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July 21, 2008

Not So Pretty

autos_content_landing_pages-472799050-1216421924.jpgNow I’m confused. Wouldn’t you think that car companies want to come out with something completely different when introducing a new hybrid? Yet, this shot (courtesy of Brendy Priddy) of the new Honda hybrid shows a car exactly like the Prius.

I’ve waxed prolific before on how much I love my “Pri.” Yet, the one thing I wish they would have improved on is the look. It looks like a big old bathtub to me. And now Honda has created a bathtub of its own.

Seems to me if I could design the coolest hybrid to hit town, I’d make it like one of those British sports cars from the 1960s. You know, the kind Austin Powers used to drive – but without the requirement of bad teeth for the driver.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 03:04 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 18, 2008

Something Special

I am what you call a nervous flyer. Mind you, I’ve flown all over the world in some very dilapidated jets. I’ve had engines blow out, landing gear not deploy and something that was described as “a hydraulic problem.”

So, you can see why I’m always nervous when that big overblown aluminum can takes off.

A news story today makes me even jittery. It seems US Airways is pressuring pilots to use less fuel.

Huh? Since when is a full tank merely a suggestion? And what’s the matter with having a bit left over when you land? Can’t it be used for another flight?

Honestly, air travel is such a horrendous affair. Now, do they have to scare us with the thought of running out of gas?  I pity the airline marketers. When they say “there’s something special in the air,” I think they’re now talking about a plane that just might make it to its destination.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 04:30 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 17, 2008

Happy Birthday, "E"

In our family, we have good birthdays and “Eeyore birthdays.” In exactly two hours, it will be my birthday … and I can feel an Eeyore coming on.

These are not so good. With this birthday I feel a sense of having not accomplished what I should have in the previous year. I came sooo close to publishing my book, but now there is utter silence from my agent (cue the crickets). Other proposals seem to have been shelved as well. Drat.

OK, not to make this an entire pity party, I will try my best to put my b-day ‘tude on and get through the day. Besides, Cirque du Soleil just sent me a “Happy Birthday” email. Who could ask for much more?

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:54 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 15, 2008

Greetings from Walm Art

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So what do you think of the re-branded Wal-Mart logo? Or is that just Walmart? The sunny thingy is kind of, well, bright. 

But help me stop reading it as Walm-art. I'm just not sure what kind of art that is.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:01 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 14, 2008

Zipping Around

smart01.jpg

Japan Smart has a very cute site inviting visitors to design their own Smart Cars (in very cute ways). Then you can drive the thing for a lot less cash than any car I know. Have fun with the game and think of all the energy you’ll save sitting in your chair while you do it.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 06:51 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 09, 2008

Blog with the Olympians

Got Olympic fever? I know plenty of people who do ... even me. I keep watching clips of old gymnasts on Youtube (Nadia! Olga! Mary Lou! and of course Kerri-of-the-Tiny-Voice!). Check out this site from Lenovo that features Olympians blogging. Too cool.

I may be out of commission for a few days. Going to Washington, DC ... future home of Barack. 

 

 

 

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:37 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 08, 2008

Tall Tales

My family and I are weighing an interesting problem. The doctors say my 11-year-old four foot three inch daughter MUST go on growth hormones immediately if she wants to reach at least five feet at adulthood.

“Tall is important,” says the doctor, who is all of about five foot four himself.

So, what’s the difference between four foot eleven (her predicted height) and five feet, possibly five feet two (her hormone-enhanced height)?  Either way, she’s no Giselle Bunchen.

My daughter’s skittish about shots. I’m skittish about pumping a healthy kid with hormones. What to do? Give into some ideal she’ll never reach or just let a short kid be a short adult?

Perhaps that Dove “Real Beauty” campaign was right. Standards of beauty are just too unattainable to really care about.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 04:26 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

July 07, 2008

Down in the Slumps

I’m sorry, but I haven’t been in a marketing mindset for the past week. First, there was the trip to New York and a whole lot of restaurants (NY always makes me hungry). Then, there was the eye surgery which knocked me out (isn’t it weird to forget a full day??). And now there’s the slump. I just don’t feel so inspired right now.

I figure these are the options for overcoming slump:

  • Grind it out – Just do it, work through it and carry on.
  • Do something totally different – Go left instead of right. Be a fire-starter.
  • Look for the muse – A good run in the morning usually clears my head, although it hasn’t lately (dang that anesthesia)
  • Write something – I’m still trying to be sanguine about my fiction writing, although that’s a big slumpy, too
  • Fuhgetaboutit – Figure that sooner or later I’ll get that bonk on the head and be back to normal

Any ideas? How do you unslump yourself?

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:51 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 02, 2008

Shaaa-ron, There's a Bleedin' Politician on the Telly

MTV Networks will now take political ads. Well, there are some restrictions. They’ll only accept ads from political candidates and party political committees, not from third parties.

Even during the presidential primaries, MTV had refused all political ads. But things have changed. And yup, this certainly benefits Obama. Come on now, can you even conceive of the McCain team coming up with anything youth-invigorating? It might – oh heaven forbid – force the candidate to work weekends.

Good for MTV to allow some political marketing. Should get very interesting…

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 05:49 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 01, 2008

Fountain of Information

03205t.jpegThere are so many things in life that I still want – good health for my family, happy children, a published book (note to my agent) and oh yes, a new president not like the old one.

But the one thing I never wanted, coveted or even considered was a fountain. Yes, a fountain. So, when Lamps Plus sent me an email today announcing a sale on fountains, I had to laugh. Who the heck runs a fountain in their back yard? Isn’t that kind of anti-ecological, anyway?

Seems to me if you’re going to send out a mass email, you kind of want to focus on products that are in peoples’ realm of, “Ooooh, I want that.” I looked at the fountains and just thought, hmm, guess those lamps aren’t moving much at Lamps Plus.

Posted by Susan C. Solomon at 04:47 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)


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