Four wheels for me

I need a new car but I can't find one. I mean i can find a car, any car that is practical for what i need. But i can't find a car brand that i am.

Despite all the of car brands, from alfa romeo to volkswagon, from bmw to yamaha, none of them reflect me and my aspirations. I can find clothes (Paul Smith), food supermarket (Sainsburys) or even department store (John Lewis) but a car? I am floundering. I think I might like a Ferrari, but even in that hypothetical situation (i assure you), i'm not sure, it's just a bit crass. I prefer something a bit more understated and dare i say 'cool'. But what car is cool below fifteen grand? Mazda MX4? Poor man's Porsche. A mate who's opinion on these things i value for more than any other says Renault Scenic. Really Jo? I'm not 40 quite yet, though i do have two kids.

Austin Healy or a Triumph, now you're talking. But i don't think you can get two car seats in those let alone a wife. I am going to have to grit my teeth and buy something with more plastic than my local recycling centre. That's why i am being led down a 4x4 track by my wife, and i have no resistence...

Exploding fruit

Love this - makes me salivate. By DDB London.

Atishu! Atishu!

Another series of The Apprentice, another 'branding' challenge, this time for a box of tissues, plus a tv and press ad. The team that lost did a marginal better job visually, but even I know that Sir Alan is not a sophisticated soul when it comes to advertising and it needed to be product, product, product. And theirs was just a bit too subtle as the sorrowful pack shot was relegated to being a bit-part player. Both brand names were appealing, but of course I spend significant parts of the show drifting off to imagine what I would do. But what do I know? I'm a bloke who just won't understand the market (apparently).

Dramatic pause or over-complication?

Our future. It's in our hands.

Or

Our future is in our hands.

The former is a campaign tagline is for a government skills initiative. I find it annoying every time I see it spat from my tv – it's clunky (though admittedly it has the same number of words as the alternative) and awkward. Grammar is sacrificed for a dramatic full-stop as 'Our future' is not a sentence. Just lazy copywriting imho.

80s film posters reborn

The new Indiana Jones film is being promoted with a huge dollop of nostalgia, looking like it could have been produced in the 80s. A montage of heads and exotic locations in an affected illustrative style – Indy has aged well. Aahh, reminds me of the Star Wars posters I had on my bedroom wall.

Guilty pleasure...

I have just voted in the local elections (as I live in London, one of the votes is for London Major) and wish I was involved with the design of the forms, posters and supporting POS. Not glamourous, even a little dour, but the simplicity necessary is refreshing. Any way, I have a soft spot for pastel coloured papers when used together.

Note: As this is my first post in about 10 months, I must write shorter posts. Above is 62 words. In future, I will see if i can keep it to under 60.