Where lies Beauty?

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. ~Kahlil Gibran

That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful. ~Ninon de L'Enclos

The world's most vain social networking site Beautiful People is known for tossing people out for being overweight and unattractive. Now it has asked its members to rate the top places to find beautiful people.

Top honours goes to places in Brazil, southern California, south Florida, Spain, Italy...Canada, however, did not make the list. Apparently they did not look deeply enough.

BeautifulPeople.com launched in 2002 and went global in October. There are about 25,000 Canadians among the 550,000 members from across the world. According to owners of the domain, a majority of successful new members come from Brazil.

Members of the site get to rate each other based on photographs. However, when people meet each other in person often the real image does not match the picture which has caused problems. "It's like people in MENSA failing an intelligence test. It's just not tolerated."

Think about the beautiful people in your life. What makes them beautiful?

Ye Olde Oak Tree

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot...
They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum
And they charged all the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em. ~Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi

A woman in a nearby city is facing a battle with the town over the expropriation of some land and a rare Kentucky coffee tree. The town wants to widen the road and sidewalk and the tree has to come down. A neighbour of the lady said that about twenty years ago a town employee came with a chainsaw to cut down the tree until he was sent away. Now the tree is under assault again.

This scenario has been played out in urban centres over the years and often mature, beautiful trees get cut down. Think about your area and what leafy sanctuaries have been eliminated.

(The image above is of a 150 year old oak tree cut down in Leamington. The local historical society decided to enshrine its majestic ringed history in our recreation centre.)

A Complaint Free World

A motivational speaker is coming to our area this week with an uplifting message: Quit your belly-achin'.

Since 2006 Will Bowen has been promoting an ultra-positive philosophy of a world free of complaints. His purple bracelet campaign offers a simple challenge: Go 21 days without uttering a single complaint. Whenever you catch yourself complaining, you must switch your bracelet from one wrist to the other, and start your day count again.

The challenge and his accompanying book has been taken up by millions and has earned him appearances on Oprah, The Today Show, and other networks.

"Relationships don't just happen. We create them." Consequently they are affected by how we respond to people who may annoy us. Rather than complain about people behind their back, try to address a change.

"If you say, 'You always leave your socks on the floor,' then the person hears: 'I always leave my socks on the floor.' And they do it more often.

"Instead, you say, 'I would appreciate if you put the socks in the hamper,' and when they do, you say 'Thank you for putting the socks in the hamper.' Make the solution your focus."

Bowen's message is timely and perennial, worthy of attention in many contexts: home, work, and school. The purple bracelet is also a simple, motivating reminder of staying focused on this important goal of attitudinal change.

Ultimate eco resort

A group of young adventurers and environmentalists saw the beauty of this remote area four years ago and decided to build an eco-resort. Misool Eco Resort is located in Indonesia's Raja Ampat islands, along the eastern reaches of the archipelago.

Some highlights of an article by Johnny Langeneheim for the Guardian:

-Rajat Ampat or Four Kings is home to the greatest concentration of marine biodiversity on the planet.
- The wood – all 600 tonnes of it – used to build the year-old resort came from fallen trees.
- Underwater life include "stingray, octopus, reef shark, bumphead parrotfish, barracuda, elaborately armoured scorpion fish, weird patterned carpet sharks, neon nudibranchs with wispy rainbow filaments and pygmy seahorses, which barely reach an inch in length."
-The scale, density and variety of the coral are unlike anything else on the planet. Scientists estimate that 75% of the earth's reef-building corals can be found in Raja Ampat, and new marine species are being discovered, seemingly every other week.
- The resort is located at the heart of a 425-square-mile Marine Protected Area.
- Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, and World Wildlife Fund also have a presence in the pristine area.

It seems like the diversity of the remote area provides lots to explore both under and above the water for the travel adventurer.

Acornmoon: Wonderful Artist and Marketer

Acornmoon is another site which makes me stop to marvel at some of the wonderful dynamics at work on the Internet.

Valerie Greeley is an illustrator and textile designer who is currently creating new fabric collections for the quilting community. She writes, "This blog is my place to show current projects and to share inspiration. I hope to highlight some of the talented individuals who have inspired me. I have a passion for pattern and for creating books from start to finish including the illustration,decoration, printing and binding."

Her blog contains regular posts of her experiences, her associations, and even a contest. She is an engaging writer as well as a very talented artist.

In terms of marketing I like her simple, memorable name for her site. She Googled well and her site was instantly retrievable. The design of her blog is elegant and simplistic. It's apparent that acornmoon is one effective way in promoting her talents and in procuring commissions at her business site.

I received permission from Valerie to use the above image. Best wishes, Valerie!

What Makes You Come Alive?

A quote and a blog post by Dan Pink intersected for me.

At 365 Quote Quest the quote for the day is,

'Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.'~ Howard Thurman

Then I asked three questions for personal reflection:

- What do you get excited about?
- How can you channel this enthusiasm in positive ways in your life and work?
- How can you encourage others to do the same?

On a similar theme Dan Pink in his book Drive encourages people to think about their true motivation and put it in one sentence. He refers to Danny Kinzer who asked his students to undertake the 'What's Your Sentence?' described in Lindsey Testolin's excellent video. The students then posted their sentence on the school bulletin board. (This two minute video is well worth watching.)

What's your sentence that could help transform your career, business, life, or perspectives?

How can you challenge the energy which makes you come alive to make a difference to the people around you?

Global Faith Infographics

Information graphics are visual representations of information, data, or knowledge with the prime intent to instruct. Just having come back from a trip to Italy, I was intrigued by a series of infographics profiling the different sects of Christianity around the world.The map of North America invites some interesting observations as does the European map. The dominance of the Roman Catholic church in southern European countries is no surprise, or the Protestant component in Germany thanks to the Protestant Reformation. I am surprised to see the large Lutheran component in the U.S. midwest, and the interesting configuration of the Methodists north of the southern Baptists. As an Anabaptist/Mennonite I can detect the Amish element scattered through North America which makes up a small part of the denomination. Also I learned that there is a dominant Catholic component in Australia and New Zealand.

Of course, another interesting map would be to include other religions for a global faith map.
Can you detect any other interesting features?

Thanks to Richard Florida at Creative Class for an introduction of the work of the talented cartographers at Floating Sheep.

Internet as Orchestra

Increasingly we are seeing that the Internet can literally orchestrate events.

At the 2010 Olympic closing ceremonies there were the greetings from Sochi, Russia, where the 2014 Winter Olympics are to be held. Dancers from the Kirov and Bolshoi ballets danced while Valery Gergiev, who was in BC Place, conducted a full live orchestra playing in Red Square via satellite. Meanwhile former Olympic gold medal ice dancers Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov skated on the shores of the Black Sea.

More recently, composer Eric Whitacre collected YouTube clips from 185 amateur singers in twelve different countries who sang “Lux Arumque” to create a sort of virtual super choir. Whitacre played the role of virtual maestro to the group of singing strangers. (This clip is worthwhile seeing for a couple of minutes.)

With the increasing speed of communications, what other events are and could be 'orchestrated'?

- demonstrations, rallies, speeches
- art, poems, creative expressions
- student debates, presentations, assemblies
- tree planting, environmental clean up, 40th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22
- 2010’s Earth Hour will see cities around the world turning off their lights from 8:30pm on Saturday 27 March to show their support for urgent action against global warming.

Can you think of other events which the Internet can orchestrate for good?

What's Up with the Mediteranean Diet?

One impact our trip to Florence, Italy had was to think about the Mediterranean diet. We saw the use of extra virgin olive oil in many dishes including a wide variety of salads, pizzas, bruschetta, and as a general substitute for butter with bread. People generally seemed leaner and healthier?

Our last day took us to Castello del Trebbio, a beautiful estate in the Chianti Rufina region, 30 minutes north east of Florence. The castle was built in the twelfth century by the Pazzi family and is still inhabited by the current owners. Indeed, we were taken through several rooms of the castle by the tour guide.

This guide provided not only an overview of the Chianti wines produced by the estate, but also a perspective of pure virgin oil and its health benefits. He indicated that one has to be careful what kind of extra virgin olive oil to buy. The big companies compromise by mixing oils so that they qualify with minimum standards. To best reap the health benefits as indicated by recent research studies, it is recommended to buy just the pure oils.

At the market we saw sun dried mushrooms and tomatoes and a host of spices to make tasty salads with extra virgin olive oil. From now on, I will spend a little extra time choosing the right oils and vinegars to complement our servings.

Internet Enriches Funerals

No sooner were we in the door from our vacation than we found out that my last surviving aunt died on my mother's side. Today I was one of the pallbearers.

The life of Aunt Mary is vivid in my mind. From young I remember her cheerful disposition and inspired leadership of primary Sunday School. She and her husband owned a fruit farm and in the summers I helped harvest peaches, and early tomatoes. Despite the heat and the nagging peach fuzz under the collar she lightened the day with her jokes and mid afternoon treats. Her family arrived from Russia in 1926 after the Russian Revolution and struggled for many years to gain a foothold in their new country. She was an inspiration to her many friends and family over the years.

This morning I accessed the Internet site of the local funeral home which took care of the arrangements. I discovered that websites have become a valuable vehicle in informing the public about a death. They provide an opportunity to find out about the arrangements, to send flowers or make a memorial donation, to leave a condolence message, and to even view attachments such as a video of snapshots provided by the family.

How have web based communications and technologies helped you to reach out?

(The image above is of the rose I received at the cemetery.)

Florence: The Culture

Our week is coming to a close with fond memories of not only the sites of Florence, Italy but its people. This city of narrow spaghetti streets which mingle up and around the Arno River seems intimidating at first, but now offer welcome adventures around every bend. We visited the market with all its rich textures of meats, oils, wines, and fruits, and strolled the nearby leather market.

With our return in the midafternoon the owner of the hotel invited us for a capuccino and we sat and chatted about family, business, and life. Over the week our hosts have become good friends. This three generation family runs the Davanzati Hotel in the heart of the city and is located next to a five story medieval palace. They renovated the twenty rooms several years ago with complimentary use of computer, complimentary breakfast, and a much heralded happy hour from 6:30-7:30 where we enjoyed sipping the dry red Chianti wines and swapping stories with guests about our daily adventures before going out for dinner at one of the delightful nearby restaurants. The Davanzati is a top ranked hotel at Tripadvisor and we will always remember the cordiality of Fabrizio and his son.

Here are several take aways from our trip:

- Choose a city with potential and spend a few days there. Avoid the whirlwind city to city trek which leaves you tired and just skimming the surface of what the city has to offer.

- Be open to the serendipity that a more relaxed vacation can offer. For example, we would not have discovered the nearby authentic medieval home which offers tours only in the morning or the people's market.

- Get off the beaten track to enjoy the rich culture that may open up.

- Visit the second tier museums and art galleries that may offer as much enrichment as the overhyped ones.

- Spend time at the truly romantic spots of the city and soak up the rhythms of life there.

Can you recommend any destinations which offer a week of lasting memories?

Stately Galleries

We toured the Uffizi Gallery today in Florence and the nearby Bargello Gallery. The heavily fortified Bargello was built in 1255 and served as a police headquarters. Its heavily protected outer walls with a welcoming center court yard now displays some amazing sculptures of the Renaissance period. Most visitors to the Uffizi do not include a visit to the Bargello which is unfortunate.

The Uffizi's treasures are on the top floor which houses an extensive collection of early Italian Renaissance art. I posted earlier about the pivotal works of Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Giotto... The photo here is looking out of the upper hall lobby of the Uffizi toward the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.

The impression I receive after touring 5-6 galleries is that early Renaissance art marked a rediscovery in the beauty of the natural world. There was more to the world than just a preoccupation with the Bible stories. Nature, the general activities of people, an interest in classical learning, math, and science lead to a softer, more vibrant side to the human experience. This perspective can be seen in the faces and activities of the people portrayed in the art.

(Sorry for the paragraphing problems. I am experiencing some formatting problems out here.)

The Gift of Art

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Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable. ~ George Bernard Shaw

My wife and I are pictured atop the Duomo. (See earlier post for a history.) Fortunately we got there before throngs of others did. We threaded our way, 463 steps in all, to the top. 80 million pounds are suspended securely in the interlocking dome thanks to Brunelleschi's excellent engineering. Half way up we proceeded to a circular ledge within the cathedral where we saw a mass in progress and heard a Gregorian chant by the choir echo in perfect harmony within the cathedral.

Later we toured several museums rich with history and sculpture. (Our tour of the Uffizi is tomorrow.) The relief of a classical grammar lesson sculpted in marble in 1350 caught my interest. Later our walk took us by a sculptor's shop where he was busy working his artistry with beautiful marble.

We were struck by the vibrancy of these paintings and sculptures, giving breath and emotion to the common struggles and joys of every day life.

Scoops of the Sun

Italian gelato is omnipresent in Florence enticing locals and tourists alike for a quick, refreshing treat. A squat paper cup or cone holds a heavenly piece of the rainbow.

Arabs brought sorbetto to Sicily and it's been said that gelato was first created for the court of the Medici in 1565. The gelaterie compete for the most delightful recipe. Unlike ice cream with pastel, muted colours, gelato uses a combination of whole milk, eggs, sugar, and natural fruits to create intensely rich colours. The gelato, which we have enjoyed so far, is rich yet light, and flavourful with no lingering after taste.

Then there is always the waffle that one can enjoy with gelato to double the pleasure.

Under theTuscan Sun

A memorable bus trip took us into the Tuscan countryside outside of Florence where we toured several towns which have retained their early world flavour. Siena was a major banking centre and rival to Florence. Rick Steves calls it Italy's best medieval city experience. Today there is a university there where students mingle with the local residents on this mountain top town. The town square constructed as an ampitheatre has a formidable city hall, cathedral and welcoming shops to lure tourists.

San Gimignano, another strategic hilltop town, has 14 medieval towers, and an imposing fortified wall. You thread your way through narrow streets to enjoy shops and scenic vistas. The countryside is dotted by the umbrella pine, pyramidal cypress and cedar trees. The yellow sandy/clay/stony soil is perfect for the Chianti red wines that have made the region world famous.

After the full day experience one can understand the charm and romance of this region fit for a movie.

A Message to the Heart

My wife and I have visited a number of cathedrals in Florence. Santa Croce is one of the biggest and gives one of the best glimpses into the medieval roots of the Renaissance. Its building took place from 1294-1442 but the marble facade was finally completed in the 1850's.

As we toured it, there was a room with various relics. One that struck me was a tunic worn by St. Francis of Assissi (1181-1226). I immediately thought of his prayer which has been so meaningful for many...

'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon:
where there is doubt, faith ;
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.'

The message of simplicity, repentence, and love is a lasting legacy of St. Francis' life.

Florence Juxtaposition

Time is short for blogging this week. (I'm on vacation.) But I thought I would provide my wonderful readers with a series of pictures from our stay in Florence, Italy and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. (A picture is worth a thousands words?)

Here is a few of Florence from a promontory we saw while we toured some of the Medici gardens. And on the hand rail overlooking this memorable site are several lines from a Guns N' Roses song.

There was a message there for me.

Landmark Sculpture in Florence

Michelangelo's David is a pivotal work of art housed in the Galleria dell/Accademia, Florence and called a masterpiece of the Renaissance. The 26 year old savant was handed the commission in 1501 and it took him 3 years to complete the 5.17 meter marble sculpture. It portrays the Biblical David at a moment of contemplation, perhaps, just before his battle with Goliath.

Historians and critics have suggested that it's a defense of civil liberties embodied in the Florentine republic, an independent city state. Originally the position of the sculpture was with David's eyes turned defiantly towards Rome.

The Renaissance aesthetic is apparent in the careful and accurate depiction of the human body and its representation as a nude.

The sculpture has been duplicated many times, perhaps in part, a recognition of its importance in western art.
This panoramic shot of Florence in the evening provides a view of the key sites:
- the Arno River
-the Ponte Vicchio (Old Bridge)- the only bridge to have survived World War 2, built in the fourteenth century
- the Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) with Campanile (bell tower)
- the domed cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore or Duomo
- the Uffizi art gallery and other state buildings

Florence has been called the art capital of Italy.

Jonathan Jones for the Guardian writes of the Uffizi, "Its collection originated in the collections of the Medici family, and goes back to the 16th, even the 15th century. And it is full of incomparable art, from the paintings of Giotto and Duccio to Leonardo da Vinci's Adoration of the Magi and Caravaggio's Medusa. It has fascinating frescoes in its corridors and a view across the river Arno. There's even a cafe terrace looking out over the Florence skyline."

Pivotal Renaissance Artists

Several of the greatest Renaissance artists of the age studied or worked in Florence, including Michelangelo and Botticelli. Michelangelo began to study painting in Florence with Ghirlandaio and later learned sculpture under the patronage of Lorenzo the Magnificent.

The painter Botticelli was a friend of both Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, and the principal painter of the Medici family. His works represent Renaissance style in his use of classical subject matter and in the effect of motion that he achieves. It was for the home of a Medici that he created his two most famous works: Primavera and The Birth of Venus. In both works Botticelli uses figures from antiquity, such as the goddess Venus and the three Graces. He balances his figures in nearly symmetrical groupings, yet never loses a feeling of motion and lightness.

Renaissance style in art, exemplified in works from Florentine artists, flourished largely because of the patronage, or financial support, of wealthy citizens and the church. By purchasing numerous works of art, Renaissance men and women provided a livelihood for many painters, sculptors, and architects. It was also the Renaissance humanist desire to imitate and revive the beauty of ancient Greece, and to have that beauty surround them in their daily lives, that produced the wealth of superb art that is one of the hallmarks of Renaissance culture.

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, which houses an extensive collection of Renaissance art, is one of the oldest and most loved art galleries in the world.

Florence and the Duomo

A distinguishing landmark of Florence is the Duomo, the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. It attracts throngs of tourists each year for its pivotal history.

The construction of the dome marks the beginning of Renaissance architecture; the cathedral and its dome blends old and new designs. Arnolfo di Cambio began the building in a Gothic style in 1294. In 1418, architect Filippo Brunelleschi received a commission to build the dome. He traveled to Rome with the sculptor Donatello to study architecture; there, the two artists investigated various Roman ruins to learn about the design and proportion of buildings, as well as the construction of arches and columns.

Although Brunelleschi never duplicated classical features, he borrowed ideas from the ancient ruins and incorporated them into the design of his dome. The Duomo and its surrounding buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 890 sites throughout the world.

The fact that the cathedral has an intricate brick dome reveals the planners desired to distance themselves from the traditional Gothic buttresses so prevalent in the North.

I'm a Bit of a History Geek

In university I majored in history (MA)/ minored in English and enjoyed the swirl of ideas from classical Greek civilization (510-320 BC) to the present day. My wife and I are headed to Florence, Italy where we will be visiting some key historical sites and galleries, as well as sightseeing in the surrounding Tuscan countryside.

A pivotal moment in intellectual history was the Renaissance or 'rebirth of civilization' which centered in Florence and began in 1400-1430. This prosperous city of 60,000 was a stable city state made up of artisans and professional people who helped build Florence into an economic leader in Europe. The Florentine gold florin symbolized its influence.

These wealthy individuals supported the arts and learning and generally contributed to a dynamic growth in a humanist perspective largely motivated by an interest in Greek classical literature.

This growth took place after a one thousand year lapse called the Dark Ages where European civilization struggled to survive. The Roman Catholic church basically held communities together in the Middle Ages and the hub of every community was a church with tall spires that could be seen from afar.

Kenneth Clark in his Civilisation series for the BBC (1969) writes of the Renaissance:

'People sometimes feel disappointed the first time they see the famous beginnings of Renaissance architecture because they are so small. Well, so they are, after the great monuments of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. They don't try to impress us or crush us by size and weight, as all God-directed architecture does. Everything is adjusted to the scale of reasonable human necessity. They are intended to make each individual more conscious of his powers, as a complete moral and intellectual being. They are an assertion of the dignity of man.

The dignity of man. Today those words die on our lips. But in fifteenth century Florence their meaning was still a fresh and invigorating belief....'

I have prepared several more posts which are post dated over the next few days. I hope to do a live update later next week.

I have also post dated my other sites for next week with regular posts: 365 Quote Quest and 365 Word Quest.

Photo Image: The Birth of Venus, painted by Botticelli in 1486, at Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Solving a Pressing Global Problem

Good.is offers an exciting contest. Devise a simple, creative solution to a pressing global problem.

If I was still a teacher, this assignment would make a most energizing, collaborative lesson. Groups of students could brainstorm in a T chart the problems in the world, and the causes. Then each group could focus on one problem and come up with a creative solution.

OK, here is my entry, and it involves some of my landscaping, gardening experience.

One problem in the world is too much packaged food and produce shipped in from distant places. People do not know the value of growing some of their own organically safe food. More people should grow their own food in raised garden beds to appreciate the value of such a fulfilling hobby.

The Method
- Find a sunny spot in your yard.
- Use a garden hose to design a bed that fits in with the landscaping of your home.
- Turn the sod and bring in some extra top soil. Line the bed with burlap bags (optional) filled with sand or top soil.
- Along the northern extreme of the bed suspend a grid and stakes to enable pole beans and tomatoes etc. to grow up.
- Along the front of the bed grow other delectable vegetables which do not need staking.
- Also have a spot with several raised pots to grow herbs for your favourite dishes.
- Install drip irrigation (optional) to save on water use.

Wider Implications
- Organic gardening can also take place on rooftops or in greenhouses with hydroponic technology or even in vacant buildings transformed with grow lighting.
- Community gardens could be established on donated acreage.

Significance
- Children and parents can learn the value of growing food and working on a project together.
- Communities can appreciate that food can be enjoyed locally.
- Raised gardens can eliminate the disconnect between consumer and food producer, distributor.

Deadline for submissions is March 31. See other requirements.

Any other avid gardeners with tips? Or a simple solution to a world problem?

Photo Credit:

Antique Extravaganza

Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends. ~ H. Jackson Brown

One of the best segments ever televised by the Antique Road Show involves a woman who brings in a jade collection. She tells the story of her father who lived in China in the 30's and 40's and purchased several pieces from a dealer friend for a few hundred dollars. We find out that all the pieces are from the 18th century with some roots in imperialist dynasties.

It's riveting to see the works of art, the analysis provided by the dealer, and the woman's reaction when she finds out what they are worth! See the video here.

Do you have an antique, as endearing as an old friend?

Cameron Must be 'Hurting'

One can't mistake the irony of Kathryn Bigelow winning best director for The Hurt Locker over ex-husband (1991) James Cameron's Avatar. After writing a movie review and portrait of Cameron's TED talk, I am surprised that Cameron was upstaged by a low budget, controversial film. Avatar won 3 Oscars and The Hurt Locker 6.

Johanna Schneller writes a wonderful portrait of Bigelow's work including this quote about her artistic endeavours.

“My goal is to make material as accessible as possible, but with a conscience. So I include some genre elements, which gives you a comfort level, and then I add other dimensions, which you don’t see coming, to make you walk out of the theatre and think. But it can’t be pedagogical. You have to keep the material subversive, so it doesn’t reveal itself. I’ll crawl through fire for that.”

I have a feeling that The Hurt Locker is on the play list for a lot of people including me. Has anyone seen the movie?

Help2 retire: Interactive Component

What do you think of the latest advertising campaign by Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, a division of Bank of America? That's right; Merrill Lynch is the company that went bankrupt and was resurrected by U. S. government bailout money and acquired by Bank of America with over 20,000 brokers.

Print ads show consumers in the 50-plus age group holding up placards that read: “help2 retire.” A blank box appears underneath, along suggested words like “problems,” “cold feet” and “guesswork.” In March, a billboard from the campaign has debuted in Times Square, where viewers can text in their own answers.

The $20 million campaign which broke last week began with TV and print.

As a Canadian, I saw one of the ads over the weekend and thought it rather clever. After all, there are many boomer investors shell shocked by the volatility the last couple of years and wonder how they should invest their money for retirement.

Will Merrill Lynch and other investing firms continue to garner a few percentages of investors' hard earned money with their 'expert' investment advice?

Peruvian Profile

Bob Harris, radio commentator, writer, stand-up comedian, Kiva supporter, recently toured Peru for a book he is writing on microfinance and provided an article for boingboing.

The excellent chronicle of his trip includes a look at some of the last surviving Inca stone handiwork, the vestiges of the Spanish conquest, and the beauty of the Peruvian people and countryside.

This is well worth reading and enjoying the photographs. For me, it serves as an ideal arm chair travelogue and a testament to the power of the Internet to convey authentic experiences from anywhere in the world.

Personally I was impressed with the Incan knowledge of stone cutting and their perfect walls which have withstood centuries of neglect and earthquake.

'The Incas moved and shaped these stones, most of which are bigger than you are, and then built hundreds of such walls -- all of course with no power tools, no known use of the wheel, no draft animal bigger than a llama, and no written language beyond intricately knotted cords.'

Behind the E-Commerce Curve

Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping. ~Bo Derek

This amazing infographic by Permuto underscores how much my buying habits are behind the times. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people are purchasing the following items in ever greater numbers online:

- Office Supplies 67%
- Electronics 74%
- Computers...48%
- Clothing 66%
- Furniture 65% !!!!!!!!!
- Food, Beer, Wine - 57% !!!!!!
- Music, Videos 74%
- Books, Magazines 61%

A glaring exception is Drugs and Health Aids at 8%.

I guess I still need the full sensory experience provided in those bricks and mortar stores.

Ever a Curious Boy

James Cameron, film director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and inventor, spoke at the TED conference in California in February. His 18 minute address explores his quest to satisfy his imagination and curiosity.

Some Highlights
- Canadian born Cameron (1954) grew up with a steady diet of science fiction. His two hours on the bus to and from school were spent reading flights into fantasy.
- His insatiable sense of curiosity was also satisfied hiking in woods and studying nature.
- In the late 60's James followed the moon expeditions and Jacques Cousteau's undersea adventures.
- Fortunately there were no video games at the time to distract him from drawing, painting, creating alien new worlds himself.
- Later he moved to California and became an avid scuba diver and logged 3,000 hours under water exploring the new worlds there.
- His films became a vehicle to nurture his urge to tell stories and create images: Terminator,'84; Alien,'86;Abyss,'89, Terminator 2, '91; Titanic, '97; Avatar, 2009. (His last two films have grossed over $5 billion worldwide.)
- Cameron moved toward digital animation in the early '90's and developed the technology through Digital Domain for Avatar.
- His interest in deep sea exploration led him to create Titanic with a Romeo and Juliet narrative. Amazingly, his interests allowed him to actually make deep sea documentaries including visits to the Titanic wreck. His experiences have been "surreal" merging his imagination with reality.
- Cameron has also worked with NASA to nurture his interests in space science.
- He has valued the creative bond he receives from working with small groups of people.

His Conclusions
- Curiosity is the most powerful interest you have.
- Imagination is a force that can manifest a reality.
- Respect for a team is more important that all the laurels of the world.
- Take risks, make a leap of faith.
- Whatever you do, failure is an option but fear is not.

If I were still a teacher, I would show this TED video and encourage a discussion around the insights he shares. How wonderful if all students could stay curious and have the opportunity to harness their imagination in vital ways.

Food or Forests?

Tropical deforestation is now being lead by a global food hunt. A study outlined in environmental research web.org by Nature Geoscience concludes that deforestation is not slowing down but speeding up. There is growing pressure to feed burgeoning populations who have moved to the cities.

"The main drivers of tropical deforestation have shifted from small-scale landholders to domestic and international markets that are distant from the forests," said lead author Ruth DeFries, a professor at the Earth Institute's Center for Environmental Research and Conservation. "One line of thinking was that concentrating people in cities would leave a lot more room for nature. But those people in cities and the rest of the world need to be fed. That creates a demand for industrial-scale clearing."

DeFries and her colleagues analyzed remote-sensing images of forest cover across 41 nations in Latin America, Africa and Asia from 2000–2005, and combined these with population and economic trends. They showed that the highest forest losses were correlated with two factors: urban growth within countries; and, mainly in Asia, growth of agricultural exports to other countries.

Studies suggest that 2/3 of people will live in cities by 2050 and a growing affluent population will increase demand for global food sources.

Hot spots of deforestation to make way for palm plantations, soybeans, sugar, and meat production are in Brazil, Indonesia, and Cambodia. Ironically some of these food commodities are turned into bio-fuels.

As well, large swaths of land in Africa and satellite countries around China are being bought and leased for global agriculture.

Who can argue with the premise food for forests?

Photo: Earth's Heart and Lungs Dismembered

Art of Marketing Conference: Burn the Ships

Wow, my mind is still spinning from the lightning bolts of crackling insights.

The Art of Marketing Conference in Toronto on March 2 with 1500 in attendance was all about harnessing one's creative potential to connect with people on the Internet in vital ways. Six internationally renowned authors and leaders shared their "cutting edge thinking and real world experiences on today's marketing issues."

Speakers, Themes, and Links to their Websites

Seth Godin on Leadership and Creativity
Dan Heath on Strategy and Communication
Mitch Joel on Digital Marketing and Social Media
Max Lenderman on Branding and Experiential Marketing
Sally Hogshead on Persuasion and Influence
James Othmer on Advertising and Branding

All of the speakers provided riveting anecdotes, vivid images, and energizing insights.

Some Key Insights

Mitch Joel (A taller Seth Godin with similar polished presentation skills.)
Herman Cortes landed in Mexico in 1519 to conquer the land for Spain. One thing he did immediately was burn the ships. There was no going back for his men. Similarly burn the ships as a marketer; hit Ctrl/Alt/Delete. The rules of engagement on the Internet are continually changing.
- It's about doing: sharing, socializing, collaborating, and, most of all, creating.
- A paradigm shift has occurred with media. TV is stagnant but on the Internet people are engaged: interacting, reading consumer product reviews, caring about what others are saying. -Digital Darwinism is about community involvement and shaping the conversation, one to one, one to many.
-Stories spread and are shared to the world. Are you as a marketer there comfortable with the ebb and flow, more malleable and responsive?

Seth Godin (His 70 minute presentation felt like 30.)
Highway #11 is your usual nondescript area of restaurants, gas stations, and franchise outlets. One day Godin stopped at the Candy Shoppe on 'Highway #11' and was fascinated how a mom and pop store had a very sophisticated business where people on average were spending $60 on candy. What were their secrets?
- Ideas that spread win. The market for something to believe in is infinite.
- Work has evolved from hunter, farmer, cog in a machine, to artist doing human work like making emotional connections, creating change.
- The hard part in creating is there are no clear steps.
- Be generous. Give more than you receive.
- Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity.
- Do work that matters....

Sally Hogshead (By the time she was done, you love her name!)
-What made Jagermeister a popular drink despite its bad taste? It's got something to do with urban legend...
-It's interesting to see what people respond to. Be aware of the seven fascination triggers: mystique, power, lust, prestige, alarm vice (tension), and trust.
- Welcome to the rise of the A.D.D. world; many have the attention span of a gold fish.
- We are moving from the information to the fascination age...

James Othmer (You appreciate the measured words of the writer.)
- Fiction, non-fiction writer is collaborating with diverse media interests to foresee what's next.
- Is Avatar, a game changer? One aspect may be Jake Sully's immersion and perspective in the 3D digital universe.
- Marketers need to be sensitive to the story, the narrative and transformative, entertaining experiences in a new environment.
- There's a ubiquity of gadgets which need to be used in concert like a symphony and create connections.
- You are lost in a 'nincompoop forest' and must make your way through defining your brand.
- There are commitments not campaigns, collaborations not soloists.
- What's the show Bible for your brand? Be consistent across the media. What is your mythology and ethos?
- Choreograph the brand ballet.
-There are many worlds, but same orbits; one creator, many creators; unlimited versus fixed times.

Max Lenderman (He's been to the third world and studied media domains.)
- There are 4 billion people making $2 a day who yearn to be part of the middle class.
- How are marketers reaching these 4 billion today? There is event marketing, troupes of actors entertaining with live advertisements.
- Some cities are banning billboard ads. What are the alternatives?
- Tide's initiative to help survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti through portable washing sites provides that emotional, human connection.

Dan Heath (Last speaker still motivates.)
- Don't be afraid of change. Also change takes time.
- Ketchup makes way for salsa...
- Go into the communities, test hypotheses, listen, gain knowledge, feel the dynamics, make the change.
- Understand the dynamics between the elephant and his rider. How do you manage the rational versus the emotional side of your thinking?
- Direct the rider, motivate the elephant, shape the path.
- Don't dwell on problems; focus on hope. Emulate yourself at your best moments.

Conclusion
These are exciting times for people navigating a message on the Internet. It's a great opportunity for the creative component to take an integral part.

And, just to prove I was there, here is a foggy picture of me with Seth and his signing of the book I bought, Purple Cow. Moo! Thanks to my son-in-law for inviting me to this wonderful conference.

Macro Wonders

To see a world in a grain of sand, And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour. ~ William Blake

I love seeing macro images of micro things.

When is the last time you paused to:
- marvel at a snowflake or hoarfrost, or the ice painting on a window?
- a swelling bud, or fluttering leaf?
- an ant or spider carry on with its vital duties?
- an eccentric host of cumulus clouds parading past?
- the subtle light of shadows cast by a golden ray of light?

What up close encounter have you enjoyed recently? One of mine was seeing a painted turtle last summer as it rested in the cool shadows and green grass close to a stream. I picked it up and marveled at its spectrum of colours. Then I put him back hoping that I didn't disturb his reverie too much.

To enjoy an incredible series of macro nature images go here. Thanks to Holy Kaw for the link.