I was just having a conversation with a client of mine talking about where I was in my decision making. He managed to turn my answer of 'nowhere' into a beautiful analogy about the Arc de Triomphe. Apparently there are many roads that lead into the Arc de Triomphe and even more roads that lead out of it. Why that is relevant to me is I am currently pursuing many potential roads, paths if you like, and enjoying the fact that I don't want to commit to any of them. I would love to create a model for my working future that allowed me to explore lots of these roads so that I was a bigger, better, more experienced person by the time I came through the Arc. He also said that there is no rhyme or reason as to how you drive through the Arc de Triomphe - it is simply a matter of bravery and having the fastest car. That's why on every level I love the analogy. I can define my decision to try a few routes as brave and I can gain experience that allows me to be a faster car. Thank you Chris.

Why comparison isn't good

The phrase 'it's like..' has always annoyed me. It means you are using something else as reference and therefore makes whatever it is you are talking about not unique. I stayed at a hotel this weekend where there were 3 weddings. 3. That meant all we did was compare them. That can't be good can it. On what is heralded to be the most special day of your life, you have to share it. Everyone knows lots of people get married every day of the year in every country on earth, but you don't want to have to see it with your own eyes. I am lucky enough so far to be talking to people and considering options that may be right for me, rather than here is a job that may be right for a few people of which you are one of them. That's a good place to be and one that I feel very lucky to be in.

Michael Eisner on Spot Runner

Someone told me about Spot Runner the other day in a 'how bad can the industry get' conversation. It seems that Spot Runner is a good sign of how bad it can get and it is worrying that Michael Eisner, the Chairman and CEO of Disney and therefore the only man alive who should be able to challenge Ronald McDonald's title of Chief Happiness Officer, is caught on camera saying how impressed he is with it. Basically, it is a site where advertisers can find a custom made 'mood film' let's say about food, put their own v/o on it and then book and send out to the relevant media stations. Forget advertisers going straight to production houses, which everyone in this country is getting hot under the collar about, this is so much more than that. I don't know where to start in my rant about this. Yes, the vast majority of advertising out there is rubbish and therefore why shouldn't we just cut out the middleman on this rubbish and let advertisers put the rubbish together for themselves, but what the. Also, Michael Eisner, the man with happiness at the heart of his brand thing - please not you.
At least I can rule out one option in my 'what comes next' search - I will not be doing anything with Spot Runner.

Having a bit more time on your hands means you can play a bit on the web and actually go to the sites that people tell you are great rather than just talk about going there. The Simpsons Movie is already a phenomenon and will be phenomenal. Even if you aren't a Simpsons fan, just spending time on the website will hook you in. The best feature is without doubt the 'create your own avatar' bit. To rival the disgusting Campaign photo that appeared a few weeks ago, I thought I would post this avatar. I am hoping you will all quickly comment that the avatar is nothing like me or that you will find a way to upload your own avatar on this blog so you're not just laughing at me.

Look, but don't touch

It is true what people say about the web and user generated comment - everyone is talking about it, but very few people are getting involved. From my point of view, lots of people are saying they are reading the blog, but very few people are commenting. Some are saying it's hard to work out how to, but most don't want to open themselves up to public eyes and opinion. I have learnt that the web isn't as public as you think it might be. You can find your own corner of it and sit there and rant a bit. If anything, facebook is more open and frightening than starting or commenting on a blog. For theworldismylobster to truly be a help and not a hindrance, I need comments and advice - please.

One of the best things I’ve seen in ages is Avenue Q.
It is like The Simpsons meets The Muppets meets Sesame Street meets Teen America.
I loved it because it was an assault on the senses – it mixed everything up and created a glorious cacophony of nonsense.
It’s got great social commentary songs called ‘The Internet is for Porn’ and ‘Everybody’s a little bit Racist’.
The story is about a muppet called Princeton who is searching for his ‘purpose’.
Purpose is a big, grand word, but I’m going to use it to write a cv or biog that is more focused about what I think I’m good for rather than just here's a list of things I’ve done (or claim to have done).

Get a job or start something?

It's been a few weeks since I took the decision to resign and things, people and emotions have all calmed down. Now, I am left with my own thoughts, plans and conversations. The question that every chat comes back to is the title of this post. It seems that is the biggest question I have to answer. People's excitement and interest seems to go up a notch if it appears I may 'start something', but what's wrong with getting a job these days? Does a job immediately conjur up images of 'salary slave'?
To some, it is all about money - do I have enough money to start something?
But then to others, it has nothing to do with money, money is easy to find, it is ideas that are hard to come by and it is ideas, or an idea that will allow you to solve the above question.
I only need an idea, which is good news for my savings, but not so great for my brain.

Vote Different

There was a great article in The Observer this Sunday about how the presidential election is being fought on YouTube. This was the ad/statement/film/thing that kicked it all off - an anonymous edit of the 1984 apple ad villifying Hillary Clinton. Have a look at it and then look at Obamagirl, and Bill and Hillary Soprano. Everyone is wanging on about how the consumer is in control and 'citizen' journalism or communication is where it's all at. This is the best demonstration I have seen to prove this. If the American presidential campaign is being viewed through a YouTube lens it means that different values are now being sought after. Authenticity, realness, credibility and all words that mean kind of the same thing are now being judged. It makes me think that I should post a video showing my true values rather than just hiding behind words on a blog.

I went to see Justin Timberlake at the new 02 stadium last night and it got me thinking. Firstly, about Justin Timberlake. I predict now that his career will go on and on. He makes the word 'cool' mean 'cool' and he is incredibly talented. Watching him perform, made me want to be him, be with him or even just be a tiny bit, as talented as him. Secondly, the new 02 stadium. As a music venue, it's interesting - a modern feeling venue with a moving, trap door filled stage. As a place to go and visit i.e. the surrounding restaurants, bars, cinemas and clubs, I give it a year. It has the atmosphere of the Trafford Centre at night with the restaurants closing at 11pm - perfectly in time for the 20,000ish people leaving the music venue looking for something to eat. It has no freshness or difference about it. So, if I was Justin Timberlake, I wouldn't worry. If I was at all connected with O2, I would be thinking quickly about what to do with the broader venue.

Someone suggested that I go to lifeafteradvertising.com and see what the site suggests. If your eye-sight was superhuman, you would see that the above visual is the homepage of this site. The question reads...Did you ever think about what else you could be doing with all your priceless advertising skills and charisma? You then have to answer a few questions before the site takes you on a laborious, advertising style lengthy process set to comedy music. I was told I had no marketable skills, but that may just be me.

A few people have suggested I surround myself with advisers or advisors (if anyone knows the difference) and create a think tank of sorts. In the spirit of this blog, the idea quickly jumped to a lobster tank and today's visual was borne (or born). A few people have nominated themselves, but really I would like this blog to form the basis of my council (or counsel). Ideally, I would like the most outrageous, eclectic and dangerous group of people all with the responsibility of my next step bearing (or boring) down on their shoulders.

Back-up Spice

Ever since the Spice Girls announced their 'surprise' reunion, I've been thinking about Back-up Spice as a new career option.
It would be high profile and different enough to what I'm doing now to justify the sudden throwing the towel in on a job in advertising. It would need similar skills of being able to shine on your own as an individual talent, but still work well in a team.
I am northern and I do carry off a tracksuit well and I do have a voice that can only but be noticed. Maybe I just need to find the rest of the group, people that would contrast and complement my talent - singing or otherwise.
Anyone? I'm not ruling anything out at this stage.

The news is out - me and Tony Blair are leaving.
There are a few differences between him and me, but todays difference is that he was front page of The Sun and I was page 3 of Campaign. Yes it makes me a page 3 girl (although if you saw the photo, you would see how untrue that was), but it does show that his leaving is higher profile than mine.
So, I'm going to have to think about starting to invite people in to view this blog and genuinely contributing to my 'what do I do next' question.

If the world is full of conventions, one of them is when people resign and they don't say what they are doing or where they are going, they say these kind of things,
"I've got fingers in pies"
"I've got a few things up my sleeve"
"I'm having quite a few conversations"
"I'm just working through the options now"
Please feel free to shout/shoot me if any of these vague, vaccuous statements ever come out of my mouth or appear on this blog.

What do I do next?

I've worked hard for many years to get to the top of an advertising agency and now I don't want it. 
So, I resigned yesterday with absolutely nothing else to go to.
This is the biggest decision I've ever made without prompting and as I am a bit of a control freak, it's going to be interesting to see how I cope with the unknown.
This is a blog to explore and discuss what happens next to a seemingly successful, confident 'never done anything other than advertising' person.