[2008-01-30] New years resolutions

Well, it's the year 2008! I wonder why mankind always sees the new year as an opportunity to somehow improve their selves? People make new years resolutions and usually forget all about them right after new years day. So what's the big "fuzz" anyway? Why can't people better them selves say during the spring, or summer? I mean I see new years eve only as an excuse to party hard.

But while I don't make new years resolutions, I try to keep my act together all year long! Shouldn't everyone? I know sometimes it might be a slippery slide, but why try only once a year when you really can try to "improve" your life all year long. Maybe I should consider a career as a life coach.. ..I wonder if it pays well? :)

[2007-05-24] Commercialism

What a suprise. I told you earlier about this guy who was travelling and dancing around the world just for the heck of it. Well it turns out, that fun has become a business for him.

A travelling agency called Tjäreborg has bought the rights to use the video as a commercial on tv. I think it's kinda sad and annoying that corporations have to take advantage of all that can be inspiring or otherwise unique.

Atleast I thought that the video was made just to create something different and to show people that you can change your life for the better. But what do I know? Maybe the video was made intentionally for advertising purposes from the start. Of course no one can blame the man for selling his video. After all, it's his video and he can do anything he wants with it. Almost everyone has a price, and he just got his.

Sadly, I can't say that I wouldn't have done the same.

Ps. Läkerol keeps on doing its annoying stupid commercials!

[2007-04-19] Where the hell are the good news?

After spending a while reading some newspapers about issues both domestic and global I found myself feeling a bit depressed.

It's nothing new because by now one has to be used to the fact that almost all they ever write about is controversy, violence or otherwise shocking matters. Violence, the best-seller. It's true, everyone knows it and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It's in the human nature to be interested in these kinds of things.

I do think that one shouldn't be quiet about bad things happening in the world but I also think that more of the good stuff (yes, good things happen too) should make their way to the printers more often. When it was time for me to put away the newspapers, I stumbled in to a video which was posted to YouTube over 10 months ago. The video has 6,362,905 views by know and it has been rated 4 out of 5 stars. It sure cheered me up.

Check it out at YouTube: Where the Hell is Matt?
The story behind the video: wherethehellismatt.com

[2007-04-09] American "Idols"

Ok. Here's the thing: Have anyone of you seen this years American Idol finalists?

Well, I have and I have to say that one glimpse of the contestants was enough for me. Such generic bullshit and no personality what so ever. Everyone sings the same genre, song after song. Even the band behind them sounds like they have come straight from some high school parade. Now don't get me wrong, I do think that most of them have actually decent voices.

My point is that the competition in my opinion reflects the American media culture pretty well. American culture, where everything is done to gain the big bucks and the actual art & culture comes always second. I realize that a lot of people like those generic easy-listening pop tunes and that is why the production company sticks with them. What would the brainwashed masses of the United States want more than to spend their money on mind emptying generic tunes. A little bit of variety wouldn't hurt! Who knows, if people were more introduced or more willing to explore different kinds of genres, they could actually like something different better.

Having said that, this is a problem that occurs on a global scale too. For example, look at Eurovision song contest in general. Year after year mindless tunes have reigned there as well. At least last year Lordi took the win with some hard rock music. Some of those votes went to the rock music, some to the costumes and I bet some were just protest votes in general. It's just that the media culture of the United States has taken it on a completely different level.

I emphasize once again: Variety is only a good thing, don't be afraid to look behind the corner as well!

[2007-03-30] I hate stupid commercials.

Some of you (Finnish people atleast) might have seen that Läkerol commercial on tv where the lollipop is licking that dude and the banana is pulling his leg etc. That's not funny! Really what the hell? Maybe for some people it might be funny for like two seconds the first time they see it. But it repeats like 100 times a day. (Or so it feels to me anyway.) Maybe whoever created that piece was trying to aim for annoyance rather than comedy.

In my mind there are two options,
Option 1: Some self-proclaimed "ad wizard" has a sense of humour of an eight year old.
Option 2: The wiz was aiming for annoyance so that people would remember the product. Newsflash: Any publicity really is not good publicity. People like the one who made that commercial made that saying as well to hide their lackings.

Well I for once will not buy a single Läkerol pack as long as I remember that commercial!

Peace - Ile

Chill. There will be more coming soon.