The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]

Yep, it’s health shop GNC located right next to JCO Donuts.

I have no idea if it was intentional or just a happy/sad accident but something tells me this could potentially work in both companies interests … from the person who has just bought some overpriced GNC stuff who thinks they can now ‘justify’ eating a quick ‘bun of fun’ through to people who’ve just bought a ‘bun of fun’ who feel the should pop into GNC to buy some overpriced stuff to ‘justify’ their fried sugar meal.

Of course it could also be argued that the people who enter both shops would rather die than go into their neighbours establishment but I am always reminded of the guy I met who owned QVC [the television shopping channel] who paid a premium to ensure his channel was always placed no more than 3 channels from either a major ‘sports’ or ‘docudrama’ channel.

Why?

Because his research showed that when ad breaks are on, people used the ‘up/down’ feature on their remote control to ‘channel surf’, but never go more than 3 channels from their favourite show so if he could ensure he was in that 3 channel vicinity, he could increase his odds of selling people his tat and make a killing.

Whilst of course there were many other factors to his success – the thing he understood was that in the main, people have 3 sides … the personal, the professional and the secret … and so whilst publically, individuals may claim they would think/do one thing, in private, a very different set of choices may get made which is why things that may look like disasters can often turn into situations of great opportunity.

Sure it’s bloody hot and there’s things about the place that does my head in, but Singapore was incredibly good to me and I have a lot of friends and memories here that counter any negative view that I could have.

The thing is, whilst I haven’t lived there for 2 years, my feelings towards the place are much stronger than in HK, where I lived just 6 weeks ago.

Of course some of that is down to the fact I spent 4 years in Sing and only 15 months in HK – but I am shocked at just how sentimental I am about the little island, especially as if truth be told, I miss it more than I do places where I lived for longer.

If I really think about it, there’s probably a whole load of reasons … from the fact it’s where I first started my love affair with Asia through to it being where I got married … but the thing is, if someone had asked me way back in 2005 whether I thought I’d ever have such strong feelings towards Singapore, I’d of laughed in their face which leads to my point …

There are many occasions in life and work where you get set challenges and goals that leads your first reaction to be something like “AREYOUFUCKINGOUTYOURMIND” when the reality is, with some thought and a bit of luck, you might be able to come up with an idea/s that allows something truly momentous and special to flow, and if that happens, you might just be able to rewrite the rule book.

Let’s put that in context … this is the first time since I left college way back in 1989 that I’ve been able to get to my place of work without needing to take a bus/taki/car/boat/train, and to be honest, it’s a wonderful feeling.

I don’t say that because of any environmental benefits … nor because I like the idea work can call me in at a moments notice … I say it because it has made me happier.

Yes I know I sound like I’m back at Google or something … but the thing is as I walk to/from the office, the issues, tensions, pressures and deadlines of the day drift away to be replaced with feelings, images, sounds and smells of the environment around me.

In the past, going to/from work felt like I was on automatic pilot … often reaching my destination without actually knowing how I got there … whereas today I notice all that is going on, from the people walking their dog who look shifty when you walk around the corner because they were obviously going to try and make a break for it rather than pick up their pets shit to the street traders who shuffle their feet to the left or the right in a bid to increase their odds of catching your eye and try to sell you something weird or wonderful.

[But never weird and wonderful, ha!]

Seriously, it’s like I’ve woken up and am seeing things I haven’t seen for almost 30 years.

OK, so I’m a newbie in China so there’s lots of new things to see and discover which means that in all liklihood, the novelty will pass – especially when winter comes [though walking to work in 39 degrees is hardly much fun either] – however the effect a simple 10 minute walk has had on me has been nothing short of a revelation.

In some respects, it takes me back to when I was a kid and would walk to Heymann Primary School.

I know Shanghai and West Bridgford are about as different as you can get, but back then, the journey to/from school was less about going to a destination and more about building anticipation.

You see for me, going to/from school was like an unsaid countdown … a countdown towards a period of wonderful social interaction – either with my friends or with my parents.

It was exciting.

Every week day, where Greythorn Drive meets Waddington Drive, I would either meet or say goodbye to my friends and know that I was heading to happiness – either because I’d be meeting and playing with my friends or talking to my parents about my day and my hopes, dreams and thoughts.

Of course

So W+K have this thing where newbies have to give a 3 min preso of their life to the rest of the office – after which, someone paints a portrait of you that reflects all the things that have been shown/said.

As you are all people who have known me for quite a while, I thought I’d see how well you know me by putting up my preso and asking what you think particular slides [or each slide as I know you’re not busy] mean.

Come on – let’s see what you’re made of – even though I am sure the desire to take the piss will counter any sensible observation you may/may not make.