Category Inspire

Advertisements – When they catch our attention!

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I love good advertisements. For years, I worked for a magazine selling print ads. It was the most fun I’ve had at any job. Yes, it was stressful reaching my weekly/monthly sales goals.

However, I enjoyed scouting out new clients in ALL kinds of industries. I met many interesting people. Ok, I admit, some nice, some not so nice. Yet interesting even when they would slam the door in my face. I would think, “THAT person needs to be sold!”

Recently, I saw this truck with the mold advertisement. I smiled. I was brought back to my old sales days. HURRY, write down the name before the truck dashes off. WHY? We’ve got a Home issue coming up, THIS would be a perfect advertiser. Got to get on it!

My Boss, an Italian guy, would go around the table at our weekly sales meetings asking each Sales Rep, “How the week went.” Seems like a simple question, but if he was in a “mood,” it was embarrassing to be called out in front of everyone.

One guy ALWAYS sat with his chair tilted back trying to act cool. He was a “hot shot.” Talked like a used car salesman. When it was his turn to answer, he’d say, “GREAT week Boss!”

My Manager would say, “Well, Jim, if it was a great week, why didn’t I see any contracts in my InBox?”

Poor Jim! He just didn’t understand that a “good week” meant “SIGNED CONTRACTS!” NO signed contracts, not a good week, LOL. So, don’t set yourself up to be poked at.

Let’s face it, not everyone is cut out for sales. You’ve got to have a tough skin. Stress is high. My Italian manager taught me early on, it’s a numbers game. Do the work, get the reward.

So, here’s to enjoying a good advertisement!

Adventure travel — Where do you want to go?

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Are you looking for ideas on places to explore? I received this MT. SOBEK adventure magazine in the mail. It’s really wonderful. They have trips all over the world. They’ve been in business since 1969. If you’re interested, I’ve put a link to their website. They also have a travel Blog.

Here’s what you would see in the magazine. Trips are in this format. I’m not sure what’s included in the price. I read online they take small groups for each trip, approximately 10 people.

On the website the About section explains how the company got started and who the founders are. This was interesting, the name SOBEK is the Egyptian God of crocodiles. They didn’t say why they chose this name, they just explained where the name came from.

This was an enjoyable catalog/magazine to go through. So many exciting trips.

There is a trip called, “Mongolia Horse Trek.” OK, I don’t ride horses daily, but this trip piqued my interest. I’ve always wanted to go to Mongolia. LOL – Don’t shake your head yet.

I’M OFF TO RESEARCH, LEARN MORE…. WHO KNOWS!

Aren’t we supposed to go out of our comfort zone?!

That reminds me, the Lottery is SKY HIGH again, I better get ONE ticket – that’s all it takes, right!

THEN, Mongolia — Here I come!

Exercise – Never know what you might see!

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Winter is coming and birds are looking for food.

I was on a walk, forcing myself to exercise…

As I say that, I cringe. Why do I say, “forcing?” I actually enjoy walking. However, the transition from Fall to Winter is a strange one. The days are changing, it’s darker in the morning and at night, which effects our mood. Suddenly, I go into bear, hibernation mode. Desire for comfort food sets in (stews/soups) and laziness to go out in the COLD takes over.

It’s funny, isn’t it. This happens every year. We need to create a new exercise routine. No more walking at 6 AM, now it’s 7 AM or lunch time. No more walking at 4:30 PM, too dark outside. I need to dust off my rowing machine, pull out my weights. Create new exercise habits until March.

There are REWARDS for walking. Look at this lovely bird I saw in the window. I don’t feed the birds, so was pleasantly surprised to see this bird feeder suctioned to the window. It held the weight of the bird nicely, as you see.

I was brought back to Italy. My grandmother fed the pigeons on her apartment balcony. It was a morning ritual. Make her tea and give bread crumbs to the birds. It’s nice to have birds as friends.

I’m not alone in my “move into winter mode.” Look at this squirrel, he’s been eating a lot too. In fact, he was enjoying his lunch so much that he let me get a close up of him, no fear, he just kept chomping.

As I finish my post, I see the sun rising.

Got to lace up, head out walking. GET IT DONE!

We do FEEL better when we exercise! No more winter laziness!! Exploration awaits, right!?!

Did you hear the news? PURPLE has just joined the M&M’s candy crew…

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Big news in the candy world. PURPLE is the new color for M&Ms. Purple is the first M&M to represent as a female for the brand. As far as male or female, I’ve gotta be honest, I’ve never given it much thought. This Purple M&M is meant to represent loving your “true self.” You’ll see this in the song. We are being hit with political statements every where we turn.

Apparently, they haven’t had a new color in over a decade. Did not realize this. I’m not sure why, but I always prefer the light colored peanut M&Ms (orange, yellow, green). I get in moods for them.

Enjoy the weekend.

I leave you with Purple’s debut song, “I’m just gonna be me”

What do you think? I like her eyelashes!

Founded right here in Chicago in 2010, Revolution Brewing. I walked in a store and at the entry were these boxes of German-Style Lager. Love the advertisement. I also like lager style beers. While I’m not a regular beer drinker, during Oktoberfest, it’s fun to have one.

We are at the tail end of Oktoberfest.

If you haven’t been to Munich for Oktoberfest, here’s a great YouTube video discussing the different beer tents you can visit. Lots to choose from.

Here’s to next year! If the dollar stays strong a trip to Munich will be lots of fun!

Cheers!

Oktoberfest – Last chance…

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McDonald’s – HAPPY MEAL for ADULTS!?

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I can’t stop smiling. A Happy Meal (with a toy) for Adults?? This was a clever marketing idea and right before the Holidays. I want one and I haven’t eaten at McDonald’s for years, but don’t we ALL want to feel like a kid again?! I do!

McDonald’s partnered with an apparel company called, “Cactus Plant Flea Market.” That name helps with the marketing too. I mean, WHAT IS —> Cactus Plant Flea Market?? I had to look it up. They sell online contemporary fashion street clothing.

For this Happy Meal campaign, they‘ve created a lot of FUN McDonald focused art designs. The clothing is a bit expensive though. A shame, because the designs make me smile.

Here are some of the apparel choices. More to see on the CPFM/McDonald’s website.

The UK is furious that these Adult Happy Meals are ONLY offered in America. I got to say, I would be too, especially if I was a McDonald’s fan. Why are the Americans having so much fun! I WANT A TOY TOO!

So, what do you think? Will you head out for a Happy Meal?

Birds nests – A little community…

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Birds are so creative in finding a place for their nest. I’m amazed that they chose these company letters when there appears to be no ledge under the nest. Although, they know what they are doing. That nest looks like it is snuggled tightly into that letter G. Such a perfect photograph!

WAIT THOUGH, they chose other letters. Seems like the Birdie friends said, “I’ll take this letter for my house, you go there, and another one over there.”

Then they can visit with each other daily and watch over each other’s nests.

What a great community idea!! A little subdivision.

When I walked past, the birds were flying back and forth from their nests. I was LUCKY that the Birdie on the G was staying HOME and resting.

I hope this gives you a BIG smile like it did for me!

HEALTH: Broken Bones – Can they hurt later in life?

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This photo resembles how I felt today. I was trying to open a glass jar of red cabbage. Goal, get the button on the top of the lid to pop. Since COVID my left wrist hurts when I try to open jars/cans. THAT jar and others would not open, no matter what I tried.

Is this significant? Well, when I was around 10 years old I played a game with my twin brother. My parents’ home had a hill on the side of it. We loved to run down the hill, as fast as we could, and see WHO could touch the side of the brick house first!

As we became more competitive, when our two hands hit, not touched, the side of the brick house the impact on our hands/wrists was quite strong. Basically, we used the wall to stop ourselves.

Well, you probably guessed what happened. The last time we ran down the hill, determined to beat my twin brother, I got to the side of the house first, hit the wall and SNAP. My hand/wrist went funny.

I still remember that weird feeling we get when we’ve sprained our ankle, slight dizziness, nausea in stomach. I was not feeling well. I had to hold on to my hand. We immediately went inside to have my mother assess the situation. She’s Italian, imagine the “Oh Gesù.”

At first she didn’t believe us. In her mind, we were supposed to be playing “nicely” outside. How could THIS happen?? As my wrist started to swell up, it was clear, something was wrong. She had me take my t-shirt off, SO PAINFUL. She was guessing if I needed a cast, there would be no way to get the t-shirt off later with cast on. So, I slipped on one of my Dad’s button down shirts.

Off to the Doctor we went. Sure enough, broken wrist. Back then they had these very HOT plaster strips they wrapped around my hand up to my elbow to form the cast. I was given a sling and so began my 6 weeks of “no fun.” Hard to sleep at night with such a heavy cast too. Anyhow, it was fun having people sign it. However, it got so itchy inside that after a while, I thought I would go INSANE.

Fast Forward — over 40 years later and suddenly that SAME wrist is giving me issues. I find that interesting. I only feel a bit of funny pain when I try to open a can or a jar. You know the tough ones where the button on the lid has to pop up. Otherwise, my wrist is perfectly fine.

Haven’t people said they’ve had bone/joint pain after COVID?

Pondering this. Thoughts? Anyone with similar issues after COVID?

OR — LOL — Are you going to say, “Welcome to OLD age, HONEY!”

Queen Elizabeth II – She would have been PROUD!

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Yesterday, I couldn’t sleep. I woke up at 2:30 AM CT. Annoyed, I turned on the TV.

I GOT SO LUCKY!

My annoyance was short lived. Suddenly, I was watching the BBC Channel, so many amazing back stories about the Queen and her generosity. Heart warming to hear them all.

I was able to see the Bagpipers. They were INCREDIBLE! If I had not been up, I would have missed them.

The funeral had so many amazing moments. We have not seen something so regal like this in years.

The weather was beautiful too. I found this picture of The Queen in yellow. How perfect since the sun came out for her yesterday. Someone interviewed said there was a rainbow the day before.

I LOVED how she had her signature style. ALWAYS the same hat / dress / coat, but in a variety of vibrant colors. Just wonderful! We always knew it was her!

She had two funerals yesterday. They were absolutely beautiful. This gave us time to be at peace.

One young man who was in the procession said he met King Charles. The interviewer asked, “What did he say?”

The young man, not used to being on camera, was nervous, but finally shared, “The King said his mother liked drills and precision, so to be precise.”

AND BY GOSH – THEY WERE ALL PRECISE!!

The young men who carried the coffin were incredible. I’ve moved furniture with another person, it’s hard going up stairs with a heavy load. They did it perfectly!

I wish she could have seen it!

The Queen would have have given her beautiful smile, waived and been PROUD!

A job well done!

We will miss you!

Important – Do you know how to flag down a Helicopter?

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I saw this in the Colorado news, thought I would share it. Do you know how to flag down a helicopter?

There are certain hand signals to use. Waving one hand like you are saying, “Hi” is not one of them.

I think many of us are shaking our heads at this. I’ve never thought about this as “training” we need. By instinct, if we were in distress, we would desperately wave both hands in the air to get the attention of the pilot. No way, would we want him leave without us on board.

The one hand wave. Benefit of the doubt, maybe the hiker was overly tired, could tell the pilot saw him and just expected the pilot to stop and pick him up? I find these situations maddening. WHO is paying for the helicopter to go rescue a hiker? And if the hiker is just “tired” and not really in distress, was this a true S.O.S call or a hiker feeling that he wanted a “FREE ride home?”

I’m sharing this, because I never thought about it before.

So, this is a powerful lesson. WAVE like CRAZY with TWO HANDS if you are stranded and see a helicopter flying over head. The same routine we would use if we saw a bear, right! Except with the bear, we do this to SCARE him away, with the helicopter, we are BEGGING him to land.

BY THE WAY – Anyone know what the hand signals are for crossing the street? You know, that instant where you lock eyes with the driver at a stop sign. He’s waving you to go ahead walk, you wave HIM to go ahead drive. Finally, you start to walk, but WHAT hand signal do you give to say, “Thanks, appreciate it, don’t run me over?” It gets so confusing. I’ve had that happen several times lately.

Happy hiking, camping or whatever outdoor activity you might be doing.

BE SAFE out there!