Afterglow

It is in these moments that I miss you the most. The grey between the black and white, the wind between sunshine and rain. The empty gaps between the curtains, the minutes between the hours and the times I see things that remind me of you everywhere. The walking sticks I see, the dogs that chase people, the trees that shed yellow leaves. The boxes of candy, the carpeted floors and the smell of old books.

You're there, in every bookshelf, every page of every magazine, every chipped fingernail, every time I glance up at myself in these mirrors. I can smell the smell of your washed ironed clothes every time I walk into your room, I can breathe your conscience in every time I step out of my comfort zone. In every page I turn, in every smile I fake. In every bold decision I make.

Ever since you left me many months ago, I've missed you, but I've also seen and felt you everywhere. You pierce through the thoughts in my head, you pray with me beside my bed, you hold my shoulders straight when I face the world. You push me along when I can't move, you hold me back when inertia doesn't take over. I'm looking at myself now and I can see you looking back at me.

Ever since you left, I've been wondering whom to go to about all these questions I have. My eternal google. Today JJ asked me about scripture and I wished you were around even more. I have so many questions. SO MANY, that only you can answer them. Ever since you left, I've been adding more milk to my coffee, more sugar to my life, and stirring much faster. I'm facing the world, because of you. I'm a better person because of you. I still believe in things, because of you. I won't change a thing, because of you. I'm living in your afterglow.

What they teach me

And yes, I learn best from people. I used to think it was books I like to read, but the books I like reading are people, really. The authors behind their stories. The people in my life. What they all teach me.

I don't know why but it's all coming back to me now, everything everyone's ever said to me. The things I believe in are all pieces of light and dark. Contributed by everyone I've ever met. Documented only in my current personality, exhibiting influence only in the things I do and feel. If you know me, know that at some point, you've taught me something.

Always believe things to be good, until you find them to be contrary.

Shit happens.

Fear nothing, because honestly woman, nothing really fears you.

That belief is what helps me figure out the difference between right and wrong.

Passionate people will never be happy with anything that isn't them.

Always give people one chance.

Shut up and eat! (my personal favourite)

Maybe we shouldn't over-analyse everything.

Maybe we're not supposed to understand.

You should always experiment.

Tree-man, and about how I should be glad I even have feet.

Slow down once in a while.

You're allowed to have days where you do absolutely nothing.

No feeling is a hundred percent; that can only be a good thing.

Always be positive.

There's nothing a good watch can't cure.

You will change completely every five years, no matter what.

A whole load of things about education.

Top three things to avoid: Cranky, sappy and crappy.

First think about what you have to do, not how you're going to do it.

Love exists.

Everything is perspective.

Everything is an illusion.

You can't sit down and think about what you want. You either already know or don't.

Marketing and Sales in life: Lesson One

I know nothing about marketing and Sales, but I'd love for my career to have everything to do with them, someday. I've been reading a lot, and most people have one thing to say about marketing- it is ubiquitous. You can look for snippets of marketing, everywhere, and apply things you've read, heard and learnt to daily life.

Presenting, my very own, Lesson One.

DISCLAIMER: This WILL disgust you. Don't say I didn't warn you. But it's a big, weird world out there and I write about the real world, more or less, so, brace yourself.

Let's begin.

Situation: Seven of us decide to watch the noon show of the movie "Nine" in a well-known multiplex. A Whopping THREE people cannot make it, even after the tickets are bought. If you must know, Reason: Illness, doing it's city rounds.

Ideal solution: Let's sell the remaining three tickets somehow!

Pitfalls:
- People would rather watch some other movie.
- Most people already have tickets.
- One person who did want to buy a ticket wasn't happy with back row seats.
- We got close to stalking people. Boundaries were mentally re-drawn.
- If you didn't know this already, being a salesperson is hard. Firstly, no one really wants to hear you out, and secondly, "No" is almost always the answer.

First thoughts: Our first thoughts were that we needed to get our demographic right. We targeted couples, groups of girls, groups in threes, people who looked likely to watch a movie like Nine. I really don't want to get into the details of this. We actually thought we were "Understanding our Demographic".

Shocking Revelations: It turns out, our first ticket was sold to just one person who'd come alone to watch the movie. One guy. "Hmm", we thought. Single people?

The "But of course" moment: Wham! Guys had turned up solo to watch the movie Nine, what with it's all-star gorgeous, seductive looking women cast. We didn't think that was the case, but were shocked to discover that this indeed was. Ah well, shock or no shock, it's time to move to the next step.

CAPITALIZE: And that, indeed, is what some of my friends did only too well. Changed our understanding of our "demographic". Capitalized on our new understanding.

End Result: We sold all three tickets, to three total strangers, each of whom had come to watch the movie alone, all three being men. 1+ 1 + 1.
Hallelujah.




Lesson learnt: When in doubt, reconsider your demographic. Always get your true demographic right.

Ta-da!

We're in it to win it!

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