online audience will have to buy the TV air too. Maybe this is the way broadcasters can actually make money out of internet advertising. With spots on the Olympics going for millions, it could mean a huge amount of revenue for NBC. And of course, MSN who will have negotiated themselves a nice big slice of the pie.

Everything's gone mobile

Have just had a fantastic meeting with Mobile Business, who want me to do some work with them. Great title, but needs an injection of funkiness. Really looking forward to getting my teeth into it. Sun, good meetings; life can't get better - can it?

British Gas

Why is it big companies try to embrace digital but do it *so* badly?
I've been trying to organise my British Gas account online for six months and somehow, for whatever reason, despite them sending me bills with the a/c number on it, they can't recognise me. I call the online support team and they end up cutting me off! When I do get through, there's the obligatory 'we love you, we'll be with you' message. And then they advise me that it's busy, and I should go online. I f***ing know that. I can't. Hence my call to you.
I'm not bothered about companies that aren't online. If I choose to use their products, then I choose to abide by their way of working. But don't pretend you do digital, if you clearly are still struggling with customer service.

Sunshine

Today was spent mostly sitting in the sun and working. Hard realisation that, actually, both don't go together. Now badly burnt.

Confused at the surprise around MySpace not hitting advertising revenue targets, would've thought that was obvious given the reluctance and sceptism by big brands to invest in social media. A new approach needs to be taken. Still working on this Olympics piece. Can't seem to get much joy from anyone on it. Ho hum.

Boris

I'm all for politicians using 'new media', but come on. Boris's Facebook page has not been updated with the news that he's now Mayor of London. I know the result was only announced last night but.....

Saturdays....

Well, it's a glorious day. I've been for a run and also called a few foreign friends. They were mostly drunk.
I'm wondering. Do I do some housework, or go to the park and feed the ducks? I always feel that feeding the ducks on a nice day is somewhat indulging to yourself, not the ducks. They get overfed on nice days. I should go on a rainy day. Hmmm.

poverty, socialism and celebrities

Well, today's been pretty eventful. I'm in the middle of researching a piece on the Olympics, and how brands can use the online element to maximise their marketing around it... any help would be good.
Had a great lunch with an old friend at Zilli Fish in Soho today, very 90s, but lovely.
Good to catch up and get out of the whole madness of being at home alone. Weird, though. Ziggy [ex-Big Brother 'star' so I'm told!] was in there with a blonde, and Meg Matthews [not drinking as she's in rehab] was dining with a rather muscly chap with tattoos. Odd to sit and have a conversation about the London Elections while two pseudo-celebrities are chomping on tuna carpaccio and poring over the tabloid gossip. Said friend - very Labour - was horrified that I said I'd vote for Boris Johnson.... However, I was joking....

Now need to knuckle down and get some work done...

ramblings

I'm wondering if I maybe need to change my life. Have got into a depression about not being around and about people. Need to see more people. Off to bed. Happy Chelsea won, though.