don_quixote.com

Yesterday I finally got it. I finally understood what Miguel de Cervantes was talking about in Don Quixote. As I was talking to my media provider (online TV& Internet) I realized that no matter what I say or do I am actually fighting windmills. The level of service we're used to receiving in this country is so bad that instead of being surprised by a bad one, we are amazed by a good one.

We all know, mistakes happen and problems do occur, but the way one handles them, is how you measure good service in my book. The worst thing is getting bad service with a smile. I know it's not for the lack of will to help it's more the inherent misunderstanding of what service actually means, and it is even more frustrating.

So, after a few calls back and forth (with one over an hour and 45m) I have realized that there is nothing I can do to change the situation. I can disconnect from them, but they wouldn't care, I can stay, but then I admit defeat, so I basically lose on both ends. And that is a horrible feeling, realizing that in that particular situation you are powerless and unimportant. However, I keep hoping things will change here (and maybe they do in some areas, at least in my hometown Tel-Aviv and we will be able to receive the kind of service that will take the wind out of our windmill :-)

Great minds...

Not my work

(to be honest, no one copied no one.

Just great minds...)

My work

Left, right, left, right

Iv'e decided my country is a land filled with masochists that are surrounded by sadists. I can't explain it in any other way. And really how can you? Can anyone explain why we are going through life the way we do? Why are we going backwards when most of the western world is progressing? It's true we are better and way more advanced than most countries in quite a lot... Hi-Tech, Agriculture, Medicine and lots more, but yet in everything regarding ourselves we are falling behind.
Looking at my city Tel-Aviv, one would think I'm full of shit, and I'm actually leaving in one of the most progressive cities in the world, and it's true. But... driving an hour out and the picture changes completely. Gay rights go down the drain, and so do Arab or any other minorities, the political agenda takes a sharp turn to the right and religion get more intense. Add to that, the fact we are surrounded by countries that (well, not all) wants us gone, and you have a great S&M recipe for a healthy life style.
So, what do we do? Do we relocate to another country? Do we stay and bang our heads at the wall while trying to make a change? And what about our kids, do they deserve to continue this cycle?
A lot of questions and not too many answers, I know. But one conclusion for me at least is that the next time anyone tells me I live in a bubble I'll just replay: "Thank god" (Just an expression of course, no religion connection what so ever).

Great minds...

It wasn't me...

So I have a new job. I know, just the word Job makes me shiver. But you know, one must have money to do stuff... Anyways, as a part of my managerial duties I have to deal with quite a bit of forms and excels. To be honest, I hate this part of my job. I am a creative director, that is what I do and that is who I am, so dealing with all that crap is killing me.

But for the first time since school, I realizing that there probably was a reason to why I was such a bad student and why It was easier for me to surf rather than stay in school.

I don't really know if I have ADHD or ADD or whatever letters (or not) can describe my predicament but I am sure now, more than I ever was, that it wasn't me. I mean, It was and still is me, It's just not my fault. Learning (class rooms) and dealing with forms is just not for me and taking pills (to make it me) is defiantly not for me, so I have decided to do my best, that's all, nothing more and nothing less.

And if I go crazy in the process, well, it won't make a huge difference :-)

Great minds...

Designer vacation

Just got back from a short (5 days) work trip to Italy. Work or not, every time I set foot in this country my heart fills with all sorts of feelings. The country itself is beautiful, the food is really good, the people are nice and the coffee, well it's fucking great.
But most of all it's the design. Everything is designed beautifully, from fashion to cars, furniture to stores, etc. Although the entire western world has in large part the same fashion, the same furniture and in most major cities like New York, London, Tel Aviv (of course) the bars and restaurants are designed at the highest levels. It seems like in Italy it's the small things... It's the way they dress for work, whether it is working in a small print house or managing an international company.
It's the way they design and serve their desserts

So if you ask me what is Italy? It's everything, but... beautifully designed.

The ultimate vacation - life

I've decided long ago that my life will be all about traveling. Not for work, not as a travel agent or something of a sort... Whatever I do will be means to an end, and the end will be the next trip.
The big question is: work hard and get paid or work less hard and get less paid.
We all know one needs money to travel and enjoy life, but a part of enjoying life is not working hard, isn't it? So where do we draw the line? What is the balance between not working hard but still earning enough money to travel? And what is enough?
I'm still not sure and questioning myself often. I think this is one of the most difficult questions to answer, for me at least. What is the balance? Not only between money and the amount of work. But the balance between being happy at work and being happy traveling. You probably think, "rich man's problems" right? But, it's not. It's an existential question not less. It's the way you choose to live your life without compromising on what makes you tick.

Great minds...

When you just do it...

Great minds...

If everyone's different isn't everyone the same?

Great minds...

Which is better? You will be the judge...

Coca Cola

Pepsi

Isn't it ironic? Don't you think?

Most days I would just smile or maybe even like this picture. But with all that's happening in Israel these past few weeks I find it both infuriating and frustrating. Our country is now in turmoil regarding the LGBT members' rights to using surrogacy as a viable solution to becoming parents and on the other hand the new law defining Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish people while disregarding all others.

Looking at this picture one can see enormous hatred or total ignorance and a closer look shows a poster with the commandment Thou shalt not covet.

That may suggest an edited picture, but with my deep understanding of the religious sectors here I believe it is genuine. Because the sad truth is, there is one thing in common with most of our society, and that is ignorance, which of course goes both ways.

I choose to see ignorance and still hope there is a chance for change and that we're not taking the same road Europe took 70 years ago.

It's a new dawn it's a new day it's a new life for me... and I am feeling good

Wow, that was long, both the title and since the last time I posted anything. But a lot has changed in my life. After 7 months of some R&R of sea and sun I am back on the saddle working again (mixed feeling of course). Plus I moved into a new house and... Got a brand new electric scooter (my last one was stolen). So a lot is different and new, but still a lot is the same. I am still getting excited everytime I have a new presentation for a client, which is great. I guess that means I am still doing what I love (although what I love the most is the beach). I feel I have a chance again to influence people, both clients and end users with creative ideas and design. I believe that if you use these two, creative thinking and great design with respect and social responsibility it can actually improve the world. No, I don't see myself as a crusader all of a sudden, but I feel each of us can do something to better themselves and their surrounding, even when it's only advertising in my world and the only change it makes is a smile, that's fine by me.

Confession

Forgive me guys for I have sinned, It's been 3 months since my last confession.
Well, I have been neglecting my blog's duties, but for a good reason. I left my 5+ years long job and started my 6 months (so far) vacation. I think this was defiantly one of the best moves I've made in my life so far. I am actually living for the first time in a very long time (not that I have anything to complain about). I am going to the beach, coffee shops, I am meeting friends, greeting my kids as they come home from school and basically have a lot of free time. I started learning the art of tattooing and even took a trip to Lapland to catch the Aurora Borealis, a long time dream of mine:

But... There is a down side of course, in order to have fun and maintain quality free time, one must have enough money, and that means WORK. So I am reluctantly starting to think about going back to work :-( It's basically a catch 22, you stop working in order to have more free time and more fun, but free time and fun both coast money, so you have to go back to work in order to get more money.
So you think to yourself... I Will get a job for a year or so, leave again and have fun again, right? Wrong... As you grow older you realize that no one is waiting for you with open arms as they used to anymore. So... I have decided to look for a job in which I'll have the most fun, the most international traveling and the most money of course.
Hold your fingers crossed.

Great minds think alike?

Mazda xc3



The original - Levi's