Random Thoughts

When people ask me about work/life balance, I just laugh. But I try to be time-efficient by scheduling meetings in appropriate increments --15 minutes or less sometimes. I've also tried to build a culture that understands writing brief e-mails is not emotional coldness.

- Reid Hoffman
www.linkedin.com

It's good to be brief, really.

Christien Meindertsma

I thought Christien's PIG 05049 project was absolutely brilliant. Her design includes the publication of her book, PIG 05049, which charts and pictures each of the products supported by the animal. Really amazing.

Useful link:
www.christienmeindertsma.com

The INDEX Awards 2009

The 2009 recipients were just announced. www.indexaward.dk

South African Wine

As with fine wine in France or Italy, the trick is to buy at source, really.

Useful links:
www.sowetowinefestival.co.za
www.capewinemakersguild.com
www.winecellar.co.za
http://carolineswine.com

Chocolates Were A Smuggler's Best Friend

The newly-released MI5 files reveal that diamonds and pearls looted by the Bolsheviks from Tsar Nicholas II were hidden in hollowed-out chocolate creams and smuggled into Britain to fund a revolutionary communist newspaper. What a story!

Useful link:
www.mi5.gov.uk

The Future Arrived Yesterday

The Future Arrived Yesterday: The Rise of the Protean Corporation and What It Means for You by Michael Malone is a brilliant book about growing/modifying virtualization of the workplace + the new thinking: its application + the impact in the global marketplace.

Random Thoughts

Here's the spectrum: Over here, markets are hyperefficient. Every piece of information is known and immediately embedded in market prices within seconds. Over on the other end, here's a market that's totally crazy. Prices bear no relation to value or anything. We all agree the market isn't over here, and it isn’t over there, and the thing we need to talk about is, where is it?

- Bill Sharpe
www.appliancestudio.com

Spot on.

Patrick Blanc

I would really like to see Patrick Blanc's designs everywhere. It's stunningly beautiful green and functional. Brilliant. I loved it.

Useful link:
www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com