Happy Friday Happy Up Here

It is Friday ladies and gentlemen. That itself is worthy a cheers and to accompany it, I present you an uplifting soundtrack from Junior!


Happy Up Here from Röyksopp on Vimeo.

Web 2.0 guide to modern flirting dance

Source: TheFrisky.com

I am sooo sending this to the creative team :-P

Someone told me that the video has been out there for awhile but it still pulls my stitches hehe visit their website too Make My Logo Bigger Cream

Made for Each Other

I am gushing over this sweet cute commercials from Frito Lay's campaign. The website itself is fun and kawaii! Go visit and play :-D





Find more videos here

Died Young Stayed Pretty

Died Young Stayed Pretty is an interesting new documentary about the underground poster culture in north America, anyone willing to lend me?

Case Envy

Found out from this guy that Lego's employee got to have one of the coolest business card ever! Sooo envious!

Baby Mop

This TVC is probably pretty old but it still managed to elicit a WTF reaction from me which generally means good enough to share ;-)


Baby Mop from Chris Milk on Vimeo.

Dan Meth's Trilogy Meter

The democratisation of theatre

I just found out a wonderful initiative from the Royal National Theatre. Starting this summer, the RNT will film their performance live and in high definition (starting with Phèdre), then broadcast it via satellite to some 50 venues across the UK—for a potential audience of up to 10,000 in a single evening—along with 100 more in the US, Canada and Europe. This promises more opportunities for people who are interested to go to theatre but unable to afford it. Apart from the performance itself, remote audiences will be able to watch backstage footage and interviews with artists. In the UK, RNT will be partnering with the Picturehouse chain and a range of independent cinemas and arts centres and ticket prices will varied accordingly.

You Can Not Live on Hope Alone

I found this lovely animation done for Causecast organization by Matt Sung. The animation features Harvey Milk's most recognized speech, "You Can Not Live On Hope Alone," which was given in 1978, shortly before he was assassinated. Harvey Milk is the first openly-gay man to be elected to public office in the US. I would be looking forward to watch Sean Penn's Oscar worthy portrayal in Milk...

Fifty People One Question

Julia totally loves a collaborative project between creative studio Crush+Lovely and production company Deltree. They go to a new place, ask the same question to 50 people, and film their responses. Recently they asked New Yorkers and Londoners, “where would you wish to wake up tomorrow?”. The answers border on whimsical, sweet, and dreamy.
Go and enjoy more in http://fiftypeopleonequestion.com/


Fifty People, One Question: New York from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.


Fifty People, One Question: London from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

The Crisis of Credit in Short & Simple Story

If you are like me, confused by the many economy terms flying about in the media, then this video would help you understand our global crisis better. Done in nice and simple animation, the credit crisis is explained in an interesting manner. Enjoy!

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.
Writing, direction, animation & sound by Jonathan Jarvis, Narration by John Levoff, Music by Brandon Au - a.k.a - DJ Skwint

Blaming Ringo Starr

Blame Ringo, the up-and-coming Australia band, has one of the most unique background story. The story is that it is a band on a unique mission. They are using the power of song to blame Ringo Starr… for everything.

Quoting directly from the band's MySpace page: Originally billed as “Goodnight Vienna”, the band had to change its name in late 2007 after being threatened with legal action by a “Richard Starkey Jr”. Apparently "Goodnight Vienna" was the name of Ringo’s fourth studio album and although he “thoroughly enjoyed the music” he was “obligated to dissuade any profiteering which resulted from the use of his intellectual property.” What a bastard. After a spiteful name change (and a lot of muckraking) the new and improved “Blame Ringo” are set to have their revenge by seeking to expose the man who lays claim to inventing the ‘peace’ sign.

I am not really sure whether the story is valid (good ice breaker that is for sure), however I adore their "Garble Arch" video clip that narrates a day in the life of Abbey Road! It is pretty cheesy but I supposed that I would also try to re-enact the famous Beatles' stride if I am around the area :-P


Blame Ringo - Garble Arch (A Day in the Life of Abbey Road) from Blame Ringo on Vimeo.

Cute feel good commercial: The advantages of travelling in group

The last couple days I have been pretty flatted out juggling S.E. project and MFP. I expect it to last for the whole week, so I won't have much time to update. Here are 2 cute, feel-good commercials from De Lijn.

FML!

I am a person that tends to lean towards the 'half empty' mindset compare to the ever optimist Da Fonz. Even on occasion he would complain that I am all too wound up. All works and no play turn J into a dull kid. There are times, especially after an extra shitty day, I would moan and moan "If only I do this differently", "if only X is less of an beep". However, reading FML, I learned to be less anal with myself. Hey, if half of these anecdotes are true then my life is not half that shabby. Here are some funny anecdotes to brighten up your day. Click to zoom.PS: FML is a recollection of everyday anecdotes likely to happen to anyone. They are published on the site and written exclusively by their users. The site is a place to “let it all out” and unwind by sharing those little things that screw with your day; it allows you to realize that you are not alone :-D

Bus slogan generator

Got forwarded this by one of my mate. For those who are not in the know, it is copying the (in)famous atheist slogan bus that started in UK and spread to the rest of the world.
Before:After my tinkering:

Cup Bobblers

This weekend I want to fill it with painfully achingly 'kawai'-ness! As usual, I spent several hours being out there in the net doing nothing but surfing about. Many complained that it is a wasteful habit but sometimes I can defy them and say "Here! see this cool thing? I found it while surfing!". I am determined that the theme of this week would be something cute so here is an ice-cream cup designed by Junfei. It comes with a figure model of the body with spring that lets you peel out and stick the ice cream cup on it, changing it into a bobbler head figure. You can place on the car while u driving or a decoration in your room ;-)

Modern twist of traditional proverb

I really enjoy Nikki's take on our modern Western mentality. They do hit a bit too close for comfort but they make me smile nevertheless. I can totally imagine Kremers saying, "Be cynical baby, be cynical!"

Cool new video from Peter Bjorn & John

Darn, I am really in love with the jiggling tune and definitely the cool dancing Japanese biker gang!

Peter Bjorn and John "Nothing To Worry About" from Koti Khanski on Vimeo.

Poster meets origami

Can't help my self but sharing an interesting work by Kyle Bean. Themed as 'Compartmentalism' you can follow the journey to unfold of a poster. For more works, go to Kyle's website.

Children don't forget to brush your teeth after eating sweets.

Promotion by Colgate Thailand.

Pride & Prejudice Zombie

I saw and I read with morbid curiosity. As one of the hopeless romantic that idolizes Mr. Darcy, I felt torn in 2 directions: indignant or fascinated. My first reaction was, "How dare they butchered a classic!!" but then I am not type of purist who is not willing to be more open-minded. I am looking forward to the day when I can read the book and judge it by myself. This modern interpretation of Jane Austen's work is available for pre-order in Amazon.

Confession of an online addict

I work in an advertising industry... surprise...surprise... In the past, I have always thought that I will be working in media or fashion industry, but somehow I stumbled upon advertising and started to like it. However I suspected that I am turning into a prissy online addict because of my job. I guess that would still be a prissy online addict if I work in media or fashion industry, but the very idea of not having my trusty laptop and internet connection horrifies me. I realise that it is almost turning into a problem (my smart phone is not helping my addiction), may be I am in a denial phase, but I believe that I am not that bad yet.

Now what is the connection between my job and my addiction? Well, it is quite direct. My position as a creative junior planner (ex-trendwatcher) demands me to be informed all of the time, which means being connected at least 17 hours per day (no compromise with beauty sleep). Frankly I love to be connected; however a habit is turning into a problem when one experienced a cold turkey! Typical withdrawal syndromes are as followed: anxiety of missing the latest news (however small), fretful from not checking email (or facebook or other similar social media), and uneasiness from not having information at the tip of fingers (google or other similar site).

Good news is that I am not a special case, online addiction is a very modern phenomenon, some have it worse, and some are better coping with it. My inner hippy natural girl assured me that I would be able to survive without all of these technologies and connectivity. I would even have better quality of life (less stress and pressure do wonder to skin!), but just like every other addict, I will say that there is always another day.

Julia, the hopeless addict, can be found in blogspot, facebook, friendster, and flickr. She is still weighting the benefit of twitter.

Lanvin & Geek

As a geek that worship fashion, I am totally in love with Lanvin's latest ads. It features lego, pacman, and space invader! What more can I ask, they combine 2 of my biggest passions. Please enjoy the colourful eye candy which was photographed by Hartland Villa.

Trying out Bikram Yoga

I have been thinking about trying Bikram Yoga for ages. After being recommended by Mylda last year, the idea has been festering behind my brain for awhile. However, I have been reluctant to go due to financial reason, after all as an intern, I wasn't earning that much and any meagre money that I have left would end up in my shopping budget.

Then comes the perfect timing, I have been getting itchy to work up some sweat and there is the Christmas fat that has been a bit difficult to get rid off. So after dragging Da Fonz to wake up early this Sunday, I managed to try a session of Bikram yoga. And what an intense 90 minutes of work out it was!

26 poses later, I was drenched through and through. The 40C steam room helped a lot in the process and in the end, my muscles were stretched and jelly-like. In addition to that, I feel so invigorated through the breathing exercise. I am sooo going back. If you are interested to try a session of Bikram yoga then I will suggest you to check your local community or if you live in The Hague, you can visit Bikram Yoga Den Haag.

Julia recommends Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire Trailer from Amardeep Kaleka on Vimeo.

This year Oscar black horse movie, Slumdog Millionaire, is one of the sweetest film I have watched for awhile. Directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting), Slumdog Millionaire tells the life story of Jamal, a street kid in Mumbay, who is in the verge of winning the biggest prize of Indian 'Who wants to be a millionaire'. The prize has deluded the smartest people in the country, but how come an uneducated 'chai' boy can progress through? Why someone that doesn't care about money, insisted to be part of the show? The puzzles are unfolded through the movie. This is one of the feel-good movie that I love: Jamal's bitter-sweet fate, Mumbay's rapid urbanisation that reminds me to Jakarta, and the optimist attitude no matter what happened. Slumdog Millionaire is definitely in one of the 'dysfunctionally happy' genre like Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind, Juno, and Little Miss Sunshine. Also kudos to the amazing performance by the child actors :-)

Distinctive events

Let see, what the world has been about while I was tolling away in the office...

First is the inauguration of Mr. Barack Hussein Obama, probably one of the candidate with the most technology savvy, human engaging campaign I have seen so far. The message of HOPE and CHANGE came across clearly and the grass root movement was just admirable. This poor guy comes to the office in one of the worst situation ever, counting in bad international reputation, wars, questionable human right practice, and a globally crippling financial crisis. While he managed to fight for his crackberry, everyone is holding their breaths waiting for Obama to perform his magic. I say just wait and see. If this guy really can speak slang Jakarta, then he can't be that bad ;-)

Second would be how the super human, 8 Olympic medals winner, Michael Phelps got caught in bad publicity due to a photo of him bonging to la-la land, was published. Suspended for 3 months and lost deal with Kellogs, he is in the publicity ugly side. I gave out a relief sigh. Finally he is acting like a 23 years old dude that he is and it also explains his inhuman calories intake everyday. Hey this guy struggled and practiced everyday to get where he is. Cut him some slack yeah? He isn't harming anyone.

Third, remember the opening position advertised as one of the best job in the world ever? You know, a job where you can spend your day lounging about in a sandy beach and blog about it? Part of the Australia tourism campaign, the news of this job has been popularly circulating around the WWW community. Obviously this will attract some eccentric crowd to apply for it. Anyway, I have to applause this prankster that edited bits of Bin Laden's video and turned it into a video application! Enjoy!

OMG it is already 2009

I am soooo lame. I didn't realize the change of year until a few days ago when it struck me that it is already February 2009! When did every thing passed by? Time is flying real fast that I am not in tune with its pace yet. I feel like old granny already... or I would insist that I am an old soul in a young body hehe

There were flurries of activities along the period of me returning from my holiday to now, so it is no wonder I lost count.... the crazy Honda pitch was definitely one (jet-lagged one week of intense overtime, holiday? what holiday?), then Christmas came knocking on the door (lovely proper English Christmas celebration with FFonz family in Luxembourg), New Year (freezing party in Amsterdam and the memorable moment of Viv leaving a token in NS 1st class carriage), and then now. Did I mention that now I am a junior planner? A busy fulfilling year indeed!