Tuesday, March 29, 2011

love letter

Nothing's funnier than ending a sincere, heartfelt letter with the following paragraph, which is exactly what Jaime just did in an email to me. You only get to see the end, because it's too funny to keep to myself.

I am really going to miss you when I go home, but nothing could ever tear us apart. I love you with all my heart.  I think you look smart, even when you fart.

Love, Jaime

Posted via email from eric forsyth's posting place

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Stream of consciousness, 24 March 2011

I went into advertising because I realized that a depressingly large percentage of all advertising is pretty lame, forgetful and sometimes downright bad for you. But the good stuff is so good, I wanted to play a part in making sure there is a larger percentage of it.

 

I went into Content/Account Management when I had a chance to move into production because I realized that a depressingly large percentage of account folks are pretty lame, forgetful and sometimes downright bad for the work. But when you do have the chance to work with a really good, really smart account person, it’s so good, I wanted to play a part in making sure there was at least one more of them. And with any luck in the mentoring stratosphere, a few more.

 

I play music to release creative juices and pretend like I’m not in thinking of advertising internal processes and strategy 90% of my waking hours.

 

I hike to clear my mind, breathe fresh air, and remind myself that I’m happiest when I’m coming down from a summit.

 

I go to church to stretch my mind and wax philosophical about heavier, important matters and remind myself that family comes first.

 

I married Jaime to balance my tendency to dive into something with too much intensity and run the risk of coming out too late, or never. Plus, she’s a killer roommate and I like to hold her hand. Okay, I love her, stop making fun of me.

 

Back in 2003, my mission President told me he believed one of the main reasons I was called to that mission in Germany was to be a good companion to the people I worked with. Essentially, other missionaries needed me, maybe more than other people in Germany needed me.

 

TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. But the idea of making the world a better place and promoting Ideas Worth Spreading is still it’s core.

 

My Windows Phone 7 spot was a finalist in their ads worth spreading. it’s not even my favorite stuff I’ve worked on. Right now I’m working on a campaign to promoted being more tender and nice to each other, with lovable and approachable milk chocolate as a catalyst for better relationships and quality of life (there’s science behind this, people, I swear).

 

I often need to force myself to balance more. This random stream of consciousness note is probably just another reminder that I could do better, but that I’m also not doing so bad in the long run.

Posted via email from eric forsyth's posting place

Monday, March 21, 2011

hard knock life

I just overheard someone in the office say “I literally finished Uni and then went to work only two weeks later, so I didn’t even have a chance to relax or travel or anything.”

Then in the same minute she said, “my dad bought my car, and I have to pay for petrol.”

Some people have it so tough.

Posted via email from eric forsyth's posting place

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Giant nutella

Img00012-20110309-1329

Sent from my Windows Phone

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Menu Feb 26-28: The last stretch of my vegetarian month.

This was not that big of a deal. That's my final conclusion.

Keeping the blog updated on a daily basis was the biggest challenge. Taking pictures of my food proved to be awkward when eating out (and we tend to eat out a lot here). I'm glad that part of my life is over.

As for the eating tasty food that doesn't contain meat period of my life, that will still happen on occasion. Maybe a little more than it already naturally occurred in the past, but my tastes haven't changed much. I still like granola. Pizza. I still love bread and olive oil. Roasted and sun dried tomatoes. Pasta. Garlicky things. Spicy things. Roasted herb potatoes. Green salads with cucumbers and peppers and home made croutons. Melted cheese. Hummus and Felafel. Asian food of all types. Jaime's chocolate chip cookies. Water. Ginger beer.

I think I snacked on cookies and chocolate laying around more than i normally would. I think I might have gained a bit of weight with the sweets and bread and cheese and all, although I don't have a scale.

I didn't sense having more energy, or feeling like I was lacking protein. Although now that I think about it, I did have some sore muscles and headaches that I are usually not that bad. Not sure if it's related. I feel fine today, and yesterday I had chicken for lunch and dinner (not the cliche' beef burger with which I thought I'd start March. We found a great eatery called "Nandos" with Portuguese / Afro inspired chicken dishes and good sides).

One thing I did feel like I was lacking was manliness. As if my testosterone level was dependent on the meat that was eliminated from my diet. Other contributing factors may had to do with being in London and living the metro life, missing the mountains, and my dog ("man's best friend," after all), and driving stick shift. I felt like I needed to walk out on to the busy sidewalk and punch a random dude in the face, then walk back inside. Not out of anger or frustration. Just to feel a sense of manliness that seemed to be lacking (chemically?). I thought, "then I'd feel better." Rest assured, I avoided acting on this impulse.

Here are some pictures from the Feb 26-28. The last of my strictly vegetarian days.

The last supper. Cheese tortellini soup with zucchini, peppers and spinach and tomatoes. And cheesy bread quickly broiled in the oven.

Fries (chips) from a restaurant in Wells called "Ask". With garlic mayo.

Great penne pasta with fresh basil, mushrooms and fire roasted tomatoes and spicy tomato sauce. And parmesan, of course.

Scone served by Somerset English countryside dwelling friends Bob and Wendy, with jam and "Clotted Cream" on top. Amazing.

Basic vanilla yogurt and granola at home.

Grilled cheese sandwich, made at home with grainy bread and mature English cheddar and olive oil in the pan.

Posted via email from eric forsyth's posting place