More Go!

2006-10-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

new city, new found interest in posting again...

so here's what i think the secret to new york is:
the magic will find you when your ready. no forcing.

the past two weeks have gone amazingly well. i've been fortunate to have some opportunities surprise me, and wise enough to jump at the chance.

more to come
love, La

2006-07-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

This just in... from now on, demonstrated grape peeling ability will be required for all Cabana Boy applicants. Yes folks, we have confirmation that I am alergic to any and all skins on fruits. Seriously. And may I be the first to say... THIS SUCKS! From now on, the simple summer joys of spitting watermelon seeds are over for me. I am doomed to a certain fate of baking apples, boiling plums, peeling grapes, popping che... you get the idea. I am not happy.

the head chef position is taken, but there is always room for another cabana boy.

and may i ask again, who are you people visiting my blog? i haven't posted in three months, yet this site gets action every day!!!

also, if you are wondering what i am up to, the best thing to do is email me. i don't go on IM, i can never find my phone, and i'm only toying with the idea of committing to this blog again. if you've got the info, make contact.

later :) La

2006-04-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

Hi
So, its like 2 am and i'm wide awake, on day five of this ridiculous cold, so all of you lucky fools are getting a new blog post. Speaking of which, who the hell are you people? Now that I don't post, this site gets more hits than ever. Somebody needs to explain that one...

Right, so here's whats on my mind today. We the people need a little intervention on our gas guzzling problem. Now, I say this as someone about to inherit a thirsty old SUV, and I don't have any grand solutions, just a few little ones worth thinking over. First of all, I don't know anyone who carpools anywhere anymore. It's always all about the quick getaway, or the last minute arrival, or the freedom to not have to commit to picking up or dropping off or showing up with someone who's not actually that good a friend. Get over it! Carpool! Its a great place to talk, and listen to music, and whatever else. Or try taking public transit once in a while. As soon as you all had a paycheck, you had to get some wheels. Puh-lease. like any of you reading this blog is going to be able to afford gas this summer. And can I tell you how much I love public transit? LOVE IT. Since I was sixteen, I've been rocking the T. Talk about independence... All I need are my own two feet and the change in my pocket, and I can go anywhere in the world. I've seen London, Berlin, San Fran and everywhere else through the window of a bus. The rest of you have been busy with car payments, insurance payments, gas payments and whatever else. Bus scheduals are free, yo.

Okay, so what about gas needs beyond personal transit. How does your food get to the store? How does the shower get hot? Does the mail get there so fast? FUEL baby. This summer, try out a local farmstand, or better yet, try growing a few veggies of your own. Try using a less electicity while the days are longer. Plan ahead so you don't have to overnight your portfolio to an agency in California the day after somebody actually answers one of your phone calls... okay, pinch me and call me a hypocrite. I'm no better than anybody reading this. But I want to be. oh, i want to have the answers, and to be able to share them. I want us each to be able to find that small change we can make, that empowers are to start making real changes. I want to fix this for all of us, and not just because its way to late and i'm full up on cold medicine.

well, i suppose this post is a little more ramble-y than usual, but i'd like to end on a happier note. I went to watch the marathon last weekend, and it was excellent. Here, in no particular order, are the coolest things seen from my perch on heartbreak hill:
- two running elvi (thats the plural of elvis, i beleive)
- the amazing wheelchair racers
- the biggest beruit competition ever
- my boyfriend eating like, 3 hotdogs and two hamburgers in an hour
- the cheering fans (loud girl next to me yelling: Hey Red Shirt, you own this hill! Hey Minnesotta, Welcome to Boston!"
- the 6 foot iguana
- pretty much everything :)

time for more meds. sweet dreams then! -La

2006-03-02T15:46:00.000-08:00

so, does anyone know how to get rid of my lame oid profile that is only supposed to appear on my OTHER blog? yes, i have a bloglink for people i want to hire me, and yes i'll send you a link if you really want it, but its just the images of my ads from school. unless you are a super ad geek like me, you might not be so interested. then again, if you are a member of my fan club, and you seriously want an autographed copy for your tell tale biography... then you should seek help. soon. and you should bring my insane columbian ex boyfriend with you. please.

in other news, i actually went to the library yesterday. got a mystery book which i thought looked promising in an agatha christie sort of way, and yet was completely the most retahded thing i've ever read. friggin animals talk to eachother, and the mystery part? not even so mysterious. i may have to give up on this job hunt and start writing a novel... i could write a better book than that one. in the mean time, i'll settle for rocking my spankin new library card, which has the same awesome logo as the one i had when i was six. i kinda wanna print it on a tee shirt and wear really big earings. anyone else remember The Canary and the Elephant?

2006-02-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

So I recently signed up for Netflix, which I love. Having been out of the country for 6 months and focused on travel for the past year, I'm totally out of date in my films. So netflix is perfect for some of the pop culture catch up I've been needing, plus its way more affordable and convinient than any alternative. Plus, lets be real here - I'm unemployed, and there are only so many hours of law and order one should watch on any given day.

So like I said, I'm in movie heaven. But here's the thing - I kinda miss reading! There is something really magical about a good book, where every word is chosen so carefully. Books have character actors and props and settings and scene changes and mood lighting and everything movies have, but all the work is done by two people, you and the author. with just words and imagination, you and the author become intimate strangers working together to create your own spectacular production. Amazing. This is not only why I read books, but why I read tv scripts before I watch a show. I like participating in the realization of the story. This is also why I love tv shows like Lost, where the writers insist the audience do an equal amount of work. The writers have created a mystery that is meant to be read, read into, infered from, and speculated about. In addition, books make frequent appearances on screen, offering clues and subtext to the interested viewer. You practically need a readers companion to fully understand the show, and it would have to include stephan king, watership down, the third policeman, the bible, owl creek bridge - oh, and a working knowledge of symbols and imagery attached to Roman Gods, Buddhist philosophies, and Egyptian hieroglypics wouldn't hurt.

As much as I enjoy movies and television, my first love is reading. My mom is a reading teacher, and as a child, she kept my imagination well fed with a steady supply of books and frequent trips to the libary. When I was 10, my brother and I were almost kicked out of the library for deshelving books. The librarian simply couldn't believe two children were planning on borrowing and reading so many books in the allotted 14 days. (hah, proved her wrong!) Six years later, I got my first job and that same librarian became my first boss.

People are reading again in this country on a much broader scale than they were ten years ago. Amazon and Borders and Barnes and Noble helped make books glossy and intriguing and appealing again. Popular shows like Oprah Winfrey and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart feature authors and have helped encouraged dialoge about new authors and titles. People are reading and buying and talking about books, which helps increase the knowledge base and critical thinking skills of our country (which lets face it, could really use some help). As the publishing industry turns a profit, they are able to publish more books and it is once again an attainable dream to earn a living as an author. But with all of this stimulation in the literary world, libraries seem to be left behind in the dust.

I think the American Library system is due for a makeover. I have some pretty extensive thoughts about it, but i think this post is long enough already. But i've totally got a plan to make libraries the hip place to hang, and financially independent institutions. And don't think I can't, I rock the pop culture :)

2006-02-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

So, I just got my first official rejection letter, and you know what... It feels really good. Like, awesome. Like, finally, now I can cross your crappy agency off my list and I no longer need to practice sounding sincere so I can shpeal your voicemail on how much I want to move to dallas and watch football and work on super accounts like bleeding lobsters. Hell no you don't have a position for me right now, thats for someone whose standards (as well as their spines!) allow them to stoop so so low.

One down, 19 to go and then statistically speaking, I'll have me a job. Nice!

2006-02-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

ahem.... for purposes of clarification.... i love fondue. for dinner or dessert. the first time i ever had it was in montreal, on a very romantic weekend, four years ago. just in case anyone was thinking of surprizing me with fondue. you know you are.

2006-02-07T22:19:00.000-08:00

Skating with Sinatra... Coffee with Celebrities

went ice skating with Kristen this morning, very cool. michelle qwan makes it look all glamorous, but she doesn't have to worry about tripping over 6 year olds. uh huh, and that's what's keeping me from landing a triple axle...

Then we went for coffee and who should we run into but Mr. Gary Gulman, local favorite and one of the last comics standing. So here's a little background - rewind to 1998. Senior year. College applications are already in the mail. The majority of students in Mrs. Hague's AP english class are enjoying the antics of substitute teacher and aspiring comic, Mr. Gulman. Except for a select few, yours truly included. "Shut up, I'm trying to finish my calculus homework!"

And now you understand a little more about Lauren...

2006-02-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

so, hi, people who are friends with my brother who followed a link from his blog. shit, now i have to be good about updating again, cause i can't let a computer science boy out write me! Here's a quick recap: I finished grad school for advertising in december, and I just started looking for a job. In the past two years I've lived in South Beach, San Fran, New York, London, and Berlin, all as part of school. Now I live in Peabody again, until I am gainfully employed. I'm the reason my dear brother has to ride around in Becky's fly family sedan; He's given me his car until spring. Is the the best brother ever or what? now that you are all caught up, I return you to your regularly scheduled bloging....

back from San Francisco, which was very very cool. A few leads, but we'll see what happens. Had a pretty good interview here this week, but I won't hear anything official from them until they know if they have won a new account. So, end of the monthish. Which is fine, because it give me plenty of time to snag myself some interviews in new york. which means hitting up all my friends who live there for some contacts. Thanks in advance if that's you.

Meanwhile, this week i'm at home, networking from phone and computer, and I'm booooored. I think I should go network from someplace fun like a ski resort. I could sit in the lodge during the week, when its slow, and wait for hotties to come buy me hot chocolate. Mmm.... that sounds like a much better plan...

later :) LA

2006-01-23T22:31:00.000-08:00

my cd labels don't match book and resume and website and biz card. and thus, reason takes a vacation and i cry a little. so, now i have no cd labels. because no cd labels are better than cd labels that don't match. i am clearly insane.

easy mac IS addictive. turns out BNL was right, even all those years ago. such wise men. first person who knows what song i am thinking of wins a case of the good stuff!

going to san fran tomorrow. eek!

2006-01-20T07:13:00.000-08:00

so, still hanging out in the hometown, but if you have my cell phone, you should use it, because I am girl-on-the-go! I spent last week in florida and I'm heading to San Fran next week. And no, not for interviews, but i wouldn't tell you if it was anyway. Cause then I'd get all excited and you'd get all excited and if it didn't come through I would be doubley dissappointed. And while we are at it, please no mundane questions about my job search. No, i'm not interested in freelanceing or a part time gig, I've only been home a month I've barely started looking, and thanks for the unsoliticited advice, but its time for me to stop listening to other people and just listen to myself. So unless your uncle is Luke Sullivan, no job talk. We can talk about something we saw on the colbert report, a new movie, an art installation, we can even just go to the mall and drool at williams sonoma... if you are super nice, i'll even sit through five hours of you on stage (good job bunny!)...
wow, sorry to be so ranty today! i just wanted to be good and post, and this is what tumbled out! ummm, tonight i am going to riverway services with mike and becky, and then out to be arm candy at a bar in brighton - oh which reminds me questions about the love life are off limits too.
later gator!

2006-01-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

i have a COLD! STILL! pout. despite my very best efforts and extra amounts of cold eeze, my nana's insistance at unloading the dishwasher with a runny nose has left me in bed for a week. a week! pout. I did manage to fill my brain with enough cold meds in order to celebrate new years eve, sans champagne, but i felt so shady popping cold pills in a bar bathroom.

chanukah with mom and the fam was fun this year. I love bringing people presents from different parts of the world! and the latkes were delish as usual. christmas at dads was cool too. love the stocking part, and cousin carolyn is everything your favorite six year old should be!

"sick in bed with a cold" lauren is done with as of tomorrow. sloth is dull. I officially declare this cold over, so I can get back to being my vibrant, seductive, crazy, imaginative, uber productive self. did i forget to say humble?

2005-12-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

uuuuuuuuhhhhhh..... best holiday party ever. ever ever ever!
top ten reasons why:

10. lots and lots of champagne
9. kick ass american music
8. my pretty skirt!
7. laughing at henning in his travolta white suit
6. dancing with everyone
5. hangin with monie
4. seeing everyone get smashed :)
3. earning new respect for my CD in the mosh pit.
2. dancing on the baggage return carousel. literally.
1. finding out the gingerbread house was made with a kilo of pot!

home on tuesday. cya then!
cell phone will be working again too. nice!

2005-12-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

here are some words i made up.
how do i do so many amazing things you ask?
I don't sleep. ever.

losting - the hobby of getting lost for sport.
idead - and idea that is stillborn.
whay?!? - shorthand for what! why?

rock on little dreamers. Fame, here I come.

2005-12-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

check out my 15 seconds of fame. you wish you were this cool ;)
http://www.impoy.com/default.aspx?detail_id=97

2005-12-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

babe in berlin on a beautiful night,
by her bounciful self in a burst of delight,
breaks throught the surface of bubbles and bath
with a beer in one hand and a beautiful laugh

2005-12-02T10:06:00.000-08:00

This post is for the endearing Tim, whom I hope is reading this from snowy Altamont, while smiling and stroking the manly stubble on his handsomely cherubic chin. I promise to keep my blog updated for your stalking pleasure, if you promise to talk to me in person a little more often.
And send me new music.
And bake me brownies.
(I'm pushing it aren't I?)

2005-11-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

Nov 28th – Monday - dea shnee ist shun.

Readin and writing and wishin for snow, the kind that falls down and makes the world glow, its bright and its clean and so the flowers can rest, then come again spring they be lookin they best.

There is peace in the world you don’t fully control, need a hand to play if I’m gonna make gold, and its not all about where you are in the end, but how far you got from where you beginned.

Is it wasting my time to watch the snow fall? I’m supposed to busy productive and all, but I’m dreamin and ain’t life the world I create, and if I aint perfect am I still first rate?

Some questions you ask and some you just don’t, and some will be answered and some they just wont, and when you figure it out that’s your chance to grow, and when it all finds you, I guess you just know.

2005-11-23T15:15:00.000-08:00

Nov 23rd –
Fighting my addiction to German chocolate so I’ve switched to oranges. This is my desk.

An update on my relationship with the hair puller: We are actually now past the hair pulling stage (4th grade) and things are picking up a bit – we flew through the “I see you staring at me because I am staring at you too” stage (fifth grade). Which means we are now in the “awkward” stage (sixth grade) where we find lame reasons to talk to eachother (“Did you break the printer?”) and one of us usually says something stupid (usually me). This concerns me, because it means we are approaching seventh grade, and if history repeats it self, this is the stage where Erin C. shows up and asks him out just before I get the nerve too, and then I’ll totally have to watch them not hold hands like all day. What a skank! Okay but the joke is on us ladies, cause he doesn’t come out of the closet til college.
This is getting ridiculous ;)

2005-11-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

Nov. 21 – uuuuuuuuuuuuuh
Really, as much fun as it is to wait for a doctor, it is even more fun to do it when you are pissed off in a foreign country and no one speaks English. 8 hours today, in waiting rooms and getting shots of radiation and having my bones scanned. NOT FUN! Finally got to work and found Moet and flowers and chocolates on my desk. Thanks Bastian.

2005-11-20T15:12:00.000-08:00

November 20th – Birthday ME!
It is my birthday and I am a princess!!! I have a super frilly skirt and boingtastic hair and I feel pretty! Oh so pretty! Today, after a brief fight with guenduez and a photoshoot for work (ug! I want a day off already!) I went to out with Monie.ka. Much fun! We sat in the sweetest café, perfect with candle light, the kind of chairs you sink into, and yummy yummy applestrudel with vanilla ice cream! We went to a candy shop where they made candy the old fashioned way. It was amazing, watching this massive blob of sparkling orange candy roll around the table as it was prepared for the molds. The guy cut us off a little piece to taste and omg, you have never had anything like this. Imagine, a hard candy so warm it actually cools in your mouth, forms to the shape of your tongue, and is the perfect mix of sweet and sour. Mmmmm! After, we happened upon a Lush, so I bought heavenly ball of bubble bath and went home to soak. Perfect!
Finally, Saturday night was my Birthday Party with a few people from work. We went to a very chill bar on Bergman Strasse and had some yummy drinks. But I really really wanted to dance, so I dragged Guenni and Monie to a club. Too bad the music sucked. Danced by myself for five min and then gave up. Once I realized the DJ was wearing a sweater vest, I knew there was no hope. Still, as far as birthdays go, didn’t suck. Think I’ll celebrate again in Boston though.

2005-11-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

So, I spent the majority of my day at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, watching an Irish man curse his way though a TV script that I wrote. Then I got back to the office and bounced around inviting everyone to come drink for my birthday, not that I know where to go yet. And you know what?

I think watching the new Backstreet Boys video was still the highlight of my day. It is THAT funny!!!

2005-11-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

Only a crazy brazilian would read the word OW and think it meant something dirty! In other news, congrats to Fred and Dan on scoring the job of their dreams. Dreams... you remember what those are right? pretty movies you watch in your sleep. Do you still remember sleep?

2005-11-16T14:32:00.000-08:00

so, i was soaking in the bathtub (mmmm!) and i got to wondering. bathtubs are awfully short. why is that? ten dollars and cupcake to anyone who can explain. And i don't want the smart ass answer about the practicallity of large tubs in small living space. I want the real answer, sordid details and all. Perhaps mr. bathtub inventor made it smaller in order to appear more well endowed when bathing in front of mrs. bathtub inventor? perhaps mr. cruise had one specially made so he wouldn't have to share with the first mrs. cruise, and then it became trendy? thats probably not it. take your best guess. surprise me. surprise yourself.
as if there was any doubt - my brain is a strange place to live :)

2005-11-16T14:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Monica,
Okay, I knew when I gave you my blog address there was a reason I shouldn't have, but I didn't know what it was. Now I do. In addition to knowing, um, way too much about me, you know you are on my blog. But the info that is up totally does not do you justice. You are completely wonderful and our friendship has been one of the highlights of my time in Berlin. You have been so kind and sensitive about my birthday and that has made me feel a million percent better. Whatever we end up planning, I am sure we are gonna have a blast. Also, we get along really well. We are two girls lost in Berlin because we are two girls with the guts to go out and get lost in Berlin. We both rock, and our friendship rocks too. Okay, that is enough sappy lauren for tonight. oh, wait, no I forgot to say, i think we'll be friends long after we've both left Berlin. In a few years I'll be dodging the bouquet at your wedding to James, and whether it's in Vienna or London or outer space, we'll both still be gorgeous :) Bussi, L

okay, i have to go be silly now to counteract all of this mush!

2005-11-15T03:28:00.000-08:00

Nov. 15th - ouch.
Today was a terrible horrible no good very bad day and then some. Let me count the ways:
1. Grades from Strada. Jerk.
2. Rain during our photo shoot.
3. Pickles and mustard on my hot dog.
4. Car accident.
This jerk rear ended us right in the middle of the street! We were driving our favorite JVM Mini and he hit us HARD. Of course it was raining and we had to get out and exchange info. He was being a jerk to us, but once the Polezie came he calmed down a bit. My back hurts a lot, and Gunni’s leg too, so we went to the doctor. The pain keeps moving, but it’s only been two hours. Doctor says it is probaly not serious: I’ll hurt like hell on Wednesday but start to feel better on Thursday. He needs to see me again then to be sure. They gave me some pain killer crème – pretty strong stuff! Germans tend to take their meds topically, and think American’s take too many pills. Whatever, as long as it helps. We are waiting for an xray of Gunni’s leg. He is pissed that he can’t play soccer tomorrow. This sucks :(

2005-11-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I have been trying my hardest to take pictures that inspire oohs and ahhs. Apparently that is going to take a little more time…. But below are a few to start with. So the past week and a half, I have been putting my writing talents to good use by gluing packing peanuts together. Seriously. The next time I have a great idea, remind me not to.

As I mentioned, Guenni and I had a cool ambient idea for DHL. Our CD's love it. They want to send it to Cannes. Now we just have to shoot it. make. it. perfect. we've done like four photo shoots already and we still don't have a single shot that is right. ("Lighting is too harsh. I can't see the logo. This angle sux. I changed my mind... " Arg!) Also, this seemingly brilliant idea involves packing peanuts. A lot of them. So last Tuesday, we spent most of the day chasing them down a windy street, and trying to convince preschoolers not to eat them. Wednesday we glued them all to cardboard. Thursday we discovered spray mount eats through styrofoam. Friday it rained so we couldn’t shoot. THANK GOD. Then Sunday we had to rake an entire playground in order to make the background of the shot clean. This project is going to be the end of me. Seriously.

In good news,I asked my friend Monica to art direct a headline campaign I wrote. She used to work at Vivienne Westwood in London, and since it is a fashiony campaign I though she would be perfect. Thankfully, she agreed, but it wasn't until after she did that I saw her book. Oh My God... she is friggin awesome. Our CD is totally wasting her talents. And her style is so totally perfect for the campaign. Bonus that since she is doing it... I don’t have too! YES! Oh the joys of being a copywriter. Plus, all she keeps getting at work is shitty logo assignments, so she is like, omg, real headlines, a real brief, yay! She actually wants to do it, she's not just doing me a favor. AWESOME! I'm really happy to have her help, she brings a lot to the project. And poor guenni has enough on his plate with all our brilliant ideas from last quarter.

Also, we totally rocked our first presentation for Street Football World. Even the CD thought my headlines were better than his. HA!

Right, so I know it seems like all I talk about is work… But my birthday is less than a week away, and I have a pretty new skirt to wear and Monica and I have plans to get all gorgeous and go out and break a few hearts. So I’ll try to have more “interesting” stories next week. Even though I totally know you find me interesting already, or you wouldn’t still friggin be reading. HA!

Much love, Me.

2005-11-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

Dear girl on the train – since you are wearing a sweatshirt that says Albany, it is not unreasonable for me to ask you if you are from Albany. Don’t look at me like I am crazy. At least I showered this morning! Bitch.
Sincerely, me.

2005-11-14T05:44:00.000-08:00

new for fall, the oh so manly knee sock

2005-11-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

candy!!!

2005-11-14T05:40:00.000-08:00

my friend monie.ka!!!!
we are both much cuter than this picture implies...

2005-11-14T05:23:00.000-08:00

berlin graffiti is very cool. I dig it.

2005-11-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

you know your lauren isn't getting enough attention when she starts going all shirley temple on her hair! germany, you have been warned!
I’m bored. Come play with me. I’m trouble when I’m bored. I’ve spend enough time exploring Berlin on my own. I need a playmate. So come visit. We can giggle like self conscious teenagers while we eat rostbratworst. We can jump in freshly raked piles of leaves. We can try as many Berlin beers as you want. You know you wanna!

2005-10-30T19:41:00.000-08:00

Oh, and I almost forgot to say how fabulous Friday was. Yup, had em standing in line to talk to me. No really! I think I finally proved I can hold my own as a writer, so now they all want me to fix up their lines in English. Take a number baby, take a number. Actually, its nice to have impressed a few people, but its nicer that I impressed myself a bit. I wrote some lines I was kinda proud of, and I feel like maybe my headline skills are starting to catch up with my concept skills. Bout time! Okay, so we got three new briefs, two of which were due by the end of the day. The first one, for Duetsch post, I was kinda pissed about because I didn’t get briefed in until after I’d already rewritten a bunch of lines for another writer. No fair giving me less time. But at the end of the day, there were four writers, they narrowed it down to 7 lines, and hells bells three of them were mine. So there. Okay, we also got this funny little piece – basically doing the writing for someone elses concept, but still – where we needed to create a monologue for a guy stressed out about work, and he curses a lot. Moi? Curse? Well, okay, but only cause its for a charity client.
But the best part of Friday was the brief for the Festival06 – we are doing all the ads, stunts, and pr for the street football league festival at the World Cup. SO COOL! There are 24 teams in the league, and in each country it’s a little different, but mostly street football got its start as “football for peace” and as a way for disadvantage youths to get themselves off the streets. Anyway, I love it and I have a million ideas already. Plus, street soccer? How bad ass is that? These guys are so hard core, that fields are too soft. I can’t wait to see how the work turns out!
Rock on!

2005-10-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

Look Look! I got a blog shout out! a whole post dedicated just to me! okay, me and boys to men, spoilsport, I'm still awesome! Here is what "Quansworld" had to say about me:
"It took me a while to realize it, but my girl L. is actually a super hero. Hear me out. Besides the whole leaping tall buildings, speeding bullets thing she controls minds and is capable of creating impulses through the simple turn of a phrase. Kind of like a Jean Grey or the Invisible Woman from the Fantastic Four, only with curlier hair and better at Scattegories. And I imagine her skintight purple jump suit to be just as fetching. She's currently stationed in Berlin where she battles the forces of hack writing one spot at a time."
Thanks babe! and yes, quite fetching. stretchy too!

2005-10-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Oct 29th
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach him to fish, he eats for a life. Drop a man a mile from the river without so much as a net, and you’ve screwed him over. Moral of the story? Some kinds of help I just don’t need.
Naturally, yes, there is a story that goes with this confusing lesson, but it involves angry ranting and finger pointing, and I think I’ve about worked that out of my system for the night. Feel free to insert your own story here instead.
In other news, I went to my first Ikea today. Now I want a house. Okay, not a house, but a swanky apartment where I can paint the walls pink and can afford lots of frouffy curtains. And I will have a pullout sofa so all my friends can come over and stay up late to have pillow fights and gossip. And in the morning I will use my stainless steel waffle iron to make breakfast for everyone. With REAL maple syrup, not that aunt jomama crap.
I miss having a waffle iron.

2005-10-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Oct 24th, Night Musings

Berlin, I feel humble. You let me walk your streets at night, and keep me safe. You startle me with your stars, and keep me small. You challenge me to find my place, and keep me true. When I consider this city and its place in time, I am overwhelmed with the sense of humanity. Your people have been swept away in what they knew to be true, and then buried under the weight of their own sins. We can neither forgive nor forget, but yet we move on. I walk your streets and at each corner I see growth. The leaves are falling from the trees, flashing golden against the blue sky to remind us: there is a cycle. For better or for worse, we spiral through it every day.

I wonder, though. Each of us has sins in our past we wish we could erase. Each of us has faced hardship, felt stifled, been torn down and been forced to rebuild. This takes soul searching. Berlin had no choice but to own up honestly, and face itself with the world watching. Most cities, most souls, don’t have to be so brutally honest with themselves. So, they aren’t. They cheat the process; they cheat themselves. You can’t build until you’ve found your foundation of truth.

I think berlin and I understand eachother. life is a process.

The lesson is in here somewhere: what is right today may change tomorrow. Follow your heart, and allow it to grow. The Truth always comes back around.

Okay, enough serious talk. Gonna go watch some Jon Stewart clips.

2005-10-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Oct. 27th - back off the curls, man

I can’t believe it is Thursday all ready. What have I done this week? Ummm…. Nada mucho? Sat through several long meetings, where I didn’t understand a word. Made sure our viral campaign made the cut, although I feel like it got watered down. Had some new ideas, drew some new pictures, and so on and so on. This one guy here keeps pulling my hair like we’re in first grade and he’s Paul Farrell and he wants to sit next to me for story hour. Sorry dude, I don’t date hair pullers.
Tomorrow there is a big party at work for one of the CD’s who is leaving. It’s at a pretty posh club downtown, and I can’t wait. Guenni still can’t drink until Ramadan is over, but he’s promised to come and keep and eye on me. Oh, and last night he played soccer on the agency team again. They lost 4-3. At least they played better than they did last time.

2005-10-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 23
SUCH a perfect day. Really truly lovely. Drove to Hamburg with Guenni, Oz, and Esra. Guenni drove his father’s Mercedes, which of course means we went way to fast and he completely absorbed in bliss. Oz and I chatted about everything from football clubs to business to the landscape to racism to haribo gummi bears (which are sooo divinely chewy and delicious). The drive took forever and took us through the countryside of both east and west germany. We passed some fat cows, some skinny ones, and even a few honest to goodness scarecrows! I’ve only ever seen them on front porches and on hayrides, never in an actual field scaring actual crows. With the leaves turning, it almost felt like New England. I think trees are very important to me. I love being driven.

Whene got to Hamburg Niklas gave us the official tour of the school. They have amazing amounts of space, and a special upstairs room only for 8th quarter students. They win so many awards in that program, it is amazing. And all I could think was what a luxury it would be to go to school all day and only have to work on my book, for me, and not have to stress about producing it in addition to all of my JVM work. But then again, what an opportunity I have! Our real reason for the trip was to see Renetta, our Quarter Away advisor visiting from Miami. We hung out for a while, had a yummy dinner, and then went to East. www.east-hamburg.de Hotel, bar, restaurant – all beyond posh. Looks like Miami but feels like Berlin. I could have melted into the walls and been completely serene. We were laid back for Sunday, but Saturday the place is absolute scene, electric and vibrant and gilded with golden glimmering guests. Lovely.

2005-10-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

Friday, October 21, 2005 - Sukkot

Just for the record, working 12 hours a day on two assignments is way less cool than working 14 hours a day on six assignments. I'm in the 12 hour category. Oh, and one of those projects? Its an ad/christmas card. Sneaky, eh? Plus I find it highly entertaining that out of 20 creatives, they picked the only Jew and the only Muslim to design a Christmas card. Riiiiiight…

So I went to services again tonight at the synagogue, and managed to find myself sitting next to an American couple from San Diego. Now, more than once, I have commented to myself that many Americans do not travel well. Today I drew that same conclusion again. In the twenty minutes total they spent in the building they managed to stick out like a sore thumb and alienate the people trying to help them. “But Lauren, these are nice good people,” you ask, “he’s a doctor, she’s a mom. Aren’t you being a touch hard on them?” The answer is yeah, probably, but since their behavior perpetuates the feeling abroad that Americans are self absorbed and generally oblivious to what’s really going on in the rest of the world, and in my travels I frequently have to disprove that generalization, well, better to hear it from somebody that loves you than from the French.
I’ll spare you the play by play, but this couple managed to invite the three of us on a little tour of the building after services. They asked several times about the synagogues financial sponsors. “Don’t American Jews contibute?” they asked. Our host was polite, and proudly answered several times that the synogogue was sustained by the community it belonged to. Members pay dues. Dinner is Potluck. They run a museum. The Synogogue stands on its own, financially and spiritually. "Huh" was all they said. Adding insult to injury, the only other questions the couple had were about WWII. When they wouldn’t stop talking about Hitler, the woman had had enough. She said, “okay, I’m going to kick you out now. My friends are waiting for me in the Sukkah.” I’m sure they got an earful.

The woman who showed us around, Jaqueline, is one of the congregants who helps keep the community running. I thought she was very nice, and I did learn a few things from her: This temple, I forget how old, managed to survive WWII. Hitler used it as a barn. By the time the Berlin wall went up, it was one of two synagogues left standing in East Berlin. In 1958, there were only 500 Jews in East Berlin. They didn’t need and couldn’t afford two large synagogues. So they blew it up… I’m actually not sure who “they” is, but they leveled the place. Thirty years later someone decided to rebuild it. Again, I’m not sure who, but there was only enough money to rebuild the front. So as it stands today, the building is wide but not very deep; the walls are a patchwork of the old building and the new; and the glass wall that encloses the back interior walls provides a view of the remaining old synagogue foundation, and a gorgeous sunset.

2005-10-18T00:12:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Oct 18th
Okey dokey, today we ran around shooting this crazy ambient idea we had for DHL. Such silliness. Who knew it would be so hard to find packing peanuts in a city the size of Berlin? And, if DHL doesn’t actually have them, why did our cd think it was so important to use them as part of the shoot? And, why did he choose this moment that I am writing about him and not making ads, to come out of his office and ask me how to use the scanner? I don’t know I don’t know and oh, wait… yeah, don’t care ;) So guenduez struts into his office with our photos like they’ve already won at Cannes, and of course the guy is like, um, yeah, did you shoot at other angles, cause this isn’t right…. Oh guenni, I TOLD you to humor me and shoot it both ways! He’s been acting more and more like a little brother lately. What am I gonna do with that kid?

Okay, so today’s excitement is over amazon.com letting me read chapters on line. Radical Careering, and Pick Me! A guide to getting into advertising, both came out recently. Yayayay Portfolio Advice for me, just in time to graduate! I especially like the chapter called, “Putting together a portfolio: like giving birth, only more painful” He he… and I especially like that both of these books are written by famous women creative directors. I know, you never see all of those words used together at once. Famous! Women! Creative Directors! So bonus, maybe they can honestly answer the question about whether having an ad for lipstick in my portfolio (cleverly disguised as an ad for a kissing competition I might mention) is going to doom me to a life of Oil of Olay commercials. Cause yeah, as much as I want a job? Not that one. I’m pretty picky for a student right? Wrong! Mediocrity is never an option.

OH! And a big hells yeah to the American Textor (ahem, ME!) who knows her adverbs! Its fun when the CD’s are asking for you to craft their lines in English! Now how did they ever get along without me???

2005-10-17T00:09:00.000-07:00

Monday October 17th
I havent’ written in a while, sooorrrryyyy….! Oh well.
This week I discovered podcasts. Okay, I mean, I new about them before, and I totally threw that word around because I was cool for knowing about them, but actually…but I had never bothered to listen to one. Until now. OMG I love them! I devour them! I am hungry for them on the hour, and the dutifully arrive to let me feast! Oh you good people at Apple once again you have made me so happy. I already subscribe to the npr story of the day, and to one about the weekly episode of lost, and as I write I am already smacking my lips because this afternoon what should appear than the American Copywriter podcast interview with Sally Hogshead…. Awesome! Its like all the sudden somebody started leaving me a plate of chocolate chip cookies to come home to, and each time they are slightly different and more delicious. I don’t even have to download the podcasts, I subscribe and then they just appear. And they are in English !!! remember when you were 13 and you used to run to the mailbox after school dying to get your new seventeen or ym magazine? Okay, this is soooo much cooler than that. And, like, I know for sure, because I totally still talk like that 13 yr old sometimes. Dude! Anyway, I’m off to consume my podcasts and drift off to sleep in happiness. See ya!

2005-10-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

Day 10 – Two Ways to Sunday

Dammit. I’m sitting in a friggin internet café and I am not online. And why not? Tmobile are friggin bastards. I was so excited to find a café where I could get online with my own damn computer and it turns out I can’t unless I want to pay 8 euros for an hour. Fuck that. For 8 euros I could pay for the train ride to “surf and sushi” and have sushi and be online. This place is cute at least, I’m eating cheesecake for dinner. But it was a hike to get here and I was soooo looking forward to internet and now I am sad ;( at least they are playing good music. None of which I can download since I am not online. POUT!

Spent the day with Esra. We went to a couple of outdoor markets. They were cute, all handmade stuff. You know the type. I bought a necklace. We had fun I guess. She’s so nice… and quiet… and… yeah. We drove everywhere, so I didn’t get a chance to get lost or find my way around. Actually, I didn’t do that at all this weekend. Sigh. I NEED ADVENTURE! I need to discover this city for myself, not view it from the passenger window. I found a tour I can take on bike next Saturday, that should be great. Wish I could have done it today, but they don’t offer it on Sundays. I guess Sundays I’ll be working from now on anyway. Sigh. I reread this paragraph and I discover I left out all the glamour. Let me try again.

Sunday! Slept so late, by the time I woke up, the sun was streaming through my curtains turning the whole room pink gold. My girl Esra came to pick me up and we headed off for adventure. First stop, the art market. We drove downtown to Mitte, one of the most beautiful districts in Berlin. The architecture there is amazing, especially the Dome. It must be one of the biggest churches in Berlin, and it is just stunning – all the copper has turned green, and is so bright against the cloudless sky. Breath taking. Actually, the weather has been great all week – no clouds, slight breeze, just warm enough with a light sweater, no jacket. Perfect.

The market was very cool. Lots of artisans displaying their handmade wares. Some truly beautiful paintings. Afterwards, I tried a Rostbratworst. Not unlike a hot dog, but very delicious. Esra was so proud of me, I was able to order in perfect German.

The next market we went to also featured a lot of artists, but is better known for antiques. I found a lovely Japanese bowl I would have liked. But at 120 euros, I’ll have to wait a few years! I bought a blue glass necklace instead. I couldn’t resist, the light hits it just right and the colors swirl between shades of blue and green.

After Esra dropped me off, I decide to venture around the neighborhood again. I’m sitting in the sweetest café drinking cappacino with my NY style cheesecake. They have Jack Johnson on their cd player. Its like they knew I was coming ;) I think I could come here often!

Okay, how’s that? Better? You feeling jealous of my sun dappled life again? Gotta keep the perspective on these things. Time to head home now. Its back to work tomorrow.
Kisses! Lauren

2005-10-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Day 9 – Saturday – Pimp my Fahr Rad
Went and got a cell phone, finally! After running around to a bajillion stores, decided to ditch the UK one and get a German one. Ran errands on Karl Marx strasse with Guenni and his dad, and then went to hang out at their house for a while. Spent a good hour watching TV with Guenni’s dad while everybody else cooked. It was cute, we’d watch the news in English for a while, then for a while in Turkish. Back and forth. I think he realized I was a little bored, so her turned on MTV for me. It’s the only other English channel, but I’m pretty sure “Room Raiders” is torture in any language. It was a nice gesture though. Guenni’s brother Oz came over to join us. Not only does he speak English, but he’s just as cool as Guenni. Pimp my Ride came on, which of course I love. But it gets even better… The german version came on next… Pimp my Fahr Rad- Pimp my Bike! How friggin awesome! They trick out these lowriders, and its every bit as ridiculous as the original. Of course its in german and I can’t understand, but still… I love it on principle.

Broke fast with Guenni’s family for Ramadan, with really delicious Turkish breads and soups. Zea gute!

(I have no idea if I spelled that right…)

2005-10-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

Day 8 – Friday – Schmand!
I survived a whole week! Take that world! I am freaking out not having internet at home though. Maybe it’s a good thing, maybe I am too dependent? Shall we see what happens if I am cut off? Perhaps being alone in a foreign country is not the time to try such an experiment. Then again, perhaps it is ;)

Schmand! What the hell is this Schmand! I went to the store hoping for cottage cheese, and came home with schmand, which is apparently sour cream. ARRRR! Guenduez is fasting for Ramadan, so I really can’t ask him to come into the grocery store with me. And there are plenty of food words in my dictionary, but mostly for restaurants. So, basically, I am useless when it comes to grocery stores. Lots of stuff I can figure out from where it is in the store and what it is near, and sometimes I am lucky and there are pictures on the label. But even then, I can’t understand the cooking instructions if there are any. Such torture.

2005-10-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Day Seven – Thursday
Well, we didn’t manage to impress anyone with our first DHL round, but that’s okay, we’ll get it next time. We had less than 48 hrs. anyway.

Went wandering around my neighborhood with my American friend from Temple. Actually, not to far from the house is a very “scene” area, tons of little restaurants, café’s some shops, and so on. A perfect Lauren neighborhood. Okay, maybe its about 15 min from the house, but no worries. I like it. Also, there is a church down the street from me that is all lit up at night. I can see it from almost anywhere in the neighborhood. Which makes it very easy to find my way home after a few hours of exploring.

2005-10-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Day Six – Wednesday.
Breakfast is served from 8:30 to 9:00. By 9:00 you are at your desk showing how hard you can work or you are late. I made it in at 8:54. phew!

It sucks not knowing the language. Not that I didn’t know it wouldn’t, but now that I am here, it sucks. I don’t like being dependent on Guenduez, or anyone, to have to help me so much. So, I’m going to learn German. I’ve got my ipod lessons, and I do them everyday on my 20 min walk to work. I’m always asking questions and practicing. Its not like I’m gonna master a new language in two months, but I’ll be damned if I’m not gonna try.

2005-10-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

Day Five – First day
Hmm… my first day of work. Not quite sure what to make of it. It seems a little small. The creative department is split between two buildings. How odd. Some people speak English, but not many speak it well. Hmmmm…

2005-10-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

Day 4 – L’shana Tova!

I am awesome! I am superhumanly brave! I can do anything! I am master of trains and maps and little cobblestoney streets, yes, even in heels! Today was a good day! Today I ventured out completely on my own, and had a great time. I took the Ubahn from near my house across town to Orianberger Strasse. The area is known for two things – places that stay open late, and the New Synagogue. An unlikely combination, but hey, whatever works. I had a little time to explore the area, and then I went to services for Erev Rosh Hashanah. The temple building is enormous, maybe five stories? Most of the space is used as a museum and is open to the public, but on the top floor they have a very nice space just for the congregation. The Synagogue is listed in most of my tour books as “a fervent symbol of the revival of Jewish culture in Berlin,” which sounds like a PR spin to me, but I did really enjoy services. The temple has two (female) rabbis, but the cantor led services tonight. She had a truly, truly beautiful voice, and led almost the entire service in Hebrew. Between the Hebrew, and a nice woman sitting next to me, I was able to follow along. The tunes were a little different, but the prayers of course the same. There were about just over 200 people at the service, which filled the room. The congregation seemed really young – very very few people over the age of sixty. A few families, and actually a lot of Americans. I met a few students (on their year abroad) who were speaking English, and then a few other English speakers came over to join us. Afterwards, we had apples and honey at Kiddush, and then I went out for a walk with some of the students, to explore a little and grab a beer.

It feels sooooo good to finally see the city from my own two feet! Now I feel oriented and I can start to settle in. Tomorrow I start work. Can’t wait!

2005-10-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

Day 3
Todays experience - Lidle – the cheapest German grocery. Okay, I did get a lot of food for 26 euros, but blech! And somebody please tell Visa they are not everywhere I want to be – they wouldn’t accept my card, and neither would that grocery store in Sardinia last month. Anyway, I’ve enjoyed shopping at gas stations more than this grocery store, but Guenni says get used to it, nothing here is super sized like in America. Also, if you want grocery bags, you have to buy them, and you bag everything yourself. Pout. I wish I’d known before I embarrassed myself.
However – I am finally out of the casa de Esra (German word for house???) and into my own apartment. WOOOOOO!!!!! This place is gorgeous! The girl we are subletting from is def some kind of designer and the décor is just so lovely. It’s really a one bedroom, but the living room will be Guenni’s and it will work out fine. I’ve already unpacked, made tea, and only electrocuted myself a little bit figuring out the converters.
There is no internet yet, and of course the TV is all German, but itunes shuffle is in a sympathetic mood so I have good music to keep me company for the time being. Gute nacht!

2005-10-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Day 2
Today’s experience – soccer. 4th league match, tie game. It is much more fun to watch in person than on TV. You can see the players as people, and appreciate their extraordinary talent, instead of as, well, players showing off for fun. Also, the ball! Flying spinning speeding – I can’t think of a word fast enough to describe how it moves. It’s almost a vertical orbit, arcing over the field, twirling around its own axis - the ball itself radiates joy for the game.
However, now is not a good time to be writing. I am cranky. I am cranky over not having seen our apartment, over having to sit while everyone caters to the American guest, over not being able to explore because of the rain, over having to ask Guenduez to translate so I can find the bathroom… grrrr…..

2005-09-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

Berlin!

Day 1 –
Arrived in Berlin! First thought off the plane – oh god, I’ve really done it! I looked around the airport, at all the signs in German, at all the travelers with their European style, all the drivers in their Mercedes and Audi cars, and took a deep breath, and marched bravely onto the sidewalk.

Today’s experience – Turkish hospitality
Guenni and his father picked me up at the airport, and all day I have been treated to some true Turkish hospitality! As soon as we arrived in the Erdil household, his father went about preparing the first round of Turkish tea – delicious! Unfortunately, since neither of Guenduez’s parents speak English, our communication was limited. But I did learn that after WWII, his father immigrated to Berlin and worked in a kitchen on the British army base. He set down roots, as did the majority of immigrants who came to rebuild after the war, and Guenduez and his four siblings are the first generation to be born here.
Around noon, Guenduez’s mother arrived with Esra, his fiancé. The five of us sat down to a Turkish breakfast, okay brunch, with rolls, cheeses, eggs, salami, olives, and chili peppers, and of course, more tea. I met Esra in London, and she is an absolute sweetheart! In fact, we decided I would stay at Esra’s for the weekend, since there was more space.
So Guenduez, Esra and I drove to her apartment, where I took a much much needed nap. They invited me to join them at a Turkish wedding reception tonight! I have been hearing about Guenduez’s brother’s wedding for a while now, so I can’t wait to see one for myself! In the Turkish community, you invite EVERYONE you know to celebrate a wedding. Oz had 1,500 people at his. I can’t even imagine! Do I even know that many people?
This reception was considerably smaller – only 300 people. (only?!?) It was a bittersweet celebration, because the bride and groom’s families did not approve of the marriage, and even her father chose not to attend. The two boldly decided to wed anyway, and will be moving to Australia in two weeks in order to escape both families. The reception had two parts really. First – the dancing. The new husband and wife were announced and had the first dance to themselves, then everyone joined them for about an hour and a half. All of the music was Turkish wedding music, and most of the dancing was a slow moving chain step that rotated around the floor. All and all, not the most energetic. The second part of the evening was about the gifts. Toward the end of the dancing, close friends and family came up to the bride and tucked money into her dress. Afterwards, the bride and groom each donned a sash, and stood to receive each of their guests. One by one, starting with family, each family was announced as they wished the couple good fortune, and either pinned money onto the sash, or placed a gold bracelet onto the bride’s wrist. Guenduez explained to me that the real reason each family was announced (and videotaped) was to help the couple remember who had given in what amount, so the couple could gift in kind the next time they were invited to a wedding or a birth or other celebration. So no one ever actually wears or cashes in the gold bracelets, they are just circulated through special events in the community. Interesting. Is it wrong if I point out a similar concept applies at my mom’s annual Holiday Yankee Swap? Funny though, I told Esra about gift registries for American Weddings, and she was appalled at the idea of telling people what gifts to get you. She’s not wrong – the practice is quite presumptuous.
Finally, after the wedding, we went to visit Guenduez’s brother’s Mexican Café Bar for a drink and some chips with salsa. Oz is a sweetheart too, and we will hopefully see lots of him this quarter.
So tired, can barely spell.
Peach out,
Lauren

2005-09-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

Sardegna! Its just like Sardinia, only prounounced the Italian way! Melaina and I just spent three beautiful days on this lovely italian island, which I would recommend to anyone! Usually, I'm not a beach person. But OHMIGOD I had no idea how badly I needed to relax until I woke up from my first nap on the shore of the Mediterrranean. Its amazing what a few days of sunshine and limoncello can do for a gal.

2005-09-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

Last week, I stopped to count and realized I have been working minimum 70 hours a week, and most weeks more. CRAZY! It doesn't feel like work most of the time though. Guenduez and I have a lot of fun together, and have done some great work. So much so, that we've decided to work together again next quarter... in Berlin!
This was a BIG decision for me. I feel both excited and scared about what I will find there. After weighing all the pros and cons, I do feel it is the right place for me to go. The internship is really a great opportunity - we will be the first "american" team at JVM Berlin, the second office of Germany's best ad agency. Since it is my last quarter, I will have to work doubly hard to finish up my portfolio on time, but I feel confident I can do it. Also, Guenduez is from Berlin. I can trust him and his family to help me get acclimated, and to take care of me if I have any trouble. What better way to see a city than to live there with such a close friend!
Additionally, over the past 9 months of living and working with German students, I've come to realize how little I know about Germany today. It is awkward to articulate. But I’ve come to realize that while three months in Berlin does not seem like the obvious choice for a nice american jewish girl, when I think about how much I have to learn there, it really does.
So, a week left in London! It seems I just got settled in. I will be very sad to leave this city, and Saatchi as well. I can't say I've made a lot of friends, but the ones I have made I truly cherish. The vibe at the agency is really positive - I did a lot of great work there, and really got to know lots of people on the creative team. Everything I came to do, and more.

2005-09-01T00:11:00.000-07:00

Cooler in real life - Iggy Pop or Madonna? The correct answer is... Iggy Pop. This I know for a fact, as I was chillin with both on the London set of the Motorola Rokr commercial. And by chilling, of course I mean trying to look like I was working and not staring at the enormous vessel of creative and artistic talent standing within arms reach of ambitious little me. So, Iggy - very cool. Sat in a folding chair between takes and chatted with the crew. Covered in scars, and doesn't so much limp as he struts like a battle weary peacock. Down to earth. Madonna - very proper, very small. Entourage includes, stylist, hair stylist 1, hair stylist 2, make up artist complete with head lamp, publicist, agent, security, driver, and one guy who's job it was to brush the lint off of her between takes. Really. And not one of them ever left her side. And it took FOREVER to shoot her, because she kept ACTING and saying things like, "Jesse, this line feels awkward. Maybe if we did it this way, it wouldn't be quite so dominatrix." Riiiiiiight. They cut almost all her lines. But still, Madonna: very beautiful, very proper, even with a broken arm.

So, why was I on such a fabulous commercial shoot? As it turns out, Blake was working on the shoot and managed to snag me a job as well. Yes, that Blake. Those of you with raised eyebrows can put them down now please. Deep breath. No drama this time.

2005-08-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

Night
the road driver passenger moving as one. and the motor is purring and I am purring but the wind keeps us humble with its roar. I feel the bike beneath my flip flops and the driver beneath my legs and as I rest my helmet adorned head on the leather covering your shoulder, I part my lips to let a rush of air enter.

Morning
and the road is driving at us, ready to throw her heart on our doorstep. It is sensory overload: moving images, layered and deep; information carried on sound; scents that pick up where instinct leaves off; feelings brought on by internal and external forces. And thankfully, in the privacy of my own mouth, I can still taste tea, and toast, and a hint of your kiss.

2005-08-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know I don't sit still.
It doesn't mean I don't miss you.
It doesn't mean I don't love you.

Song of the moment: Closer to Me. Dar Williams
You can leave this house, leave this town
Leave it all to me, Or you'll never leave the ground
Look at that tiny screen's too small for you
I think you should learn to dream Just like the dreamers do
What can you do with a day
What will you wake up and see
The farther you get, The closer to me
Am I the habit you're too tired to break?
I want you to love me With every step you take
What can you do with a day? What will you wake up and see?
The farther you get, The closer to me
Taj Mahal, Cameroon, back in time, to the moon,
Frozen lake, cypress trees, Florida's missing keys
El Dorado, Spain or bust, Eiffel Tower, Paris just Find your way in
You can leave this house, leave this town
All that's left to chart is Nothing less than your own heart
What can you do with a day, your day? What will you wake up and see?
The farther you get the closer to me
Down the river, down the road, Little Rock, Tokyo,
Dusty trail, Flagstaff, in a faded photograph,
Thunderstorm, Golden Sands, Cape of Horn, Pakistan,
Surinam, Highway One, Chinatown, smoking gun
Golden Gate, Baltic Sea, Painted Desert, Laramie,
Taj Mahal, Cameroon, back in time, to the moon
Frozen lake, cypress trees, Florida's missing keys,
El Dorado, Spain or bust, Eiffel Tower, Paris just Find your way in...

2005-08-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

an excellent weekend!
guenduez susan lauren and katie, at Mike's BBQ. Lots of great people, plenty of Pimm's, and a second helping of euphamism toast :)

2005-08-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

Mike and I went to dinner last night at the home of his old college roomate, Ben, and his fiance, Lucy. They were so sweet! Such a proper English evening! Ben and Lucy prepared this amazing dinner, steak and potatoes and mushrooms, all of it organic. Actually, even the brownies and ice cream were organic. Lucy works at an organic market, so I learned a bit about the food market in the UK. Basically, one in every eight pounds spent in the UK is spent at Tesco, a chain of supermarkets and minimarts. Now, in order to save you, their loyal customer, and extra 10 pence on your weekly milk, they are forcing the dairy farmers to cut their profits so drastically they can barely make ends meet. Additionally, they have opened so many stores, and forced out so many independent stores nearby (can you say walmart?) that the majority of England has no other alternatives. Legally, they can't open any more supermarkets without becoming a monopoly, so they have begun opening metro stores, which are smaller, yes, but if you've ever lived in the city you know you frequently go wherever is nearest, no matter how big or small it may be. Also, the don't adapt at all to supply neighborhoods with any of the specialty items they were accostomed to getting at other independent shops. Whereas a year ago I could have gone to Ben and Lucy's neighborhood and picked up some much needed EasyMac, that store is now out of business thanks to Tesco. So - bad for farmers, bad for consumers, bad for UK. GRR Tesco GRR! but, yay Mike Ben and Lucy. Also, the three of them are going for a weekend trip on Ben's parents canal boat. I'm a little jealous! I love the canal boats, they are so cute! We pass about 50 of them on Regent's Canal on my way to work every morning. ah, sigh....

2005-08-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

What scares you? the threat of bombs? old men, posturing with big guns? governments, invading and refusing to leave foreign countries? Me, i am most afraid of the life not lived. To sit at home, never learn anything new, never find new ways to grow, scared to step out my front door: That would be terrifying indeed. So do your worst. You won't stop me, not like that.

2005-08-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

Ah, life at Saatchi. We show up at 9:30. We leave at 9. We work at least as many hours as any of the creatives, with just as much drive and more vulnerabilty. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain if only you can come up with a big idea in time. But the big idea is only part. Dramatize the benefit, surprise and delight the consumer, tie it back into the product and wrap it up with a zippy line. Try to draw it in a picture, present it to the class, let them tear you down, let them build you up, and get ready to start it all over again tomorrow. Ah, agency life. Be who you are, talk to different people, learn something new, try something uncomfortable, break for a drink and dream up something amazing. There are ways to make more money. There are ways to make more art. But more is not the issue. Today, they walk in and say, hey, can you learn everything there is to know about new zealand and maybe capture it's coolness in seven words or less so people in the UK will drop everything to move there? and tomorrow, the challenge will be something completely different. and that is amazing, and fabulous, and challenging, and stressfull, and exciting, and your head gets so full of ideas you think its gonna pop and you can't write nearly fast enough until you find yourself lost in your own exotic adventure and then for a little while you can't think up anything new so you churn your early ideas around in your head and think of the greatest ads you've ever seen. and then you have another coffee and distract another team and then sit down to find "eureka!" the solution to the problem and then its time for round two and ideas are flying fast and furious and it's time to start your marker comps cause the meeting is first thing tomorrow and it'd be great to get out early at least one night this week. Or maybe you dont find "eureak!" intead you find "email!" and "newspaper!" and "toothpastefordinner.com!" or maybe you find your head is empty and thats okay too cause its only advertising, and no one is going to live or die by your pen but maybe, just maybe, one day you'll make the world smile. Have a drink, lather, rinse, repeat.

2005-07-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Best girls out weekend EVER! Jen flew in from Hamburg to run around town with me and Mere. Tate Modern, Covent Garden, Picadilly Circus, et.c. We walked and walked and walked, and stumbled upon some of the most amazing places off the beaten path. Highligts include: The Millenium Bridge, Bagman and Robin, the balcony at Punch and Judy, and the opera boxes at Sarastro. Aww! I love my girls :)

2005-07-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

So, while you are here, lets get one thing straight -
NO CRITICIZING LAUREN'S BLOG!
this is my space, and i will be as cute and adorable or sentimental and sappy or as pissy and moody as I want to be, and you who are priveleged enough to be invited in are welcome to do the same. But no criticizing! This is a very personal effort, in attempt to share my life with those I can't see as often as I like, so please consider anything you read here to be said with the same intimacy as if we were having a private chat in my living room. Which, as long as we are pretending, is furnished with the cushiest pottery barn sofas, has a fireplace, and is decorated with artwork made by close friends.

I'm glad we had this talk :)

2005-07-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

website of the week:
nataliedee.com
brought to you by meredith, official ray of sunshine

2005-07-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

Game time! YAY!

So, who can guess why I named this site more go? Here is a hint: If the answer seems too obvious, it probaly is. Immediate family, team partners, and anybody else who actually knows the real answer is automatically disqualified. Only guesses! Post in the comment area below.

I have two prizes in mind, fabulous souvenirs from London, for the most creative answer, and the answer closest to the truth. Best of luck!

2005-07-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

Well, its come down to this.... I can do laundry, or I can go shopping.
I'll be at Oxford Circus if you need me :)

2005-07-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

Walked a stranger home yesterday. She was so drunk. She couldn’t walk. She couldn’t remember where she lived. She cried and cried, She kissed my cheek and called me an angel. She won’t remember. I will.

2005-07-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

Well, there were four more bombs in London yesterday. They didn’t detonate correctly. Only one of the bombers was hurt. I have two reactions. The first, is well, this is the life, the world I’ve inherited, I’m not going to sit home scared all day. So I go to work, I watch the news, and I get on with the things I love to do. Then there is my other reaction, much more private, vulnerable, human. I shudder a little when I hear sirens. I worry when I ride the tube. I think about the innocents who have died. I think the bombers, and the world that created them. I reflect. I mourn. I dust myself off, and still, I get back on the bus.

2005-07-20T02:30:00.000-07:00

Quote of the week, courtesy of Tiffany:
Boys are like buses. Wait 15 minutes, you'll catch another!

2005-07-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

(mikkel, guenduez, lauren, susan...photo by nicole...from our first house party!)
Here is what I learned about Denmark today:
There are three parts to Denmark: the main part, the island in the water that is connected to the north sea, and Greenland. Copenhagen is the capitol, it is on the Island.
About 6 years ago they build a bridge from Copenhagen to Sweden, and now the two countries share even more in common. It only takes 15 minutes on a high speed boat, if you don’t take the bridge.
Copenhagen has about 1.5 million people. Denmark has about 5.5.
Denmark is not far from Germany.
The only famous band from Denmark is Aqua. (Barbie Girl) (ouch)
There is a cool part of Copenhagen, that is autonomous and I’m not sure why, but in recent years the right wing government is trying to police it and causing problems there. Its also in one of the most beautiful parts of the city, and tourists seem to like it.
Many of the Danish think the Netherlands are very smart with their progressive government, but overall the country is to chicken to try to do the same.
My favorite Danish export is my friend Mikkel, who has offered to show me around in September.

2005-07-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

I live in London! I love this city! This is me, with my team partner Guenduez. Isn't he dreamy? There are 15 of us in the Saatchi program here, a pretty good group.

I am seriously in love with this city. The second I crossed the Thames, I knew I was home. Funny how cities can just speak to you like that.

2005-07-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

Why I’m in advertising:

Well, for starters, I love advertising. I am fascinated by taking a product and create meaning and context and culture around it. The product could be as simple as soap, or as complex as fighting prejudice, and either way, the process is the same. You come up with a big idea, then distill until you have a simple, clear, compelling message. Kinda like sugaring for maple syrup. I mean, wow, who’s idea was it to poke a hole in a tree and collect the sap? I’m sure everybody in his colony though he was nuts, right up until they got their first taste. And then it was crystal clear, and everybody was all, “why didn’t I think of that” or “I knew he had it in him” or “you bastard, you’ve commercialized a tree! Think of the squirells!”
Whatever. Did someone say there were pancakes?

Okay, it should also be said that I hate advertising. You know this if you've ever watched TV with me. There is no doubt in my mind that Bernie and Phil will be punished for the pain they have inflicted on the good people of Boston. There are a lot of reasons most ads suck. Sometimes, advertisers don’t try hard enough. Sometimes a product has no soul. Sometimes, the client is too scared to let it have one. I hate advertising. And I work every day to make it worthy of a little more love.

2005-07-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

About my school:

Its a two year advertising portfolio program. Students put together a portfolio of advertising pieces in order to be hired by the top tier of agencies worldwide. Our main campuses are located in Miami, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Hamburg, and Sao Paulo. After spending a year in a full time location, students have the option to study or intern in up to four other locations. Opportunities are available in New York, Chicago, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, Prauge, and Budapest. The idea is, if you are going to work in a global agency, you had better have a global perspective. Our students as well as our teachers come from all over the world, with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

2005-07-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

The basics:

Age:24
Hometown: Peabody
Places I’ve lived: Peabody, Boston, Cambridge, Miami Beach, San Francisco, New York, London
Places I’ve traveled: Texas, D.C. Cincinatti, Paris, Rome, Florence, Israel, St. Thomas, Alaska, Florida, more
What I do: Student. Of the world, of myself, and of advertising.