They Could Put Strychnine in the Guacamole

"I said I'm stressed out... so tired... my days... so long... I NEED A VACATION"

The above is the chorus of the song that resonates most in my life right now from Young Jeezy, titled, "I Need a Vacation."

This image is one I've been picturing in my head since December. This image is the only thing saving my sanity, so imagine my terror at the thought of having to postpone this image due to this image:

The A (H1N1), aka swine flu, has been top-of-mind since it spread like wildfire through Mexico and Texas last week (and to the rest of the world days later.) I've been rabidly monitoring coverage for any break in sickness, ANYTHING that would allow me to take my vacation.

I called the promotional company who is handling our trip logistics about their recommendations, which they recommended to wait until just before our trip to see what happened; I looked for news every day, and every little ounce of good news I stored in my arsenal to convince myself that I could - and would - take this trip. I mean, it's my sanity we're talking about!!

Stephen told me my judgement was impaired, fueled by my need to escape the city for a week. To some degree he was probably right, but it was more than that. I know how the media works, how sensationalism works. This was the media's dream story, all packaged with a pretty bow.

It's been just over a week since the flu broke out. People aren't dying anymore, and the media coverage has died down (no front page story on The NY Times today!) I've done my due diligence. I called my physician to explain the situation and what, if anything, I should do. The doctor explained to me how the flu has been sensationalized, and explained that the Mexico resorts haven't had any serious reports. He said to take some flu medicine in case we get sick, but that things aren't nearly as dangerous as they thought last week. He said to GET OUT OF TOWN!

That image, the one I've been holding on to for months, will be replaced by this image come Sunday.

I need a vacation... and thankfully on Sunday I'll get one.

R.I.P. Saturn

It's no secret that I love my car, Holly, and that I'm a huge fan of Saturn vehicles - after all, I've owned 4 of them! So it was a major disappointment to read on the New York Times today that GM will be discontinuing the Saturn brand beginning in 2012.

So RIP, Saturn. I, for one, will miss you terribly and rue the day when I have to purchase another brand.

Music Mogul Does Not an Adman Make You

I came across this article today in the NY Times announcing that rapper Jay-Z and IPG (one of the largest holding companies for PR and advertising agencies) are opening a multi-cultural agency focused on African-American consumers because many people don't get speaking to minorities.

I'm sorry, Jay-Z, but just because you've had success lending your name to market everything underneath the sun does not mean that you get advertising OR speaking to your audience. Yes, you came from Marcy and you've come from nothing to be one of the biggest names in Hip-Hop, but your view of reality - and more importantly commonality - is probably so far skewed now that you can't say with certainty what your community wants and how they want to hear messages.

Before everyone jumps on my back, I have to say that I LOVE Jay-Z; I think he is brilliant and he knows that all he has to do is put his name on something for it to sell. But that's what he's done: built an empire on his name alone. I've worked on launching and building the brand of a minority-owned-and-operated agency; it takes more than a name to make something successful. Here's to hoping that he's more than just a name; I look forward to seeing where he takes this agency.