NORTHERN PLANNER

The Tate Gallery in St Ives is giving out these empty story boards to kids. Within the four frames, they can create pictures to tell their own story. The best that get returned will get displayed in the gallery.
They also do Sunday workshops for parents and children. Next Sunday it’s pottery.
What a great understanding of the Tate’s audience. They know that many visitors may be put off by dragging around bored kids, so they’ve not only looked at ways for both to enjoy a visit together, they’re creating little art enthusiasts who will want to come back.

This mirthless,lazy, generalising ad got me a little perturbed. Why is it OK to perpetuate the myth that creatives are a bunch of bad tempered gangsters that will maim anyone with the temerity to offer an opinion?

Most creatives are great to work with, yes, there is minority of bullies out there, but there’s also a minority of account people who do exactly what the client says, just like a few planners kill an idea just because the groups don’t get it.

If creatives get a bit passionate about their work, well, they should. If most of my work ended up in the bin , I’d get a bit frustrated from from time to time as well.

I think I’ll offer an alternative list in bit. Any ideas?

I’ve been reading an old biography of John McEnroe (Taming the Talent by Richard Evans, very good) one of the most competitive sportsmen ever.

Apparently he never forgave Borg for retiring -it was never as interesting after that and he didn’t have anyone spurring him on anymore.

Senna v Prost, Apple v IBM, Eastenders v Coronation Street, Jedi v Sith. In each case, they’ve had an enemy, someone to beat, a rival to keep them sharp, to measure themselves against, to help them keep getting better.

Who is your conceptual rival? Who gives you something to be different to? Who keeps on challenging you to get better? You don’t have to like them, but shouldn’t you appreciate them being there? Don’t they stop you getting complacent?

The Oxo family was one of the ad campaigns I used to love – a story about a family where all the scenes take place at the dinner table.

Times have changed, so Oxo’s latest campaign tries to persuade familes to actually get together in the first place. On the face of it it seems a nice idea; Oxo can claim the heritage and have a right to comment on fragmented family relationships. BUT, a mum I know has to coerce her teenage son into every family meal, "No one else has to eat with their family", he mumbles. He sees it as some kind of punishment.

So is it fair to put extra pressure on Mums? Since they think they have enough to cope with, isn’t it a victory just to get the kids to eat something good?

I’m all for setting the cultural agenda, but I reckon Oxo would have been better finding a way to help Mums getting kids to just eat properly (more home economics in schools? How to make 4 seperate meals in an evening?).

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love the eating together thing to work, I’m just a bit unsure that Oxo can force their heritage into times that have moved on too much. I don’t have kids though, so I’d love to know what parents think.

I love Advergirl’s blog. This is one of the most useful bits of advice I’ve seen in ages – take a look at what you could have done differently before you blame others. It’s easy to forget….

Even more votes since it’s nice to able to get a female point of view in an overly macho industry, oh, and she’s a suit.

  So what’s good about being older then? Here’s 10 thoughts that may be useful.

1. You’ve had the chance to learn from a lot of mistakes – this means you’ll make less from now on and appreciate what they can teach you when they still occur from time to time.

2. You’ve gone through the impatient ‘I want to experience everything’ phase. You know what you want now, but you appreciate what you have more.

3. As you get older, you become more inclined to play it safe. This means you have to work harder at being childish – this is fun.

4. If you’re single, it’s far nicer to meet someone than it was. Now the waistline, bone density,  hairline and other stuff aren’t what they were, you appreciate being wanted. Since you’ve had practice at relationships, you’re more likely to make this one work (or there’s no help for you!).

5. Women improve with age. They become calmer, less idealistic. Instead of believing there is one person who may give purpose to their lives, they become far more independent. His happiness isn’t totally your responsibilty, nor is his yours. Much better for all concerned.

6. Men get better with age. They’re less bothered about impressing their mates and more bothered about pleasing themselves. Much better for all concerned (see above).

7. Your circle of friends has been edited down. You’re left with relationships that have stood the test of time, and will probably stay that way. If you’re married, you’re more likely to stay married.

8. You’ve had time to collect experiences. This makes you more interesting, which makes meeting people easier. Since you’re in less of a rush these days, you also take time to listen more – this is probably even more helpful.

9. The people that like you will probably stick with you, since they’ve had long enough to get sick of your annoying habits. You’re also more patient with rash, impatient youths, since you now understand you were this bad once too.

10. You’ve always loved your parents and elders (hopefully). Now that you’re going through more of what they did you learn to respect them more. It also means you’ve got more in common, so they become friends as well as Mum and Dad. Trust me, one of the nicest things is sharing a beer with Dad and having plenty to talk about.

11(bonus) You’re more comfortable with what you like. If you like U2 your not embarrased to play it any more. You buy clothes because they suit you, not because the style police say so. You’re not as confused by the ever growing choices we’re faced with these days either.

12 (bonus) Retro trends mean you can recycle some your favourite old stuff AND appear cool.

13. (bonus) You have more money to do the things you like, and not waste time on things you don’t.

14. People stay younger for longer, espescially mentally. This gives you the scope to enjoy far more stuff than people your age did twenty years ago.

In a tight spot yesterday

Speaking of getting old my big sister turns forty today.

Big sisters are good things.

They have kids before you, which means you get  all the fun of being an uncle without the responsibilty of a being  a Dad.

They’re another Mum to turn to when you’re sulking with the real one.

They’re around when your parents are starting out instead of you, so you don’t have to make do like they did.

They make friends with your wife, and although you pretend to hate having loads of women fussing over you, it’s nice really.

When you get older they turn into friends.

They make really, really nice chocolate cake (or at least mine does).

Will the future be selfish? According to the Henley Centre the answer is yes.  Three out of there four scenarios for 2025 are based on people following their own self interests. It doesn’t make sense in the face of Live 8 or the Tsunami fund; or does it?

I’m not sure this report is that new, since anyone who works for a charity will tell you that that there’s only a small pocket of community minded people, while most give money away to salve a social conscience. If you’ve done a little bit (as long as it was convenient) it makes you feel better about looking after number 1. Time is most people’s most valuable commodity these days, which is why charities find it hard to find volunteers.

Thanks to Scott for the heads up.