I’ve been thinking about the value of words of late, largely because I do so love words in all their various forms, but also because this month marks the first time ever (despite having gained a degree in Journalism several – ahem – years ago now) that I will be formally paid for an article by Fast Company SA, no less, for their grand Dec/Jan issue on the most innovative companies globally and in SA.
Not too long ago I bought a dress. It is understated, navy blue, short sleeved and just above the knee. It’s fairly demure but also light and cool and great for meetings in the heat of summer. So when Cape Town doused us with some crazy early spring heat I got it out and wore it all day with much happiness. In the evening I added leggings as spring evenings cool down fast and went off to dinner with my barefoot husband and a friend.
As we parked and got out of the car the barefoot husband looked at me and exclaimed, “Oh!”, pause, “That dress looks much better with the pants on.”
Having planned a poetry party and asked some of the most wonderful, inspiring poets I know and admire to perform, I did the semi-idiotic thing of writing my birthday speech as a poem which I then had to perform! School-boy error, as they say, but I managed and have been asked to share them by some very lovely, loyal friends (those most important of creatures!), so they’re a little further down this page…
Sadly the day of my actual birthday (two days after the party), I heard of the sudden, absolutely shocking death of a colleague and friend from my P&G days, so it made for a day of very mixed emotions. Shelley was one of the most vivacious, warm, inviting people I’ve ever been privileged to know. Her sudden death from a stroke at age 41 while managing a Coca-Cola sponsorship team in Brazil for the world-cup not only shocked all of us to the core, but it brought into stark relief the fact that not one of use knows what time we have left, and for me it really brought my thoughts on being 40 home: nothing matters but those you love and who make life worthwhile.
Go celebrate them right now.
Having thrown, survived and really enjoyed my party for this decade, it occurred tome that there are several more things that are quite like advertising when it comes to hosting a party, so here is part 2 with some gratuitous party photos kindly taken by good friends while I swanned around!
The invitation – typed on my mom’s old college typewriter with it’s italic font. No Bruce, it’s not just an app!
I’ve been thinking about messaging a lot lately, partly because I’m helping several clients craft brand messages and adverts at the moment, but also because I’m planning a party. Bear with me, it’s not quite as random as it sounds!