Category Archives: advertising

An Encounter with Muji

Posted on February 28, 2019 by

Decades ago, when I lived in Japan, various satirical magazines often made fun of what we termed Japanese English or Janglish. These were translation mistakes or misuses of English (intentional or unintentional) that appeared everywhere. They could be boldly emblazoned … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, Japan, Japanese, Retail, shopping, translation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Talking About Weather

Posted on January 19, 2019 by

The big talk in my classrooms on Friday was all about the weather. It was kind of like I was trapped in an ESL textbook from the 70s or 80s.  I enjoyed the irony….for a few minutes at least.  Then, … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, adversity, advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, ESL, snow, students, teaching, travel, travel writing, weather, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seeking Your Advice

Posted on September 30, 2018 by

Readers, from far and wide, I appeal to you for some wisdom. I have a choice to make, but I am struggling to come up with the best solution.  I would love to hear what you think. I am planning … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, advertising, advice, airplanes, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, Exodus, Exodus Travels, finance, Intrepid, travel, travel writing, vacation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Incredible Bananas

Posted on June 16, 2018 by

I thought it was a one off, but now I am certain that my bananas have become a regular cog in the marketing machine of Hollywood.  I do have a soft spot in my heart for the Incredibles.  I really did … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, marketing | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

The Inner Child

Posted on May 14, 2018 by

Today, totally without planning and possibly due to an error by the TTC which saw a subway car stop at the platform, not open its doors and drive away, I got on a subway completely decorated inside and out to … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, Disney, marketing, public transportation, subway, toys, TTC | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bananas Are Not Safe Anywhere

Posted on September 14, 2017 by

Just when you thought the rants about bananas was over, I discover that no bananas are safe. All bananas are targets for advertising revenue.  The brand is unimportant.  Everyone is doing this.  Soon it will be the apples, then it … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, banana, contest | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Follow up on the Bananas

Posted on July 31, 2017 by

I am sorry to bother you with some banality, but I feel that I must add more information to the whole banana imbroglio.***  Quinn, whose blog  I respect, wondered about the connection between the minions and bananas. Here are some … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, banana, marketing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advertising Goes Bananas

Posted on July 30, 2017 by

As new trends in advertising go, I suppose this is not horrible.  Showing commercials before movies at the movie theatre  is horrible, playing commercials before YouTube videos is horrible, and having flat screens showing commercials above urinals at bars is–okay, … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, banana | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Leave My Bananas Alone!

Posted on June 1, 2017 by

I thought it was a one-off. I thought that it would happen once and never again.  How sadly I misjudged Hollywood.  How sadly I thought their greed had limits. They have gone and defiled my banana again–though this time it … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, Disney, food, rant | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Really?! On My Banana?

Posted on March 22, 2017 by

I know this blog is all about positivity and finding the best part of the day, but sometimes, I just need to get something off my chest. Sometimes things, even barely significant things, weigh on you and venting them seems … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Aspirations, Reflections, Perfection, blog, blogging, blogposts, commercialization, Disney, making money, money | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments