Coco Avant Chanel

Yesterday I cast in stone a decision to really do things my way and not to settle for pebbles. You see, tiny doubts and bad idea bears have crept around my cozy crypt (for alliteration’s sake), but not anymore. Do you even know how difficult it is to remain oneself in the world that is constantly harassing you to be a caricature of yourself? Dear Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Gabrielle Chanel did exactly that.

The first thing I did after watching Coco Avant Chanel is go to The Auteurs and add the film to my profile. There I saw 2-3 reviews by self-proclaimed cinephiles, saying they were disappointed about the lack of flair, flashy fashion and epicocity that the Paris fashion was then. What? Did you even read the title of the film!? The execution was subtle, and increasingly Chanelesque in composition and tone. Look what some idiot wrote: “Was expecting much more nuance and flair in the filmmaking, but all it contained were overdetermined references to Chanelesque style points: black & white, pearls, lace, and whatnot. Riveting?”  Gosh.

I viewed the whole story as a non-stop series of transformations; about the men and women, her surroundings and other elements that influenced her. Subtle, a little slow, but always emotionally vibrant. It’s also about true love, inspiration, determination and support. It’s not about how cool it must’ve been to be mademoiselle Chanel. It’s about being a strong woman going against the current. At least in my opinion.

In fact, what people labeled “plainliness”, I called elegance. Where some were looking for color and fluff, I was sensing the weight and texture, to somewhat speak in fashion terms. I loved Audrey Tautou; in my world she is on par with Anouk Aimee and Anna Karina. I think we all fell for Alessandro Nivola’s  (Yale grad btw) character a little too. But my favorite part is that it was not a rags to riches via marriage (thus complete denial of Gabrielle’s self) story, but a rags to riches via unrestrained imagination, hard work and daring to be different.

Filed under: film , beauty, development, fashion, film, movie, self, work

New Horizons

Felt a little guilty about not providing any updates on what’s been happening with me since May 24th. I’ve left Agent Wildfire for a geographically closer, more upbeat and growing Cyberplex. I love what I’m doing. I work with determined, creative and excited people and every hour that I am here, I feel energized, empowered and challenged. There is a project, Shop Causes, that I am currently working on – my task is to release it from its incubator and relinquish it into the market. I want to tell you more as I hope that is something you would get into.

It is a free Facebook Application through which you can do your online shopping and support a cause of your choice (any). For example, after having added the application, I first selected Sick Kids Foundation (most popular cause on the app), then opted out for PETA. Then I browsed 200+ online retailers whose stores I can browse, make purchases and then see them donate a percentage to my chosen cause. I lose nothing here. I also shop online very often.

I’m very excited about this project because as a 1) generation Y young bird wanting to change the world; 2) online shopper 3) recessionista, I can help  myself and others here without having to take a lot of my own hard-earned and sometimes uninexistent disposable income to donate to charities of my chosing. Pass the word along, guys, I think together we can really make a difference here by doing nothing more than what we do already – shop and spread the word.

PS. I’m also managing the Twitter account, find us @ShopCauses. Check out developments there and tweet your purchases and we’ll add $0.25 to your cause.

Filed under: Great Products , good life, miracle, product, work

High Achievements & Still Highs

Ibiza, Aug 2008. Rocking out with my socks out...

…on life Been hustlin’ and hustlin’ and hustlin’.

When I was at BBDO on Monday, the HR lady practically interviewed me right there and then. One of the many questions she asked me, “What was your greatest achievement?” Or the achievement I was most proud about. Historically, my victories have all been academic, as I haven’t actually embarked on that up-the-ladder journey (I’ll more likely be hopping up two or three ladders simultaneously) yet.

So, an achievement that I am most proud of so far is the one relating to me having gone from a B/B- GPA at the University of British Columbia (my finance dark days) to an A average, which then led to a Golden Key Society Membership. I have always been a straight A student, but some things happened at the university level and I had a lot of ground to cover to reach a Golden Key level. And I did.

Another achievement that I always think about took place in 1997 when my family just moved back to Russia (Magadan city) from Czech Republic (Prague). I was 11 and I forgot Russian at that point. But I quickly got it back. I was placed in grade 3, and our homeroom teacher presented us with a mathematical problem from the grade 6 curriculum. I did not have the math backing to solve the problem, but since all 40 of us 11 year olds had to present some kind of a solution to our teacher, I struggled. I struggled for 48 hours and couldn’t figure it out. I couldn’t figure it out until 2 hours before the class, when a strike of genius commanded my hand to write some grade 6 math gibberish (grade 8 by Western standards), and et voila – the satisfied and respectful face of my teacher always appears in my head when I do something amazing.

Filed under: memories , achievement, bbdo, career, development, future, improvements, marketing, memories, monday, productivity, work

September’s Developments

I haven’t written all the posts about Europe, but I will continue to post more about my tour as I keep a to-do list of blog posts and I’m back (unfortunately). While I am hesitating to start reading Michael Porter’s Competitive Strategy, which is the big bang book in bussines strategy, I will write a little about what’s going on, especially since Hans pointed that studies have shown that blogging is quite good for you. Agreed.

The first week is so far very hectic. I straightened everything out with with my bank, Ryerson and work, signed up for the gym (to play squash, do cardio, swim), for pilates (let’s try this out), and cross-training group classes. Having paid $30 for the latter, I can go to as many classes – which include Cardio Camp, Spinning, Yoga, Abs & Butt, Boxing and Cardio Kickbox, – as I can, every week. First session tomorrow. I’m also doing a major health check this semester, it’s long overdue.

I’ve become a big proponent of cooking at home, and have a well-stocked fridge at the moment. After fabulous excesses of European food, I’m switching to lighter choices, and eliminating meats from my diet; let’s see how it goes. I compiled a weekly menu for myself to make sure I get all the recommended daily servings of various foods, that I prepare certain products earlier on to avoid spoilage, and to save the time spent on meal contemplation in front of the fridge.

One is more likely to get into a habit of doing particular things if one has a schedule, and since I want to improve time management skills and accomplish more in this busy time of my life, I set one up. Incorporating time for classes, studying, work, exercise, leisure, self-development, online tasks, it will go in effect starting next week.

Filed under: simple life , autumn, changes, food, productivity, self, toronto, work

PlanetEye – where I intern

Well, well, well!

Rock Band Set Up in the Media Room

PlanetEye Inc., the company for which I am interning this summer, moved to a new office, which delights me! Until now, me and two other interns used to work from an office down the hall, thus being apart from the team. However, now we’re all together like a big family that we are, and I must say my productivity shoots through the roof as a result of that!

Today I’ve been very busy and also brimming over the top with all sorts of ideas. Lotsa good things are in store!

By the way, one of the raddest new additions to our office is Rock Band in the new media room. I’ve never played the game before, and got my first chance last night. I’m gonna be the guitar rocker in the office. I’m going to be obsessed with this video game in no time.

Moreover, PlanetEye is running a new contest – win a $2,000 travel voucher for Travelocity Last Minute Deals – all you have to do is sign up for a free account at this awesome travel site. Contest closes August 11, 2008. Go for it!

Filed under: simple life , fun, job, planeteye, promo, rock band, work